Letter to the Editor
Well St. Charles City Taxpayers, here we go again. Just how long are the city voters going to let special interest groups and their paid cronies run our city?
We have had our old police station sold for thousands less than it was worth, health care plans for our city employees signed without any bids or council approval, our “Top Cop” fired (retired) and our Mayor writing letters for his benefit, with the taxpayers picking up the bill. Now we have paid political friends of one developer getting laws in Jefferson City to allow his subdivision to hook up to city water and sewer systems even though they are outside the city limits; and another developer getting a judge to allow his subdivision to hook-up to city systems even though their homes are not up to city codes. We are told these systems are old and in need of repairs and I guess the city taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for those conditions, because these subdivisions are outside city limits and do not pay city taxes.
Now we have council members voting to let these in; Mr. Weller (who says he works for M J Developers) Mr. Hoepfner (who first said “no” but now says “yes” after he got plumbing permits for MJ Developers) Mr. Riddler (who first said “no” but now abstains after his media company got MJ Developer business) and Mr. Kneemiller & Mr. Reese who always vote for special interests.
I have an idea, send a bill to the state and to the judges for the upgrading of our water and sewer systems to handle the extra load; or better yet, for these council members to do the job they were voted in for (their ward residents and the city) and not for special interest groups or TO RESIGN NOW!
Folks, you have as much power as anyone else at the ballot box and we have one election coming up very soon. If you want your city back, get out and vote.
Walter Dietz
Dear First Capitol News,
You have all read the past issues of the FCN and have seen the numbers on Proposition A and B. The School Board paints an ugly picture about the future of the St. Charles School District if these Propositions are not passed. I see this as a win-win situation for the board if either of them are passed.
As stated in the district administrations financial projections, Prop. A will fulfill the needs of the district. But they choose to throw in Prop. B as a scare tactic, threatening to close schools and reduce teachers and resources. It’s a shell game and they are hoping for one or maybe even both to pass while holding these threats over our heads.
As a former Ozark/TWA/AA Airlines employee when the company needed money the first place they went to was the employees. They cut pay, benefits and jobs. It is an unfortunate point of fact that if the enrollment is down some fat will have to be cut from our school district. Coming from a teaching family, my father and my sister, in no way am I suggesting any teacher cuts as can be seen with the teacher per student ratio.
If we do in fact have a drop in enrollment, which no percentage has ever been revealed, and the School Board is really concerned about the education of our children, then let them start with a pay cut among administration. If the enrollment is being reduced by 15 to 20 percent then lets cut the number of School Board members down by that amount. The phrase, “put you money where you mouth is” comes to mind.
If anyone is looking for any other way to produce funds to support our school district then let us look as the projected 16 to 18 million dollars the city will be spending on the West Clay Extension. This extension will take West Clay and connect it with the Fairgrounds Rd. overpass. This will connect the new convention center with Lindenwood University. I say if the University wants this connection then let them pay for it. We need the money more for our children than we need a new road.
Dennis Wagner
St. Charles
To the Editor:
I would like to call your attention to several errors in the March 25-31 edition of the First Capitol News article relative to the School Board election. Although the article says that very little information about each candidate is available, I was not contacted for any information.
I would call your attention to the incorrect statement that “she ran opposed last April to complete the term vacated by Jerry Reese after he was elected to the city council.” I did run unopposed last April BUT it was to complete the term vacated by the resignation of Ellen Wallace. Also, it was stated “Ms. Darting has voted in favor of closing and reconfiguring the schools.” There has not been a vote taken at this time to close and reconfigure schools. I DID vote in favor of placing PROP A and PROP B on the April 4 ballot, which allows the voters to determine the future of the schools in the City of St. Charles school district.
I respectfully request that a correction of these statements be printed in the next edition of the First Capitol News.
Thank you in advance for this correction.
Mary Darting
Dear Editor,
Often Times life’s challenges can seem monumental.
Fourth Grade student Daniel Ingle faced the challenge of literally life and death, when he suffered a debilitating aneurism while attending school at Becky David Elementary on December 12th of last year. A fundraising benefit in his honor was held Saturday March 25, at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Hall.
When faced with what can seem impossible, you simply know it is time to call in people who can help you get it done. People, who you can count on, who give without counting cost, or expecting anything in return. People who can literally move mountains, and in reality; create miracles. Those people of whom I speak are each and every one of you, our friends.
It would be a complete understatement to say we were able to plan and implement this benefit alone. A special thanks needs to be extended to St. Robert Bellarmine Community, Faculty, Students, & Men’s Club; The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Athletic Association and Men’s Club, Francis Howell Board, Administration, Faculty and Students; The St. Charles Jaycees and Lion’s Club, The Duchesne High School Key Club, Mid Rivers Football Association, Pearl Computer, Nancy’s Specialties, Carrollton Bank and St. Charles City Parks and Recreation. These organization did so much to assist, too many efforts to mention, but we simply we couldn’t have done it without them!
Thanks to the following area businesses for donating food: Tony’s on Main, Mid-Towne IGA, King Edwards Chicken, Subway Restaurants, Pepsi Americas, Patty’s Catering, All Occasions Catering, Custom Catering by Beth, Dierbergs Markets and Chevy’s Fresh Mex. These area businesses totally came through to support this event. It is because of them, we were able to keep expenses to practically nothing.
A special thanks to all those individuals, business and organizations who donated items for our silent and live auctions. They are far too numerous to mention but all of their gifts enabled us to do great things.
Thanks to their combined efforts, we were able to raise $13,451.00 for Daniel and the Ingle family. That, combined with other donations we have already presented the Ingles with, our total is close to $14,000.00. All monies raised were delivered to the Ingle Family this and they were simply speechless and miraculously, after two neurosurgeries, Daniel’s total recovery is absolutely possible!
I have had the pleasure to be involved with some charitable events in the past, but never have I had the pleasure to be involved in such a total community effort. It is events like Daniel’s Spring Fling that totally illustrate what a great community we have in St. Charles. It is the people, businesses, and organizations that I mention above that make this community such a great area, and I am proud to call St. Charles my home!
On Behalf of the Daniel’s Spring Fling Committee, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
TJ Slattery – 636-795-8887 – 16 Sassafras Court – St. Charles MO 63301
Angela Slattery
Marie Georgen
Rob Georgen
Deb Houdyshell
Cheryl Folkerts
Dear Editor
I would like for those people attempting to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer to explain to me how it is all right for a Councilman to plead guilty to a Driving While Intoxicated charge after being arrested and keep his seat while a woman who has done nothing is being recalled. Dottie Greer has done nothing wrong. They are after her because she is an older woman who they consider to be a weak link. Dottie Greer has represented the residents of her ward well while resisting the attempts of millionaire developers and big money special interests. Now that they can’t have their way these millionaire developers and special interests are spending thousands and thousands of dollars to have her removed from office and they are being helped by Councilmen who are already very deep in their pockets, especially Mike Weller and Bob Hoepfner. So on Tuesday, please keep control of City government in your hands and vote no on the recall of Dottie Greet.
John Scherr
Dear Tony,
In watching the Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21, once again Councilman Mark Weller showed how very ignorant he is. It’s good to disagree with other Councilmen, but do it with your opinion in a decent manner. In watching these meetings, Mr. Weller seems to have a extreme dislike for Councilman Brown. Mr. Weller, your foul mouth at this meeting directed at Mr. Brown was out of place. Mr. Riddler, as Council President, you lost control of the meeting when you allowed Weller to curse not once but twice. This is not the first time he has cursed at a Council meeting. Are you going to let this foul mouth Weller to continue to do this? Mr. Weller you should be ashamed of yourself.
Ray Fogg
Dear Editor
A friend called recently to ask if I was “pro-Dottie” or “anti-Dottie” in the Recall election which is to take place on April 4th. My answer to that question is that this election is not about Dottie Greer. This election is about undermining the most basic of our democratic processes...the process of electing public officials.
Think of the consequences of this recall. To put it simply, this recall process is being brought about by people who did not like the outcome of a legitimate election and who had the money to hire canvassers to work until enough signatures were collected to force the duly-elected official to re-run for the office. What was the initial election worth then? I can think of a lot of officials who I would like to see have to re-run for their office before their term is over (starting with our President, for one), but that’s just not the way our democracy works. This recall process gives way too much power to those who had the money to initiate it.
If you are thinking of voting for the recall, please think of the consequences of your decision. If you don’t like Mrs. Greer or any of the other Council members for that matter, there is an election next year. Get out and work for the candidate of your choice. That’s the way our democracy works. And if your candidate wins, you’d better hope that his victory is not overshadowed by the threat of recall initiated by someone who has the money to do so. Our voting process should not be bought or sold. It’s too important.
Eleanor McCune
