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Monday, August 28, 2006
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - FRONT PAGE - August 28, 2006
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RESIDENTS SHUT-DOWN BY MAYOR’S VETO
By Tony Brockmeyer
In April of 2007 the government of St. Charles will change. Sevral Councilman voiced their concern that the new system will become exactly like the City of St. Louis which has been plagued with political cronyism and lacks professional expertise. “Unqualified personnel ultimately leads to unproductive workeras and higher taxes, said Councilman Mark Brown. With the charter change that become effective in April St. Charles will go from being a system where the City Administrator has the power and the Mayor is part-time, with a strong City Council government - to one that will be controlled by a strong, full-time Mayor. When this matter was placed on the ballot it passed by a slight margin. The City Council recently voted to have this matter revisited by the voters. The Council felt voters did not fully understand the matter they were voting on. The Council thinks voters believed they were voting for either a full-time Mayor or a part-time Mayor and did know the position of the City Administrator would be eliminated. A majority of the Council feel the voters should be aware of what the change would mean and be given another opportunity to vote on it. The Council approved placing the issue on the November ballot.
The Mayor has other ideas. She vetoed the ordinance and sent it back to the Council where it would have needed seven votes to be placed on the November ballot. Councilmen Riddler, Gieseke, Brown, Koester, Reese and Greer voted to override the Mayor’s veto. Councilmen Muench, Weller, Kneemiller and Hoepfner voted to sustain the Mayor’s veto. Because of their votes, the veto was not overridden and the residents of St. Charles will be unable to vote on the issue again.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “Who can honestly argue about making it clear what is being voted on and letting the people express their feelings through the ballot box? The issue could have been on the ballot at the general election in November and would not have been an expense to the taxpayers.”
In her veto message to the Council the Mayor wrote, “I ask, what percentage of a win does it take for government to listen to its people? Our nation is a democracy where each person has a vote and the majority decides. While we may not like the outcome, we listen to the people and follow their decisions through the voting process. This attempt to revote on the same issue precludes the people’s decision and says their original vote just isn’t good enough. Win, lose or draw, I respect election results and the will of the people.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “This is the same Mayor who refused to respect the election results and the will of the people when she was one of the leaders of the effort to recall myself and Councilwoman Greer. Once again she is talking out of both sides of her mouth. When she gets caught in a lie she just tells more lies. I believe she must think the people are stupid.”
Councilman Mike Weller told the Council members that since the Council did not allow a vote on fireworks he was not going to allow a vote on a City Administrator or strong Mayor type of government.
A resident in attendance at the meting remarked. “Weller has an uncanny ability to demonstrate what an idiot he really is. Our residents would be well served if he continued to stay away from Council meetings and let the City do without his input. He’s ridiculous and an embarrassment to the people who voted for him.”
Councilman Larry Muench, Ward 2, appeared to have difficulty in announcing his vote, but he did vote against allowing the residents to vote on the issue. One of our sources at City Hall told the FCN, “The Mayor was really putting pressure on him. He lets Kneemiller, Weller, Hoepfner and the Mayor push him around, but then they do nothing for him. If it wasn’t for Riddler, Muench would get nothing done in his ward.”
During the April 2004 election when this matter was first brought to the voters in Ward 2, the Ward represented by Muench, the voters voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor. The voters also voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor in Ward 1, represented by Rory Riddler, Ward 7 represented by Dottie Greer, Ward 8 represented by John Gieseke, Ward 9 represented by Joe Koester and Ward 10 represented by Bob Hoepfner. Voters in Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 approved the charter change.
The Charter change was approved with a 302-vote margin by a vote of 5,746 Yes votes and 5,444 No votes. However there were 623 under votes. People who had voted for other items on the ballot but did not vote on the charter change. Council members supporting allowing the residents to vote again believe these under votes were because people did not understand the change and therefore chose not to vote either for or against.
Councilman Gieseke said, “I am not one of the Council people who are saying this is the right thing or the wrong thing to do. I still agree with the people the way they voted. But, what I don’t agree with is the fact that just because they voted that way we are not going to ask them to vote again. I don’t think it is demeaning to them at all to ask them if that is really what they meant because the campaign was run on full time part-time. It was very misleading instead of a strong or weak Mayor system. We were just embroiled in a couple of recall elections where people were saying they didn’t respect the majority or respect the people who voted for two of my fellow Council members. I think it is disingenuous to sit here and say that asking the voters if they understood the issue is that bad when we are talking about changing our charter. I for one will be out saying that a strong Mayor system is not a bad thing but I also think that allowing the people to vote again is not in anyway demeaning. It is not in any way wrong. It is one of the times where we have a chance to ask them if we actually got it right. We sit here and say let’s put this to a vote of the people, let’s put that to a vote of the people, issues that don’t even rise to this level and we want the people to vote on it. This is a pretty important issue.”
Councilman Joe Koester said, “There were over 600 under votes in this election. That tells me that a lot of people who came out for this election didn’t know how to vote. They just didn’t know enough about the matter. This was an election that was vague and some people didn’t understand it. The Mayor mentions great debate. It was not an issue. It wasn’t debated in the community. It is not insulting to go back and say here’s the issue. If it passes then we know for sure we have a mandate.”
Councilman Rory Riddler said, “In November we should have more than double the number of the people go to the polls. Most people felt they were voting for a full-time Mayor and didn’t understand they were voting to get rid of the City Administrator. A lot of people feel our system of government is very professional because we have that layer in there. It helps to insulate the department directors and city employees form undue political pressure. I just want to make sure that the voters have all the facts and then what they decide is fine with me.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “It’s ironic about this veto and what is really almost unbelievable is this veto is coming from the same person who stated that even though the signatures were fraudulently gathered in a recall, the people should have a right to have their input. Now all of a sudden when something effects the Mayor’s office she believes people shouldn’t have a right to have input anymore because if they didn’t understand what was going on, too bad, let it be. I think this is a really important issue that is facing the City of St. Charles. This issue is asking the people, do they want a patronage system? Do they want jobs to go to the highest bidder who gets involved the most in campaigns? Right now we have a professional form of government. The politicians can’t really get involved in who gets hired. You have a professional City Administrator. They run the City and they are in charge of the employees. Now we are saying we are going like the City of St. Louis where they have so many problems, where they have so much corruption, where they have indictments and where friends get all the contracts because it becomes strictly a political system. I don’t mind having a full-time Mayor. I believe there is plenty for a Mayor to due full-time. I think we need to keep the professionalism in our government. Some of my colleagues up here during the recall attempts said the people have a right to vote. Even when I said there was fraud involved they said no, no, no the people have a right to vote but now all of a sudden they don’t want the people to vote. The people should have a right to say what they want. This is obviously something that was misconstrued. It was misinterpreted. The election had a very small percentage turn out. We should present the issue during a general election when the majority of the people vote and give the people the right to vote. My colleagues who are sitting up here right now and who will vote the opposite way are the same ones who said let the people vote on the recall but now they don’t want to allow them to vote when there is something to do with the Mayor’s office.”
In April of 2007 the government of St. Charles will change. Sevral Councilman voiced their concern that the new system will become exactly like the City of St. Louis which has been plagued with political cronyism and lacks professional expertise. “Unqualified personnel ultimately leads to unproductive workeras and higher taxes, said Councilman Mark Brown. With the charter change that become effective in April St. Charles will go from being a system where the City Administrator has the power and the Mayor is part-time, with a strong City Council government - to one that will be controlled by a strong, full-time Mayor. When this matter was placed on the ballot it passed by a slight margin. The City Council recently voted to have this matter revisited by the voters. The Council felt voters did not fully understand the matter they were voting on. The Council thinks voters believed they were voting for either a full-time Mayor or a part-time Mayor and did know the position of the City Administrator would be eliminated. A majority of the Council feel the voters should be aware of what the change would mean and be given another opportunity to vote on it. The Council approved placing the issue on the November ballot.
The Mayor has other ideas. She vetoed the ordinance and sent it back to the Council where it would have needed seven votes to be placed on the November ballot. Councilmen Riddler, Gieseke, Brown, Koester, Reese and Greer voted to override the Mayor’s veto. Councilmen Muench, Weller, Kneemiller and Hoepfner voted to sustain the Mayor’s veto. Because of their votes, the veto was not overridden and the residents of St. Charles will be unable to vote on the issue again.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “Who can honestly argue about making it clear what is being voted on and letting the people express their feelings through the ballot box? The issue could have been on the ballot at the general election in November and would not have been an expense to the taxpayers.”
In her veto message to the Council the Mayor wrote, “I ask, what percentage of a win does it take for government to listen to its people? Our nation is a democracy where each person has a vote and the majority decides. While we may not like the outcome, we listen to the people and follow their decisions through the voting process. This attempt to revote on the same issue precludes the people’s decision and says their original vote just isn’t good enough. Win, lose or draw, I respect election results and the will of the people.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “This is the same Mayor who refused to respect the election results and the will of the people when she was one of the leaders of the effort to recall myself and Councilwoman Greer. Once again she is talking out of both sides of her mouth. When she gets caught in a lie she just tells more lies. I believe she must think the people are stupid.”
Councilman Mike Weller told the Council members that since the Council did not allow a vote on fireworks he was not going to allow a vote on a City Administrator or strong Mayor type of government.
A resident in attendance at the meting remarked. “Weller has an uncanny ability to demonstrate what an idiot he really is. Our residents would be well served if he continued to stay away from Council meetings and let the City do without his input. He’s ridiculous and an embarrassment to the people who voted for him.”
Councilman Larry Muench, Ward 2, appeared to have difficulty in announcing his vote, but he did vote against allowing the residents to vote on the issue. One of our sources at City Hall told the FCN, “The Mayor was really putting pressure on him. He lets Kneemiller, Weller, Hoepfner and the Mayor push him around, but then they do nothing for him. If it wasn’t for Riddler, Muench would get nothing done in his ward.”
During the April 2004 election when this matter was first brought to the voters in Ward 2, the Ward represented by Muench, the voters voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor. The voters also voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor in Ward 1, represented by Rory Riddler, Ward 7 represented by Dottie Greer, Ward 8 represented by John Gieseke, Ward 9 represented by Joe Koester and Ward 10 represented by Bob Hoepfner. Voters in Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 approved the charter change.
The Charter change was approved with a 302-vote margin by a vote of 5,746 Yes votes and 5,444 No votes. However there were 623 under votes. People who had voted for other items on the ballot but did not vote on the charter change. Council members supporting allowing the residents to vote again believe these under votes were because people did not understand the change and therefore chose not to vote either for or against.
Councilman Gieseke said, “I am not one of the Council people who are saying this is the right thing or the wrong thing to do. I still agree with the people the way they voted. But, what I don’t agree with is the fact that just because they voted that way we are not going to ask them to vote again. I don’t think it is demeaning to them at all to ask them if that is really what they meant because the campaign was run on full time part-time. It was very misleading instead of a strong or weak Mayor system. We were just embroiled in a couple of recall elections where people were saying they didn’t respect the majority or respect the people who voted for two of my fellow Council members. I think it is disingenuous to sit here and say that asking the voters if they understood the issue is that bad when we are talking about changing our charter. I for one will be out saying that a strong Mayor system is not a bad thing but I also think that allowing the people to vote again is not in anyway demeaning. It is not in any way wrong. It is one of the times where we have a chance to ask them if we actually got it right. We sit here and say let’s put this to a vote of the people, let’s put that to a vote of the people, issues that don’t even rise to this level and we want the people to vote on it. This is a pretty important issue.”
Councilman Joe Koester said, “There were over 600 under votes in this election. That tells me that a lot of people who came out for this election didn’t know how to vote. They just didn’t know enough about the matter. This was an election that was vague and some people didn’t understand it. The Mayor mentions great debate. It was not an issue. It wasn’t debated in the community. It is not insulting to go back and say here’s the issue. If it passes then we know for sure we have a mandate.”
Councilman Rory Riddler said, “In November we should have more than double the number of the people go to the polls. Most people felt they were voting for a full-time Mayor and didn’t understand they were voting to get rid of the City Administrator. A lot of people feel our system of government is very professional because we have that layer in there. It helps to insulate the department directors and city employees form undue political pressure. I just want to make sure that the voters have all the facts and then what they decide is fine with me.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “It’s ironic about this veto and what is really almost unbelievable is this veto is coming from the same person who stated that even though the signatures were fraudulently gathered in a recall, the people should have a right to have their input. Now all of a sudden when something effects the Mayor’s office she believes people shouldn’t have a right to have input anymore because if they didn’t understand what was going on, too bad, let it be. I think this is a really important issue that is facing the City of St. Charles. This issue is asking the people, do they want a patronage system? Do they want jobs to go to the highest bidder who gets involved the most in campaigns? Right now we have a professional form of government. The politicians can’t really get involved in who gets hired. You have a professional City Administrator. They run the City and they are in charge of the employees. Now we are saying we are going like the City of St. Louis where they have so many problems, where they have so much corruption, where they have indictments and where friends get all the contracts because it becomes strictly a political system. I don’t mind having a full-time Mayor. I believe there is plenty for a Mayor to due full-time. I think we need to keep the professionalism in our government. Some of my colleagues up here during the recall attempts said the people have a right to vote. Even when I said there was fraud involved they said no, no, no the people have a right to vote but now all of a sudden they don’t want the people to vote. The people should have a right to say what they want. This is obviously something that was misconstrued. It was misinterpreted. The election had a very small percentage turn out. We should present the issue during a general election when the majority of the people vote and give the people the right to vote. My colleagues who are sitting up here right now and who will vote the opposite way are the same ones who said let the people vote on the recall but now they don’t want to allow them to vote when there is something to do with the Mayor’s office.”
Police Learn Of City Hall Embezzlement After Story Appears In First Capitol News
By Tony Brockmeyer
In our June 17th edition we reported that a internal investigation was being conducted at CIty Hall after is was discovered that funds had apparently been embezzled by a employee in the finance department.
We were unable to get an official comment from City Administration. We were told that no police investigation was being conducted. Members of the City Council were not aware of the alleged theft.
At a recent City Council meeting a resident, Phillip Dees, spoke during Citizen Comments and mentioned the story in the FCN and wanted to know what was being done. Councilwoman Greer asked City Administrator Allan Williams for information after Dees spoke and Williams replied NO!
At a special executive meeting of the City Council held after the regular meeting, the Council directed Williams to provide information on the apparent theft.
The Council learned that shortly after the story appeared in the FCN the Administration notified the police of the theft and an investigation is being conducted.
When we first learned of the theft it was believed about $11,000 was missing. Now City Hall sources told us they believe the amount is much more.
The FCN has also learned that a supervisor in the finance department has been fired.
In our June 17th edition we reported that a internal investigation was being conducted at CIty Hall after is was discovered that funds had apparently been embezzled by a employee in the finance department.
We were unable to get an official comment from City Administration. We were told that no police investigation was being conducted. Members of the City Council were not aware of the alleged theft.
At a recent City Council meeting a resident, Phillip Dees, spoke during Citizen Comments and mentioned the story in the FCN and wanted to know what was being done. Councilwoman Greer asked City Administrator Allan Williams for information after Dees spoke and Williams replied NO!
At a special executive meeting of the City Council held after the regular meeting, the Council directed Williams to provide information on the apparent theft.
The Council learned that shortly after the story appeared in the FCN the Administration notified the police of the theft and an investigation is being conducted.
When we first learned of the theft it was believed about $11,000 was missing. Now City Hall sources told us they believe the amount is much more.
The FCN has also learned that a supervisor in the finance department has been fired.
Hoepfner & Weller Kill Bill To Appropriate Funds For Operation Of Community Center
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
As one observer put it, the good news is the citizens will have the opportunity to finally vote for a Community Center. The bad news is they won’t be given the chance to offset the operational costs with a use tax on out of state sales.
This split decision came as the Council voted last week to finally put a no tax increase issue on the ballot for a long awaited Community Center. That issue will appear on the November ballot. The vote to put the Community Center on the ballot passed nine to one with only Councilwoman Dottie Greer dissenting.
The use tax vote was held over a week because it was amended at the last Council Meeting. Individuals are exempted from paying any use tax on the first $2,700 of out of state sales, so it is mainly a form of sales tax paid by business on their out of state purchases. They would be paying sales tax if they made those purchases in-state so it is also a way to level the playing field for other local businesses and suppliers. St. Charles County passed its own use tax several years ago to fund the County Parks System.
Councilman Rory Riddler, who chairs the Council’s Community Center Committee said he was still happy the voters would be able to say yes to a Community Center, but sorry that just two Councilmen killed the use tax from going to the voters. “All the use tax did was give us the flexibility to offset the day to day operations of the center once it is open,” explained Riddler.
His reference was to Councilmen Bob Hoepfner and Mike Weller, who cast the two lone votes against the issue. Council members Riddler, Koester, Muench, Gieseke and Brown voted to place the issue on the ballot. But with the bill’s co-sponsor, Bob Kneemiller, absent for health reasons, the bill fell one vote short of passage.
Councilman Mark Brown told the FCN, “It is disheartening that Councilmen Hoepfner and eller would rather have a personal property tax which will hurt the residents rather than a use tax which will essentialy affect none of our residents.
Two separate surveys by the St. Charles Parks Board have shown that upwards of 79% of the residents of the City of St. Charles support building a Community Center. But Councilman Hoepfner stated previously he wanted the Community center built on land owned by Lindenwood University.
According to an e-mail circulated by City Administrator Allan Williams, Hoepfner claimed that the University would donate the land. However, a check by the Administrator with University officials found they had made no such claim.
Councilman Riddler challenged anyone on the council to bring forward another five acre site for consideration. The current preferred site was selected by the five member Council Community Center Committee and approved by the full council last year.
“With the $7.2 million Fifth Street extension and overpass, Blanchette Park will be easily accessible to residents in the fastest growing part of the City around New Town and the various subdivisions North of 370. It will be visible from 370 at one of the highest points of the City and take advantage of those resulting views. It would be adjacent to other park amenities in Blanchette Park, which was rated in the Parks Board surveys as the most well thought of Park in the City. It would give Blanchette Park control of essential parking now owned by the Boys and Girls Club and the purchase of the Boys and Girls Club property will help them realize their dream of building a new facility on adjacent land,” explained Riddler.
He added the site wasn’t commercial ground and would not take valuable land off the tax rolls. The site has already been appraised, surveyed and the architectural firm of Hastings and Chivetta had found the Community Center would fit on the site. “It’s easy for some on the council to take pot-shots at a site, when they don’t have an alternative to offer. There is no one perfect site that everyone can walk to. Everyone will get in their cars and drive there and if we build a quality facility, it will draw users,” said Riddler. Riddler also countered criticism that 37% of those surveyed living South of Interstate 70 said they wouldn’t use a facility North of 70 by pointing out that 20% of those same respondents said they wouldn’t use a facility South of 70 when given options of sites South of 70.
The exchange between Riddler and Hoepfner produced its lighter moments. Councilman Hoepfner said that he had received absolutely “no information” on what would be in the proposed Community Center and he “wasn’t going to vote for any facility that I don’t know what’s in it.” Councilman Riddler, who was elected to chair the meeting in the absence of Council President, asked the City Clerk to, “Please read to Mr. Hoepfner the list of amenities sent out to the Council.” The Clerk was already holding the document that had been sent out to all Council members and proceeded to read a long list of facility amenities including an indoor walking/jogging track, an indoor aquatics center, child care facilities for parents using the facility, aerobics, weight room, three gyms, refreshment area, lap pool and meeting rooms among others.
A letter by Park Board president T. J. Slattery also struck a nerve with Council members John Gieseke and Mark Brown. Slattery had his message delivered to the Council and wasn’t there in person to explain the letter which said the Park Board wouldn’t support the issue unless they could control all the funds. Councilmen Brown and Gieseke took exception to a board that does not answer to the people controlling such a large sum of money. After a lengthy exchange of views, Despite Slattery’s letter Park Board member Barb Clark told the Council that she believed the Park Board would support a Community Center.
Councilman Riddler ended his remarks asking the Council to think about what they would be doing a year from now. “Will we put up a plaque saying on this site nothing happened or will we be breaking ground for a community center like all of our surrounding communities already have?”
In the end the arguments failed to persuade the no votes of Hoepfner and Weller. Still, Riddler seemed optimistic. “If the voters approve the no tax increase for a Community Center that sends a powerful message to the Council and Mayor to finally get off the dime and make it work. Residents of St. Peters, O’Fallon, Florissant, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Clayton, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, Chesterfield and the list goes on and on, all have Community Centers they can be proud of.”
“Construction costs and land costs only go up, they don’t go down. Anyone who thinks it is too expensive is saying we can never have a Community Center because it will never be cheaper to build than it is today. We can do this. Our residents deserve leadership, not excuses,” said Riddler.
Councilman Joe Koester told the FCN, “Once again some on Council have decided to use their vote for political payback rather than for constructive benefit for our residents.
As one observer put it, the good news is the citizens will have the opportunity to finally vote for a Community Center. The bad news is they won’t be given the chance to offset the operational costs with a use tax on out of state sales.
This split decision came as the Council voted last week to finally put a no tax increase issue on the ballot for a long awaited Community Center. That issue will appear on the November ballot. The vote to put the Community Center on the ballot passed nine to one with only Councilwoman Dottie Greer dissenting.
The use tax vote was held over a week because it was amended at the last Council Meeting. Individuals are exempted from paying any use tax on the first $2,700 of out of state sales, so it is mainly a form of sales tax paid by business on their out of state purchases. They would be paying sales tax if they made those purchases in-state so it is also a way to level the playing field for other local businesses and suppliers. St. Charles County passed its own use tax several years ago to fund the County Parks System.
Councilman Rory Riddler, who chairs the Council’s Community Center Committee said he was still happy the voters would be able to say yes to a Community Center, but sorry that just two Councilmen killed the use tax from going to the voters. “All the use tax did was give us the flexibility to offset the day to day operations of the center once it is open,” explained Riddler.
His reference was to Councilmen Bob Hoepfner and Mike Weller, who cast the two lone votes against the issue. Council members Riddler, Koester, Muench, Gieseke and Brown voted to place the issue on the ballot. But with the bill’s co-sponsor, Bob Kneemiller, absent for health reasons, the bill fell one vote short of passage.
Councilman Mark Brown told the FCN, “It is disheartening that Councilmen Hoepfner and eller would rather have a personal property tax which will hurt the residents rather than a use tax which will essentialy affect none of our residents.
Two separate surveys by the St. Charles Parks Board have shown that upwards of 79% of the residents of the City of St. Charles support building a Community Center. But Councilman Hoepfner stated previously he wanted the Community center built on land owned by Lindenwood University.
According to an e-mail circulated by City Administrator Allan Williams, Hoepfner claimed that the University would donate the land. However, a check by the Administrator with University officials found they had made no such claim.
Councilman Riddler challenged anyone on the council to bring forward another five acre site for consideration. The current preferred site was selected by the five member Council Community Center Committee and approved by the full council last year.
“With the $7.2 million Fifth Street extension and overpass, Blanchette Park will be easily accessible to residents in the fastest growing part of the City around New Town and the various subdivisions North of 370. It will be visible from 370 at one of the highest points of the City and take advantage of those resulting views. It would be adjacent to other park amenities in Blanchette Park, which was rated in the Parks Board surveys as the most well thought of Park in the City. It would give Blanchette Park control of essential parking now owned by the Boys and Girls Club and the purchase of the Boys and Girls Club property will help them realize their dream of building a new facility on adjacent land,” explained Riddler.
He added the site wasn’t commercial ground and would not take valuable land off the tax rolls. The site has already been appraised, surveyed and the architectural firm of Hastings and Chivetta had found the Community Center would fit on the site. “It’s easy for some on the council to take pot-shots at a site, when they don’t have an alternative to offer. There is no one perfect site that everyone can walk to. Everyone will get in their cars and drive there and if we build a quality facility, it will draw users,” said Riddler. Riddler also countered criticism that 37% of those surveyed living South of Interstate 70 said they wouldn’t use a facility North of 70 by pointing out that 20% of those same respondents said they wouldn’t use a facility South of 70 when given options of sites South of 70.
The exchange between Riddler and Hoepfner produced its lighter moments. Councilman Hoepfner said that he had received absolutely “no information” on what would be in the proposed Community Center and he “wasn’t going to vote for any facility that I don’t know what’s in it.” Councilman Riddler, who was elected to chair the meeting in the absence of Council President, asked the City Clerk to, “Please read to Mr. Hoepfner the list of amenities sent out to the Council.” The Clerk was already holding the document that had been sent out to all Council members and proceeded to read a long list of facility amenities including an indoor walking/jogging track, an indoor aquatics center, child care facilities for parents using the facility, aerobics, weight room, three gyms, refreshment area, lap pool and meeting rooms among others.
A letter by Park Board president T. J. Slattery also struck a nerve with Council members John Gieseke and Mark Brown. Slattery had his message delivered to the Council and wasn’t there in person to explain the letter which said the Park Board wouldn’t support the issue unless they could control all the funds. Councilmen Brown and Gieseke took exception to a board that does not answer to the people controlling such a large sum of money. After a lengthy exchange of views, Despite Slattery’s letter Park Board member Barb Clark told the Council that she believed the Park Board would support a Community Center.
Councilman Riddler ended his remarks asking the Council to think about what they would be doing a year from now. “Will we put up a plaque saying on this site nothing happened or will we be breaking ground for a community center like all of our surrounding communities already have?”
In the end the arguments failed to persuade the no votes of Hoepfner and Weller. Still, Riddler seemed optimistic. “If the voters approve the no tax increase for a Community Center that sends a powerful message to the Council and Mayor to finally get off the dime and make it work. Residents of St. Peters, O’Fallon, Florissant, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Clayton, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, Chesterfield and the list goes on and on, all have Community Centers they can be proud of.”
“Construction costs and land costs only go up, they don’t go down. Anyone who thinks it is too expensive is saying we can never have a Community Center because it will never be cheaper to build than it is today. We can do this. Our residents deserve leadership, not excuses,” said Riddler.
Councilman Joe Koester told the FCN, “Once again some on Council have decided to use their vote for political payback rather than for constructive benefit for our residents.
Mayor’s Son, Arrested & Charged With BWI By Water Patrol
The Missouri State Water Patrol has verified that Adrian York, a St. Louis Police Officer and son of St. Charles Mayor Patti York has been charged with Boating While Intoxicated while boating on the river Sunday. No further information was released by the Water Patrol.
Other sources told us York was allegedly warned once by the Patrol to have someone else operate the vessel. Apparently he did not heed the warning and an hour later was stopped again by the Water Patrol and charged. He allegedly was belligerent when arrested and the arrest was video tapped. St. Louis Police Internal Affairs is investigating the arrest of York.
Other sources told us York was allegedly warned once by the Patrol to have someone else operate the vessel. Apparently he did not heed the warning and an hour later was stopped again by the Water Patrol and charged. He allegedly was belligerent when arrested and the arrest was video tapped. St. Louis Police Internal Affairs is investigating the arrest of York.
RAMBLING With The Editor - Tony Brockmeyer
Heeeees Baaaaaack
A sign in the window of a building on main street announces the “launching” soon of a new business by Monsieur Steve Powell and Mademoiselle Venetia McEntire.(the titles were indicated on the window sign)
In the business section of the August 23rd edition of the Peoria Journal Star an article by business editor Paul Gordon reports that Powell resigned Tuesday as the director of the Peoria area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The article said , Powell acknowledged he was taking heat from some bureau board members, who include several hotelier about the fact he favors a new hotel attached to the Peoria Civic Center. Still, Powell said, he was not pressured to resign.
The resignation surprised the board, if only because of several issues facing the bureau at this time. Those include the Civic Center hotel issue which Powell was recommending against the wishes of several hotelier who serve on the board as well as bureau public funding, which is pending before the Peoria City Council. Still, Cunningham said, Powell's resignation may provide the bureau an opportunity to take local tourism in a different direction. Specifically, he said, the board intends to look initially for a Peoria-area person to be its next executive director.
Powell has as much as right as anyone else to operate a business on Historic Main Street. I hope he stays away from our current Director of the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and gives him a chance to see if he can recover tourism in St. Charles.
Mayor Brown It’s Time To Go
If you have been checking our daily web log you have read that St. Peters Mayor Shawn Brown was indicted for allegedly accepting a bribe. A company trying to get the contract to install red-light cameras in St. Peters told federal officials Brown told them he would veto the bill if he did not receive the money. According to federal Law Enforcement the company sent a check for $2750 to Shawn Brown’s home.
Brown has plead not guilty and a court date will be set. He has not stepped down as Mayor of St. Peters. It was reported Brown said the money was a campaign contribution. Missouri only allows contributions of $300 in the Mayor’s election.
We all know that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty and Brown has that same right. However, he is in a position of power and trust that is not afforded to other individuals. It is incumbent upon Mayor Shawn Brown to resign or take a leave of absence until he is convicted or found innocent. He owes it to the residents of St. Peters to remove this cloud over St. Peters City Government.
Shawn it’s time to go!
A sign in the window of a building on main street announces the “launching” soon of a new business by Monsieur Steve Powell and Mademoiselle Venetia McEntire.(the titles were indicated on the window sign)
In the business section of the August 23rd edition of the Peoria Journal Star an article by business editor Paul Gordon reports that Powell resigned Tuesday as the director of the Peoria area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The article said , Powell acknowledged he was taking heat from some bureau board members, who include several hotelier about the fact he favors a new hotel attached to the Peoria Civic Center. Still, Powell said, he was not pressured to resign.
The resignation surprised the board, if only because of several issues facing the bureau at this time. Those include the Civic Center hotel issue which Powell was recommending against the wishes of several hotelier who serve on the board as well as bureau public funding, which is pending before the Peoria City Council. Still, Cunningham said, Powell's resignation may provide the bureau an opportunity to take local tourism in a different direction. Specifically, he said, the board intends to look initially for a Peoria-area person to be its next executive director.
Powell has as much as right as anyone else to operate a business on Historic Main Street. I hope he stays away from our current Director of the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and gives him a chance to see if he can recover tourism in St. Charles.
Mayor Brown It’s Time To Go
If you have been checking our daily web log you have read that St. Peters Mayor Shawn Brown was indicted for allegedly accepting a bribe. A company trying to get the contract to install red-light cameras in St. Peters told federal officials Brown told them he would veto the bill if he did not receive the money. According to federal Law Enforcement the company sent a check for $2750 to Shawn Brown’s home.
Brown has plead not guilty and a court date will be set. He has not stepped down as Mayor of St. Peters. It was reported Brown said the money was a campaign contribution. Missouri only allows contributions of $300 in the Mayor’s election.
We all know that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty and Brown has that same right. However, he is in a position of power and trust that is not afforded to other individuals. It is incumbent upon Mayor Shawn Brown to resign or take a leave of absence until he is convicted or found innocent. He owes it to the residents of St. Peters to remove this cloud over St. Peters City Government.
Shawn it’s time to go!
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
Professionalism Sacrificed To Patronage
To Satisfy Big Money Special Interests
When I began writing years ago, it was on one of those heavy black metal typewriters with ribbons that needed changed and keys that stuck. I don’t miss it very much. I’m a big fan of nostalgia, but not when it comes to the vast improvements technological innovation has brought to word processing.
But one advantage the old machines had over our current keyboards was the satisfying sound the type made hitting the platen as you pounded out a story. The madder you were the harder you hit the keys and the louder the resulting clack, clack, clack of the type. When you wrote an angry letter the whole house or office knew it.
This week’s column is a letter I wrote to the editor of the St. Charles Journal about their preference for a political patronage form of government and getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government. To fully enjoy the letter in the true spirit it was written, feel free to loudly tap a pen or pencil to approximate the sound my old typewriter would have made. Don’t forget the loud ding the bell made at the end of every line and resulting crash of the carriage return.
I’m sending my response to the Journal as well, but wanted you to have the opportunity to read an unedited version in your local newspaper of choice.
Dear Editor:
I was surprised by the Suburban Journals Editorial series against allowing voters this November to decide on a change to the City Charter. It must mean you are fairly certain a larger turnout of voters would have overturned getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government, now that they have had time to fully understand what the choice truly was.
Many voters in the low turnout 2004 April election thought they were simply voting on a full time Mayor…not to eliminate the position of City Administrator. Nor did they realize that all City employees would become in-fact, political patronage positions who could be fired on the whim of one person.
Currently the Mayor cannot fire any employees. Only the City Administrator can hire, fire or discipline. The Mayor and Council must jointly agree on the hiring by the Administrator of Department Directors, but beyond that employees are insulated from politics and are able to work in a professional atmosphere and not one of political fear.
I might also point out that these major changes to our Charter were approved by only a 300 vote margin citywide. In November of this year, over twice as many voters will go the polls as voted in that April election. It would seem preferable that such a major change to the form of government be decided by as many voters as possible, especially given the slim 1% margin it passed by to begin with.
You mentioned that this Charter change, which will take affect in April of 2007, will make City Government just like County Government. That is false. It will make City government in St. Charles the same as City government in the City of St. Louis. There Department Directors must raise campaign money for incumbent Mayors to keep their jobs. Every decision a Department Director or city employee makes after April 2007 will have to be with an eye to furthering the political agenda of one person.
What if you prominently supported the Mayor’s opponent in an election and then have to get permits approved by a City Department? Will you be treated the same as a financial supporter of the Mayor?
One glaring difference with County government that you held up as your model, is that County Government “elects” a Sheriff. We do not elect a Police Chief. Even in the City of St. Louis, the State of Missouri recognized that having a police force with that much power was not safe to place under the control of one person. They have a Board of Police Commissioners. But the Journal would take the position that one politically elected Mayor in St. Charles should have the sole authority to fire, discipline or promote the men and women of the Police Force?
Perhaps the Journal simply has a hard time believing that the current occupant of the office of Mayor, whom your newspaper supports, would punish enemies, reward friends and seek to manipulate the actions of city employees. But can you say that every past Mayor in recent memory would not have? What guarantees can you offer that future Mayors would not?
There is also a distinct difference in the quality of employees that seek to work under non-partisan professional city administrator governments and those who take jobs in political communities. I sat in on the interviews of candidates for several department head positions and I can say that it was a definite concern for many applicants. Many did not want to work in a city where the Mayor held all the reins and there were no checks on the power of the Mayor when it came to employees.
Many of the best and brightest simply will not work for a community where a Mayor can fire them on a whim. This is also a fact observed and commented on during the hiring process by our current City Administrator Allan Williams.
I also wonder if future Councils will have as much faith in what an employee testifies to at a Council meeting, knowing that the employee can be fired or disciplined for going against the wishes of the Mayor?
I should also point out that a City Administrator is hired on the basis of his or her specialized training, degrees and experience. Mayors are elected based on popularity. I am a great believer in elected representation, oversight and accountability of professionals to the people through their elected representatives. But that doesn’t mean you turn over the day to day operations of a multi-million dollar enterprise to the person who kissed the most babies.
No reporter from the Journal was at any of the Charter Review Committees to hear any of the discussion. No reporter or editor called me as Chairman of the Charter Review Committee to ask about our recommendations. I would feel better if I felt your opinion was an informed one.
I might also point out that the Journal took a similar stand against a recent proposed change to the St. Charles County Charter. That proposal cut back on the near dictatorial power of the County Executive to use the power of his office to sue municipalities without the consent of the County Council. That abuse of power has cost County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills. Fortunately, a majority of voters rejected the arguments of the Journal editorial and on August 8th passed the amendment…proof that voters sometimes change their minds given more information on a subject.
Unfortunately City voters will not be given the same opportunity as County voters as four members of the Council chose to deny them that right. The City of St. Charles will now have its form of government downgraded to a political patronage form of government starting in April of 2007. Whatever special interests feel they can spend enough to elect a Mayor can now exert absolute influence over the actions of every single department of City government. One stop shopping for special interests may be efficient, but it is not in the best interests of the citizens and taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Rory Riddler
City Councilman
Ward One
To Satisfy Big Money Special Interests
When I began writing years ago, it was on one of those heavy black metal typewriters with ribbons that needed changed and keys that stuck. I don’t miss it very much. I’m a big fan of nostalgia, but not when it comes to the vast improvements technological innovation has brought to word processing.
But one advantage the old machines had over our current keyboards was the satisfying sound the type made hitting the platen as you pounded out a story. The madder you were the harder you hit the keys and the louder the resulting clack, clack, clack of the type. When you wrote an angry letter the whole house or office knew it.
This week’s column is a letter I wrote to the editor of the St. Charles Journal about their preference for a political patronage form of government and getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government. To fully enjoy the letter in the true spirit it was written, feel free to loudly tap a pen or pencil to approximate the sound my old typewriter would have made. Don’t forget the loud ding the bell made at the end of every line and resulting crash of the carriage return.
I’m sending my response to the Journal as well, but wanted you to have the opportunity to read an unedited version in your local newspaper of choice.
Dear Editor:
I was surprised by the Suburban Journals Editorial series against allowing voters this November to decide on a change to the City Charter. It must mean you are fairly certain a larger turnout of voters would have overturned getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government, now that they have had time to fully understand what the choice truly was.
Many voters in the low turnout 2004 April election thought they were simply voting on a full time Mayor…not to eliminate the position of City Administrator. Nor did they realize that all City employees would become in-fact, political patronage positions who could be fired on the whim of one person.
Currently the Mayor cannot fire any employees. Only the City Administrator can hire, fire or discipline. The Mayor and Council must jointly agree on the hiring by the Administrator of Department Directors, but beyond that employees are insulated from politics and are able to work in a professional atmosphere and not one of political fear.
I might also point out that these major changes to our Charter were approved by only a 300 vote margin citywide. In November of this year, over twice as many voters will go the polls as voted in that April election. It would seem preferable that such a major change to the form of government be decided by as many voters as possible, especially given the slim 1% margin it passed by to begin with.
You mentioned that this Charter change, which will take affect in April of 2007, will make City Government just like County Government. That is false. It will make City government in St. Charles the same as City government in the City of St. Louis. There Department Directors must raise campaign money for incumbent Mayors to keep their jobs. Every decision a Department Director or city employee makes after April 2007 will have to be with an eye to furthering the political agenda of one person.
What if you prominently supported the Mayor’s opponent in an election and then have to get permits approved by a City Department? Will you be treated the same as a financial supporter of the Mayor?
One glaring difference with County government that you held up as your model, is that County Government “elects” a Sheriff. We do not elect a Police Chief. Even in the City of St. Louis, the State of Missouri recognized that having a police force with that much power was not safe to place under the control of one person. They have a Board of Police Commissioners. But the Journal would take the position that one politically elected Mayor in St. Charles should have the sole authority to fire, discipline or promote the men and women of the Police Force?
Perhaps the Journal simply has a hard time believing that the current occupant of the office of Mayor, whom your newspaper supports, would punish enemies, reward friends and seek to manipulate the actions of city employees. But can you say that every past Mayor in recent memory would not have? What guarantees can you offer that future Mayors would not?
There is also a distinct difference in the quality of employees that seek to work under non-partisan professional city administrator governments and those who take jobs in political communities. I sat in on the interviews of candidates for several department head positions and I can say that it was a definite concern for many applicants. Many did not want to work in a city where the Mayor held all the reins and there were no checks on the power of the Mayor when it came to employees.
Many of the best and brightest simply will not work for a community where a Mayor can fire them on a whim. This is also a fact observed and commented on during the hiring process by our current City Administrator Allan Williams.
I also wonder if future Councils will have as much faith in what an employee testifies to at a Council meeting, knowing that the employee can be fired or disciplined for going against the wishes of the Mayor?
I should also point out that a City Administrator is hired on the basis of his or her specialized training, degrees and experience. Mayors are elected based on popularity. I am a great believer in elected representation, oversight and accountability of professionals to the people through their elected representatives. But that doesn’t mean you turn over the day to day operations of a multi-million dollar enterprise to the person who kissed the most babies.
No reporter from the Journal was at any of the Charter Review Committees to hear any of the discussion. No reporter or editor called me as Chairman of the Charter Review Committee to ask about our recommendations. I would feel better if I felt your opinion was an informed one.
I might also point out that the Journal took a similar stand against a recent proposed change to the St. Charles County Charter. That proposal cut back on the near dictatorial power of the County Executive to use the power of his office to sue municipalities without the consent of the County Council. That abuse of power has cost County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills. Fortunately, a majority of voters rejected the arguments of the Journal editorial and on August 8th passed the amendment…proof that voters sometimes change their minds given more information on a subject.
Unfortunately City voters will not be given the same opportunity as County voters as four members of the Council chose to deny them that right. The City of St. Charles will now have its form of government downgraded to a political patronage form of government starting in April of 2007. Whatever special interests feel they can spend enough to elect a Mayor can now exert absolute influence over the actions of every single department of City government. One stop shopping for special interests may be efficient, but it is not in the best interests of the citizens and taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Rory Riddler
City Councilman
Ward One
CASE IN POINT - Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
This is Democratic bedrock: we don’t let people lie in the ditch and drive past and pretend not to see them dying. Here on the frozen tundra of Minnesota, if your neighbor’s car won’t start, you put on your parka and get the jumper cables out and deliver the Sacred Spark that starts their car. Everybody knows this. The logical extension of this spirit is social welfare and the myriad government programs with long dry names all very uninteresting to you until you suddenly need one and then you turn into a Democrat. A liberal is a conservative who’s been through treatment.
-Garrison Keillor, Homegrown Democrat, 2004
The past couple of weeks certainly have provided a fount of issues to write about. One of the most egregious acts was the insurance hand-out provided by the courts which ruled that insurance companies may neglect their duty of paying for home damage in the Gulf Coast area if damage was caused by waters driven by wind rather than by floodwaters or by wind itself...? This let off the hook, once again, the insurance industry which is earning record profits in spite of recent claims from storm damage. It also reflects the depths of power the giant corporations have even over the judicial branch of government.
For years, this branch of government was immune from criticism and considered removed from corruption and undue influence by powerbrokers who we know taint the legislative and executive branches of governments. More and more, our courts too seem to be guided by powerful lobbies and are in thick with corporations rather than acting out of the interest of the people.
Next, the problems surrounding, Diebold, and other such voting machines have made some national news and has received some talk on radio. Locally, at least one outspoken group tried to bring these well-documented problems to the attention of the election authority and county council. Unfortunately, the warnings brought forward by concerned citizens fell on deaf ears and we now have the very machines that have been broadly criticized for being very simple to manipulate rendering our election process dubious at best. The voting machines that are now sweeping the country have endangered fair elections and in many instances, the results will not be able to be audited to any degree of satisfaction. That is to say, if a machine has been tampered with and gives its result as programmed, the same result will be achieved every time one asks for computation. New generation voting machines are so easily hacked, it has been shown, that a high school student could tamper with the election process with no reliable way of retrieving actual voting records.
On more local issues, some on council stripped the residents of a chance to go to the polls in November and make a far more informed decision on the matter of strong mayor vs. weak mayor form of government. The matter would have gone on the ballot in November at no additional cost to the city. If one looks at the numbers of the original vote, you would see not only a dismally low turn-out but a high number of “undervotes” on the issue. These undervotes are determined by those who went to the polls but chose not to vote for an issue either way. This is usually a very good indicator that people feel uncomfortable voting because they don’t know enough about an issue. Think about your own experience, haven’t ever decided to not vote for the retention of a Missouri Supreme Court justice because you didn’t have a clue one way or another on how to vote?
Mr. Weller and Mr. Muench were two of the councilmen who decided that the voters of St. Charles shouldn’t have the opportunity to make an informed decision about the very structure of their city government.
Recently you received a nice political piece in the mail from your state senator. It was interesting to see how his letter included praise for all of his fellow legislators who are up for election this year. What a great idea to further use tax money to fund campaigns for incumbents! Again, I would call upon the Missouri Ethics Commission to do something of value and stop one-sided public financing of elections. I support public financing of elections if it is fair and allows opposition an equal chance to have their message heard, but supplementing campaign mailers with public mailings should be one of the first things campaign reformers tackle in Jefferson City if they are claiming to want real reform.
November will offer a chance for voters to voice their disdain for a system tainted by wealthy lobbies and corporate dollars. Voting for the status quo will simply be confirmation that we as an electorate do not care that our lawmakers can funnel money to finance their campaigns or that they can abuse their incumbency for their own campaigns by mailing out what amounts to endorsements and campaign literature on the public’s dime.
Recently, two prominent Republicans have publicly criticized their own party’s dishonesty. This simply reinforces what we already know about the party’s tactics in Tommy Green’s race where they sent out blatant lies about Mr. Green’s travels. So misleading were their claims that a (Republican) judge has allowed Mr. Green’s lawsuit to proceed against the Republican Party. Does telling lies imbue the family values they so often tout around election time?
Back to a national issue: the administration recently brought up the need for social security and medicare reform (i.e. dismantling) because the two programs cannot be afforded. If it isn’t blatantly obvious to you by now that our nation can afford those things it has the will to afford, then please step back and take a look at all of the things we seem to be able to afford – things that would certainly shore up both social security and medicare for many years to come. Things such as: estate tax reduction, capital gains tax reductions, income tax reduction for the wealthiest Americans, prolonged warfare and $75 dollar cases of soda provided by subsidiaries of Halliburton, a billion-dollar war on drugs that seems to throw money into an endless pit with few promising results, construction of new airports and their expansion despite the lack of a market for such, corporate welfare, foreign aid... surely our seniors, our orphans, our most vulnerable members of society should come first IF claims of family values are to be more than political rhetoric.
In one breath, we are told that economic recovery is here, and in the next news report we hear about how public toll roads are being sold to foreign countries. That’s right, Asian interests are purchasing toll roads in Indiana and in Chicago. Our tax dollars built these roads that are now being sold off! What reason is given for their sale? These governments are cash-strapped. A story on the radio today even claimed that the federal government’s highway trust fund is nearly bankrupt.
The Right is certainly moving closer to their wish of a government that can be drowned in a bathtub, only problem is, they didn’t tell you that the replacement would be their powerful friends. Look for Interstate 70 to soon become the Halliburton Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City. Besides a gas bill of $100 to drive across state, tolls may just cost you another $50.00 to boot.
Professor Terry Jones made a great point about the proposed new two-lane highway for truck usage being funded by a ten-year statewide sales tax – this tax is regressive because all of us will pay for this construction even those of us who do not drive trucks....not to mention those in our state who have no automobile at all. Instead, increase diesel fuel taxes for trucks, increase licenses for trucks to reflect the rates of all of our neighboring states. If the highway will be solely used for truck traffic, why not make those toll roads – owned by the State of Missouri, not a private corporation.
If our voting machines are not tampered with in November, I hope that election results will send a message from coast to coast that the American people yearn for good government that has vision and works for citizens rather than corporations.
I believe there are enough of us out there that still believe that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can be much better than what we have had for the past few years...
-Garrison Keillor, Homegrown Democrat, 2004
The past couple of weeks certainly have provided a fount of issues to write about. One of the most egregious acts was the insurance hand-out provided by the courts which ruled that insurance companies may neglect their duty of paying for home damage in the Gulf Coast area if damage was caused by waters driven by wind rather than by floodwaters or by wind itself...? This let off the hook, once again, the insurance industry which is earning record profits in spite of recent claims from storm damage. It also reflects the depths of power the giant corporations have even over the judicial branch of government.
For years, this branch of government was immune from criticism and considered removed from corruption and undue influence by powerbrokers who we know taint the legislative and executive branches of governments. More and more, our courts too seem to be guided by powerful lobbies and are in thick with corporations rather than acting out of the interest of the people.
Next, the problems surrounding, Diebold, and other such voting machines have made some national news and has received some talk on radio. Locally, at least one outspoken group tried to bring these well-documented problems to the attention of the election authority and county council. Unfortunately, the warnings brought forward by concerned citizens fell on deaf ears and we now have the very machines that have been broadly criticized for being very simple to manipulate rendering our election process dubious at best. The voting machines that are now sweeping the country have endangered fair elections and in many instances, the results will not be able to be audited to any degree of satisfaction. That is to say, if a machine has been tampered with and gives its result as programmed, the same result will be achieved every time one asks for computation. New generation voting machines are so easily hacked, it has been shown, that a high school student could tamper with the election process with no reliable way of retrieving actual voting records.
On more local issues, some on council stripped the residents of a chance to go to the polls in November and make a far more informed decision on the matter of strong mayor vs. weak mayor form of government. The matter would have gone on the ballot in November at no additional cost to the city. If one looks at the numbers of the original vote, you would see not only a dismally low turn-out but a high number of “undervotes” on the issue. These undervotes are determined by those who went to the polls but chose not to vote for an issue either way. This is usually a very good indicator that people feel uncomfortable voting because they don’t know enough about an issue. Think about your own experience, haven’t ever decided to not vote for the retention of a Missouri Supreme Court justice because you didn’t have a clue one way or another on how to vote?
Mr. Weller and Mr. Muench were two of the councilmen who decided that the voters of St. Charles shouldn’t have the opportunity to make an informed decision about the very structure of their city government.
Recently you received a nice political piece in the mail from your state senator. It was interesting to see how his letter included praise for all of his fellow legislators who are up for election this year. What a great idea to further use tax money to fund campaigns for incumbents! Again, I would call upon the Missouri Ethics Commission to do something of value and stop one-sided public financing of elections. I support public financing of elections if it is fair and allows opposition an equal chance to have their message heard, but supplementing campaign mailers with public mailings should be one of the first things campaign reformers tackle in Jefferson City if they are claiming to want real reform.
November will offer a chance for voters to voice their disdain for a system tainted by wealthy lobbies and corporate dollars. Voting for the status quo will simply be confirmation that we as an electorate do not care that our lawmakers can funnel money to finance their campaigns or that they can abuse their incumbency for their own campaigns by mailing out what amounts to endorsements and campaign literature on the public’s dime.
Recently, two prominent Republicans have publicly criticized their own party’s dishonesty. This simply reinforces what we already know about the party’s tactics in Tommy Green’s race where they sent out blatant lies about Mr. Green’s travels. So misleading were their claims that a (Republican) judge has allowed Mr. Green’s lawsuit to proceed against the Republican Party. Does telling lies imbue the family values they so often tout around election time?
Back to a national issue: the administration recently brought up the need for social security and medicare reform (i.e. dismantling) because the two programs cannot be afforded. If it isn’t blatantly obvious to you by now that our nation can afford those things it has the will to afford, then please step back and take a look at all of the things we seem to be able to afford – things that would certainly shore up both social security and medicare for many years to come. Things such as: estate tax reduction, capital gains tax reductions, income tax reduction for the wealthiest Americans, prolonged warfare and $75 dollar cases of soda provided by subsidiaries of Halliburton, a billion-dollar war on drugs that seems to throw money into an endless pit with few promising results, construction of new airports and their expansion despite the lack of a market for such, corporate welfare, foreign aid... surely our seniors, our orphans, our most vulnerable members of society should come first IF claims of family values are to be more than political rhetoric.
In one breath, we are told that economic recovery is here, and in the next news report we hear about how public toll roads are being sold to foreign countries. That’s right, Asian interests are purchasing toll roads in Indiana and in Chicago. Our tax dollars built these roads that are now being sold off! What reason is given for their sale? These governments are cash-strapped. A story on the radio today even claimed that the federal government’s highway trust fund is nearly bankrupt.
The Right is certainly moving closer to their wish of a government that can be drowned in a bathtub, only problem is, they didn’t tell you that the replacement would be their powerful friends. Look for Interstate 70 to soon become the Halliburton Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City. Besides a gas bill of $100 to drive across state, tolls may just cost you another $50.00 to boot.
Professor Terry Jones made a great point about the proposed new two-lane highway for truck usage being funded by a ten-year statewide sales tax – this tax is regressive because all of us will pay for this construction even those of us who do not drive trucks....not to mention those in our state who have no automobile at all. Instead, increase diesel fuel taxes for trucks, increase licenses for trucks to reflect the rates of all of our neighboring states. If the highway will be solely used for truck traffic, why not make those toll roads – owned by the State of Missouri, not a private corporation.
If our voting machines are not tampered with in November, I hope that election results will send a message from coast to coast that the American people yearn for good government that has vision and works for citizens rather than corporations.
I believe there are enough of us out there that still believe that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can be much better than what we have had for the past few years...
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - By Alex Spencer
Well, the dust has settled on another election day, and there were a few surprises. I am sure that I will spend a couple columns going over what happened, but I think we should probably start with things that gave me pause.
The trouncing that Scott Rupp gave Joe Brazil was pretty impressive. I can’t honestly say that I was surprised, as I suspected that Rupp would carry the day. The surprise comes from the losing camp. I can’t believe what a sore loser Brazil is. I mean, what’s up with this guy? He has whined to anyone who will listen that he was somehow persecuted by the Republican Party. Okay, seriously, couldn’t his duck hunter sugar daddy protect him? His campaign staff (namely Malcontent MacNab and Pathetic Brandy Pedersen) were way out of their league and he was plain old fashioned whupped at the polls. While in the heat of battle, some things may have been a tad overblown, I’m not sure that he should be trying to “correct” the misconceptions. For example, I’m not sure stressing that the death of his best friend from high school resulted from an accident, as opposed to anything specific, was the way to go. I might have just let that issue go away quietly. Also, being specific about which women from his past may or may not have worked over in East St. Louis was probably not the way to go either. Had he simply left these issues alone, they would have gone away. Now, everyone is wondering exactly how bad this bad boy really is. Not the best result for Brazil. The Republican Party neither needs nor wants you Brazil. I might agree that perhaps the party (and the Governor by extension) maybe should not have taken such an active role, but this seat is important to us, and we can’t afford to let a whacko into the State Senate on our side of the aisle. We can see through your smart growth schtick and it’s not impressing any of us. That duck boy cash was not sufficient, and the voters saw right through you. Go away and continue to cause trouble on the County Council. Leave the governing in Jefferson City to those far more qualified. Oh, and P.S. what were you thinking putting your political future in the hands of a nutball like MacNab. You might consider more mainstream values when re-election time rolls around or you too may be done with your career in public service.
The margin of victory for Nancy Matheny was extremely impressive. She rolled right over St. Peters Alderman Patrick Barclay without even breaking a sweat. Unlike Barclay who was sporting a sunburn from pounding the pavement for several weeks. Apparently he knocked on people’s doors and they were just plain unimpressed. Either that or he failed to explain his general wishy-washiness and inability to actually case a vote, and people wanted someone to represent them who was willing to do the job. He sold his soul to the duckboys for very little money, alienated his colleagues, and got very little to show for it. His squeaky wheel gets the oil approach to governance is unimpressive and not worth much to any of his constituents. I wonder if he’ll actually go back and try to represent his constituents now and maybe cast an occasional vote or two. Might help, who knows? In any case, I suspect Barclay better get comfortable where he is. His rather impressive loss does not bode well for any higher aspirations on his part.
Now, on to even bigger surprises. Bob Schnur lost, and not by much. When the margin of victory for your opponent is right around 40 or so votes, that’s when you start banging your head against the wall. A more decisive loss (as in Barclay or Brazil’s case) is generally more desirable. It’s too bad really, I think he would have done a great job, and notwithstanding a brief dance with the duckboys, he’s been a great public servant. He may come back to us in a different role one of these days, but who knows? I guess the Collector’s race will come down to two employees of the former Collector. Certainly interesting. Maybe the voters are sending incumbent office holders some kind of message. We’ll see.
Darrel Lackey lost to Joe Cronin. This was the only victory of note for the anti-growth, green wing of the Republican Party and possibly the biggest disappointment. Talk about a significant issue of qualifications. Cronin is and was simply a spoiler. Had he gotten out of Lackey’s way, we would not have lost a seat on the County Council to the Democrats. Clearly this is a guy willing to put his pathetic, fringe personal agenda ahead of the interest of his party. That being said, it is highly unlikely that Cronin survives the race in November against Cheryl Hibbeler. She is doing and saying all the right things and that bodes well for her. Too bad really, it was good when we could say that we had an all-Republican County Council. The Democrats are in a position to pick up seats one-by-one, which gives an interesting forecast with regard to what’s happening in the County.
That probably covers the big surprises. There were some relatively predictable victories including Neer for Sheriff and Thornhill beating Gartner. RINO Rick Zerr won his race as well, so his pension will be safe after all. Considering the fortune he must have spent on the multiple mailings and television commercials, it was relatively predictable. The only surprise in his race was the number of Republican notables who were convinced by Senator Gross to throw their support behind Zerr (who used to hold the office as a Democrat), but I guess Gross is just that kind of guy.
I think I’ll save my other observations for next time. After all, sometimes you need to take a wait and see outcome regarding the results on Election Day.
The trouncing that Scott Rupp gave Joe Brazil was pretty impressive. I can’t honestly say that I was surprised, as I suspected that Rupp would carry the day. The surprise comes from the losing camp. I can’t believe what a sore loser Brazil is. I mean, what’s up with this guy? He has whined to anyone who will listen that he was somehow persecuted by the Republican Party. Okay, seriously, couldn’t his duck hunter sugar daddy protect him? His campaign staff (namely Malcontent MacNab and Pathetic Brandy Pedersen) were way out of their league and he was plain old fashioned whupped at the polls. While in the heat of battle, some things may have been a tad overblown, I’m not sure that he should be trying to “correct” the misconceptions. For example, I’m not sure stressing that the death of his best friend from high school resulted from an accident, as opposed to anything specific, was the way to go. I might have just let that issue go away quietly. Also, being specific about which women from his past may or may not have worked over in East St. Louis was probably not the way to go either. Had he simply left these issues alone, they would have gone away. Now, everyone is wondering exactly how bad this bad boy really is. Not the best result for Brazil. The Republican Party neither needs nor wants you Brazil. I might agree that perhaps the party (and the Governor by extension) maybe should not have taken such an active role, but this seat is important to us, and we can’t afford to let a whacko into the State Senate on our side of the aisle. We can see through your smart growth schtick and it’s not impressing any of us. That duck boy cash was not sufficient, and the voters saw right through you. Go away and continue to cause trouble on the County Council. Leave the governing in Jefferson City to those far more qualified. Oh, and P.S. what were you thinking putting your political future in the hands of a nutball like MacNab. You might consider more mainstream values when re-election time rolls around or you too may be done with your career in public service.
The margin of victory for Nancy Matheny was extremely impressive. She rolled right over St. Peters Alderman Patrick Barclay without even breaking a sweat. Unlike Barclay who was sporting a sunburn from pounding the pavement for several weeks. Apparently he knocked on people’s doors and they were just plain unimpressed. Either that or he failed to explain his general wishy-washiness and inability to actually case a vote, and people wanted someone to represent them who was willing to do the job. He sold his soul to the duckboys for very little money, alienated his colleagues, and got very little to show for it. His squeaky wheel gets the oil approach to governance is unimpressive and not worth much to any of his constituents. I wonder if he’ll actually go back and try to represent his constituents now and maybe cast an occasional vote or two. Might help, who knows? In any case, I suspect Barclay better get comfortable where he is. His rather impressive loss does not bode well for any higher aspirations on his part.
Now, on to even bigger surprises. Bob Schnur lost, and not by much. When the margin of victory for your opponent is right around 40 or so votes, that’s when you start banging your head against the wall. A more decisive loss (as in Barclay or Brazil’s case) is generally more desirable. It’s too bad really, I think he would have done a great job, and notwithstanding a brief dance with the duckboys, he’s been a great public servant. He may come back to us in a different role one of these days, but who knows? I guess the Collector’s race will come down to two employees of the former Collector. Certainly interesting. Maybe the voters are sending incumbent office holders some kind of message. We’ll see.
Darrel Lackey lost to Joe Cronin. This was the only victory of note for the anti-growth, green wing of the Republican Party and possibly the biggest disappointment. Talk about a significant issue of qualifications. Cronin is and was simply a spoiler. Had he gotten out of Lackey’s way, we would not have lost a seat on the County Council to the Democrats. Clearly this is a guy willing to put his pathetic, fringe personal agenda ahead of the interest of his party. That being said, it is highly unlikely that Cronin survives the race in November against Cheryl Hibbeler. She is doing and saying all the right things and that bodes well for her. Too bad really, it was good when we could say that we had an all-Republican County Council. The Democrats are in a position to pick up seats one-by-one, which gives an interesting forecast with regard to what’s happening in the County.
That probably covers the big surprises. There were some relatively predictable victories including Neer for Sheriff and Thornhill beating Gartner. RINO Rick Zerr won his race as well, so his pension will be safe after all. Considering the fortune he must have spent on the multiple mailings and television commercials, it was relatively predictable. The only surprise in his race was the number of Republican notables who were convinced by Senator Gross to throw their support behind Zerr (who used to hold the office as a Democrat), but I guess Gross is just that kind of guy.
I think I’ll save my other observations for next time. After all, sometimes you need to take a wait and see outcome regarding the results on Election Day.
The View From The Cheap Seats - By Jerry Haferkamp
For all you old timers that grew up in south St. Charles in the 40’s and 50’s, the South Town Reunion will be at Blanchette, pavilion #3 on Saturday, September 16th from 11a.m. ‘till ?
An intelligent person would think that knowing that the First Capitol News exists would coax our mayor to clean up her act. Apparently not. The Queen has vetoed the proposal to allow you to revote on whether the administration should have a “strong” or a “weak” type mayoral system. She states that you have already voted.
When we voted to approve our charter, it called for a “weak” mayoral position. Some time ago, the mayor’s friends had the council put the change to a “strong” type position on the ballot. Why didn’t she veto that proposal using the same “they already voted” mantra? Simple. It didn’t suit her agenda. Once again, she puts her agenda ahead of what should be her concern that the voters have an informed choice. With more information, the voters may turn back the previous vote, or they may approve the change by an even larger number It’s now a moot issue since there weren’t enough council members voting to override her veto. The issue would have been just one more issue on a ballot of several issues, so there was no expense involved. Consistency, Madame Mayor. If you didn’t veto the previous change, you shouldn’t have vetoed the latter. Consistency.
The mayor has told the St. Peters paper (I think she is boycotting the only local paper) that she will run for the mayor’s slot again. Once the candidates have officially filed, we will get into such topics as money laundering, campaign finance irregularities, misappropriation of city funds, unauthorized contract changes and little things like that. I may have to bring up our old friends at the Citizens Responsible for What’s Wrong in Your Community (or whatever that group of “no low income housing near me” elitist was called).
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
An intelligent person would think that knowing that the First Capitol News exists would coax our mayor to clean up her act. Apparently not. The Queen has vetoed the proposal to allow you to revote on whether the administration should have a “strong” or a “weak” type mayoral system. She states that you have already voted.
When we voted to approve our charter, it called for a “weak” mayoral position. Some time ago, the mayor’s friends had the council put the change to a “strong” type position on the ballot. Why didn’t she veto that proposal using the same “they already voted” mantra? Simple. It didn’t suit her agenda. Once again, she puts her agenda ahead of what should be her concern that the voters have an informed choice. With more information, the voters may turn back the previous vote, or they may approve the change by an even larger number It’s now a moot issue since there weren’t enough council members voting to override her veto. The issue would have been just one more issue on a ballot of several issues, so there was no expense involved. Consistency, Madame Mayor. If you didn’t veto the previous change, you shouldn’t have vetoed the latter. Consistency.
The mayor has told the St. Peters paper (I think she is boycotting the only local paper) that she will run for the mayor’s slot again. Once the candidates have officially filed, we will get into such topics as money laundering, campaign finance irregularities, misappropriation of city funds, unauthorized contract changes and little things like that. I may have to bring up our old friends at the Citizens Responsible for What’s Wrong in Your Community (or whatever that group of “no low income housing near me” elitist was called).
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
FIRST CAPITOL SPORTS - MIKE MCMURRAN Sports Editor
Never have I claimed to be a journalist, nor do I have any journalistic training or schooling. What I have is more background in grammar than the average person would ever need and a passion for high school sports – that is how this column as well as the sports section of this fine weekly got started.
It all worked out very well in that I had some spare time, the paper had received a letter or two about expanding their coverage to include sports, and probably most importantly I really do agree with most of the philosophical as well as editorial positions of the paper.
That being said, much, if not most of the correspondence I receive (yes, I do get some mail) offers support of how most everything in life is relative. Almost equally the mail, and comments, are divided between “You write too damn much about your family,” and “Never in my life have I read a sports section of a newspaper until I started reading your column. I muddle through the sports stuff just to see how Maggie, Joe and Dee are doing.” For me it has been quite a learning experience. Two people can read the exact same words yet get completely different messages.
I make mention of this because at the Rams preseason game with the Colts I took a giant ribbing from Don Oelklaus and Terry Phillips. Don is a life long resident of St. Charles, something he takes very proudly. Anyway, in between drinks of Miller-Lite, Don and Terry’s drink of preference, all I heard was “I’m sick about hearing about your kids, we want more sports.” The ironic part of the story is, during the fourth quarter, Don asked me how Joe’s football career was doing. I was thrown for a second, in that I had not seen or spoken to Don in some months – probably since Christmas. “How did you know Joe was playing football?” I quizzed him. “I read about it in the paper,” he informed me as he finished yet another Miller-Lite. Even though Don (and others) want more sports, they seem to be loyal, regular readers. Just thought I would share that with you.
Due to logistical problems this week’s sports section is pretty much limited to Louis’ interview with the new athletic administrator of St. Charles High, Julie Williams. Kudos to Louis on a great piece of journalistic work. Louis you see does in fact have a journalistic background – graduating from Lindenwood with some sort of Journalism degree. I make mention of this because Louis will pretty much be covering the high school beat for us this coming fall. With my coaching responsibilities at Trinity and the Junior Renegades I just wouldn’t be able to devout the time needed to do the job properly. Louis will be covering the “Game of the Week,” be it football, softball, volleyball, or even that God forsaken sport, football. At the same time, I will be able to continue my weekly column, whether it be about the local sports scene, a regional topic, or just my family – anything for Mr. Oelklaus.
Finally, returning in our next edition will be the First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week. If you wish to nominate someone, contact me at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net .
One more thing please. There resides in St. Charles City a gentleman by the name of Kevin Tollefson. You may recall a previous article written about Kevin and his son and the red carpet they received from the RiverCity Rage. Well, Kevin is quite the athlete for a man his age – his swimming and biking routine rival that of men 20 years younger than he. On the weekend of September 9th, Kevin will take part in the National MS Society’s annual MS Bike Tour. Kevin’s goal originally was to raise $500 to help find a cure for MS; he has already doubled that, a testimony to Kevin and his character (you have no idea how hard it is for me to say that!). Anyone who has an extra buck or so laying around can donate to Kevin’s ride by logging on to the following web address:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org//MOS/personal/default.asp?pa=50122201&pd=MOS0EMS120060909COL
I know that is one heck of an address, but I think the cause is worth the support. So, if you check in here weekly to read about Family McMurran, or if you check in here to see if by some strange chance I am writing about some sports’ related topic – I ask that you support Kevin in his effort to find a cure for MS.
JULIE WILLIAMS New Activities Director Very Familiar With SCHS
By Louis J. Launer
It is like the next generation has taken over at St. Charles High School. Twenty-four years ago, a head football coach named Jim Williams took his 1982-83 football team to Kansas City to participate in the Show-Me Bowl at Arrowhead Stadium. They returned to St. Charles with a state trophy. This year, Jim Williams’ daughter takes over as activities director at St. Charles High School. Julie Williams is the first female activities director in the school district’s history.
“I am in charge of all of the athletics at St. Charles High,” she said. “I also work with the other after school clubs and with the band director, drama department and school choir. So there is more responsibilities that an activities director has to do than just athletics.”
Julie has a double degree in communications and education from the University of Iowa and has recently received her masters degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.
“The role [as activities director] today is more all encompassing compared to what it was back when my father was at High,” Julie said.
She takes over a St. Charles High School that is in better shape today compared to when her father was head football coach.
“We have a new field surface for football this year, including a better irrigation system,” she said. Also, the track has been completely replaced and is a better one than what we had before. We want to make our facilities better for not just our students, but those who attended St. Charles High School years ago.”
Not only does Jim Rash Stadium have more improvements, the gymnasiums are now better.
“The girls volleyball team is very popular here,” she said. “Many students attend those games. We also have a following for cross-country. Those sports are just as important to the school as varsity football.”
With coordination of the school band, Julie will be involved in most of the game activities that take place at St. Charles High School, right down to the half-time festivities.
“We need to coordinate dates as to when the band will be available,” she said. “They have a lot of concerts, parades and contests they are preparing. Everyone wants to see the band perform at the home football games. But the band also has their own schedule and I have to make sure that there are no conflicts.”
The students of St. Charles High, which started classes this past Monday, will be encouraged to participate in at least one school activity this school year.
“We have a great set of kids at SCHS,” she said. “We just started practices for this year’s fall sports and all have gone very well. There is a lot of tradition here and we hope that the students will keep that tradition going. We also hope that a lot of alumni attend many of the school functions to see what we have done. The students work very hard here.”
Most of the fall sports activities will be held on the SCHS campus. Some will be off-campus. Girls’ softball will be held at Jaycee Park. Cross-country events that are considered “home” are to be held at McNair Park. Girls golf will be held at Bogey Hills Country Club. Girls tennis is scheduled for Blanchette Park.
Julie is at a St. Charles High School where today, the school’s complete rebuilding in 1995 is much different than the SCHS of the early 1980s. The interior gives the look of a more modern school, well kept, with no peeling paint or leaky ceilings. There are two gymnasiums instead of one. There are more sports in every season during the school year compared to just the traditional sports alumni has been familiar with in the past. Jim Rash Stadium has seen a second complete renovation, although the original stadium (known to older St. Charles residents as Municipal Stadium) still retains the character of the WPA project of 1936.
A St. Charles High School graduate herself, Julie Williams will continue the traditions that SCHS has done in the past. Today, more than ever, high school students are involved in more high school activities and projects compared to what was done 20 years ago. Students, alumni and St. Charles residents are welcome to attend events at the school, whether it is a football game, volleyball match, tennis match, band contest/concert or musical/play. Julie will be busy keeping all of the events in line and help promote the events for not just the student body, but for the public as well. If St. Charles High brings home another state championship in any activity this year, Julie does know from her family experience what it takes to achieve an accomplishment.
It all worked out very well in that I had some spare time, the paper had received a letter or two about expanding their coverage to include sports, and probably most importantly I really do agree with most of the philosophical as well as editorial positions of the paper.
That being said, much, if not most of the correspondence I receive (yes, I do get some mail) offers support of how most everything in life is relative. Almost equally the mail, and comments, are divided between “You write too damn much about your family,” and “Never in my life have I read a sports section of a newspaper until I started reading your column. I muddle through the sports stuff just to see how Maggie, Joe and Dee are doing.” For me it has been quite a learning experience. Two people can read the exact same words yet get completely different messages.
I make mention of this because at the Rams preseason game with the Colts I took a giant ribbing from Don Oelklaus and Terry Phillips. Don is a life long resident of St. Charles, something he takes very proudly. Anyway, in between drinks of Miller-Lite, Don and Terry’s drink of preference, all I heard was “I’m sick about hearing about your kids, we want more sports.” The ironic part of the story is, during the fourth quarter, Don asked me how Joe’s football career was doing. I was thrown for a second, in that I had not seen or spoken to Don in some months – probably since Christmas. “How did you know Joe was playing football?” I quizzed him. “I read about it in the paper,” he informed me as he finished yet another Miller-Lite. Even though Don (and others) want more sports, they seem to be loyal, regular readers. Just thought I would share that with you.
Due to logistical problems this week’s sports section is pretty much limited to Louis’ interview with the new athletic administrator of St. Charles High, Julie Williams. Kudos to Louis on a great piece of journalistic work. Louis you see does in fact have a journalistic background – graduating from Lindenwood with some sort of Journalism degree. I make mention of this because Louis will pretty much be covering the high school beat for us this coming fall. With my coaching responsibilities at Trinity and the Junior Renegades I just wouldn’t be able to devout the time needed to do the job properly. Louis will be covering the “Game of the Week,” be it football, softball, volleyball, or even that God forsaken sport, football. At the same time, I will be able to continue my weekly column, whether it be about the local sports scene, a regional topic, or just my family – anything for Mr. Oelklaus.
Finally, returning in our next edition will be the First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week. If you wish to nominate someone, contact me at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net .
One more thing please. There resides in St. Charles City a gentleman by the name of Kevin Tollefson. You may recall a previous article written about Kevin and his son and the red carpet they received from the RiverCity Rage. Well, Kevin is quite the athlete for a man his age – his swimming and biking routine rival that of men 20 years younger than he. On the weekend of September 9th, Kevin will take part in the National MS Society’s annual MS Bike Tour. Kevin’s goal originally was to raise $500 to help find a cure for MS; he has already doubled that, a testimony to Kevin and his character (you have no idea how hard it is for me to say that!). Anyone who has an extra buck or so laying around can donate to Kevin’s ride by logging on to the following web address:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org//MOS/personal/default.asp?pa=50122201&pd=MOS0EMS120060909COL
I know that is one heck of an address, but I think the cause is worth the support. So, if you check in here weekly to read about Family McMurran, or if you check in here to see if by some strange chance I am writing about some sports’ related topic – I ask that you support Kevin in his effort to find a cure for MS.
JULIE WILLIAMS New Activities Director Very Familiar With SCHS
By Louis J. Launer
It is like the next generation has taken over at St. Charles High School. Twenty-four years ago, a head football coach named Jim Williams took his 1982-83 football team to Kansas City to participate in the Show-Me Bowl at Arrowhead Stadium. They returned to St. Charles with a state trophy. This year, Jim Williams’ daughter takes over as activities director at St. Charles High School. Julie Williams is the first female activities director in the school district’s history.
“I am in charge of all of the athletics at St. Charles High,” she said. “I also work with the other after school clubs and with the band director, drama department and school choir. So there is more responsibilities that an activities director has to do than just athletics.”
Julie has a double degree in communications and education from the University of Iowa and has recently received her masters degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.
“The role [as activities director] today is more all encompassing compared to what it was back when my father was at High,” Julie said.
She takes over a St. Charles High School that is in better shape today compared to when her father was head football coach.
“We have a new field surface for football this year, including a better irrigation system,” she said. Also, the track has been completely replaced and is a better one than what we had before. We want to make our facilities better for not just our students, but those who attended St. Charles High School years ago.”
Not only does Jim Rash Stadium have more improvements, the gymnasiums are now better.
“The girls volleyball team is very popular here,” she said. “Many students attend those games. We also have a following for cross-country. Those sports are just as important to the school as varsity football.”
With coordination of the school band, Julie will be involved in most of the game activities that take place at St. Charles High School, right down to the half-time festivities.
“We need to coordinate dates as to when the band will be available,” she said. “They have a lot of concerts, parades and contests they are preparing. Everyone wants to see the band perform at the home football games. But the band also has their own schedule and I have to make sure that there are no conflicts.”
The students of St. Charles High, which started classes this past Monday, will be encouraged to participate in at least one school activity this school year.
“We have a great set of kids at SCHS,” she said. “We just started practices for this year’s fall sports and all have gone very well. There is a lot of tradition here and we hope that the students will keep that tradition going. We also hope that a lot of alumni attend many of the school functions to see what we have done. The students work very hard here.”
Most of the fall sports activities will be held on the SCHS campus. Some will be off-campus. Girls’ softball will be held at Jaycee Park. Cross-country events that are considered “home” are to be held at McNair Park. Girls golf will be held at Bogey Hills Country Club. Girls tennis is scheduled for Blanchette Park.
Julie is at a St. Charles High School where today, the school’s complete rebuilding in 1995 is much different than the SCHS of the early 1980s. The interior gives the look of a more modern school, well kept, with no peeling paint or leaky ceilings. There are two gymnasiums instead of one. There are more sports in every season during the school year compared to just the traditional sports alumni has been familiar with in the past. Jim Rash Stadium has seen a second complete renovation, although the original stadium (known to older St. Charles residents as Municipal Stadium) still retains the character of the WPA project of 1936.
A St. Charles High School graduate herself, Julie Williams will continue the traditions that SCHS has done in the past. Today, more than ever, high school students are involved in more high school activities and projects compared to what was done 20 years ago. Students, alumni and St. Charles residents are welcome to attend events at the school, whether it is a football game, volleyball match, tennis match, band contest/concert or musical/play. Julie will be busy keeping all of the events in line and help promote the events for not just the student body, but for the public as well. If St. Charles High brings home another state championship in any activity this year, Julie does know from her family experience what it takes to achieve an accomplishment.
WHITTAKER HOMES OPENS A NEW SALES CENTER AT THE NEW TOWN AT ST. CHARLES
Whittaker Homes has opened a new sales center at The New Town at St. Charles, a new urbanism development off Hwy. 370 and New Town Blvd. The new sales office is located at 3312 Rue Royale in the heart of the neighborhood center next to Marsala’s Market.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
WHITTAKER HOMES OPENS A NEW SALES CENTER AT THE NEW TOWN AT ST. CHARLES
Whittaker Homes has opened a new sales center at The New Town at St. Charles, a new urbanism development off Hwy. 370 and New Town Blvd. The new sales office is located at 3312 Rue Royale in the heart of the neighborhood center next to Marsala’s Market.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
Monday, August 07, 2006
18th District Legislative Committee Donations List
18th District Legislative Committee Donations List
We have discovered that the 18th District Legislative List is too large to place on our web lob. However, it is ready for your revew and if you e-mail us at firstcapitolnews@aol.com and ask for the list we will e-mail it to you as a pdf file. Thank you
First Capitol News
We have discovered that the 18th District Legislative List is too large to place on our web lob. However, it is ready for your revew and if you e-mail us at firstcapitolnews@aol.com and ask for the list we will e-mail it to you as a pdf file. Thank you
First Capitol News
Saturday, August 05, 2006
FRONT PAGE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS _ August 5, 2006
Click on Image to enlarge. Scroll down to read entire edition.
Williams Trounced Attempting To Wrest Control of $1.2 Million
Council Retains Authority
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
An attempt by Allan Williams to wrest control of $1.2 million in special funds from the City Council was trounced at a recent City Council meeting.
New construction at Ameristar Casino has resulted in the City receiving approximately $1.2 million in one-time construction permit fees. Since this money had not been budgeted it amounts to a windfall for the City.
After lengthy discussions, Councilman Rory Riddler, Ward 1 suggested to the Council the money be split 11 ways with each of the ten Councilmen and the Mayor each receiving $110,000 that could be spent on any project they wanted as long as it was for the good of the City. The Mayor was given a share in hope that she would not veto the bill. The Council and Mayor would be able to spend the money on important issues or items for their individual wards or the City as long as it is for the good of the City and normal procedures were followed.
In an apparent attempt to wrest the control of the funds from the Councilmen and the Mayor, Williams took it upon himself to write parameters for the spending of the funds They included: All expenditures shall be transferred from Council directives to the appropriate line item in the budget with the proper project code according to the nature and purpose of the expenditure. All expenditures shall be approved by a majority of the whole Council and Mayor according to the Charter. No money shall be expended for retroactive expenditures.
Councilman Riddler pointed out that this could be problematic. It would be turning the money over to Williams’ control. Once the money is placed in the line items the Council has no control over it and the Mayor or Williams or Department Heads can move the money around and use it for expenditures other than those selected by the individual Councilmen.
Councilman Brown said, “I agree with Mr. Riddler. I can tell you that when City staff has it in for you, you cannot get a project done. We approved Pearl Ridge back in October and there hasn’t been one shovel of dirt moved. Everything is still standing there just the way it was. Nothing gets done. In any other ward it would be done immediately. It just depends upon whom you are and what they want to do. We need to keep it where each Councilperson has their right. That means every single ward in the City will be receiving something. There are a lot of projects that can be done and have a good affect on our wards and to bring it back in and let staff start dictating and transferring your funds and doing whatever they want with it, spending money for useless things, raising electric boxes just so they could take more money out of it. It goes on and on with what they can do with the money so when the time comes there is no money in the budget to do it.”
Councilman Gieseke pointed out if Williams controlled the money and he did not want to sign a contract, he wouldn’t. Gieseke also asked City Attorney Mike Valenti to show him where in the Charter it allows discretionary spending at this level by the office of the Mayor. “I would like a legal opinion on where we are giving an elected official who has limited powers under our charter the opportunity to have that unilateral power to spend money,” Gieseke said.
Riddler made a motion to delete items three and four. During discussion of item six Councilman Brown disputed William’s reasoning on why that item was there. Brown said, “The real reason that’s in there is that they (the administration) has been draining the money out of the Pearl Ridge project and they want to make sure if it comes up short they can still hold it up by saying you can’t use the money on a retroactive project.”
These parameters directed by Williams were defeated by a unanimous vote of Councilmembers in attendance. Councilman Jerry Reese was the only one absent.
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
An attempt by Allan Williams to wrest control of $1.2 million in special funds from the City Council was trounced at a recent City Council meeting.
New construction at Ameristar Casino has resulted in the City receiving approximately $1.2 million in one-time construction permit fees. Since this money had not been budgeted it amounts to a windfall for the City.
After lengthy discussions, Councilman Rory Riddler, Ward 1 suggested to the Council the money be split 11 ways with each of the ten Councilmen and the Mayor each receiving $110,000 that could be spent on any project they wanted as long as it was for the good of the City. The Mayor was given a share in hope that she would not veto the bill. The Council and Mayor would be able to spend the money on important issues or items for their individual wards or the City as long as it is for the good of the City and normal procedures were followed.
In an apparent attempt to wrest the control of the funds from the Councilmen and the Mayor, Williams took it upon himself to write parameters for the spending of the funds They included: All expenditures shall be transferred from Council directives to the appropriate line item in the budget with the proper project code according to the nature and purpose of the expenditure. All expenditures shall be approved by a majority of the whole Council and Mayor according to the Charter. No money shall be expended for retroactive expenditures.
Councilman Riddler pointed out that this could be problematic. It would be turning the money over to Williams’ control. Once the money is placed in the line items the Council has no control over it and the Mayor or Williams or Department Heads can move the money around and use it for expenditures other than those selected by the individual Councilmen.
Councilman Brown said, “I agree with Mr. Riddler. I can tell you that when City staff has it in for you, you cannot get a project done. We approved Pearl Ridge back in October and there hasn’t been one shovel of dirt moved. Everything is still standing there just the way it was. Nothing gets done. In any other ward it would be done immediately. It just depends upon whom you are and what they want to do. We need to keep it where each Councilperson has their right. That means every single ward in the City will be receiving something. There are a lot of projects that can be done and have a good affect on our wards and to bring it back in and let staff start dictating and transferring your funds and doing whatever they want with it, spending money for useless things, raising electric boxes just so they could take more money out of it. It goes on and on with what they can do with the money so when the time comes there is no money in the budget to do it.”
Councilman Gieseke pointed out if Williams controlled the money and he did not want to sign a contract, he wouldn’t. Gieseke also asked City Attorney Mike Valenti to show him where in the Charter it allows discretionary spending at this level by the office of the Mayor. “I would like a legal opinion on where we are giving an elected official who has limited powers under our charter the opportunity to have that unilateral power to spend money,” Gieseke said.
Riddler made a motion to delete items three and four. During discussion of item six Councilman Brown disputed William’s reasoning on why that item was there. Brown said, “The real reason that’s in there is that they (the administration) has been draining the money out of the Pearl Ridge project and they want to make sure if it comes up short they can still hold it up by saying you can’t use the money on a retroactive project.”
These parameters directed by Williams were defeated by a unanimous vote of Councilmembers in attendance. Councilman Jerry Reese was the only one absent.
Councilmen Charge Williams Exploits Laws For Self Benefit
By Tony Brockmeyer
In a manner reminiscent of when President Clinton remarked, “I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky” and when President Nixon told the the nation, “I am not a crook” Alan Williams shouted to Councilman John Gieseke at a recent Council meeting, “I have done nothing illegal.”
Gieseke was troubled when he learned Williams had contacted the Errors and Omissions Insurance Carrier for the City on July 11th and asked them to provide legal representation for himself (Williams) the Mayor and Councilmen Kneemiller and Weller. The matter involved a lawsuit that former Special City Counsel Eric Tolen had filed against the four when they refused to pay $14,000 in legal bills for work Tolen had done for the Council.
Gieseke remarked, “I thought we had passed a law that the Council was to approve attorneys and it seems to me this is just another way our City Administrator is circumventing the law because they knew they would not get any representation for a $14,000 suit that we have already spent a tremendous amount of money defending them. And instead of settling it we are going to fight. Now we are going to go and try to fight it again instead of just settling it the way it should be done in the first place. The guy did the work he should get paid. Now we have our City Administrator asking our insurance carrier to defend them but when it was Councilman Brown he would not let him go over $20,000. We have a lot of rules for the Council but when it comes to Dr. Williams it seems he just goes around all the rules so he can get what he wants. We had this before, this same lawsuit before; you guys took a vote to get your defense from the Council. Now we have this lawsuit again and since you know you can’t get the votes you are doing it this way. This isn’t right and for anybody to sit up here and say this is right you need to look in a mirror and see if you are actually representing the people because this right here is wrong. “
In response to questioning by Gieseke, City Attorney Mike Valenti admitted the Council had an ordinance requiring Council approval for legal counsel and also admitted Councilman Brown when sued by developer Michael Sellenschuetter for refusing to allow his county development to hook up to City water and sewer, was required to obtain permission for his legal representation. He couldn’t go to the insurance company for Errors & Omissions. coverage
Councilman Gieseke said, “People need to know when our insurance rates go up or we can’t get insurance it’s based off a $14,000 legal bill we owe a guy. That is what it comes down to and if you check the legal bills from the last time I guarantee you it is more than $14,000.”
Williams told Gieseke, “I did nothing illegal. Gieseke responded, “Then I need to know why the last time you asked for it from the Council? You knew you weren’t going to get it this time. You knew the votes weren’t there so you did it this way. You didn’t do it this time but you certainly did it last time. To dance around ethics and morality and the law it is amazing how they do it here at City Hall. It works one way for one person and another way for another person. If you are not on his (referring to Williams) good side, I’ll tell you guys you don’t want to get on his bad side because you are going to get screwed.”
Councilman Mark Brown had stepped out to meet with a constituent during the discussion. He was later interviewed by the FCN. Brown said, “I was outraged when I found out what was happening and Mr. Williams and his co-conspirators should be charged. They never seem to stop when it comes to misappropriating taxpayers money. If the City only had the money that Williams has squandered since he has been here we could lower the property tax and provide free trash pickup for our residents.”
In a manner reminiscent of when President Clinton remarked, “I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky” and when President Nixon told the the nation, “I am not a crook” Alan Williams shouted to Councilman John Gieseke at a recent Council meeting, “I have done nothing illegal.”
Gieseke was troubled when he learned Williams had contacted the Errors and Omissions Insurance Carrier for the City on July 11th and asked them to provide legal representation for himself (Williams) the Mayor and Councilmen Kneemiller and Weller. The matter involved a lawsuit that former Special City Counsel Eric Tolen had filed against the four when they refused to pay $14,000 in legal bills for work Tolen had done for the Council.
Gieseke remarked, “I thought we had passed a law that the Council was to approve attorneys and it seems to me this is just another way our City Administrator is circumventing the law because they knew they would not get any representation for a $14,000 suit that we have already spent a tremendous amount of money defending them. And instead of settling it we are going to fight. Now we are going to go and try to fight it again instead of just settling it the way it should be done in the first place. The guy did the work he should get paid. Now we have our City Administrator asking our insurance carrier to defend them but when it was Councilman Brown he would not let him go over $20,000. We have a lot of rules for the Council but when it comes to Dr. Williams it seems he just goes around all the rules so he can get what he wants. We had this before, this same lawsuit before; you guys took a vote to get your defense from the Council. Now we have this lawsuit again and since you know you can’t get the votes you are doing it this way. This isn’t right and for anybody to sit up here and say this is right you need to look in a mirror and see if you are actually representing the people because this right here is wrong. “
In response to questioning by Gieseke, City Attorney Mike Valenti admitted the Council had an ordinance requiring Council approval for legal counsel and also admitted Councilman Brown when sued by developer Michael Sellenschuetter for refusing to allow his county development to hook up to City water and sewer, was required to obtain permission for his legal representation. He couldn’t go to the insurance company for Errors & Omissions. coverage
Councilman Gieseke said, “People need to know when our insurance rates go up or we can’t get insurance it’s based off a $14,000 legal bill we owe a guy. That is what it comes down to and if you check the legal bills from the last time I guarantee you it is more than $14,000.”
Williams told Gieseke, “I did nothing illegal. Gieseke responded, “Then I need to know why the last time you asked for it from the Council? You knew you weren’t going to get it this time. You knew the votes weren’t there so you did it this way. You didn’t do it this time but you certainly did it last time. To dance around ethics and morality and the law it is amazing how they do it here at City Hall. It works one way for one person and another way for another person. If you are not on his (referring to Williams) good side, I’ll tell you guys you don’t want to get on his bad side because you are going to get screwed.”
Councilman Mark Brown had stepped out to meet with a constituent during the discussion. He was later interviewed by the FCN. Brown said, “I was outraged when I found out what was happening and Mr. Williams and his co-conspirators should be charged. They never seem to stop when it comes to misappropriating taxpayers money. If the City only had the money that Williams has squandered since he has been here we could lower the property tax and provide free trash pickup for our residents.”
St. Charles Park Rangers Keeping Our Parks Safe
By Lynndi Lockenour
With the hot summer days of August in full swing, the local parks are a popular place to spend an afternoon playing ball, swimming or enjoying the sunshine. While the parks bring tremendous fun and entertainment to thousands of St. Charles County residents every year, it also takes a great deal of work to keep them protected and functioning properly. The St. Charles City Rangers are responsible for making sure the parks in St. Charles City remain a fun, yet safe, environment for all patrons.
The rangers started in the late 1970s when a significant problem arose with teenagers loitering and vandalizing public parks. With police officers needed in other places, the parks administration at the time hired a security company to patrol the parks, but the problem persisted.
In 1983 the administration board created separate law enforcement for the parks division. This resulted in the hiring of the first Chief Park Ranger. Their responsibilities were to augment the police department by providing a safe environment for community members in the parks. This is the same philosophy the St. Charles City Rangers follow today.
Consisting of eight total rangers – six part-time and two full-time - Chief Park Ranger Michael Cordry said the rangers are essentially the same as police officers, except that they patrol parks instead of highways. The St. Charles City Rangers patrol 19 public parks, encompassing 650 acres of land, along with three aquatic centers.
Patrolling doesn’t mean spending all their time in the car. In fact, Chief Cordry encourages his rangers to get out of the car and talk to people. “I would say our job is only 30 percent law enforcement,” he said. “The rest is about seeing people, helping them if they need it, and being a smiling face.”
Encouraging his rangers to stop and watch a few minutes of a soccer game, or chat with the parents, Cordry said the rangers are often asked for directions. “People come up and talk to us all the time,” he said. “I don’t think we are nearly as intimidating as police officers.”
Jim Kearns has been a ranger for six years and said his favorite thing about his job is the constant interaction with the public. Originally trained as a sheriff, Kearns said there is a definite difference in the type of violations he sees. “Whatever happens in the streets could potentially happen in the park,” he said. “But most of the time things are pretty mild.”
The most common offense rangers see is parking violations. The designated parking areas are not intended to eliminate spaces, but rather, Cordry said, to keep people safe. “If an area is blocked off, there is most likely a safety reason behind it and people should obey that,” he said.
Many warnings are given, said Cordry, but if someone repeatedly offends, they will be issued a ticket. One of the most difficult things for the public to obey, he said, is the 15 MPH speed limit. “I know that’s slow,” he said. “But if a child darts out in front of your car at that speed, you can stop, whereas that might not be the case if your vehicle is moving faster.”
Other Ranger divisions exist throughout St. Charles County; the City Rangers are different because unlike most others, they carry guns. Cordry said without them the Rangers are little more than watchmen. “We don’t plan on ever using them,” he said. “But it’s very difficult to assert authority over the public without them.”
Cordry adds that having the Rangers equipped with firearms allows the public to feel safer. “Having that weapon means that if need be, a Ranger can protect the patrons around him,” he said. “Without it, there isn’t much he could do.” It is important to note that all Rangers receive the same academy training as police officers and are therefore licensed to handle and carry firearms.
With the current population boom in St. Charles, Chief Cordry adds that this type of firearm protection is even more essential. “Police officers cannot be everywhere at once,” he said. “It is important that we are able to enforce the rules on our own.”
When they aren’t busy patrolling the parks, the rangers are also involved with programming through the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department. In years past these programs have included everything from storytelling and soccer for children, to motorcycle safety for adults. The programs usually charge a small fee, but the money is always recycled back into the Parks Department. “All the money we make on these programs gets used to do bigger and better things the following year,” Cordry said.
Some people might think the rangers are only busy during the summer months, but this is not the case. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Larry Henderson said along with continued parks programming, coupled with the mild winters the last few years, winter is a very busy season. “I would venture to say that we are actually busier during the winter than the summer,” he said. “People just don’t see us out as much.”
Chief Cordry agrees, saying that the majority of his programming planning for the following summer happens during the winter months. With their last major program concluding on Halloween, Cordry only has until the first of January to decide what programs will happen in the summer. “It’s a very busy time for us,” he said.
Cordry loves his job as a Chief Park Ranger. “I think we are accepted by the people more and most people are just glad we are there keeping them safe,” he said.
**The St. Charles City Park Rangers are dispatched through the St. Charles Police Department. If you are in need of Ranger assistance while visiting a park, please contact the St. Charles Police Department at (636) 949-3777 and ask for a park ranger. For more information on the rangers and the work they do, or the programs they offer, please visit their Website at www.stcharlesparks.com.
Missouri Water Patrol Keeping Our Rivers & Lakes Safe
By Lynndi Lockenour
With the first official days of summer beginning only a few weeks ago, boating season is in full swing. This means longer, more stressful, hours for Missouri State Water Patrol Officer and PIO Lou Amighetti Jr. Paralleling the duties of a state police officer, Amighetti said his job is only different because it happens in the water. “We perform routine stops and check registrations just like officers would for vehicles on the road,” he said.
Boating season normally begins as warm weather arrives, usually in late April or early May, depending on the year, and continues through Labor Day weekend when students head back to school. The Missouri State Water Patrol is responsible for patrolling the major waterways throughout the state. This includes 272,770 acres of lakes, with 5,500 miles of shoreline, 519 miles of the Mississippi River, 533 miles of the Missouri River and the tributaries along these waterways.
Amighetti said the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, with over 40 miles of uninhibited boating area, attract thousands of boats every summer. “Some people are scared off by the thought of a current,” he said. “But once you get use to it, I think it’s better than boating on lakes.” Though he prefers the river, Amighetti said the current produced by the river is sometimes a problem for boaters who have never experienced it.
This year, Amighetti estimates that the overall number of boaters is down due to rising gas prices. “By the time you put $80 of gasoline in your vehicle to tow a boat to the ramp, then $80 to tow it back, and then the gas you use on the water,” he said. “You are talking some serious money just for fuel.” More boaters tend to drive to their destinations and sit, Amighetti said, rather than driving up and down the river.
To save fuel and spend less, Amighetti recommends boaters slow down and pack less into their boats. “Be prepared before you get here,” he said. “And only bring what you know you will really use.”
Even if boaters are prepared, Amighetti said there are still dangers present, of which everyone should be aware. One problem is the power lines that cross the Missouri/Illinois state boarder, and thus the Mississippi River. Helicopters and airplanes have already hit the lines, but Amighetti adds that boaters are also at danger.
“Flying Kite” flotation devices are becoming more popular. The device is pulled behind a boat, similar to the way a tube and skies are. The kite differs because once a certain point of speed is reached, the kite lifts off the water and the person aboard is launched into the air. This becomes dangerous because the kites can fly up to 30 feet in the air, dangerously close to these power lines. Though Amighetti doesn’t condone the use of the kites at all, he says that users should be extremely careful not to fly around the power lines.
The Mississippi River isn’t just patrolled by the Missouri State Water Patrol. The Illinois Conservation Police also patrols the area. Boaters should know that the rules for boating in Illinois aren’t exactly the same as those in Missouri. Both state’s rules are expected to be followed while boating on the river. “It doesn’t matter if you live in the other state from the police who pulls you over, it is still considered a violation,” Amighetti warns. “For this reason it is best to know the rules for both states.”
The two most cited violations, according to Amighetti, are lack of registration and improper display of ski flags. “People get excited about getting out on the water and forget the rules,” he said. “We are here to prevent that.”
For the most part, Amighetti said he and the other officers are well received by boaters. “The only reason I see for why people wouldn’t want us out here is if they are doing something wrong,” he said. Amighetti loves his job and says people often pull up to the boat just to ask questions. “We are here to help,” he said. “It’s a very thankless job.”
For more information about the Missouri Water Patrol or the rules and regulations, please contact the office in Jefferson City at 573-751-3333 or visit their Website at www.mswp.dps.state.gov.
With the first official days of summer beginning only a few weeks ago, boating season is in full swing. This means longer, more stressful, hours for Missouri State Water Patrol Officer and PIO Lou Amighetti Jr. Paralleling the duties of a state police officer, Amighetti said his job is only different because it happens in the water. “We perform routine stops and check registrations just like officers would for vehicles on the road,” he said.
Boating season normally begins as warm weather arrives, usually in late April or early May, depending on the year, and continues through Labor Day weekend when students head back to school. The Missouri State Water Patrol is responsible for patrolling the major waterways throughout the state. This includes 272,770 acres of lakes, with 5,500 miles of shoreline, 519 miles of the Mississippi River, 533 miles of the Missouri River and the tributaries along these waterways.
Amighetti said the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, with over 40 miles of uninhibited boating area, attract thousands of boats every summer. “Some people are scared off by the thought of a current,” he said. “But once you get use to it, I think it’s better than boating on lakes.” Though he prefers the river, Amighetti said the current produced by the river is sometimes a problem for boaters who have never experienced it.
This year, Amighetti estimates that the overall number of boaters is down due to rising gas prices. “By the time you put $80 of gasoline in your vehicle to tow a boat to the ramp, then $80 to tow it back, and then the gas you use on the water,” he said. “You are talking some serious money just for fuel.” More boaters tend to drive to their destinations and sit, Amighetti said, rather than driving up and down the river.
To save fuel and spend less, Amighetti recommends boaters slow down and pack less into their boats. “Be prepared before you get here,” he said. “And only bring what you know you will really use.”
Even if boaters are prepared, Amighetti said there are still dangers present, of which everyone should be aware. One problem is the power lines that cross the Missouri/Illinois state boarder, and thus the Mississippi River. Helicopters and airplanes have already hit the lines, but Amighetti adds that boaters are also at danger.
“Flying Kite” flotation devices are becoming more popular. The device is pulled behind a boat, similar to the way a tube and skies are. The kite differs because once a certain point of speed is reached, the kite lifts off the water and the person aboard is launched into the air. This becomes dangerous because the kites can fly up to 30 feet in the air, dangerously close to these power lines. Though Amighetti doesn’t condone the use of the kites at all, he says that users should be extremely careful not to fly around the power lines.
The Mississippi River isn’t just patrolled by the Missouri State Water Patrol. The Illinois Conservation Police also patrols the area. Boaters should know that the rules for boating in Illinois aren’t exactly the same as those in Missouri. Both state’s rules are expected to be followed while boating on the river. “It doesn’t matter if you live in the other state from the police who pulls you over, it is still considered a violation,” Amighetti warns. “For this reason it is best to know the rules for both states.”
The two most cited violations, according to Amighetti, are lack of registration and improper display of ski flags. “People get excited about getting out on the water and forget the rules,” he said. “We are here to prevent that.”
For the most part, Amighetti said he and the other officers are well received by boaters. “The only reason I see for why people wouldn’t want us out here is if they are doing something wrong,” he said. Amighetti loves his job and says people often pull up to the boat just to ask questions. “We are here to help,” he said. “It’s a very thankless job.”
For more information about the Missouri Water Patrol or the rules and regulations, please contact the office in Jefferson City at 573-751-3333 or visit their Website at www.mswp.dps.state.gov.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
HISTORY CHANGES
History is said to change depending upon who is telling the story. I wonder why this story hasn't been told? St. Charles City witnessed something that did not fit the story of those who would have you believe
that Councilman Rory Riddler has control of the minds and hearts of five members on the City Council. Riddler recently introduced a re-development plan for Frenchtown that would have allowed for the use of eminent domain. This appeared to be a slam-dunk because the Mayor and a majority of those on the council spoke in favor of the Frenchtown re-development project.
Then one of the most important projects proposed by Riddler was suddenly brought under fire, led by Councilman John Gieseke. Gieseke had just suffered a narrow defeat of a bill that would have stopped the use of eminent domain throughout the City. Riddler, Muench, Weller and Hoepfner voted against the bill making it 5- 4 with Bob Kneemiller absent from the meeting. Gieseke told Riddler and those in attendance he agreed that the Frenchtown area needed help but to use eminent domain would give the project a black eye. Others on the Council joined Gieseke as well as the "black shirts" who were opposing eminent domain. Residents against eminent domain had worn black shirts to the City Council meetings.
The council meetings lasted a long time but those opposed to the use of eminent domain stood their ground and Councilman Riddler finally succumbed to the pressure and the realization that the re-development plan would not pass in its present state.
At a later meeting that saw Councilman Bob Kneemiller steal the Council presidency he also stole Gieseke's language for the use of eminent domain. Kneemiller made a motion to include the eminent domain language that Gieseke had introduced just weeks earlier and assumed ownership like it was his idea. What do you expect from a guy who waits for someone to be absent to take control? He knew that Gieseke wouldn't vote for him to be Council president and knew Gieseke was planning to introduce this language into the development plan. Gieseke had told him this at a fundraiser the weekend before the meeting at Ram's park.
So there you have it, Riddler's control is a myth. In politics you will have people who side with each other because of common beliefs. This council has freethinking members like Gieseke, Greer, Koester, Brown, Riddler and to some extent Muench. Then you have Kneemiller who takes his orders from the Mayor. Weller who isn’t even a poor excuse for a Councilman and who misses most of the meetings taking orders from the Mayor. Then you have the dynamic duo of Hoepfner and Reese. These two tried a coup and almost pulled it off. Now they have to side with Kneemiller and Weller just to save face.
MONEY LAUNDERING OR SMART POLITICS - The Public Has A Right To Know
We will continue our investigative report in our next edition. If you have internet access we will put the list of contributors on our Web Log on Monday, August 7th. It will also be printed in our next edition.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
We are on our summer schedule where we only print twice a month. We will return to our weekly schedule with our September 9th edition. Like the US Senate and House of Representatives we work on a reduced schedule during the summer. However, we update our daily web log whenever we are in receipt of news. You can find it at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
WELLER MISSING AGAIN
For those of you who are keeping score Councilman Mike Weller has missed two our of the last three meetings. We believe he now holds the record for missed Council meetings. Don’t you think he should return his monthly salary if he doesn’t make the meetings? Maybe he should resign and let someone who cares and will attend the meetings be elected.
History is said to change depending upon who is telling the story. I wonder why this story hasn't been told? St. Charles City witnessed something that did not fit the story of those who would have you believe
that Councilman Rory Riddler has control of the minds and hearts of five members on the City Council. Riddler recently introduced a re-development plan for Frenchtown that would have allowed for the use of eminent domain. This appeared to be a slam-dunk because the Mayor and a majority of those on the council spoke in favor of the Frenchtown re-development project.
Then one of the most important projects proposed by Riddler was suddenly brought under fire, led by Councilman John Gieseke. Gieseke had just suffered a narrow defeat of a bill that would have stopped the use of eminent domain throughout the City. Riddler, Muench, Weller and Hoepfner voted against the bill making it 5- 4 with Bob Kneemiller absent from the meeting. Gieseke told Riddler and those in attendance he agreed that the Frenchtown area needed help but to use eminent domain would give the project a black eye. Others on the Council joined Gieseke as well as the "black shirts" who were opposing eminent domain. Residents against eminent domain had worn black shirts to the City Council meetings.
The council meetings lasted a long time but those opposed to the use of eminent domain stood their ground and Councilman Riddler finally succumbed to the pressure and the realization that the re-development plan would not pass in its present state.
At a later meeting that saw Councilman Bob Kneemiller steal the Council presidency he also stole Gieseke's language for the use of eminent domain. Kneemiller made a motion to include the eminent domain language that Gieseke had introduced just weeks earlier and assumed ownership like it was his idea. What do you expect from a guy who waits for someone to be absent to take control? He knew that Gieseke wouldn't vote for him to be Council president and knew Gieseke was planning to introduce this language into the development plan. Gieseke had told him this at a fundraiser the weekend before the meeting at Ram's park.
So there you have it, Riddler's control is a myth. In politics you will have people who side with each other because of common beliefs. This council has freethinking members like Gieseke, Greer, Koester, Brown, Riddler and to some extent Muench. Then you have Kneemiller who takes his orders from the Mayor. Weller who isn’t even a poor excuse for a Councilman and who misses most of the meetings taking orders from the Mayor. Then you have the dynamic duo of Hoepfner and Reese. These two tried a coup and almost pulled it off. Now they have to side with Kneemiller and Weller just to save face.
MONEY LAUNDERING OR SMART POLITICS - The Public Has A Right To Know
We will continue our investigative report in our next edition. If you have internet access we will put the list of contributors on our Web Log on Monday, August 7th. It will also be printed in our next edition.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
We are on our summer schedule where we only print twice a month. We will return to our weekly schedule with our September 9th edition. Like the US Senate and House of Representatives we work on a reduced schedule during the summer. However, we update our daily web log whenever we are in receipt of news. You can find it at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
WELLER MISSING AGAIN
For those of you who are keeping score Councilman Mike Weller has missed two our of the last three meetings. We believe he now holds the record for missed Council meetings. Don’t you think he should return his monthly salary if he doesn’t make the meetings? Maybe he should resign and let someone who cares and will attend the meetings be elected.
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
How Political Connections
Can Land You A Great Job
Sixty people recently applied for the job of Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission. It’s an important job since the Commission regulates Missouri’s nine casinos and the billion dollar gaming industry.
One would think that out of all those applicants for the job, some would have experience in the gaming industry or law enforcement. Which makes it all the more surprising that the Gaming Commission “unanimously” chose someone with little or no experience for the job, namely former St. Louis County Executive Gene McNary. McNary’s qualifications are that he was St. Louis County Executive from 1975 to 1989. Former President Bush then appointed him to run the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1990. You know, the agency in charge of keeping out illegal aliens. Nothing in his background as County Executive particularly qualified him for that political patronage job, which he left after only three years. For the past thirteen years McNary has been practicing immigration law.
What any of that has to do with the gaming industry in Missouri stumps me.
According to one local news story, the Executive Director’s main job is to “ensure public confidence and keep crime out of the gaming industry.” So they turn to an individual who couldn’t keep millions of illegal immigrants out of the country. Why do they think he can keep organized crime out of the gaming industry?
At age 70, the salary, which can range up to $94,000, will at least keep the former County Executive from having to take a part-time job at McDonalds to supplement his Social Security.
While rumors flew that McNary was the Governor’s top pick for the job, the Chairman of the Gaming Commission (a position appointed by the Governor), stated that the Governor’s Office played “no role” in the selection. Glad that’s settled. Public confidence is certainly heightened knowing that partisan politics played no role in selecting an otherwise unqualified person for this important job.
To be fair, perhaps there is something about the practice of “immigration law” that uniquely qualifies an individual to be Executive Director of the Gaming Commission. Let’s see. The Executive Director oversees 219 employees, 110 of which work for the Highway Patrol. I’m sure some of those Highway Patrolmen in their careers picked up an illegal alien or two. Those illegal immigrants “gambled” on not getting caught…hence his expertise to regulate an industry he otherwise would know nothing about.
If that sounds silly, it’s because political patronage isn’t about decisions that make sense. It’s about political paybacks. There is no doubt Gene McNary has been a faithful political partisan. Somebody “owed” him a job and we the taxpayers get to pick up the tab.
It’s a system as old as politics itself. The root of the word patronage is, after all, patron. A person’s “patron” in ancient Rome was a powerful and wealthy individual to whom you owed political allegiance and favors. In turn, your patron took care of some of your basic needs, interceded on your behalf and perhaps helped get you a job.
The problem comes when important jobs are treated the same way support or clerical positions are treated. Remember the FEMA Director who besides being a great political fundraiser came from a background of putting on horse shows? In hindsight, perhaps that’s a job that should have gone to someone with a smidgen of experience in dealing with DISASTERS!
Given the relative performance levels from political patronage appointees versus professionals in their fields, you can see why I’m apprehensive about the City switching to its own patronage system in April of 2007. After that date, unless overturned by voters, the Mayor would have the sole power to fire city employees. Public employees in Missouri serve “at will”, so they will have little protection from some future Mayor who may want to open up a few positions for political friends.
Recently the Journal newspaper criticized attempts to place this issue back before voters. It had passed two years ago, with a 300-vote margin in a low turnout April election. Why take the chance (they reasoned) that this November, a far larger turnout of voters, armed with the facts, might not want to trade down our City Administrator form of government for the same patronage system that we all know works so well in the City of St. Louis.
After all, just look at the great job Governor Blunt and the Gaming Commission did picking the best Executive Director they could find for Missouri’s Gaming Commission. Perhaps Sandford-Brown should add a class in political back scratching.
Can Land You A Great Job
Sixty people recently applied for the job of Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission. It’s an important job since the Commission regulates Missouri’s nine casinos and the billion dollar gaming industry.
One would think that out of all those applicants for the job, some would have experience in the gaming industry or law enforcement. Which makes it all the more surprising that the Gaming Commission “unanimously” chose someone with little or no experience for the job, namely former St. Louis County Executive Gene McNary. McNary’s qualifications are that he was St. Louis County Executive from 1975 to 1989. Former President Bush then appointed him to run the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1990. You know, the agency in charge of keeping out illegal aliens. Nothing in his background as County Executive particularly qualified him for that political patronage job, which he left after only three years. For the past thirteen years McNary has been practicing immigration law.
What any of that has to do with the gaming industry in Missouri stumps me.
According to one local news story, the Executive Director’s main job is to “ensure public confidence and keep crime out of the gaming industry.” So they turn to an individual who couldn’t keep millions of illegal immigrants out of the country. Why do they think he can keep organized crime out of the gaming industry?
At age 70, the salary, which can range up to $94,000, will at least keep the former County Executive from having to take a part-time job at McDonalds to supplement his Social Security.
While rumors flew that McNary was the Governor’s top pick for the job, the Chairman of the Gaming Commission (a position appointed by the Governor), stated that the Governor’s Office played “no role” in the selection. Glad that’s settled. Public confidence is certainly heightened knowing that partisan politics played no role in selecting an otherwise unqualified person for this important job.
To be fair, perhaps there is something about the practice of “immigration law” that uniquely qualifies an individual to be Executive Director of the Gaming Commission. Let’s see. The Executive Director oversees 219 employees, 110 of which work for the Highway Patrol. I’m sure some of those Highway Patrolmen in their careers picked up an illegal alien or two. Those illegal immigrants “gambled” on not getting caught…hence his expertise to regulate an industry he otherwise would know nothing about.
If that sounds silly, it’s because political patronage isn’t about decisions that make sense. It’s about political paybacks. There is no doubt Gene McNary has been a faithful political partisan. Somebody “owed” him a job and we the taxpayers get to pick up the tab.
It’s a system as old as politics itself. The root of the word patronage is, after all, patron. A person’s “patron” in ancient Rome was a powerful and wealthy individual to whom you owed political allegiance and favors. In turn, your patron took care of some of your basic needs, interceded on your behalf and perhaps helped get you a job.
The problem comes when important jobs are treated the same way support or clerical positions are treated. Remember the FEMA Director who besides being a great political fundraiser came from a background of putting on horse shows? In hindsight, perhaps that’s a job that should have gone to someone with a smidgen of experience in dealing with DISASTERS!
Given the relative performance levels from political patronage appointees versus professionals in their fields, you can see why I’m apprehensive about the City switching to its own patronage system in April of 2007. After that date, unless overturned by voters, the Mayor would have the sole power to fire city employees. Public employees in Missouri serve “at will”, so they will have little protection from some future Mayor who may want to open up a few positions for political friends.
Recently the Journal newspaper criticized attempts to place this issue back before voters. It had passed two years ago, with a 300-vote margin in a low turnout April election. Why take the chance (they reasoned) that this November, a far larger turnout of voters, armed with the facts, might not want to trade down our City Administrator form of government for the same patronage system that we all know works so well in the City of St. Louis.
After all, just look at the great job Governor Blunt and the Gaming Commission did picking the best Executive Director they could find for Missouri’s Gaming Commission. Perhaps Sandford-Brown should add a class in political back scratching.
Case IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
Ten Years of Saint Charles Ludwigs-burg Sister Cities
St. Charles sent over several delegates to Ludwigsburg, Germany to celebrate the 10th anniversary of friendship between our two towns. Ludwigsburg made St. Charles the focus of this year’s celebrations, however, Ludwigsburg’s other sister cities were there to help commemorate the occasion and celebrate their own long-standing friendships that have been forged throughout the years. The French City of Montbéliard has the longest sister city friendship with Ludwigsburg and shares common history with them because this town was once part of the Württemberg Kingdom that had its seat in Ludwigsburg.
The Welsh area around Caerphilly and the Ukrainian town of Jevpatorija are Ludwigsburg’s other sister cities and all had delegates present to celebrate with us. Also, present was a delegation from a Czech city that is now interested in forging a friendship with Ludwigsburg too.
While it is unlikely that many of the German-Americans in St. Charles came from this part of Germany, it is nonetheless appropriate that our first sister city is German since our town probably has its largest group of settlers from there. As a side note, Stuttgart is the sister city of Saint Louis, just about 20 km from Ludwigsburg.
If you picture the lot of us strolling the alleyways in Germany and relaxing in cafes and beer gardens, then you’d have the picture quite wrong. Our entire week was scheduled for us with very little time for ourselves.
We went to several official events and heard plenty of speeches – sometimes in German, English, French, Russian, and Czech, and something that is changing in Germany is the weather. It’s hot — too hot for long speeches, but that didn’t deter the politicians. The German summer is quickly approaching our own summertime temperatures and humidity levels. Adding to the Missouri-like heat is the fact that many places are still not air-conditioned, including the lobby of city hall where we attended the formal ceremonies of our anniversary and presented our partner town a bronze replica of the Daniel Boone statue that we recently cast. The entire time, Fire Chief, Ernie Rhodes stood at attention in his dress uniform – smiling! After the first thirty minutes of speeches, I wasn’t smiling much. By the end of the third thirty minutes all I could think about was getting my necktie off and getting a glass of water. Ernie was still smiling and made us all proud. His uniform did make people stop and look and two drugstore clerks approached me to ask if he was with the police, fire, or navy. They thought he might be an admiral. Ernie spent some time with the German fire department of Ludwigsburg including going along for a call that turned to out to be a false alarm.
Several of us had an opportunity to visit some German businesses including, Ziemann, a world leader in brewery manufacturing. We also visited the porcelain plant where you could buy a cup and saucer for the bargain price of about $325. I bought a postcard.
Larry Muench was our photographer. Last I heard, he ended up with about 1,300 digital images. It was liberating not taking a camera along – anything you wanted a shot of, you could just ask Larry. One photograph you should ask to see is of Larry sporting his authentic Tyrolean hat complete with boar’s bristle.
Bob Kneemiller arrived a day later than the rest of us. He and his wife stopped off in London before coming down to Germany. They arrived in town still suffering sticker shock at the prices of things in England and at how lousy the dollar/pound exchange rate is. Several members of Sister Cities also came over including former Mayor Grace Nichols and her husband, John. The banjo band, “The Last Generation” played at every event, including a very pretty rendition of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” at church. I couldn’t help but wonder if it had been the first time ever that banjos were played in the palace church.
The southwest state of Baden-Württemberg is a mixture of both Catholic and Lutheran churches that came about more because of politics rather than faith and conversion. The result is, many churches have a Catholic appearance, but in fact, are Lutheran. A high point for me was the trip to Maulbrunn, a Cistercian monastery from medieval times (1147) where Johannes Kepler and Hermann Hesse spent time. The entire setting is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. This monastery started out Catholic and the influence is still seen throughout the place. Only much later did the rulers Württemberg convert to Protestantism to expunge the influence of Rome from their domain. One such obvious Catholic influence that remains is the beautiful, solid-stone-carved crucifix. The work is all the more impressive once you learn that both the cross and Christ are cleft from one solid piece of stone but appear to be separate. The cross has been stained or painted to appear wooden.
Also, at Maulbrunn, one can see a famous fountain which Conrad Ferdiand Meyer wrote a poem about called, “Der Römische Brunnen.” This took me back to college days and Professor, Frau Goessl.
Of course, the most important part of any sister city doesn’t lie in buildings, but in the people. The Ludwigsburg townsfolk poured out hospitality to make us all feel welcome. Mayor Spec even broke out his accordion and played for us one evening.
Most of us flew back just in time to get hit by the surprise storm that caused us to land in Louisville, Kentucky and when we did reach Lambert, we had to sort our luggage out on the tarmac and walk through a completely lightless airport. Jerry and Mary Reese went on from Germany to Italy and the mayor flew home one day earlier. We all found rides home and presumably went to bed with the exception of Chief Rhodes, he went to work.
Visit Ludwigburg’s website at: www.Ludwigsburg.de
St. Charles sent over several delegates to Ludwigsburg, Germany to celebrate the 10th anniversary of friendship between our two towns. Ludwigsburg made St. Charles the focus of this year’s celebrations, however, Ludwigsburg’s other sister cities were there to help commemorate the occasion and celebrate their own long-standing friendships that have been forged throughout the years. The French City of Montbéliard has the longest sister city friendship with Ludwigsburg and shares common history with them because this town was once part of the Württemberg Kingdom that had its seat in Ludwigsburg.
The Welsh area around Caerphilly and the Ukrainian town of Jevpatorija are Ludwigsburg’s other sister cities and all had delegates present to celebrate with us. Also, present was a delegation from a Czech city that is now interested in forging a friendship with Ludwigsburg too.
While it is unlikely that many of the German-Americans in St. Charles came from this part of Germany, it is nonetheless appropriate that our first sister city is German since our town probably has its largest group of settlers from there. As a side note, Stuttgart is the sister city of Saint Louis, just about 20 km from Ludwigsburg.
If you picture the lot of us strolling the alleyways in Germany and relaxing in cafes and beer gardens, then you’d have the picture quite wrong. Our entire week was scheduled for us with very little time for ourselves.
We went to several official events and heard plenty of speeches – sometimes in German, English, French, Russian, and Czech, and something that is changing in Germany is the weather. It’s hot — too hot for long speeches, but that didn’t deter the politicians. The German summer is quickly approaching our own summertime temperatures and humidity levels. Adding to the Missouri-like heat is the fact that many places are still not air-conditioned, including the lobby of city hall where we attended the formal ceremonies of our anniversary and presented our partner town a bronze replica of the Daniel Boone statue that we recently cast. The entire time, Fire Chief, Ernie Rhodes stood at attention in his dress uniform – smiling! After the first thirty minutes of speeches, I wasn’t smiling much. By the end of the third thirty minutes all I could think about was getting my necktie off and getting a glass of water. Ernie was still smiling and made us all proud. His uniform did make people stop and look and two drugstore clerks approached me to ask if he was with the police, fire, or navy. They thought he might be an admiral. Ernie spent some time with the German fire department of Ludwigsburg including going along for a call that turned to out to be a false alarm.
Several of us had an opportunity to visit some German businesses including, Ziemann, a world leader in brewery manufacturing. We also visited the porcelain plant where you could buy a cup and saucer for the bargain price of about $325. I bought a postcard.
Larry Muench was our photographer. Last I heard, he ended up with about 1,300 digital images. It was liberating not taking a camera along – anything you wanted a shot of, you could just ask Larry. One photograph you should ask to see is of Larry sporting his authentic Tyrolean hat complete with boar’s bristle.
Bob Kneemiller arrived a day later than the rest of us. He and his wife stopped off in London before coming down to Germany. They arrived in town still suffering sticker shock at the prices of things in England and at how lousy the dollar/pound exchange rate is. Several members of Sister Cities also came over including former Mayor Grace Nichols and her husband, John. The banjo band, “The Last Generation” played at every event, including a very pretty rendition of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” at church. I couldn’t help but wonder if it had been the first time ever that banjos were played in the palace church.
The southwest state of Baden-Württemberg is a mixture of both Catholic and Lutheran churches that came about more because of politics rather than faith and conversion. The result is, many churches have a Catholic appearance, but in fact, are Lutheran. A high point for me was the trip to Maulbrunn, a Cistercian monastery from medieval times (1147) where Johannes Kepler and Hermann Hesse spent time. The entire setting is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. This monastery started out Catholic and the influence is still seen throughout the place. Only much later did the rulers Württemberg convert to Protestantism to expunge the influence of Rome from their domain. One such obvious Catholic influence that remains is the beautiful, solid-stone-carved crucifix. The work is all the more impressive once you learn that both the cross and Christ are cleft from one solid piece of stone but appear to be separate. The cross has been stained or painted to appear wooden.
Also, at Maulbrunn, one can see a famous fountain which Conrad Ferdiand Meyer wrote a poem about called, “Der Römische Brunnen.” This took me back to college days and Professor, Frau Goessl.
Of course, the most important part of any sister city doesn’t lie in buildings, but in the people. The Ludwigsburg townsfolk poured out hospitality to make us all feel welcome. Mayor Spec even broke out his accordion and played for us one evening.
Most of us flew back just in time to get hit by the surprise storm that caused us to land in Louisville, Kentucky and when we did reach Lambert, we had to sort our luggage out on the tarmac and walk through a completely lightless airport. Jerry and Mary Reese went on from Germany to Italy and the mayor flew home one day earlier. We all found rides home and presumably went to bed with the exception of Chief Rhodes, he went to work.
Visit Ludwigburg’s website at: www.Ludwigsburg.de
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
We are all headed to the polls soon to participate in the primary election. Even though you don’t have to register to vote by party in Missouri, you do have to express a party preference to take a ballot and vote. Unfortunately, we’ve seem some of our Republican primary election results tainted by Democrats (and others) taking Republican ballots since they really don’t have to worry about the outcome of their own party elections.
I think that this year’s results will be a bit anti-climactic, but my wife and I will be out there first thing in the morning on August 8th to cast our votes. A lot of neighbors and friends ask me who I’d vote for, so I thought I’d share my very own Voter’s Guide with you while you make decisions about the candidates and the issues.
We actually have a contested primary for United States Congress. Arguably, the system is so stacked in favor of the incumbent that it’s pointless for someone to challenge him or her. Congressman Todd Akin is facing primary opposition from State Representative Sherman Parker. Congressman Akin is one of the most conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Really, his conservative credentials are absolutely impeccable. I fear he may be too conservative for our party, and I’m not really sure how I feel about that. Parker seems bright and energetic. He actually seems to have some decent ideas too. However, I’m not sure he really has a chance. That being said, I wonder what will happen if a significant number of Democrats will decide to pull Republican ballots and wreak havoc in our playground? I can certainly see where they would prefer Parker to Akin and want to affect such an outcome. Let’s keep an eye on how that will turn out.
The State Senate race will finally come to a head as well. County Councilman Joe Brazil, who turned out to be all talk, has not really mounted much of a challenge against incumbent Scott Rupp. Notwithstanding his RINO status, Brazil really hasn’t capitalized on his Democratic base to help him and his RINO supporters, MacNab and Pedersen, are actually terrible campaign staff. I think he will receive the trouncing he richly deserves and maybe the smart growth whackos will go find another county to bother.
That takes us to the County Council. There are actually 4 seats up for election, and I’ll concentrate on the two hotly contested seats. In District 1, where RINO Pedersen handed over the seat to the Democrats in April’s special election, Darrel Lackey is taking on Joe Cronin. Lackey is a well-respected alderman in Wentzville and a terrific choice for the County Council. Wentzville knows how to deal with growth, and Cronin’s complete inability to comprehend that sometimes you have to build things makes him a poor choice for the reality of County politics. Hopefully the voters are smart enough to see that. It always seems a shame that “growth” is the platform that will destroy the Republican party in St. Charles.
Over in District 3, the candidates are competing on their successful records of prior government experience. I think I’ll take them in reverse ballot order (and my order of preference). Nancy Matheny is a hometown St. Charles gal who served on our City Council. She would be a welcome breath of fresh air to the Council. She has familiarity with some of the issues that face municipalities and I think she will respect the interests of the voters in unincorporated St. Charles County too. She’s definitely my choice. Tom Ryan ran as a Democrat last time – enough said there. Patrick Barclay is sort of a St. Peters Alderman. I say “sort of” because he so rarely votes on any issues of significance that I think he should resign. Barclay abstains anytime anything is controversial, if his political handlers tell him to, or if it’s something that might create a “voting record.” He is a jittery fellow, scared of his own shadow, and he is such an ineffective elected official that he can’t even get a second for any of his crazy ideas. He governs by poll and freely will tell the residents that he will vote against any project if even one resident objects. He is bought and paid for by Adolphus and proudly wears that badge of honor. I understand that he also panders ceaselessly to the unhappy bunch of idiots who unsuccessfully attempted to takeover St. Peters City Hall led by Sandy Waters and Brandy Pedersen. The only politician in St. Charles County who panders more than Barclay is his colleague, Alderman Len Pagano. Barclay would be an unfortunate choice.
I’m really not sure what to do with the Sheriff’s race. I mean all these guys have law enforcement experience – I guess what we’re looking for in a Sheriff is management skills. Well, that will shake out where it will. I’m inclined to support one of the Sheriffs (Saulters or Neer) but I need to read up a bit more on their ideas and platforms.
The judges races are also fairly uneventful. Most are incumbents who will quietly retain their seats. Others may be more involved than that. The Gartner – Thornhill contest for the new bench (that was supposed to go to Gross designee Rick Zerr) will be interesting since they both have loss records – hey, at least one will be able to declare victory (for the first time) on election night.
Bob Schnur should win by a landslide for Collector – he has the experience and is the best kind of elected official who is thoughtful and responsive to constituents – best of luck to him.
Finally, last but definitely not least, please pay attention to the Republican Central Committee Races. Let’s send a message to the woman who has single-handily made a mockery of our party – I implore those of you in St. Peters Township to send Pathetic Brandy Pedersen (RINO) packing. She is running a slate of losers comprised of litigants against the city of St. Peters including Joan Gettemeyer (matriarch of St. Peters own “Clampett” clan) and Robert Armstrong (befuddled black helicopter guy). Who knows who else she has co-opted. Pay attention folks. If the rumor mill is accurate and Steve Ehlmann taps Chuck Gross to join the Administration, then the Central Committee will play a role in the “political checkers game” that will follow.
As always, I wish my readers the best and remind you to vote on August 8th, otherwise the Democrats will select our nominees for November, and that my dear readers, would not be good.
I think that this year’s results will be a bit anti-climactic, but my wife and I will be out there first thing in the morning on August 8th to cast our votes. A lot of neighbors and friends ask me who I’d vote for, so I thought I’d share my very own Voter’s Guide with you while you make decisions about the candidates and the issues.
We actually have a contested primary for United States Congress. Arguably, the system is so stacked in favor of the incumbent that it’s pointless for someone to challenge him or her. Congressman Todd Akin is facing primary opposition from State Representative Sherman Parker. Congressman Akin is one of the most conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Really, his conservative credentials are absolutely impeccable. I fear he may be too conservative for our party, and I’m not really sure how I feel about that. Parker seems bright and energetic. He actually seems to have some decent ideas too. However, I’m not sure he really has a chance. That being said, I wonder what will happen if a significant number of Democrats will decide to pull Republican ballots and wreak havoc in our playground? I can certainly see where they would prefer Parker to Akin and want to affect such an outcome. Let’s keep an eye on how that will turn out.
The State Senate race will finally come to a head as well. County Councilman Joe Brazil, who turned out to be all talk, has not really mounted much of a challenge against incumbent Scott Rupp. Notwithstanding his RINO status, Brazil really hasn’t capitalized on his Democratic base to help him and his RINO supporters, MacNab and Pedersen, are actually terrible campaign staff. I think he will receive the trouncing he richly deserves and maybe the smart growth whackos will go find another county to bother.
That takes us to the County Council. There are actually 4 seats up for election, and I’ll concentrate on the two hotly contested seats. In District 1, where RINO Pedersen handed over the seat to the Democrats in April’s special election, Darrel Lackey is taking on Joe Cronin. Lackey is a well-respected alderman in Wentzville and a terrific choice for the County Council. Wentzville knows how to deal with growth, and Cronin’s complete inability to comprehend that sometimes you have to build things makes him a poor choice for the reality of County politics. Hopefully the voters are smart enough to see that. It always seems a shame that “growth” is the platform that will destroy the Republican party in St. Charles.
Over in District 3, the candidates are competing on their successful records of prior government experience. I think I’ll take them in reverse ballot order (and my order of preference). Nancy Matheny is a hometown St. Charles gal who served on our City Council. She would be a welcome breath of fresh air to the Council. She has familiarity with some of the issues that face municipalities and I think she will respect the interests of the voters in unincorporated St. Charles County too. She’s definitely my choice. Tom Ryan ran as a Democrat last time – enough said there. Patrick Barclay is sort of a St. Peters Alderman. I say “sort of” because he so rarely votes on any issues of significance that I think he should resign. Barclay abstains anytime anything is controversial, if his political handlers tell him to, or if it’s something that might create a “voting record.” He is a jittery fellow, scared of his own shadow, and he is such an ineffective elected official that he can’t even get a second for any of his crazy ideas. He governs by poll and freely will tell the residents that he will vote against any project if even one resident objects. He is bought and paid for by Adolphus and proudly wears that badge of honor. I understand that he also panders ceaselessly to the unhappy bunch of idiots who unsuccessfully attempted to takeover St. Peters City Hall led by Sandy Waters and Brandy Pedersen. The only politician in St. Charles County who panders more than Barclay is his colleague, Alderman Len Pagano. Barclay would be an unfortunate choice.
I’m really not sure what to do with the Sheriff’s race. I mean all these guys have law enforcement experience – I guess what we’re looking for in a Sheriff is management skills. Well, that will shake out where it will. I’m inclined to support one of the Sheriffs (Saulters or Neer) but I need to read up a bit more on their ideas and platforms.
The judges races are also fairly uneventful. Most are incumbents who will quietly retain their seats. Others may be more involved than that. The Gartner – Thornhill contest for the new bench (that was supposed to go to Gross designee Rick Zerr) will be interesting since they both have loss records – hey, at least one will be able to declare victory (for the first time) on election night.
Bob Schnur should win by a landslide for Collector – he has the experience and is the best kind of elected official who is thoughtful and responsive to constituents – best of luck to him.
Finally, last but definitely not least, please pay attention to the Republican Central Committee Races. Let’s send a message to the woman who has single-handily made a mockery of our party – I implore those of you in St. Peters Township to send Pathetic Brandy Pedersen (RINO) packing. She is running a slate of losers comprised of litigants against the city of St. Peters including Joan Gettemeyer (matriarch of St. Peters own “Clampett” clan) and Robert Armstrong (befuddled black helicopter guy). Who knows who else she has co-opted. Pay attention folks. If the rumor mill is accurate and Steve Ehlmann taps Chuck Gross to join the Administration, then the Central Committee will play a role in the “political checkers game” that will follow.
As always, I wish my readers the best and remind you to vote on August 8th, otherwise the Democrats will select our nominees for November, and that my dear readers, would not be good.
THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS By Jerry Haferkamp
The Frenchtown Museum is an asset to our city. I have written before as to how it shows the way things used to be in St. Charles. It is a miniature history lesson in one place. However, its survival is in doubt. Over the past 2 years, the City has financed the payment of the mortgage and costs of some repairs. The volunteers are having a difficult time obtaining enough donations to finance the operation plus the mortgage.
Maybe it’s time for the sale of the building to the city with consideration given for the amounts that the city has already paid. I’m no attorney, but it would seem that to protect this asset the city could purchase the property and lease it back to the group headed by Mr. and Mrs. Boshears for what the City would loose in real estate taxes. The lease could be yearly with automatic renewals so long as the museum is maintained. Admission could remain free, with the hopes that visitors would drop a donation in the kitty on the way out. The city would gain a nice Frenchtown property and the group maintaining the museum could use donations they receive for overhead and stop worrying about meeting the mortgage or making repairs.
Of course, the present mortgagee may not want to sell, but the City should not be paying a mortgage on a property we don’t own. I admire what the Boshears and the other volunteers have done to preserve our history, but there is a real possibility that they could come away with a prime piece of real estate on which the City has paid much and received nada. It’s only fair that we should be getting something more than we are for our tax dollars. A city purchase would virtually guarantee the survival of this Frenchtown asset.
Although some on the council would say the City doesn’t have the funds to make this purchase, there seems to be money aplenty to put sculptures all over town. There are plenty of funds to build a future coliseum (or should I say collision-iseum) in the form of the unnecessary roundabout at Third and Tecumseh. I’ve even heard rumors of another give-away to Lindenwood University in the form of a City built tunnel under First Capitol at West Clay. Have faith readers. No one in our city’s government could be stupid enough to go along with that. Or could they?
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
ttt
(This column was written several weeks before publication)
I have just finished reading the intellectual desert known as the editorial column of the St. Peters Advertiser (A.K.A. the St. Charles Journal) referring to our city’s fireworks ordinance as a “joke”. Whoever this “Editor” is that wrote that column, he or she fails to address the real problem. Here it is, faithful readers:
Our fireworks laws are no more of a “joke” than our speed limit laws are. What is the real “joke”, you ask? The real joke is the resident who is so wrapped up in his own self-gratification that he has absolutely no respect for his neighbors. Like the speeder on our streets, the ones that put our property in danger and ruin our night’s sleep are the ones who think laws only apply when it is convenient to their purpose.
This source of constant comedy, the Journal’s “Editor” assails our council for passing an ordinance restricting discharge of fireworks. In the next issue he or she will probably assail the council for restricting speed in school zones. Since some morons don’t obey our laws, the Journal editor blames the council. The Editor can’t seem to gather up enough guts to address the real culprits, the violators of our laws. That certainly wouldn’t be conducive to his duty to getting our mayor’s message out that all ills in St. Charles are born of anyone who doesn’t bow to the throne of the Queen of the Center of the Universe.
As I stated in my last column, the Journal has pretty much always been out of step with the citizens of St. Charles. One can only assume that the Editor considers all laws a “joke” if some jerks don’t abide by them. Since there is murder being committed in our society, this editor must think our laws forbidding murder are a “joke”. Cars are stolen; therefore car-jacking laws must be a “joke”. Some people drive drunk. Are our drunk driving laws a “joke”?
The column fails to note that absent this ordinance there would be no restrictions on how late these morons could violate your peaceful sleep. St. Peters has completely banned fireworks, but that hasn’t stopped the use of them in their city. St. Louis County is the same story.
Our ordinance gives the real celebrants of Independence Day the opportunity to celebrate. The people shooting fireworks at 1 or 2 a.m. are celebrating only their own self-centeredness.
No, our fireworks ordinance isn’t a joke. Neither are our speed laws. There are just too many self-centered morons who violate them.
The “joke” is the Journal editorial.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
P.S. (Question) The mayor’s pit bull Mikey has missed a lot of meetings. Did he break free from her leash?
Maybe it’s time for the sale of the building to the city with consideration given for the amounts that the city has already paid. I’m no attorney, but it would seem that to protect this asset the city could purchase the property and lease it back to the group headed by Mr. and Mrs. Boshears for what the City would loose in real estate taxes. The lease could be yearly with automatic renewals so long as the museum is maintained. Admission could remain free, with the hopes that visitors would drop a donation in the kitty on the way out. The city would gain a nice Frenchtown property and the group maintaining the museum could use donations they receive for overhead and stop worrying about meeting the mortgage or making repairs.
Of course, the present mortgagee may not want to sell, but the City should not be paying a mortgage on a property we don’t own. I admire what the Boshears and the other volunteers have done to preserve our history, but there is a real possibility that they could come away with a prime piece of real estate on which the City has paid much and received nada. It’s only fair that we should be getting something more than we are for our tax dollars. A city purchase would virtually guarantee the survival of this Frenchtown asset.
Although some on the council would say the City doesn’t have the funds to make this purchase, there seems to be money aplenty to put sculptures all over town. There are plenty of funds to build a future coliseum (or should I say collision-iseum) in the form of the unnecessary roundabout at Third and Tecumseh. I’ve even heard rumors of another give-away to Lindenwood University in the form of a City built tunnel under First Capitol at West Clay. Have faith readers. No one in our city’s government could be stupid enough to go along with that. Or could they?
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
ttt
(This column was written several weeks before publication)
I have just finished reading the intellectual desert known as the editorial column of the St. Peters Advertiser (A.K.A. the St. Charles Journal) referring to our city’s fireworks ordinance as a “joke”. Whoever this “Editor” is that wrote that column, he or she fails to address the real problem. Here it is, faithful readers:
Our fireworks laws are no more of a “joke” than our speed limit laws are. What is the real “joke”, you ask? The real joke is the resident who is so wrapped up in his own self-gratification that he has absolutely no respect for his neighbors. Like the speeder on our streets, the ones that put our property in danger and ruin our night’s sleep are the ones who think laws only apply when it is convenient to their purpose.
This source of constant comedy, the Journal’s “Editor” assails our council for passing an ordinance restricting discharge of fireworks. In the next issue he or she will probably assail the council for restricting speed in school zones. Since some morons don’t obey our laws, the Journal editor blames the council. The Editor can’t seem to gather up enough guts to address the real culprits, the violators of our laws. That certainly wouldn’t be conducive to his duty to getting our mayor’s message out that all ills in St. Charles are born of anyone who doesn’t bow to the throne of the Queen of the Center of the Universe.
As I stated in my last column, the Journal has pretty much always been out of step with the citizens of St. Charles. One can only assume that the Editor considers all laws a “joke” if some jerks don’t abide by them. Since there is murder being committed in our society, this editor must think our laws forbidding murder are a “joke”. Cars are stolen; therefore car-jacking laws must be a “joke”. Some people drive drunk. Are our drunk driving laws a “joke”?
The column fails to note that absent this ordinance there would be no restrictions on how late these morons could violate your peaceful sleep. St. Peters has completely banned fireworks, but that hasn’t stopped the use of them in their city. St. Louis County is the same story.
Our ordinance gives the real celebrants of Independence Day the opportunity to celebrate. The people shooting fireworks at 1 or 2 a.m. are celebrating only their own self-centeredness.
No, our fireworks ordinance isn’t a joke. Neither are our speed laws. There are just too many self-centered morons who violate them.
The “joke” is the Journal editorial.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
P.S. (Question) The mayor’s pit bull Mikey has missed a lot of meetings. Did he break free from her leash?
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