Saturday, May 07, 2005

WHY - MOTION TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR WITNESSES FAILS

People at the Administrative Hearing before the City Council Wednesday evening left wondering why Councilmen Kneemiller, Reese, Weller and Muench would not vote to subpoena five witnesses who failed to appear.

A total of 17 witnesses were asked to testify. Twelve agreed, four refused and one did not respond. Those who refused were considered by several Council members to be the most important witnesses. They included Sharon Sander and Sandra Modglin, account managers for Express Scripts; Pam Williams and Andrea Salvati of Marsh Advantage; and Carey Caskey former Human Resources for the City of St. Charles. Caskey resigned during the City Council’s attempt to obtain insurance bids and a new broker of record for the City.

City Clerk, Marilyn McCoy told the Council she received a voice mail from Caseky who said she would be unavailable. Councilman Hoepfner said at the Mayor’s Charity Ball he had been approached by Caskey who told him in no uncertain terms she would not appear and testify. Sources also told us that at the Mayor’s Ball, Caskey also berated Council President Rory Riddler and City Administrator Allan Williams regarding the request by the City for her testimony.

On a motion to approve the issuance of subpoenas for those who refused to attend including Caskey, Councilmen Kneemiller, Weller, Reese and Muench voted no. Council members Riddler, Greer, Gieseke, Brown, Hoepfner and Koester voted yes. Since the authority to issue subpoenas requires a two thirds vote the motion failed. A later motion made by Councilman Mark Brown to issue subpoenas for records from the insurance companies was approved. In making the motion Brown said, “I can’t fathom why the Council wouldn’t want to have all the documentation of what has taken place here. We have a very serious offense that has taken place here. We have a stake of $200,000 plus on the line. Possible criminal activity. I can’t imagine the Council would not want to see it, to clear it or to act upon it. Why would anyone not want to have the documentation?” Councilman Gieseke added, “We need to subpoena all the documents including e-mails.”

Councilman Muench and Councilman Brown pointed out the Council members first received part of the material they needed Tuesday evening and part upon their arrival at the hearing.

It was obvious Councilmen Kneemiller and Weller were attempting to derail the hearing. Weller called the hearing, “A farce”, and at one point Kneemiller said, “(The) hearing should be ended now.” Supporters of the Mayor in the audience yelled, applauded and gave catcalls. They were cautioned by Councilman President Riddler who reminded them they were not at a sporting event but at an Administrative Hearing before the City Council and needed decorum. A member of the audience remarked to the First Capitol News, “Weller and Kneemiller have ignored the representation of the residents of their wards and are attempting to seek favor from the Mayor. The residents of their wards should take note of the activities of Kneemiller and Weller and take appropriate action.”

City Administrator Allan Williams, when questioned about documents, told the Council many of the original documents were not in City Hall and could not be found. Councilman Brown remarked many documents were missing and they needed to find out what happened to the documents.

Councilman Hoepfner said, “Carey Caskey is the single most important person in this issue and we need to have her here.”
Councilman Brown said, “I think it is important to point out to the public the State of New York has a $85 million damage claim against this insurance company. The Attorney General of the State of the Missouri is pursuing this matter to see if he can recoup damages for some of the people who may have been damaged by this company. It is important a record is made and we have to have documentation before we can ask if any of our funds can be recouped. Ms. Caskey is the one who can answer the questions and give us the information we need.”

Councilman Hoepfner said, “When she left, it was alleged Ms. Caskey was going through the files and now some of the files are missing. We need to determine what happened to those files.”

Even though several Council members suggested the members who voted no reconsider their votes, none did.

Councilman Koester remarked, “Mr. Weller, it seems to be a contradiction. In one breath you say find out as much as we can and in another breath you vote against a subpoena, for Ms. Caskey especially. I’m not surprised. You have had a lot of strange votes that don’t seem to reflect any kind of benefit to the City of St. Charles. You voted against ECM (East Central Missouri Sewer, the sewer company that is hooking up the TR Homes in St. Andrews to the city sewer system). You voted against Frenchtown. You voted against New town. You voted to stymie things, so it doesn’t surprise me that once again here you have poor judgment.”

The Hearing was adjourned until such time as the requested documents are received and City Administrator Williams puts the documents into a chronological order.

“Councilman Weller told us he wanted the facts yet when it came time to get the witnesses that could give us the facts, Reese, Weller and Kneemiller decided they didn’t want to hear the facts. The Council is being forced to make the decision on this issue with one persons reputation on the line. The Mayor’s reputation is at stake and when it came time to clear her name by calling the only witness, Carrie Caskey, who could fully explain the time line and the reason why there was no record of the contract kept in City Hall the two thirds needed didn’t appear.
time to clear her name by calling the only pwerson that coul dclear her name she was denied.”

St. Charles Optimist Respect For Law Recognition

St. Charles Optimist Respect For Law Recognition

By Tony Brockmeyer

On Tuesday, May 2nd, the St. Charles Optimist Club held their annual Respect for Law program. Recognized by the club were Sergeant Rick Luetkenhaus of the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department, Sergeant Doug Middleton of the St. Charles Police Department and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Bauer.

In his opening remarks, Club respect for law Chairman, Ron Bextemueller told those in attendance, “For the past 40 years, Optimist Clubs across the nation have worked to bring recognition to law enforcement during the first week of May each year. The Optimist objective is to inspire respect for law through sponsorship of various programs or events such as this one. By bringing recognition to local law enforcement officers who serve us, we hope to inspire others not only to obey the law, but also to show respect and gratitude to those who uphold the law. For 34 years as the county’s oldest club, which was chartered in 1971, the Optimist Club of St. Charles has been doing just that.”

He went on, “The Optimist Respect for Law program was born out of a discussion in 1965 between the president of Optimist International and J. Edgar Hoover. Originally, the program was designed to inspire respect for law between the police and troubled youth. Over the many years since it’s beginning, the program has now evolved into a community wide program. Optimists recognized the need to not only inspire youth to respect the law, but also the need to inspire everyone, including adults, to respect the law. What better way can we do this than to show our respect to those who serve to protect us? Our objective is to help make our community a little better place to live, work and play. Each day in the United States there are some 957,000 law enforcement officers on the job. Here in St. Charles and St. Charles county hundreds of officers are serving and protecting us every second, of every day, from the officer on the street investigating crime and making arrests to the prosecutor prosecuting those who violate our laws. The Optimist Club of St. Charles recognized the dedication and sacrifice of those involved in law enforcement and the contributions they make to the community each and every day.”

The Optimist Club of St. Charles selected two local law enforcement officers and an assistant prosecutor for their distinguished and dedicated service.
Sergeant Rick Luetkenhaus, St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department

Sergeant Rick Luetkenhaus, a 26-year veteran of the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department, is currently in charge of the Forensic Services Division. As a supervisor of this division, Sergeant Luetkenhaus is responsible for crime scene personnel who process crime scenes ranging from burglary and thefts to assaults, rapes and homicides. Their role in the proper identification, collection and preservation of all evidence is crucial for careful laboratory analysis which can yield information in solving crimes, convicting offenders, and equally as important, freeing the innocent.

Sergeant Luetkenhaus has served as a dispatcher, jail officer, patrol officer and as a crime scene technician. As a crime scene technician, Sergeant Luetkenhaus has assisted officers from local municipal police departments with his knowledge and expertise in forensic sciences in the investigation of crime. In the past, Sergeant Luetkenhaus has worked in investigating several homicides within St. Charles City, including the Jill Frey decapitation and the suspicious deaths of two young boys found nude and strangled in the woods at the end of Elm Street near Elm Point Road. He has also been called upon to assist the St. Louis Major Case Squad with major crime scene investigations within St. Louis County as well as other counties adjacent to St. Charles County. Sergeant Luetkenhaus has sacrificed many holidays, days off and family gatherings to respond to a call to duty. His work, and the work of those he supervises has helped detectives solve crimes and convict offenders.

Sergeant Doug Middleton, St. Charles Police Department

Sergeant Doug Middleton, a 26-year veteran of the St. Charles Police Department, is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division as a day watch supervisor. Sergeant Middleton assists in supervising 24-Police and civilian personnel who provide police services in the area of patrol, traffic enforcement and investigation, parking enforcement, hold over operations, in-house operations and with indirect supervision of police communications and 911.

Sergeant Middleton has served as a patrol officer, a field-training officer, TACT officer, hostage negotiator and department training coordinator. As one of the department’s hostage negotiators he has successfully negotiated an end to several volatile incidents. During his time as a TACT officer, Sergeant Middleton helped establish the unit into one of the premier units.

Sergeant Middleton’s most notable accomplishment was his service as the department training coordinator. Under his direction, and working with the Eastern Missouri Police Training Academy, the department increased its in-service training program, all which complied with police officer training standards, set by the State. As a result, SCPD officers could maintain their police officers’ certification locally. He also developed a computerized tracking system to track every officer’s training record.

Sergeant Middleton has volunteered his time to help with various community and crime prevention programs. He was also appointed by the County Executive and served a term on the County’s Domestic Violence Board.

John Bauer, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

John Bauer has been employed for five years as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the St. Charles County Prosecutor’s office. Before becoming an assistant prosecutor, Mr. Bauer was employed in a private law practice for four years. John is a graduateof the University of Illinois with a degree in Media Studies and a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law.

During the past five years, he has prosecuted hundreds of traffic cases including DWI offenses; involuntary manslaughter cases involving DWI drivers and DWI assault cases. John also serves as a representative of the St. Charles prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the DWI Court.

John’s commitment to the profession does not end with his duties and responsibilities as an assistant prosecutor. He serves as an instructor at Type III Breathalyzer raining and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training programs for police officers. The DRE training program helps police officers in recognizing DUI offenders who use drugs and become impaired to drive. He continues to attend numerous training sessions to improve his area of expertise in prosecuting DWI offenders and others.

An Optimist is an individual who belongs to an organization of people committed to optimism and self-development for the improvement of youth and the community. There are some 105,000 members who belong to more than 3,200 clubs. Since 1919 local Optimist Clubs have been working to “Bring out the Best in Kids.”

According to Bextemueller, “Optimist Clubs have conducted 65,000 service projects serving over six million youth and spending nearly $78 million annually. Optimists have been known as “Friends of Youth.’ Now they are becoming known for their “Childhood Cancer Campaign.” This is their signature program sponsored by Optimist International, the parent organization. Optimist Clubs worldwide are doing their part to stop this disease in children by supporting research and treatment programs and providing special outings for children who have cancer.”

The St. Charles Optimist Club sponsors and supports many programs for local youth with their time and money from essay contests, youth activities like teen dances, baseball and softball teams, to providing college scholarships to high school seniors.

Members of St. Charles City Council Fear Express Scripts Move to St. Charles in Jeopardy

By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Months of hard work and creative thinking has St. Charles City on the short list for the new site of Express Scripts headquarters.
Express Scripts, one of the nations largest mail order pharmaceutical companies, has been looking throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area to relocate their current operations from Riverport. Three locations in St. Charles were considered: the City owned property on Little Hills Expressway, New Town and Fountain Lakes.
It appears Fountain Lakes has made the short list. Fountain Lakes is located on the Northwest side of Highway 370 in northern St. Charles City. Bob Millstone and Hyatt Bangert are the developers of Fountain Lakes and had originally planned for the area to be primarily a distribution center. Since then, The New Town at St. Charles has them reconsidering that use and has many corporate clients looking to build. Keith Schnieder of Colliers Turley Martin stated at last Tuesday Nights Council meeting, “New Town has created a tremendous amount of interest in the Fountain Lakes area.”
Nadine Boone, Councilman John Gieseke and Bob Millstone have been trying to find a way to compete with the three other sites on the short list. Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “One of the sites is the airport property. This area is an enterprise zone and can offer so many economic incentives it makes it difficult for St. Charles to compete. St. Charles made the short list because of our area and the amenities we offer. Ms. Boone and Mr. Millstone have really been working to find a solution to place St. Charles on as close to a level playing field as possible. There are some incentives for creating environmentally sound buildings as part of the equation along with other creative ideas. The fact is, we are a long shot.”
It is ironic the Express Scripts relocation comes forward while the Council is conducting an administrative hearing into the signing of a contract for services provided by Express Scripts. Much has been written about Mayor York signing a contract with Express Scripts and she has now admitted to signing the document. Councilman Gieseke told the FCN, “I am confident the two issues are considered separate inside the corporate walls of Express Scripts. The only concern I have is whether or not Express Scripts will have the comfort level to trust the City if we sign any documents promising services or economic enticements to relocate the 200 jobs to Fountain Lakes. Since the Council is unable to get the witnesses who might clear the Mayor, it places the City in a poor position to deal in good faith with Express Scripts. Are they going to trust the Mayor? I think it is going to take the best efforts of the City Administrator and the St. Charles City Council to alleviate any concerns about the City’s resolve to have Express Scripts as a corporate resident if the deal makes sense.”

Council President Rory Riddler told the FCN, “The tax incentives and other economic tools being offered in St. Louis County have created a playing field that is not level. When you get right down to it whether we have the contract with Express Scripts or not will not be a deciding factor. Millions of dollars of tax relief will be the difference, it is an issue of economics.”

Councilman Joe Koester stated, “I am fearful the Mayor’s questionable signing of the Express Scripts contract may spill over to any negotiations for economic incentives the City may be able to offer.”

Express Scripts has reportedly asked for all incentive packages to be delivered by next week. We were unable to find out what, if any, incentives the City could offer to lure Express Scripts to St. Charles.

City Administrator Allan Williams and Economic Development Director Nadine Boon did not return our call.

RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR

IT’S A BAD BILL

Last week we published a story about Senator Chuck Gross (R) St. Charles, and a bill he sponsors which could be harmful to the City of St. Charles and all taxpayers. In typical government form, Gross has decided to take gaming funds from the City of St. Charles and force the City to spend gaming on one time capital costs. He is trying to sell the idea by tying our property taxes to the bill. This is typical of Gross.

Gross passed the Homestead Act which allows tax relief for seniors but didn’t tell anyone it hadn’t been funded and may not ever be funded. Gross tied the property tax relief to his gaming bill which only affects St. Charles for a reason. I believe Gross thinks we will not figure out he is trying to give the appearance of tax relief and fiscal responsibility when in reality he doesn’t understand the City’s budget. He fails to understand how it will affect the little guy. You and me. Gross believes we are not getting the full benefit of gaming dollars and it is dangerous for the City to become dependent on gaming for recurring costs. I ask Senator Gross: If you believe so wholeheartedly in not using gaming money for ongoing expenses, why do you pass budgets at the State level that use gaming for all kinds of ongoing expenses? What plan do you have to protect the State taxpayers if the Casinos leave the area? Truth be told, the State would be hard pressed to find the money without drastic cuts in needed services.

Gross knows the City of St. Charles has not increased resident’s tax rates since the Casino came to town. In fact, the Council is in the process of decreasing the utility tax year by year. This reduction is being done in a sound, fiscally responsible way.

Tuesday night we heard the State is cutting funds to the Seniors of our area. The City will most likely offset these cuts by picking up what the State cuts. So has the State really cut taxes? No, they simply shifted the burden to the local level. There is strong evidence demonstrating how many Cities are hurting. According to a survey done by the National League of Cities, 75 percent of cities are less able to meet financial needs. The City of St. Charles is not in that 75 percent because of the local control over gaming money and the fact the Mayor and City Administration used gaming to balance the budget instead of decreasing City Services and laying off workers. It is a local decision and Gross wants to take away local control. Once again he only wants to take local control away from St. Charles. The other eight cities with Casinos were dropped from his bill. One last question: Do you think Gross might be trying to put the City of St. Charles in a poor financial position so he can say he is the only one who could fix it?

HIRE STUDENT SUMMER HELP

Several months ago one of the Council members, I believe it was Councilman John Gieseke, suggested the Administration look into hiring students during the summer to help with the grass cutting on city property. For the past several years it has been done under contract by a company from Warrenton. The Council remarked the cost increases every year.

Councilman Gieseke felt it would benefit both the City and students seeking summer employment. Evidently no action was taken on his suggestion.

At the Council meeting Tuesday evening the Council discussed purchasing additional equipment for the park department and paying them to cut the grass. This is a good idea and I believe it would prove economical for the City. The Administration should move forward with this suggestion and place all the grass cutting under the park department. They in turn could hire the student summer help required.

THEY WANT TO NAME IT FOR THE MAYOR, BUT IT MAY ONLY BE FLEETING

We were told Larry Sasche, at a recent meeting of the Convention Center Oversight Committee, suggested the largest meeting room in the center be named in honor of Mayor York. Mark Brown remarked he thought only dead people received such an honor. The Mayor asked them to give her a week before they took any action. We wonder why she wanted that week. Was she expecting the Administrative Hearing regarding her alleged illegal signing of a contract obligating the City to a possible liability of $200,000 to be over by then? Did she want to wait until Kevin Kast and Tom Wapplehorst were confirmed by the Missouri Senate as new members of the Oversight Committee? We were told Ken Kielty would be leaving and Kast would be the new chairman.

It would make more sense for the committee to sell the naming rights than to name them for the Mayor or others. It would probably only be fleeting anyway. The new Mayor of O’Fallon, Donna Morrow, is already determined to change the name of the Renaud Spirit Center, named for former Mayor, Paul Renaud.

OLD COMPUTERS & ACCESSORIES NEEDED

Future Resources is looking for unwanted computers and accessories. The computers are needed to help children who cannot afford new ones. They are a non-profit business that makes computers “Kid Friendly” and then donates them to under privileged children. They accept any and all computers, monitors, keyboards, hard drives, mouse, printers, mouse pads. If you have any of these items and would like to donate them you can reach Jeff at 636 947-0638 or Leslie at 636 443-0095. They will pick up the equipment or give you a drop off location. If you know a child who would benefit from a computer but has no access to one let them know. http://futureresources.hopto.org

THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler City Council President

Remarkable Group Of SCHS Seniors
Honored By Special Rite of Passage

The Class of 2005 is about to graduate. Their senior prom is already a memory. Graduation announcements to relatives are in the mail. In a few short weeks, St. Charles High School’s football stadium will be transformed into a field of dreams. Digital cameras will record in high resolution the honors bestowed, the handshakes and hugs, smiles and teary eyes of parents and grandparents.

Graduation is a rite of passage, an affirmation of hard work and lessons learned. It is what all the late nights doing homework, long hours in the classroom and ludicrously heavy backpacks were all about. It’s also about proud parents who worked long hours themselves, but were always there for their children from that first day in kindergarten. I recognize those faces who clutched tiny hands and spoke in reassuring voices as we stood together on the steps of Benton Elementary. Thirteen years has added a few gray hairs, okay, quite a few, but we wouldn’t trade a day of it to live a thousand years.

For every generation, high school graduation is the moment when all things are possible. For 222 St. Charles High School Seniors and their parents, that moment has come. Sue and I will be there too for the graduation of our son Justin. I think he did a pretty good job teaching me how to be a good parent. The initial panic you feel when you hear you’re going to be a father is soon replaced with the panic of being one.

I’ve been trying to recall what I was thinking about when I sat on that field waiting for my name to be called back in 1973. I know there was a subtext to my thoughts that ran “don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip”. I was also probably thinking a little too much about the party afterwards. And maybe the valedictorian. I know I was thinking about spending time with friends over the summer before going away to college. I also remember thinking when would the war be over. Seems some things never change.

Sometimes, however, things change for the better. I have been very impressed with the “Renaissance” program offered by SCHS. It is a nationwide program brought here by St. Charles High School Principal Dr. Jerry Cook to encourage, promote and recognize academic excellence. In 1989 SCHS became the first school in the State of Missouri with the Renaissance Program.

To qualify, students have to maintain a 3.0 or higher and can have only one “C” in a semester. Qualifying Renaissance students receive special recognition at assemblies and are given spirit wear and gear. In 1995, Renaissance began to honor high school seniors who maintained their Renaissance qualification every semester of high school with a banquet for students and parents.

This year’s banquet was held at Stegton’s on April 28th and honored fifty-six of St. Charles best and brightest young people. Each student received a large pewter medal, suspended on a ribbon, with an engraving of the front doorway of the High School and the date of the district’s founding in 1846. Dr. Cook personally presents these Principal’s Leadership Awards to each of the students at the banquet, and recipients are then entitled to wear them at graduation.

The best parts of the evening were two videos produced by students. The first was where students thanked the teacher who had the biggest influence on their lives. The students then gave roses to those teachers. Another video contrasted toddler photos of students with what they look like today. Parents or guardians were featured in this presentation as the students’ heroes. It was an evening filled with pride, love and appreciation for a job well done.

The Renaissance program is funded solely through private donations. Some of the local businesses and groups who support the program are: Pundmann Ford, Parkview Gardens, Safe Way Tire Center, Wiegmann Associates, Inc. and the SCHS Alumni Association. Donations of any size are accepted at any one who is interested can contact Dr. Jerry Cook, c/o Renaissance, St. Charles High School, 725 North Kingshighway, St. Charles, MO 63301 or call him at 9636) 443-4187.

May will be a busy month for the Class of 2005 and their families. Whether they are graduating from SCHS or West, Orchard Farm, Francis Howell or Duchesne these are the leaders, the guardians, the innovators and the parents of tomorrow. The future they were born to write is about to begin.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

It is puzzling why Councilmen Muench, Reese, Weller and Kneemiller vetoed issuing a subpoena to the one person other than Mayor York who knows what led to the signing of the prescription contract with Express Scripts. In addition to this important information it might also be discovered why no record of the contract can be found in a number of places it should have been. It is a stretch of the imagination that copies of the contract could have been misfiled in so many offices from the City Clerk to the Legal Department. It is more likely either a systematic and deliberate removal of the contract occurred or the one Mayor York signed was the only copy and that was sent to Express Scripts and is the one Express Scripts is requiring the city pay them two hundred thousand dollars to void.

By the action of these four councilmen a two thirds vote of the city council to issue subpoenas not only to the previous Human Resources person, Ms. Caskey, but several people from Express Scripts and the Marsh Company resulted in the failure of the motion to pass. These four councilmen represent some twenty four thousand or so citizens of our city and I wonder how many of them feel they were considered when the motion failed due to their veto. Were they proud of Councilman Weller pompously prattling on about how the corporate world has flow charts they work through in a effort to provide answers, etc. etc. It is my opinion the two people who have the answers are Mayor York and Ms. Caskey.

Carol Diller

RESPONSE TO JOSH HAGER

In response to the letter from Josh Hager and in defense of the letter from Mr. Lehmann, I agree with Mr. Lehmann and question Mr. Hager. Some Points:

*In my time at the airport that goes as far back as the 1980’s, I do not recall of any incident where a plane struck a duck.

*I wonder if perhaps the ducks Mr. Hager encountered in the pattern he was flying were actually flying over the Hager Company Duck Club feeding lake. It seems reasonable to assume ducks would look for food in a lake as opposed to a concrete runway.

*To the best of my knowledge the airport has had an office or at least the last 25 years. For someone who has stated he has made hundreds of landings at Smartt Field but was unaware there was an office is a real stretch. It seems to me a person who has used the airport that often could make a reasonable assumption that someone must be on the premise to provide maintenance of the hangers, buildings, grounds and runways.

*Mr. Hager is correct regarding one of his points. A large part of the traffic at Smartt is the practice of take off and landings, and a good number are not based at the airport. However, there are more than 100 planes based at the airport. It is no secret throughout the area that Smartt is a great airport as stated by Mr. Hager and many other instructor pilots. However, what should be mentioned is that based on the airport is the Commemorative Air Force that have World War II airplanes and a museum, Kilroy’s Restaurant with a full menu, and seating for up to 60 located in the same building with the Airport Director.

In addition the Experimental Aircraft Group has facilities, Skylinks Aviation has a flight school, St. Louis Engine and Cylinder has a repair shop, and there also are two fueling stations. Consequently, there is a lot more activity at the airport than just students practicing take off and landings. It should also be mentioned the airport is a 24-hour facility, not 9 to 5 as implied. The ramps and runways are fully lighted to accommodate students practicing night flying and provide a haven for a cross country flier needing fuel.

*Mr. Hager alleges the expansion is based on faulty logic and incomplete data. I doubt there is any instructor that would not appreciate a few extra hundred feet of runway in certain situations with a student; it is simply a matter of safety. It is also inconceivable the County would be awarded a several million dollar grant for a project based on “incomplete data.”
*When a person with the name Hager writes a letter to the editor with incomplete data which is critical of Smartt Field, you may suspect he is a member of the Hager family duck club. If true, he would also be a supporter of the Great Rivers Habitat. I believe that group has, with assistance, stopped the runway extension and therefore lost the county a two million dollar grant.
Gerald E. Ohlms
Dear editor:

Thank God for e-mails and the computer savvy friend. It appears the Mayor got her friends all together and circled the wagons at the Express Script hearings. One had to be impressed for there were her people. People like: Ken Kielty, Kevin Kast, TR Hughes, John Sonderegger, Henry Elmendorf, Carl Maus and Raymond Stone, Tom Hayden. There were several hangers on like Steve Powell and Venetia McIntyre along with Richard Baum. Baum and Glennon Jamboretz were passing out stick on signs saying “save our Mayor”.

A lot of her supporters are from out of town and are not St. Charles residents. I understand that even Tom Hughes is moving out of town along with his right hand man, Steve Thomas.

At first I thought I was at the Mayor’s prayer breakfast, referred to as “The largest in the nation”.

Right away I knew I wasn’t at a prayer meeting of any kind when Ward 4 representative Kneemiller shouted in mid-sentence, “WHAT’S HE DOING HERE” referring to special council attorney Mr. Eric Tolen. I thought Kneemiller was going to go into cardiac arrest. He became incensed at the idea that Mr. Tolen was there and Patti couldn’t get the Council to let her have an attorney for this hearing.

Not to worry Patti. I was told by several Council people, before you have to raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth, the WHOLE TRUTH and nothing but the truth – so HELP you God, you will have your attorney, paid for by the taxpayers to get the truth out no matter what.

Also we should mention the ones not there like: Tom Dempsey and Ernie Dempsey, Chuck Gross, Joe Orthwerth and Steve Ehlman, all of who were against Charter Amendment #1 for our City. I almost forgot the union man, Roger Pryor. Did they not get an e-mail asking for prayers and support for Patti or did they just not want to be there?

Let’s look at the “Cover Up” with Marsh and Company, insurance broker for the city that got this cover up investigation started. They apparently were covering up the way they did business for quite some time for the Attorney General of New York to seek an $85 million fine against them. Come to find out they were not real truthful with the city getting the most for the taxpayer dollar for insurance. I believe the savings the Council has achieved on insurance coverage could be as high as $1 million.

I have an idea. If TR Hughes would buy that contract with Express Scripts for $200,000,that would take the taxpayers of this city off the hook and maybe it would take a little bit of wrong off of Patti. Till the City gets their subpoenas served and we get the true facts this city will continue in turmoil.

Bob Bredensteiner.
PS – Remember, Martha Stewart went to jail for lying not stealing.

ST. CHARLES HIGH TO HOLD SENIOR CITIZEN DANCE MAY 14TH

ST. CHARLES HIGH TO HOLD SENIOR CITIZEN DANCE MAY 14TH

Tired of the same old thing every Saturday night? Looking for something new to liven up your evening? Why not get out and hit the dance floor to some swing tunes from the good old days? The St. Charles High School chapter of the National Honor Society will be kicking off its first annual spring senior citizen dance on Saturday, May 14th, from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. The dance will be held at St. Charles High on Lindenwood and Waverly in the commons/cafeteria. The high school’s award-winning jazz band and orchestra will provide music for the evening.

In what the National Honor Society hopes will be an annual spring event, it has put together a night of fun music, mingling, and dancing for all those over 55. Together the jazz band and orchestra will be providing some lively dance numbers from the 1920’s through the 50’s and is sure to bring back some nostalgia for those big band days. Cake, punch, and other refreshments will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring their dancing shoes.

The dance is free and those with questions should contact Andrew Peters between 4 PM and 8 PM at (314) 705-1299.

THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer

Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness—-It works for me and should be available to all. The big stall and the big cover-up by a few often defeats the basic human rights of the majority Wednesday, May 4, 2005, will go down as an important date in the history of St. Charles

On this date a public hearing was to be conducted by the City Council to question the legality of a contract signed by Mayor York. It involves an insurance company and York’s alleged accomplice, Carrie Casky. The only evidence of wrong-doing is a contract signed by York. Casky sought other employment as Director of Human Services after the new Council delved into switching insurance carriers in order to save the City money.

There was no copy of the contract with Express Scripts at City Hall and it did not go through the legal department nor had it gained approval from the City Council who had no knowledge of the contract. It was a blatant, arrogant disregard of procedure and violated a City ordinance. This is against the law. This was not a “witch-hunt” but a quest for truth. The contract with Express Scripts had not expired when the Mayor entered into a new contract. When the City attempted to change carriers, Express Scripts provided a copy of the infamous contract and demanded payment of $200,000 to release the City.

Casky and York went to great lengths to create a convoluted hiring process comprised of persons outside our area to select Officer Corley to be our new police chief. It was suspected Officer Corley was chosen by York’s close friend, Sergeant Tommy Mayer, and the two women were attempting to satisfy Mayer, not the public. When the Council refused to allow that decision to be made by persons outside our general area, the travesty continued for at least 18 months and our City had no police chief. With the help of “Patti’s Patsies,” Councilmen Kneemiller, Weller, and Reese, they helped stall the process and attempted to smear the rest of the City Council. This little game was possible because of a flaw in the City Charter which stated the Mayor and the City Council must agree on the selection of a police chief.

The Council attempted to correct this so the City could have the proper police protection. It was brought before the voters. Patti and her new friends (acquired after assuming the office of Mayor) went into high gear and spent a huge amount of money to smear the City Council and put fear into the voters that “Riddler could not be given such power.” The mailings delivered to our doors were numerous, slick, and very costly. It also worked and the voters were once again duped, but not by a large majority.

After the defeat of the proposed change to end the stalemate, we continued on with no police chief and Sergeant Mayer apparently in control of the Police Department and the Mayor—with the assistance of Kneemiller, Weller, and Reese—the patsies wearing pants. The arrogance reached an all time high right after Sheriff Swope was appointed Chief of our police department. Our City Administrator wound up terrorized and face down on the lot of the City Justice Center with Tommy Mayer holding a gun on him. It took that kind of terror for the city to take proper action and the new chief to fire Mayer.

York fought the firing tooth and nail. One of her friends even boasted she got Senator Kit Bond to call Swope and intervene. If true, it is to Swope’s credit he did his job, rather than bend to pressure from a powerful U.S. Senator. Either Bond did not have the facts and acted upon lies or he knowingly did a cheap favor for a fellow republican at the cost of his own dignity. If this is true, then Bond should quit being a senator and fighting terror on a national level, move to St. Charles, run for Mayor, (should be a slam-dunk), and rehire Tommy Mayer so terror on the local level can flourish

Prior to Wednesday’s “public hearing,” York sent countless e-mails to persons she considered important, not the average voter, requesting they show up to “support the mayor.” About 55 people whom the mayor considered powerful did indeed show up wearing “Support Our Mayor” buttons. It was a dazzling array of stars. I expected an academy award to be presented at any time to somebody. Jamboretz, the St. Louis advertising guru who received the “Tsunami Award” for last year, (the big wind blowing in from the east that is being paid mega bucks by somebody to save the mayor,) was there in all his pompous glory.

Developer Tom Hughes, dutifully wearing his “support our mayor” button, was seen pow-wowing with his boy, Reese. Hughes was a money backer of Reese’s and is given credit for getting him to run for the City Council. Hughes is also the money and force behind the new bi-monthly propaganda piece printed and delivered all over the county by that St. Peter’s ad paper. Thus far, his publication has spent the majority of its space attacking The First Capitol News and painting Riddler as something more sinister than a fairy tale Ogre. The paper also provides space for York to write her tripe about how she can not be impeached. The major difference between President Nixon and Mayor York (aside from the size of their brains) is that Nixon had the sense to know he could be impeached and saved the country the ordeal by resigning.

Leading republicans from Congress explained this to Nixon. Kneemiller, Weller, and Reese could learn a lot from those republican leaders. They have a choice of going down with a cover-up or fulfilling their pledge to the public. That is the wisdom which separates the true statesmen from the cheap politicians.

Also present and basking in his glory was Henry Elmendorf. Henry is the guy that persuaded most Catholics to vote for his friend Patti because she was a Christian, inferring not so subtly her opponent was not. Nobody has ever accused Mr. Elmendorf of being a statesman, and I think he’s getting a bit stale showing up everywhere saying, “Me Too. Me too.”

It goes without saying Maas, and Hayden were there wearing their cute little buttons for the Christian mayor. These are the guys who spend a lot of time trying to save ducks so the healthy ducks can be shot by bored rich people camping at their duck clubs. They also appear to be against major development unless the developer is a friend. When they are not “saving Patti,” they are fighting the 370 development by St. Peters. They don’t live there either.

Last but least to be noted was Lionel, the husband not the train, wearing his cute little button and grateful to be Mrs. Mayor.

With Patti’s “Patsy Patrol” firmly entrenched, the public hearing commenced. Several lights went on and Riddler as council president, chose who could speak first. He chose Weller. Weller made the motion not to subpoena witnesses after Patti’s cohort, Carrie Caskey, refused to show up for questioning. Instead, he believes they should just procure documents to answer all their questions. With seven votes needed to override his motion, he saved Patti with the help of Kneemiller, Muench, and Reese. The elected “Patsy Patrol” managed to stall and delay the proceedings for at least another month.

One could not help but notice the smug grins on the faces of Patti’s Patsy Patrol, sitting in the audience wearing those cute buttons, as they left the public hearing which was not a hearing at all. They thought they won some sort of victory. They don’t care if she broke the law as long as she keeps them appointed as special and important.

They gained a delay, but the truth will surface. Before they put on those buttons after being summoned, they should have checked the sinking ship to see if there were any life boats on board. These “community leaders” didn’t just go out on a limb, they turned around and sawed it off behind them. That is really smart.

For those of you who missed the meeting, it will be replayed on our local cable station. Since the hearing has been delayed, we can all tune in and see for ourselves how we are being represented. The million dollar question is; if there is no wrongdoing, why doesn’t the Mayor welcome questions and explain herself? She’s not acting like an innocent person. Her actions more closely resemble that of a cat in a sandbox.

PUT ST. CHARLES FIRST

By Jerry Haferkamp

I thought after failed attempts to intimidate the FCN advertisers, the FOP (Friends of Patti) would give up the attempts to eliminate the only newspaper in St. Charles. I was wrong. They are now willing to spend thousands every two weeks on a tabloid insert in Patti’s other paper. They claim they will report on issues, but they haven’t brought up an issue in their weeks of publication. Their only issue is that they don’t want the FCN to give you information on issues. I dislike giving them any publicity, but I see by reading it their readers are being given a lot of misinformation. I will attempt to enlighten them.
First, Karen Hoffman: Karen, I’m sorry you had a “very negative” reaction to the moving of the Mayor from the Council dais. You will be relieved to know the Mayor liked the idea. She must have had one of those John Kerry moments. (“I actually voted for it before I voted against it”) Of course, that was when she had puppets on the Council and it would have been to her advantage to say, “see…I’m for this issue down here and so are my puppets up there, so it must be good”. Then again, maybe it was just so she and Councilman Riggs could exchange “winks” easier without trying to look past Councilman Hoepfner who was seated between them. By the way, the Mayor never was, as you implied, “part of the Council”. You may have inferred she was with the previous Council, since she ran the Council back then. “What does this city have that works?” you asked. Answer: Everything. Finally, they even have a newspaper that works.
Next, ETM: If you get angered watching Council meetings, maybe you should take the blinders off and see how this Council is making department heads responsible. Sure, the former meetings were much easier on the delicate senses since everything brought to the Council from “staff” was just rubber-stamped. I’m sure the Mayor shares your angst since it is now harder for her friends to get sweetheart treatment. Oh, and can you cite an incident of “intimidation”, or is that just another untrue hit and run slap at the Council?
B.P.: What Pearl Ridge Scandal? The Public Works Department approved a developer’s plans that nature proved inadequate. Since the developer didn’t have the money to re-do this storm water retention basin, there was little choice but to have the City accept responsibility for the work they approved. If they didn’t, the property owners affected by the Public Works Departments miscalculations could have sued the City as well as the developer. Do you think a Councilman shouldn’t be allowed to vote on something which affects residents in his ward? Is your Councilman involved in a “scandal” if he votes in favor of replacing a crumbling street that happens to go past his home? If so, don’t vote for your neighbor, no matter how good he or she may be. Mr. Brown did not give up his rights as a resident just because he was elected to the Council.
J.F.: The Sister Cities program has been in place for years and we exchange visits regularly. Funny thing, though, you only attacked 2 Councilmen for participating. Why didn’t you mention the Mayor? She has gone there, too. Oh, that’s right. “Teflon” Patti.
Mr. Launer: Your letter proved you to be the best informed of the writers. I would, though, disagree with the part about “unwarranted and unprovoked attacks” on Stephen Powell. In the past, Mr. Powell was enjoying jaunts to foreign countries to promote St. Charles as a “world class destination”. What a waste of taxpayers’ dollars! He appears to have used inflated tourism figures to get increases in CVB budgets. We also have evidence of the meting out of work to a certain business in small increments in what to many would appear to be an attempt to by-pass the bidding process. This was not a business registered with the State, so they wouldn’t have been allowed to bid if ordinances were followed. Lo and behold, as soon as the State audit was announced, they quickly got registered. Did you ever see a cat covering up its deposits in a litter box? Same activity. Add to that he repeatedly ignored requirements to submit his expense reports to the Council and you get a less than stellar public “servant”. When “ETM”, who was mentioned above, spoke of “intimidation”, he should ask some of the South Main businessmen and businesswomen about tactics used by, lets say, a certain CVB employee.
You know, this all makes you wonder what Mr. Ed and his cronies are missing out on to make it worth their while to spend thousands every two weeks to attack the First Capitol News. Maybe it’s because in a few years we will have a new Mayor and they want to put their bid in early. My advice would be to wait and see if the office will be for sale. You may be trying to make the purchase too early. Actually, what you thought was a previous sale was only a lease, and the landlords (resident taxpayers) are looking forward to getting a new tenant.
That’s all for today. I have to go to therapy because someone over at stchuckwatch called me an idiot. (I hate it when they agree with my wife) I hope therapy will help me recover. By the way, that wailing sound you hear on the first Monday each month at 9a.m. is the testing of our storm warning sirens, not the pinheads at stchuckwatch posting on the site, as some folks think.

Has Steve Powell been fired yet? Why not?

STRAIGHT TALK - Councilman Bob Hoepfner

Hey! Hey! Hey! It looks like I survived another week in this little village along the river. I have to tell you folks, we tried to hold a hearing last night. Some people showed up to testify. However the important ones refused to come. In order to get to the bottom of this insurance deal we not only have to have the records but those people who handled the records. Namely, our former HR director. The reason for this investigation is the City received a demand letter from an insurance company wanting $200,000 in anticipated profit loss. However, we didn’t have a record of the contract their demand is based on. All we know so far is our former HR director had the Mayor sign a contract with the firm. Again, there is no record of this contract, no copy in City Hall. The procedures for all this should have been followed. It gets approved by the Legal Department, Contract Administrator and the City Council as required by ordinance. Then the Mayor signs it and copies are made and placed on file with the City Clerk at City Hall. The only thing that happened was the Mayor signed it.

I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in the fact that part of our Council voted NOT to subpoena the main players in this escapade. How are we ever going to find out what really happened? How will we know what liabilities we have unless we can subpoena these people to testify? Not only the former HR director but representatives from our broker of record and the insurance company. The indication from the news media is our broker of record, that firm, is under investigation by the state of New York. Also, the insurance company. With all the dark clouds hanging around this transaction one would think those four individuals on the Council who blocked the subpoenas have made a major error. There is no prosecution of anybody at this point and time, there may never be. However, we have to sort through this mess to find out what went on. Those four individuals did a disservice to the City and the resident taxpayers.

If they are afraid someone is going to go after the Mayor, I can assure them this is not a witch hunt, it is a fact finding event. I know some people don’t want to be confused by the facts, however all I want to do is to gather the facts, look at the facts and make a determination if something was done wrong. If that is the case then we will go after whoever is responsible.

You know folks we have enough problems in this town and, as I have said for many years, politics in this town is a full contact sport. The Council is divided and there is always the game of one upmanship being played. My personal feelings in this particular case are everybody needs to put aside their personal agendas and support this effort to find out what has happened and how munch liability we have. After all it is your money, the resident taxpayer’s money.

On another note, much to my dismay and objections, we are still buying the firefighters underwear with no receipts required. In effect, they are getting a $900 a year bonus on top of their high salaries. I have a suggestion for the head of the firefighters union. He needs to start serving cheese and crackers with that whine he provides.

I would like to compliment Chief Tim Swope. I think he is doing an admirable job. If you notice the boys in blue are more visible, writing more tickets (I love it) and at the same time they are more friendly. Thank you Chief. Keep up the good work.

In closing I will remind you we are slowly turning this ship around to be more resident taxpayer friendly. We have a long way to go but it is turning. I appreciate all your support from around the city. All your phone calls, e-mails and letters. God love you, each and every one. Keep those post cards and phone calls coming. I care. I know you care. 949-0956.

Native American Children’s Art Exhibit At the Foundry Art Centre

Native American Children’s Art Exhibit At the Foundry Art Centre

A Native American Children’s Art Exhibit will be on display Sunday, May 8 through Thursday, May 19 at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center in Historic St. Charles. The exhibit in the Foundry’s Baue Children’s Gallery will feature artwork by Native American children, toddlers through preteens, from South Dakota and Arizona. The Callin’ Eagles Singers and Dancers, a student group from Arizona, will perform Native American dance at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15. For more information, call (636) 255-0270.

The Native American Children’s Art Exhibit was organized by St. Charles Community College, which invited Native American reservation schools to share their students’ art. As an incentive, each participating school was given $150 for art supplies. The program generated more than 100 pieces of original artwork, accompanied by biographies and narratives from the children.

The Callin’ Eagles Singers and Dancers is a group of dancers ages 5 through 15, from various tribes in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Using drums, songs and dances, the children view their performance as a source of healing the elders and “those who cannot dance.”

“This is a very positive exchange between cultures,” said Dee Miller, chairperson the for “Mentor Me” children’s exhibit at MOsaics Festival for the Arts, and one of the coordinators for the Native American exhibit at the Foundry. “It’s exciting to share such diversity with the St. Charles community.”

The Foundry Art Centre is a fine arts gallery overlooking the Missouri River at 520 North Main Center, in the Frenchtown district of Historic St. Charles. The Foundry features a Smithsonian-caliber art gallery hosting juried exhibitions plus 20 working artist studios where visitors can watch the creative process and buy art directly from the artists. This nonprofit organization also provides community meeting rooms, event space and a children’s art gallery. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For more information, call (636) 255-0270 or visit
www.foundryartcentre.org.

St. Charles County to Open Unique Youth Activity Park

The Youth Activity Park, a new 25-acre park located in Dardenne Prairie constructed primarily for youth ages 12-18, will open to the public on May 14 at 9am. The grand opening ceremony begins at 10am and celebration activities are scheduled until 2pm. This state-of-the-art addition to the St. Charles County Park system provides an array of recreational opportunities from extreme sports like skateboarding and rock climbing, to video arcades and study areas.

The park and its variety of recreational opportunities is a result of survey answers from area junior high and high school students which indicated a desire among youth for a park that they can call their own.

“We are excited about this park because it’s unique - we asked our youth what kind of recreation they wanted, they answered, and we listened. This park provides a safe place for our youth to gather outside of school and home,” said Bettie Yahn-Kramer, Director of St. Charles County Parks and Recreation. “We want youth off the street and off the couch – get them active and having fun.”

Park amenities include a 33,000 square foot skate park, a BMX trick track, an indoor/outdoor rock climbing wall, half-court basketball, sand volleyball, open play fields, and an activity center housing a video arcade, pro shop, and concessions. Covered park benches can be spotted throughout the 25-acre park, some near a pond that is home to giant goldfish. Video cameras located throughout the park will soon allow visitors to view the park on-line to check weather or see who else is visiting the park. Satellite radio systems will play music throughout the park and big screens adorn the activity center walls to show live shots of the skaters and BMX riders in action.

The skate area of the park has been open since October of 2003 and brings in regular visitors. Over 1,000 youth have registered for the skate park, including some from surrounding states and as far as Texas, New Hampshire, and Georgia who drop by the unique park during road trips or visits to area friends and family.

During the week, no one under 12 or over 18 will be allowed into the park other than qualified parks staff. Extended hours on Saturday mornings will allow visitors of all ages to enjoy the park together, but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All park users, regardless of age, will be required to have a membership card that is swiped to enter and exit the park, allowing computers to track visitors and help monitor the park for appropriate usage. When registering for a photo-identification membership card, all patrons will be required to show a legal form of identification that includes their birth date.

There is a low-cost, annual membership card fee of $24 and an additional daily fee of $3. A one day pass is also available for $10. Park hours vary by season, with longer hours in the summer to accommodate school breaks.

The Youth Activity Park is located at 7801 Highway N in Dardenne Prairie. Visit the St. Charles County Parks website at www.stccparks.org for a monthly calendar indicating park hours and age restrictions. Call the Youth Activity Park hotline at 636-949-7475 for park hours, weather-related closures and general information.

MY COLUMN - MIKE MCMURRAN SPORTS EDITOR

There is justice in St. Charles County! Sphincter Boy was suspended for one game by the authorities of St. Charles County Youth Soccer Association. It is not exactly the punishment I would have given him, but then I would be the first to admit it is impossible to be objective about your own children. Since my daughter was on the field and thus subjected to his behavior, it would be impossible for me to be objective. Those who have knowledge of the progressive discipline policy have informed me should there be a next time, the suspension will be stiffer. Three times and you are banned for life.

One idea from paragraph one parents might wish to pay attention to is: it is impossible to be objective about your own children. In my two decades of teaching and coaching I learned just such lesson. Luckily for me I learned it prior to having my own children and allow myself to try and remove myself as far as possible from most situations. Never do I question a teacher or a coach in front of my children. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER! It only undermines the authority of the teacher or coach. So many times I have heard parents questioning coaches and teachers in front of their children; such behavior is a mistake. Say what you wish, disagree if you dare, the research will support me on this one.

This past week I found out first hand that a local celebrity is a regular reader of this column. That’s right, Pat Holt, international performer who makes her home right here in beautiful St. Charles whispered in my ear (that in itself was worth the price of admission) during her Just Kids performance at the Knights of Columbus Mother-Daughter Banquet this past Sunday morning, that she likes my column. Also present, yet not a confirmed reader was Sarah Kirtley and her lovely daughter Katelyn. The performance was moving, it really was. The highlight, at least for me, was the singing of Bob Strickland, son of Laurie and Jeff Strickland. This young man sang Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly with Me” so well it left me humming the tune all day long.

My buddy T.J. Slattery let me know he appreciated the exposure given to youth soccer, he only wished it could have been more positive. In this week’s addition of the FCN we have included some of T.J.’s thoughts, reflections and ideas on youth soccer. Hey, only the best for our readers.

Because of T.J.’s article, I will hold off my story of the time a senior state representative from Florissant assaulted me with an aluminum baseball bat. Did I deserve it? Was he charged with assault? Tune in next week for the details.

The Benefits of Youth Soccer

Submitted by:
T. J. Slattery

Nice to see an article about the benefits of youth soccer. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but I too heard about the unfortunate incident at Maggie’s game last weekend. It is up to us, as parent volunteers, to put an end to the bad behavior and focus on the true benefits associated with this sport. Here are just a few:
More than 18 million children participate in youth soccer programs. Why, you might ask?
1. It’s easy to learn. Kids can learn how to kick a ball- although it might take some work to get them to go the correct direction. Its fairly simple to teach them the object of kicking the ball through a couple of goal posts. It holds their attention and kids as young as 3 or 4 can partake if they choose.
2. Boys and girls of all abilities can play- its all inclusive
3. It’s excellent exercise. With the growing concern of childhood obesity, soccer is a natural remedy to the ever popular computer games and game boy activities and get our children outside and active.
Fitness Benefits include:
Cardiovascular endurance
Muscle strength
Flexibility
Coordination
Balance
Weight control
Most importantly, youth soccer coaches have the awesome responsibility to instill social traits such as: discipline, teamwork, leadership, fairness and self-esteem with each of their team members.
All too often we hear stories in the media about “That Guy” or “That Coach” who behaved badly at a soccer game, or a hockey game or a youth basketball game and these accounts overshadow all the positives that happen in the program everyday. We need to hear more about the Coach Mark (Francis), Matt (Fairless) and Coach (Dr. Richard) Heises. Or what was that Wolfpack coach’s name? What he did certainly sounded fair and reasonable.
That could be the lead story right? One of my team parents sums it up pretty well— “The fact is plain and simple, God gave all of our children the talent and desire to play and to have fun. This is not professional sports, it’s a kids’ soccer league. It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s about attitude. It’s not about you or me or winning, it’s about them. Its about teaching them sportsmanship, fun, and good attitude. Life is imperfect and will go on. Win or lose. Negativeness breeds failure. Positiveness breeds success. “

Opposing points of view are respected and welcomed at the Sports’ desk. Should you wish to contribute your thoughts, kindly forward them to mcmurran@charter.net

FIRST CAPITOL NEWS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

First Capitol News Athlete of the Week

“…he gets me though some tough times, and I know it…” – of his father, killed in an auto accident in 1989.
Mike Schrader, Sophomore, St. Charles West High School

By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor

St. Charles West head baseball coach Brian Kessler hasn’t been hiding sophomore pitcher Mike Scrader, but you would be hard pressed to convince the Lindbergh Flyers of such. All Scrader did in his first start of the year was go the distance while shutting out the south St. Louis County school. “We wanted to work him along slowly, get him a few innings here and a few innings there before we threw him into the starting rotation,” said Kessler, “its not that he hasn’t been playing. He’s as good a first baseman and as good a hitter as he is a pitcher. We’ve even used him as a designated hitter, so its not like pitching is all he can do.” Mike is presently hitting at a .296 clip for the 3-14 Warriors.

It may not be all he can do, but he sure seems to do it well. At 6’ 4” and a southpaw, the underclassman seems to have all the tools to get the job done, and possesses a hefty dose of modesty. “All I did was throw strikes (against Lindbergh), the defense did all the real work. Its easy when your defense plays as they did.” Sure, and when a 6’ 4” left-hander is throwing 84 mile an hour fast balls, as Mike has been clocked, the hitters are going to be somewhat off balance.

Not being in the starting rotation ate at the competitive nature of the sophomore. “I wanted to get out there and compete. I wanted to get out there and contribute as a starter,” he shared. “Mike was penciled in as a starter at the beginning of the season,” offered Kessler, “unfortunately he developed some arm problems. Couple that with the season we are having. The coaching staff decided to bring him along slowly. We were not going to jeopardize Mike’s arm, no way,” said the skipper. “Now it is going to pay dividends, because now Mike is back. Back and stronger than ever.”

Mike gives most of the credit of his development to Kessler. “There is no question in my mind that I am the ball player I am today because of Coach Kessler. He knows so much about every aspect of the game. Playing for him is just plain awesome.”
Mike has more than just Kessler on his side. When Mike was in the 3rd grade he was riding in the car with his dad when his dad was killed in an automobile accident. It happened on Easter Sunday 1998. “I ask my dad for help all the time, whether it be pitching, hitting – he’s there, he gets me though some tough times, and I know it,” proudly says the young man.

Mike lives with his mom and step dad, Debbie and James Zahn. When asked his favorite eating establishment he quickly responded “Red Lobster.” He knew not exactly what he would order, but did know, “that if someone else was paying for it he would order a lot, ‘cause everything on their menu is good, and I really do like to eat there.”

To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189

BOOK SIGNING BY LOCAL ARTIST

Book Signing By Local Author At Main Street Books

Local author, Cathi La Marche, will be signing copies of her book “While The Daffodils Dances,” at Main Street Books, 621 South Main Street in Historic downtown St. Charles.

The signing will be on Saturday, May 14, 2005 from 1pm to 3pm. If you would like to reserve a copy please call 636-949-0105.