The election is over; power has changed hands, and with the changing of the guard comes the lucrative political appointments of campaign supporters and benefactors.
One of the biggest plums and patronage money-makers in the state is our own local license fee office. The building housing this money cow is oqned by a company that is allegedly owned by Roger Pryor, Ken Kielty, and Ernie Dempsey, owner of Pio’s Restaurant.
Twelve years ago, Governor Carnahan awarded this office to Ken Kielty. Four years ago, Governor Holden reappointed Kielty.
Governor Matt Blunt recently awarded the fee office to Ernie Dempsey. Dempsey is the father of State Representative Tom Dempsey who is now the majority floor leader of the Missouri House of Representatives. Republicans are expecting Tom Dempsey to run for the State Senate and then Governor around the year 2012.
There is little doubt Ernie Dempsey has the Governor’s ear. It is speculated the remainder of the Governor’s body parts are in the possession of Mayor York and FOP President, Tommy Mayer, who endorsed Blunt. I can’t buy into that theory; the Governor appears to be too smart to willingly give up all his body parts so soon after the election.
Ernie Dempsey has hired his daughter, Mary, to manage and run the fee office. Although Kielty has lost the business, he will still collect 1/3 of the rent from the building.
Democrat Roger Pryor is not only a political ally of Republican Ernie Dempsey and a partner in the building. He is also a partner in the Columns Banquet Center. Pryor will allegedly continue to receive part of the rent for the fee office.
Pio’s Restaurant has often been compared to the City of Atlanta, Georgia. Since so many air travelers must change planes in Atlanta to get anywhere, people have complained forever that, “You can’t even get to Heaven without going through Atlanta.”
Both Democrats and Republicans frequent Pio’s for dining and “networking”. Pio’s and the Columns receive a lion’s share of bookings for fundraisers, weddings and various parties given by civic groups. Consequently, Dempsey knows everything happening in this city pertaining to business and politics. He knows everything that is going to happen as well. He has his ear to the curb and his hands on the community pulse. So much so that The Great Hall of Pio’s and Boss Dempsey put Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed to shame.
Dempsey is better at the game than Tweed because he is pleasant, likable, and does not display arrogance. People recently reported he is so humble he was seen vigorously slapping himself at Pio’s during a busy lunch hour so as not to anger the gods over his good fortune. With the Columns Banquet Center being in such close proximity to the new Convention Center—soon to be completed—many wondered if this would be not only stiff competition for the Columns, but pose a liability for future bookings.
Pryor and Dempsey must not see this as a problem because they both worked very hard to convince the voting public to approve the construction of the new facility. They also helped lead the charge for a full-time mayor with mega-power and a high salary. Why?
Surely, they could not believe this city to be stupid enough to buy the Columns if it turns into a white elephant? (No pun intended.) But who knows——we did buy the Goldenrod.
