Saturday, March 26, 2005

HAPPY EASTER - Our next edition on April 2nd.

The staff of the First Capitol News wishes you a very Happy Easter. Our next edition will be published on April 2, 2005.

Thank you for reading the First Capitol News.

Friday, March 18, 2005

Unauthorized Signing of Contract By Mayor Could Result In Her Impeachment

By Tony Brockmeyer

On February 22, 2005, by a vote of 10-0 the St. Charles City Council, while sitting in Executive session, authorized an investigation into the apparent unauthorized signing of a contract by the Mayor. The City Charter gives the Council authority to conduct investigations and to subpoena.

As reported on February 5, 2005, we were told by our source that Express Scripts, the company the Mayor signed the contract with, was expected to ask for damages in excess of $200,000.

On February 5, 2005, the First Capitol News reported; ..... Recently the St. Charles City Council asked the City Administration to bid the City’s health insurance. Since the polices were due for renewal, the administration informed the City Council there were out clauses and the policies in force would be renewed. The companies would be told the Council was taking bids and would exercise the out clauses provided for in the policies if they were able to obtain better rates.

After appointing a new broker of record and obtaining quotes from several companies, the Council members determined the City could save between $700,000 and $1 million in insurance premiums by changing companies. The City Council members asked the administration to notify the insurance companies the City was exercising their right to cancel the policies.

After the companies were notified, the City was contacted by Express Scripts, who provided prescription drugs to the employees. The City was told there was no out clause in their contract. In fact, their contract had been renewed in June of 2004 and had been signed by Mayor York.

A search of City Hall failed to locate any such contract. The City Clerk, who by state law is the keeper of all city records, could not locate a contract with Express Scripts and claimed no knowledge of it. The City’s legal department was not aware the contract existed and could not locate a copy. Express Scripts provided the City a copy of the contract, which was signed by Mayor York.

Sources say on June 22, 2004, Carrie Caskey, former St. Charles City Human Resources Director, requested and received Mayor Patti York’s signature on a contract with Express Scripts Inc. (ESI). The contract was for a three-year period and was part of the City’s prescription drug benefit plan.
Seabury Smith and Marsh Advantage, who were previously handling the insurance for the City, both recommended this program and documents show Seabury would be paid .35 cents to $1 for each prescription filled by Express Scripts. ESI also promised numerous rebates that would be paid for special prescriptions.

The contract with ESI was signed and dated, yet no record of the contract existed at City Hall. Council President Rory Riddler told the First Capitol News, “It is highly unusual for no one in City Hall to be in possession of the City’s copy of a signed contract. Our City Clerk’s office and City Attorney’s office are both extremely careful about how records are kept and would have a copy on file if it had gone through proper channels.” State Law requires the City Clerk to be the keeper of all records and this contract was never submitted to her office.

Sources within City Hall tell us Caskey did not follow the proper protocol which requires the City’s legal department to review the contract before passing it on to the Mayor. Also, it appears York violated a City Ordinance by executing the contract without the approval of the City Council.

Section 40.23 of the City’s code of ordinances states “No contract for the provision of any services, materials, supplies, or equipment shall be extended for a period in excess of one year without an opportunity for public bidding or a request for proposals, unless the extension is by the Mayor and City Council by ordinances.”

This section also provides for a penalty if any violation occurs, 10.99 of the code of ordinances says, (A) “Whenever in this code or in any ordinance of the city, any act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense, or the doing of any act is required or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful or a misdemeanor, except where a specific statutory penalty is provided for, the violation of any such provision shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both such fine and imprisonment, as may be just for any offense, recoverable with cost of suit: provided, however, that, where the city and the state both prescribe the same offense, the penalty for violating the city provision shall be the same. (B) Each act of violation and every day upon which a violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense. (C) The failure of any officer or employee of the city to perform any official duty imposed by this code shall not subject such officer or employee to the penalty imposed by this section unless a penalty is specifically provided.” The ordinance provides the above penalty. City Hall sources said both Mayor York and Caskey could be prosecuted under this section.

If it is determined there was a charter violation by the Mayor, then impeachment proceedings can be initiated. This is allowed for in the City Charter.

A number of our readers have asked how this process develops? So there is no confusion, the Charter outlines the procedure for removal from office and impeachment.

The City Council, may remove from office, for cause shown, any elective officer of the city, such officer being first given opportunity, together with his witnesses, to be heard before the Council sitting as a court of impeachment. Any elective officer may, in like manner, for cause shown, be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the City Council.

Section 3.13 of the Charter reads:
Investigations. The council may make investigations into the affairs of the city and the conduct of any city department office or agency and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require th production of evidence. Any person who fails or refuses to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise of these powers by the council shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as may be prescribed by ordinance.

I,f after holding hearings and questioning witnesses, the City Council determines a violation has occurred and the Mayor should be impeached, the Charter outlines the procedure they are required to follow.

(A) The suspension of an elective officer shall be effected by a written order to that effect, signed by the President of the City Council and filed by him in the office of the City Clerk. Such order shall be accompanied by a written specification of the charges on which such order is founded, formulated in such manner and with such reasonable precision and detail as shall fully apprise the accused of the particular charges she is to defend against and signed by the Council President, a certified copy of which order and specifications of charges shall be forthwith made by the Clerk, under the seal of the city, and delivered to the Chief of Police, who shall forthwith deliver the same to the officer suspended, or leave the same at the usual place of abode of such suspended officer, or with a member of her family over the age of 15 years. Upon the filing by the President of the City Council of such order of suspension and such specification of charges and service of the same on the accused as herein directed, such accused officer shall stand suspended from office until reinstated as provided by § 31.27. ('81 Code, § 2-94)

§ 31.23 TRIAL OF SUSPENDED OFFICER.
Whenever any elective officer has been suspended, the City Council President shall lay the specification of charges filed by him with the City Clerk before the City Council at the first regular meeting thereafter, or at a special meeting of the Council called for that purpose, and the Council shall, without unnecessary delay, proceed to investigate the charges upon a day fixed by them. Such day shall be fixed by resolution of the Council entered upon the journal, whereupon the City Clerk shall forthwith make out a certified copy of the resolution as well as another certified copy of such specifications of charges, all under the seal of the city, and deliver the same to the Chief of Police, who shall forthwith deliver the same to the officer suspended, or leave the same at the usual place of abode of such suspended officer with a member of his family over the age of 15 years, and the officer serving the same shall make his written return of such service opposite such resolution, on the margin of the journal of the Council, how, when and where he served the same and subscribe his name thereto.

TRIALS PROCEDURES.
(A) Procedure generally. At the time set for the hearing, the Council shall meet, and proceed, according to such rules as they may adopt and as provided by this division, to hear the evidence against and in favor of the accused, and may adjourn from time to time, if necessary, until all the evidence is heard. The City Council shall determine all questions of law arising during the trial upon the admission of evidence, the competency of evidence and otherwise.
(B) Failure of accused to appear. If the accused shall have been notified as provided in § 31.23, but shall not appear or, appearing, shall fail or refuse to make defense to the charges preferred against him, the Council may proceed ex parte.
(C) Oath to be administered. At the time and place appointed for the trial, and before proceeding therewith, the President pro tem of the Council, shall administer to the members of the Council there present, and the Municipal Judge shall, at the same time, administer to the President pro tem of the Council, an oath or affirmation, impartially to try and determine the charges and do justice according to law and the evidence.
(D) Depositions. Depositions of witnesses beyond the jurisdiction of the Council, or prevented by sickness, or other sufficient cause from attendance, may be read at the trial and investigation, if taken in conformity with the laws of this state. The notice of the taking thereof, when taken on behalf of the accused, shall be served upon the City Attorney or President of the Council.
(E) Issuance and service of subpoenas. Subpoenas for witnesses to testify at any trial provided for by this division may be issued by the President pro tem of the Council and shall be served and returned by the Chief of Police or any police officer of this city in the same manner as if issued by the Municipal Judge.
(F) Attendance of witnesses and production of papers. The Council shall have power by a two-thirds vote of its members to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers relating to any subject under consideration in which the interests of the City are involved, or for the purpose of such investigation, and shall have a right to issue an attachment and call on the proper officer of the City, or any sheriff, or constable in the County, to execute such process. The President pro tem of the Council, shall have power to administer oaths to witnesses in all proceedings before the Council under this division.
(G) Accused entitled to counsel. Upon any trial for removal from elective office, the accused shall be entitled to be heard, whether in person or by counsel, in his or her defense.
(H) City Attorney to prosecute. It shall be the duty of the City Attorney to manage and prosecute all trials on behalf of the city for the removal of any elective city officer, unless he is the accused, in which event the Council shall appoint a competent attorney, a qualified voter of such city, to act in his stead during the trial proceedings.
Since City Attorney Mike Valenti was acting as City Administrator during the period this act was allegedly committed it is believed he will be excused and another attorney would act as prosecutor during the hearing.
(I) Proceedings to be entered on Council journal. The City Clerk shall cause to be recorded the proceedings of the Council in all cases for the removal of any elective city officer.
(J) Determination of guilty. As soon as all the evidence has been taken, and the case submitted, the Council shall vote by “yeas” and “nays” upon the charges separately. The question upon each charge shall be “Is the accused guilty?” If the Council, by a majority vote of all the members elected to the City Council, and who heard all the evidence, find the accused guilty of either of the charges, the President of the City Council, if a majority of all the members elected to the City Council by resolution concur in the same, remove the accused from office, and declare his or her office vacant.
(K) Accused not to take part in proceedings. Should any charges, under this division, be preferred against the Mayor, or any other elective city officer, such accused officer shall not participate as such officer in the trial proceedings or issue, or serve any process in relation thereto, and if the Mayor be the accused, the president pro tem of the Council shall preside and discharge the duties of the Mayor under this chapter.

§ 31.25 ACTION AGAINST ELECTIVE OFFICERS.
The City Council, by a resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the Council, may prefer any one or more of the charges authorizing removal, against any elective officer of this city. Such resolution shall specify the charges with the same particularity and detail and shall specify the time when such charges will be investigated by the Council and shall be spread at large upon the journal of the Council. The City Clerk shall, without delay, make out a certified copy of such resolution, under the seal of the city, and deliver the same to the Chief of Police, who shall forthwith deliver the same to the accused, or leave the same at his usual place of abode, with a member of his family over the age of 15 years. The officer serving such resolution shall certify in writing, opposite the same on the margin of the journal of the Council, how, when and where he served the resolution and subscribe his name thereto. From the time of such service on him of such resolution, such accused officer shall stand suspended from office until reinstated as provided in § 31.27. The conduct and proceedings pertaining to an investigation under this section shall be carried on in the same manner as is provided by this division for investigation of charges preferred by the Mayor. As soon as all the evidence has been taken on charges preferred by the Council and the case submitted, the Council shall vote by “yeas” and “nays” upon the charges separately. The question upon each charge shall be: “Is the accused guilty?” If the Council, by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the City Council, and who hear all of the evidence, find the accused guilty, such Council may then, by resolution of a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the Council, remove the accused from office and declare his or her office vacant.

§ 31.26 SUSPENDED OR REMOVED OFFICERS PROHIBITED FROM PERFORMING OFFICIAL DUTIES.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any officer of the City, during a suspension from office, to perform or attempt to perform any official duty. (B) Every elective or appointive officer of this city, after being removed from office, shall be notified of such fact in writing, by the President pro tem of the Council, in case the Mayor is the accused, and it shall be unlawful for any such officer, after having been legally removed from office, and having notice of such removal, to perform any official act, or attempt to perform any official act, as such officer.

REINSTATEMENT.
If the accused shall be found not guilty, or shall not be removed from office, as provided by this section, he or she shall be reinstated by the Council. If the Council brings charges against the Mayor she will be suspended from office until the hearings have been completed and a determination on guilt or innocence is determined by the Council.

If found guilty the Mayor will be impreached. During the time she would be suspended from office the President of the City Council would act as Mayor.

A hearing is expected to start soon.

Councilmen Gieseke & Riddler Call For Change In Communications And Marketing Strategies For City

By Phyllis Schaltenbrand


Councilman John Gieseke, Ward 8 and Council President Rory Riddler, Ward 1 are ready to present a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to the St. Charles City Council.

The RFQ is an effort to “capitalize on the assets of St. Charles in a thoughtful, coordinated and organized fashion,” Gieseke stated.

Gieseke presented the idea of coordinating all marketing and public relations in the City at the first advertising committee meeting. Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “St. Charles has a wealth of amenities, beginning with our location and access to the regional transportation system. A wide array of housing, employment and leisure opportunities. It is clear that in defining and marketing our City, first to our residents and businesses, and to potential visitors and other investors, we need to sell ourselves on a community-wide basis. Residents and business services, economics and job development, parks, entertainment and tourism should all be promoted within the context of a unified marketing plan.”

Councilmen Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1 and City Council President agrees. “We need to coordinate the efforts and activities of every department of the city, assure that our decisions are researched based, well thought out and coordinated in their execution to insure we are getting the most exposure in a cost effective way.” Gieseke and Riddler both agreed our current system of marketing is disjointed and confusing.
The RFQ will ask for qualifications from firms that have the ability and expertise to develop a comprehensive marketing and communication plan for the City.

“Using a private firm does not institutionalize a PR position and allows for greater creativity,” Gieseke stated. The RFQ will be discussed at the Council’s work session in April. Riddler is confident that this will help create the desired results of “branding St. Charles and making all of the assets a priority.”

Gieseke told the FCN, “St. Charles has so much to offer the residents of the City, County and greater St. Louis region. We need to go to the next level and hire a professional company that understands marketing and public relations and create a true marketing plan that can be followed.”

Federal Arrest Warrant Issued for Robbery Suspect

Federal Arrest Warrant Issued for Robbery Suspect
A federal arrest warrant for the robbery of a federally insured institution (bank robbery) has been issued for Robert D. Bell, age 48. The robbery occurred Monday, March 14, 2005, at approximately 1:02 p.m. at the UMB Bank located at 1201 Regency Parkway in St. Charles.
Information leading to the arrest warrant being issued was developed through a cooperative investigation involving the St. Charles Police Department and the FBI. Bell is described as a black male, 48 years of age, approximately 5’3” in height and weighing 135 lbs.
Anyone having any information in reference to Bell’s location is asked to contact the St. Charles Police Department at 636-949-3320 or the FBI at 314-231-4324. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call St. Charles Crime Stoppers at 636-949-3333.

Museum Planning Second Annual Mother’s Day House Tour

Museum Planning Second Annual Mother’s Day House Tour

Plans are under way for the second annual Mother’s Day House Tour, May 8, 2005, sponsored by the Frenchtown Heritage Museum, 1121 North Second Street. A number of historic homes in the Frenchtown area and the Academy of Sacred Heart will be open for tours from 1 pm to 5pm.

Tickets are $10 each and may be ordered by sending a check to Frenchtown Heritage Museum, 1121 North Second St., St. Charles, Mo 63301. Or they may be picked up at the Museum Wednesday through Saturday between 12 pm and 3pm. For additional information you can call 636 946-8682. Refreshments will be served at the Museum.

Carnahan To Give Keynote Address For St. Charles Women’s Coalition

Carnahan To Give Keynote Address For St. Charles Women’s Coalition

Senator Jean Carnahan will give the keynote address at a dinner sponsored by the St. Charles Women’s Coalition on April 14 at the Stegton Regency Banquet Center, 1450 Wall Street, St. Charles. A social hour and cash bar will be at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the speech at 7 p.m. Carnahan will sign copies of her autobiography entitled “Don’t Let the Fire Go Out” highlighting her service in the U.S. Senate. The books will be available for purchase.

The cost for the dinner is $20. Seating will be limited. For reservations, mail a check payable to “SCWC”, postmarked no later than April 8 and mail to P.O. Box 873, St. Peters, MO 63376. For information, call 636-947-9133, 314-477-5526 or 636-447-5071.

Carnahan was appointed to take her husband’s place in Washington after Governor Mel Carnahan was killed in an airplane crash three weeks before the election in 2000. During her two years in Washington she was a leading advocate for working families. She introduced the “Informed Investors Act” that passed into law and required corporations to make swift electronic reporting of insider trading. She also secured an extension of health care benefits for returning reservists and National Guard Personal. She was the fifth woman to serve on the prestigious Armed Services Committee.

In last year’s election Carnahan’s son Russ was elected to the Third U.S. Congressional District seat vacated by Richard Gephardt. Her daughter Robin Carnahan was elected Missouri Secretary of State.

Jean Carnahan is the author of four books. She lives in St. Louis where she writes, gives speeches and is a political activist.

Five From Barnwell Middle School Traveling to Europe with People to People Student Ambassador Program

Five From Barnwell Middle School Traveling to Europe with People to People Student Ambassador Program

Congratulations to five outstanding students from Barnwell Middle School, who will be traveling to Europe this summer with the People to People (P2P), Student Ambassador Program. The students, Allison and Lauren Cooke, Andy Lammers, Danny Sherman and Ashley Webb, all eigth graders will be educated on culture differencs while learning leadership abilities this summer. The five will interact with students their age as well as meet with government officials. The many educational elements of this program will allow them to earn college credit. P2P was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Since its inception P2P has fostered Sister Cities, Project HOPE, and Pen Pals. To learn more about P2P go to their web site www.studentambassadors.com .

The Students are currently accepting donations to help fund their trip. If you would like to help these Ambassadors with their travel stop in and see Craig Daily, Manager, First Bank at the corner of Jefferson and Second Streets in St. Charles (or call 947-1346). The students are also doing a Mobil Car Wash sale. They are selling the Mobil Super Touchless eight dollar car wash for a discounted price of only $5. If you have not tried the newly opened Mobil car wash on 5th street in St. Charles you need to try it. It is fantastic! The students appreciate any support.

Optimist's Spaghetti Dinner April 8th

Optimist’s Spaghetti Dinner April 8th

The annual Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by the St. Charles Optimist Club will be held on Friday, April 8, Memorial Hall, lower level, Blanchette park. Serving from 10:30-7:00, eat in or carry out. Adults $5.00, Seniors $4.00 and children under 15 $3.00. For more info call Jerry Reese 636-949-0100

Turpiano Family Military Service

Jim and Pat Turpiano’s third and fourth sons (and a new daughter-in-law) are currently serving in the military.

In November, 1st Lt. Michael James Turpiano returned to MacDill Air Force Base from his second tour in Iraq. He has been busy taking college classes and is half-way through his Masters. He will have to put his education on hold. Next month, Lt. Turpiano is being deployed for his third tour to Iraq.

The newlyweds E-4 Daniel James Turpiano and E-3 Kimberly Paige Turpiano are in the same Air Force Unit but have been in separate tents for the last eight months. They were due to rotate back to Germany last month. Their time in Kuwait has been extended.

The City Desk - Rory Riddler City Council President

The Brightest Lights In Washington
Aren’t Necessarily On Capitol Hill

Greetings from Washington, D.C. I’m filing this week’s column from our nation’s capitol while attending the National League of Cities Congressional Conference. While I didn’t score any press credentials for the White House (despite being an avid fan of The West Wing) there were lots of interesting people to talk to besides the President and Vice-President.

There was the doorman at the hotel, a night clerk, a cab driver and the woman behind the counter at the Krispy Kreme. They all knew about as much as anyone I met on Capitol Hill about what needs done in this country. Perhaps even a little bit more.

To start with, the rising cost of health care would be their top priority. None of them had health insurance. Everyone on Capitol Hill does. None of them got money from big drug manufacturers. But it seems a lot of people on Capitol Hill did.

The people I talked to were all working at night and probably had too much stress in their lives. Of course most members of Congress work nights too. There are a lot of parties to attend and somebody has to do it. The lobbyists aren’t going to just wine and dine themselves.

All of the real Washingtonians I met seemed to be counting on Social Security when they retire. They must not have had the same luck investing in stock portfolios as those Senators and Congressmen who want us to invest in private accounts.

Not that a majority of people on Capitol Hill really care what the residents of the District of Columbia think. They are a federally “managed” area, not a State or part of any state. They aren’t even allowed to have a real Congressman so they have no real voice in how our nation’s governed.

The Mayor of Washington, the Honorable Anthony Williams, made that point when he spoke to the delegates of our convention on Sunday. He pointed out that the District of Columbia, with a population of over 572,000, has more people than the State of Wyoming (the home of Vice-President Dick Cheny), but is still denied a vote in Congress. Seems to me we fought a revolution or something to insure no taxation without representation.

This morning I turned on the news and there was Mayor Williams appearing at a news conference. I thought it was a fluff piece about the conference, but they all looked too serious. Turning up the volume I learned there had been an anthrax scare involving the Pentagon and that a Washington Post Office had been closed and hundreds of workers were getting shots of antibiotics “just in case”…just in case.

It really made me think about how the people who live and work in our Nation’s Capitol are on the front line of the War On Terror. That made their lack of representation in Congress all the more egregious.

Abraham Lincoln understood the problem. Take out a penny and look at the back. There is the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most visible symbols of our United States. Most visitors take the time to read The Gettysburg Address carved on its walls. A few less take the time to read the text of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address on the opposite wall.

But if you take the time to visit the museum beneath the monument, they have a few more of Lincoln’s words carved in stone. Those who oppose giving the residents of the District of Columbia a vote in Congress should take the time to read these words:

“Allow all the governed an equal voice in government, and that, and only that, is self government.”

Abraham Lincoln (October 16, 1854, Peoria, Illinois)

I met a city official from Kansas my first day at the conference. He said he came to tell the Washington politicians and bureaucrats to quit ignoring the rest of the country. If he lived in Washington and had those views I would take him for a Democrat. But because he was from Kansas and had those same views, I figured he was a Republican. It’s funny how much Americans agree when they stop calling each other names during elections.

I think it was our own Harry Truman who said, “It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you don’t take any of the credit.” I sometimes think the members of Congress have forgotten what it’s like to talk, just simply talk, to someone of the opposite political party without accusing them of something. Maybe we should mix up the seating arrangements or make them carpool together. Or every Thursday could be take a Republican or Democrat to lunch day. The lobbyists and special interest groups would just have to make do with six other luncheon dates a week.
With me in Washington are Council members Mark Brown, John Gieske and Larry Muench as well as the Mayor. We’re hearing some pretty good speakers, like Chris Mathews and Senators Joe Biden (D- Delaware) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee). One speaker said, half tongue-in-cheek, that a “friend” in Washington is someone who stabs you in the chest instead of the back. Politics here is a full contact sport and there are a lot of issues at stake for cities.

One is the continuation of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG funds). The loss of CDBG funds just shifts more of the tax burden on to local taxpayers. The lack of Federal funding to help local police and public safety agencies to provide Homeland Security is another hot topic at the conference.

Other important issues are transportation funding (a big one for St. Charles) and trying to figure out what the United States Supreme Court will do with eminent domain powers. The Court is deliberating on a case involving eminent domain by a community for economic redevelopment. This has been a major tool for cities and counties across the nation to eliminate blight, assemble land for parks, new roads, etc. A major shift by the Court could have a profound effect on the role of government and is being followed closely by municipal officials.

As the conference participants flocked to Capitol Hill today, I didn’t hold out much hope of them changing the tenor or direction of the national debate. Tomorrow we leave town and the high priced lobbyists and special interest money remains. We’re talking about a town where standing on the street corner outside the Environmental Protection Agency you could be overcome by the bus fumes. Still, it can’t hurt to stay in touch.

The part of town where we’re staying is called Embassy Row. Embassies of a hundred nations, great and small, are here. Within a block of our hotel you can see the flags of Ireland, Portugal, France and Indonesia flying over these official residences. Walking past them every day did give me an idea. Maybe if working people and the middle-class opened an embassy, Washington insiders would care more about what we think. At least we could get diplomatic immunity.

Rambling With The Editor - Tony Brockmeyer

Easter Holiday

There will be no publication next week because due to the Easter holiday. Our publication will return on April 2, 2005.

If we receive breaking news we will upload it to our Web Log where you will be able to view it. Our Web Log is
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.


HEARING ON LANDFILL

On Tuesday, April 19, 2005 theDirector of the Division of Environmental Services, Department of Community Health and the Environment of St. Charles County will hold a public hearing in the County Administration Building, Multi-purpose room at 201 North Second at 7pm to consider a request from St. Peters Quarry L.L.C. N/K/A Metro Fill Development, L.L.C. to issue a license for the construction and operation of a demolition landfill. This is the property located on the southwest corner of Arena Parkway and Friedens Road. It consists of 27.338 acres.

Good For Her

You would think with all the fast food businesses in town they would be appreciative of your business. Not so at Steak and Shake on First Capitol Drive. A lady walked in the other day and walked over to the empty counter and took a seat. A man, later identified to be the manager, took it upon himself to berate her for not waiting for someone to seat her. She told him she thought the “Wait To Be Seated” sign applied to the tables and booths. Not so he admonished her. “The next time you come in here wait to be seated at the counter, do not seat yourself.” Much to her benefit she got up and walked out.

Mayor’s Salary in 2007

On Tuesday’s Council Agenda I noticed Councilman Larry Muench is requesting a date for the City Council to discuss what the Mayor’s salary will be in 2007. With the election for a new Mayor still two years away I wonder what the rush is all about? We have heard there are some individuals who want the job but they would not be interested unless the position pays a premium. Whatever happened to the days of public service?

Volunteer Subscribers

We recently had a campaign for volunteer subscribers. The response overwhelmed us. Thank you very much for your kind consideration. We will continue trying each week to bring our readers the news they can find no where else.

We are always looking for suggestions on how to improve the First Capitol News. If you have any ideas or suggestions we would be pleased if you would send them to us for consideration. Is there anything we are doing you would like us to change? Is there anything we are not doing you would like to see us do? Please let us know how you feel so we can continue to improve the First Capitol News.

An Editorial Opinion

EDITORIAL OPINION

Conduct The Investigation

All too often in the past when charges or suspicions of wrong doing have been brought to the attention of previous City Councils they have conveniently been forgotten or decisions were made that it happened, probably won’t happen again, so lets forget about it and move on, rather than take action and upset anyone or make someone mad.

The current City Council has an opportunity to change that perception. This Council has initiated several investigations but it appears, other than the announcement of such investigations, no other action has yet been taken.

On February 22, 2005, by a 10-0 vote, the City Council initiated an investigation into the unauthorized signing of an insurance contract by the Mayor. It has been reported the signing of this contract without Council authorization could eventually cost the taxpayers of St. Charles in excess of $200,000.

The City Council needs to begin this authorized investigation, hold hearings, depose witnesses and determine if a wrong doing has occurred. If the Mayor is found guilty she needs to be impeached and removed from office. If it is determined there was no wrong doing her name needs to be cleared.

This is not a matter that can be ignored or swept under the rug. The residents of St. Charles expect the City Council members to do their sworn duty and conduct this investigation in a timely manner and report the results.

The People Speak - Letters To The Editor

Editor’s Note
In our last edition we published a letter but accidently cut off the name of the author. That letter was from Bob Breidensteiner.

Mike
Sports Editor
First Capitol News

I want to let you know how much I appreciate your work as sports editor at
the First Capitol News. I appreciate your reporting and you have done very
well in your coverage of high school sports and the Missouri River
Otters. Your coverage of the St. Charles West Warriors in their state
tournament run was the best coverage I have read, compared to even the main
sports section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I agree that Mike Hollander
is one of the best basketball coaches in St. Charles and he definitely deserves recognition. He continues to stay in town and coach basketball, compared to another coaching legend (Gene Bartow) who went from St. Charles High School to coach at UCLA and later University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB).

Please keep up the excellent work.
Louis J. Launer

To First Capitol News
Best Publication St. Charles
Dear Mr. Brockmeyer:

We enjoy reading the paper very much. It is nice to see that someone tells it like it is.

The Truth is something that some of our higher City officials seem to have forgotten. Thank you for keeping our citizens informed.

It is nice to see that some of our Council people are trying to look after the citizens and stop all the waste, not just rubber stamp what the Mayor wants. Keep up the good work.

Thanks,
Jerry Dinges

Dear Editor:
We would like to address some concerns about the safety of our children in the St. Charles City School district. The purpose of this letter is to help parents understand that there are other options. If you feel the district is not listening to you. There are differences in the way individual schools handle the same problems even though we have a District Student Code of Conduct book, a guide for everyone to follow.

We have heard several stories from parents who are having difficulties getting help dealing with harassment and abuse issues regarding students in the district. It seems that our students’ welfare is not the #1 priority of the district. The state of Missouri has set up a program that will help parents, students, and staff, if situations arise that need more help or resources than the school districts can offer. The program is called Missouri Violence Protection Hot Line and every school in Missouri has been provided with signs to post, which include the phone number, although some schools choose not to post this information. If you feel you need additional help, please call the agency at 1-866-748-7047, They have explained that they want to be contacted and get involved in issues that are not being dealt with at the school/district levels. Also, as a side note, if a student with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) in place is to be disciplined for violations the district may have to deal with the incidents differently than those without an IEP. If this is the case, ask questions, so the IEP isn’t “protecting” a child from consequences.

Looking at the high school level we have some very clear differences between the two schools. If you walk into St. Charles High you will see that every student is wearing a picture ID and if they are in the halls during class time they have a pass. Then, if you have walked in without a staff ID badge around your neck, you will be met immediately by a staff member asking if they can help you and direct you to where you need to go - this system indeed provides safety to our children guaranteeing that not just “anyone” can wander aimlessly around the school.

On the other hand, if you walk into St. Charles West, you have the freedom to roam the halls at your leisure. Also, since the students are not required to wear ID tags other problems are evident. This in particular frightens us because it seems no one, not parents, not teachers, not staff, have any control over who comes and goes in the school.

It would seem that two high schools within the same district would have similar, if not identical, ways of identifying and protecting our students. Since we have had the opportunity to view discipline incidents at both high schools, it is interesting to look at the Missouri Department of elementary and Secondary Education Core Data sheets that show the number of incidents in all Missouri schools. You willnote that St. Charles High shows a higher number of reported incidents over the last three years than St. Charles West. Funny, isn’t it? The school that reports more incidents is the one that also follows and enforces the Student Code of Conduct more consistently. If St. Charles West actually had a better policy to identify and discipline students, the incident numbers may rise and look less appealing but our children would be safer and better for it.

Since the safety of our children should be a major concern to the school district, we implore other parents to question why not every school has to follow the same district policies that have been written specifically to protect our children and take the guesswork out of how incidents should be handled.

Concerned Parents of the St. Charles School District.

Editor,

It is absolutely amazing that the one person who felt the need to accuse the council of name calling is none other than Pat Lang. (St. Charles Post letter to the editor 3/9/05)

For those of you who don’t know, Mrs. Lang is a member of the St. Charles Planning and Zoning Commission. In May of 2004, our neighborhood group appeared before the P&Z to oppose a rezoning. We presented our arguments clearly and concisely. Mrs. Lang repeatedly asked questions or made comments which made it clear she preferred the zoning change to be approved.

Fortunately for us, the proposition had failed. Before the microphones could be turned off Pat Lang was clearly heard to say, “I’ve never heard a bigger bunch of lies in my life”. It was not edited out of the subsequent rebroadcasts of the meeting. A day or two later, in a follow up story in the Post she calls my wife a liar.

Obviously, Pat Lang is uniquely unqualified to accuse anyone of name calling. More importantly, Mrs. Lang should be removed from the P&Z commission. Anyone who openly berates honest citizens while exercising their free democratic rights has no business being in government.
In true hypocritical fashion, I suspect that Mrs. Lang sees nothing wrong with her own comments. After all, this is the same woman who in 2001 was nearly successful in getting an ordinance through City Council to silence the St. Charles Borromeo Church bells. She had just purchased a home across the street and the bells, (which had been ringing for over one hundred years) bothered her.

Finally, since Mrs. Lang obviously missed this point, it was the interim police chief that called the Councilperson a name not the other way around. That police chief was asked to resign the next day. Mrs. Lang should be asked to resign too.

Chuck Marley

Put St. Charles First

By Jerry Haferkamp

Due to scheduling conflicts, the meeting of March 24 has been cancelled. We hope to have the results of the audit before the next meeting. We will post the date and time.

Have you been to the Frenchtown Museum? It is a trip down memory lane for all of you “old fogies” like me who lived here in the 40’s and 50’s. The Museum exhibits memorabilia from an earlier St. Charles.

Did you know that a rail car got loose from the ACF facility years ago and sent a large section of the old bridge crashing down on Main Street? They have the pictures. Did you know the old bridge was a streetcar bridge? Do you remember the fans you got in church with ads on them from a local funeral home? Stop by. They are on North Second Street, just across from the old Dairy Queen. There is no admission, but please drop a few bucks in the jar when you leave.

Part of putting St. Charles First is investing in her future. Her future is, of course, in the hands of our young citizens. I have the pleasure of working with some of them.

The group I work with is the St. Charles West Marching Warriors Band. In this endeavor, I have found out the school district has little money to allot to these great kids. A large amount of money is needed to support this program that must come from the hard work of these kids and their parents. There are going to be many fundraisers throughout the year, and I’m going to try to get our readers involved.

The Band will have a barbeque on the Schnucks lot on Duchesne on Saturday, April 9th. Put down the paper and mark your calendar now! A choice of meats, sides and desserts will be available. If your office or workplace would like to put in an advance order, call Dave Eckhoff at 946-4321 for information.

The 9th annual Saint Charles West Warrior Band Golf Tournament will be Sunday, May 1 at Mid Rivers Golf Links. We will need players, prizes and hole sponsors. While there is no minimum or maximum for a donated prize, hole sponsorship has a $100.00 minimum. It’s a great way to help the band and advertise your business. Would you like to sponsor a beverage cart? If you would like to play, donate a prize or sponsor a hole, send the prize or check to Joan DeSplinter, 21 Huntington Parkway, St Charles 63301 or call her at 636-947-3620 for additional information. Joan also has information on donating to an upcoming silent auction.

We are also looking for sponsorships for the band program. You can have your business displayed on the band’s truck as well as in programs at school functions. Call me at 314-713-5867 for information. These kids are a fine example of what’s good in our teenagers. Help yourself while you help them in their music.

I’m feeling so good about the new police chief; I’m giving Steve a “bye” this week.

Severe Weather Drill and Preparedness

Severe Weather Drill and Preparedness

Scott Freitag
St. Charles Fire Department

As the Emergency Management Agency for the City of St. Charles, the St. Charles Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind residents what to do in case of severe weather. Should severe weather strike our area, pay close attention to local television and radio broadcasts, as well as emergency warning sirens. Key terms to listen for and remember are:
Tornado Watch-conditions are favorable for a tornado, watch the sky
Tornado Warning-seek shelter immediately
If you are at home, school, or work seek shelter in an interior room that does not have windows, or go to the lowest possible floor. For those at school or work, gymnasiums, cafeterias or any other large interior spaces are not considered a good place for shelter because of the possibility of a roof collapse. Persons living in mobile homes should leave immediately and seek shelter in a nearby building or ditch. If in a vehicle, seek shelter in a nearby building or ditch, DO NOT try to out run the tornado. Should you be outside and not near shelter, cover your head with your arms, coat, or a blanket to protect yourself from air borne debris.
Remember, overpasses are not a safe place to seek shelter in a tornado. Winds are intensified under overpasses creating a wind tunnel effect. Additionally, these areas tend to collect debris that could cause serious injury or death.
Spring brings with it numerous severe weather situations that do not include tornadic activity. Heavy rains, lightning and straight line winds have their own inherent dangers. During heavy rains or flooding, DO NOT attempt to cross flooded roadways, even when they do not appear to be very deep. Fast moving water can quickly sweep a car or truck down stream. If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm that is producing lightning, seek shelter. In the event that you cannot get to shelter, ensure that you stay away from metal, stay below ground level, do not go into open water, and cover your head. DO NOT stand under trees during severe storms. High winds and/or lightning can cause trees to fall crushing everything underneath them.
Finally, make sure your family has a disaster kit and a disaster plan. For more information about disaster plans and kits please visit the St. Charles Fire Department web-site at www.stcharlescity.com/fire and use the links to the State Emergency Management Agency and/or Red Cross. For further information, contact the St. Charles Fire Department through either the web-site or at 636-949-3250.

Conservative Factor - Alex Spencer

Oprah Winfrey said, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”
A wise person never loses touch with reality or misplaces his priorities. Everyone not only wants, but needs, to succeed in their careers. Everyone wants a happy family and respect within the community. We all want to succeed and, ideally, that success will not come at the expense of others or at the loss of our self-respect.
About 2000 years ago, the Roman statesman and philosopher, Cicero, wrote, “A major mistake of man is the delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others.” Mankind appears to still suffer from that delusion. Our mayor appears to have adopted this foolishness as her credo.
The end result has been wasteful spending, theatrics, chaos, and a zealous attempt to control and dictate. Numerous people have made their concerns and comments about the state of affairs at City Hall quite public.
I recently ran across an article in “Bits and Pieces” magazine which best sums up what is wrong with the picture. Our mayor should read, digest, and consider a different type of leadership for the future.

THE MAN IN THE GLASS
When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.
You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye. He’s the fellow to please—never mind all the rest, For he’s with you clear to the end. And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Busch Conservation Area Concessionaire Bait Shop Open for Business!

Busch Conservation Area Concessionaire Bait Shop Open for Business!

It’s that time of year to drop a line in the water and take advantage of the 32 fishing lakes at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area! With species such as bluegill, catfish, muskie, bullheads, carp, largemouth bass and others, there’s something for everyone and you’re sure to get a bite. And to make your fishing trip even easier, the Outpost Bait Shop is offering bait and tackle, fishing permits, ice, snack items, boat and motor rentals, an ATM and much more!

The hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week beginning March 20. They will be open this year through late fall.

In addition, the MDC St. Louis Regional Office, located right next door, has loads of great fishing information including regulation booklets, identification guides, fishing prospects, statewide trout maps, smallmouth bass maps, fish rulers and much more. While you’re there, stop by and see what you’ll be fishing for. Our interpretive room boasts exhibits on forest, fish and wildlife, an interactive oak tree and two aquariums – one over 1,500 gallons!

Fishing and restroom facilities accessible to people with disabilities are provided on lakes 2, 6, 15, 33 and 34. Lakes 33 and 34 have disabled-accessible floating fishing docks and are a great benefit for disabled anglers.

So come out and spend the day on the Busch Conservation Area fishing for some of Missouri’s finest fish. For more information log onto our website at www.conservation.state.mo.us.

Northwinds Band Performs Here April 1

Northwinds Band Performs Here April 1

Featuring the repertoire that it will perform on a tour of Germany and Austria this summer, the Northwinds Concert Band will present a benefit concert on Friday, April 1, at 7:30 pm in the St. Charles High School auditorium.

The 60-piece band, directed by Larry Marsh, will be making its third appearance in St. Charles in the past two years, one of those being at the 2004 Burgermeister Ball.

The concert benefits the women’s college scholarship fund sponsored by the St. Charles branch of the American Association of University Women. Tickets are $8 at the door or may be obtained in advance by calling (636) 947-0687 or (636) 946-5916.
The Northwind’s program will include traditional and contemporary marches and polkas, a medley of folk songs from Appalachia, a musical homage to the Chautauqua movement, a tribute to big band director Artie Shaw, a rhapsody for percussion featuring a young soloist, a symphonic band arrangement of music from Carl Orf’s “Carmina Burana” and music celebrating the 800th anniversary of Dresden, Germany.

A Little Bit of History by Clara Scott

Most of you know the famous Bunker Hill – of the Revolutionary War in Charleston, Mass, where the first considerable engagement of that war was fought in June 17, 1775.
How many of you know the famous Bunker Hill of the Civil War in St. Charles, MO?
St. Charles was an important town during the Civil War due to its location on the Missouri River. A fort was established atop the bluff of the river. It was first called “Look-Out” Fort and the regular soldiers were stationed there. It was a “Look-Out” for the Union soldiers to protect their boats and used to patrol the river and stop boats with soldiers and supplies for the Confederate forces.
General Simeon Bunker of Kentucky, who for years had served in the U.S. Army, was given command of this fort in April 1861. He officially changed the name of the fort to Bunker Fort and the section of the hill near the fort to Bunker Hill.
To get to Bunker Fort on Bunker Hill, go South on Main Street, in front of the St. Charles Water Works Reservoir (now Maryland Yards), turn right up Reservoir Hill, drive to the top of the hill which is approximately a city block and there is Fort Bunker No. 210 Reservoir Street.
The view of the river is marvelous. Near the Fort at 211 Reservoir Street is the charming old one room schoolhouse known as the Mount Pleasant School. This was taken over by General Bunker and used as living quarters for his soldiers. The old brick school building is now covered with stucco and has been converted into a delightful home of its owner, Mrs. Chester Owens. (This was in 1963)
General Bunker did valuable service for the Union cause. He controlled St. Charles and “took over” the building of the old Woolen Mills located on the northeast corner of South Main and Boone’s Lick Road. He closed the mill and converted the building into a prison and a hospital. He “took over” the St. Charles College on North Third Street opposite the court house, closed the school and used the building for another prison and hospital.
Edward Lewis, who was a student at the St. Charles College in April 1861, tells in his writings and printed lectures, of General Bunker taking over the school.
I want to tell you about Fort Bunker as records show at the time of the Civil War. It is described as a two story brick building with inside woodwork including oak floors. There was a large cupola on top of the building with a “widow’s walk” where soldiers walked around and watched for enemy boats. A picket fence enclosed the grounds. A large U.S. Flag waved from a pole attached to a tall oak tree near the Southeast corner of the Fort. A large cannon was placed facing the river.
Records tell of two boats with Confederate soldiers and their supplies being fired on by this huge cannon.
Judge James W. Owens tells of this fort in his official report of October 2, 1864. He tells of the protection General Bunker gave him with the “Bright Star”, a ferryboat that was owned by Joseph Kettler and used to evacuate Washington. Soldiers and civilians started on “Star Bright” for St. Charles and government property. The boat was under the command of Judge Owens, who had been ordered not to let the boat get into enemy hands. It was taken to St. Charles for the purpose of getting it beyond reach of General Price’s Raiders. About 75 rounds were fired at the boat as it passes South Point. (The St. Charles County Historical Society located at 101 South Main Street) has a fine picture of the “Bright Star” as it landed here with Judge Owens in command.
Now, I want to tell you about Fort Bunker as you will see it today. (1963). The huge cannon is gone. In a drive, this cannon and the huge cannon that was at the entrance of our Park was donated for iron during World War I.
When Grace Holmes owned the building there was a very bad fire. The roof was destroyed and the second story was badly damaged. The building was left that way until it was sold in 1938 to Henry Hassinger who is listed as a splendid carpenter. He bought the building “as was”. He dropped the second floor, making an attic room and put on a slant roof. Some of the old picket fence is still there. Of course, there were much larger grounds around the fort than you will find today as houses have been built near the old fort. When Henry Hassinger died in this old fort building in 1948, his daughter, Mrs. Edith Schneider, inherited the old fort building. She is historically minded and will preserve it.
The St. Charles County Historical Society will have a shield put on the building, as it certainly is a historical building
It is hoped a surplus cannon used in the Civil War will be donated and placed by the Civil War Fort where a cannon used to be.
Please drive to Bunker Hill, see the Bunker Fort, the old Mount Pleasant Schoolhouse and enjoy the glorious view of the Missouri River.A Little

(Reprinted from “Historical Series – Bunker Hill Fort” written by Edna McElhiney Olson, dated August 22, 1963 with permission of the St. Charles County Historical Society)

Diabetes Workshop

THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION HOSTS A WORKSHOP
PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

The American Diabetes Association presents Tools for Healthy Lifestyle and Stress Management to be hosted at SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles. The community is invited to this FREE workshop where participants will receive the latest information on healthy diabetes management, the link between diabetes and depression, coping with the daily struggles of weight control and creating an exercise program. The workshop will take place at SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles on Saturday, April 2, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The workshop is interactive and each participant will leave with a ‘lifestyle action plan’.

SSM St. Joseph Health Center’s Certified Diabetes Educator, Patty Shelton sums it up the need for this workshop, “We are interested in educating the community about how diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression are affecting Americans at epidemic proportions and in an effort to decrease these numbers, we are working to teach people proper methods in maintaining healthy lifestyles.” Patty is the chairperson of the American Diabetes Association’s St. Charles Education Committee.

Space is limited and RSVP is required. Reservations can be made online on the American Diabetes Association’s local events web page www.diabetes.org or by calling 1-888-diabetes x6826.

Through our events, programs and presentations, the American Diabetes Association is focused to achieve its mission “To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes”.
Diabe

Assessor to send valuation notices

St. Charles County Assessor Scott Shipman reports the near completion of the 2005 reassessment of real estate. State law requires the Assessor to revalue all real property in the County every odd-numbered year for property tax purposes. The state constitution requires the values on property reflect fair market value. The statutes require the assessor to place accurate values on the tax rolls as of January 1 of each reassessment cycle. Real estate values in St. Charles County continue to increase as demand for affordable housing and low interest rates remain attractive.

The assessment authority (Assessor’s Office) is responsible for establishing the fair market value of all property within St. Charles County as of the tax date. This assures fair distribution of the tax burden among those responsible for payment. The taxing authority (school, city, fire districts, etc.) establishes the tax rate based on the budgetary requirements needed to appropriately fund the services provided within their jurisdiction. When property values increase, all taxing entities are responsible for rolling back their levies to offset the valuation increase.

Assessment notices have been redesigned to be easier to read, and include information on property tax relief, frequently asked questions, and information on the appeal process.

The St. Charles County Assessor’s Office will mail the 2005 “NOTICES OF REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENT” for the Washington, Wentzville, and St. Charles School Districts on or about March 21, 2005. The Fort Zumwalt and Orchard Farm School District notices are scheduled to be mailed on or about March 28, 2005 and the Francis Howell School District notices are scheduled to be mailed on or about April 4, 2005.

Taxpayers have ten days from the mailed date on the notice to schedule an informal hearing with a staff member from the Assessors office. This can be done by calling 636-949-7431 or 1-800-822-4012 ex. 7431 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Scheduled informal hearings will be conducted Monday through Thursday during the day, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and select Saturdays at 201 North Second Street in St. Charles.

Mike McMurran Sports Editor

Mike McMurran
Sports Editor

Once again I find myself in the “doghouse.” No surprise, the address which appears on my driver’s license should read: 2804 Kennel Avenue. It seems I have this uncanny ability to open my mouth and insert my foot – at least that is the way it appears to the uninformed.

Some weeks ago there were a couple of organizational meetings at The Academy of the Sacred Heart dealing with the athletic program. There are few things in life I know much about, but athletics seem to be one of them; my passion for the Academy is, well, just that, a passion. My being on the committee seemed a natural fit. How could I get in trouble? The answer is: we do what we do best.

Let’s discuss my passion for athletics, and in particular football. Regular readers of this column know I am a veteran of the U.S. Navy; serving two and a half years of active duty with a unit know as the “Fighting Seabees.” In the early 70’s the Marines and Navy would form football teams to compete with local teams; some being small colleges and such. If my memory serves me correctly, and times were very, very different in the early 70’s, we were stationed at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 fielded a football team, a team made up of both officers and enlisted.

Those unfamiliar with Navy rules and regulations pay close attention here: Officers and enlisted were forbidden to socialize in any way, shape or form. Should an officer and enlisted become involved romantically, both could, and usually would be discharged from the military. It had something to do with their ability to lead in times of war. We were, however, allowed to compete on the same football team.

It seems after a practice, an officer and I were changing clothes next to each other. I asked permission to speak to him (yes, I had to “request permission to speak”). Permission was granted.

The conversation went something like this: “Sir, you know I am bigger, faster and stronger than you.” He nodded. “When we line up on the field I kick your butt all over the field.” He looked at me quizzically. “When we leave here, I go sleep in a barracks with 9 other guys, and you live in an apartment all by yourself.” He still remained silent. “When it is time to eat I must stand in line at the chow hall, while the Phillipinos serve you your meals.” The silence from him made me nervous. “I will spend an hour on my uniform this evening making sure it is up to par for tomorrow’s inspection, while the Phillipinos will prepare your uniform.” Finally he spoke. “Have you a point to this story,” he asked. Yeah, I had a point. “What makes you better than me?” He thought for only a second and responded, “I graduated from college.”

I had no idea in the world what it took to graduate from college. Heck, I was lucky to get out of high school (0.834 g.p.a.), but I knew if it made such a difference in life style, I too, would someday “graduate from college.” It took me 14 years to earn my undergraduate degree, but I earned it. Now, as I proudly like to say, “I am educated far beyond my level of intelligence.” I have not looked at it lately, but I think I am something like one or two classes from having two Master’s Degrees. In my strange application of logic, I owe it all to football.

There are others who feel they owe athletics for the quality of their life. I have a number of friends who played Division I, II and III sports in college. The main reason they attended college was to play sports; somewhere along the line they managed to earn their degree. That degree does things.

Now, back to paragraph one. I know not what percentage of graduates from ASH go on to earn their degrees; I suspect it is rather high. The academic expectations are the reason most send their children to school there. All I was trying to suggest is that maybe, just maybe we could hold the athletic program to the same high levels of expectations. That’s all. Boy did I fail. What I failed at was expressing myself clearly; at least I think that is what I failed at.

This too shall pass, and in some strange way I will probably learn from the experience. At the same time I know there are a handful of individuals who agree with me. The difference is they know how to present their case orally far better than I. Better yet, they know when NOT to present their case orally. There, that’s the lesson I was looking for.

River City Rage

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Will open against Fayetteville Heat at Family Arena

By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor

River City Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt is busy making preparations and decisions regarding the Rage season opener on Saturday, March 26 at Family Arena. “The 22 man roster is never gonna be set until game day,” said Wyatt. National Indoor Football League rules require each team to submit a 25 man roster on the Thursday prior to game day; from that 22 players will be selected to dress.

Among the top returning veterans is Scott Pingel (6’1” 186 lb. WR), a 3 year indoor veteran and 2 time All Conference player from Westminster College where he won the Melberger Award, one of NCAA III football’s highest honors. Pingel led the NIFL in receiving yards in 204 with a NIFL record 1415 yards on a NIFL record 118 catches while finding the end zone 26 times. Pingel is joined in the Rage receiving corps by, what Wyatt calls “the world’s largest wide receiver” in Moses Regular, a 6’5”, 284 pounder. Regular hauled in 534 catches for 616 yards and 14 TDs in 2003. The Missouri Valley College product was converted to a tight end in the “NFL-Europe” and has been in three NFL camps.

Deciding which linemen to keep will be like working on a puzzle for Wyatt. Chase Denton (6’5”, 355 lb) and veteran center Gabe Dunkmann (6’4”, 325) are all but certain to anchor the offensive line. “It has yet to be determined if we are going to carry 4 O linemen or 4 D linemen,” Wyatt stated, “at least 1 lineman is going to have to be what we call a ‘swingman’ and be prepared to see action both ways.”

“Basically we keep 16 starters,” explained Wyatt, “there will be a back up quarterback and a kicker,” which puts the game day roster at 18 players, “which gives us 4 slots to fill,” Wyatt said. “Those 4 players will back up 14 positions, so a guy may be on the depth chart at defensive back, linebacker and running back.”

The Rage top newcomer is running back Rod Malone (6’2” 204 lb) from North Dakota State University. “Rod played in the Cactus Bowl last year, which is the Division II all-star game,” Wyatt boasts, “he led his team in rushing with over 1200 yards and scored something like 15 (17 to be exact) touchdowns.” Also being counted on in the backfield is SIU product JerMarsh Robinson (6’1”, 212). “We need to make some decisions on our backfield, and we need to do it quickly,” Wyatt conceded, “that might just be the area where will still need to sign a player or two.”

Defensively, the Rage will look to newcomer James Green (DL, 6’1”, 291) from the University of Southern Mississippi and a sack leader in 2004 for the Lubbock Lone Stars in the Intense Football League. Green will be joined on the defensive line by Western New Mexico University product Bruce Blue (6’1”, 264) who was his team’s defensive MVP while recording 25 tackles for losses to rank 2nd in the nation.

The Rage’s strong point would appear to be their defensive secondary where they will start 4 Division I starters. Heading the group is Mizzou Alumnus Clarence Jones (5’11” 205), who was 2nd team All Big 12.

The starting quarterback position has yet to be decided. “It will be between Clay (Groefsema) and Anthony Fisher,” tells Wyatt. Groefsema is returning for his third season of indoor action, where Fisher is fresh out of Southern University via the University of Miami. “If we have any questions as to who will be starting it will be at quarterback and running back,” Wyatt declared. “We hope to answer a lot of questions this evening as we go full speed.”

The Rage will open their season on Saturday, March 26 as they host the Fayetteville Heat with a 7 p.m. kick off. Individual ticket prices are $20 for front row, $15 for lower level and $10 for upper level. Season tickets are still available for $120, $90 and $60 respectively. Both can be purchased by calling 636-916-0132.

Saturday, March 12, 2005

SHERIFF TIM SWOPE APPOINTED ST. CHARLES POLICE CHIEF

By Tony Brockmeyer

At a special meeting of the St. Charles City Council Tuesday evening, City Administrator Allan Williams, brought forward St. Charles County Sheriff Tim Swope as his choice to be St. Charles Police Chief. The appointment was approved by the Mayor and the City Council and Swope will assume his new duties Monday morning.

St. Charles County voters decided they wanted a new leader in the Sheriff’s Office. In November of 2002 they elected Tim Swope to be that leader. Sheriff Swope took office in January of 2003.

Tim Swope has three children. Sheriff Swope is a 1984 graduate of St. Charles High School and attended college at Central Missouri State University – Warrensburg on a baseball scholarship. He played peewee football at J.F.L. and the Boy’s Club. In 1982-83 he was a member of the St. Charles High School Pirates who won the State Championship in football. He also played baseball and coached for American Legion Post 312 in St. Charles.

Sheriff Swope’s education includes thousands of hours of training with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration; Cook County Sheriff’s Department; Chicago Police Department; Atlanta, Georgia Metro PD; Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; Indianapolis PD; Arkansas State Police; Illinois State Police; Los Angeles PD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He also attended Lindenwood University.

Sheriff Swope has numerous commendations for exemplary performance in the line of duty, including the Sheriff’s “Award of Excellence”. The Sheriff promoted him in February 1997, to Sergeant over the highly successful Drug Unit, having served as an undercover investigator. He was appointed Team Leader for the St. Charles County SWAT Team and in August of 2000 was appointed acting Lieutenant within the patrol division. He was deputized by the U.S. Department of Treasury and served on a Federal Task Force, which investigated organized crime in the metropolitan area. Sheriff Swope received a meritorious service award for his work on the task force.

In the March 22, 2003 edition of the First Capitol News we published an interview with Sheriff Swope. We have excerpts from that interview that we feel are pertinent and present them here:

First Capitol News (FCN) How did you get involved in law enforcement?

Sheriff Swope (SS) Years ago when I was in college, I was playing baseball on a scholarship. As many young men do who played sports back then, I had delusions of grandeur about becoming a professional athlete. Then I realized that it probably was not going to happen, so I came home from college one summer and one of my friends, Ronnie Lloyd who was an officer at St. Charles City police department, asked me if I would like to ride with him. From the minute I got in that police car with him I was hooked. It was something that I knew I wanted to do. Soon after that, at 20 years old, I went into the academy. A month after my 21st birthday I was a policeman. That’s all I have been doing for the last 16 years.

FCN Have you been with the sheriff’s office the whole 16 years?

SS For about 10 months I was a police officer with the Warrenton Police Department. I learned some aspects of law enforcement that you don’t get in a big department. At a small department you have to kind of do it all. It also gave me a sense of community. I was from St. Charles and St. Charles was not a metropolis by any means, but I had never been in a small town like that and it really gave me a sense of community. I learned that there is a lot more to police work than just writing tickets and arresting people. It is also developing relationships with people that you work with and around. I had a dream of working for the Sheriff’s Department. A very good friend of mine, Tony Bishop, who still works here with me, his father, Pete Bishop, was a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department for years. He worked undercover, worked throughout the department. I knew that as a long-term goal I wanted to be with the Sheriff’s Department. At the time the Sheriff’s Department was mostly hiring people to go to work straight into the jail as opposed to going on the street. I was just lucky enough that at the time I applied they were short some deputies on the street. I didn’t have to go to work in the jail but went straight to the street and have been here ever since.

FCN Throughout your career with the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Office what different assignments or responsibilities have you had?

SS I was a patrolman; I got involved with the SWAT Team after a couple of years. That was something I really enjoyed. Honing my skills tactically. Being part of a unit I took a lot of pride in. After being on the SWAT Team for a couple of years I had to make a big decision. I had an opportunity of going into the drug unit working undercover but I would have to give up the SWAT Team to do that. I did, it was a difficult decision. One I have looked back on and thanked God it worked out for me. The majority of my career has been spent in drug enforcement. Either on the local task force or assigned to a Department of Treasury Task Force in St. Louis where we investigated organized crime and large-scale drug operations. I was also involved in the intelligence division in the Sheriff’s Department and was the Commander of the Sheriff’s Department Drug Unit. Then I came back to patrol and worked as a shift commander and as a team leader on the SWAT Team again. As I found going in and out of the drug unit and back to patrol, it is a good job being a patrolmen in uniform. It is structured but there is a lot of diversity. As in any job there are days when it is slow or fast, but as a policeman, if you are not handling a lot of radio calls you get out there and work hard and catch criminals. That’s what I enjoy.

FCN You have only been the Sheriff for a short time. Have you had any surprises or things that you didn’t expect?

SS My biggest surprise was the amount of administrative work. I knew coming in it was going to be tough. There is a tremendous amount of paper work that I am not efficient at yet but I know in six months I will be able to whip through these things without giving them much thought. But right now I have to read through everything, sometimes two or three times, just to know what I am signing. Soon I will be more efficient, but right now it kind of bogs me down. Because of that I am working 12 – 13 hour days but I enjoy it. I have had a couple of occasions of going to DARE Graduations and that was a part of this department that I had not seen before. I was really taken aback on how fulfilling it was to watch the kids go through the program. I had no idea of what kind of event a DARE graduation was. I though it was just going and handing out a certificate and the kids going home. It’s not! It’s really an event and we are very proud to be a part of that type of program and other ones that I had no idea of.

FCN Besides patrol duties and drug enforcement what other areas is the Sheriff’s Office responsible for?

SS We have a little over 200 employees, approximately 150 sworn deputies. Obviously patrol is one of our functions. Patrol and investigations. We are also involved in court services, court security, civil process, the community education program, and communications, which has 22 employees. We run the county range and the training center. There is forensics and identification, crime scene investigation, records management and personnel. There are many, many different divisions within the Sheriff’s Department. That is a good thing for the people who work here because they have a lot more avenues to pursue for their career. In many departments you don’t have that flexibility. You work the street and that’s all you do. In here our personnel has the opportunity to move around quite a bit more. That’s a good thing for all of us.

FCN You ran against, and won the election over, an opponent who was evidently entrenched with the political system that is in power here in the County. It appears a number of County politicians who have nothing to do with the Sheriff’s Office now think they should be the ones running it. Has that caused you any problems?

SS Change is difficult sometimes. I will give you an example. Changing our cellular phone system from one service to another was more difficult than I would have ever imagined. It’s just a phone but the bottom line is that it is change. Sometime it is hard to see past that. All of that is behind us. We are all on the same page. We are all pushing towards the same goals. Getting more officers on the street. Having a better department. Providing better service to the residents of the County. I know we will all come together and try to meet all the goals we have set. I would also say the charter spells out that the Sheriff is the lead law enforcement officer in the County which is a great responsibility. One I know is on my shoulders now. But one I knew going into this I would have to undertake and I am willing to do that. I am a young guy. I am only 37 years old now but I do have vast experience in law enforcement, specifically this department. I am going to bring some new ideas here and hope ultimately the people will accept those ideas and know in the end they were best for the department and the community.

FCN If the County Council said, “Sheriff, money is no object.” Is there any type of equipment or personnel you would like to have?

SS If money was no object, and I know it always is, I think we could double the amount of officers we have on the street and still find room for more. That is what every department in the country is struggling for and will always struggle for. There is so much more that we can do proactively as opposed to reactively. Proactive law enforcement is now. It’s the future. Getting out and stopping crimes from being committed before they happen. Catching them in the act of committing crimes. That’s proactive law enforcement. I am going to strive to get the whole department involved in a much higher level of proactive policing.

FCN How much of a coverage area are you responsible for?

SS Almost 600 square miles. There are over 300,000 people in this County. That is not only the unincorporated areas. We provide services to the entire County. Services that we are obligated to provide. If a municipality calls us for traffic enforcement or to provide forensic or ID for a homicide. To provide a fugitive unit to go out and arrest some bad guys or to provide a SWAT Team to serve a high-risk search warrant, that’s the obligation of the Sheriff’s Department. It is something that we take great pride in.

FCN What would you say to any young man or woman reading this article that is thinking about a law enforcement career?

SS Understand it is not what you watch on TV. It is really a lot more community oriented. Not just in this community but all over the country we need to make an investment as law enforcement within the community. There is nothing truer than we are public servants. If we drive down the road and see somebody broken down on the side of the highway, it’s our job to help the people out. That’s a basic part of our job that may have been forgotten over the past few years, but one that is very necessary for us to provide for everyone. For a young man or woman coming into this field it is exciting. It is an exhilaration to find a criminal and chase them down. To arrest somebody. It is also self-fulfilling just helping people out. If someone has a question or if they need some help with some family problems we help them. It takes younger officers a little bit of time to learn that, but once they do, I think the job is great. Ninety nine percent of the people we deal with are good people. That one percent is usually bad people and they go to jail. As a police officer you have to realize that most of the contacts you have are with good people and if you are in the mood of constantly thinking that everyone is on the other side, you are not going to last long in this job. Most of the community is behind us. That is not to say that they are in every part of this country but in our area we are lucky enough to have their support. In a metropolitan area if we are lucky enough to have a community that supports us then we are grateful for that and we want to continue that sense of working with the people to make this a better community.

FCN Is there anything you would like to say to our readers I haven’t thought to ask you about?

SS We are committed as a department as we move into the future, to not become stagnant. We have a lot of good men and women here that work their tails off. They should be recognized for the good job they do. We will continue to provide excellent law enforcement services to our residents.

St. Peters Police Confirm Street Race Led to Fatal Crash

Other vehicle involved in race has been identified

Investigators from the St. Peters Police Department have learned additional information concerning the events that led up to the tragic crash that occurred this past Saturday evening on Highway 94 just south of Jungs Station Road.
It started that evening at a house party in St. Charles. At the party Brad Boss (the driver of the 98 Honda Prelude) had a conversation with another 16 year old boy (driver of a silver Mitsubishi Lancer) that his car was faster. The boys agreed to see who had the faster car. They left the party to race each other.
Brad Boss and Jacob Liscombe were in the Honda and two other 16 year boys were in the Mitsubishi. They turned onto the North Outer Road at Heritage landing and started to speed up as they drove next to each other going south on the North Outer Road. According to the boys in the Mitsubishi they were traveling between 80 and 100 mph on the North Outer Road. The North Outer Road narrows to one lane as the entrance ramp onto Hwy 94 southbound. It is at that location that Mr. Boss lost control of his car skidding across all the lanes of Hwy 94 south and impacting the guard rail.
The Mitsubishi continued down Highway 94 and according to the occupants of the Mitsubishi they were unaware that Mr. Boss had been involved in an accident.
St. Peters police say they will not be releasing the names of the driver and passenger of the Mitsubishi due to the fact that they are juveniles.

JAYCEES EASTER EGG HUNT

Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt March 19th

The St. Charles Jaycees are going to hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt at McNair Park on Saturday, March 19, 2005. Registration will begin at 9:30 A.M. and the hunts will begin promptly at 10:00.

The children will be divided up into 3 age groups. The 1-3 year olds will begin at 10:00, the 4-6 year olds at 10:20, and the 7-10 year olds at 10:40. Parents will only be allowed to escort the 1-3 year old age group. The cost for the hunt is $2.00 per child.

This year we will be having visits from the Easter Bunny, clowns, and Ruffie from the Rascals. For more information, please contact Melanie Wetter at 314-494-6421.

OUR EDITORIAL OPINION

TIM SWOPE CHIEF OF POLICE - A great choice!

The City Administrator, Mayor and City Council did themselves proud Monday evening when they appointed St. Charles County Sheriff TIM SWOPE as St. Charles Police Chief.

Chief Swope, a St. Charles native, has served as the elected Sheriff of St. Charles County for a little over two years. During that time Chief Swope has shown himself to be an exemplary leader for the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department. A qualified and experienced law enforcement officer, Chief Swope will now bring his talents and leadership ability to the officers of the St.Charles Police Department where it is truly needed.

Chief Swope will begin his duties Monday morning with a full plate. There are 30 to 40 officers who refused to sign the recent letters citing emotional distress. These officers showed courage in holding the line and refusing to be made part of nothing more than a political ploy hatched by other members of their department in an attempt to wrest control from the Administration and City Council. These officers need to be shown that their dedication to duty and to the residents of St. Charles will not go unrewarded. The 73 officers who did claim stress and emotional problems need to be dealt with. They need to receive treatment if it is required or if their claims are found to be unjustified they need to be dealt with in a swift manner.

There are officers in the department who violated the civil rights of Council Members and residents and who broke state and federal laws in their attempts to embarrass the City Council. These law breakers need to be dealt with in the same fashion as any other law breakers. Investigation needs to be conducted, charges filed, a trial held and punishment assessed. These are just a few of the challenges facing incoming Police Chief Tim Swope.

These are items that can no longer be swept under the rug. All too often when problems have been uncovered, the attitude of some city officials has been;, well we discovered it, hopefully it won’t happen again. Rather than take any action against anyone they just move on and expect all to be friends. It is time for that attitude to stop. The citizens of St. Charles are looking for leaders who are not afraid to make decisions no matter who is affected.

There has been a lack of discipline and lack of accountability in this City and this police department for too long. When Swope took over the Sheriff’s office he brought with him accountability, leadership, and responsibility and he didn’t take s_ _ _ from anybody. Everyone knew there was a new Sheriff in town.

The residents of St. Charles who have been without a police chief for more than 18 months will be watching Chief Swope very closely. They want a police chief who will hold the members of his department accountable and responsible for their safety and protection. Chief Swope has accepted their challenge.

Chief Swope has demonstrated he has the capability to overcome obstacles and turn the St. Charles Police Department into a unit all residents can be proud of. We wish Chief Swope well and thank him for taking on a task that will bring him new challenges every day.



Chief Swope has shown that he has the capabilities of overcoming obstacles and turning the St. Charles Police Department into a unit that all residents can be proud of. We wish Chief Swope well and thank him for taking on a task that will bring him new challenges every day.

THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler City Council President

Swope Selection As Chief
Is Grand Slam For Citizens


You can tell when you’ve hit a home run in baseball, by the loud groan that comes from the fans of the opposing team. When I saw the reaction by a former “sports reporter” for the Post-Dispatch to the City’s selection of Sheriff Tim Swope as Police Chief, I knew we had hit a grand slam.

Sure he was drafted late in the season, but Tim Swope is a hometown favorite. His “come from behind” big victory in the Sheriff’s race (without the use of steroids) was a classic. He already has the endorsement of the citizens of St. Charles who, with their votes, put their faith and confidence in Tim to be their chief law enforcement official in the County.

For the new Chief, this is a homecoming. St. Charles is, and was, Tim’s hometown since he was five years old. He grew up here, graduated from St. Charles High and spent a lot of his free time at the Boys and Girls Club. Did I mention he played baseball in college? His parents still live here. It was that connection to this community that helped Tim make up his mind to take the job when it was offered. His hometown needed him.

It is also a great career move. As Sheriff, Tim earned $69,000. After the next election the salary for Sheriff goes up to around $80,000, but you have to raise and spend that much getting elected. As Police Chief for the City of St. Charles, Tim will start at $110,000. The City also offers better health coverage and retirement benefits.

The departments are about the same size from a manpower standpoint. But as Police Chief, Tim Swope will have more of a free hand than he did working with County Executive Joe Ortwerth. Just as the County is trying to take control of the fire districts, ambulance district and our own fire department (a move that would raise our property taxes significantly), Joe has also had his eye on controlling the Sheriff’s Department. They took away control of the dispatchers, jailers and bailiffs from the elected Sheriff. They moved the Sheriff’s Office, against the will of the Sheriff, to O’Fallon. I’m not even sure that was legal as St. Charles is still the County Seat.

My understanding is the Sheriff tried to explain the inefficiencies of moving the department miles away from the site of the County Jail, but his advice fell on deaf ears. The new building in O’Fallon has three sets of County Seals on it, but not the Sheriff’s Department seal. Sounds like Ortwerth doesn’t even want anyone to know the County Sheriff is an independently elected office.

The idea of asking Tim Swope to consider serving as Police Chief began with a chance meeting on North Main Street. I had the opportunity to introduce City Administrator Allan Williams to the Sheriff for the first time outside of Tony’s Restaurant. Allan Williams gets the credit for following up and offering the job to Swope.

A few weeks later he floated the idea by the Mayor and me. We each had the opportunity to personally interview Swope. I already knew the Sheriff, but was anxious to hear his vision for law enforcement in our community. I was impressed. So were other Council members who spoke with him.

Of course, I was disappointed that another local resident, Major Robert Lowery, could not be our Police Chief because of the inexplicable opposition to his appointment by the Mayor. In the meantime, we avoided hiring a few other applicants, each with their own share of baggage. That gave lots of fodder to one local gossip columnist, who no doubt would have hired the first stranger with a sheepskin and a badge, so long as he was from out of town. But the City Council held out for someone with local roots, someone who knows and cares about the City of St. Charles.

I believe the Council will give Chief Swope the support and backing he needs to address our crime problems, meth labs, domestic violence, vandalism, speeding, etc. I believe Tim Swope will provide the leadership the department has needed for so long. He will help us get the most from our dedicated professionals and be fair, fast and firm in dealing with any personnel problems.

Swope has also shown himself to be creative in getting the most out of limited resources as Sheriff. He was able to get the cooperation of cities across the County to be part of a collective SWAT Team. After some initial resistance to change, I believe five of our officers are now trying out for the team. Swope also established a Meth Task Force and secured voluntary sites for Sheriff’s Substations when the County wouldn’t fund them.

The voters won’t be allowed to fill the vacancy in the Sheriff’s Office in a special election. While the County Charter provides for County Councilmen to be selected in special elections, vacancies in countywide offices are appointed by the County Executive. The appointee must also be approved by the County Council from someone of the same political party as the prior officeholder. That person will then serve till January 1st 2007.

Fortunately, voters only have to wait till August 2006 for the next primary elections for Sheriff and the General Election in November of next year. Word on the street is Major Lowery is being approached by both Democrats and Republicans to toss his hat in the ring. Being elected Sheriff would certainly be a nice outcome for the citizens and for a man of great personal character and talent.

I know the other dugout is solemn. They certainly didn’t want the City Council to be so decisive or swift in approving the City Administrator’s recommendation. This wasn’t the outcome they wanted. They would have preferred the debate over a Police Chief go on forever. I’ve already heard a few of them complain that Tim Swope doesn’t have the kind of degree “they” would have liked. But he has something they lack…humility. He’s the real deal and now he’s our Chief of Police.

Tuesday night you could hear the crack of the bat. The cheers for the hometown team…the groans from the visitors.

And that’s a winner!

RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer

IT CAME BACK!

Just when I thought I had recovered from the flu I got hit again. I was concerned until I begin hearing stories from other people who had also suffered two consecutive bouts of the flu.

If I have not yet responded to your phone call or e-mail, my intention is to do so within the next couple of days. Wednesday was my first full day of work in a couple of weeks.

One of our delivery drivers had a death in his family and had to leave town. This caused some of our deliveries to be late and we discovered one or two areas may have been missed. We believe all of those problems will be history by this weekend.

CHECK OUR WEB LOG

If you do miss your copy of the First Capitol News you can find us on the net. We publish a web log that can be found at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
The current issue of the First Capitol News is usually posted on the web log by Saturday afternoon each week. In the event of breaking news we try to post it as soon as we learn of it.

NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING THIS WEEK

The regular meeting of the St. Charles City Council will not be held Tuesday evening. It has been rescheduled to be held on Tuesday, March 22nd.

ST. PETER FISH FRY

St. Peter Parish on First Capitol across from the h ospital will hold their last Fish Fry on Friday March 18th.

They begin serving at 4pm and the fish is delicious. You can choose between Cod, Catfish and Shrimp. Complete dinners are available to eat-in or for carry out. While you are waiting in line you can avail yourself of a refreshing beverage or peel and eat shrimp.

Having grown up in St. Ferdinand Parish in Florissant where the Fish Fry is held on a year round basis, we thought there could be none better until we had the opportunity to experience St. Peters’.

COMMENTS & COMMERTARY By Charles Hill

What did the City and the Convention and Sports Authority Sell us?

At a recent convention center meeting the committee was presented an operating budget for the first year of operation that shows a loss of over $900,000. What does that mean to you and me? The convention center business has to bring in over $90,000,000 in spending for us to begin to have the tax revenue necessary to pay the shortfall. Over $246,000 in daily spending, spurred by those attending the conventions, has to take place to pay for the operating loss. That figure uses the 1 percent sales tax charged by the businesses that are supposed to be the big winners of conventions.

The Mayor and those who supported the convention center have sold us down the river. Stop and think. What the money we are wasting on the convention center could do for the City of St. Charles. If we had invested the $6 million the City paid for the land the convention centers sits on, in the city’s failing infrastructure, the Council’s concern about sewer capacity would be mute. The $6 million over the next ten years would have paid for improvements on our City streets without the need of outside help. In general an investment should make you money. The convention center is hardly an investment.

Sure it is a pretty building, yes they built it. This is not a field of dreams where “if you build it they will come.” The convention business is highly competitive and the larger markets are adding on. Not to attract more large conventions. They are adding on to get the smaller conventions. Those are the conventions we built our center for. Now we have to compete with Chicago, Vegas and Atlanta.

The “SMERF” market that comprises social, military, educational, religious and fraternal markets brings in cost conscience attendees that do not spend money. So where are we going to get the money to support this center? Simple. They will take it from the City’s coffers. Once again you and I take a back seat to those from out of town.

In St. Charles under York the focus has moved away from the residents to her and those who visit. The fact is, the money we spend to try to get people to visit could actually be used to increase our quality of life. The residents have taken a back seat to the tourism industry. Priorities need to change and that won’t happen as long as York and her crowd control politics.

Recently The Brookings Institution released a study titled “Space Available: The Realities of Convention Centers as Economic Development Strategy.” The author, Haywood Sanders, is a professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Using historical data and actual numbers Sanders paints a picture that looks to place the residents of St. Charles holding the bag on a dream of success in the convention center business. The executive summary states, “The overall convention marketplace is declining in a manner that suggest that a recovery or turnaround is unlikely to yield much increased business for any given community, contrary to repeated industry predictions. Localities sometimes with state assistance have continued a type of arms race with competing cities to host these events, investing massive amounts of capitol in new convention center construction and expansion of existing facilities. Faced with increased competition, many cities spend more money on additional convention amenities, like publicly financed hotels to serve as convention headquarters.” The study can be found at www.brookings.edu/metro and is very informative.

Just think. The doors are not open and already they are projecting a $900,000 loss to the St. Charles taxpayers in the first year.