Jerry Hollingsworth is a man of action. He likes to see things get done.

Hollingsworth has served St. Peters and more specifically, the residents of Ward 2, on the Board of Aldermen since 1992. He is a partner at St. Charles Insurance Agency, but finds much fulfillment volunteering his time in the other organizations.

“If I were to pick a favorite, it would be anything that deals with kids,” Hollingsworth said of his many volunteer activities.

Hollingsworth finds the most value in organizations that help children achieve their potential. He is on the Board of Directors for a variety of youth assisting organizations, such as United Services, the St. Charles County Boys and Girls Club and Missourians Who Kare for Injured and Disabled Students. He enjoys acting as an auctioneer for charity events and his resume lists dozens of other civic involvements.

Despite the time spent volunteering, he still finds a way to give St. Peters the time and energy it deserves. He has been an alderman for nearly 20 years. Hollingsworth said he and the BOA work hard to keep St. Peters thriving.

“We are very fiscally responsible and we pride ourselves in going the extra step for the residents.” Hollingsworth said. “We work hard to keep the budget balanced. Sometimes it is a challenge to provide the same high level of service to our residents, but we think we have managed.”

He said St. Peter’s streets, parks and bike paths are some of the best in the St. Louis area.

“The Rec-Plex is phenomenal, of course, but we are always looking for ways to improve the city,” he said.

St. Peters has completed a number of projects over the past years, despite the national economic downturn.  He said the city and BOA has heard a bit of criticism for the new building projects, but those dollars were set aside well before any economic changes happened. Many are funded by bond issues passed years ago.

One of the largest projects in the spotlight is the Lakeside 370 Park. Hollingsworth said it is unfortunate that it has been hard to draw businesses to Lakeside 370 during this economy.

 “Making Lakeside 370 come together has been a long task, but it will be worth it,” he said. “It is a great project, but sadly it is being built in a time when the economy is not really the best. We have some business moving in and we are hoping for more soon.”

The BOA is always looking at what is best for the city. Currently, there are many empty strip malls that line the streets. The city has fielded many questions and concerns regarding the issue. Hollingsworth said that while it is certainly sad to see so many vacant storefronts, it is impossible for the city to deny a private company the right to build a strip mall on a properly zoned piece of land.

Hollingsworth said the city prides itself on the appearance of St. Peters and attributes some of the beauty to the fact that the streets are not cluttered with temporary signs. To help existing businesses thrive, St. Peters has relaxed some regulations regarding temporary signs.

 “The sign restrictions proved to be too restrictive, so now we allow temporary signs for special events and sales,” he said.

Hollingsworth has no political aspirations beyond the BOA and maybe running for one more term when his current term is over.

“I am a numbers guy—a businessman, and I can’t stand the politics,” Hollingsworth said with a twinkle in his eye.

While his professional, political and civic life has proved to be fulfilling and rewarding, Hollingsworth said his greatest accomplishment in life has been his family and with their help, overcoming alcoholism.

“With the help of my wife, I have been recovered for 25 years,” he said.

In his free time, Hollingsworth spends as much time on the golf course as he can. He likes to get in two or three days a week on the course. In addition to that, he is an avid hunter, a passion he has passed on to his sons. Hollingsworth has taken hunting trips all over North America and Africa.

On a hunting trip in Iowa this past December, a physician friend noticed an odd lump on Hollingsworth’s neck. The friend made Hollingsworth promise to get it checked out. He did.

Since then, Hollingsworth was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma. He is optimistic about his long term health, since the disease is considered Grade 2. He will know more in the coming weeks after more tests are complete.