Michael Snowden is the newest member of the O'Fallon City Council.

Snowden, 44, was sworn in Jan. 12 after the council approved his appointment by Mayor Bill Hennessy.

Snowden fills the Ward 5 seat vacated by Mark Perkins, who on Nov. 17 announced he would resign effective Dec. 31. Snowden will serve the remainder of Perkins' term, which expires April 2013.

For nearly five years, Snowden has worked as a training and quality assurance officer for St. Charles County's dispatch and alarm department. Snowden said he has worked 25 years in the public safety field.

A former Hazelwood resident, he moved to O'Fallon in 2005 with his wife and son, who is now 22. In Hazelwood, Snowden served two years on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.

Snowden said he has never held nor sought elective office. He said applied for the vacant Ward 5 seat because he believed it was his duty.

"I think it is important, as citizens of the city, to be prepared to give back any way you can," he said.

Snowden said he became interested in O'Fallon government in 2009 when Perkins and Councilman Mike Pheney, Ward 5, helped residents in his Hampton Woods subdivision resolve a dispute with a developer that wanted to build smaller homes than previously allowed.

"It showed me how responsive city government is supposed to be," Snowden said. "I wanted to be part of that."

The city's charter allows the mayor to select a nominee to fill a vacancy on the council. The city began accepting applications for the seat in November. In December, eight applicants were interviewed by Hennessy, with input from Pheney and Council President Pro-tem Jeff Schwentker.

Hennessy said Snowden "rose above" the other applicants. He said he was impressed by how Snowden carried himself during the interview as well as during council meetings when Snowden represented Hampton Woods residents dealing with the developer. Hennessy said he was convinced Snowden was the "best man for the job."