Monday, February 07, 2005

Illegal Contract Draws Fire

By Tony Brockmeyer

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

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

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

A search of City Hall failed to locate any such contract. The City Clerk, who by state law is the keeper of all city records, could not locate a contract with Express Scripts and had no knowledge of it. The City legal department did not know the contract existed and could not locate a copy of it. Express Scripts provided the City a copy of the contract, which had indeed been signed by Mayor York.
Apparently on June 22, 2004 Carrie Caskey, former St. Charles City Human Resources Director, requested and received Mayor Patti York’s signature on a contract with Express Scripts Inc. (ESI). The contract was for a three-year period and was part of the City’s prescription drug benefit plan.

Seabury Smith and Marsh Advantage, who were previously handling the insurance for the City, both recommended this program and documents show Seabury would be paid .35 cents to $1 for each prescription filled by Express Scripts. ESI also promised numerous rebates that would be paid for special prescriptions.

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

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

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

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

Marsh Advantage was the broker of record, Seabury and Smith the Third Party administrator and Mercer the insurance consultant for the City of St. Charles. These companies are all subsidiaries of Marsh and McLennan who recently settled with the Attorney General of New York for $850 million. The settlement might include money for St. Charles if it is determined Marsh violated the law in dealing with the City.

On July 13,2004, Marsh representatives gave a presentation reviewing the City’s health insurance plan and the cost associated with the plan. During the meeting, the City Council was told that using benchmarks provided by Mercer, the City is just below the average increase.

Councilman Mark Brown told the FCN, “Of course we will appear to be paying comparable rates when we are being compared to only Marsh plans by the Marsh consulting company, Mercer. When you get down to it, if you are charging everyone higher rates, then ours will naturally look normal.” Brown’s comments appear to have merit. The new Broker of Record quickly pointed out every bid the City received for insurance was lower than the bid Marsh claimed was the best the City could hope for. Brown went on to say, “Anytime you meet with the resistance this Council met regarding the insurance, you know something is wrong.”

During the presentation the Marsh representative explained her close relationship with the City and Caskey’s department. Some on the Council believe this close relationship may be the reason for the blatant disregard for policy, procedure and ordinances when dealing with contracts that obligate the taxpayer’s money. Caskey left the City’s employment during the bid process and after it became apparent the City would no longer use the services of Marsh.

Councilman John Gieseke was very outspoken about Marsh, “This Company has violated the trust of the people they claim to represent, and their motive was profit. I argued in the past that having one company as the only source of information was dangerous, but Caskey fought for Marsh all the way. The cost savings we were able to achieve, and now the backroom deal with this contract demonstrates bad things can happen when you deal in this manner.”
Since the Council took office, they have complained about city staff directing and entering into contracts and then presenting them to the Council after the contract had been executed. It appears this happened with this contract. ESI told the City they are not willing to release the City from their obligation. The City might incur costs upwards of $200,000. This has many on the Council questioning why York and Caskey would enter into a contract knowing the council had not been informed and knowing they did not have the authority to do so.

Council members are reviewing their options.

Frenchtown Mardi Gras King & Queen

Frenchtowne Celebrates Mardi Gras

Saturday evening at the third annual King’s Ball, Historic Frenchtowne selected Marilyn Geery as their Queen and posthumously selected her husband, Peter Geery, as King. Peter died unexpectedly January 23, 2004 while on vacation in Mexico. He was active in the Discovery Expedition. Marilyn operates Geery’s Bed & Breakfast on North Fifth Street in St. Charles. Peter was represented by his son, Matthew, pictured above with his Mother, Marilyn. Peter is a Crew Chief stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky. First Capitol News Photo by Tony Brockmeyer

Suspect Charged in Burglary of Gas Station

Suspect Charged in Burglary of Gas Station

By Sgt. Donovan Kenton
Public Information Officer

A 37-year-old St. Charles man has been charged with burglary following a break in at the Citgo Station, in the 2700 Block of Veterans Memorial Parkway, in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 27, 2005.

The suspect, who has been identified as Todd C. Westergaard, age 37, of the 100 Block of Riverbluff in St. Charles, is being held on the charge of Burglary 2nd with a cash only bond set at $50,000.

Alert St. Charles Police patrol officers observed a silver colored four-door car emerge from the rear of a closed business, the Mr. Steak Restaurant, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. Mr. Steak is located next to the Citgo station. Officers observed the suspicious car traveling at a high rate of speed and crossing over into the oncoming traffic lane. The officers initiated a traffic stop of the car and contacted the occupants, finding Westergaard as a passenger. The officers observed Westergaard to have a cut on his hand and blood on his clothing, along with glass fragments inside of the vehicle.

While Westergaard was being detained, other officers of the St. Charles Police Department responded to an alarm sounding at the Citgo station, where they discovered the door glass of the business had been smashed out. Further investigation revealed fresh blood inside the business.

Westergaard is currently being held at the St. Charles County Jail.

New Group For Young People By Sister Cities

St. Charles Sister Cities Program Assists in Formation of new Young People’s Group
With the encouragement of the St. Charles Sister Citie organization, a reception was held recently for the young people who have experienced the Student Exchange program with Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Since 1996, approximately 450 students from Duchesne, Francis Howell North, Lutheran, St. Charles and St. Charles West High Schools, alon with approximately 550 students from Schiller, Moerike, Goethe and Otto Hahn Gymnasiums in Ludwigsburg, Germany, have shared life’s experience with each other through the Student Exchange program.
It is the aim to form a new organization to bring together these young people with their own organization to bridge the gap between the young people and the members of the St. Charles Sister Cities organization through educational and social programs.
The young people elected the following as Board Members, Megan Lammert, Shannon Lammert, Renee Rine, Lauren Pickardt and Nathan Pickardt. Megan Lammert was elected President of what is now known as the C.I.A., or the Cultural Interest Ambassadors. Megan, an Exchange student in 1997 and 1998, a graduate of Webster University, is in Land Development with the T.R. Hughes Company. Megan stated: “I am thrilled to be at the spearhead of this division of the Sister Cities program.
Hopefully, we can encourage the youth of our community to not only participate in the Exchange programs during high school, but to extend cultural interaction and appreciation through their lives”. The first C.I.A general membership meeting, open to all past Ludwigsburg Exchange
Students, is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, February 20th at 1:00 PM at Willikers in St. Charles. If you would like more information, you may contact Megan at: mlammert@trhughes.com>

NIGHT CLUB FIGHT BRINGS LICENSE REVIEW - TWO OFFICERS INJURED

Large Fight At Night Club Injures Two Police Officers

Councilman Riddler Asks For Review of Liquor License of Baha Rock Club on North Main


On 1/14/2005 the St.Charles Police Department responded to a call for police at the Baha Rock Club, 305 North Main Street. According to the police records a large fight broke out inside the establishment.

All police officers on duty were called to respond and control the fight. Two police officers were injured during the fight. Both officers were treated and released from St. Josephs’ Health Center.

This fight along with other alleged incidents involving the club has prompted Council President Rory Riddler to ask the City Administrator to investigate and determine if the owners and operators of this establishment have failed to maintain an orderly place of business. Riddler also asked that procedures be implemented to review and possibly revoke their liquor license. He also said that he believes that the Police Chief has the power to temporarily suspend their liquor license pending an investigation.

Riddler told the First Capitol News he has become more and more concerned with increasing calls for service at Baha Beach Club. The Club is located in Riddler’s Ward and was formerly known as Key West Night Club.

RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer

IT’S A RUMOR

The latest rumor on the street is that the new owners of the Post are considering closing the St. Charles County section. We were told that they feel it is in direct competition with the Journals that they also own.

FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS IN FRENCHTOWN

Historic Frenchtowne Association has announced that they will be offering Friday Night Flicks in Frenchtown on the 4th Friday of every month, May through September.
The movies will be shown at Blanchette Landing at North Second Street and Olive Street.

They invite you to bring a chair and enjoy the movies. A schedule of titles has not yet been released.

According to President, Tammy Lawing, food and refreshments will be served. Bring your family or a group or just come alone. She promises a fun filled evening.

Councilman John Gieseke Wants Sam’s Club To Be A Good Neighbor

Councilman John Gieseke while serving as the City Council Representative on the Planning and Zoning Commission has asked Sam’s Club to put up a sound barrier fence to protect the residents of the condos located behind Sam’s. Sam’s has asked the Planning & Zoning Board for permission to improve the facade at their location, Councilman Gieseke added the fence as part of the conditions for the new improvements.

Sam’s has not responded to Gieseke’s request as of yet, but he is hopeful that they will be good neighbors and do the right thing. Gieseke wants to make sure that Councilman Reese and his neighbors have the peace and quiet they deserve.

Reese has been trying to find ways to decrease the noise and the Walmart Company has not been responsive. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to have the City negotiate a fence and in return allow Sam’s an upgraded sign package. Even though the upgrade to the facade is non-revenue generating, Gieseke hopes Sam’s will see the light and build both the fence and the facade.

OKTOBERFEST TO EXPAND

We have learned that the organizers of the Oktoberfest are planning on changing from to a three day celebration this year. The event, held in Frontier Park on the Riverfront will also stay open later in the evenings.

FIREWORKS ON TWO DAYS

The City Council is moving forward to having a City fireworks display on Sunday, July3rd as well as Monday July 4th.

THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler

Long Running TIF Feud Ends In Disappointing Non Decision
If our new Governor needs more money to balance the budget, he might try setting up a gift shop in Jefferson City. I think one just outside the Missouri Supreme Court building would do nicely. They could sell the usual corncob pipes, walnut bowls and the colorful headdress of our indigenous aboriginal peoples that you expect to find in Missouri’s finer roadside gift shops. But they could also carry a few specialty items for when those city slickers come to town with their high priced attorneys expecting definitive answers to lofty legal questions.

A taxpayer from St. Charles County could take home a souvenir T-shirt that beneath an image of the scales of justice might say, “I spent $500,000 on a law suit and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” I think there’s a definite market among our County officials for ones that read, “I’m With Stupid…the lawyer who told me I could file a law suit five years late.”

Or they could all chip in and give the County Counselor a comical mug that says, “What Statute Of Limitations?” Like the massive legal fees wasted on the County’s TIF lawsuit against St. Peters, it’s the kind of thoughtful gift that makes a real impression. The County Executive might even pick up a few bumper strips that say, “Honk If You Hate The Missouri Supreme Court.”

Honk! Honk!

Joe’s holy war against TIFs came to an abrupt end last week when the Missouri Supreme Court returned the County’s challenge to St. Peters use of tax increment financing to the Appellate Court without instruction or an opinion. Even if you disagree with the County Executive, his propensity for suing other taxing entities or the abusive language he reserves for public officials whose only crime is following State Law, you still have to wonder what the Supreme Court was thinking. They agreed to hear the TIF case on appeal, allowed both sets of lawyers to present their case, asked pointed questions and then didn’t render an opinion.

Way back in 1993, St. Peters used the TIF law to help generate funds to pay for the popular Rec-Plex. New businesses like COSTCO eventually made the TIF area a financial success. You would think that would have been cause for the County Executive to give then St. Peters Mayor Tom Brown a pat on the back. The bottom line is that the citizens of St. Peters, and from an even wider area of the County, ended up with a first-class public recreational facility.

Instead, the County Executive said Tom Brown and St. Peters were criminals “stealing” money from the County. If that’s true, then I want to report a robbery that takes place every April 15th. St. Peters was merely following the State Law and used the redevelopment tools at its disposal. Whatever complaint Joe Ortwerth and some members of the County Council had with the State’s TIF laws, the place to change them was in Missouri General Assembly. It isn’t as if that option was foreign to the County Executive. After all, he spent twelve years as a State Representative before running for County Executive the first time. Hmmm, I wonder when the State’s TIF Law was first voted on?

Now State Representative Tom Dempsey is trying his hand at rewriting the State’s TIF Law. People get heartburn, and rightly so, over some developments that have qualified for TIFs in the past. But even under the reforms proposed by Tom Dempsey, it looks like the St. Peters TIF of 1993 would have qualified. It was a model of what’s right with the TIF law.

It was the wrong case for the County Executive to pursue from the beginning. Not to mention how late the law suit was. Circuit Judge Lucy Rauch rightly ruled in 2003 that St. Peters had followed the law. The Appellate Court rightly ruled that St. Charles County had filed its challenge way too late. In the face of these earlier defeats, one wonders why the County pursued such an expensive course to the detriment of the taxpayers. Most political observers agree the case had more to do with a feud between Ortwerth and Brown than about what made legal sense.

St. Peters taxpayers shelled out over $400,000 and the County claims it spent over $100,000 on this case. The County total is probably far more when you consider the time and effort of the County Counselor’s office. And where did all that money come from you might ask? That’s right, it was your money. In the end, the much-hyped Supreme Court showdown between the County Executive and St. Peters was as disappointing as the Cardinals post-season. Honk if you hate the Red Sox.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor

To the Editor:

I have always tried to be an optimistic person, despite the best efforts of selected individuals who continue to demonstrate that they just don’t get it. After four and a half years and wasting more than $500,000 of taxpayer dollars, I hope St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth has FINALLY gotten the point. How many judges does it take saying no for a lightbulb to go on for the county executive? The St. Peters TIF is and always has been a legal use of this important economic development tool.

Where is the outrage from the other elected officials? The members of the County Council are not commenting at all on this outrageous use of our tax dollars. At Monday night’s Council meeting, not one council member held Mr. Ortwerth accountable for this outrage. Mr. Ortwerth, who pursued this frivolous lawsuit as an individual as well as directing the County’s reckless pursuit of this case, has some explaining to do.

Maybe the silence of some the County Council members have to do with their campaign contributions from Adolphus Busch and his cronies. Joining Mr. Ortwerth at the last moments of this foolish escapade were Mr. Busch and his Great Rivers Habitat Alliance. Talk about strange bedfellows. They do share one objective. The will say and do anything – don’t confuse them with any facts – to try to destroy the City of St. Peters.
The County has said they have spent only $110,000 on this case. Really? This does not count their in-house staff of reportedly 6-7 attorneys, during a time when Mr. Ortwerth claims there is a funding shortfall. He apparently has no problem spending money trying to damage the municipality of St. Peters, singling them out in his efforts. Why hasn’t he gone after the TIFs in St. Charles at Bass Pro or Fountain Lakes? Or the convention Center? Why indeed. Mr. Ortwerth has owned two homes and currently lives in St. Peters.

It’s been nearly a year ago since I became a private citizen. It was an honor to be elected by the citizens of our city for more than two decades. It was a personal disappointment to lose the position as Mayor of the city I love, and had helped to grow to what it has become over the twenty-to years of my service. But, I thought one positive thing would come out of it – that Joe Ortwerth’s personal quarrels with me would no longer interfere with progress and a positive relationship between the County and St. Peters. I was wrong. I’m asking Joe to forgive me my trespasses as I have forgiven others.

Tom Brown

Dear Editor:

I would venture to say a majority of the residents of the City of St. Charles could not care less whether the St. Charles 27 hole golf course is developed or not and contrary to what the people living there and enjoying the fine view feel, I doubt if the rest of us would want to be in the position of subsidizing a nine hole golf course for them either. Un less the residents accept the reality of an owner’s right to sell his property to a buyer ready, able and willing to develop as he feels fit and legally conforming to zoning laws. I would vote against the city annexing this property.

Carol Diller

THE CONSRVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer

The election is over; power has changed hands, and with the changing of the guard comes the lucrative political appointments of campaign supporters and benefactors.

One of the biggest plums and patronage money-makers in the state is our own local license fee office. The building housing this money cow is oqned by a company that is allegedly owned by Roger Pryor, Ken Kielty, and Ernie Dempsey, owner of Pio’s Restaurant.

Twelve years ago, Governor Carnahan awarded this office to Ken Kielty. Four years ago, Governor Holden reappointed Kielty.

Governor Matt Blunt recently awarded the fee office to Ernie Dempsey. Dempsey is the father of State Representative Tom Dempsey who is now the majority floor leader of the Missouri House of Representatives. Republicans are expecting Tom Dempsey to run for the State Senate and then Governor around the year 2012.

There is little doubt Ernie Dempsey has the Governor’s ear. It is speculated the remainder of the Governor’s body parts are in the possession of Mayor York and FOP President, Tommy Mayer, who endorsed Blunt. I can’t buy into that theory; the Governor appears to be too smart to willingly give up all his body parts so soon after the election.

Ernie Dempsey has hired his daughter, Mary, to manage and run the fee office. Although Kielty has lost the business, he will still collect 1/3 of the rent from the building.

Democrat Roger Pryor is not only a political ally of Republican Ernie Dempsey and a partner in the building. He is also a partner in the Columns Banquet Center. Pryor will allegedly continue to receive part of the rent for the fee office.

Pio’s Restaurant has often been compared to the City of Atlanta, Georgia. Since so many air travelers must change planes in Atlanta to get anywhere, people have complained forever that, “You can’t even get to Heaven without going through Atlanta.”

Both Democrats and Republicans frequent Pio’s for dining and “networking”. Pio’s and the Columns receive a lion’s share of bookings for fundraisers, weddings and various parties given by civic groups. Consequently, Dempsey knows everything happening in this city pertaining to business and politics. He knows everything that is going to happen as well. He has his ear to the curb and his hands on the community pulse. So much so that The Great Hall of Pio’s and Boss Dempsey put Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed to shame.

Dempsey is better at the game than Tweed because he is pleasant, likable, and does not display arrogance. People recently reported he is so humble he was seen vigorously slapping himself at Pio’s during a busy lunch hour so as not to anger the gods over his good fortune. With the Columns Banquet Center being in such close proximity to the new Convention Center—soon to be completed—many wondered if this would be not only stiff competition for the Columns, but pose a liability for future bookings.

Pryor and Dempsey must not see this as a problem because they both worked very hard to convince the voting public to approve the construction of the new facility. They also helped lead the charge for a full-time mayor with mega-power and a high salary. Why?

Surely, they could not believe this city to be stupid enough to buy the Columns if it turns into a white elephant? (No pun intended.) But who knows——we did buy the Goldenrod.

STRAIGHT TALK - Councilman Bob Hoepfner

Hello again. I want to start off this week by correcting an error I made a couple of weeks ago. I stated in an article that Mr. Hughes, of T.R. Hughes Company was going to stick to developing and stay out of politics. I want to state he did not say those exact words and I obviously misunderstood what he was saying. So, I apologize to you and Mr. Hughes. As far as my meeting Mr. Hughes to try to resolve some differences it obviously did not work. Mr. Hughes stated to me he wants to be able to continue to develop St. Andrews Golf Course under county standards, which are lower than City standards. With Mr. Hughes position, I did not originally and will not now support him annexing into the city until he builds to city standards.

Moving on, there is a bill up for a final reading in two weeks to reimburse city employees for whatever cost they incur that their insurance does not cover. I think they have one of the best insurance plans. Why should we, as taxpayers supplement their insurance when we are in fact paying the insurance bill for them. Let your councilman know how you feel about this.

Finally folks, I am still struggling to get money for the Leftovers Group. They help educate our elementary students. It is the budget that was approved by the Council. Now we are having games with it. These kids really deserve our help. Let your Councilman know how you feel.

As usual folks if you have any questions, comments, opinions, about anything going on or not going on in the City give me a call, 949-0956, Whether we agree or disagree call me or stop by.

Intriguing mix of transfers and incoming freshman could put Lindenwood over the top in 2005

Much like everything else that Lindenwood head football coach Patrick Ross has touched in the last couple of years, the 2005 LU recruiting season has turned up gold for the Lions.

Using the success of a storybook championship season last fall as a springboard, the Lions posted a list this afternoon of newcomers which will impact the landscape of the Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2005 – and beyond.

A pair of new quarterbacks headline the group, and they should provide intense competition, with incumbent sophomore-to-be Brent Hodgkiss, for the spot vacated by departed senior Emiliano Salazar.

Junior college transfer Preston Maloney (6’2, 180 – Santa Barbara City College) is already on campus, and standout prep signal caller Ben Kisner (6’1, 180 – William Chrisman HS, Independence, MO) will join the Lion fold in August.

“Obviously, that’s going to be a critical position for us to replace in 2005, and we think all three of those guys are championship quarterbacks,” said Ross. “Kisner and Hodgkiss are very similar in that they are outstanding athletes, and Preston gives us a player with the experience and skills to provide that competition in the spring.”
Kisner will have some nice targets to throw to in his class, as the Lions landed a pair of highly-decorated All-State picks at wide receiver. Caruthersville product Plessie Ellitt, a 6’0, 195-pounder, was a two-time All-State selection, and is regarded as one of the top all-around athletes in southeast Missouri. Montgomery County star Matt Hans (6’0, 175) led the state with 87 receptions as a senior.

Over on the defensive side, the Lions are excited about a couple of All-Staters who could be patrolling the middle of the field in St. Charles in the near future. Blue Springs South star Tyler Millay (6’3, 185) will play free safety for LU, and South Harrison linebacker Logen Wright (6’3, 215) is one of the best small school players in the state
.
“One of the things we’ve talked about is recruiting guys who have that ranginess and overall athletic ability,” said Ross. “Both Tyler and Logan are excellent athletes who are going to be cornerstones of this program.”
Ross and his staff also worked the winter transfer circuit with huge success, also. Seven transfers from the talented California JC ranks are already in winter workouts with the Lions, providing additional competition in an already-loaded program. One interesting newcomer is Florida native Bobby Mason, who transferred from Urbana (Ohio) University after a standout freshman season there in 2004 - the 5’10, 180-pounder was named an NAIA first team All-American as a return specialist, and he has already been impressive in his short time as a Lion.
In addition to Maloney and Mason, Lion coaches are very excited about linebacker Sam Searson (6’2, 195 - Palomar JC) and two-time All-Mission Conference defensive end Tony Ete’aki (6’0, 245 - Santa Ana JC), both of whom will strengthen a 2005 Lion defense which should be one of the best in the country.
Preston Maloney Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara City College 6’2 180 QB
Tim Houston Waynesville, MO Waynesville HS 6’2 190 WR 1st team All-Ozark Conference
Billy Farris California, MO California HS 6’5 270 OL 1st team All-State Class 2
Bobby Mason Edgewater, FL Urbana (Ohio) University 5’10 180 WR 1st team NAIA All-American
Travis Drake Lee’s Summit, MO Lee’s Summit HS 6’3 230 DE 2nd team All-Suburban Big 7
Charles Yundt Pawnee, OK Pawnee HS 6’1 280 OL 1st team All-Area, All-District
Plessie Ellitt Caruthersville, MO Caruthersville HS 6’0 195 WR 1st team All-State Class 2
Chris Badorek Newport Beach, CA Santa Ana JC 6’4 337 OL
Mitch Smith Salt Lake City, UT Saddleback JC 6’6 265 OL
Justin Hidritch Washington, MO Washington HS 6’0 225 DE 1st team All-State Class 5
Scott Tallant Waynesville, MO Waynesville HS 6’4 210 QB 2nd team All-Ozark Conference
Matt Hans Jonesburg, MO Montgomery County HS 6’0 175 WR 1st team All-State Class 2
Justin Skaggs Union, MO Union HS 6’3 185 RB 1st team All-Four Rivers Conf.
Dustin Ostman St. Charles, MO Iowa Wesleyan College 6’1 260 OL HM All-MSFA Midwest
Sam Searson Carlsbad, CA Palomar JC 6’2 195 LB
Liam Andrews Maryland Heights, MO Parkway North HS 6’0 215 DE 3rd team All-State Class 4
Jeff Edinger St. Louis, MO Parkway North HS 6’3 190 QB
Russell Miller Malden, MO Malden HS 6’2 270 OL 1st team All-SEMO South
Ryan Potter Salisbury, MO Salisbury HS 6’3 215 DE 2nd team All-State Class 1
Daniel Rivera Bethalto, IL Civic Memorial HS 6’2 280 DT 1st team All-State IHSFCA
Logen Wright New Hampton, MO South Harrison HS 6’3 215 LB 1st team All-State Class 2
Ben Kisner Independence, MO William Chrisman HS 6’1 180 QB 1st team All-State Class 5
Tyler Millay Blue Springs, MO Blue Springs South HS 6’3 185 FS 1st team All-State Class 6
Tony Ete’aki Garden Grove, CA Santa Ana JC 6’0 245 DE 1st team All-Mission Conf.
Donnell Johnson Santa Ana, CA Santa Ana JC 5’7 160 SB
Adam Cecil Caruthersville, MO Caruthersville HS 5’7 170 RB 1st team All-State Class 2
Mike Murphy St. Louis, MO Ladue-Horton Watkins HS 6’2 265 OL
Austin Bortle St. Charles, MO St. Charles HS 6’1 205 RB 1st team All-GAC North Conf.
Brett Ballmann Washington, MO Washington HS 6’3 185 QB 1st team All-GAC South Conf.
Matt Resquer Santa Ana, CA Santa Ana JC 5’9 171 CB 2nd team All-Mission Conf.
Billy Ray Uren Jackson, MO Jackson HS 6’5 240 TE 1st team All-SEMO North
David Strapp Daytona Beach, FL Mainland HS 6’2 185 CB
David Fuit Daytona Beach, FL Mainland HS 6’2 195 LB
Eric Ksiazkiewicz O’Fallon, IL Iowa Wesleyan College 5’8 188 RB

Mike McCurran, Sports Editor COMMENTS

We all have skeletons in our closets, at least most everyone I know does. I am not ashamed to admit I am a member of said club. Stand back ladies and gentlemen, I am about to allow one of my skeletons out; stand far, far back, just in case others manage to escape, and by others I really mean lots and lots of others, if those others get out someone could get seriously hurt.

This skeleton has been buried now for over thirty years; 1974 to be precise. As I have mentioned previously in my column, 1974 found me fresh out of boot camp and serving in the Navy, yes, the United States Navy. Unlike today, I was, to take a line from the movie Stripes, “a lean, mean, fighting machine.” At 6’0”, 200 pounds of mostly muscle (certainly my head was), we passed our time fighting Airmen, Soldiers and Marines. It was not uncommon to get into a large scuffle at the local Air Force base, have the Shore Patrol pick us up, hand cuff us, throw us in the back of the paddy wagon, drive off the base, and immediately pull to the side of the road and let us go. Now please, I am not suggesting such behavior is still tolerated. 1974 was a different time. Some enlisted in the Navy to avoid being drafted into the Army, some were give an option by the judge. Me, I fit into the latter category. As long as no one was seriously injured fighting was accepted – at least that’s the way it seemed to me. My unit, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (The fighting Seabees) was especially known as brawlers. We looked forward to the arrival of an aircraft carrier just so we would have someone new to tangle with.

Now, for those of you with any knowledge of the Navy and Marines, you know it is not unusual to set up a Friday night fight card; Sailors versus Marines, as many weight classes as possible. These fight cards were (and maybe are) called Smokers. Well, it seems they were putting together a fight card for a Friday night Smokers, and I was approached. The way it was put to me was: “There is this hot shot Marine, black guy from St. Louis, who pretty much thinks he is indestructible; wanna fight him?” “No problem,” I responded, “I grew up fighting tough black guys from St. Louis.” The best part of taking part in a Smokers was the fighters were relieved of all other duties in order to “train.” Yeah sure, I “trained,” all right; my idea of training was staying out later than usual because I knew I had no responsibilities in the morning. I trained for two, maybe three weeks – the physical change I experienced was gaining about 10 pounds. Most thought it was because of my “training,” I knew better.

Well Friday night finally came around, and I truly thought I was ready. I do not recall what weight class I was assigned, but I do remember a larger number of fights prior to mine. The had a pretty nice spread of sandwiches and such in the dressing room, along with a cooler of St. Louis’ finest adult beverage. Naturally, while waiting I became a little edgy, so I figured one or two Budweisers couldn’t hurt (Bud Light was yet to be invented). By four I was relaxed and ready.

I remember my opponent being very large, not tall – large! He had a large head, large legs, very large arms, he even had large hands. He was a large man. No problem, what’s the old saying? “The larger they are, the harder they fall.”

The “fight,” and I use the work very, very loosely, last all of 23 seconds; ten of which I was laying flat on my back hearing the official counting down…”7, 8, 9, 10.”

My shipmates suggested I was hit with a lucky punch; a lot of words went through my mind describing the punch, lucky was nowhere near the top of the list. My shipmates persuaded me if I fought him again I probably could last longer. Well I hope so, 23 seconds; I could avoid him for at least twice that long. My shipmates persuaded me to fight him again, the very next Friday. I was young, I was foolish, I agreed.

It was only days after the second fight I learned the bet was not on who would win, the bet was on whether or not I could last longer than 23 seconds. I was the overwhelming favorite!

Seventeen seconds is all the second fight lasted; 10 of which the official repeated “7, 8, 9, 10.” At least that is what they told me; I have absolutely no recollection of what happened. What I do know is that I never again stepped into a boxing-ring. Never!

ANother thing I know is that same Marine some two years later won a Gold Medal in the Olympics for boxing. Then in 1978 he defeated Mohammed Ali for the World’s Heavyweight Title. Yes, I am not too proud to admit I was knocked out not only once, but twice, by Leon Spinks.

I am not certain, but I suspect Leon will be ring side Saturday Night when his nephew Cory Spinks defends his Undisputed Welterweight title against Zab Judah. I am not certain if Leon remembers me, I suspect not; but I AM certain I remember him, and will never forget the two times we met.

River Ottes Sing NHL'ers Barret Jackman and Ryan Johnson

River Otters Sign NHL’ers Barret Jackman and Ryan Johnson
By Mike McMurran
Sports Editor

The Missouri River Otters announced Friday that they had signed defenseman Barret Jackman, winner of the 2002-03 Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, and center Ryan Johnson, who has played 344 games in the NHL. Both players will make their River Otter debut Saturday night against the Kansas City Outlaws at the Family Arena.

River Otters president and owner Mike Shanahan, Jr. introduced the duo as “Two players who have recently been promoted from the NHL to the United Hockey League” Head coach Kevin Kaminski said, “We’re thrilled! This is the biggest signing in River Otters’ history. They’re both very down to earth and they’re both committed to winning a championship.

Jackman, 23, has played parts of the past three seasons with the St. Louis Blues. His first full NHL season came in 2002-03, when he played 82 games with the Blues. “With the injury to my shoulder, most of you know I have not played hockey for over a year now. This will give me the chance to stay in shape and play hockey, that’s what I do, play hockey.” He recorded three goals, 16 assists, and 190 penalty minutes during en route to winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in the ’02-’03 season. Last season Jackman played 15 games with the Blues before being felled by a season-ending injury. He was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 1999 entry draft by the Blues. “This ain’t about the money, this is about playing hockey,” Jackman offered, when asked about the irony of playing while on strike. “This is an opportunity to stay in St. Louis rather than travel to Europe to play,” he said. “The UHL is a physical league, which is a good match for both Ryan and myself. Staying in St. Louis is important to both of us,” he said.

Johnson, 28, has played seven seasons in the NHL, including the last two seasons with the St. Louis Blues. The Ontario-native scored four goals and had seven assists in 69 games with the Blues last season. Johnson has also played for the Florida panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Florida Panthers selected him in the second round (36th over all) of the 1994 NHL entry draft.

“Ryan brings great speed and energy, along with a physical presence,” Kaminski said. “With his NHL experience, he’ll also be a great leader for our club.” Johnson said the money they earn will be donated to charity. “We are trying to give back to the community as much as we can,” he said. As far as going from the fourth or fifth center on the Blues to the UHL he said, “every player in the NHL at some point in their career was the ‘go to’ guy. That’s just the way it is. Every player must recognize what his role is on the team. I will find out what my role is very quickly. I know right now I am excited about coming to a quality organization in a quality community and helping them become better not only now, but in the future.”

Rumors of the signings significantly increased Otters’ ticket sales in the 24 hours prior to the announcement. “We’ve sold between 500 and 1000 tickets in less than 24 hours,” said Brian Grasseschi, Assistant Vice President of Operations. “Most of our ticket sales come from walk ups. With this type of advance ticket sales we are hoping for maybe 4500 Saturday night. 2000 walks ups is not out of the question, of course we are competing with ‘the fight,’ and I have no idea what that might do.” The largest crowd this year for the Otters is 5000.