Saturday, April 30, 2005

HEARING REGARDING MAYOR'S ALLEGED ILLEGAL SIGNING OF CONTRACT WILL BE HELD MAY 4th at 6pm

SPECIAL NOTICE
HEARING TO BE HELD MAY 4th at 6pm

The Administrative Hearings by the City Council regarding the contract the Mayor allegedly illegally signed with Express Scripts without Council approval, as required by Section 40.23 of the City Ordinances, will be held on Wednesday, May 4th not the 5th as originally reported. The hearings will be held in the City Council chambers at City Hall and will begin at 6pm. They will be televised on Charter Cable Channel 20.

Council Members Angry Over Senator Gross’s Bill Restricting Gaming Funds

By Phyllis Schaltenbrand

Missouri Senate Bill 272 was introduced by Senator Chuck Gross ® St. Charles. The bill and calls for limiting all Missouri home dock cities use of gaming funds for the operation of their cities.

Now Councilmen Brown, Riddler and Gieseke plan to introduce a resolution to attempt to halt the bill’s progress.

Shortly after introduction, Senator Gross cut a deal with other legislators in the Senate, exempting every City in the State except St. Charles. The other Senators, with gambling casinos in their cities, did not want their cities included in, or to be restricted by, the bill.

This move is what has many on the Council upset. “If this was such a great idea, why only St. Charles? Why did Gross allow every other Senator the chance to remove their City from the bill?” Councilman John Gieseke remarked to the First Capitol News.

“This bill takes local control away from St. Charles and places it in the hands of those in Jefferson City. The day Gross fixes the school funding problems and has real tax relief for seniors funded without reservation, maybe then he can say he has an idea about the City’s finances. He was elected to represent us at the State level. If he wants to ruin our budget like the state’s budget he can run for the City Council,” commented Councilman Joe Koester.

The bill would have a severe impact on the City’s operations. To date, the City has collected $102 million in gaming taxes and has spent over 90 percent of that money on Capitol Improvement Projects in the City. Over $6 million of gaming funds were spent on the newly constructed convention center.
Over the past three years, Mayor Patti York has used a portion of gaming funds to help balance the budget because other revenue sources have decreased. “Every City in the state of Missouri understands how hard the past few years have been,” commented Councilman John Gieseke. “The State continues to burden us with the need for higher property tax bills because they are failing to fund the schools. Now Gross is grandstanding, telling us the residents are not experiencing the full benefits of gaming. He’s right if he looks at the budget he controls at the state level. Here at the City level, we have been able to keep our service levels high without major layoffs. We on the City Council understand we need to decrease the use of gaming fundsfor salaries, but we need the economy to turn around first”.

According to testimony given to the Senate by Allan Williams, the City Administrator, and Karen McDermott, City Finance Director, “The schools and other taxing entities would be sorely affected. This bill will have a negative impact on all our tax incremental financing projects including Fountain Lakes, Mark Twain Mall and the Convention Center project. The TIF districts will generate less incremental property tax revenues. The pass through to the schools will be less, and the debt will pay off slower or not at all.”

Council President Riddler told the First Capitol News, “I have a portion of my ward, as does Councilman Gieseke, within the Orchard Farm School District. The Orchard Farm School District was forced to ask for a tax increase because the State’s school funding formula does not provide enough revenue to support their schools. This change would decrease the amount of pass through generated at Fountain Lakes and would create a larger burden on the residents.”

Councilman John Gieseke continued, “This is the way big brother has been able to increase taxes without having to take the heat for it. They don’t fund their responsibilities and this forces the schools to ask for more and more as they create laws in Jefferson City that hurt all of us and act like they did us all a favor. The tax increase isn’t on their record yet. They basically forced the local taxing districts to increase taxes.”

In other testimony the City officials told the Senate, “The City has used the funds for many street improvements, facilities, parks, storm water projects, economic development, enhanced service levels in police and fire departments, increased reserves to appropriate levels and enhanced arts and cultural activities.” The testimony continues, “It is unclear what benefit the legislation, as proposed, brings the citizens of St. Charles or the State of Missouri.”

Councilman Mark Brown told the First Capitol News, “That statement tells it all. I firmly believe the City Council is in the best position to decrease the use of gaming funds for ongoing expenses. The Council began the process in the last budget. This Council took over $1 million of gaming money that went to recurring cost out of this budget and we will get more with the next budget. I believe in making the City more accountable and have been working toward that goal. It confuses me why Senator Gross, who was elected to represent the taxpayers of our area, has created legislation that would have such a detrimental impact on St. Charles. If passed, this bill will force us to cut services and raise taxes. I strongly urge Gross to reconsider, think about the people he represents, and not hurt those he represents.”

Gieseke stated, “We are committed to decrease the day-to-day cost of running the City whether it is paid with gaming funds or general funds. I would like to change to a merit based pay system, change the way our insurance is handled, and decrease the redundancy that exists in our processes that add cost without benefits.”

The resolution will be introduced Tuesday evening at the St. Charles City Council meeting. The City of St. Charles Finance Director Karen McDermott and City Administrator Allan Williams prepared the referenced testimony to the State.

Director of Public Works Michael Pratt Forced Out By City Administrator

By Tony Brockmeyer

The First Capitol News has learned City Administrator Allan Williams has apparently forced Director of Public Works, Michael Pratt, to resign. Our sources told us Friday, April 16th was Pratt’s last day on the job. Sources also said Williams called Pratt into his office April 13th and told him he could resign or be fired. A compromise was worked out whereby Pratt would resign if he received the six months severance pay called for in his contract.

At an executive session of the City Council, held Tuesday evening, a motion was passed to pay Pratt three months severance pay. The City Council passed an ordinance recently which prohibits severance pay being paid without their approval.

Pratt has served as Director of Public Works since May of 2002. He is a retired Army Colonel. Pratt resigned on August 30th, 2002 to take a job in the private sector. After his resignation was accepted and the position was advertised, he changed his mind and wanted to come back to work for the City.

Jim O’Connor, City Administrator at the time, hired Pratt back, gave him a raise of approximately $9,000 and a new contract.
On November 16, 2004 The First Capitol News reported Pratt was one of the finalists for the Public Works Director’s job in Champaign, Illinois. He was not offered the position.

St. Charles Engineering, a private firm, will be handling engineering until a new Public Works Director is hired.

THE CITY DESK by Rory Riddler City Council President

River Shows Us Where We’ve
Been And Where We’re Going



Nothing helps define the City of St. Charles better than the Missouri River. It gives us a sense of place, of history and beautiful backdrop for buildings, public space, the arts and recreation. It’s what separates us from so many other communities whose only front door ends up being eight lanes of concrete highway. Rivers are valuable assets, which make cities more livable for residents and more memorable for visitors.

The Missouri River connects us with our environment, with nature and with something greater than ourselves. Its tree-lined shores are both a haven for wildlife and oasis for the spirit. Walk along its banks or simply sit and watch the river roll by. You’ll be surprised how the waters seem to carry away the stress of modern life.

Sometimes little changes can make a big difference. For years merchants on North Main Street have wanted to thin out the brush along the river to open up their scenic view of the river. What stood in the way was fear of Federal regulations.

It seems that some of the cottonwood trees along our riverfront may be home to Indiana bats. Why they are here and not in Indiana I don’t know, but their preference for Missouri over Indiana must be a terrible embarrassment to the Hoosier State. Let’s suffice it to say their dwindling numbers have gained them some sort of protected status.

Meanwhile, I had been regularly passing along to the City Administrator complaints of beer bottles and other trash along this section of the KATY Trail. To his credit, City Administrator Allan Williams, without fanfare or much expense, had street crews clear out underbrush during the time of year the Indiana bat apparently isn’t nesting or in the mood. The larger trees are still there for the bats to frolic in, but the underbrush has opened up another three blocks of scenic river for all to enjoy.
Since this clean up, there have been many more people using this section of the trail and stopping to view the river. Riverside Drive has become an even more scenic place to be and area merchants are positively giddy about the impact this small but important improvement has had.

Our earliest French inhabitants must have also appreciated the scenic beauty of the river from these “little hills” on which they settled. The river was their front door and the route to riches from the fur trade. Our relationship with the river has not always been so idyllic.

Later generations would turn their backs on the river as factories, warehouses and junk accumulated along its shores. It took the vision of the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, merchants and City officials to clear away the blight and reintroduce St. Charles citizens to their river heritage.

As a High School Senior I went with friends to sandbag in West Alton during the Flood of ‘73 (you know, way back in the 20th Century). That was the first five-hundred year flood I experienced before another five-hundred year flood hit us in ‘93. That would make me about 530 years old the way the Army Corps of Engineers reckons things.

Back then, the prevailing mindset seemed to be that rivers had to be tamed to protect lives and property. Since then attitudes have changed. After the 1993 flood, the vast majority of families who were routinely flooded out, were bought out and relocated with FEMA grant money. The Missouri River is no longer used for commercial navigation like the Mississippi. With high demand for water in the Western States, river levels will probably be lower in the long term. We have an opportunity to establish a different relationship with the river.

St. Charles can be proud of having done so much more with its riverfront than many other communities. In Hannibal and Cape Girardeau, for example, the downtown is cut off from the river by concrete flood walls. In Jefferson City, rail lines and sidings block access to most of the riverfront. Our mile long Frontier Park, adjacent KATY Trail and Depot, Lewis & Clark Boathouse, statue, Blanchette’s Landing in Frenchtown, the Foundry Art Center and historic downtown are the envy of other river towns.

Soon to be added to that mix is the new Veterans Memorial at Bishop’s Landing and an Eco-Park. The Riverfront Development Committee, which I serve on, was given a sneak peak of plans about to be bid out by the St. Charles Parks & Recreation Department for the new Eco-Park. From Blanchette’s Landing in Frenchtown (at the foot of Olive Street off Second) to the northernmost city limits, sand and rock trails, bridges and river overlooks will be built on the river side of the levy. The Eco-Park will help teach current and future generations of students about the wetlands and it’s wildlife.

Even more exciting are plans for additional riverfront amenities, anticipated to be built in the next five years, but still on the drawing board. These include a riverfront plaza, additional river overlooks, a restaurant on the river and new wayfaring signage. The plaza would provide a stepped area of stone blocks to allow people easier access to the river. Frenchtown merchants are eager to see another river overlook at the foot of Randolph Street and some condominium projects are being planned specifically to take advantage of views of the river.

While these projects are just around the bend, long range plans would expand the riverfront parks system south towards the Page Avenue Bridge. Public trail systems will one day give easy access to Howell Island. One of the most ambitious plans I’ve seen floated, would create a canal on the land side of the island for water taxis and to shelter pleasure boats. With decreased water levels, the current on the Missouri may decrease enough to make pleasure boating safer and more attractive. On the Northern city limits, ninety-eight acres of FEMA flood buyout property may be the start of a living history farm.

We may have one of the best riverfronts of any community in the State already, but we aren’t taking that for granted. With enthusiastic local officials and broad based citizen support, we’ll keep things “rollin on the river” for generations to come. Just in case any Federal agencies get a copy of this, let me just add that…no Indiana bats were harmed in the writing of this column.

RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer

They have their own agenda!

You have probably read or heard from some of the people who think it is terrible and embarrassing to the City when the City Council and the Mayor do not agree. Or when there is a disagreement among the Council members and/or City staff. I laugh when I hear from them.

That is politics and life. People are going to disagree. If we all agreed on everything where do you think our country would be today? We disagree with our spouse or significant other. We disagree with our boss and co-workers. Disagreements occur on a daily basis. Why would we expect our political leaders to never disagree and why would we want political leaders to always get along?
Those who complain want you to believe disagreement is bad for our City. Nothing could be further from the truth. They want you to believe such disagreement only happens in St. Charles and our elected leaders should be ashamed of themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth.

If they all agreed, why would we even need to elect people to office? Just let the City staff make all the decisions because we don’t want any disagreement.

Hundreds of decisions are made everyday that affect how we live our lives. What roads are going to be repaired? How much tax are we going to have to pay? What quality of water will be coming from our pipes? How is our sewage going to be disposed of? How are our tax dollars going to be spent? How much utility tax will we have to pay? Are we going to have sidewalks? What type of police protection will be available to us? What type of schooling will our children receive? Who will benefit from City contracts? Will we have a community center? Just to mention a few.

Can you imagine what would happen if there was no debate? If our leaders did not look at both sides of an issue before making a decision? Is that what you want from your government?

The people who have been complaining have their own agenda. An agenda they do not want you to be aware of.

For years, a group of people have been profiting from the actions and decisions made by our City government. But this is changing and they do not like it. They will do whatever they believe is necessary in their attempt to regain the control they once had over our City.

There are now five, sometimes six, sometimes seven, members of the City Council who represent the interests of the citizens of St. Charles. The special interests are bleeding and they do not like it. Do not let them fool you. The next time someone is disdainful of this publication or members of the City Council you can be sure they have a personal agenda which is probably detrimental to you and your neighbors.

HEARING SET FOR MAY 4TH

In case you missed the notice on the front page, the City Council Hearings regarding the alleged illegal signing of a contract with Express Scripts will be held on Wednesday, May 4th not the 5th as previously reported. The hearing will begin at 6pm in the City Council Chambers on the fourth floor of City Hall. It is an open hearing and the public is invited to attend.

The hearing will also be televised on Charter Cable Channel 20.

RED CROSS MOTHER’S DAY

The American Red Cross is offering a special card and commemorative Mother’s Day pin to all presenting blood donors now through Sunday, May 8. The cards and pins can then be given to mothers as gifts on Mother’s Day. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.

REC-PLEX SUMMER CLASS REGISTRATION BEGINS SOON

It’s time to reserve your spot in a new class or program at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. The Rec-Plex offers swimming, ice skating, fitness, weight training and many other classes. St. Peters residents and Rec-Plex passholders may sign up for classes in person, online or by phone beginning on May 2. The rest of the general public may begin registering for classes beginning May 7.

HOME & GARDEN SHOW THIS WEEKEND

The Home Builders Association Home and Garden Show will be this weekend at the new St. Charles Convention Center. This is a great opportunity not only to visit with the many vendors but to also see the new convention center.

LOOKING FOR A CHARITY

Several people who make a practice of visiting many of the local trivia nights have decided they would like to host one. They want to do it as a fund raiser for a deserving charity. If you have a charity you would like them to consider please call the First Capitol News and let us know. We will put them in touch with you.

St. Peters Looking For Artists
St. Peters Community & Arts Center invites artists, amateur and professional, to enter the Center's first Wildlife Art Show and competition. Receiving for this unique competition is scheduled for July 19-20 with an awards reception on July 24. All competition entries will be displayed at the St. Peters Community & Arts Center from July 24 - Aug 15.

All entries should be works completed within the last three years. Adult Community & Arts Center members may enter up to three pieces for the $15 entry fee. All other adults may enter up to three pieces for an entry fee of $20. Adult categories include: Woodcarving, Sculpture, Drawing, Painting and Photography. For entry rules and information call 636-397-6903.

KATIE MELODY KASPRZYCKI

A baby girl was born to Valerie and Joe Kasprzychi on March 28 at 2:14am at Crossroads regional Medical Center. Katie weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. Mother and baby and father are all doing well.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to The Editor

TO THE EDITOR,

Wow, the Mayors of O’Fallon and St. Peters decline to return phone calls to John “Charleytown” Sonderegger, so he denounces them in his column and threatens them with not getting their side of the story told.

Sounds like Morrow and Brown have a great idea. Because even if these folks do respond, they are NOT likely to get their side of the story told. He is famous for that.

So heres a proposal: how about if NOBODY return Sonderegger’s phone calls? Put a moratorium on this irresponsible, egotistical clown.

Good columnists amplify and comment on the news, but Sonderegger doesn’t do either one. Sonderegger is the master of telling only half or less of the story, the antithesis of ethical journalism. He tells some facts and carefully leaves out the real story. He recreates the “news” in his own image, telling readers what he thinks they should know instead of what’s going on.

Leadership at the Post - which apparently could care less about St. Charles County - turns its head.

Until the Post sees fit to hire a columnist that can be counted on to tell the truth and give people in the news and readers too, a fair shake, the Post is showing contempt for everyone in St. Charles County, especially people who buy the paper.

If I were an elected official or someone else put on the spot, I would say nothing to Sonderegger except something like this: “It would be irresponsible for me to talk to you because you can’t be counted on to tell the truth or give the whole story.”

And I would stick to that until he goes away.

Please withhold my name
Thank you
Dear Editor,

Friends of ours invited us to attend the Mayor’s Charity Ball last Saturday evening. I have never wanted to be part of the movers and shakers but they begged and begged until we relented and accepted the invitation.

Having watched the City Council meetings on television we recognized several of the Councilmen in attendance. There were Rory Riddler, Larry Muench, Bob Hoepfner, Mike Weller and Bob Kneemiller. Several of the others may have been there but I did not see them.

I had occasion throughout the evening to see the fine members of our City Council in action. The residents of Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 10 can be proud of their Council Representatives, Riddler, Muench and Hoepfner. They acted with decorum and represented the City as well they should.

Had I been a resident of Ward 4 or Ward 5 I would have been thoroughly disgusted with the actions of my representative. Their behavior might be fine for a neighborhood party in their basement but for a charity function in our new Convention Center in front of hundreds of people, it was unacceptable and embarrassing.

I would suggest until they are able to control themselves they do their drinking at home.

E. Wilson

First Capitol News

State Rep. Cynthia Davis of O’Fallon wants to create laws that will tell us how to teach science and sex education in our schools. She wants to create laws that will dictate when we, our designated family members or doctors can remove life support from our brain-dead bodies. Actually, she wants to create laws giving the state the right to determine when and if a feeding tube can be yanked from an unresponsive individual.

Now comes news that this woman, who is so concerned with creating laws to dictate our ethics and morality, can not even comprehend the state’s simple campaign-finance rules. It seems she’s used campaign donations to pay $1,084 in property taxes on her Jefferson City home and $2,850 for a pickup truck.

“Campaign finance rules are extremely complex,” she says. She claims that she never intentionally violated the law.

I suggest that anybody who thinks they have the time and intelligence to make laws governing ethics and morality, including the teaching of evolution and sex ed while mandating state control of end-of-life issues, had better be damn sure she can read and understand campaign finance rules.

Howard Hoskins
St. Charles

An Open Letter To St. Charles Residents

Privatizing our Social Security is President Bush's top domestic priority. State Representative Clint Zweifel believes that stopping Bush's risky privatization plan should be a state priority. That's why he sponsored HCR 14 encouraging our Congressional delegation to oppose private accounts. Unfortunately, Missouri Republicans refused to call the Resolution for a hearing. But we refuse to be silenced on this most important issue!

With Pro-Vote's help, Rep. Zweifel successfully circulated a petition to discharge HCR 14 from committee and put it on the calendar for a Floor vote! Check out the article in the April 27th Columbia Missourian for more details.

Call your Representative and demand a "yes" vote on HCR 14. If you don't know his or her name, visit the Legislative Look Up page.

With help from progressive Missourians just like you, we've been able to move HCR 14 from Rep. Zweifel's desk all the way to floor so that Missouri can have voice in the national debate over Social Security. For more information on how Social Security privatization would hurt Missouri see the reports released by the Campaign for America's Future.

Call your state Representative at 573-751-3659 today and tell him/her that Social Security brings over $10 billion into our state every year and keeps Missouri's elderly, disabled workers, orphans and widow(er)s out of poverty. Vote "yes" to oppose privatization!

Mailings@Marketvolt.com

THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer

County Councilman Dan Foust, our favorite retriever, appears to be rabid about insuring every fire station in the county is under the jurisdiction of one fire district, including the St. Charles Fire Dept. He recently sent e-mails to numerous people requesting help in securing an opponent to run against another Republican office holder because he didn’t quite see things his way. Those Republicans who have an opinion different than Dan’s should immediately arm themselves with a stick and a can of mace to ward off possible attacks. Mailmen have advised the stick, the mace and a sharp command of “Down Fido” works 90 percent of the time when their ankles are chewed on.

There is controversy and heated discussion on both sides and I am not advocating either at this early date. However, those citizens who wish to discuss this issue with Mr. Foust can find him everyday at noon at the first table on the right just before the bar area at Pio’s on First Capitol Drive. I’m sure Mr. Foust would welcome discussing this matter with you if you have any concerns.

County Executive Joe Ortwerth is also adamant about placing all fire departments under one fire district under his jurisdiction. However, Mr. Ortwerth is not seeking reelection and will not be dealing with the issue. Ortwerth selected Steve Ehlmann to be his successor and appointed him County Administrator so he could run the county prior to being elected County Executive. To date, Ehlmann does not appear to have stated an opinion on this issue, although he has declared his candidacy for the office. Therefore we have to presume his stance by association. Joe Ortwerth is his boss and Dan Foust claims to be his “close friend”.

It was reported some time ago Ernie Dempsey, owner of Pio’s, is business partners with Ken Kielty in the building housing the local license bureau and also in partnership with another democrat, Roger Pryor, of the Columns Banquet Center. Dempsey is also in a partnership with Steve Ehlmann in the building once occupied by Ehlmann when he practiced law. That space is now leased to Senator Chuck Gross for his district senate office and the rent is paid by the State of Missouri. With Dempsey being awarded the local license office, he now receives all that revenue after paying expenses. In conjunction with Ehlmann, he also receives state money in the rental by Chuck Gross.

If we look at these political business partnerships as family, does this make Ehlmann first cousins to Kielty and Pryor? If they are cousins to Ehlmann, does this make Pryor and Kielty aristocrats? If Mr. Dempsey is in partnerships with various people, but none of these people are in business with each other, does this make Ernie Dempsey his own grandfather? Goodness, a money tree can get just as complicated as a real family tree.

After being retired from the senate due to term limits, Ehlmann announced his candidacy for the 2nd district to represent us in Washington. Unable to raise the funds needed, he dropped out and filed for Associate Circuit Judge. He then moved up and was elected Circuit Judge. He vacated the office of Circuit Judge to be the County administrator for mentoring under Ortwerth to insure his election as County Executive.

Prior to Ehlmann vacating his judgeship, Senator Chuck Gross was planning to run for County Executive next election. Not wishing for Ehlmann to have a primary opponent, Gross was enticed to consider running for Mayor of St. Charles. I don’t know if he is actually serious about that but he did step aside for Ehlmann when he decided he did not like being a judge. Chuck Gross is the Nathan Hale of our times; “I regret that I have but one life to give to my Steve Ehlmann.” Gross’ district office will continue on in the Dempsey-Ehlmann building because Dempsey’s son, Tom, will be seeking the vacated position now held by Gross.

Senator Gross and Tom Dempsey have made public statements that they are unhappy with the current City Council who assumed office one year ago. This is where we need to review history. How did Patti York become Mayor? She was first blessed, anointed, and then endorsed by Steve Ehlmann who was a senator, Chuck Gross who was a state rep. and Tom Dempsey. They also financially supported her campaign. The object was to retire Rory Riddler so they could also control the St. Charles City Council. For York’s first term, she had a rubber-stamp Council who walked in lock-step with the exception of Hoefpner, Riddler, Scheer and Gieseke.

One year ago, the Dempsey group attempted to again remove Hoefpner, Riddler, Scheer, and Gieseke. Their candidates lost 6 of the 10 city council races. This did not dissuade the Dempsey group. Ernie Dempsey helped spearhead the drive to change the City Charter to give the total power to a full-time Mayor. Huge sums of money were spent on slick mailings which persuaded the voters to change the charter. That has not gone into effect yet, therefore, the new City Council has been under constant, vicious attack by York and her minions.

Ehlmann, Gross, and Tom Dempsey have supported every action of the Mayor and never said a public word, and as far as anyone knows did not even attempt to persuade her to stop blocking the City Council so business could be conducted. The object of this group was never to smoothly conduct City business, but to destroy the majority of councilmen whom the voters chose in order to put people in office who were under their control. The public should pay close attention to the public hearings soon to be conducted investigating the Mayor’s alleged illegall signing of a city contract . Bear in mind, the Mayor thought she could do anything because she had the support and backing of powerful people. There is plenty of blame to spread around to others for any fault found.

Thus far, we have heard two people may run for the office of Mayor: John Gieseke, and Chuck Gross. If Gross runs, it is because Ehlmann would not allow him to seek the office of County Executive and he needs to be in public office until he moves up to something higher. If Gieseke runs, it is because his commitment is to this City as proven by two successful terms as Councilman. There are marked differences between these two possible candidates. John Giseke could not be bullied into not running for the office he really wants in the area of his personal commitment. If John Gieseke were playing the Nathan Hale role, I believe he would say; “I regret that I have but one life to give to my city.”

PUT ST CHARLES FIRST

By Jerry Haferkamp

Well, folks, we’re on the way. Our new Convention Center has hosted its first function that fulfilled its mission to bring tourists to St. Charles. They hosted the annual Mayors’ Ball and it drew at least 18 tourists. I know it is fact because I saw 8 of them on the front page of the St. Peters paper and I assume they, and the one not pictured, each brought along an escort or guest. I wonder how many came a day early and visited South Main. I’m sure they stayed in our motels, ate at our restaurants and shopped in our stores. Some came from as far away as Foristell, way out on the edge of St. Charles County.

This weekend’s Home and Garden Show should bring guests from at least that far. I’m sure Steve will tell us of the hundreds, no, thousands who stayed in our motels from as far away as Warrenton and had an economic impact in the millions. Mission accomplished. Now, can they get another $300,000 to pat themselves on the back?

Yes, it is a beautiful building, but the types of events being booked and the parties they throw for themselves on your dollar make some people wonder where their heads are. I don’t wonder. I know.

Did you ever notice how, in an attempt to be “first”, some news organizations put out a story without checking to be sure of the facts? It’s really annoying. You’ll not get that in the St. Peters Journal. They finally mentioned the Tommy Mayer/ City administrator incident the TV stations and the FCN told you about a month ago. Good going, St. Pete Journal. You don’t want to rush into these things. Of course, when they did finally get around to doing some St. Charles news, it was headlined, “Police officer fights firing”. It should have read, “Officer fired for not doing what his boss told him to do”. Under their banner they could add: “All The Spin You Need To Read In 45 Days Or Less”

Maybe former officer Mayer’s lawsuit against us can be settled out of court. Naturally the Council (and the public) doesn’t want to pay him thousands of dollars for doing FOP work for which the FOP is already paying. Maybe he would drop the suit if we re-instate him and pay him 100 hours per year for time off to visit his lady friend. C’mon folks! We know a “win-win” when we see one.

Note to Stchuckwatch: Don’t whine about “trying the suit in the paper”. His attorney couldn’t file the case without TV there. Oh, heck. Go ahead and whine. We know it’s what you do best.

Letter to the Editor of the St. Peters Journal” (I have to write it here since they won’t print any letter I send them-I think it’s something about them disliking truth and fact)

Dear Editor;

Your recent tirade against Dottie Greer for wanting to make using fireworks in St. Charles legal is typical of your editorial thinking.

Councilwoman Greer tried to make the sale illegal, but failed. Since Mrs. Greer is not a hypocrite, (look it up in the dictionary. It’s spelled H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E) she probably felt it is wrong to sell fireworks and profit from the sales while making the subsequent use illegal. There has been much said about the hypocrisy (look it up-it’s there, too) of our present ordinance. Councilwoman Greer tried to eliminate this hypocrisy and you took her to task over it.

Your defense of hypocrisy explains much of what I read in your editorials.

Jerry Haferkamp

Last week I wondered aloud whether our City could fire anyone. Apparently they can, so:

Has Steve Powell been fired yet? Why not?

STRAIGHT TALK by Councilman Bob Hoepfner

Hello again out there folks. Well, it is the same old story in the same old town, depending upon where you are in this magical kingdom called St. Charles. Let’s start out with some positive thoughts. The new convention center, I have to admit, does look good. It appears the quality of the construction is good but of course it hasn’t rained yet. Oh there I go again. Well anyway, if you get a chance to go over and look at it, it did turn out fairly nice. It would be interesting to go to the home and garden show this weekend. For those of you who do care to pay to park, that is a decision made by the promoters of each event. That is not mandated from the people who run the convention center.

I believe the merger of the fire departments in the County is a good idea because we have such a duplication of services. What we have here are the fire chiefs of the different fire protection districts trying to protect their little piece of turf. My opinion, they don’t care about public service. They want to keep their domain, their kingdom, in tact. If you ever meet any of these guys you have to introduce yourselves to their egos before you can enter the room to talk to them in person. Even though Chief Rhodes of the City of St. Charles Fire Department and I do not always agree, I think the man is trying to do a good job. As an example of this, I was told by a resident a firefighter was using a St. Charles fire department vehicle for his personal use in O’Fallon. I brought it to Chief Rhodes attention. The fire department pickup truck was pulled from the firefighter and further discipline is to follow.

By the way, even though they are the highest paid fire department in the state, our local fire brigade wants to maintain a $1,000 bonus whenever they re-certify as a paramedic. They want to keep getting $200 every three months for clothing. However, they do not have to produce any receipts to show they bought any clothing. Now, in my opinion, if these fine individuals are making over $100,000 a year in wages and benefits, don’t you think they can buy their own underwear?

Enough about this drain on taxpayer dollars. We will move onto another subject. In the struggle to gain a community center I think before $18 or $20 million of our tax dollars are spent on a community center it should go to a vote of the people. You and I should have a say at the ballot box. Remember, we can’t take the utility tax off, but for some reason we can go into debt for a community center. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

In closing, keep the faith, there are some of us who are struggling to get you some tax relief. Keep sending those cards and letters. Keep calling me on that telephone whether you live in my ward or not. Next election cycle I will let you know who is on your side. 949-0956.

$1 Million+ Missing From A St. Charles Title Company - Owner Has Not Been Found

Phoenix Title at 324 N. Main Street has closed leaving 50 to 60 people out of work. They were given pay checks on April 15th and told the office was closing. The bank has refused to honor the checks and the owner of the company, James Thurman, has not been located. A sister company, James Andrew GMAC Realty, with 10 offices and 375 agents also owned by Thurman, is closing as well. About $1 million is reported missing from the title company. The Missouri Division of Insurance and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are investigating.

Capital Title, located on West Clay, closed in January. Federal and State Investigators are checking into alleged embezzlement of funds from that business. More than $12 million is missing from Capital Title.
First Capitol News Photo by Tony Brockmeyer

Spring Concert by St. Peters Choral Society May 1st

St. Peters Choral Society Spring Concert May 1st

“TOP 10”, the Spring Concert of the St. Peters Choral Society will be presented for the public on Sunday, May 1st at 2pm at Fort Zumwalt South High School Auditorium, 8050 Mexico Road in St. Peters.

Chorus members have selected their favorites from 14 years on the stage! This means you will hear a wide range of music from Beatles to Mozart, from the spiritual to patriotic from Broadway to opera. Just to add to the variety, banjos will entertain during intermission

The concert is free (No tickets required).

For additional information you can call Jim Kellen at 636-447-5341.

Scouts Celebrate 95 Years of Service

Scouts Celebrate 95 Years of Service

The Boy Scouts of America celebrates 95 years of service. In celebration, local Scouts from the Trails West Council, headquarters in Wood River, Illinois, will participate in a special celebration to mark 95 years of Boy Scouts and 75 years of Cub Scouts. The event, an encampment, will be held at the St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, May 13 through 15, 2005. “This is a celebration of Scouting,” said Tim Garber, Scout Executive for the Trails West Council. “It’s designed to highlight the service Scouts and Scouting volunteers provide in their communities.”

“The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is the same today as it was 95 years ago,” said Chief Scout Executive Roy L. Williams.

“So many things have changed in our world—Scouting has remained constant and true to its mission of serving youth and helping them learn to make better decisions throughout their lives,” Williams said.

The Boy Scouts was founded in Great Britain in 1907 by British military hero Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Two years later, William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher traveling in London, became lost in a fog. A young boy helped him find his way. When Boyce thanked the boy for his aid and offered him a tip, the boy explained that it was his duty as a Scout to help others, and he declined the tip.

Impressed with the boy’s actions, Boyce met with Baden-Powell and laid the groundwork to bring Scouting to the United States. With the help of Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and James E. West, the Boy Scouts of America was established on February 8, 1910.

“Anyone who was ever a Scout and would like to relive the experiences, or anyone who would like to find out what Scouts is all about, is invited to show up at the airport on Saturday, May 14th” Garber says. Events begin with a flag ceremony by the American Legion at 9 am followed by a full day of activities put on by local community organizations. First Aid by the American Red Cross, crafts by Tandy Leather, displays by the Metro East Humane Society, St. Louis Herpetological Society, the Nature Institute, St. Louis Science Center, The Magic House, Center for American Archeology, and Metro Search and Rescue are only some of the activities that will be available.

For more information on the Encampment, contact the Trails West Council, BSA, Service Center at (618) 259-2145.

What Do You Think About This - Daniel Roach

What Do You Think About This?

By Daniel Roach

For some time Councilman Bob Hoepfner has been trying to do away with the utility tax but he is getting strong opposition.

Now I wonder, would this really hurt the City of St. Charles financially? I ask all of the senior citizens in this great City to get behind this. Please call your Councilman and ask him to support the efforts to do away with the utility tax. It only takes a minute or two to pick up the phone and call your Council member.

Recently I took a walk around town. I went up some alleys. Boy oh boy. Alleys are not major throughways but I would not drive my car in these alleys. Some have huge pot holes. A lot of them have large cracks. In one alley the cracks were so large if you got your tire caught in one of the cracks you would probably lose your tire, rim and damage your front end. We need to get these alleys fixed. I read where Mr. Riddler says the City is finding left over money. Can some of this money go to repair our alleys? And where are our City inspectors? Some of the alleys look like junk yards.

What do you think about this?

Remember, when you are walking up the ladder of life be careful not to step on anyone’s fingers. Some day you may be coming down that ladder.

Some time ago we offered our readers the opportunity to make their feelings known to our readers in the form of an opinion article. Mr. Roach took us up on our offer. This is his opinion. Do you have one?

Volunteers Needed for Emergency Preparedness Exercise

Volunteers Needed
for Emergency Preparedness Exercise

The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is coordinating the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals who are eager to volunteer and help their community during large-scale, public health emergency situations.
Volunteers may deliver necessary public health services during a crisis, assist emergency response teams with patients, and provide care directly to those with other health-related issues.
More immediately, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist their community by participating in a Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) exercise on June 15. During the exercise, St. Charles and other Region C counties, will demonstrate and assess their emergency response plans by operating medication dispensing sites.
A medication dispensing site would be used, in the event of a Bioterrorism attack or widespread disease outbreak, to distribute medication to large numbers of people as efficiently and quickly as possible.
The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is requesting volunteers to participate in the June 15th exercise, as well as in the event of an actual public health emergency.
If you are a health care professional (pharmacist, physician, nurse, mental health counselor, etc.) and would like to volunteer, please contact Hope Woodson, Public Health Response Planner at 636-949-7554.

A Free Family-Friendly Fun Fest - Worldwide Free Comic Book Day Comes To St. Charles With Comics For All Ages

Join the excitement on May 7 as millions of comic books are given away absolutely free!

Two thousand comic book shops across the continent and around the planet will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day, but the most fun will be at St. Charles’s own Comic Relief, 1325 North Second Street.

“They say you can’t get something for nothing, but they’re wrong!”, said owner Michael Hetzler. “On May 7, there’s absolutely no purchase required to get a free comic book. Just get yourself to Comic Relief and see what’s available with no strings attached. Bring your family, your friends, your neighbors - there’s plenty available, and a comic book for everyone’s taste!”

Now in its fourth year, Free Comic Book Day, has proven to be a smashing success, spreading the word that comics are terrific reading. “No matter what sort of stories or characters you like, we’ll have something for you on May 7”, promised Hetzler. “Readers of all ages will find something appropriate to stir their imaginations.”

Free Comic Book day kicks off a summer of exhilarating adventure. Discover how Batman Begins! Witness the long-awaited big-screen debut of the Fantastic Four. In fact characters from all three films are a huge part of the comic book giveaway.

“Our visitors on May 7 can get a sneak peek at Revenge of Sith thanks to a special Star Wars comic. They’ll also see The Batman Strikes, a thrilling all-ages title focusing on a young Dark Knight,” said Hetzler. “They can also grab Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four and experience a team-up with these favorite characters.”

Wonderful choices beyond the world of super-heros will be available too. Archie comics recounts the timeless exploits of Betty & Veronica, with the return of Katy Keene. Homer, Marge and the rest of the brood show up in the Bongo comics Gimme Gimme Giveaway. G.I. Joe reports for duty in a comic kids and adults alike will love, while Disney’s Uncle Scrooge makes an appearance (no doubt horrified at being in a comic book given away for free).

For those looking for something entirely new, there’s even an inspired retelling of the Robin Hood legend that takes place in feudal Japan: Robin Hood of the 47 Samurai, as well as special anthology of stories revolving around the theme of Flight. Budding artists will be particularly taken with Impact University, a collection of lessons on how to create comic books.

For those who are new to comics, don’t fret: Comic relief is proud to offer Wizard presents the Top 100 Trade Paperbacks of All Time # 1 from the publishers of Wizard magazine. It’s a thorough listing of popular stories from the history of comics, and it’s completely free.

We at Comic Relief want to spread the word that comics are alive and well in 2005,” Hetzler continued. “More than that - they are thriving. We invite everyone to come in on May 7 and see for themselves how vital, relevant, powerful, and just-plain cool comic books are. Better yet, you get to do it for free.”

Regular up-dates, information about comic books, and lists of participating publishers (and their comics) are all online at www.FreeComicBookDay.com.

Free Comic Book Day kicks off at Noon and runs until 7pm at Comic Relief, 1325 North Second Street in St. Charles. Call 636-940-1244 for more information.

“World Class Exhibition Shooter Will Star at Family Day”

“World Class Exhibition Shooter Will Star at Family Day”
Tom Knapp Will Be at Busch Range/Outdoor Education Center

World Class Exhibition Shooter Tom Knapp – The Shooting Star – takes center stage May 14 during Family Day at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Shooting Range & Outdoor Education Center, 2360 Hwy. D, St. Charles. Co-sponsored by the St. Louis Big Game Hunters and the Missouri Department of Conservation, Knapp will present shooting exhibitions at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., your family will also enjoy free archery, air rifle, .22 caliber rifle and shotgun shooting; demonstrations

by the champion Lindenwood University Shooting Team; kids’ laser shot; exhibits and much more! Representatives from Benelli USA will be on hand with a full line of their shotguns for display and attendees may fire free of charge. Refreshments and food will be available for purchase, through the Youth Hunter Education Challenge.

Knapp, who holds world records in Freestyle Target Shooting and Exhibition Shooting, travels the world for Benelli Arms Company and the Federal Premium Ammunition Company. He has performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, and has been featured on numerous national and local TV networks.

Family Day will be held rain or shine. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs with you and enjoy the show! No privately owned firearms, no coolers and no alcoholic beverages permitted. Plenty of free parking is available and no reservations are required. For more information please call (636) 300-1953 x23 or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis.

MY COLUMN BY MIKE MCMURRAN Sports Editor

My buddy T.J. Slattery has on more than one occasion approached me and asked me to write about youth soccer. My standard reply is “I hate soccer; all it does is take some quality athletes away from football.” I really don’t hate soccer, I don’t think I hate anything or anybody – let’s just say I am not a big soccer fan. It seems to serve as a lightning rod for controversy and confrontation. This past week did nothing to change my point of view.

Take for example my daughter Maggie’s third grade team, coached by Mark Francis. Now, Mark is far, far from being an angel, but as a youth coach he goes out of his way to give quality instruction to the young ladies on his third grade team (I am aware of the fact I have repeated “third grade team,” and will do so a few more times to make my point). He never yells at, or to, his players, never uses profanity and does his very best to point out something positive the girls have done. By now I am certain most of the readers of this column understand how involved I am in my kids’ lives, maybe even overly so. Still, Mark Francis can coach my daughter as long as he wishes to, and as long she wishes to play. The fact is I think part of the reason she has so much fun is because Mark makes it fun. Some of the games are rather competitive, some aren’t. For third grade girls’ soccer it is exciting and entertaining – until this past Sunday.

This past Sunday at a girls’ third grade soccer game, the official had to eject one of the coaches of my daughter’s opposing team for yelling “F*#@ Y$&,” to the official. This is not a “he said, she said” situation. I heard it first hand. Have I ever told you I refuse to sit with the other parents during my daughter’s games because they yell and scream and cheer when the wind changes direction? Well they do, and so I do (refuse to sit with them). On this particular Sunday I positioned myself at about the 10-yard line, or at least that is what you would call it in football – I have no idea what you would call it in soccer. For the most part I was standing there all by myself enjoying the contest when I heard the youth coach yell the magic “F word” at the official. As I said, he was kicked out of the game, and should have been kicked out of the park, but was not. He simply walked to the other side of the field where he continued to taunt the officials and question their calls. Since this is a family publication I can only describe his behavior as “sphincter like.”

Granted, some of the calls made were probably incorrect, but this is third grade soccer. For that matter there is no level of any sport where “sphincter boy’s” behavior would be acceptable.

That being said let me say something positive about youth soccer. Two weeks ago my son Dee’s team (0-9 this spring) was warming up before a contest against a squad called the “Wolfpack.” Granted, Dee’s team, the Rams are playing “up,” which means they are playing against kids a year older. The parents decided it was only fair since we “hand picked” our team. By the way, we hand picked kids who attend school together, not because of their ability. All right, for the most part that is true – but we did agree to “play up.” As I watched the Wolfpack warm up I sensed we were in some serious trouble. As Napoleon Dynamite might say, “those guys had some real soccer skills.” As tactfully as I knew how I approached the coach and asked him to take it easy on us. He understood and suggested we play 5 on 4; as time went on it turned into 6 on 4 – we still got beat soundly. My point is the guy had class – or so it seemed. As fate would have it we had one game to make up. When the opposing coach contacted me to reschedule I asked him how his team was doing. “Fine,” he said. I then asked him how he did against the Wolfpack and he informed me they tied them 4-4. “With all do respect,” I shared with him, “we have no right playing you.” He understood completely. As it turned out both the Wolfpack and the team we forfeited against are hand picked teams which have played together for at least two years now. As fate would have it I found out the other teams in our league complained about how lopsided the games were and how both should not be allowed to play in a recreational league such as ours’. You see it is all relative.

While I am at it, kudos to my son Joe’s coaches Dr. Richard Heise and Matt Fairless. These gentlemen have the dubious task of coaching a team with players whose talent levels range from aggressive to well, shall we say not so aggressive, and have attention levels from intense to…well, remember what I said about wind direction? Yeah, that challenged. Remember though, we are talking about first graders here, and their attention span is suppose to be about two minutes. All of the boys have improved noticeably, and it is because of the patience and instruction of these two men. That and the unconditional support of most of the parents.

There T.J., is that better?

MOUSE RACES BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Mouse Races Offered By Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary of St. Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church are offering Mouse Races on May 14th at 7 pm. The church is located at 1424 First Capitol Drive South in St. Charles.

Tickets are $10 per person. A reserved table of eight is $70. Included is beer, wine and soda. There will be door prizes and raffles.

For additional information call Rich Wulf at 636-940-7338.

Rage truly are Pinball Wizards

By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
How does a team come back from a disappointing loss on the road? For the River City Rage of the NIFL on Friday night it was simply a matter of average, and then some!
The Rage went into Friday’s game at Family Arena against the Lakeland Thunderbolts averaging 60 points per game and in an offensive display of ESPN type highlights, stayed on track and came away with a 60-38 victory against a team that had previously allowed it’s opponents an average of only 30. The Rage used a number of new defensive formations to shut down the Thunderbolt’s passing game and improve it’s record to 4-1 on the year, good for first place in the Atlantic East Conference. Lakeland fell to 2-4 in the Atlantic South.
“We could hear them yelling ‘they changed the defense, they changed the defense,’ all night long,” said defensive back Maurice McClain. McClain’s interception with just over two minutes left in the game, doomed any chances Lakeland had at a comeback. “This game was over at half-time,” boasted McClain. “The coaching staff had us ready for this one, they never knew what hit ‘em.”
Facing a Thunderbolt team, Coach Mike Wyatt called “far better than it’s record and one with no quit in it at all”, the Rage again used an amazing array of offensive weapons to strike early and often in ringing up 23 first downs, 240 passing yards, and 8 touchdown passes from quarterback Clay Groefsema to three different receivers. The Red-Zone scoring was the real tale-of-the-tape as the team scored on all 6 of it’s chances from inside the 10 yard line. The Rage ran 9 fewer plays from scrimmage, yet still came out on top in every offensive category as the “Pinball Wizards” lit up the scoreboard again to the delight of a Family Arena crowd that has come to expect nothing less.
The confidence of the Rage is becoming contagious. Missouri Valley College product Moses Regular, who again had two first half touchdowns was almost unstoppable. Certainly his 6’4” 285 lb. frame contributes to his dominance, yet he sees things differently. “We have three great receivers on this team, there is no way they can cover all three of us.” The other two receivers would be Hurtis Chinn and Scott Pignel. It brings back memories of another St. Louis football team who fielded three wide-outs. “If they cover me, either Hurtis or Scott is going to be open. They couldn’t stop us tonight and we knew it. More importantly,” he concluded, “they knew it.”
The Rage tilted the scoreboard for two more touchdowns in the final quarter, both on touchdown passes from Groefsema to Pingel. Newly employed running back JerMarsh Robinson’s grab of the two- point conversion on one TD helped account for the final score.
The Rage will attempt to get road victory number two this Friday when the team travels to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Lincoln Capitals. The game can be heard on 1380 ESPN Radio and audio- streamed on the 1380 website.

FIRST CAPITOL NEWS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

First Capitol News Athlete of the Week

“…he is kind of strange, but in a good way.” On his favorite teacher, Mr. Freeman

Brad Bichel, Senior, St. Charles
High School

By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor

The old saying sounds something like this: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Such might just be the philosophy of St. Charles High senior Brad Bichel. On a squad rich with pitching talent, it was head coach Charlie Meeker’s senior left-hander’s turn in the rotation when the Pirates faced cross-town rival St. Charles West in Gateway Athletic Conference North Division action last week. “I don’t even like to use the word,” said Meeker when asked if Bichel was his ace. “We have a solid rotation of four pitchers, all of whom can get the job done.”

All Bichel did was shut out the Warriors as the Pirates prevailed 1-0. His pitching performance earned him FCN Athlete of the Week recognition. Although out hit in the contest 4 hits to only 1, the Pirates made their lone hit draw blood. “Brian Randazzo got a base hit and made it to second on an error,” describes the three sport athlete, “once he scored I knew it was up to me to shut them down.” Brad plays football in the fall and basketball in the winter. “Baseball is my first love, it is what I am going to play in college,” he says proudly. Next year he will be playing at Meramec Community College. When not on the mound, Brad plays first base for the Pirates. A southpaw on the mound, he turns around and hits right handed at a .289 clip; with 8 rbi’s and a .346 slugging percentage.

It is his pitching that makes Brad such a valuable commodity. Presently he is 3-0 as a starter, with a 2.27 ERA. He has struck out 23 in 22.7 innings. “We have four aces on this team,” he says, “any one of them would be ‘the ace’ on most other squads,” he confidentially shares.

Brad did not hesitate a beat to proclaim Mr. Freeman his favorite teacher, “He just has a way of making things interesting. Really, he is kind of strange, but in a good way. He doesn’t just lecture; sometimes I think he tricked us into learning stuff.”

Brad lives in St. Charles with his mom and dad, Sandy and Scott Bichel. His sister, Jessica (20) is studying Education at Lindenwood, while his younger brother Cory is at Hardin Middle School just studying. He credits his parents with, “Providing me with everything I’ve ever needed to be successful in sports and in life.” He continued, “It means the world to me looking into the stands and seeing them at my games, they are very special to me.”

Brad knows what he likes, and likes what he knows. “I would go to Krieger’s and order a big old cheeseburger,” he said to end the interview.
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189