By Tony Brockmeyer
At a meeting of the Heritage Residents Association Monday evening the Board voted to refer information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) along with a request for a Criminal Investigation on the advice of their accountant.
The Missouri Ethics Commission also notified the HRA that sufficient evidence was found to refer their complaint against Carl Maus and the Citizens for Responsible Community to the Attorney General for further handling.
Both incidents involve a $10,000 donation made by developer Steve Groeper to the Heritage Residents Association in 2004. Maus and Citizens for Responsible Community later said $5,000 of that money was meant for CFRC and demanded payment. After a lengthy and costly battle, CFRC received the $5,000 from HRA. An attorney hired by HRA investigated and reported that the transaction was illegal and appeared to be money laundering. HRA then filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The Board recently hired a new accounting firm, Crowder Accounting of St. Charles. Crowder told the HRA the way CMA (former accountant) reported the $10,000 donation from developer Steve Groeper on the financial statement, presented HRA with a problem that must be corrected. Crowder offered them three possible solutions: 1) Do nothing. (Not recommended) 2) Amend the return. This could cost HRA about $4,500 in tax and may lead to an audit by the IRS. 3) Crowder could contact a CID (Criminal Investigation Division) team of the IRS and show them what was done. Allow them go ahead and audit HRA.
He said this would be a bit of a pain, but HRA would come out clean when it was over. After discussing the recommendations from their accountant the board voted to contact the Criminal Investigation Division and request an investigation.
In May of 2004 the First Capitol News reported that Steve Groeper of Western Expansion Group, a local developer, had made a $10,000 donation to the Heritage Residents Association.
At the annual meeting of the HRA on April 26, 2004 an internal fight developed and the two candidates for election to the Board, who also represented Citizens for Responsible Community, were defeated. We also reported a fight over association funds, which resulted in $3,292.75 in legal fees for the association. It involved the $10,000 donation by Groeper. Later, Carl Maus, President of HRA and also President for CFRC along with Raymond Stone, co-founders of CFRC claimed $5,000 of the donation from Groeper was supposed to go to CFRC.
Frank Rosner,current president of the Heritage Residents Association (HRA) was treasurer at the time and told the First Capitol News, “The check was received from Groeper in January 2004 and was made payable to the Heritage Residents Association. Later Maus who was President of the Heritage Residents Association, told the HRA $5,000 of the money was to go to CFRC. At that time another member of the HRA told us this was apparently an attempt to bypass campaign-reporting requirements. At a later meeting, not attended by Rosner and several other HRA Board members, a HRA check for $5,000 was issued to CFRC.
Maus did not run for reelection at the time (April 2004) because he was living in an apartment in St. Charles until his new home was completed in Groeper’s subdivision. In April of this year Maus was elected as the representative to the board from the Heritage Trails subdivision. Two other members of CFRC who were running for HRA board seats were defeated.
At a HRA meeting, the attorney for the Heritage Residents Association Board of Directors notified the board that a payment of $5,000 the board made to Citizens For Responsible Community (CFRC), on behalf of a local developer, gave the appearance of an attempt to launder money. The check, originally received by the board from Steve Groeper of Western Expansion Group, was apparently a misdirection of funds to avoid the appearance of CFRC accepting money from a developer, particularly since the purpose of CFRC was to prevent another developer from purchasing the property.
The attorney, Joel D. Brett of St. Charles, also advised the board in a letter dated September 28, 2004: It appears the Board had issued the check prior to a vote. Two resolutions which say essentially the same thing concerning the donation to CFRC dated February 26, 2004 and March 23, 2004, appear to him to be an effort to establish a basis for the contribution. The resolutions, according to the attorney, are insufficient and further, his opinion is the activities of the Board in making the donation and reimbursing various Board members and Association members for their activities with Cavendish Square is improper. He wrote that the $5,000 donation should be returned to the Board by CRFC, and then perhaps returned to Western Expansion and that the source of the donation was also misrepresented by CFRC.
Citizens for Responsible Community was started by Maus and Stone in an attempt to stop the Cavendish Square subdivision proposed by the Jones Company along with annexation into the City. They organized a group and started a petition drive that was the demise of the proposal. Shortly after the Jones Company dropped their option on the ground, Steve Groeper a local developer purchased the property and developed it as the Heritage Trails Subdivision.
Maus and Stone are close friends of St. Charles Mayor Patti York and have used her office in city hall to conduct personal business during City Council meetings.
Since their inception, CFRC has become involved in St. Charles City politics even though none of them reside in St. Charles, They have become involved in O’Fallon and St. Peters politics and claim to be responsible for the election of Shawn Brown as Mayor of St. Peters. They claim responsibility for the election of O’Fallon Mayor Donna Morrow and several new members of the Council.
Maus and Stone and CFRC have aligned themselves with Adolphus Busch IV, Don Musick, Charles Hager, T.R. Hughes and Glennon Jamboretz of the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, the group fighting a planned industrial, commercial development on 1,600 acres recently sold by the City of St. Peters to Leonard Kaplan. It has been reported that Busch, Jamboretz, and other members of Great Rivers Habitat Alliance have given thousands and thousands of dollars to CFRC. It is believed a great deal of that money was used to defeat candidates to the City Board in O’Fallon, and the Mayor of St. Peters. Their attempts to defeat City Council members in St. Charles were unsuccessful.
After the Mayor of St. Charles, York, denied knowing members of CFRC it was discovered she was photographed with them at her victory party and she later contributed more than $2,000 to their cause. She was recently photographed with them at an event in O’Fallon which was published in an O’Fallon paper. Shortly after her election as Mayor, she allowed them the frequent use of her office at St. Charles City Hall during City Council Meetings.
The HRA attorney also advised the Board that Maus being President of HRA at the same time he was President of CFRC was at the very least a conflict of interest and should have been disclosed to
all Members of the Association (all residents) and not just the Board members. In addition, the minutes of January 27, 2004 specifically state that one half of the $10,000 paid by Steve Groeper of Western Expansion Group would be paid to CFRC because, “it probably would not look good for the company to have it on the books”.
Board members and other members of the association were reimbursed for their “in kind” contributions to CFRC during the “Cavendish Square” dispute. The attorney reported this is also an improper use of Association assessments and funds. If it is possible to determine the amounts, the members should reimburse the Association for the funds.
Frank Rosner, current President of the HRA was contacted by the First Capitol News. He said, “I am unable to make any comments due to an ongoing investigation.”
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Stefanie Sutton 2005 St. Charles County Fair Queen
Stefanie Sutton 2005 St. Charles County Fair Queen
BY Lynndi Lockenour
Of the 15 girls who hoped to be crowned St. Charles County Fair Queen, the winner, Stefanie Sutton seemed the most surprised. “It still hasn’t set in yet that I actually won,” she said. Sutton said she forgot that the winner also gets the opportunity to attend the state fair. “Now I’m excited all over again to get to go there,” she said.
This was Stefanie’s second year competing in the pageant and she said she felt more prepared the second time. “I still didn’t expect to win though,” she said. Stefanie, 19, will be attending Lindenwood University in the fall and hopes to get her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. “I wanted to go into the medical field, but I’m terrified of needles,” she said. “This way I can still help people in a similar way without having to see needles.” Stefanie is a 2004 graduate of Ft. Zumwalt North and the daughter of David and Lisa Sutton of Wentzville.
Kate Philipps was crowned First Runner-Up and chosen as Miss Congeniality by the girls. She attends the University of Missouri at Columbia where she is majoring in communications, sciences and disorders, also known as speech pathology. This was also Kate’s second year to compete in the pageant. Kate, 20, said her dream job would be to own her own therapeutic horsemanship clinic. “I love horses and that way I could work with them and help people at the same time,” she said. Kate was a 2003 graduate of St. Charles West High School and is the daughter of Bob and Sharon Philipps of St. Charles.
Allyce King, 18, of St. Peters was crowned Second Runner-Up. This fall she will be attending Stephens College in Columbia to major in fashion design. Allyce said her dream job is to be a designer. “I’d love to design pageant dresses,” she said. “Someday I’d like to have my own line of dresses.” Allyce is a 2005 graduate of Ft. Zumwalt West and is the daughter of Vincent King and Cindy Cummings.
Others receiving awards at this years Queen Coronation were Maggie Richardson who was named Miss Talent and Laura Bross for best Evening Gown.
THE TRUE FACTS REGARDING MARK BROWN
The First Capitol News was founded on the principle of printing the truth when others do not. Recently a publication funded by wealthy developers and home builders printed statements that were not factual. Councilman Mark Brown, Ward 3 and his family members have been attacked by the questionable publication and it is only fair the First Capitol News produce the true facts.
In a recent article the publication had pictures of City Trucks picking up debris in front of Mark Brown’s property with quotes and headlines stating Brown received special treatment. Please note the documented e-mail from the St. Charles City’s Acting Public Works Director Debbie Alsworth that highlights the fact over 450 residents experienced damage from the July 2004 storm that the City sent staff and trucks to clean up and Brown was not given any special treatment. The person interviewed in the article Jay Wade has been at odds with Brown even before Brown was elected to office. The Pearl Ridge Subdivision has had flooding problems since Wade developed the property and ignored engineering recommendations on how to build proper detention. Pictured is the flooding as well as the mess Wade leaves everyday. The trucks and the weeds have been another point of contention that has Brown and Wade at odds.
The pictured flooding has created a public health and safety issue that will now cost the City of St. Charles over $500,000 to fix. The City is intending to recoup that money from Wade in court action. Wade denies any wrongdoing and believes that he bears no responsibility for the flooding even though he built the detention area that floods.
In a recent article the publication had pictures of City Trucks picking up debris in front of Mark Brown’s property with quotes and headlines stating Brown received special treatment. Please note the documented e-mail from the St. Charles City’s Acting Public Works Director Debbie Alsworth that highlights the fact over 450 residents experienced damage from the July 2004 storm that the City sent staff and trucks to clean up and Brown was not given any special treatment. The person interviewed in the article Jay Wade has been at odds with Brown even before Brown was elected to office. The Pearl Ridge Subdivision has had flooding problems since Wade developed the property and ignored engineering recommendations on how to build proper detention. Pictured is the flooding as well as the mess Wade leaves everyday. The trucks and the weeds have been another point of contention that has Brown and Wade at odds.
The pictured flooding has created a public health and safety issue that will now cost the City of St. Charles over $500,000 to fix. The City is intending to recoup that money from Wade in court action. Wade denies any wrongdoing and believes that he bears no responsibility for the flooding even though he built the detention area that floods.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
The Decision and Indecision of Allan Williams
Dr. Allan Williams was hired as the City Administrator to help guide this City back on course. Since Mayor York was elected, this City has been on a path to nowhere. York’s never ending lust for power has stymied St. Charles and the positive things the residents deserve. Now York has once again taken control of the City and the Administration and. Williams appears to be okay with that.
Case in point is the management of the public works department. Williams had asked the Council to allow him to move forward and work with St. Charles Engineering being in charge of the public works department. The Council approved the original contract and when it was due to expire Council President Rory Riddler was asked by Williams to sponsor a renewal contract. This contract was read twice and voted on by the Council. The vote was unanimous. Then along comes Mayor York, the part-time Mayor, former flight attendant, former B & B operator and assistant professor at Lindenwood to say she thinks the contract lacks control and she vetoed it. Keep in mind the contract was read twice and 10 out of 10 councilman agreed to it. The City Administrator, who is paid $148,000 to run the day-to-day operations, wanted the contract with St. Charles Engineering extended. The City Attorney, who is appointed by the Mayor, drafted the contract. The City Administrator, who is supposed to run the City, please read the Charter if you don’t understand this, didn’t stand his ground. Instead his indecision forced a vote on the veto and the veto was sustained. No contract with St. Charles Engineering. A member of the department was placed in charge on an interim basis. Sources tell us that St. Charles Engineering had made an evaluation of personnel in the department at the request of Williams had made recommendations dismissal or reassignment of employees. This did not bode well with those who had the Mayor’s ear so bye bye St. Charles Engineering.
The residents voted to have a full time Mayor after the 2007 election but Mayor York somehow thinks she is the one in charge now. The City Administrator has demonstrated a pattern of indecision and lack of clear vision for the City. He has been unable to gain consensus and build trust with the Council to allow for a clear path. Why? This would interfere with York’s political ambitions and need to cover up the lack of understanding of her role in City government.
The City of St. Charles has a weak mayor system. The framers wanted to have a professional City Manager run the day to day operations. This hasn’t occurred in the years York has been Mayor. York has created a divisive belief within City Hall and now it has spilled onto Williams. Williams continues to decide then undecided what direction he wants to take the City. He is quick to place blame on others, which to me is true sign of weakness. He refuses to stand up to the Mayor and that spells doom for most of the residents. Williams makes a great deal of money but does nothing to support that salary, just watch and you can see how he has abdicated his authority.
Checks and balance only works when someone is truthful and honest with the information. After all, when someone cashes a check that belongs to someone else, it is never right. York wants the Council to bow down and abdicate their jobs and authority to her and Williams. They have created ineffective government and that costs you more tax dollars.
Dr. Allan Williams was hired as the City Administrator to help guide this City back on course. Since Mayor York was elected, this City has been on a path to nowhere. York’s never ending lust for power has stymied St. Charles and the positive things the residents deserve. Now York has once again taken control of the City and the Administration and. Williams appears to be okay with that.
Case in point is the management of the public works department. Williams had asked the Council to allow him to move forward and work with St. Charles Engineering being in charge of the public works department. The Council approved the original contract and when it was due to expire Council President Rory Riddler was asked by Williams to sponsor a renewal contract. This contract was read twice and voted on by the Council. The vote was unanimous. Then along comes Mayor York, the part-time Mayor, former flight attendant, former B & B operator and assistant professor at Lindenwood to say she thinks the contract lacks control and she vetoed it. Keep in mind the contract was read twice and 10 out of 10 councilman agreed to it. The City Administrator, who is paid $148,000 to run the day-to-day operations, wanted the contract with St. Charles Engineering extended. The City Attorney, who is appointed by the Mayor, drafted the contract. The City Administrator, who is supposed to run the City, please read the Charter if you don’t understand this, didn’t stand his ground. Instead his indecision forced a vote on the veto and the veto was sustained. No contract with St. Charles Engineering. A member of the department was placed in charge on an interim basis. Sources tell us that St. Charles Engineering had made an evaluation of personnel in the department at the request of Williams had made recommendations dismissal or reassignment of employees. This did not bode well with those who had the Mayor’s ear so bye bye St. Charles Engineering.
The residents voted to have a full time Mayor after the 2007 election but Mayor York somehow thinks she is the one in charge now. The City Administrator has demonstrated a pattern of indecision and lack of clear vision for the City. He has been unable to gain consensus and build trust with the Council to allow for a clear path. Why? This would interfere with York’s political ambitions and need to cover up the lack of understanding of her role in City government.
The City of St. Charles has a weak mayor system. The framers wanted to have a professional City Manager run the day to day operations. This hasn’t occurred in the years York has been Mayor. York has created a divisive belief within City Hall and now it has spilled onto Williams. Williams continues to decide then undecided what direction he wants to take the City. He is quick to place blame on others, which to me is true sign of weakness. He refuses to stand up to the Mayor and that spells doom for most of the residents. Williams makes a great deal of money but does nothing to support that salary, just watch and you can see how he has abdicated his authority.
Checks and balance only works when someone is truthful and honest with the information. After all, when someone cashes a check that belongs to someone else, it is never right. York wants the Council to bow down and abdicate their jobs and authority to her and Williams. They have created ineffective government and that costs you more tax dollars.
Editorial
Editorial
Councilman Hoepfner Joins With Mayor
To Thwart The Public’s Right To Know
Tuesday night the lights went out at City Hall in more ways than one. An electrical storm briefly knocked out the lights and shut down the elevators during the middle of the City Council meeting. But a vote taken by the Council also turned out the light on the public’s ability to know what’s going on.
Councilman Bob Hoepfner was the one who “pulled the plug” on running the agendas of upcoming Council meetings. Previously he had argued and voted in favor of running the agendas so the public would know what was coming up and could call their Council members or attend the meetings. As little as a week before the vote he personally told this editor that he would sponsor the contract to continue to run the agendas.
It was a core value of Councilman Hoepfner’s, but one he was willing to sacrifice to prove his new found loyalty to the Mayor and her allies on the Council. The Mayor, stung by criticism of her actions, has tried for months to squash the agendas being printed. She finally found her knight in shining armor to ride to her rescue...Bob Hoepfner.
Last week, Mr. Hoepfner announced in John Sonderreger’s column in the Post-Dispatch that he had joined the Mayor’s faction on the City Council. The first “test” of his loyalty was for Councilman Hoepfner to sell out his principles that the public had a right to know, in advance, what was going to be debated at a City Council meeting. He passed their test with flying colors.
It took her two years, but Mayor Patti York succeeded in taking control of the 10th Ward. We aren’t sure yet what all it took to accomplish that, but we promise to share it with you, our readers, when details of the arrangements come to light.
Councilman Hoepfner Joins With Mayor
To Thwart The Public’s Right To Know
Tuesday night the lights went out at City Hall in more ways than one. An electrical storm briefly knocked out the lights and shut down the elevators during the middle of the City Council meeting. But a vote taken by the Council also turned out the light on the public’s ability to know what’s going on.
Councilman Bob Hoepfner was the one who “pulled the plug” on running the agendas of upcoming Council meetings. Previously he had argued and voted in favor of running the agendas so the public would know what was coming up and could call their Council members or attend the meetings. As little as a week before the vote he personally told this editor that he would sponsor the contract to continue to run the agendas.
It was a core value of Councilman Hoepfner’s, but one he was willing to sacrifice to prove his new found loyalty to the Mayor and her allies on the Council. The Mayor, stung by criticism of her actions, has tried for months to squash the agendas being printed. She finally found her knight in shining armor to ride to her rescue...Bob Hoepfner.
Last week, Mr. Hoepfner announced in John Sonderreger’s column in the Post-Dispatch that he had joined the Mayor’s faction on the City Council. The first “test” of his loyalty was for Councilman Hoepfner to sell out his principles that the public had a right to know, in advance, what was going to be debated at a City Council meeting. He passed their test with flying colors.
It took her two years, but Mayor Patti York succeeded in taking control of the 10th Ward. We aren’t sure yet what all it took to accomplish that, but we promise to share it with you, our readers, when details of the arrangements come to light.
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler City Council President
Vacationing With Mark Twain
In The Town That Time Forgot
It was one of those somewhat annoying but minor change of plans, that on their face appear genuinely random, but when played out, lead us to just the place we were meant to be at just the moment we were meant to be there. This particular detour helped reacquaint me with an old friend, a writer of some renown, whom I was pleased to discover had grown more profound with time despite the seeming handicap of being deceased these past ninety-five years.
A rare occurrence at our house is the alignment of four schedules that produce a few days on the calendar when no appointments are penciled in. These tend to stand amid the dates nearly covered with the demands of modern life. It is at such times of revelation that my wife or I will suggest the need for a family get-away to take advantage of those free moments.
So it was a few weeks ago when we decided to spend a few days in Quincy, Illinois. My wife, Sue, had spent her freshman year in college there and we had both enjoyed an earlier visit to this picturesque community of lovingly preserved Victorian homes. Sue volunteers behind the scenes in community theater and we decided it would be fun to take in a local musical production and bought tickets on line.
We also noticed there was going to be a Blues Festival that weekend in the town square. Just an added bonus we thought, till we started calling around for hotel reservations. It seems the festival was a lot more popular than we imagined and there wasn’t a decent hotel room to be had in Quincy that weekend. Not wanting to give up our plans or our theater tickets we resolved to stay in Hannibal and drive to Quincy.
This decision resulted in the discovery of the scientific curiosity that it is thirty miles to Quincy from Hannibal if you follow the Missouri Highway signs, but only seventeen miles if you cross the Mississippi at Hannibal and take the county roads in Illinois. We also discovered a sad fact...Hannibal is dying of neglect.
The main museum and Twain boyhood home are well cared for and professionally operated. So are a few restaurants and shops. But many other attractions and many of the historic buildings on Main Street and downtown are not. Getting away from downtown, there are some better areas of town, but there are also areas of abject poverty. Like an aging dowager, there is a general sense of declining fortunes. The movie industry even had to come to St. Charles to film Back To Hannibal.
Quincy, in contrast, is Hannibals smarter and better looking twin...the one that got all the breaks. Quincy became a center for making iron stoves, rope, wagons and supplying the many things needed for Westward Expansion. Its old downtown commercial buildings are on average five stories tall to Hannibals two. It has many more mansions and great homes built by the captains of industry and river trade.
But like the riverboats that brought prosperity, those industries faded with time. But Quincy was able to reinvent itself. Proof was in the $1.7 million dollar community theater where our family enjoyed a wonderful evening and the many newer hotels that were booked solid for the weekend.
Despite the state in which we found Hannibal in, having part of our family getaway detoured there turned out to be a fortunate turn. It helped me rediscover the real Mark Twain in the pages of a book I picked up in the museum gift shop. My daughter also picked up a shirt with this classic Mark Twain zinger, “Suppose you are a Congressman, and suppose you are an idiot, but I repeat myself.” My book took longer to read, but her shirt might get read by more people.
The book is called The Bible According To Mark Twain, and is a collection of some of his lesser known works including the poignant Extracts From Adam’s Diary and moving Eve’s Diary. What is so ironic about Hannibal being a town that time forgot, is that the writings of its number one citizen are timeless. They are as bitingly relevant today as when Twain wrote them.
Twain was such a prolific writer because he had a never ending source of inspiration. “A man’s experiences of life are a book. There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior, there is a drama, a comedy and a tragedy.” (Mark Twain The Refuge Of Derelicts)
What Hannibal has to offer visitors isn’t just Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn. They can lay claim to one of the world’s most brilliant political satirists and humorists of all time. Read Glances At History sometime to see just how relevant Mark Twain has become with age. Offended by those who questioned the patriotism of those who disagreed with the party in power over a war in the Philippines, Twain wrote passionately:
“...Our Country right or wrong! An empty phrase, a silly phrase...And every man who failed to shout it or who was silent, was proclaimed a traitor - none but those others were patriots. To be a patriot, one had to say, and keep on saying, “Our Country, right or wrong,”...Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn’t. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your conviction of the right, you have done your duty to yourself and by your country...”
2010 will be the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death. It would be a fitting time for the State of Missouri to celebrate the continuing contribution of her most famous native son. A man who hasn’t let the inconvenience of his death get in the way of continuing to make people laugh, to think, or more importantly...to think for themselves.
Four years isn’t long to get ready for what could be an international media event. I would recommend the Governor take the lead and offer State funding for a major redevelopment plan for Hannibal and to marshal such individual, corporate, local, State and Federal assistance as needed for its implementation. Hannibal is often the first (and last) impression tourists and visitors get of the entire State. The people of Hannibal deserve better and the memory of Mark Twain deserves better.
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
McCulloch’s Airport
by Alex Spencer
Watching public meetings on cable access television usually guarantees the average viewer a way to beat insomnia.
But last Monday night’s St. Charles County Council meeting had a moment of high drama. Adolphus Busch IV, heir to a fortune amassed by his ancestors slinging suds, made an appearance during the public comment period and just flat-out threatened the council members.
Now I am not so naive as to live under the misconception that in our “one-man, one-vote” system, the vote of any of us commoners amounts to a whole hill of beans compared to the decrees of a brewery baron like Adolphus. Guys like him buy up politicians with fat political contributions and off-the-books free goodies. Such things are so commonplace that earlier this year, Councilman Joe Brazil didn’t even bother to lie when questioned about his boondoggle fishing trip to the Florida Keys aboard Adolphus’ private yacht.
But normally the fat cats who own stables of politicians allow us in the masses a semblance of some type of egalitarian democracy during our little rituals called public meetings. After all, it helps us all live under the delusion that the system is fair—at least fair enough that we can go home and enjoy another Budweiser rather than waste our time actually attending public meetings.
On Monday evening, however, Adolphus dispensed with such niceties to make it clear that His County Council forgot who was in charge if it was going to defy his will by considering any expansion of the county airport at Smartt Field.
Adolphus doesn’t want the airport expanded because it might negatively impact the flight patterns of migratory birds. In English, the planes may chase off the ducks. And Adolphus, when hanging out on his 2000+ acre private estate, likes to shoot at the ducks.
So Adolphus stared down the Council and said that his private political action group of wealthy duck hunters, the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, would come after any politician who dared vote against him. You could almost smell the testosterone through the television. I haven’t seen bullying like this outside of a middle school locker room. Like I said, high drama.
Now the proposed airport expansion is co-sponsored by Council members Foust, Morrison, and Schnur. Council members Brazil, Funderburk and White are already known to be purchased workhorses (i.e., Clydesdales) in Adolphus’ personal stable of politicians. So Adolphus’ threats appear to be directed at the newest and only undecided member of the County Council—Joe McCulloch.
And therein lies the rub. With the Republican members of the Council split evenly between Adolphus’ trio and the three bill co-sponsors, the lone Democrat member of the County Council will likely decide the fate of Smartt Field.
No one seems to know how McCulloch will react to Adolphus’ threat. Adolphus’ Great Duck Hunters Alliance supported Richard Baum against McCulloch this April when McCulloch won his council seat in a largely Republican leaning district. But McCulloch faces a re-election bid next year in that same difficult district, so Adolphus’ threat may have some teeth. Even so, McCulloch, a retired St. Louis City cop and former prosecutor, seems like the kind of guy unlikely to succumb to a rich kid turned bully.
The conflict between these characters currently defines primetime drama on cable access television. You just have to wait through all the zoning issues.
by Alex Spencer
Watching public meetings on cable access television usually guarantees the average viewer a way to beat insomnia.
But last Monday night’s St. Charles County Council meeting had a moment of high drama. Adolphus Busch IV, heir to a fortune amassed by his ancestors slinging suds, made an appearance during the public comment period and just flat-out threatened the council members.
Now I am not so naive as to live under the misconception that in our “one-man, one-vote” system, the vote of any of us commoners amounts to a whole hill of beans compared to the decrees of a brewery baron like Adolphus. Guys like him buy up politicians with fat political contributions and off-the-books free goodies. Such things are so commonplace that earlier this year, Councilman Joe Brazil didn’t even bother to lie when questioned about his boondoggle fishing trip to the Florida Keys aboard Adolphus’ private yacht.
But normally the fat cats who own stables of politicians allow us in the masses a semblance of some type of egalitarian democracy during our little rituals called public meetings. After all, it helps us all live under the delusion that the system is fair—at least fair enough that we can go home and enjoy another Budweiser rather than waste our time actually attending public meetings.
On Monday evening, however, Adolphus dispensed with such niceties to make it clear that His County Council forgot who was in charge if it was going to defy his will by considering any expansion of the county airport at Smartt Field.
Adolphus doesn’t want the airport expanded because it might negatively impact the flight patterns of migratory birds. In English, the planes may chase off the ducks. And Adolphus, when hanging out on his 2000+ acre private estate, likes to shoot at the ducks.
So Adolphus stared down the Council and said that his private political action group of wealthy duck hunters, the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, would come after any politician who dared vote against him. You could almost smell the testosterone through the television. I haven’t seen bullying like this outside of a middle school locker room. Like I said, high drama.
Now the proposed airport expansion is co-sponsored by Council members Foust, Morrison, and Schnur. Council members Brazil, Funderburk and White are already known to be purchased workhorses (i.e., Clydesdales) in Adolphus’ personal stable of politicians. So Adolphus’ threats appear to be directed at the newest and only undecided member of the County Council—Joe McCulloch.
And therein lies the rub. With the Republican members of the Council split evenly between Adolphus’ trio and the three bill co-sponsors, the lone Democrat member of the County Council will likely decide the fate of Smartt Field.
No one seems to know how McCulloch will react to Adolphus’ threat. Adolphus’ Great Duck Hunters Alliance supported Richard Baum against McCulloch this April when McCulloch won his council seat in a largely Republican leaning district. But McCulloch faces a re-election bid next year in that same difficult district, so Adolphus’ threat may have some teeth. Even so, McCulloch, a retired St. Louis City cop and former prosecutor, seems like the kind of guy unlikely to succumb to a rich kid turned bully.
The conflict between these characters currently defines primetime drama on cable access television. You just have to wait through all the zoning issues.
COMMENTS & COMMENTARY by Charles Hill
My, I hit a nerve with the SMPS. In two letters to the editor I am told that I lied and I am slow. Neither of which are completely accurate. Notice I did not call my detractors names and get personal because we simply have a difference of opinion. If you read the letter from Mr. Schuette he states “Mr. Hill implies that the SMPS told Mr. Stockhorst not to present his plans to the SMPS because he would not be well received. Fact 1—-Mr. Stockhorst never made a request of the SMPS board to present his plans at an SMPS meeting.”
This statement of fact seems to be contradicted in Mr. Schuette’s Fact 5 which states “The presentation of his proposal to the SMPS was not cancelled by the SMPS membership or board. The presentation was cancelled because there was no point to a presentation once the city’s officials and commissions had overwhelmingly rejected the proposal.” These are not implied statements these are statements of Fact according to Mr. Schuette. My only question is how you cancel a presentation in Fact 5 for the stated reasons when in Fact 1 you tell the public he never made a request to present his plans. It was on the agenda and then it didn’t take place.
In another letter from resident and business owner Mr. George Worthinghton who by the way if you need a stove or fireplace for your home, or other items like radio flyer wagons go visit him. His store is truly a neat place to visit. He calls me slow, I might not be the fastest on the block but I don’t think that the SMPS are the end all and be all to determine the economic viability of new business.
At no other time have we required market studies for a business to open in the area, yet he felt this time we should. He also points out the boat was not historically correct. May I ask about the St. Charles Empress? How is this modern day vessel fitting of our beloved “Bishops Landing?” I would bet the name sake of that landing would have allowed for more discussion and input to see if this could work before it was dispatched without input. The SMPS did the same thing when Bob Hoepfner was trying to get the corp to allow for a basin to dock the Goldenrod. This developer was never given the chance to work with the SMPS, Tourism or City Council to come up with a plan that would work.
To say I am closed minded is really not fair. I am open minded enough to say this project was doomed once it was announced, just like the way the over zealous SMPS membership is trying kill the Starbucks on the corner of Boone’s Lick and Fifth.
Once last point I want to make, I called a couple of our Council members and asked them about the marina/restaurant plan. I find it ironic how Mr. Worthington said they were “in fact in the process of providing for Roosters LLC, thirty acres of waterfront, parking and public land at the very core of the tourism base of St. Charles,” yet these two Councilmen knew nothing more than what was e-mailed by concerned business owners and what was in the paper. I would ask Mr. Worthington to produce the documents that show the council had the amount of knowledge he claims. Want a fact? Nadine Boone the Economic Development Director for St. Charles was the one who was pushing this marina/excursion boat/restaurant/nightclub proposal, and if she was for it you best bet Mayor York was right behind her.
This statement of fact seems to be contradicted in Mr. Schuette’s Fact 5 which states “The presentation of his proposal to the SMPS was not cancelled by the SMPS membership or board. The presentation was cancelled because there was no point to a presentation once the city’s officials and commissions had overwhelmingly rejected the proposal.” These are not implied statements these are statements of Fact according to Mr. Schuette. My only question is how you cancel a presentation in Fact 5 for the stated reasons when in Fact 1 you tell the public he never made a request to present his plans. It was on the agenda and then it didn’t take place.
In another letter from resident and business owner Mr. George Worthinghton who by the way if you need a stove or fireplace for your home, or other items like radio flyer wagons go visit him. His store is truly a neat place to visit. He calls me slow, I might not be the fastest on the block but I don’t think that the SMPS are the end all and be all to determine the economic viability of new business.
At no other time have we required market studies for a business to open in the area, yet he felt this time we should. He also points out the boat was not historically correct. May I ask about the St. Charles Empress? How is this modern day vessel fitting of our beloved “Bishops Landing?” I would bet the name sake of that landing would have allowed for more discussion and input to see if this could work before it was dispatched without input. The SMPS did the same thing when Bob Hoepfner was trying to get the corp to allow for a basin to dock the Goldenrod. This developer was never given the chance to work with the SMPS, Tourism or City Council to come up with a plan that would work.
To say I am closed minded is really not fair. I am open minded enough to say this project was doomed once it was announced, just like the way the over zealous SMPS membership is trying kill the Starbucks on the corner of Boone’s Lick and Fifth.
Once last point I want to make, I called a couple of our Council members and asked them about the marina/restaurant plan. I find it ironic how Mr. Worthington said they were “in fact in the process of providing for Roosters LLC, thirty acres of waterfront, parking and public land at the very core of the tourism base of St. Charles,” yet these two Councilmen knew nothing more than what was e-mailed by concerned business owners and what was in the paper. I would ask Mr. Worthington to produce the documents that show the council had the amount of knowledge he claims. Want a fact? Nadine Boone the Economic Development Director for St. Charles was the one who was pushing this marina/excursion boat/restaurant/nightclub proposal, and if she was for it you best bet Mayor York was right behind her.
COMMENTS FROM JOE KOESTER City Councilman Ward 9
COMMENTS FROM
JOE KOESTER
City Councilman Ward 9
Since about 1979, our language has incorporated more reference to “good” v. “evil” due in large to one movie series: Star Wars.
Actually, if memory serves, the movie lingo only comes right out and really names the evil side, the “Dark Side.” The good guys, it is reasoned, make up the “Light Side.” About that same time period, our politics too jumped into boiling all political differences into black and white. The good cowboy enters wearing white and riding a white horse, while the villain is clad in black on a stallion to match. Somehow, my party, the Democratic Party, became the bad guys in the culture wars. Of course, I see the grand irony of it all since the coffers of the Republican Party must be closer to that of Darth Vader’s Empirial Budget, while Democrats are more analogous to the ragtag rebel forces fighting on a wing and a prayer. And certainly, the expansion of governmental powers and loss of individual rights under a conservative Supreme Court (see ruling on your property rights), federal government (see many measures of Homeland Security Legislation/jailing of those in the press...too many to get into here), and even state government (see legislation on workers’ compensation or your ability to litigate) liken the Republican Party to the Empirical forces rather than the nobel, white-decked cowboy come to save the townsfolk!
Beyond that, it was a host of progressive legislation that reigned in the polluting corporations; removed children from the workforce; electrified rural America; built many of our nation’s parks and highways, schools and other public buildings; created a contract between every American citizen that we would do our best to prevent anyone in this land of immense wealth from living in destitute poverty, (especially our elderly and orphans); fought for a forty hour work week, vacation time, unemployment insurance; decided to pay for college education for our veterans and poor; help farmers and ranchers try and keep their family farms by subsidized loans and provide price supports for their work and goods; create Medicare; ... you get the point. So much of this fight and progress, it seems, is a direct response to that which people of all faiths are called to do — love their neighbors as themselves. See how the Right’s hollow claim to some sort of moral superiority is confusing for many of us? Now, at this point, this little piece could spiral out in all kinds of directions...a tome against Wal-mart’s low wages and subsidization to the tune of billions of tax dollars a year; culture wars (namely, Roe v Wade); the need for election finance reform to extract the domination of corporate money out of the political system (Teddy Roosevelt, where are you when we need you!); or maybe even a movie review of the latest Star Wars.
Actually, I want to bring it back to local politics. “All politics is local.” (Tip O’Neil, where are you when we need you!) A lot of people, I’m sure, see City politics as dualistic and your view point determines where you think Darth Vader sits at Council meetings. For some describing what they see, we hear a kind of good versus evil, the Dark Side versus the Light Side, and worse, some even employ religious verbiage to describe their perspective on things (like .. God told me).
Do not insult the Father above by buying into this whole idea. Politics is politics and there are many “sides” and many interests. It’s kind of like a game of Chinese checkers — there are a lot of different people moving at all directions across the board to reach their goals. Sometimes the guy on the right or left may help you make a great jump halfway across the board, but in the end, his eye is on his own board pieces. The overall good of the City better be your top interest, but each of us probably thinks that the project in his or her ward is the “best” thing for our City. We also believe that this guy or that guy will be the best for the job, this department or that department needs money the most. No side is “evil.”
Democracy is competition for limited means and the system of checks and balances is inter-linked with the process. Sometimes you have periods of greater harmony but you don’t always want all elected officials acting in concert.
It has been suggested that the squabbles at City Hall are: a) unique to St. Charles City; and b) preventing things from getting done. Unless you were cryogenically frozen along side of Hans Solo for the past 10 years, it would be a silly claim since each of our major towns and county government have seen many political clashes over the years. Mayor’s race in Wentzville; Mayor and Council vs. Council and Old Town Preservation in O’Fallon; police problems there too a couple of years ago, and apparently, again today; St. Peters Board v Mayor and most recently flood plain development; county government recall efforts and lawsuits against most everyone in the county...to name a few. Next, every time we attend a council meeting until midnight, meet with city residents, attend board or commission meeting, make requests for this or that for our wards, we are getting things done. Some may not be happy with decisions made and so if this guy or that guy doesn’t get a contract, then they feel nothing is getting done...for them.
So, through all of this verbal meandering my main point is that we should all refrain from speaking in terms that paint anyone as “evil.” Everyone on all sides can take a breath and remember, it’s not church, it’s politics!
Joe Koester
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
To: Main Street Merchants and SMPS members.
From: Bob Schuette, SMPS Treasurer.
RE: Comments & Commentary by Charles Hill.
This weeks editorial by “Charles Hill” blames the South Main Preservation Society board of directors for being close-minded, anti-business and for single-handedly blocking an attractive business proposal for the Saint Charles riverfront. Unfortunately, Mr. “Hill” once again has his facts wrong and, as is too often the case, has chosen to distort and twist the truth in order to make his friends look good.
Mr. Hill implies that SMPS told Mr. Stockhorst not to present his plans to SMPS because he would not be well received. Fact 1 — Mr. Stockhorst never made a request of the SMPS board to present his plans at an SMPS meeting. Fact 2 — Councilman Muench requested that the SMPS board allow Mr. Stockhorst to give a presentation prior to the SMPS meeting and that request was granted. Fact 3 — Councilman Muench likewise informed me that this same presentation would probably not take place since it was already common knowledge that Mr. Stockhorst gave a poor presentation and received a negative response from both the tourism commission and the landmarks preservation board. Fact 4 — After his poor reception before these boards, I personally received word from councilman Muench that Mr. Stockhorst was asked to withdraw his proposal by both Mr. Muench and Nadine Boon of the city’s economic development office. Fact 5 — The presentation of his proposals to SMPS was not cancelled by the SMPS membership or board. The presentation was cancelled because there simply was no point to a presentation once the city’s officials and commissions had overwhelmingly rejected his proposals. At no time did the SMPS board or any SMPS officers individually or collectively block this proposal. We simply did not have to block it because the project was dead in the water before we were even able to take a position. The city’s representatives, boards and commissions did their jobs well and I commend them all for their efforts.
The current position of the SMPS board of directors is simply this: We welcome any development proposals for the Saint Charles Historic District and Riverfront that are appropriate to the area. Because so much time, effort and money has been spent to recover and develop the historic district, and because this district has become such a treasured asset to the community, we do, however, retain the right to oppose those plans and proposals that are inappropriate and would serve to detract or diminish the character of the district.
Note to Mr. Brockmeyer: It takes as much ink to print the truth as it does to print a lie. The truth may not be as interesting, but when your columnists write an article that is critical of any board or organization, you may wish to contact someone from that board or organization and get the real story. Your efforts would be appreciated by your readers, subscribers and advertisers, I am sure.
Sincerely,
Bob Schuette
Treasurer, SMPS
First Capitol Trading Post
207 S Main St
Saint Charles MO 63301-2804
(636) 946-2883
Editor’s Response,
Your e-mail has been forwarded to Charles Hill so he can reply if he so desires. In as much as you put a note in your e-mail to me, I felt obligated to respond. Charles Hill is a columnist. He does not write editorials nor does he report news. He writes his opinion and comments. Columns are meant to stimulate discussion and debate. Charles Hill has been successful in that regard as evidenced by your correspondence and that of Mr. Worthington.
Charles Hill is entitled to his opinion as you are to yours. However, when you accuse this newspaper of printing lies I feel I must respond. All too often when one disagrees with another’s opinion they immediately claim lies are being told or misinformation is being given. That appears to be the case in this regard.
I have re-read Charles Hill’s column and I could not find anywhere, as you claim, where he told a lie. You may disagree with his opinion, but that does not make it a lie.
You failed to mention in your missive, the conference call held amongst SMPS Board members that resulted in the cancellation of Mr. Stockhorst’s presentation.
The First Capitol News does appreciate our readers and subscribers and especially our advertisers. Without them there would be no purpose for our existence. Our readers and subscribers tell us they read our publication from cover to cover. They can’t put it down. Our advertisers appreciate the fact we are the most read newspaper in St. Charles and they know advertising in our publication brings results.
Thank you for being a reader of the First Capitol News.
To the Editor
I trust you will agree that a cogent reply to the ‘Charles Hill’ Commentary of July 23 issue of First Capitol News is due your readers.
‘Charles Hill’. You are indeed slow! And fundamentally incorrect. Your vitriolic disdain for South Main demonstrates only that the “newly closed” mind is within the skull of ‘Charles Hill’.
The barge-based restaurant, marina, nightclub, excursion boat, plans have indeed been presented: to the Tourism Board and reported by the Post Dispatch in late June, to SBD, and to Landmarks. I too have seen the proposal – I think you dream too much.
SMPS board has taken no action whatever! Nor can it allow or disallow a project. Certainly its members, among others, have serious questions. Citizens to Protect the Riverfront (CPR, not SMPS made a documented presentation to Landmarks opposing the developer’s plan. That board (and other observers) obviously dismayed by the inappropriate and poorly developed plan for the most sensitive part of the riverfront, took no action but gracefully suggested that the gentleman do more research as to the types of vessels and activities that would be a good fit for the Bishop’s Landing and surrounding area. Mr. Muench pulled the subsequent SMPS presentation for good reason: he became informed!
This project lacked credibility in many other ways as well, and I find it inexcusable that the City allowed it to proceed. Businesses succeed based on good planning, good management, adequate financing, and a ready market. Informed business minded persons have already sent the folly of the Roosters’ proposal.
How about that “Riverfront study?” I recollect that it advises careful development, recognizing the need for compatibility!
The Roosters LLC proposal offers only historically insensitive renderings, without photos or drawings of existing equipment (what took City staff so long to look?) It offers no market study, no financial basis, no developed engineering plans, no business attraction consonant with either the Missouri River or the extended Historic Zoning District. Yet incredibly the proposal required the City to put up the land! Next to Bishop’s Landing! Such a deal! Mr. Riddler, omniscient beacon of the council, would back away; he cuts the project loose, disclaims his deep involvement in this matter. How so? City Council was fact in the process of providing for Roosters LLC, thirty acres of waterfront, parking and public land at the very core of the tourism base of St. Charles. What colossal hypocrisy for the councilman to now say, “If the promoter can acquire a location along the river on the north end of St. Charles, I would be happy to welcome him to Ward 1.” “Way to go Council President!”
Now, Mr. Riddler, you owe Mr. Stockhorst an apology, or the deed to Blanchette Landing. ‘Charles Hill’ owes South Main a retraction of the ridiculous “tax burden” accusation.
George Worthington
Business Owner and Resident
Dear Editor,
What’s the difference between Jerry Reese and Richard Baum? About 80 pounds. I remember Jerry Reese telling us that he wouldn’t be another rubber stamp but that is exactly what he is. At the last Council meeting he told the other Council members they aren’t professional and they are acting like 6th graders.
Mr. Reese, a 6th grader understands right from wrong, and they know to keep a promise. This is something you obviously don’t know or understand and you owe the 6th graders an apology.
S. Colclasure
Dear Editor,
To say that I am disappointed in the Council’s action denying your ability to print the City Council’s agenda would be an understatement. I am most disappointed in my Councilman Bob Hoepfner for voting against the contract. I guess since he is no longer going to be published by you because the First Capitol News refused to let him degrade and belittle his fellow council members, he no longer feels the need for any of us to know what is going on. Bob used to be the person pushing for the public to know, the people are the most important. His actions demonstrate how truly self serving this public servant is. His new allegiance with Mayor York has many of us wondering what deals he made, after all he touted the fact that he moved her from the dais just to show her who was in charge. I guess we all know now who is in charge, Mayor York, not Bob. Bob’s never ending lust for power has landed him in a bed of snakes.
I would like to thank you for printing the agendas and hope that one day soon Bob and the Mayor will learn that “we the people” are the ones they should look out for, not each other.
Dale Glen
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Have you any wool? There are definitely many who have had the wool pulled over their heads. Opinion is that a certain councilman has also lost memory of how hard the Patti cake of St. Charles campaigned against the grumpy and stubborn opponent of her favorite elect. Most people realize how scratchy and hot wool can be, not to mention black wool shows every speck of lint and dirt. Makes one wonder what Patti cake will do with all this black wool, perhaps create a stuffed black bear to adhere to her every command. There’s just one problem, sooner or later all wild animals will turn on their master.
This brings to question the necessity for Patti cake needing a bodyguard! Rumor on the street is she’s afraid of retaliation from her “TOP COP”, Tommy Mayer for having NOT protecting him from loosing his job. With word from a very good source, Patti cake is trying very hard to distant herself from her best friend. Wonder why? Could it possibly be he is no longer of any use to her? Word is he helped get her son on the St. Louis Police force, of which is now rejecting Tommy Mayer’s application.
What’s wrong with this picture? We all know how Patti cake plays her games with peoples lives, using them like a pawn to position them only for her personal gain. “Someday-Check-mate.”
The word on the street is it would be wiser for Patti cake to have Pastor Tillman at her side to protect her from the enemy she is so afraid of; sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Without a doubt he would be better to advise her of all her coming and goings, before a council meeting and after the council meeting. Also, she would need help with all her luncheons and church breakfasts. Let’s not forget her cheese and wine parties, she needs help spreading her black wool around. There’s no reason why the taxpayers should be paying for her senseless bodyguard charge when Pastor Tillman can do it for free. No donation necessary for such a kind act. You can fool some of the people some of the tine, but you can’t fool all the people. I personally have to wonder why Patti cake only wants certain officers as her bodyguard? Are the rest of the officers below the chosen few or perhaps they are above the chosen few and she knows she can’t pull the wool over their heads. It just doesn’t fit!
Respecting the citizens of our City to be intelligent and wise enough to not have the wool pulled over them, why would Patti cake and her loyal knights go to such expense to raise money for her defense fund, start a publication, and hire a professional like Jamboretz? Makes you wonder how high is the gain? Will the taxpayers pay the price again? Perhaps Pastor Tillman can persuade Patti cake that the City should pay their bills and not do such vindictive things to good people. Wonder if the Council would like to have their checks held back? Especially when some don’t earn the pay and some like Reese and Weller are always missing from the meetings.
Maybe the Council could come up with a merit system for Council pay, or perhaps deduct pay from the Mayor’s salary for every time she gets up during a meeting to stroll all over the city hall, holding private meetings in the hall with a paid bodyguard standing by while she conducts her personal business. I have to wonder, does Patti cake think there are no men in the Council chambers who would throw their body in front of the silver sword to protect and defend her?
Through all the years of mayors in St. Charles this is the first time one had had a bodyguard or refused to pay City bills. Maybe the wool could really get contagious and the citizens of St. Charles could refuse to pay their taxes for some lame reason. What’s good for the goose is definitely good for the gander.
Maybe our Council could contact a Representative or a Senator, a Congressman or even a Governor to write a letter, change a bill, make a new law to better serve the taxpayers and NOT the chosen few.
Citizens speak out!
\Joyce Bredensteiner
From: Bob Schuette, SMPS Treasurer.
RE: Comments & Commentary by Charles Hill.
This weeks editorial by “Charles Hill” blames the South Main Preservation Society board of directors for being close-minded, anti-business and for single-handedly blocking an attractive business proposal for the Saint Charles riverfront. Unfortunately, Mr. “Hill” once again has his facts wrong and, as is too often the case, has chosen to distort and twist the truth in order to make his friends look good.
Mr. Hill implies that SMPS told Mr. Stockhorst not to present his plans to SMPS because he would not be well received. Fact 1 — Mr. Stockhorst never made a request of the SMPS board to present his plans at an SMPS meeting. Fact 2 — Councilman Muench requested that the SMPS board allow Mr. Stockhorst to give a presentation prior to the SMPS meeting and that request was granted. Fact 3 — Councilman Muench likewise informed me that this same presentation would probably not take place since it was already common knowledge that Mr. Stockhorst gave a poor presentation and received a negative response from both the tourism commission and the landmarks preservation board. Fact 4 — After his poor reception before these boards, I personally received word from councilman Muench that Mr. Stockhorst was asked to withdraw his proposal by both Mr. Muench and Nadine Boon of the city’s economic development office. Fact 5 — The presentation of his proposals to SMPS was not cancelled by the SMPS membership or board. The presentation was cancelled because there simply was no point to a presentation once the city’s officials and commissions had overwhelmingly rejected his proposals. At no time did the SMPS board or any SMPS officers individually or collectively block this proposal. We simply did not have to block it because the project was dead in the water before we were even able to take a position. The city’s representatives, boards and commissions did their jobs well and I commend them all for their efforts.
The current position of the SMPS board of directors is simply this: We welcome any development proposals for the Saint Charles Historic District and Riverfront that are appropriate to the area. Because so much time, effort and money has been spent to recover and develop the historic district, and because this district has become such a treasured asset to the community, we do, however, retain the right to oppose those plans and proposals that are inappropriate and would serve to detract or diminish the character of the district.
Note to Mr. Brockmeyer: It takes as much ink to print the truth as it does to print a lie. The truth may not be as interesting, but when your columnists write an article that is critical of any board or organization, you may wish to contact someone from that board or organization and get the real story. Your efforts would be appreciated by your readers, subscribers and advertisers, I am sure.
Sincerely,
Bob Schuette
Treasurer, SMPS
First Capitol Trading Post
207 S Main St
Saint Charles MO 63301-2804
(636) 946-2883
Editor’s Response,
Your e-mail has been forwarded to Charles Hill so he can reply if he so desires. In as much as you put a note in your e-mail to me, I felt obligated to respond. Charles Hill is a columnist. He does not write editorials nor does he report news. He writes his opinion and comments. Columns are meant to stimulate discussion and debate. Charles Hill has been successful in that regard as evidenced by your correspondence and that of Mr. Worthington.
Charles Hill is entitled to his opinion as you are to yours. However, when you accuse this newspaper of printing lies I feel I must respond. All too often when one disagrees with another’s opinion they immediately claim lies are being told or misinformation is being given. That appears to be the case in this regard.
I have re-read Charles Hill’s column and I could not find anywhere, as you claim, where he told a lie. You may disagree with his opinion, but that does not make it a lie.
You failed to mention in your missive, the conference call held amongst SMPS Board members that resulted in the cancellation of Mr. Stockhorst’s presentation.
The First Capitol News does appreciate our readers and subscribers and especially our advertisers. Without them there would be no purpose for our existence. Our readers and subscribers tell us they read our publication from cover to cover. They can’t put it down. Our advertisers appreciate the fact we are the most read newspaper in St. Charles and they know advertising in our publication brings results.
Thank you for being a reader of the First Capitol News.
To the Editor
I trust you will agree that a cogent reply to the ‘Charles Hill’ Commentary of July 23 issue of First Capitol News is due your readers.
‘Charles Hill’. You are indeed slow! And fundamentally incorrect. Your vitriolic disdain for South Main demonstrates only that the “newly closed” mind is within the skull of ‘Charles Hill’.
The barge-based restaurant, marina, nightclub, excursion boat, plans have indeed been presented: to the Tourism Board and reported by the Post Dispatch in late June, to SBD, and to Landmarks. I too have seen the proposal – I think you dream too much.
SMPS board has taken no action whatever! Nor can it allow or disallow a project. Certainly its members, among others, have serious questions. Citizens to Protect the Riverfront (CPR, not SMPS made a documented presentation to Landmarks opposing the developer’s plan. That board (and other observers) obviously dismayed by the inappropriate and poorly developed plan for the most sensitive part of the riverfront, took no action but gracefully suggested that the gentleman do more research as to the types of vessels and activities that would be a good fit for the Bishop’s Landing and surrounding area. Mr. Muench pulled the subsequent SMPS presentation for good reason: he became informed!
This project lacked credibility in many other ways as well, and I find it inexcusable that the City allowed it to proceed. Businesses succeed based on good planning, good management, adequate financing, and a ready market. Informed business minded persons have already sent the folly of the Roosters’ proposal.
How about that “Riverfront study?” I recollect that it advises careful development, recognizing the need for compatibility!
The Roosters LLC proposal offers only historically insensitive renderings, without photos or drawings of existing equipment (what took City staff so long to look?) It offers no market study, no financial basis, no developed engineering plans, no business attraction consonant with either the Missouri River or the extended Historic Zoning District. Yet incredibly the proposal required the City to put up the land! Next to Bishop’s Landing! Such a deal! Mr. Riddler, omniscient beacon of the council, would back away; he cuts the project loose, disclaims his deep involvement in this matter. How so? City Council was fact in the process of providing for Roosters LLC, thirty acres of waterfront, parking and public land at the very core of the tourism base of St. Charles. What colossal hypocrisy for the councilman to now say, “If the promoter can acquire a location along the river on the north end of St. Charles, I would be happy to welcome him to Ward 1.” “Way to go Council President!”
Now, Mr. Riddler, you owe Mr. Stockhorst an apology, or the deed to Blanchette Landing. ‘Charles Hill’ owes South Main a retraction of the ridiculous “tax burden” accusation.
George Worthington
Business Owner and Resident
Dear Editor,
What’s the difference between Jerry Reese and Richard Baum? About 80 pounds. I remember Jerry Reese telling us that he wouldn’t be another rubber stamp but that is exactly what he is. At the last Council meeting he told the other Council members they aren’t professional and they are acting like 6th graders.
Mr. Reese, a 6th grader understands right from wrong, and they know to keep a promise. This is something you obviously don’t know or understand and you owe the 6th graders an apology.
S. Colclasure
Dear Editor,
To say that I am disappointed in the Council’s action denying your ability to print the City Council’s agenda would be an understatement. I am most disappointed in my Councilman Bob Hoepfner for voting against the contract. I guess since he is no longer going to be published by you because the First Capitol News refused to let him degrade and belittle his fellow council members, he no longer feels the need for any of us to know what is going on. Bob used to be the person pushing for the public to know, the people are the most important. His actions demonstrate how truly self serving this public servant is. His new allegiance with Mayor York has many of us wondering what deals he made, after all he touted the fact that he moved her from the dais just to show her who was in charge. I guess we all know now who is in charge, Mayor York, not Bob. Bob’s never ending lust for power has landed him in a bed of snakes.
I would like to thank you for printing the agendas and hope that one day soon Bob and the Mayor will learn that “we the people” are the ones they should look out for, not each other.
Dale Glen
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Have you any wool? There are definitely many who have had the wool pulled over their heads. Opinion is that a certain councilman has also lost memory of how hard the Patti cake of St. Charles campaigned against the grumpy and stubborn opponent of her favorite elect. Most people realize how scratchy and hot wool can be, not to mention black wool shows every speck of lint and dirt. Makes one wonder what Patti cake will do with all this black wool, perhaps create a stuffed black bear to adhere to her every command. There’s just one problem, sooner or later all wild animals will turn on their master.
This brings to question the necessity for Patti cake needing a bodyguard! Rumor on the street is she’s afraid of retaliation from her “TOP COP”, Tommy Mayer for having NOT protecting him from loosing his job. With word from a very good source, Patti cake is trying very hard to distant herself from her best friend. Wonder why? Could it possibly be he is no longer of any use to her? Word is he helped get her son on the St. Louis Police force, of which is now rejecting Tommy Mayer’s application.
What’s wrong with this picture? We all know how Patti cake plays her games with peoples lives, using them like a pawn to position them only for her personal gain. “Someday-Check-mate.”
The word on the street is it would be wiser for Patti cake to have Pastor Tillman at her side to protect her from the enemy she is so afraid of; sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Without a doubt he would be better to advise her of all her coming and goings, before a council meeting and after the council meeting. Also, she would need help with all her luncheons and church breakfasts. Let’s not forget her cheese and wine parties, she needs help spreading her black wool around. There’s no reason why the taxpayers should be paying for her senseless bodyguard charge when Pastor Tillman can do it for free. No donation necessary for such a kind act. You can fool some of the people some of the tine, but you can’t fool all the people. I personally have to wonder why Patti cake only wants certain officers as her bodyguard? Are the rest of the officers below the chosen few or perhaps they are above the chosen few and she knows she can’t pull the wool over their heads. It just doesn’t fit!
Respecting the citizens of our City to be intelligent and wise enough to not have the wool pulled over them, why would Patti cake and her loyal knights go to such expense to raise money for her defense fund, start a publication, and hire a professional like Jamboretz? Makes you wonder how high is the gain? Will the taxpayers pay the price again? Perhaps Pastor Tillman can persuade Patti cake that the City should pay their bills and not do such vindictive things to good people. Wonder if the Council would like to have their checks held back? Especially when some don’t earn the pay and some like Reese and Weller are always missing from the meetings.
Maybe the Council could come up with a merit system for Council pay, or perhaps deduct pay from the Mayor’s salary for every time she gets up during a meeting to stroll all over the city hall, holding private meetings in the hall with a paid bodyguard standing by while she conducts her personal business. I have to wonder, does Patti cake think there are no men in the Council chambers who would throw their body in front of the silver sword to protect and defend her?
Through all the years of mayors in St. Charles this is the first time one had had a bodyguard or refused to pay City bills. Maybe the wool could really get contagious and the citizens of St. Charles could refuse to pay their taxes for some lame reason. What’s good for the goose is definitely good for the gander.
Maybe our Council could contact a Representative or a Senator, a Congressman or even a Governor to write a letter, change a bill, make a new law to better serve the taxpayers and NOT the chosen few.
Citizens speak out!
\Joyce Bredensteiner
An Open Letter To Residents of Heritage Trails
Monday April 18, 2005, Heritage Residents Association had their yearly election of officers. Carl Maus, the past president and also the president of Citizens for Responsible Community, ran a slate of candidates to try and take over your association and your treasury. The people of HRA seen through this attempt and soundly defeated the Maus cronies.
The residents of Heritage Trails held a separate election at the same time on April 18. Not knowing Mr. Maus or his eight-year history of poor business judgements that has cost HA hundreds of thousands of dollars, elected him as their representative. Now, he is under investigation by the Missouri Ethics Commission for alleged money laundering. The charge is for transferring money from HRA to CFRC a 10 thousand dollar check issued by the developer to HRA.
Now that Heritage Trails is nearly complete the County will soon return the developers money which they have held to make sure the development was built to their standards. County standards lack a lot to be desired, for example the retention pond. Maus as president of the HRA board should have negotiated with the developer to rip-rap the pond banks, sod the banks to residents property lines, install a sprinkler system, and planted bushes, trees and flower beds. This leaves Heritage Trails with a seventy five to one hundred thousand dollar bill to pay.
Maus’s latest fiasco, with the help of board member Paul Hoynacki, has been to try to stop the issuing of insurance for Heritage & Heritage Trails.The board had found a major insurance company that would have saved over five thousand dollars annually in premium expense. Maus told the new agent that he planned to sue the association in the near future and the insurance company should be aware of this potential liability.
Maus is extremely bitter and has decided to leave his political sign on Heritage and Gettysburg Landing (pictured above) for everyone to see since the April 18, 2005 election. The sign was recently damaged, Maus has been asked to remove the sign, however he continues to leave this eyesore in place. If you do not feel this man is childish, please drive by, look at the sign and remember you elected him. Take a look at Carl Maus. Who does he remind you of?
A Upset Heritage Resident
The residents of Heritage Trails held a separate election at the same time on April 18. Not knowing Mr. Maus or his eight-year history of poor business judgements that has cost HA hundreds of thousands of dollars, elected him as their representative. Now, he is under investigation by the Missouri Ethics Commission for alleged money laundering. The charge is for transferring money from HRA to CFRC a 10 thousand dollar check issued by the developer to HRA.
Now that Heritage Trails is nearly complete the County will soon return the developers money which they have held to make sure the development was built to their standards. County standards lack a lot to be desired, for example the retention pond. Maus as president of the HRA board should have negotiated with the developer to rip-rap the pond banks, sod the banks to residents property lines, install a sprinkler system, and planted bushes, trees and flower beds. This leaves Heritage Trails with a seventy five to one hundred thousand dollar bill to pay.
Maus’s latest fiasco, with the help of board member Paul Hoynacki, has been to try to stop the issuing of insurance for Heritage & Heritage Trails.The board had found a major insurance company that would have saved over five thousand dollars annually in premium expense. Maus told the new agent that he planned to sue the association in the near future and the insurance company should be aware of this potential liability.
Maus is extremely bitter and has decided to leave his political sign on Heritage and Gettysburg Landing (pictured above) for everyone to see since the April 18, 2005 election. The sign was recently damaged, Maus has been asked to remove the sign, however he continues to leave this eyesore in place. If you do not feel this man is childish, please drive by, look at the sign and remember you elected him. Take a look at Carl Maus. Who does he remind you of?
A Upset Heritage Resident
Vintage Clothing Is More Than A Costume Idea
By Lynndi Lockenour
In a society where women constantly wear shorter and more revealing clothing, it is difficult to imagine a time when less was not considered more. Women don’t usually worry about their ankles showing when heading to the beach or men about taking their shirts off, but there was a time when these things were considered obscene. The first women’s suits in the eighteenth century were far from practical or comfortable; ladies went as far as sewing lead weights into the hem of the “bathing gown” to prevent the dress from floating up and exposing her legs.
Men also dealt with the social fear of exposure. Modesty was an issue well into the 1920’s. Under the “Bathing Suit Regulations” published in 1917, men’s suits had to be worn with a skirt so as not to expose too much. The introduction of Lastex in the 1930’s created the opportunity for men to have a more “nude” look without the skirts required 15 years earlier.
Despite this, baring the chest was still considered obscene and frowned upon. However, men continued to fight for their right to expose their chests and by early 1933 the result was a convertible-style suit that allowed the top to be removed. Called “Men’s Topper” the suit gave the wearer the opportunity to go bare if they wanted. Unfortunately, for many of those who did, this lead to arrests for “indecent exposure.” Finally, in 1937 men had the right to go topless and the public concern with nudity eroded as time passed. The boxer-type shorts we see today were first seen in the 1940’s and have remained the primary suit option for men through the 2000s.
An authentic, original “Men’s Topper” from the 1930s can be found at Abby’s Vintage Clothing, located at 105 North Main. This antique bathing suit is just one of hundreds of treasures she has in the store, which features clothing from the 1700s through the 1970s. Laura “Abby” Brown became interested in clothes at an early age by playing dress-up in her mother and grandmothers clothing, but didn’t seriously consider entering the business until after her employment at Repeat Performance, owned by vintage collector Evelyn Grady.
Abby said her favorite thing about having the shop is that when most people enter the door; it immediately brings a smile to their faces. “It depends on how old the person is,” she said. “But usually they reminisce about how their grandmother, mother, father or grandfather use to ‘have a pair of shoes just like that’.” Abby opened the store on April 9 of this year, but said she wished she could have opened on April 1 for April Fools Day. “I think that would have been a neat way to get things started,” she said.
For Abby, clothing is an ultimate part of our history. “It’s a very personal thing,” she said. “When people come in and identify with something it’s a very comforting feeling.” Abby said she doesn’t really have a typical customer. “I have everyone from historical re-enactors to textile collectors who love vintage,” she said. “Anyone who wants something that is one-of-a-kind can find something in my store.”
Abby has been collecting vintage items for 20 years and before opening her store, she sold her items over the Internet. “I decided to give the store a try,” she said. “And what better place for a store like this than historic St. Charles. Many people want to know where Abby manages to find items for the store. “I have a network of people who know the quality of garments I’m looking for to place in my store,” she said.
Many of the garments in the store were made by either skilled generational seamstresses or Union textile workers and not by today’s methods. “The quality of vintage clothing is unrivaled by today’s manufacturing base,” Abby said. “Today clothing is made to benefit the manufacturer and not the consumer.”
Abby’s favorite garment in the store right now is a French Silk Open Robe Polonaise dating back to 1790. Though Abby lists the robe from 1790 as her favorite, she said truthfully she likes it all. “My favorite is whatever happens to be in front of her at the time,” she said. Abby said she thinks fashion has the ability to teach us about not only our history, but also about social change. “By looking at the garments at a certain period we can see what was socially acceptable and even against the law,” she said.
For those looking for something fun to wear, a unique garment, a fun costume for Halloween or a special gift for someone else, Abby’s Vintage Clothing is a wonderful place to explore their options. Summer hours for Abby’s Vintage Clothing are from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week or she can be reached by calling the store at 636-255-0679.
Bedtime Story Becomes Real-Life Fairy Tale For Tommy Mattingly Native St. Charles Resident Publishes Children’s Book
Lynndi Lockenour
What began as a bedtime story to his four-year old daughter one night has become a real-life fairy tale for St. Charles native, Thomas A. “Tommy” Mattingly. On Saturday, August 6, 2005, Tommy (whose pen name is Mathew S. Field) will be at Main Street Books in St. Charles to talk about and sign his first children’s book, Father Like A tree.
The past year has been a roller coaster for Tommy and his family. In February 2004 Tommy lost his management position to “corporate downsizing.” In April of that year his wife of 12 years, Lori Lombardo Mattingly, a graduate of the Sacred Heart Academy and Duchesne High School who was six-months pregnant with the couple’s third child, was diagnosed with cancer. Despite the illness, the couple’s child was born in June in perfect health. However, in February of this year while the book was in its final stages of production, Lori passed away from complications related to the disease.
Tommy quite his job in the beginning stages of Lori’s illness so he could stay at home with his two daughters. The oldest, Jordan is eight years old and Katie is five. “I wanted to be with my family,” he said. “As a parent I wrote Father Like A Tree for other parents to read to their children.” Tommy said everyone will take something away from the book, even the adults. “The book is special on many levels,” he said.
On a spring day, as the story goes, a beautiful bird lands on the branch of a tree and decides to make it her home. She builds her nest and lays her eggs there. Eventually, the beautiful bird hears the sound pecking from inside the eggs. Three perfect and beautiful baby birds emerge into the world of leaves and branches. As the baby birds grow, the beautiful bird reveals important lessons about life, love, family and relationships. “There comes a point where readers realize the story is about more than they thought,” he said.
The idea for the story began one night when Tommy youngest daughter Katie asked him to make up a story to tell her before bedtime. The result was the basic story for Father Like a Tree. After telling the story to his other daughter Jordan, who also loved it, Tommy thought he might be onto something. A volunteer story reader at his daughter’s school, Tommy decided to test the story on the children. “They loved it,” he said. “That’s when I knew it was more than just a bed-time story.”
The book was released on June 19, which is a significant day for Tommy and his family. “That’s the day my son tuned one,” he said. Father Like a Tree was illustrated by watercolor artist, Tom Hedderich, who like Tommy, is also new to the business of children’s books. Tommy said the feedback he received from the children was amazing. “The reaction of the kids to my story was very gratifying,” he said. “They were just hanging on every last word anticipating the next thing.”
Though he graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Missouri, Tommy said he has been telling stories for years. Previously to becoming a published author, Tommy wrote business articles and kept records of his life. Tommy’s parents, Tom and Lucy Mattingly recall the “Brush With Fame” emails Tommy sent to family members periodically. “They always made us laugh,” Tom said.
Both Tom and Lucy are extremely proud of their son. “I’m most proud that he took up writing to be a stay-at-home dad,” Tom said. “It amazes me that he has the ability to move from the professional business world where he was to writing children’s books. Lucy is still in shock over the entire thing. “The emotions are too new for me,” she said. “Up until now it was all talk, but when we received those books in the mail, it was so exciting.”
Tommy Mattingly, a.k.a. Mathew S. Field, will be at Main Street Books at 621 South Main in St. Charles from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. For more information about Father Like A Tree, visit www.FatherLikeATree.com or www.MainStreetBooks.net.
What began as a bedtime story to his four-year old daughter one night has become a real-life fairy tale for St. Charles native, Thomas A. “Tommy” Mattingly. On Saturday, August 6, 2005, Tommy (whose pen name is Mathew S. Field) will be at Main Street Books in St. Charles to talk about and sign his first children’s book, Father Like A tree.
The past year has been a roller coaster for Tommy and his family. In February 2004 Tommy lost his management position to “corporate downsizing.” In April of that year his wife of 12 years, Lori Lombardo Mattingly, a graduate of the Sacred Heart Academy and Duchesne High School who was six-months pregnant with the couple’s third child, was diagnosed with cancer. Despite the illness, the couple’s child was born in June in perfect health. However, in February of this year while the book was in its final stages of production, Lori passed away from complications related to the disease.
Tommy quite his job in the beginning stages of Lori’s illness so he could stay at home with his two daughters. The oldest, Jordan is eight years old and Katie is five. “I wanted to be with my family,” he said. “As a parent I wrote Father Like A Tree for other parents to read to their children.” Tommy said everyone will take something away from the book, even the adults. “The book is special on many levels,” he said.
On a spring day, as the story goes, a beautiful bird lands on the branch of a tree and decides to make it her home. She builds her nest and lays her eggs there. Eventually, the beautiful bird hears the sound pecking from inside the eggs. Three perfect and beautiful baby birds emerge into the world of leaves and branches. As the baby birds grow, the beautiful bird reveals important lessons about life, love, family and relationships. “There comes a point where readers realize the story is about more than they thought,” he said.
The idea for the story began one night when Tommy youngest daughter Katie asked him to make up a story to tell her before bedtime. The result was the basic story for Father Like a Tree. After telling the story to his other daughter Jordan, who also loved it, Tommy thought he might be onto something. A volunteer story reader at his daughter’s school, Tommy decided to test the story on the children. “They loved it,” he said. “That’s when I knew it was more than just a bed-time story.”
The book was released on June 19, which is a significant day for Tommy and his family. “That’s the day my son tuned one,” he said. Father Like a Tree was illustrated by watercolor artist, Tom Hedderich, who like Tommy, is also new to the business of children’s books. Tommy said the feedback he received from the children was amazing. “The reaction of the kids to my story was very gratifying,” he said. “They were just hanging on every last word anticipating the next thing.”
Though he graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Missouri, Tommy said he has been telling stories for years. Previously to becoming a published author, Tommy wrote business articles and kept records of his life. Tommy’s parents, Tom and Lucy Mattingly recall the “Brush With Fame” emails Tommy sent to family members periodically. “They always made us laugh,” Tom said.
Both Tom and Lucy are extremely proud of their son. “I’m most proud that he took up writing to be a stay-at-home dad,” Tom said. “It amazes me that he has the ability to move from the professional business world where he was to writing children’s books. Lucy is still in shock over the entire thing. “The emotions are too new for me,” she said. “Up until now it was all talk, but when we received those books in the mail, it was so exciting.”
Tommy Mattingly, a.k.a. Mathew S. Field, will be at Main Street Books at 621 South Main in St. Charles from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. For more information about Father Like A Tree, visit www.FatherLikeATree.com or www.MainStreetBooks.net.
WHO HAS THE ANSWER ?
By The City Watchman
Each week Council Representatives make requests for information regarding topics listed on the agenda of the Council’s Regular and Work Session Meetings. Because our lives are entwined with many distractions, the intent of this column will be to inform residents of City of St Charles of those motions and requests. If one peaks your particular interest contact your Council Representative or the City Administrator for answers. This week will include a listing of those requests from the June 21st meeting forward, that are either unanswered or have not been furnished as of the date of this writing.
June 21, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Suggested by Council President Rory Riddler for the Council to hold an informal meeting with the PARK, TOURISM, PLANNING & ZONING, and BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT committees for new appointees.
(First such meeting was held with one appointee in attendance)
Requested a report of the “ratio of pay-out to premium paid” for the AD&D insurance to assess if self-funding is appropriate.
Verification of the length and expiration date for the IKOM copier in City Clerk’s office.
Request for copy of denial use of temporary speed bumps.
(Provided at the July 26 Special Council meeting)
Referred to a work session discussion for authorization with Kuhlmann Design Group for the North Fairgrounds Extension.
(Referred to Council Work Session and approved on July 12)
Bull Tract Resolution was passed with a question of whether the Smoke House was to stay and is covered under a separate Resolution.
Purchase of two dump trucks was on agenda and a request for number of miles driven and pictures of present condition of existing trucks to be replaced.
(Provided to the Public Works Committee and approved purchase by Council at Special Council Meeting July 26 Motion for a report of actual cash revenue figures for period ending 6/30/04 and 6/30/05 for comparison with the budget presentation.
(Provided and approved on Consent Agenda at July 26 Special Council uncil Meeting)
Requested a list of engineering firms now contracted with and what projects are associated.
(List submitted to City Administrator on July 22
Report of water / sewer delinquencies.
(Section 150.065 of City Ordinances states a monthly report of unpaid bills for permits and inspection fees is to be given to the Director of City Development by the Director of Finance.)
Report of actual spending (expenses) as of 6/30/04 and 6/30/05.
July 5, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Elm Street Reconstruction - County Road Board funding may be in jeopardy per Rich Oney. Requested a report of status by Bob Hoepfner.
Traffic light improvements at New Town Blvd. And Mueller Road - Requested to be removed from Bill 8619 by John Gieseke in amount of $189,575. (?) Contractor (N B West Construction Co.) said sub contractor is not interested in only doing work for two remaining locations at reduced price.
(Final Bill approved at July 19th Regular Council Meeting)
July 12, 2005 COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Research ordinances for any co-operating agreement with City St Peters re: “Levies” built adjoining City St Charles Limits.
Research ordinances re: “Levies” being built in and by City St Charles.
Roll - a - way trash container carts - copy of both proposals along with list of questions to be forwarded to Council members by Brent Schultz.
(Submitted and referred to Council future Work Session)
Research Missouri state statutes re: definition of a legal newspaper, location of office, and publication. Determine if FCN, Journal or Post meets requirements.
Flow chart of motions and requests for information by Council members at various past council meetings to be updated with status of each.
JULY 19, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
In writing from EricTolen stating all three newspapers distributed in City St Charles qualify for publishing city notices.
In writing from Eric Tolen definition of “legal notice”.
Research of the circulation numbers for all three newspapers in City St Charles.
Requested copies of all minutes from open and closed meetings regarding discussion of Alan Williams contract as City Administrator.
Requested a lit of vacation days by Alan Williams.
Requested information regarding Mayor’s conference room remodeling budget verses spent to date and contracts let.
Requested Eric Tolen prepare an ordinance regarding possession of fireworks by minors.
Questioned at time of original RCA regarding enforcement of firework ordinance violations, why did not staff point out the funds were not available but waited until after ordinance was read twice and passed to say anything with a veto by Mayor.
MOTION for a check register from January 2005 to date to be furnished by July 28th. - Mark Brown
MOTION to request a check register monthly going forward.
(The only time this has been provided tot he current Council was September 2004 with a note attached from the Finance Director stating the report could easily be prepared and was not a problem in providing such)
Requested a clarification of CONSENT AGENDA items to be allowed.
Weller stated he would ask for all ordinances and RCA of past bills for him to review as to whether they were complete and accurate. Challenged by Mark Brown for Weller to do just as he said.
Re-iterate the bills which affect a councilman’s ward to be sponsored by that Councilman and not another.
Report from Chief Police and Fire Chief each month alternating.
Report of bills outstanding referred to Finance Committee meeting July 28th.
July 26,2005 SPECIAL COUNCIL SESSION
City Attorney Mike Valenti was asked to report why in cases of a plat change it had to come before the Council in Ordinance form.
A report on how the funds provided in the budget for a Human Resources Director that has been vacant since September 2004, has been used during 2005.
A report explaining how the funds used from the Human Resources Director position was transferred and upon whose authority.
Request for copies of all minutes, from open and closed meetings, reflecting approval of expenses over $20,000.00 for St Charles Engineering consulting services for the Public Utilities Department.
Request for a definition of UNENCOMBERED FUNDS from the Finance Director.
Request for a report of Business License Fee survey of other municipalities since St Charles has not changed their fees in several years.
As items from previous meetings are furnished to the Council Representatives it will no longer be listed on our ongoing list. Your comments regarding the furnishing of this information to you, the residents of the City of St. Charles, are welcomed.
Each week Council Representatives make requests for information regarding topics listed on the agenda of the Council’s Regular and Work Session Meetings. Because our lives are entwined with many distractions, the intent of this column will be to inform residents of City of St Charles of those motions and requests. If one peaks your particular interest contact your Council Representative or the City Administrator for answers. This week will include a listing of those requests from the June 21st meeting forward, that are either unanswered or have not been furnished as of the date of this writing.
June 21, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Suggested by Council President Rory Riddler for the Council to hold an informal meeting with the PARK, TOURISM, PLANNING & ZONING, and BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT committees for new appointees.
(First such meeting was held with one appointee in attendance)
Requested a report of the “ratio of pay-out to premium paid” for the AD&D insurance to assess if self-funding is appropriate.
Verification of the length and expiration date for the IKOM copier in City Clerk’s office.
Request for copy of denial use of temporary speed bumps.
(Provided at the July 26 Special Council meeting)
Referred to a work session discussion for authorization with Kuhlmann Design Group for the North Fairgrounds Extension.
(Referred to Council Work Session and approved on July 12)
Bull Tract Resolution was passed with a question of whether the Smoke House was to stay and is covered under a separate Resolution.
Purchase of two dump trucks was on agenda and a request for number of miles driven and pictures of present condition of existing trucks to be replaced.
(Provided to the Public Works Committee and approved purchase by Council at Special Council Meeting July 26 Motion for a report of actual cash revenue figures for period ending 6/30/04 and 6/30/05 for comparison with the budget presentation.
(Provided and approved on Consent Agenda at July 26 Special Council uncil Meeting)
Requested a list of engineering firms now contracted with and what projects are associated.
(List submitted to City Administrator on July 22
Report of water / sewer delinquencies.
(Section 150.065 of City Ordinances states a monthly report of unpaid bills for permits and inspection fees is to be given to the Director of City Development by the Director of Finance.)
Report of actual spending (expenses) as of 6/30/04 and 6/30/05.
July 5, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Elm Street Reconstruction - County Road Board funding may be in jeopardy per Rich Oney. Requested a report of status by Bob Hoepfner.
Traffic light improvements at New Town Blvd. And Mueller Road - Requested to be removed from Bill 8619 by John Gieseke in amount of $189,575. (?) Contractor (N B West Construction Co.) said sub contractor is not interested in only doing work for two remaining locations at reduced price.
(Final Bill approved at July 19th Regular Council Meeting)
July 12, 2005 COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Research ordinances for any co-operating agreement with City St Peters re: “Levies” built adjoining City St Charles Limits.
Research ordinances re: “Levies” being built in and by City St Charles.
Roll - a - way trash container carts - copy of both proposals along with list of questions to be forwarded to Council members by Brent Schultz.
(Submitted and referred to Council future Work Session)
Research Missouri state statutes re: definition of a legal newspaper, location of office, and publication. Determine if FCN, Journal or Post meets requirements.
Flow chart of motions and requests for information by Council members at various past council meetings to be updated with status of each.
JULY 19, 2005 REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
In writing from EricTolen stating all three newspapers distributed in City St Charles qualify for publishing city notices.
In writing from Eric Tolen definition of “legal notice”.
Research of the circulation numbers for all three newspapers in City St Charles.
Requested copies of all minutes from open and closed meetings regarding discussion of Alan Williams contract as City Administrator.
Requested a lit of vacation days by Alan Williams.
Requested information regarding Mayor’s conference room remodeling budget verses spent to date and contracts let.
Requested Eric Tolen prepare an ordinance regarding possession of fireworks by minors.
Questioned at time of original RCA regarding enforcement of firework ordinance violations, why did not staff point out the funds were not available but waited until after ordinance was read twice and passed to say anything with a veto by Mayor.
MOTION for a check register from January 2005 to date to be furnished by July 28th. - Mark Brown
MOTION to request a check register monthly going forward.
(The only time this has been provided tot he current Council was September 2004 with a note attached from the Finance Director stating the report could easily be prepared and was not a problem in providing such)
Requested a clarification of CONSENT AGENDA items to be allowed.
Weller stated he would ask for all ordinances and RCA of past bills for him to review as to whether they were complete and accurate. Challenged by Mark Brown for Weller to do just as he said.
Re-iterate the bills which affect a councilman’s ward to be sponsored by that Councilman and not another.
Report from Chief Police and Fire Chief each month alternating.
Report of bills outstanding referred to Finance Committee meeting July 28th.
July 26,2005 SPECIAL COUNCIL SESSION
City Attorney Mike Valenti was asked to report why in cases of a plat change it had to come before the Council in Ordinance form.
A report on how the funds provided in the budget for a Human Resources Director that has been vacant since September 2004, has been used during 2005.
A report explaining how the funds used from the Human Resources Director position was transferred and upon whose authority.
Request for copies of all minutes, from open and closed meetings, reflecting approval of expenses over $20,000.00 for St Charles Engineering consulting services for the Public Utilities Department.
Request for a definition of UNENCOMBERED FUNDS from the Finance Director.
Request for a report of Business License Fee survey of other municipalities since St Charles has not changed their fees in several years.
As items from previous meetings are furnished to the Council Representatives it will no longer be listed on our ongoing list. Your comments regarding the furnishing of this information to you, the residents of the City of St. Charles, are welcomed.
Missouri’s First State Capitol Celebrates Statehood Day August 7th
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site will host a celebration of the 184th anniversary of the founding of the State of Missouri on Sunday, August 7, 2005. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the event will be held from 10 am to 5 pm and is free and open to the public.
Staff and volunteers of the historic site will present several activities including early 19th century craft demonstrations, special exhibits and historical re-enactors in period costume. Visitors will have the opportunity to help whitewash a fence with traditional homemade whitewash. Missouri birthday cake and refreshments will be served. A free open house of First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site will be available to the public.
Missouri officially became the 24th state of the United States of America on August 10, 1821. Missouri’s entry into the Union was the focus of much debate and controversy that was discussed nationwide. A clause in the Missouri Constitution of 1820 was considered to violate an amendment in the U.S. Constitution and statehood was denied until this problem could be corrected in the summer of 1821. This settlement, called the Missouri Compromise, was the first act addressed by the Missouri General Assembly in their new and temporary quarters in St. Charles. St. Charles served as Missouri’s state capitol from 1821-1826. The Capitol building is fully restored and furnished to reflect this period. The state historic site is open seven days a week, offering tours.
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is located at 200-216 South Main Street in the heart of the St. Charles City Historic District. For more information on the event, call the site at (636) 940-3322 or the Department of Natural Resources directly at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the web at www.mostateparks.com.
Staff and volunteers of the historic site will present several activities including early 19th century craft demonstrations, special exhibits and historical re-enactors in period costume. Visitors will have the opportunity to help whitewash a fence with traditional homemade whitewash. Missouri birthday cake and refreshments will be served. A free open house of First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site will be available to the public.
Missouri officially became the 24th state of the United States of America on August 10, 1821. Missouri’s entry into the Union was the focus of much debate and controversy that was discussed nationwide. A clause in the Missouri Constitution of 1820 was considered to violate an amendment in the U.S. Constitution and statehood was denied until this problem could be corrected in the summer of 1821. This settlement, called the Missouri Compromise, was the first act addressed by the Missouri General Assembly in their new and temporary quarters in St. Charles. St. Charles served as Missouri’s state capitol from 1821-1826. The Capitol building is fully restored and furnished to reflect this period. The state historic site is open seven days a week, offering tours.
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is located at 200-216 South Main Street in the heart of the St. Charles City Historic District. For more information on the event, call the site at (636) 940-3322 or the Department of Natural Resources directly at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the web at www.mostateparks.com.
MY COLUMN - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
Stress in Youth Sports
In many circles, concern about stress placed on youth sport participants seems to be the most frequent topic of discussion when youth sports are mentioned. Somewhat surprisingly, during the past year that Coaching Youth Sports has been on the Internet, we have received relatively few questions or comments about stress in youth sports. This issue may well change that. Is there stress in youth sports? Of course there is! Not only do the athletes experience stress, but also so do the coaches, the parents, the officials, and the administrators. What is stress? Stress is produced when someone feels that his or her physical and/or psychological well-being is threatened. They perceive that they may be harmed in some way. Is stress negative? Not necessarily.
Actually, there are two types of stress: eustress, which is pleasant stress, and distress, which is potentially harmful stress. Many of you may now be thinking, how can there be pleasant or pleasurable stress. Competitive sports activities are a source of both eustress and distress, as are any types of competitive activity. We might argue, for example, that the video game industry exists to provide a source of eustress! The enjoyment of competition is reported by young athletes as one of the top three reasons for which they participate in youth sports. Why, then, does there seem to be such a concern about stress in youth sports? Journal of Sport Psychology, found that youth sports participation produced state anxiety levels in the same range as other typical competitive youth activities such as band and classroom tests. In fact, of the nineteen activities they examined, band solos produced the highest level of state anxiety. Within the various sport activities studied, individual sports produced the highest levels of state anxiety, followed by small group team sports (such as basketball), with the large group team sports resulting in the least state anxiety.
This is actually a fairly logical finding. When an individual feels personal responsibility for the outcome, they are likely to experience greater stress than someone who is part of a group/team, which shares the responsibility for the outcome of the activity. This is not to say that distress is not a problem in youth sports. Stress has the potential for making youth sport participation an unpleasant experience for the children, and for coaches and parents also. The more we understand about stress in youth sports, the less likely it is to result in significant problems.
Copyright 2000 Richard Stratton Coaching Youth Sports Used by permission.
In many circles, concern about stress placed on youth sport participants seems to be the most frequent topic of discussion when youth sports are mentioned. Somewhat surprisingly, during the past year that Coaching Youth Sports has been on the Internet, we have received relatively few questions or comments about stress in youth sports. This issue may well change that. Is there stress in youth sports? Of course there is! Not only do the athletes experience stress, but also so do the coaches, the parents, the officials, and the administrators. What is stress? Stress is produced when someone feels that his or her physical and/or psychological well-being is threatened. They perceive that they may be harmed in some way. Is stress negative? Not necessarily.
Actually, there are two types of stress: eustress, which is pleasant stress, and distress, which is potentially harmful stress. Many of you may now be thinking, how can there be pleasant or pleasurable stress. Competitive sports activities are a source of both eustress and distress, as are any types of competitive activity. We might argue, for example, that the video game industry exists to provide a source of eustress! The enjoyment of competition is reported by young athletes as one of the top three reasons for which they participate in youth sports. Why, then, does there seem to be such a concern about stress in youth sports? Journal of Sport Psychology, found that youth sports participation produced state anxiety levels in the same range as other typical competitive youth activities such as band and classroom tests. In fact, of the nineteen activities they examined, band solos produced the highest level of state anxiety. Within the various sport activities studied, individual sports produced the highest levels of state anxiety, followed by small group team sports (such as basketball), with the large group team sports resulting in the least state anxiety.
This is actually a fairly logical finding. When an individual feels personal responsibility for the outcome, they are likely to experience greater stress than someone who is part of a group/team, which shares the responsibility for the outcome of the activity. This is not to say that distress is not a problem in youth sports. Stress has the potential for making youth sport participation an unpleasant experience for the children, and for coaches and parents also. The more we understand about stress in youth sports, the less likely it is to result in significant problems.
Copyright 2000 Richard Stratton Coaching Youth Sports Used by permission.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
AMERICAN LEGION GIVES MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS
St. Charles American Legion Post 312 presented its annual American Legion Meritorious Service Awards this week. The awards were presented to the St. Charles Sheriff’s Department, St. Charles Police Department and the St. Charles Fire Department. This is the first year someone from the fire department has been honored. Accepting the first award for St. Charles Fire Department is recipient Captain Gary Bird. Pictured in the top photo is presenter Larry Dufour, Captain Gary Bird and Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes.Receiving honors for the St. Charles County Sheriffs Department was Deputy Gary Schmitt, who has only been with the department for two years. Those in the middle photo are from left to right; Lieutenant Terry Martchnick, Sheriff Tom Neer, Deputy Gary Schmitt, presenter Larry DuFour and Lieutenant Dean Iwarin. Those receiving awards for the Police Department were Detective Richard Tiemann, Sergeant Doug Middleton and Police Officer George Hayden. Pictured in the bottom photo from left to right are Police Chief Tim Swope, Detective Bill Wilcox who accepted the award for Detective Tiemann, Police Officer George Hayden, Sergeant Doug Middleton and Law and Order Chairman for the American Legion, Larry DuFour.
First Capitol News Photos by Lynndi Lockenour
County Fair Kicks Off Tuesday - 15 Candidates Vie For Miss St. Charles County
Lynndi Lockenour
The fair isn’t far off and as the fun-filled days approach, many can already smell the funnel cakes and cotton candy. Festivities begin Tuesday with one of several main attractions, The Queen Coronation. Though the actual judging is conducted the previous Saturday, only the committee knows who will be crowned Tuesday evening.
This year 15 girls between the ages of 17 and 22 will vie for the title of Miss St. Charles County. Debbie Lloyd, coordinator for the pageant, said this year she had 10 people on the waiting list to compete. “We do a preliminary meeting where we give the girls the rules and regulations,” she said. “And if for some reason they cannot compete, then we use someone from the waiting list.”
Businesses from around the county donate money to be given as prizes. This year’s largest donor is Lindenwood University, offering the winner a $9,600 renewable scholarship and a $2400 Work and Learn scholarship. (Those amounts could be set to change). Lloyd said these scholarships are new to the contest. “Usually the winner gets $500, which they could choose to use for college and a $1,000 savings bond,” she said.
The queens begin activities in the first weeks of June and conclude the competition with the announcement of the winner Tuesday night. Debbie said each week between those dates the girls spend one day doing an activity together. This year the activities included: miniature golf, an ice cream social, swimming party, participating in O’Fallon’s Fourth of July parade, attending a Rascals game and making an appearance on Show Me St. Louis.
The girls are judged on four categories including: talent, personality, portfolio and personal appearance. Prior to the judging, contestants’ summit a portfolio, which Lloyd said is similar to a resume, for the judges to review. Each contestant also attends a six-minute interview with the judges where she must dress in business attire. “For some of these girls this is the first time they’ve ever had to do anything like this,” she said.
This year six of the contestants competed in last year’s contest and Lloyd said even a few of the girls have competed in what she calls “real pageants.” “We try not to make it stressful,” she said. “We just want the girls to have fun and enjoy spending time together.
The panel of judges consists of four people. Lloyd said she tries to avoid choosing the same judges every year since several of the girls might compete in the competition more than once. She also said two of this year’s judges are male, which is a change-up from previous years. “I thought the girls might not want male judges,” she said, “but they were excited about it. Lloyd said sometimes the men are more critical than women. “Sometimes they think of questions that women wouldn’t,” she said. The girls do not receive their questions before hand nor does Lloyd know what the judges will ask. “The only thing we tell them is not to judge the girls based on if they are involved in 4-H or FFA,” she said. “That’s not what the contest is about.”
This year Miss Missouri will be emceeing the Queen Coronation. Those girls who placed in the top five in the talent portion of the competition will perform Tuesday night as well. Also, the girls are required to learn a group dance, which they will also perform for the audience. “We are just hoping it won’t be extremely hot,” Lloyd said. “With the girls dancing and performing their talents I don’t want them to have to worry about the heat.” The Queen Coronation will take place Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in the Entertainment Center.
Besides the Queen Coronation, there are other activities available all week to suit everyone. Treasurer of the Fair Board for nine years, Mary Ann Vehige said one attraction, which draws the largest number of people, is the demolition derby on Saturday. “People seem to like that a lot,” she said. The race begins at 7 p.m.
Other crowd pleasers include the rodeo on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 p.m., tuck and tractor pulls, Ugly Pick-Up Contest and live music. Admission for the fair events is as follows: season passes cost $22 before July 25 and $25 after July 25. Daily pass prices are $8 for adults Tuesday-Thursday and $10 for adults Friday and Saturday. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $5 and those under age six are free. Senior Citizens tickets are $5 as well. All ticket prices include rides, entertainment and parking. For more information on fair events and information call 636-327-6949.
The fair isn’t far off and as the fun-filled days approach, many can already smell the funnel cakes and cotton candy. Festivities begin Tuesday with one of several main attractions, The Queen Coronation. Though the actual judging is conducted the previous Saturday, only the committee knows who will be crowned Tuesday evening.
This year 15 girls between the ages of 17 and 22 will vie for the title of Miss St. Charles County. Debbie Lloyd, coordinator for the pageant, said this year she had 10 people on the waiting list to compete. “We do a preliminary meeting where we give the girls the rules and regulations,” she said. “And if for some reason they cannot compete, then we use someone from the waiting list.”
Businesses from around the county donate money to be given as prizes. This year’s largest donor is Lindenwood University, offering the winner a $9,600 renewable scholarship and a $2400 Work and Learn scholarship. (Those amounts could be set to change). Lloyd said these scholarships are new to the contest. “Usually the winner gets $500, which they could choose to use for college and a $1,000 savings bond,” she said.
The queens begin activities in the first weeks of June and conclude the competition with the announcement of the winner Tuesday night. Debbie said each week between those dates the girls spend one day doing an activity together. This year the activities included: miniature golf, an ice cream social, swimming party, participating in O’Fallon’s Fourth of July parade, attending a Rascals game and making an appearance on Show Me St. Louis.
The girls are judged on four categories including: talent, personality, portfolio and personal appearance. Prior to the judging, contestants’ summit a portfolio, which Lloyd said is similar to a resume, for the judges to review. Each contestant also attends a six-minute interview with the judges where she must dress in business attire. “For some of these girls this is the first time they’ve ever had to do anything like this,” she said.
This year six of the contestants competed in last year’s contest and Lloyd said even a few of the girls have competed in what she calls “real pageants.” “We try not to make it stressful,” she said. “We just want the girls to have fun and enjoy spending time together.
The panel of judges consists of four people. Lloyd said she tries to avoid choosing the same judges every year since several of the girls might compete in the competition more than once. She also said two of this year’s judges are male, which is a change-up from previous years. “I thought the girls might not want male judges,” she said, “but they were excited about it. Lloyd said sometimes the men are more critical than women. “Sometimes they think of questions that women wouldn’t,” she said. The girls do not receive their questions before hand nor does Lloyd know what the judges will ask. “The only thing we tell them is not to judge the girls based on if they are involved in 4-H or FFA,” she said. “That’s not what the contest is about.”
This year Miss Missouri will be emceeing the Queen Coronation. Those girls who placed in the top five in the talent portion of the competition will perform Tuesday night as well. Also, the girls are required to learn a group dance, which they will also perform for the audience. “We are just hoping it won’t be extremely hot,” Lloyd said. “With the girls dancing and performing their talents I don’t want them to have to worry about the heat.” The Queen Coronation will take place Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in the Entertainment Center.
Besides the Queen Coronation, there are other activities available all week to suit everyone. Treasurer of the Fair Board for nine years, Mary Ann Vehige said one attraction, which draws the largest number of people, is the demolition derby on Saturday. “People seem to like that a lot,” she said. The race begins at 7 p.m.
Other crowd pleasers include the rodeo on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 p.m., tuck and tractor pulls, Ugly Pick-Up Contest and live music. Admission for the fair events is as follows: season passes cost $22 before July 25 and $25 after July 25. Daily pass prices are $8 for adults Tuesday-Thursday and $10 for adults Friday and Saturday. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $5 and those under age six are free. Senior Citizens tickets are $5 as well. All ticket prices include rides, entertainment and parking. For more information on fair events and information call 636-327-6949.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT KICK OFF PARTY
St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope talking with St. Charles City Councilman Ward 8, John Gieseke at the National Night Out Kick-Off party. The kick-off party was held Wednesday evening at the St. Charles Police Headquarters. National Night out will be held on Tuesday, August 2nd. The City Council meeting for that evening will be rescheduled.
First Capitol News Photo by Tony Brockmeyer
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
COMPLAINTS ABOUT WELLER’S LANGUAGE
We have had several calls complaining about the language Councilman Mike Weller was using at the Council meeting Tuesday evening. One caller said she would expect such language in a bar but not in the Council Chambers. Especially since the meeting was being broadcast into homes in St. Charles. Another man said if his grandson used that type of language he would wash his mouth out with soap. Another caller told us she was watching the meeting with her children and was disgusted with Weller’s mouth.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The Council meeting lasted until after midnight and they were only able to complete about half of the agenda. The Consent agenda and introduction of new bills were held over and will be considered at a special council meeting to be held Tuesday evening.
It was an interesting meeting to watch.
Allan Williams was hired as City Administrator in December of 2004. Since he assumed command, members of the City Council have made many requests for information. They let Williams know Tuesday evening of their displeasure. Most of the information and items they requested were never made available to them. The Council requested a monthly check register several months ago but have never received one. Councilwoman Dottie Greer wanted a list of all outstanding invoices 14 days or more overdue. She was given several excuses on why this could not be done. Questions were raised regarding William’s contract and when he becomes eligible for health insurance for life even if his cotract is terminated.
BASS PRO IS LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION
Our source at Bass Pro has told us to ignore what the Mayor is saying about Bass Pro. Our source said the founder, Johnny Morris has placed Greater Missouri Builders (Their St. Charles landlord) on notice that they are displeased and are reviewing their options. Our source tells us that Bass Pro is displeased with the parking. Even though they seem to be heading towards a $40 million year they do not have enough parking. When Greater Missouri Builders built the strip center on the West end of the parking lot many of the parking spaces previously used by Bass Pro were eliminated. GMB were supposed to demolish more of the existing center than they have. It appears the first choice of Bass Pro is to relocate to the St. Louis Mills Shopping Center along Highway 370 in Hazelwood. There is plenty of parking and Bass Pro has several stores in Mills Centers in other areas of the country. Our source also says they will reduce the St. Charles Bass Pro to a warehouse store and operate it until their lease runs out.
MAYOR’S BODYGUARD
Our source at the police department told us Mayor York had a police bodyguard drive her to Venice, Illinois so she could attend the swearing in of a new police chief. We reported the use of overtime police officers acting as her bodyguard costs the taxpayers approximately $45 an hour. On Council meeting nights the bodyguard walks her from her car to her office and waits outside her door until she is ready to enter the Council Chambers. After escorting her to the Council Chambers the bodyguard sits there until she wants to leave and then walks her back to her office or to her vehicle. After the Council meetings the Mayor usually goes to one of the bars on Main Street but evidently feels the bars are safe because she goes without her bodyguard. Hmmmmmmmm.
MAYOR’S TOP COP?
Talking about the Mayor. Her, “TOP COP”, former police sergeant Tommy Mayer had a hearing today appealing his firing, allegedly for ordering City Administrator Allan Williams to the ground at gun point. The attorneys representing the City agreed to open the hearing to the press. However, the attorneys representing Mayer refused to allow the press to attend. Wonder what they are trying to keep the public from knowing. Wouldn’t you think if everything was as they say, they would want the public to know what was being discussed?
We have had several calls complaining about the language Councilman Mike Weller was using at the Council meeting Tuesday evening. One caller said she would expect such language in a bar but not in the Council Chambers. Especially since the meeting was being broadcast into homes in St. Charles. Another man said if his grandson used that type of language he would wash his mouth out with soap. Another caller told us she was watching the meeting with her children and was disgusted with Weller’s mouth.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The Council meeting lasted until after midnight and they were only able to complete about half of the agenda. The Consent agenda and introduction of new bills were held over and will be considered at a special council meeting to be held Tuesday evening.
It was an interesting meeting to watch.
Allan Williams was hired as City Administrator in December of 2004. Since he assumed command, members of the City Council have made many requests for information. They let Williams know Tuesday evening of their displeasure. Most of the information and items they requested were never made available to them. The Council requested a monthly check register several months ago but have never received one. Councilwoman Dottie Greer wanted a list of all outstanding invoices 14 days or more overdue. She was given several excuses on why this could not be done. Questions were raised regarding William’s contract and when he becomes eligible for health insurance for life even if his cotract is terminated.
BASS PRO IS LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION
Our source at Bass Pro has told us to ignore what the Mayor is saying about Bass Pro. Our source said the founder, Johnny Morris has placed Greater Missouri Builders (Their St. Charles landlord) on notice that they are displeased and are reviewing their options. Our source tells us that Bass Pro is displeased with the parking. Even though they seem to be heading towards a $40 million year they do not have enough parking. When Greater Missouri Builders built the strip center on the West end of the parking lot many of the parking spaces previously used by Bass Pro were eliminated. GMB were supposed to demolish more of the existing center than they have. It appears the first choice of Bass Pro is to relocate to the St. Louis Mills Shopping Center along Highway 370 in Hazelwood. There is plenty of parking and Bass Pro has several stores in Mills Centers in other areas of the country. Our source also says they will reduce the St. Charles Bass Pro to a warehouse store and operate it until their lease runs out.
MAYOR’S BODYGUARD
Our source at the police department told us Mayor York had a police bodyguard drive her to Venice, Illinois so she could attend the swearing in of a new police chief. We reported the use of overtime police officers acting as her bodyguard costs the taxpayers approximately $45 an hour. On Council meeting nights the bodyguard walks her from her car to her office and waits outside her door until she is ready to enter the Council Chambers. After escorting her to the Council Chambers the bodyguard sits there until she wants to leave and then walks her back to her office or to her vehicle. After the Council meetings the Mayor usually goes to one of the bars on Main Street but evidently feels the bars are safe because she goes without her bodyguard. Hmmmmmmmm.
MAYOR’S TOP COP?
Talking about the Mayor. Her, “TOP COP”, former police sergeant Tommy Mayer had a hearing today appealing his firing, allegedly for ordering City Administrator Allan Williams to the ground at gun point. The attorneys representing the City agreed to open the hearing to the press. However, the attorneys representing Mayer refused to allow the press to attend. Wonder what they are trying to keep the public from knowing. Wouldn’t you think if everything was as they say, they would want the public to know what was being discussed?
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
An Open Letter To Residents of Heritage and Heritage Trails
Monday April 18, 2005, Heritage Residents Association had their yearly election of officers. Carl Maus, the past president and also the president of Citizens for Responsible Community, ran a slate of candidates to try and take over your association and your treasury. The people of HRA seen through this attempt and soundly defeated the Maus cronies.
The residents of Heritage Trails held a separate election at the same time on April 18. Not knowing Mr. Maus or his eight-year history of poor business judgements that has cost HA hundreds of thousands of dollars, elected him as their representative. Now, he is under investigation by the Missouri Ethics Commission for alleged money laundering. The charge is for transferring money from HRA to CFRC a 10 thousand dollar check issued by the developer to HRA.
Now that Heritage Trails is nearly complete the County will soon return the developers money which they have held to make sure the development was built to their standards. County standards lack a lot to be desired, for example the retention pond. Maus as president of the HRA board should have negotiated with the developer to rip-rap the pond banks, sod the banks to residents property lines, install a sprinkler system, and planted bushes, trees and flowerbeds. This leaves Heritage Trails with a seventy five to one hundred thousand dollar bill to pay.
Maus’s latest fiasco, with the help of board member Paul Hoynacki, has been to try to stop the issuing of insurance for Heritage & Heritage Trails.The board had found a major insurance company that would have saved over five thousand dollars annually in premium expense. Maus told the new agent that he planned to sue the association in the near future and the insurance company should be aware of this potential liability.
Maus is extremely bitter and has decided to leave his political sign on Heritage and Gettysburg Landing (pictured above) for everyone to see since the April 18, 2005 election. The sign was recently damaged, Maus has been asked to remove the sign, however he continues to leave this eyesore in place. If you do not feel this man is childish, please drive by, look at the sign and remember you elected him. Take a look at Carl Maus. Who does he remind you of?
A Upset Heritage Resident
Dear Friends:
The economy is still staggering along. A very good friend of O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry has lost his job. This man and his wife are really great people who openly volunteer to help whenever we have a need. They are both very active in the Girl Scouts and provide a wonderful example of love and caring to these girls. The girls have helped with many projects at O.A.S.I.S. and are always willing to do more.
His last day of work is at the end of this month. His place of work is closing down and moving to the South because they can pay these workers less than half of what workers get here. His background includes over 20 years working in the following areas. Warehouseman - certified forklift Driver, loading and unloading, kept records for stock location, and, other warehousing functions. He has worked for, Nordyne, McKesson, Venture, and Mid America Poolquip. He worked for Bob Evan’s for almost six years working his way up to Assistant Manager responsible for opening and closing, staffing, balancing safe receipts, stocking bills, hiring/firing, daily reports, improving exterior landscape, and, ordering supplies. He is an excellent cook and would love to serve as a cook. Also worked for a glass company doing machine setups and operation. This is a real opportunity for us to practice our concern for our fellow volunteer, husband, father, and wonderful citizen of our community. Please ask around — check with friends in these business areas, put something in your bulletin, do whatever you can to help some really good people. If you get a line on something please call me at 636-978-6341 or e-mail me at tjrodewald@aol.com
Thank you in advance for your help.
Terry Rodewald
Monday April 18, 2005, Heritage Residents Association had their yearly election of officers. Carl Maus, the past president and also the president of Citizens for Responsible Community, ran a slate of candidates to try and take over your association and your treasury. The people of HRA seen through this attempt and soundly defeated the Maus cronies.
The residents of Heritage Trails held a separate election at the same time on April 18. Not knowing Mr. Maus or his eight-year history of poor business judgements that has cost HA hundreds of thousands of dollars, elected him as their representative. Now, he is under investigation by the Missouri Ethics Commission for alleged money laundering. The charge is for transferring money from HRA to CFRC a 10 thousand dollar check issued by the developer to HRA.
Now that Heritage Trails is nearly complete the County will soon return the developers money which they have held to make sure the development was built to their standards. County standards lack a lot to be desired, for example the retention pond. Maus as president of the HRA board should have negotiated with the developer to rip-rap the pond banks, sod the banks to residents property lines, install a sprinkler system, and planted bushes, trees and flowerbeds. This leaves Heritage Trails with a seventy five to one hundred thousand dollar bill to pay.
Maus’s latest fiasco, with the help of board member Paul Hoynacki, has been to try to stop the issuing of insurance for Heritage & Heritage Trails.The board had found a major insurance company that would have saved over five thousand dollars annually in premium expense. Maus told the new agent that he planned to sue the association in the near future and the insurance company should be aware of this potential liability.
Maus is extremely bitter and has decided to leave his political sign on Heritage and Gettysburg Landing (pictured above) for everyone to see since the April 18, 2005 election. The sign was recently damaged, Maus has been asked to remove the sign, however he continues to leave this eyesore in place. If you do not feel this man is childish, please drive by, look at the sign and remember you elected him. Take a look at Carl Maus. Who does he remind you of?
A Upset Heritage Resident
Dear Friends:
The economy is still staggering along. A very good friend of O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry has lost his job. This man and his wife are really great people who openly volunteer to help whenever we have a need. They are both very active in the Girl Scouts and provide a wonderful example of love and caring to these girls. The girls have helped with many projects at O.A.S.I.S. and are always willing to do more.
His last day of work is at the end of this month. His place of work is closing down and moving to the South because they can pay these workers less than half of what workers get here. His background includes over 20 years working in the following areas. Warehouseman - certified forklift Driver, loading and unloading, kept records for stock location, and, other warehousing functions. He has worked for, Nordyne, McKesson, Venture, and Mid America Poolquip. He worked for Bob Evan’s for almost six years working his way up to Assistant Manager responsible for opening and closing, staffing, balancing safe receipts, stocking bills, hiring/firing, daily reports, improving exterior landscape, and, ordering supplies. He is an excellent cook and would love to serve as a cook. Also worked for a glass company doing machine setups and operation. This is a real opportunity for us to practice our concern for our fellow volunteer, husband, father, and wonderful citizen of our community. Please ask around — check with friends in these business areas, put something in your bulletin, do whatever you can to help some really good people. If you get a line on something please call me at 636-978-6341 or e-mail me at tjrodewald@aol.com
Thank you in advance for your help.
Terry Rodewald
THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler
It’s Blues Versus Greens
As Trash Talk Heats Up
It seemed like a good idea at the time. A simple plan to improve the appearance of our community and give something back to the taxpayers. Just the kind of good idea that turns around and bites you.
I’m talking about the looming debate over the City providing uniform roll-away trash carts.
On the plus side, it solves the problem of disappearing lids. Flip top lids would reduce the number of animals getting in the trash and strewing it around streets and alleys. Sometimes they are so littered it looks like Bourbon Street the day after Mardi Gras, complete with hung over squirrels and a racoon still yelling for beads.
Uniform carts would get rid of some of the beat up older cans that accumulate and provide a much nicer streetscape when driving around town. They hold three times as much, so you wouldn’t need to put out as many trash cans. The City also has a big problem getting some rental properties to keep any trash cans and we then have to cite them for putting trash out in bags. This would solve that problem by having the cart stay with the property and not the tenant.
Besides, they would be provided free, saving those who now lease them $24 a year and giving everyone a cart that would cost them around $60 if they went to purchase one on their own. Who could argue with getting a free roll-away cart? That’s when the e-mails started to arrive.
Some people acted like we were trying to give them a “free” pony. It won’t fit in our garage. I won’t be able to push it. People will steal them. The only complaint I didn’t hear was that it would cost too much to feed them. The size and weight issues were easily answered. The companies offer three different sizes and those who generated less trash or had limited space to store a cart could ask for the smaller size.
E-mails from those wanting the carts brought to light a somewhat unexpected area of contention...”What’s your favorite color?” In ancient Rome the most popular spectator sport wasn’t going to the bloody gladiatorial contests in the Colosseum, it was going to the chariot races in the Circus Maximus.
Just as we follow our modern professional sports teams, citizens of the Roman Empire followed, cheered and placed bets on the four main chariot teams known by their colors...the Blues, the Greens, the Reds and the Yellows. As it turns out, the two most popular teams were the Blues and the Greens.
It seems the citizens of our fine community have something in common with the citizens of ancient Rome. We are split down the middle when it comes to a color preference in trash carts. They are the TRUE BLUES and the EVER GREENS and they would sooner throw their neighbors to the lions than give in on such a weighty mater of principle. Oh, and did I mention we also have to decide whether to hot stamp on the containers the historic City Seal (with the image of a river boat) or the modern City Logo you see on police cars and city vehicles.
At the last City Council Work Session we heard presentations from the two giants of the roll-away cart industry. I learned more about roll-away trash carts than anyone has a right to know. I learned about their “ground hugging” design to resist being blown over in a windstorm. I learned about the percent of UV (ultra violet) protection each possessed to guard against becoming brittle over time. Much like George Hamilton. Each injection molded plastic ridge and indentation was computer modeled for strength and durability.
I am now thoroughly convinced that the United States leads the world in garbage container technology. In fact, I suspect that if the Earth were ever invaded by an alien civilization, they would immediately surrender to us upon learning of our superior knowledge in this field.
While the money is in the budget, I can’t predict with certainty that new trash containers will be coming to an alley near you. Some people are worried that the carts will lead to once a week garbage collection even though that is not under consideration at this time and I personally prefer twice per week. Others are upset that the new carts wouldn’t come with once per week trash and thus a lower rate. The Mayor might veto the expenditure, thus avoiding altogether the politically dangerous waters of revealing if she is a TRUE BLUE or EVER GREEN.
What I’ve learned is that suggesting the community could benefit from new and uniform trash containers is much like the man who points out a new dress to his wife. He just wasn’t expecting to hear, “Why, what’s wrong with the one I’ve got on?”
Anyone want a free pony?
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
Recently, Randa Hayes made headlines when Gov. Matt Blunt asker her to resign from her post as Missouri’s Director of Business and Trade because the Democrats had revealed that she had in her youth pled guilty to stealing money from her college sorority.
In St. Charles, Randa Hayes is publicly known as the wife of St. Peters Alderman David Hayes. But in Missouri state Republican politics, Randa Hayes was acknowledged as a top notch political operative with strong grass-roots organizational skills, an accomplished fund-raising touch, and keen killer instincts.
And from all reports, she was someone many feared to cross, as she had a vindictive side. She worked on an assortment of campaigns in a variety of capacities. But in the end, her contribution to the party was that she was an insider who could be counted on to accomplish almost any task needed, including many tasks that the candidates would not like to acknowledge needed to be done. Sort of a Dark Knight of the Political Right.
Now before the Democrats get all high and mighty, it should be noted that they have such operatives on their side as well. In fact, Roy Temple, the democrats top-operative at the moment, was the one who organized the media attack on Randa Hayes.
The whole thing is a little like the old cold-war where both sides had spies doing their dirty work. The spooks believed in their side’s cause, but the methods each side’s operatives employed were essentially the same. And neither side’s leaders liked to admit they used such clandestine operatives. Politicos, like spies, work in the shadows. If they end up in the media, they did something wrong.
As the Columbia Tribune noted in a recent column, Randa Hayes appointment to the position as Missouri’s Director of Business and Trade, however, made perfect sense to insiders because that post is also in charge of the Hawthorn Foundation, which is a private foundation that raises money to fund the Governor’s trips outside the state. Again, both the Democrats and Republicans have been using the Hawthorn Foundation for this purpose for decades, so there is nothing unusual in it, but neither side likes to talk about it. Putting a political operative with significant fund-raising skills in charge of the office made sense.
The Columbia Tribune column also expressed what political insiders on both sides suspect: Randa Hayes would have told the Governor's office about her prior misdemeanor conviction, but the Governor’s office decided to appoint her anyway because skilled operatives are rare. And if a scandal broke, he could count on an experienced operative like Randa Hayes to take the fall.
Now the Governor’s office says they didn’t know and that they just missed the information in the background check. Frankly, I am not sure that crying incompetence was the way to go in this scandal. I think the Governor might have done better to say that they knew the facts, considered them, and decided that a ten year old misdemeanor conviction from college did not justify removal from office for someone who spent the next decade doing a great job. But Governor Blunt has not had an easy time dealing with the media and likely thought he could cut and run and the media frenzy would only last a day or two.
For that to happen, they had to know that Randa Hayes would do exactly what she did do-disappear. Randa Hayes never talked to the press, other than the prepared resignation letter. In a media frenzy like this, where the media’s real target is the sitting Governor, every reporter would have been offering to put her on T.V. to “Tell her side of the story.” Regular people, when attacked like this in the media, want to talk to try and clear their name. Politicos fade back into the shadows to keep the media from having anything new to run. In the insider’s vernacular, Randa Hayes “Fell on her sword” for the boos just like a good soldier is supposed to do.
What the Governor could not have predicted was that the St. Charles County Republican Committee leaders would decide to attack their own sitting Republican Governor. In politics, you expect the other party to launch an attack when they have a chance. But Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom Kuypers and Vice-chairman Brandi Pedersen each called the media to pound on the Governor’s selection of Randa Hayes.
Tom Kuypers, who is better known locally for losing to Rory Riddler, literally called the Post-Dispatch to say “I told you so” to Governor Matt Blunt. This kept the whole thing in the media for another couple days and Jo Manies at the Post had a field day talking about how the Republican party in St. Charles was imploding. And a week after the story had died, Brandi Pederson went to a St. Peters Board meeting to attack Randa Hayes, thus putting the whole story about the Governor back in the St. Charles papers.
Short of actually calling Jay Nixon and volunteering for his expected campaign against Matt Blunt in 2008, it is hard to imagine what more these two “Republicans” can do against their own Governor. The Democrats recently won a surprise St. Charles victory with County councilman Joe McCullough winning a seat in a Republican district. With party leaders like this, the Democrats are likely to make further inroads in the Republican stronghold of St. Charles County in 2006.
As for Randa Hayes, everyone needs to remember that good political operatives are a little like vampires. First, they should both avoid the light of day. So Randa Hayes should return to the shadows. Second, they are both hard to kill. Just like David Barkledge, Garrett Lott, or other Republican operatives before her who became p art of a scandal, come 2006 Randa Hayes will be running the shadowy side of some Republicans campaign as a “consultant.”
In St. Charles, Randa Hayes is publicly known as the wife of St. Peters Alderman David Hayes. But in Missouri state Republican politics, Randa Hayes was acknowledged as a top notch political operative with strong grass-roots organizational skills, an accomplished fund-raising touch, and keen killer instincts.
And from all reports, she was someone many feared to cross, as she had a vindictive side. She worked on an assortment of campaigns in a variety of capacities. But in the end, her contribution to the party was that she was an insider who could be counted on to accomplish almost any task needed, including many tasks that the candidates would not like to acknowledge needed to be done. Sort of a Dark Knight of the Political Right.
Now before the Democrats get all high and mighty, it should be noted that they have such operatives on their side as well. In fact, Roy Temple, the democrats top-operative at the moment, was the one who organized the media attack on Randa Hayes.
The whole thing is a little like the old cold-war where both sides had spies doing their dirty work. The spooks believed in their side’s cause, but the methods each side’s operatives employed were essentially the same. And neither side’s leaders liked to admit they used such clandestine operatives. Politicos, like spies, work in the shadows. If they end up in the media, they did something wrong.
As the Columbia Tribune noted in a recent column, Randa Hayes appointment to the position as Missouri’s Director of Business and Trade, however, made perfect sense to insiders because that post is also in charge of the Hawthorn Foundation, which is a private foundation that raises money to fund the Governor’s trips outside the state. Again, both the Democrats and Republicans have been using the Hawthorn Foundation for this purpose for decades, so there is nothing unusual in it, but neither side likes to talk about it. Putting a political operative with significant fund-raising skills in charge of the office made sense.
The Columbia Tribune column also expressed what political insiders on both sides suspect: Randa Hayes would have told the Governor's office about her prior misdemeanor conviction, but the Governor’s office decided to appoint her anyway because skilled operatives are rare. And if a scandal broke, he could count on an experienced operative like Randa Hayes to take the fall.
Now the Governor’s office says they didn’t know and that they just missed the information in the background check. Frankly, I am not sure that crying incompetence was the way to go in this scandal. I think the Governor might have done better to say that they knew the facts, considered them, and decided that a ten year old misdemeanor conviction from college did not justify removal from office for someone who spent the next decade doing a great job. But Governor Blunt has not had an easy time dealing with the media and likely thought he could cut and run and the media frenzy would only last a day or two.
For that to happen, they had to know that Randa Hayes would do exactly what she did do-disappear. Randa Hayes never talked to the press, other than the prepared resignation letter. In a media frenzy like this, where the media’s real target is the sitting Governor, every reporter would have been offering to put her on T.V. to “Tell her side of the story.” Regular people, when attacked like this in the media, want to talk to try and clear their name. Politicos fade back into the shadows to keep the media from having anything new to run. In the insider’s vernacular, Randa Hayes “Fell on her sword” for the boos just like a good soldier is supposed to do.
What the Governor could not have predicted was that the St. Charles County Republican Committee leaders would decide to attack their own sitting Republican Governor. In politics, you expect the other party to launch an attack when they have a chance. But Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom Kuypers and Vice-chairman Brandi Pedersen each called the media to pound on the Governor’s selection of Randa Hayes.
Tom Kuypers, who is better known locally for losing to Rory Riddler, literally called the Post-Dispatch to say “I told you so” to Governor Matt Blunt. This kept the whole thing in the media for another couple days and Jo Manies at the Post had a field day talking about how the Republican party in St. Charles was imploding. And a week after the story had died, Brandi Pederson went to a St. Peters Board meeting to attack Randa Hayes, thus putting the whole story about the Governor back in the St. Charles papers.
Short of actually calling Jay Nixon and volunteering for his expected campaign against Matt Blunt in 2008, it is hard to imagine what more these two “Republicans” can do against their own Governor. The Democrats recently won a surprise St. Charles victory with County councilman Joe McCullough winning a seat in a Republican district. With party leaders like this, the Democrats are likely to make further inroads in the Republican stronghold of St. Charles County in 2006.
As for Randa Hayes, everyone needs to remember that good political operatives are a little like vampires. First, they should both avoid the light of day. So Randa Hayes should return to the shadows. Second, they are both hard to kill. Just like David Barkledge, Garrett Lott, or other Republican operatives before her who became p art of a scandal, come 2006 Randa Hayes will be running the shadowy side of some Republicans campaign as a “consultant.”
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