PUT ST. CHARLES FIRST
By Jerry Haferkamp

Next meeting: Jan.13, 7p.m. @ Linneman Library
“Sexism” and “Racism” are “ism”s we don’t like and we hope are not as prevalent here as in other areas. However an “ism” has surfaced here and its effects are equally as repulsive. The new “ism” is “elitism”. The practitioners of elitism want to insure their neighborhoods and their children’s schools won’t have “undesirables” around.
The elites will oppose any development that includes apartments or condos. They are the epitome of wolves in sheep’s clothing. They can lure good intentioned people into their web. They will use phrases like “lower density”, “green space” and “smart growth” to insure lots are so large the only way a developer can make good on his investment is to build $300,000+ homes. This will help keep the neighborhood and its schools free of anyone with a “Rusty Wallace” or “Dale Earnhart” t-shirt. Only Izod and Yves St. Laurent are to be seen. Who decides if your city’s growth is “smart gro
wth”? They do! The growth can’t be “smart” unless it meets the elitists’ specifications. Elitists are not racist. Elitism has no racial or ethnic boundaries.
St. Charles has for years been a “working class” city. We have always welcomed new residents, but the elites appear to be saying, “I came here and got mine, now let’s put an end to anyone else getting theirs”. We allowed them to take our “green space” to get their part of the American dream, but now they want to slam the door on others who want to live in St. Charles.
However, the wheels seem to be falling off the elitists’ axle. At Tuesday’s Council meeting, one of them could be seen applauding speakers on two different sides of the golf course issue. Maybe his handlers in the break-room forgot to tell him what side he should be on. C’mon boys. At least get on the same page.
Like many of our readers, I can remember looking out the windows of Mrs. Wilkinson’s class; across the St. Charles High stadium and watching the cows graze. A few years later, St. Charles Plaza was the edge of town. Maybe if we had practiced “smart growth” then, we wouldn’t have to suffer these elitists now. Hindsight is 20/20.
Elsewhere in this edition of the FCN you will read about the attempt to recall Councilwoman Greer. In our next column, I will give you a little insight into who the malcontents are and why they picked her as their target. You’ll find it hard to believe who had the nerve to stagger in to help malign Councilwoman Greer. Sour grapes?

Has Steve Powell been fired yet? Why not?