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Friday, February 23, 2007
FRONT PAGE - FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - February 24, 2007
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Pirates win district title; Rudy Harper hits shot with 4 seconds remaining – sends the Pirates to Hannibal
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
The evening ended the same way it began, with the St. Charles High fans chanting: “Can’t beat Wacker!” It’s what happened in between that will have high school basketball fans talking for years.
St. Charles High and St. Charles West tipped off at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening – from 7 till 8:30 the capacity crowd experienced something very special. A cross-town, intra-district rivalry that had the 2007 GAC North co-champions playing each other for the fourth time this season.
Down 19-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Pirates did everything they could to scratch and claw their way back into the contest. By half time they had a single point lead.
The teams traded the lead back and forth the entire second half. With 1:43 remaining in the contest the score was tied 43-43. After a couple of turnovers by both squads it was time for the Rudy Harper show.
Senior guard Rudy Harper drove the lane, banked his shot off the backboard, and gave the Pirates a 2-point lead. West called a time out and the officials adjusted the clock putting 3 seconds on it. For the Pirates faithful it was the longest 3 seconds of the season.
Harper’s shot sends the Pirates to Hannibal for Sectional play Wednesday evening for a 6 p.m. contest against an opponent to be determined. It looks like Coach Wacker’s attempt to retire will have to wait a little longer.
Sports Editor
The evening ended the same way it began, with the St. Charles High fans chanting: “Can’t beat Wacker!” It’s what happened in between that will have high school basketball fans talking for years.
St. Charles High and St. Charles West tipped off at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening – from 7 till 8:30 the capacity crowd experienced something very special. A cross-town, intra-district rivalry that had the 2007 GAC North co-champions playing each other for the fourth time this season.
Down 19-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Pirates did everything they could to scratch and claw their way back into the contest. By half time they had a single point lead.
The teams traded the lead back and forth the entire second half. With 1:43 remaining in the contest the score was tied 43-43. After a couple of turnovers by both squads it was time for the Rudy Harper show.
Senior guard Rudy Harper drove the lane, banked his shot off the backboard, and gave the Pirates a 2-point lead. West called a time out and the officials adjusted the clock putting 3 seconds on it. For the Pirates faithful it was the longest 3 seconds of the season.
Harper’s shot sends the Pirates to Hannibal for Sectional play Wednesday evening for a 6 p.m. contest against an opponent to be determined. It looks like Coach Wacker’s attempt to retire will have to wait a little longer.
WELLER BLASTS MAYOR
Councilman Mike Weller, upset with the lack of snow removal from the streets in his ward, sent a blistering e-mail to City Administrator Allan Williams and Mayor Patti York with a copy to the First Capitol News. While we do not usually agree with Councilman Weller we can understand his distress and concern for the safety of the residents of his ward. The e-mail he sent is presented here with no editing…..
From: mtweller@sbcglobal.net
To: markbrown476@hotmail.com
To: Allan.Williams@stcharlescity.com
To; bkneemiller@yahoo.com
To: Debbie.Aylsworth@stcharlescity.com
To: firstcapitolnews@aol.com
To: JHG426@HOTMAIL.COM
To: JKoesterMO@aol.com
To: lmuench@stcharlescity.com
To: mediamagic@primary.net
To: Patti.York@stcharlescity.com
To: rhoepfner@stcharlescity.com
To: RJMREESE@aol.com
To: Brent.Schulz@stcharlescity.com
To: Mike.Valenti@stcharlescity.com
Allan & Mayor, What the Hell is going On, my Ward, that’s is WARD 5 has not seen a Dam Snow Plow since the Snow storm began. The Only Road that has been plowed is Muegge Road.
HACKMANN ROAD and COUNTRY CLUB ROAD HAS NEVER BEEN TOUCHED... My phone is RINGING OFF THE DAM HOOK. THESE ARE TWO OF MY ONLY THREE PRIMARY ROADS.
NOT ONE OF MY SUB-DIVISIONS HAVE BEEN PLOWED.....
I RECEIVED ONE CALL FROM A RESIDENT THAT THE ONLY SNOW PLOW ON MUEGGE ROAD WAS A MODOT TRUCK.......
THIS KIND OF CRAP PISSES ME OFF.....
WHEN I GET HOME THIS AFTERNOON, I BETTER BE ABLE TO SEE CONCRETE IN MY ENTIRE DAM WARD OR I AM GOING TO RAISE MORE CRAP THAN YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE.
I WANT EVER DAM STREET PLOWED...
USE ONE OF THOSE BIG TRUCKS THAT HAVE A THING ON THE FRONT, IT’s CALLED A SNOW PLOW, AND THEY CARRY STUFF CALLED SALT, YOU PUT IT ON THE ROADS WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD....... HAS ANYONE SEEN ONE OF THOSE BEFORE.
I BET THE NORTH SIDE OF HWY 70 IS COMPLETELY DRY........
MY RESIDENTS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF BEING IGNORED, EVERYTIME WE HAVE A CRISIS, WE ARE THE LAST TO GET SERVICE, EVERY DAM TIME
FORGET THE PARK MONEY I ASSIGNED TO WAPPLEHORST LAKE, I WANT TO PURCHSE A TRUCK AND SNOW PLOW FOR WARD 5... I’LL KEEP THE DAM THING IN MY STORAGE PLACE ALONG SIDE MY MOTOR HOME, AND WHEN IT SNOWS I’LL DRIVE IT MYSELF.... AND THEN I’LL HIRE SOMEONE TO PICK UP MY TRASH WITH IT TWICE A WEEK.... AND I’LL MALKE SURE THAT DAM THING WILL NOT LEAK CRAP ALL OVER MY STREETS.....
I SENT AN EMAIL YESTERDAY MORNING REGARDING THIS SAME KIND OF POOR SERVICE.
WILL SOMEONE PLESE EXPLAIN WHY???
YOU’VE NOT HEARD FROM LAST OF ME YET.... I’N FAR FROM FINISHED...
Regards, Mike Mike Weller 314-322-7686
Councilman Mark Brown Ward 3 was also having the city administration clear the streets of snow and ice in his ward. A copy of an e-mail Brown sent to the Mayor, Administrator and fellow Council members was attached to the e-mail we received from Councilman Weller. Brown wrote…
It is really a shame that the county, with all the miles and roads they have to cover has been able to hit their residential areas twice and our city has yet to arrive. It really shows our residents how little this administration cares about the small taxpayer.
That is exactly what I am telling the residents and they all certainly agree. I don’t know about you guys, but my phone at the office has been ringing off the hook. I have also been receiving calls from other wards so I know I am not alone. We need to take swift action at the next meeting.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News that several areas of his ward were also in need of snow and ice removal and that he had received complaints from residents of Ward 8.
From: mtweller@sbcglobal.net
To: markbrown476@hotmail.com
To: Allan.Williams@stcharlescity.com
To; bkneemiller@yahoo.com
To: Debbie.Aylsworth@stcharlescity.com
To: firstcapitolnews@aol.com
To: JHG426@HOTMAIL.COM
To: JKoesterMO@aol.com
To: lmuench@stcharlescity.com
To: mediamagic@primary.net
To: Patti.York@stcharlescity.com
To: rhoepfner@stcharlescity.com
To: RJMREESE@aol.com
To: Brent.Schulz@stcharlescity.com
To: Mike.Valenti@stcharlescity.com
Allan & Mayor, What the Hell is going On, my Ward, that’s is WARD 5 has not seen a Dam Snow Plow since the Snow storm began. The Only Road that has been plowed is Muegge Road.
HACKMANN ROAD and COUNTRY CLUB ROAD HAS NEVER BEEN TOUCHED... My phone is RINGING OFF THE DAM HOOK. THESE ARE TWO OF MY ONLY THREE PRIMARY ROADS.
NOT ONE OF MY SUB-DIVISIONS HAVE BEEN PLOWED.....
I RECEIVED ONE CALL FROM A RESIDENT THAT THE ONLY SNOW PLOW ON MUEGGE ROAD WAS A MODOT TRUCK.......
THIS KIND OF CRAP PISSES ME OFF.....
WHEN I GET HOME THIS AFTERNOON, I BETTER BE ABLE TO SEE CONCRETE IN MY ENTIRE DAM WARD OR I AM GOING TO RAISE MORE CRAP THAN YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE.
I WANT EVER DAM STREET PLOWED...
USE ONE OF THOSE BIG TRUCKS THAT HAVE A THING ON THE FRONT, IT’s CALLED A SNOW PLOW, AND THEY CARRY STUFF CALLED SALT, YOU PUT IT ON THE ROADS WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD....... HAS ANYONE SEEN ONE OF THOSE BEFORE.
I BET THE NORTH SIDE OF HWY 70 IS COMPLETELY DRY........
MY RESIDENTS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF BEING IGNORED, EVERYTIME WE HAVE A CRISIS, WE ARE THE LAST TO GET SERVICE, EVERY DAM TIME
FORGET THE PARK MONEY I ASSIGNED TO WAPPLEHORST LAKE, I WANT TO PURCHSE A TRUCK AND SNOW PLOW FOR WARD 5... I’LL KEEP THE DAM THING IN MY STORAGE PLACE ALONG SIDE MY MOTOR HOME, AND WHEN IT SNOWS I’LL DRIVE IT MYSELF.... AND THEN I’LL HIRE SOMEONE TO PICK UP MY TRASH WITH IT TWICE A WEEK.... AND I’LL MALKE SURE THAT DAM THING WILL NOT LEAK CRAP ALL OVER MY STREETS.....
I SENT AN EMAIL YESTERDAY MORNING REGARDING THIS SAME KIND OF POOR SERVICE.
WILL SOMEONE PLESE EXPLAIN WHY???
YOU’VE NOT HEARD FROM LAST OF ME YET.... I’N FAR FROM FINISHED...
Regards, Mike Mike Weller 314-322-7686
Councilman Mark Brown Ward 3 was also having the city administration clear the streets of snow and ice in his ward. A copy of an e-mail Brown sent to the Mayor, Administrator and fellow Council members was attached to the e-mail we received from Councilman Weller. Brown wrote…
It is really a shame that the county, with all the miles and roads they have to cover has been able to hit their residential areas twice and our city has yet to arrive. It really shows our residents how little this administration cares about the small taxpayer.
That is exactly what I am telling the residents and they all certainly agree. I don’t know about you guys, but my phone at the office has been ringing off the hook. I have also been receiving calls from other wards so I know I am not alone. We need to take swift action at the next meeting.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News that several areas of his ward were also in need of snow and ice removal and that he had received complaints from residents of Ward 8.
Gieseke Is Leading In Race For Mayor
Gieseke
is Leading
In Race For Mayor
St. Charles Councilman John Gieseke was the big winner in the mayoral primary election held Tuesday, February 6th. According to a recent survey, Gieseke is the favorite for those planning to vote in the April 3rd municipal election.
In the primary election, 7219 voters cast ballots or 16.74 percent. This is a higher than the 10 percent turnout predicted by the election authority.
Gieseke received 2747 votes or 38.85 percent of the votes cast. Mayor Patti York came in second with 2254 votes or 31.88 percent. Former Mayor Grace Nichols with 2070 votes or 29.27 percent came in last and will not be in the general election.
Gieseke was the winner in 23 of the 31 precincts.
Gieseke ran a grass roots campaign and was out spent by the other two candidates by almost two to one. “I am very proud and thankful for the residents of St. Charles who worked very hard to help me in this election,” Gieseke told the First Capitol News. “I have pledged to return the city government to the people and will continue to work towards that goal.
Gieseke and York, will face each other in the general election on April 3rd. The winner will then be the full time Mayor.
is Leading
In Race For Mayor
St. Charles Councilman John Gieseke was the big winner in the mayoral primary election held Tuesday, February 6th. According to a recent survey, Gieseke is the favorite for those planning to vote in the April 3rd municipal election.
In the primary election, 7219 voters cast ballots or 16.74 percent. This is a higher than the 10 percent turnout predicted by the election authority.
Gieseke received 2747 votes or 38.85 percent of the votes cast. Mayor Patti York came in second with 2254 votes or 31.88 percent. Former Mayor Grace Nichols with 2070 votes or 29.27 percent came in last and will not be in the general election.
Gieseke was the winner in 23 of the 31 precincts.
Gieseke ran a grass roots campaign and was out spent by the other two candidates by almost two to one. “I am very proud and thankful for the residents of St. Charles who worked very hard to help me in this election,” Gieseke told the First Capitol News. “I have pledged to return the city government to the people and will continue to work towards that goal.
Gieseke and York, will face each other in the general election on April 3rd. The winner will then be the full time Mayor.
THANK YOU FROM JOHN GIESEKE
I want to thank all of you who volunteered, worked, put a yard sign up, made phone calls and most important voted for me. This election is about you and the direction the city will take.
I see a city that focuses on the needs of the residents first and foremost. Streets that are repaired in a timely manner, sidewalks that are installed and fixed. St. Charles needs to get back to the basics.
That focus has been lost on the "big projects". While the “big projects” are fun to talk about and cut the ribbons at openings, these projects have little to do with improving our quality of life. You, the residents of St. Charles, deserve to be thought of first. Something as simple as paying your water bill with a debit card isn't a consideration now, but it can be. The City staff tells you what you are going to do instead of asking how the City can do things better.
My mayoral campaign will continue to speak to the issues and you will not see any negative ads or personal attacks coming from me. This type of behavior has plagued our city for too long and I am not going to be a party to it. Many times political candidates try to hide behind third party attacks upon their opponents. Who else but a person running in a spirited campaign would want to attack their opponent. This happened in the last election when an organization called "Citizens for a Responsible Community" flooded mailboxes with negative mailers. I can only hope that my opponent will also take the high road during this mayoral campaign.
The residents of the City of St. Charles have the unique opportunity to break free of the political machine that has ruled St. Charles for years and move into the future.
Grace Nichols had that vision as well as myself. Mrs. Nichols ran a clean campaign and cares about the City. My vision of the future and her understanding of municipal law can make for a positive start to the new "Strong Mayor" form of government. Mrs. Nichols has been a tremendous asset to our community and I am hopeful that she will continue her involvement with our city.
Once again I thank you. If anyone would like to become involved in my campaign for Mayor of St. Charles by volunteering, telephoning, putting a sign in the yard or by contributing I can be reached at 636-946-0877 or johngieseke.com or at home, 3340 Shutten Street, St. Charles, 63301.
If anyone has had your yard sign stolen or damaged please go to johngieseke.com and click on signs and leave your address so we can bring you a new sign or call me at 636-946-0877.
John Gieseke
Councilman Ward 8
I see a city that focuses on the needs of the residents first and foremost. Streets that are repaired in a timely manner, sidewalks that are installed and fixed. St. Charles needs to get back to the basics.
That focus has been lost on the "big projects". While the “big projects” are fun to talk about and cut the ribbons at openings, these projects have little to do with improving our quality of life. You, the residents of St. Charles, deserve to be thought of first. Something as simple as paying your water bill with a debit card isn't a consideration now, but it can be. The City staff tells you what you are going to do instead of asking how the City can do things better.
My mayoral campaign will continue to speak to the issues and you will not see any negative ads or personal attacks coming from me. This type of behavior has plagued our city for too long and I am not going to be a party to it. Many times political candidates try to hide behind third party attacks upon their opponents. Who else but a person running in a spirited campaign would want to attack their opponent. This happened in the last election when an organization called "Citizens for a Responsible Community" flooded mailboxes with negative mailers. I can only hope that my opponent will also take the high road during this mayoral campaign.
The residents of the City of St. Charles have the unique opportunity to break free of the political machine that has ruled St. Charles for years and move into the future.
Grace Nichols had that vision as well as myself. Mrs. Nichols ran a clean campaign and cares about the City. My vision of the future and her understanding of municipal law can make for a positive start to the new "Strong Mayor" form of government. Mrs. Nichols has been a tremendous asset to our community and I am hopeful that she will continue her involvement with our city.
Once again I thank you. If anyone would like to become involved in my campaign for Mayor of St. Charles by volunteering, telephoning, putting a sign in the yard or by contributing I can be reached at 636-946-0877 or johngieseke.com or at home, 3340 Shutten Street, St. Charles, 63301.
If anyone has had your yard sign stolen or damaged please go to johngieseke.com and click on signs and leave your address so we can bring you a new sign or call me at 636-946-0877.
John Gieseke
Councilman Ward 8
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
THANK YOU
We would like to thank our loyal readers for braving the cold weather and voting in the St. Charles mayoral primary election. We would also like to thank those of you who voted for John Gieseke.
John Gieseke will face Mayor Patti York in the April 3rd general election as she attempts a third term.
St. Charles voters will have the opportunity on Tuesday, April 3rd to decide if they want to continue with what they are currently experiencing with York or if they want to move forward with a professional, efficient, progressive government with John Gieseke as Mayor.
YORK FAILED THE TEST
There was an interesting statement in another paper from York. In it she said Gieseke was, “untested.” What she failed to mention is that she was tested and she failed the test.
The most important lesson I learned covering York over the past seven years is that she lies. And when you catch her in a lie she attempts to lie her way out of the lie.
WHAT SHE WANTS YOU TO THINK SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
York’s campaign literature lists a number of accomplishments she claims are hers when in reality those accomplishments became reality because of the efforts of a lot of people.
She wants the public to believe that she is responsible for the Convention Center & Hotel, Justice Center, Arts Center, Veterans Memorial, Dog Park, New Town, Bass Pro, Commercial & Industrial Boon of the 370 Area, the Casino expansion & Hotel, upgraded interchanges and school resource officers. That is not true.
She also wants you to believe that she is responsible for the best police department, best fire department, best emergency medical, best parks & recreation, low tax rate, etc. Again not true.
WHAT SHE IS REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
What is she responsible for? She is responsible for calling a special meeting to sell the old police headquarters for $150,000 less than the highest bid. If you drive by that building on West Clay you will see a York for Mayor sign on the property. That sign location has cost the taxpayers at least $150,000.
She is responsible for delaying the appointment of a Police Chief for over a year because she could not get the votes for her favorite candidate.
She is responsible for illegally signing a contract, without City Council approval, with Express Scripts. A lawsuit is now pending against the City with a demand of more than $200,000 in damages.
She is responsible for allegedly diverting over $15,000 in taxpayer money to the recall efforts of Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer.
A story in another publication quotes the mayor as saying she was never involved in those recall efforts. Another lie. She was heavily involved with those recall efforts in which the police discovered fraud and forgeries and in which arrests have been made and charges brought forward.
She is also responsible for the infighting and bitterness between members of the City Council.
I could go on and on with her actual accomplishments that she doesn’t want you to know about until I would probably bore you. However, if you would like additional information you can research York in the archives of the First Capitol News at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. Just type York or Mayor in the search area.
Who Is Funding Phone Calls
For Candidate Deep In Debt?
The First Capitol News has learned that just one week after filing for the St. Charles City Council, attorney Richard Veit filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission creating a debt committee. Veit is one of two candidates facing First Ward City Councilman Rory Riddler in April. Two months before filing to run for the council, papers on file with the State show that Veit ended his campaign for the Republican nomination for Circuit Judge (Division 4) with a debt of $12,260,94. Veit lost the primary to now Circuit Judge Rick Zerr.
Rather than requiring that Veit pay off his debts from one campaign before starting another, Missouri law allows him to form yet another campaign committee. A persistent rumor in political circles has been that Veit was promised that his previous campaign debt would be paid off in exchange for running for the Council. Several people were approached to run by Republican Party leaders, despite the fact that City Council seats are suppose to be non-partisan.
Meanwhile, the First Capitol News received calls from several residents who said they received electronic phone calls this week that asked questions about the candidates for Mayor, but also about their preference in the race for City Councilman in the First Ward. The First Capitol news has been told that the phone calls are being made by a company owned by Tom Smith, whose home address on Monroe Street was used to funnel over a million dollars in campaign money on behalf of Republican State Representative Tom Dempsey and various partisan campaign committees last year.
Tom Smith is a State employee as well, working for State Representative Tom Dempsey. Tom Smith is also considered a political ally of incumbent Mayor Patti York. Veit’s campaign reports, which were due on Thursday, do not show any expenditure for these phone calls.
Here we go again folks.
Secret campaign committees are already starting to funnel money to a select slate of candidates on behalf of the good old boy network.
In the weeks ahead, the First Capitol News will help our readers connect the dots and follow the money trail. We will investigate if there is a secret slate of candidates who were drafted to run and, if so, what political or financial favors they may have received. We also promise to keep a close eye on Richard Veit’s debt committee to see who is willing to pay off his $12,000 debt.
We would like to thank our loyal readers for braving the cold weather and voting in the St. Charles mayoral primary election. We would also like to thank those of you who voted for John Gieseke.
John Gieseke will face Mayor Patti York in the April 3rd general election as she attempts a third term.
St. Charles voters will have the opportunity on Tuesday, April 3rd to decide if they want to continue with what they are currently experiencing with York or if they want to move forward with a professional, efficient, progressive government with John Gieseke as Mayor.
YORK FAILED THE TEST
There was an interesting statement in another paper from York. In it she said Gieseke was, “untested.” What she failed to mention is that she was tested and she failed the test.
The most important lesson I learned covering York over the past seven years is that she lies. And when you catch her in a lie she attempts to lie her way out of the lie.
WHAT SHE WANTS YOU TO THINK SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
York’s campaign literature lists a number of accomplishments she claims are hers when in reality those accomplishments became reality because of the efforts of a lot of people.
She wants the public to believe that she is responsible for the Convention Center & Hotel, Justice Center, Arts Center, Veterans Memorial, Dog Park, New Town, Bass Pro, Commercial & Industrial Boon of the 370 Area, the Casino expansion & Hotel, upgraded interchanges and school resource officers. That is not true.
She also wants you to believe that she is responsible for the best police department, best fire department, best emergency medical, best parks & recreation, low tax rate, etc. Again not true.
WHAT SHE IS REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
What is she responsible for? She is responsible for calling a special meeting to sell the old police headquarters for $150,000 less than the highest bid. If you drive by that building on West Clay you will see a York for Mayor sign on the property. That sign location has cost the taxpayers at least $150,000.
She is responsible for delaying the appointment of a Police Chief for over a year because she could not get the votes for her favorite candidate.
She is responsible for illegally signing a contract, without City Council approval, with Express Scripts. A lawsuit is now pending against the City with a demand of more than $200,000 in damages.
She is responsible for allegedly diverting over $15,000 in taxpayer money to the recall efforts of Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer.
A story in another publication quotes the mayor as saying she was never involved in those recall efforts. Another lie. She was heavily involved with those recall efforts in which the police discovered fraud and forgeries and in which arrests have been made and charges brought forward.
She is also responsible for the infighting and bitterness between members of the City Council.
I could go on and on with her actual accomplishments that she doesn’t want you to know about until I would probably bore you. However, if you would like additional information you can research York in the archives of the First Capitol News at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. Just type York or Mayor in the search area.
Who Is Funding Phone Calls
For Candidate Deep In Debt?
The First Capitol News has learned that just one week after filing for the St. Charles City Council, attorney Richard Veit filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission creating a debt committee. Veit is one of two candidates facing First Ward City Councilman Rory Riddler in April. Two months before filing to run for the council, papers on file with the State show that Veit ended his campaign for the Republican nomination for Circuit Judge (Division 4) with a debt of $12,260,94. Veit lost the primary to now Circuit Judge Rick Zerr.
Rather than requiring that Veit pay off his debts from one campaign before starting another, Missouri law allows him to form yet another campaign committee. A persistent rumor in political circles has been that Veit was promised that his previous campaign debt would be paid off in exchange for running for the Council. Several people were approached to run by Republican Party leaders, despite the fact that City Council seats are suppose to be non-partisan.
Meanwhile, the First Capitol News received calls from several residents who said they received electronic phone calls this week that asked questions about the candidates for Mayor, but also about their preference in the race for City Councilman in the First Ward. The First Capitol news has been told that the phone calls are being made by a company owned by Tom Smith, whose home address on Monroe Street was used to funnel over a million dollars in campaign money on behalf of Republican State Representative Tom Dempsey and various partisan campaign committees last year.
Tom Smith is a State employee as well, working for State Representative Tom Dempsey. Tom Smith is also considered a political ally of incumbent Mayor Patti York. Veit’s campaign reports, which were due on Thursday, do not show any expenditure for these phone calls.
Here we go again folks.
Secret campaign committees are already starting to funnel money to a select slate of candidates on behalf of the good old boy network.
In the weeks ahead, the First Capitol News will help our readers connect the dots and follow the money trail. We will investigate if there is a secret slate of candidates who were drafted to run and, if so, what political or financial favors they may have received. We also promise to keep a close eye on Richard Veit’s debt committee to see who is willing to pay off his $12,000 debt.
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
Mardi Gras Parade Was One
Cold Day In You Know Where
There are few times I am happy to say, that I’ve felt my life was in mortal danger. One of those came last Saturday when my wife and I joined a hardy Krewe for the annual Mardi Gras Parade in Soulard. Mardi Gras is how St. Louis celebrates its French heritage. In this case that would be the heritage of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow.
It wasn’t that we didn’t know it would be cold. We had more layers than the paint on my house. My wife even tested her costume the day before by standing outside…in the shade. A lot of time and effort went into perfecting the perfect pirate costumes. I just think people weren’t use to seeing pirate Eskimos.
Hundreds of man hours had gone into the construction of the pirate ship that served as our float. It was a three masted affair, complete with sails and menacing cannon bristling from gunports. There was even a crows nest on a third level where fair damsels could take refuge and a skeleton lashed to the ship’s wheel. It was a beautiful float, built by the Bone Daddy & The Blues Shaker’s Krewe. Had the cannons been loaded and our swords cold steel instead of plastic, we might have even persuaded the judges to give us the first place trophy.
Instead the top honors for best float and best costumes went to our now sworn enemies the Mystic Knights of the Purple Haze. I thought on their name alone the police should have pulled their float over and done a random drug search. The theme of the parade this year was “novels” and our Piratical entry was for Captain Blood. The Mystic Knights of the Purple Haze (sorry, I can’t stop laughing when I have to write that) chose George Orwell’s 1984.
I didn’t see the latest remake of 1984 packing them in like Pirate’s of the Caribbean. We were the crowd favorite, not a bunch of guards trying to look menacing in jump suits and yellow hardhats telling people war is peace. We all know that if peace broke out in the world we wouldn’t know what to call it. Aaargh! Just wait till next year Mystic Knights!
Now the Mardi Gras Parade in Soulard has a reputation for going on rain or shine. But with the early date for the start of Lent this year, they can now add “blizzards” to the list of meteorological disasters that don’t stop the parade. We arrived at the staging area at 8:30 in the morning to wind gusts of 30 miles per hour, driving snow and a wind chill factor so low they use it to describe temperatures on Pluto.
When you are twenty years old, you don’t feel the cold. When you are thirty years old, you walk it off. When forty, you open another beer. But when you’re fifty years old, you huddle in front of the truck as a wind break and try to gather as much warmth from the engine as you can. I now know why the show Survivor only films in tropical locations. You can’t survive in temperatures this cold without killing your own tantaun and climbing inside like Han Solo.
You have three hours to kill or be killed waiting for our section of the parade to pull out. At one point Sue and I found ourselves huddled on the deck, our backs to boxes of beads. Looking up at the pirate flag flapping in the wind, the shouts of the crewmembers lashing down the sails and the costumed characters scurrying about the decks, I began to think what a great novel I could write about some crazed pirate captain forcing his desperate crew ever northward to bury his treasure in the snows of Greenland.
Then I looked out at the float across from us. Through the blinding snow I could just make out the Hooter’s bikini swimsuit issue float. Unfortunately the Hooter’s “models” standing around the float looked more like MoDOT workers in their insulated orange jumpsuits. My day was starting to turn into a Russian novel.
Once the parade started, throwing five gross of beads helped warm me up a bit. Crowds were down from the cold, but there were still seas people around the heart of Soulard. Surprisingly, given the cold, there seemed to be just as many “costume failures” among those in the crowd as last year, though most looked like they had a little natural insulation to spare.
It seems to be the goal of parade organizers to keep the crowd as far away from the floats as possible with the way they set up the barricades. This made it nearly impossible for those throwing beads from the windward side of the ship to reach the crowd. It took my best angled Frisbee style pitch to reach the front rows. Many beads thrown by others simply blew back onto the boat or fell tantalizing close, but out of reach, of those stuck behind the barricades.
It would seem that in an event, where the primary purpose seems to be to put beads and people together, that Soulard Mardi Gras organizers would figure this out. The situation did help one of the more hardy walkers with our Krewe to become an instant celebrity. Dressed in a billowing red silk pirate shirt, he used his plastic sword to deftly flick the fallen booty to the screaming throngs.
My near freezing to death experience gave me renewed respect for all of those professions that work outside. As we hung on to rails for the chilly ride back to the hotel, one person quipped, “Well, at least it can’t be any worse next year.” We all rolled our eyes to the clouded skies. Lent, and therefore the Soulard Parade, is a week earlier next year! Pass the word to the crows nest to keep a sharp eye out for icebergs! Aaargh!
Cold Day In You Know Where
There are few times I am happy to say, that I’ve felt my life was in mortal danger. One of those came last Saturday when my wife and I joined a hardy Krewe for the annual Mardi Gras Parade in Soulard. Mardi Gras is how St. Louis celebrates its French heritage. In this case that would be the heritage of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow.
It wasn’t that we didn’t know it would be cold. We had more layers than the paint on my house. My wife even tested her costume the day before by standing outside…in the shade. A lot of time and effort went into perfecting the perfect pirate costumes. I just think people weren’t use to seeing pirate Eskimos.
Hundreds of man hours had gone into the construction of the pirate ship that served as our float. It was a three masted affair, complete with sails and menacing cannon bristling from gunports. There was even a crows nest on a third level where fair damsels could take refuge and a skeleton lashed to the ship’s wheel. It was a beautiful float, built by the Bone Daddy & The Blues Shaker’s Krewe. Had the cannons been loaded and our swords cold steel instead of plastic, we might have even persuaded the judges to give us the first place trophy.
Instead the top honors for best float and best costumes went to our now sworn enemies the Mystic Knights of the Purple Haze. I thought on their name alone the police should have pulled their float over and done a random drug search. The theme of the parade this year was “novels” and our Piratical entry was for Captain Blood. The Mystic Knights of the Purple Haze (sorry, I can’t stop laughing when I have to write that) chose George Orwell’s 1984.
I didn’t see the latest remake of 1984 packing them in like Pirate’s of the Caribbean. We were the crowd favorite, not a bunch of guards trying to look menacing in jump suits and yellow hardhats telling people war is peace. We all know that if peace broke out in the world we wouldn’t know what to call it. Aaargh! Just wait till next year Mystic Knights!
Now the Mardi Gras Parade in Soulard has a reputation for going on rain or shine. But with the early date for the start of Lent this year, they can now add “blizzards” to the list of meteorological disasters that don’t stop the parade. We arrived at the staging area at 8:30 in the morning to wind gusts of 30 miles per hour, driving snow and a wind chill factor so low they use it to describe temperatures on Pluto.
When you are twenty years old, you don’t feel the cold. When you are thirty years old, you walk it off. When forty, you open another beer. But when you’re fifty years old, you huddle in front of the truck as a wind break and try to gather as much warmth from the engine as you can. I now know why the show Survivor only films in tropical locations. You can’t survive in temperatures this cold without killing your own tantaun and climbing inside like Han Solo.
You have three hours to kill or be killed waiting for our section of the parade to pull out. At one point Sue and I found ourselves huddled on the deck, our backs to boxes of beads. Looking up at the pirate flag flapping in the wind, the shouts of the crewmembers lashing down the sails and the costumed characters scurrying about the decks, I began to think what a great novel I could write about some crazed pirate captain forcing his desperate crew ever northward to bury his treasure in the snows of Greenland.
Then I looked out at the float across from us. Through the blinding snow I could just make out the Hooter’s bikini swimsuit issue float. Unfortunately the Hooter’s “models” standing around the float looked more like MoDOT workers in their insulated orange jumpsuits. My day was starting to turn into a Russian novel.
Once the parade started, throwing five gross of beads helped warm me up a bit. Crowds were down from the cold, but there were still seas people around the heart of Soulard. Surprisingly, given the cold, there seemed to be just as many “costume failures” among those in the crowd as last year, though most looked like they had a little natural insulation to spare.
It seems to be the goal of parade organizers to keep the crowd as far away from the floats as possible with the way they set up the barricades. This made it nearly impossible for those throwing beads from the windward side of the ship to reach the crowd. It took my best angled Frisbee style pitch to reach the front rows. Many beads thrown by others simply blew back onto the boat or fell tantalizing close, but out of reach, of those stuck behind the barricades.
It would seem that in an event, where the primary purpose seems to be to put beads and people together, that Soulard Mardi Gras organizers would figure this out. The situation did help one of the more hardy walkers with our Krewe to become an instant celebrity. Dressed in a billowing red silk pirate shirt, he used his plastic sword to deftly flick the fallen booty to the screaming throngs.
My near freezing to death experience gave me renewed respect for all of those professions that work outside. As we hung on to rails for the chilly ride back to the hotel, one person quipped, “Well, at least it can’t be any worse next year.” We all rolled our eyes to the clouded skies. Lent, and therefore the Soulard Parade, is a week earlier next year! Pass the word to the crows nest to keep a sharp eye out for icebergs! Aaargh!
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor
My name is Brad Sewell. I am the business manager for Frenchtown Transmission Inc., located at 1718 North 2nd Street, St. Charles, Missouri.
I am responding to an article posted on STLtoday.com, under the subject, “Frenchtown developer is in for the long haul”. In the article, Kim Paris, who represents Griffey Homes and has been quite vocal for her position in a redevelopment plan for the Frenchtown Historic District, suggests the reason the redevelopment has stalled is because the present property owners all “want to become millionaires”, and are asking unreasonable prices for the properties.
I have become quite familiar with Kim Paris during the time this redevelopment plan has been debated by the St. Charles City Council and its constituents. I would like to commend Kim for her work. She has represented her group admirably.
The neighborhood Kim Paris is referring to consists mostly of homes built during the 1940’s and 1950’s and includes a few recently built homes. The businesses are all professional people and their offices or garages. No liquor stores or taverns. There is a half-block area with mobile homes. There are no falling down, dilapidated buildings. There are a few buildings currently vacant, but no eyesores.
Frenchtown Transmission Inc. occupies a building situated on property which fronts on North 2nd Street, a main thoroughfare, and is less than 50 yards from scenic Missouri River levee, to the rear. The property is surrounded on three sides by small, flat, vacant, grassy lots, which the City of St. Charles owns and maintains. One is a park complete with benches and B-B-Q grills. The building is a mostly metal building, which will withstand the elements for many generations to come, and is more than suitable for the purpose of repairing car and light duty truck transmissions. The fire department and city code enforcement crews have performed their annual inspections and until recently have never found any infractions. This year we received a letter from the city regarding some loose soffit panels, a simple problem to repair.
What Kim does not mention, when she accuses people of “Wanting to be millionaires”, is that no good faith dollar offers were tendered for any of the properties in the “Frenchtown Historic District” before the city council began proceeding to have the area declared blighted or the parties involved in redeveloping began proceedings to use eminent domain to acquire the properties. Their early efforts focused on getting the property on the cheap.
Eminent Domain is a tool which governing bodies use to acquire properties needed for public works projects when there is an impasse in the negotiations for an amount to be paid for the property. The City Council took the use of eminent domain out of the redevelopment plan after much protest.
When Kim and her group finally did discuss dollars with the business owners, the offers were for less than a normal appraisal value.
The real issue in the debate is the replacement cost for the properties they wish to acquire. The properties they wish to acquire are not recent development and the market value of the properties is not near enough to the cost to replace the properties to make it feasible for the Sellers to move.
Normal thinking people and people who do not wish to get into financial trouble, do not attempt to purchase property they cannot afford. Some of the people she is referring to already are millionaires and got that way by not spending more than they needed to.
Kim and her people want all the people in the redevelopment district to accept offers for the value they appraised the properties at, which was far lower than the appraisal we got, and then move to a different location and bear the cost difference out of our pocket. That would have these business owners spending more than they desire to spend for the roofs over their head. They are located where they are located because of the real estate price.
The complaint all along is that the people here are satisfied with their properties. If Kim and her group wish to own them, they will have to put up the money the people need to move away and we will go gladly.
They do not want to pay and prefer to malign us in the newspapers and on the radio.
I wish Kim and her group well in their endeavors, but they are the ones who “want to be millionaires”, and they want to get there at our expense.
Mr. Haferkamp
View From The Cheap Seats,
I was so glad to read your recent View from the Cheap Seats questioning the Saint Charles School Board’s recent decision to kick kids out of our school district. You really hit the nail on the head when you asked how this could possibly Save the district money. It doesn’t SAVE any money. They calculated that theoretical savings based on the average cost per student and when they kick these kids out the Average cost per student is simply going to increase. They are still going to spend that money, just on fewer kids. The real truth is that kicking these poor kids out of our school isn’t going to SAVE it is really going to COST us money, more than $70,000 in state funding we will not receive.
So, if this decision is not really about the money, why don’t they have the decency and compassion to honor their promise to these teachers and students? It really all comes done to what I told them two years ago, “an average of 27 kids per classroom is not 100% capacity”. Go ahead and do the math. If you take any of their capacity numbers for any of the schools and divide it by the number of classrooms you will get 27 kids per classroom.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines, http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/msip/faq&answers.html) do not recommend an average of 27 children/classroom in K-4, it is not even the recommended maximum in K-2. Our School Board knows this fact but they decided to ignore everyone and based their entire reorganization on this ridiculous number.
The only way they figured out how to close two elementary and stay within the DESE guidelines was to dump the fifth graders into the middle school, pack them in like the elementary schools. But once again they did not use the right numbers, they let Laidlaw (the bus company) try to figure it all out. But Laidlaw didn’t get all the numbers right, they forgot to count all the kids.
So to cover up how they have botched this reorganization, the Saint Charles School Board has to kick these kids out, not for the reasons they give, but to cover up their own incompetence. They simply don’t want to admit that closing down two elementary schools is a big mistake.
What is most disheartening is the only reason they are cramming this reorganization down our throats is because of their “Project Financial Deficit” in 2010. A projection made back in 2005 that has also proven to be flawed. I want to point out that this past year, with all the schools still open I might add, this school district has done remarkably well financially. At the January meeting, their financial officer reported that the district received $3,000,000 more than it expected. That project supposedly included the tax levy transfer; that surplus was due to their “Conservative” projections, (some might call that way too conservative). Lets also not forget that at the beginning of this school year they paid off an additional $2,000,000 in debt. A very sound financial move I might add that will save the district a significant amount of interest over the course of the next several years.
Just counting those two examples (and there are quite a few more) total up to 5 million dollars. That’s about 10% of their total annual budget of 50 million they underestimated, and quite frankly I don’t care how conservative you are, that isn’t the “Break even” point they predicted back in 2005.
That’s the sad truth of it all, and this school board is still trying to cover it all up. They want to cram kids in like sardines, try to convince us of nonexistent savings, (the busing nightmare is their next shell game), all the while they waste money on new administration offices and fancy laptop computers for themselves. Their ultimate goal (as foolishly verbalized during the Jan. meeting) is to attempt another tax levy transfer. I am certain it will include another threat of reorganization, this time I predict at the high school level. It truly sickens me the way this board likes to hold our children hostages over us. That’s the view from my seat. Keep up the good work Mr. Haferkamp!
Parent and Citizen
DUMONET@worldnet.att.net
Dear Editor
The answer is an average of 27 children per classroom. What does the Saint Charles School Board believe their capacity is? That’s right, an average of 27 children per classroom. If you take any of their school capacity numbers and divide it by the number of classrooms you will get an average of 27 children per classroom. Whenever they talk about their percent capacity, its based on an average of 27 children per classroom. Don’t get fooled by that number; it is not the maximum number of children allowed in a classroom; it is an average. They are using an AVERAGE of 27 children per classroom. What do you get when you have 30 kids in one classroom and 24 in another? According to our school board that is okay because it’s still an average of 27 children per classroom.
But it is not okay. It is not okay with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. They don’t like it when you cram more than 27 children per classroom especially in the elementary schools. Our school board is just now figuring that out, and that’s why they are frantically looking for ways to kick kids out of our schools. After all their posturing about declining enrollment numbers, they are turning around and kicking children out because they completely botched the reorganization using that 27 children per classroom as an average.
So now try to answer these questions. What is the best way to drive good teachers out of this district? What is the best way to make parents pull even more children out of our schools? What is the best way to drive down the academic performance of our students? What is the best way for this district to fail the MAP test resulting in the federal mandate to fire all of our teachers (like Saint Louis)? The answer is simple; it’s an average of 27 children per classroom. And it is all brought to you by the Saint Charles School Board who seem to have average IQ of 27.
Jim DuMontelle
My name is Brad Sewell. I am the business manager for Frenchtown Transmission Inc., located at 1718 North 2nd Street, St. Charles, Missouri.
I am responding to an article posted on STLtoday.com, under the subject, “Frenchtown developer is in for the long haul”. In the article, Kim Paris, who represents Griffey Homes and has been quite vocal for her position in a redevelopment plan for the Frenchtown Historic District, suggests the reason the redevelopment has stalled is because the present property owners all “want to become millionaires”, and are asking unreasonable prices for the properties.
I have become quite familiar with Kim Paris during the time this redevelopment plan has been debated by the St. Charles City Council and its constituents. I would like to commend Kim for her work. She has represented her group admirably.
The neighborhood Kim Paris is referring to consists mostly of homes built during the 1940’s and 1950’s and includes a few recently built homes. The businesses are all professional people and their offices or garages. No liquor stores or taverns. There is a half-block area with mobile homes. There are no falling down, dilapidated buildings. There are a few buildings currently vacant, but no eyesores.
Frenchtown Transmission Inc. occupies a building situated on property which fronts on North 2nd Street, a main thoroughfare, and is less than 50 yards from scenic Missouri River levee, to the rear. The property is surrounded on three sides by small, flat, vacant, grassy lots, which the City of St. Charles owns and maintains. One is a park complete with benches and B-B-Q grills. The building is a mostly metal building, which will withstand the elements for many generations to come, and is more than suitable for the purpose of repairing car and light duty truck transmissions. The fire department and city code enforcement crews have performed their annual inspections and until recently have never found any infractions. This year we received a letter from the city regarding some loose soffit panels, a simple problem to repair.
What Kim does not mention, when she accuses people of “Wanting to be millionaires”, is that no good faith dollar offers were tendered for any of the properties in the “Frenchtown Historic District” before the city council began proceeding to have the area declared blighted or the parties involved in redeveloping began proceedings to use eminent domain to acquire the properties. Their early efforts focused on getting the property on the cheap.
Eminent Domain is a tool which governing bodies use to acquire properties needed for public works projects when there is an impasse in the negotiations for an amount to be paid for the property. The City Council took the use of eminent domain out of the redevelopment plan after much protest.
When Kim and her group finally did discuss dollars with the business owners, the offers were for less than a normal appraisal value.
The real issue in the debate is the replacement cost for the properties they wish to acquire. The properties they wish to acquire are not recent development and the market value of the properties is not near enough to the cost to replace the properties to make it feasible for the Sellers to move.
Normal thinking people and people who do not wish to get into financial trouble, do not attempt to purchase property they cannot afford. Some of the people she is referring to already are millionaires and got that way by not spending more than they needed to.
Kim and her people want all the people in the redevelopment district to accept offers for the value they appraised the properties at, which was far lower than the appraisal we got, and then move to a different location and bear the cost difference out of our pocket. That would have these business owners spending more than they desire to spend for the roofs over their head. They are located where they are located because of the real estate price.
The complaint all along is that the people here are satisfied with their properties. If Kim and her group wish to own them, they will have to put up the money the people need to move away and we will go gladly.
They do not want to pay and prefer to malign us in the newspapers and on the radio.
I wish Kim and her group well in their endeavors, but they are the ones who “want to be millionaires”, and they want to get there at our expense.
Mr. Haferkamp
View From The Cheap Seats,
I was so glad to read your recent View from the Cheap Seats questioning the Saint Charles School Board’s recent decision to kick kids out of our school district. You really hit the nail on the head when you asked how this could possibly Save the district money. It doesn’t SAVE any money. They calculated that theoretical savings based on the average cost per student and when they kick these kids out the Average cost per student is simply going to increase. They are still going to spend that money, just on fewer kids. The real truth is that kicking these poor kids out of our school isn’t going to SAVE it is really going to COST us money, more than $70,000 in state funding we will not receive.
So, if this decision is not really about the money, why don’t they have the decency and compassion to honor their promise to these teachers and students? It really all comes done to what I told them two years ago, “an average of 27 kids per classroom is not 100% capacity”. Go ahead and do the math. If you take any of their capacity numbers for any of the schools and divide it by the number of classrooms you will get 27 kids per classroom.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines, http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/msip/faq&answers.html) do not recommend an average of 27 children/classroom in K-4, it is not even the recommended maximum in K-2. Our School Board knows this fact but they decided to ignore everyone and based their entire reorganization on this ridiculous number.
The only way they figured out how to close two elementary and stay within the DESE guidelines was to dump the fifth graders into the middle school, pack them in like the elementary schools. But once again they did not use the right numbers, they let Laidlaw (the bus company) try to figure it all out. But Laidlaw didn’t get all the numbers right, they forgot to count all the kids.
So to cover up how they have botched this reorganization, the Saint Charles School Board has to kick these kids out, not for the reasons they give, but to cover up their own incompetence. They simply don’t want to admit that closing down two elementary schools is a big mistake.
What is most disheartening is the only reason they are cramming this reorganization down our throats is because of their “Project Financial Deficit” in 2010. A projection made back in 2005 that has also proven to be flawed. I want to point out that this past year, with all the schools still open I might add, this school district has done remarkably well financially. At the January meeting, their financial officer reported that the district received $3,000,000 more than it expected. That project supposedly included the tax levy transfer; that surplus was due to their “Conservative” projections, (some might call that way too conservative). Lets also not forget that at the beginning of this school year they paid off an additional $2,000,000 in debt. A very sound financial move I might add that will save the district a significant amount of interest over the course of the next several years.
Just counting those two examples (and there are quite a few more) total up to 5 million dollars. That’s about 10% of their total annual budget of 50 million they underestimated, and quite frankly I don’t care how conservative you are, that isn’t the “Break even” point they predicted back in 2005.
That’s the sad truth of it all, and this school board is still trying to cover it all up. They want to cram kids in like sardines, try to convince us of nonexistent savings, (the busing nightmare is their next shell game), all the while they waste money on new administration offices and fancy laptop computers for themselves. Their ultimate goal (as foolishly verbalized during the Jan. meeting) is to attempt another tax levy transfer. I am certain it will include another threat of reorganization, this time I predict at the high school level. It truly sickens me the way this board likes to hold our children hostages over us. That’s the view from my seat. Keep up the good work Mr. Haferkamp!
Parent and Citizen
DUMONET@worldnet.att.net
Dear Editor
The answer is an average of 27 children per classroom. What does the Saint Charles School Board believe their capacity is? That’s right, an average of 27 children per classroom. If you take any of their school capacity numbers and divide it by the number of classrooms you will get an average of 27 children per classroom. Whenever they talk about their percent capacity, its based on an average of 27 children per classroom. Don’t get fooled by that number; it is not the maximum number of children allowed in a classroom; it is an average. They are using an AVERAGE of 27 children per classroom. What do you get when you have 30 kids in one classroom and 24 in another? According to our school board that is okay because it’s still an average of 27 children per classroom.
But it is not okay. It is not okay with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. They don’t like it when you cram more than 27 children per classroom especially in the elementary schools. Our school board is just now figuring that out, and that’s why they are frantically looking for ways to kick kids out of our schools. After all their posturing about declining enrollment numbers, they are turning around and kicking children out because they completely botched the reorganization using that 27 children per classroom as an average.
So now try to answer these questions. What is the best way to drive good teachers out of this district? What is the best way to make parents pull even more children out of our schools? What is the best way to drive down the academic performance of our students? What is the best way for this district to fail the MAP test resulting in the federal mandate to fire all of our teachers (like Saint Louis)? The answer is simple; it’s an average of 27 children per classroom. And it is all brought to you by the Saint Charles School Board who seem to have average IQ of 27.
Jim DuMontelle
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
Wherever they burn books they will also, in the end, burn human beings.
Heinrich Heine
A Post column from John Sonderegger dated February 4th, 2007 did a good job trying to make the City the bad guys when a car dealership decided to move to O’Fallon; you know, the one under the water tower. John Gieseke did a good job clarifying the facts of the matter; however, I wanted to respond here to some things quoted in the piece.
First of all, the concerned residents of Olde Towne Estates didn’t see the jovial, humorous Trenary as seen on TV. Residents were treated as annoyances in the way of what a businessman wanted to do. The neighboring residents wanted to protect their property values and the current zoning laws for the adjacent property. Any one of us can appreciate this. Simply put, had Trenary been at the West Clay site and then a subdivision put in that in turn complained about the dealership as a neighbor, it would make sense to defend the business. When the opposite is true, it makes sense to defend the neighborhood. Trenary stated, “We’ll try to take our sense of humor out that way.” Sadly, had more humor and humility been afforded the working men and women who are his customers right from the start, perhaps an early compromise could have been reached regarding the relocation of the dealership. Several alternative locations with highway frontage were offered up, but for the auto dealership, it was this spot or no spot at all.
A further quote continues, claiming that the current City Council legacy will be that, “they ran another auto dealer out of town.”
I’m thinking....no, I’m quite certain that not only did we not run Trenary out of town, this council has not run any dealership out of town. It is true that our City does not wish to allow any more used car lots in town. Could that be what he meant? You see, by “running out of town” the dealership owner meant “didn’t allow a blank check to a powerful businessman.” By the way, if you doubt his power, just see the aforementioned column – eleventh paragraph. It reads:
Now, if you eat lunch at Pio’s and you hold court there with Ernie Dempsey and his pals, you’d think the local pols would treat you with more respect than Trenary was afforded a couple of years ago when he wanted to buy property along West Clay Street...”
This sentence tells you that the columnist is taken with such power and connections to even mention this and it also lets you know that Trenary was well connected to the good-old-boy network that runs much of our government. I can say that I was glad that John Gieseke resisted the awe that a Pio’s-eating, local celebrity brings to the table and instead he chose to do the right thing (“do the right thing” - those words have been forever altered in the local vocabulary). John chose to support the local homeowners who like their quiet streets and want to keep them that way. These homeowners are our neighbors and live among us – not in Town and Country. For many, their home’s value means a safer retirement and for our town’s future, favorable neighborhoods mean new families who will call our town home.
Today, a beautiful development inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright is being constructed on the West Clay site where, had it not been for concerned residents, a sea of cars would have taken out old-growth trees and a well-built building. Today, several new businesses already call the building home and work continues to add more businesses and towards the back of the property housing - including senior housing.
Where Trenary’s business is departing underneath the water tower, a developer is interested in developing new retail. Our City has an opportunity to clean up First Capitol Drive which should be our main objective for the next three years.
It needs to be said too that Trenary stated, “I’m still a friend of St. Charles.”
I’m glad to hear that – I’m no enemy of Trenary. His plan couldn’t get through planning and zoning. That’s all there really is to the matter. I wish Trenary continued success at his new location. I pray that the American car manufacturers can stabilize their market so that down the road, Trenary still has a product to sell. I know I have been happy with my GM product for years now.
Heinrich Heine
A Post column from John Sonderegger dated February 4th, 2007 did a good job trying to make the City the bad guys when a car dealership decided to move to O’Fallon; you know, the one under the water tower. John Gieseke did a good job clarifying the facts of the matter; however, I wanted to respond here to some things quoted in the piece.
First of all, the concerned residents of Olde Towne Estates didn’t see the jovial, humorous Trenary as seen on TV. Residents were treated as annoyances in the way of what a businessman wanted to do. The neighboring residents wanted to protect their property values and the current zoning laws for the adjacent property. Any one of us can appreciate this. Simply put, had Trenary been at the West Clay site and then a subdivision put in that in turn complained about the dealership as a neighbor, it would make sense to defend the business. When the opposite is true, it makes sense to defend the neighborhood. Trenary stated, “We’ll try to take our sense of humor out that way.” Sadly, had more humor and humility been afforded the working men and women who are his customers right from the start, perhaps an early compromise could have been reached regarding the relocation of the dealership. Several alternative locations with highway frontage were offered up, but for the auto dealership, it was this spot or no spot at all.
A further quote continues, claiming that the current City Council legacy will be that, “they ran another auto dealer out of town.”
I’m thinking....no, I’m quite certain that not only did we not run Trenary out of town, this council has not run any dealership out of town. It is true that our City does not wish to allow any more used car lots in town. Could that be what he meant? You see, by “running out of town” the dealership owner meant “didn’t allow a blank check to a powerful businessman.” By the way, if you doubt his power, just see the aforementioned column – eleventh paragraph. It reads:
Now, if you eat lunch at Pio’s and you hold court there with Ernie Dempsey and his pals, you’d think the local pols would treat you with more respect than Trenary was afforded a couple of years ago when he wanted to buy property along West Clay Street...”
This sentence tells you that the columnist is taken with such power and connections to even mention this and it also lets you know that Trenary was well connected to the good-old-boy network that runs much of our government. I can say that I was glad that John Gieseke resisted the awe that a Pio’s-eating, local celebrity brings to the table and instead he chose to do the right thing (“do the right thing” - those words have been forever altered in the local vocabulary). John chose to support the local homeowners who like their quiet streets and want to keep them that way. These homeowners are our neighbors and live among us – not in Town and Country. For many, their home’s value means a safer retirement and for our town’s future, favorable neighborhoods mean new families who will call our town home.
Today, a beautiful development inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright is being constructed on the West Clay site where, had it not been for concerned residents, a sea of cars would have taken out old-growth trees and a well-built building. Today, several new businesses already call the building home and work continues to add more businesses and towards the back of the property housing - including senior housing.
Where Trenary’s business is departing underneath the water tower, a developer is interested in developing new retail. Our City has an opportunity to clean up First Capitol Drive which should be our main objective for the next three years.
It needs to be said too that Trenary stated, “I’m still a friend of St. Charles.”
I’m glad to hear that – I’m no enemy of Trenary. His plan couldn’t get through planning and zoning. That’s all there really is to the matter. I wish Trenary continued success at his new location. I pray that the American car manufacturers can stabilize their market so that down the road, Trenary still has a product to sell. I know I have been happy with my GM product for years now.
The View From The Cheap Seats BY Jerry Haferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
Before you read this, I don’t like calling people liars. So instead of the word “lied”, you will see the word (misrepresented). That way I won’t offend the members of the St. Charles School Board who deserve more than just their feelings hurt.
Several months ago I started a column with the question, “Who do you trust”? I referenced an old game show by that name.
Well, I’m not sure whom you do trust, but I can tell you whom you can’t trust. You, and certainly the teachers they employ, can not trust the four members of the St. Charles School Board that didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to reverse the policy change that will harm the district.
As I stated in my last published column, several teachers were told, prior to accepting employment in the district, that their children could attend schools in the district even if they resided outside the district. Well, the board (misrepresented). They (misrepresented) to their employees and they (misrepresented) to you and me.
These teachers bought homes, enrolled their children and settled in. This was the policy for years. Now the board has jerked the rug from under these employees, disrupted their lives and traumatized some of the children. For what?
This brings up how they (misrepresented) to us. They said it would save money. That is not true and they know it. It will cost the loss of the States per-student subsidy while not lessening the expenses one dime. One member stated that there was a public outcry to eliminate this benefit. Baloney! (Or bologna if you prefer)
Many of these teachers stayed after hours to supervise extracurricular activities. They may no longer be able to do this because instead of having their children with them, they will have to beat a fast path home to meet their children after their bus drops them off across town. Extracurricular activities that are already stressed will suffer further.
These teachers should be grandfathered and the new policy should only apply to new teachers entering employment in the district. It would still be harmful to the district, but if these four members still feel the need to harm teachers and the district’s finances, the teachers and the taxpayers would at least have been warned.
The Board had a chance to overturn this action at the last meeting, but on a four to three vote decided to leave their integrity in the gutter. If they don’t overturn this action, the gutter is where it will stay.
That’s the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
Before you read this, I don’t like calling people liars. So instead of the word “lied”, you will see the word (misrepresented). That way I won’t offend the members of the St. Charles School Board who deserve more than just their feelings hurt.
Several months ago I started a column with the question, “Who do you trust”? I referenced an old game show by that name.
Well, I’m not sure whom you do trust, but I can tell you whom you can’t trust. You, and certainly the teachers they employ, can not trust the four members of the St. Charles School Board that didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to reverse the policy change that will harm the district.
As I stated in my last published column, several teachers were told, prior to accepting employment in the district, that their children could attend schools in the district even if they resided outside the district. Well, the board (misrepresented). They (misrepresented) to their employees and they (misrepresented) to you and me.
These teachers bought homes, enrolled their children and settled in. This was the policy for years. Now the board has jerked the rug from under these employees, disrupted their lives and traumatized some of the children. For what?
This brings up how they (misrepresented) to us. They said it would save money. That is not true and they know it. It will cost the loss of the States per-student subsidy while not lessening the expenses one dime. One member stated that there was a public outcry to eliminate this benefit. Baloney! (Or bologna if you prefer)
Many of these teachers stayed after hours to supervise extracurricular activities. They may no longer be able to do this because instead of having their children with them, they will have to beat a fast path home to meet their children after their bus drops them off across town. Extracurricular activities that are already stressed will suffer further.
These teachers should be grandfathered and the new policy should only apply to new teachers entering employment in the district. It would still be harmful to the district, but if these four members still feel the need to harm teachers and the district’s finances, the teachers and the taxpayers would at least have been warned.
The Board had a chance to overturn this action at the last meeting, but on a four to three vote decided to leave their integrity in the gutter. If they don’t overturn this action, the gutter is where it will stay.
That’s the view from the cheap seats.
Councilman John Gieseke Speaks Out on AT&T Proposal To St. Charles
The City of St. Charles has the opportunity to introduce competition in the field of cable television delivery. AT&T has asked the City to permit them access under our master cable franchise ordinance in competition with Charter Cable. While I am in favor of the competition our City Attorney, Mike Valenti, made it clear in his brief that this would be far from fair competition.
One provision that is worrisome to me is that AT&T does not have to guarantee that they will cover the same area as Charter Cable. In other cities, AT&T has engaged in a practice called “cherry picking”. In the insurance field they call this practice red lining. This unfair business practice will leave many in our city without access to the new AT&T product. If AT&T wants to be part of the city I welcome them, but all parts of the City should be served and have the AT&T product available.
Secondly, the contract does not ask for any check and balance of customer complaints. This is required under the Charter contract and has allowed the city to monitor the lack of service we all have endured. Without this check and balance the City will not have first hand knowledge if AT&T is living up to the same service level as Charter. Having one company that is poor with service is bad enough, having a second that refuses transparency to customer service issues will compound the issue.
I believe that competition is the foundation of buyer’s rights. Lack of competition often results in service levels we are experiencing with other utilities. The same will hold true if we allow an unleveled playing field to a company the size of AT&T. They can lower rates in select areas and run Charter out of business. This will leave us once again with one carrier that refuses examination of their service levels.
In your business how would you react if the City decided to give unfair advantage to the competition? I am hopeful that AT&T will allow for just a few minor changes in their contract that will allow for fair and open competition. One would have to question AT&T’s true motives if they refuse.
One provision that is worrisome to me is that AT&T does not have to guarantee that they will cover the same area as Charter Cable. In other cities, AT&T has engaged in a practice called “cherry picking”. In the insurance field they call this practice red lining. This unfair business practice will leave many in our city without access to the new AT&T product. If AT&T wants to be part of the city I welcome them, but all parts of the City should be served and have the AT&T product available.
Secondly, the contract does not ask for any check and balance of customer complaints. This is required under the Charter contract and has allowed the city to monitor the lack of service we all have endured. Without this check and balance the City will not have first hand knowledge if AT&T is living up to the same service level as Charter. Having one company that is poor with service is bad enough, having a second that refuses transparency to customer service issues will compound the issue.
I believe that competition is the foundation of buyer’s rights. Lack of competition often results in service levels we are experiencing with other utilities. The same will hold true if we allow an unleveled playing field to a company the size of AT&T. They can lower rates in select areas and run Charter out of business. This will leave us once again with one carrier that refuses examination of their service levels.
In your business how would you react if the City decided to give unfair advantage to the competition? I am hopeful that AT&T will allow for just a few minor changes in their contract that will allow for fair and open competition. One would have to question AT&T’s true motives if they refuse.
Crescendo Concert Series Presents Baltimore Consort
On Sunday March 4th, at First United Methodist Church, 801 First Capitol Drive, Crescendo Concert Series presents Baltimore Consort, an Early Music Ensemble of viols, lutes, recorders, flutes, and vocalists that have delighted audiences on both sides of the Atlantic while touring all regions of the USA and appearing frequently in Europe. Performing early music from England, Scotland, France, and Italy has led the Consort to delve into the rich trove of traditional balladry and dance tunes preserved in the Appalachian mountains and Nova Scotia. Their St. Charles concert will include new repertoire of songs from the Iberian peninsula with a particular emphasis upon early Spanish music from the fifteenth century. The ensemble¹s performances on syndicated radio programs like Performance Today and Onstage (CBC) have broadcast their music far and wide. Twelve recordings on the Dorian label have earned their CDs a place on the Billboard Magazine Top-Ten list.
Crescendo Concert Series president George Morris explained, ³We hope that this concert will appeal to a wide variety of audience interests including persons who might be especially glad to hear this music of an earlier age of Hispanic culture. Baltimore Consort is a favorite group among music lovers up and down the east coast where they are heard frequently. We were delighted to receive a letter recently from the Arts and Education Council informing us of the awarding of a $1,000 grant to help support our series presentation of this ensemble. We believe this will be a very special concert appearance and very much hope our growing audience will appreciate the opportunity to hear this renowned ensemble in St. Charles. This grant will go a long way toward assuring that our eighth year of concerts is successful financially as well as artistically.”
The Concert Series has also been supported for the past seven years through generous grants by the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of St. Charles. Additional funding by corporate sponsors such as Target Stores, Inc., by individual donors, and by advertising space purchased by local businesses and merchants combine to further assist bringing this recognized group to St. Charles.
“Crescendo Series is also grateful for generous gifts from individuals and from co-sponsors of some concerts. We encourage lovers of fine music to support our efforts,² Morris explained. Concertgoers who wish to help can send tax-deductible donations to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613. Donors will be recognized in concert programs at the following levels: ³Forte² for donations up to $100; Fortissimo² for donations of $100 to $500; and ³Sforzando² for donations of
more than $500.
³Ticket revenue is only a small part of the income needed to present a concert series even when conducted entirely by volunteers. We are fortunate that members of the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors donate generously of their time, talents, and efforts. For instance, each event begins with a pre-concert talk at 2:30 p.m. conducted by musicologist Nancy Rubenstein, PhD, who has taught music history and appreciation at local universities and now serves on the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors. This is one reason we are able to provide so much quality music for so little money. Our Board Members are doing all the work that requires paid employees in many organizations.²
Morris stated that, ³Good music is an essential element in a good life. For many the definition of Œgood music¹ applies perfectly to the works performed by those artists the Crescendo Concert Series brings to St. Charles city and county. Most of our performers are classical musicians, but folk music and innovative modern music are included in their repertories as are lightclassical works.²
The final concert for this season will be a return performance by Stephen Porter, widely recognized pianist specializing in Romantic era music, at Immanuel Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall on May 20, 2007.
Individual adult tickets for $12 and student tickets for $5 can be purchased by sending a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613 or at the door. Group rates are available by calling (636) 724-2507. For directions and additional information such as past and future concerts, visit their website at
Crescendo Concert Series president George Morris explained, ³We hope that this concert will appeal to a wide variety of audience interests including persons who might be especially glad to hear this music of an earlier age of Hispanic culture. Baltimore Consort is a favorite group among music lovers up and down the east coast where they are heard frequently. We were delighted to receive a letter recently from the Arts and Education Council informing us of the awarding of a $1,000 grant to help support our series presentation of this ensemble. We believe this will be a very special concert appearance and very much hope our growing audience will appreciate the opportunity to hear this renowned ensemble in St. Charles. This grant will go a long way toward assuring that our eighth year of concerts is successful financially as well as artistically.”
The Concert Series has also been supported for the past seven years through generous grants by the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of St. Charles. Additional funding by corporate sponsors such as Target Stores, Inc., by individual donors, and by advertising space purchased by local businesses and merchants combine to further assist bringing this recognized group to St. Charles.
“Crescendo Series is also grateful for generous gifts from individuals and from co-sponsors of some concerts. We encourage lovers of fine music to support our efforts,² Morris explained. Concertgoers who wish to help can send tax-deductible donations to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613. Donors will be recognized in concert programs at the following levels: ³Forte² for donations up to $100; Fortissimo² for donations of $100 to $500; and ³Sforzando² for donations of
more than $500.
³Ticket revenue is only a small part of the income needed to present a concert series even when conducted entirely by volunteers. We are fortunate that members of the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors donate generously of their time, talents, and efforts. For instance, each event begins with a pre-concert talk at 2:30 p.m. conducted by musicologist Nancy Rubenstein, PhD, who has taught music history and appreciation at local universities and now serves on the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors. This is one reason we are able to provide so much quality music for so little money. Our Board Members are doing all the work that requires paid employees in many organizations.²
Morris stated that, ³Good music is an essential element in a good life. For many the definition of Œgood music¹ applies perfectly to the works performed by those artists the Crescendo Concert Series brings to St. Charles city and county. Most of our performers are classical musicians, but folk music and innovative modern music are included in their repertories as are lightclassical works.²
The final concert for this season will be a return performance by Stephen Porter, widely recognized pianist specializing in Romantic era music, at Immanuel Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall on May 20, 2007.
Individual adult tickets for $12 and student tickets for $5 can be purchased by sending a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613 or at the door. Group rates are available by calling (636) 724-2507. For directions and additional information such as past and future concerts, visit their website at
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
I’m not certain what changes have taken place in regards to whom is making the scheduling at Family Arena, but something is clearly up! It really is hard to tell what event is at the Family Arena as the marquis still has more lights burned out than working, but the crowds are picking up. You can tell by driving by and looking at the parking lot and how full it is.
On Wednesday of this past week the Missouri Valley Conference announced it would be moving its women’s basketball tournament to the Family Arena starting in 2008. Mike Kern, the media guy for the MVC said he hopes the tournament will move there for a number of years that is presently under negotiations. When the tournament moves to St. Charles, it will be the first neutral-site women’s tournament in league history.
The MVC holds its men’s tournament annually at Scottrade Center, or Savvis Center, I can even remember when they held it at Kiel Center. Before that they held it at the old Arena. Anyway, Bob Barton and I have been covering it for the FCN for the past three years – believe me, it is a first class event. Frankly, it is the only time big time college basketball comes to town.
Saint Charles and the Family Arena have really caught on to something here. I can picture the Convention Center hotel packed with people from Bradley, Evansville, Illinois State, Carbondale, Indiana State and from all over Iowa. The format will remain the same as has been the past two years, since the league expanded its tournament to 10 teams in 2006. It begins with two games on Thursday, March 13, continues with four quarterfinal games on Friday, March 14, two semifinal games on Saturday, and concludes with the championship game on Sunday, March 16. That means Friday and Saturday night Main Street should really be busting at the seams.
“Saint Charles is delighted to have the opportunity to showcase our community to the teams, coaches and fans of the Missouri Valley Conference’s Women’s 2008 Basketball Tournament,” said David Rossenwasser, director of the Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This exciting event will find a level of hospitality and service in St. Charles that will no doubt match the level of play from these outstanding student athletes.” Well-said Dave old boy.
Everybody had something nice to say on Wednesday. “Bringing our women’s basketball championship to a neutral site is a natural progression and something we’ve been working toward for several years,” said Commissioner Doug Elgin, now in his 19th season with the MVC. “We are indebted to the continuing commitment of our sponsors, namely State Farm Insurance, who have made this possible. We anticipate the Saint Charles community will embrace our women’s championship and help it grow.”
I don’t know about the rest of the community, but I for one am very excited. Our little ole hometown just landed a big one folks! Job well done to all involved.
On Wednesday of this past week the Missouri Valley Conference announced it would be moving its women’s basketball tournament to the Family Arena starting in 2008. Mike Kern, the media guy for the MVC said he hopes the tournament will move there for a number of years that is presently under negotiations. When the tournament moves to St. Charles, it will be the first neutral-site women’s tournament in league history.
The MVC holds its men’s tournament annually at Scottrade Center, or Savvis Center, I can even remember when they held it at Kiel Center. Before that they held it at the old Arena. Anyway, Bob Barton and I have been covering it for the FCN for the past three years – believe me, it is a first class event. Frankly, it is the only time big time college basketball comes to town.
Saint Charles and the Family Arena have really caught on to something here. I can picture the Convention Center hotel packed with people from Bradley, Evansville, Illinois State, Carbondale, Indiana State and from all over Iowa. The format will remain the same as has been the past two years, since the league expanded its tournament to 10 teams in 2006. It begins with two games on Thursday, March 13, continues with four quarterfinal games on Friday, March 14, two semifinal games on Saturday, and concludes with the championship game on Sunday, March 16. That means Friday and Saturday night Main Street should really be busting at the seams.
“Saint Charles is delighted to have the opportunity to showcase our community to the teams, coaches and fans of the Missouri Valley Conference’s Women’s 2008 Basketball Tournament,” said David Rossenwasser, director of the Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This exciting event will find a level of hospitality and service in St. Charles that will no doubt match the level of play from these outstanding student athletes.” Well-said Dave old boy.
Everybody had something nice to say on Wednesday. “Bringing our women’s basketball championship to a neutral site is a natural progression and something we’ve been working toward for several years,” said Commissioner Doug Elgin, now in his 19th season with the MVC. “We are indebted to the continuing commitment of our sponsors, namely State Farm Insurance, who have made this possible. We anticipate the Saint Charles community will embrace our women’s championship and help it grow.”
I don’t know about the rest of the community, but I for one am very excited. Our little ole hometown just landed a big one folks! Job well done to all involved.
Friday, February 09, 2007
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - FRONT PAGE February 10, 2007
(Click on image to enlarge) To read entire edition please scroll down.THE ENTIRE EDITION OF THE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS INCLUDING ADS CAN BE FOUND AT firstcapitolnews.com. There is no printed edition this week just on line. The February 17, 2007 edition will also only be found on line at firstcapitolnews.com.
Thank you for being a loyal reader of the First Capitol News.
Gieseke's Grass Roots Campaign Comes Out On Top
Gieseke’s Grass Roots Campaign Big Winner
St. Charles Councilman John Gieseke was the big winner in the mayoral primary election held Tuesday.
Out of 43130 registered voters in the City of St. Charles, 7219 cast ballots or 16.74 percent. This is a higher amount than the 10 percent predicted by the election authority.
Gieseke received 2747 votes or 38.85 percent of the votes cast. Mayor Patti York came in second with 2254 votes or 31.88 percent. The loser was former Mayor Grace Nichols with 2070 votes or 29.27 percent.
Gieseke ran a grass roots campaign and was out spent by the other two candidates by almost two to one. “I am very proud and thankful for the residents of St. Charles who worked very hard to help me in this election,” Gieseke told the First Capitol News. “I have pledged to return the city government to the people and will continue to work towards that goal.
The two candidates who received the largest number of votes in the primary, Gieseke and York, will face each other in the general election on April 3rd. The winner will then be the full time Mayor.
At the City Council meeting Tuesday evening the Council approved a salary of $60,000 for the Mayor an increase from $24,000.
St. Charles Councilman John Gieseke was the big winner in the mayoral primary election held Tuesday.
Out of 43130 registered voters in the City of St. Charles, 7219 cast ballots or 16.74 percent. This is a higher amount than the 10 percent predicted by the election authority.
Gieseke received 2747 votes or 38.85 percent of the votes cast. Mayor Patti York came in second with 2254 votes or 31.88 percent. The loser was former Mayor Grace Nichols with 2070 votes or 29.27 percent.
Gieseke ran a grass roots campaign and was out spent by the other two candidates by almost two to one. “I am very proud and thankful for the residents of St. Charles who worked very hard to help me in this election,” Gieseke told the First Capitol News. “I have pledged to return the city government to the people and will continue to work towards that goal.
The two candidates who received the largest number of votes in the primary, Gieseke and York, will face each other in the general election on April 3rd. The winner will then be the full time Mayor.
At the City Council meeting Tuesday evening the Council approved a salary of $60,000 for the Mayor an increase from $24,000.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
THANK YOU
We would like to thank our loyal readers for braving the cold weather and voting Tuesday in the St. Charles mayoral primary election. We would also like to thank those of you who voted for John Gieseke.
John Gieseke will face Mayor Patti York in the April 3rd general election as she attempts a third term.
St. Charles voters will have the opportunity on Tuesday, April 3rd to decide if they want to continue with what they are currently experiencing with York or if they want to move forward with a professional, efficient, progressive government with John Gieseke as Mayor.
YORK FAILED THE TEST
There was an interesting statement in another paper from York. In it she said Gieseke was, “untested.” What she failed to mention is that she was tested and she failed the test.
The most important lesson I learned covering York over the past seven years is that she lies. And when you catch her in a lie she attempts to lie her way out of the lie.
WHAT SHE WANTS YOU TO THINK SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
York’s campaign literature lists a number of accomplishments she claims are hers when in reality those accomplishments became reality because of the efforts of a lot of people.
She wants the public to believe that she is responsible for the Convention Center & Hotel, Justice Center, Arts Center, Veterans Memorial, Dog Park, New Town, Bass Pro, Commercial & Industrial Boon of the 370 Area, the Casino expansion & Hotel, upgraded interchanges and school resource officers. That is not true.
She also wants you to believe that she is responsible for the best police department, best fire department, best emergency medical, best parks & recreation, low tax rate, etc. Again not true.
WHAT SHE IS REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
What is she responsible for? She is responsible for calling a special meeting to sell the old police headquarters for $150,000 less than the highest bid. If you drive by that building on West Clay you will see a York for Mayor sign on the property. That sign location has cost the taxpayers at least $150,000.
She is responsible for delaying the appointment of a Police Chief for over a year because she could not get the votes for her favorite candidate.
She is responsible for illegally signing a contract, without City Council approval, with Express Scripts. A lawsuit is now pending against the City with a demand of more than $200,000 in damages.
She is responsible for allegedly diverting over $15,000 in taxpayer money to the recall efforts of Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer.
A story in another publication quotes the mayor as saying she was never involved in those recall efforts. Another lie. She was heavily involved with those recall efforts in which the police discovered fraud and forgeries and in which arrests have been made and charges brought forward.
She is also responsible for the infighting and bitterness between members of the City Council.
I could go on and on with her actual accomplishments that she doesn’t want you to know about until I would probably bore you. However, if you would like additional information you can research York in the archives of the First Capitol News at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. Just type York or Mayor in the search area.
OUR NEXT PRINT EDITION WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 24. Online Weekly at
firstcapitolnews.com
We would like to thank our loyal readers for braving the cold weather and voting Tuesday in the St. Charles mayoral primary election. We would also like to thank those of you who voted for John Gieseke.
John Gieseke will face Mayor Patti York in the April 3rd general election as she attempts a third term.
St. Charles voters will have the opportunity on Tuesday, April 3rd to decide if they want to continue with what they are currently experiencing with York or if they want to move forward with a professional, efficient, progressive government with John Gieseke as Mayor.
YORK FAILED THE TEST
There was an interesting statement in another paper from York. In it she said Gieseke was, “untested.” What she failed to mention is that she was tested and she failed the test.
The most important lesson I learned covering York over the past seven years is that she lies. And when you catch her in a lie she attempts to lie her way out of the lie.
WHAT SHE WANTS YOU TO THINK SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
York’s campaign literature lists a number of accomplishments she claims are hers when in reality those accomplishments became reality because of the efforts of a lot of people.
She wants the public to believe that she is responsible for the Convention Center & Hotel, Justice Center, Arts Center, Veterans Memorial, Dog Park, New Town, Bass Pro, Commercial & Industrial Boon of the 370 Area, the Casino expansion & Hotel, upgraded interchanges and school resource officers. That is not true.
She also wants you to believe that she is responsible for the best police department, best fire department, best emergency medical, best parks & recreation, low tax rate, etc. Again not true.
WHAT SHE IS REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
What is she responsible for? She is responsible for calling a special meeting to sell the old police headquarters for $150,000 less than the highest bid. If you drive by that building on West Clay you will see a York for Mayor sign on the property. That sign location has cost the taxpayers at least $150,000.
She is responsible for delaying the appointment of a Police Chief for over a year because she could not get the votes for her favorite candidate.
She is responsible for illegally signing a contract, without City Council approval, with Express Scripts. A lawsuit is now pending against the City with a demand of more than $200,000 in damages.
She is responsible for allegedly diverting over $15,000 in taxpayer money to the recall efforts of Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer.
A story in another publication quotes the mayor as saying she was never involved in those recall efforts. Another lie. She was heavily involved with those recall efforts in which the police discovered fraud and forgeries and in which arrests have been made and charges brought forward.
She is also responsible for the infighting and bitterness between members of the City Council.
I could go on and on with her actual accomplishments that she doesn’t want you to know about until I would probably bore you. However, if you would like additional information you can research York in the archives of the First Capitol News at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. Just type York or Mayor in the search area.
OUR NEXT PRINT EDITION WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 24. Online Weekly at
firstcapitolnews.com
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the editor
Dear Editor:
I was quite disappointed that you did not print my response last week which pointed out some inaccuracies.
Although I may not still be a candidate after Feb 6, I still think it is important to correct the record. Your latest edition Feb 3-Feb 9, also contained some inaccurate statements:
(1) I have never suggested closed door meetings of the full council. What I suggested was communication between the Mayor and council members behind closed doors to avoid the acrimony. I am totally in favor of full debate of issues and council members voting their conscience instead of deciding what their faction is going to do before the meeting and then attacking the other side on the council floor.
(2) I have been having fireside chats all over the city to hear what citizens have to say and let them know my positions on issues. It has been a valuable experience. If I am still in the race I will continue to meet with any and all who wish to do so.
(3) I have serious plans to work with neighborhoods and have never mentioned the words “affordable housing”. I don’t know where you got that.
Thank you for your attention.
Grace Nichols
Editor’s response,
Your letter was received too late for inclusion into our last edition.
Call it what you may but closed door meetings between the Mayor and council members is still a violation of the sunshine law. I would have thought that being a former Mayor and retired Judge you would have known that. One of the problems in St. Charles has been too many closed door deals being made for friends and special interests and then trying to convince the public otherwise.
I think it is admirable you are concerned enough to have fireside chats with residents. We never criticized them. We were just pointing out how interesting it was that the attendees of your chats had previously been strong supporters of the Mayor.
If you go back over some of the statements you made you will find the words “affordable housing.”
Dear Editor,
I returned home from Washington, D.C. where hundreds of thousands of people gathered from all over the United States to March for Peace on the National Mall at the Capitol. All of them there for one reason, to stop the escalation of this war, save our brave men and women putting their lives on the line every minute of every day and bring them home. Since we marched the deaths reached 3,090 by Friday, many more were wounded and lots of Iraqi’ men, women and children were killed and wounded as well, 127 dead yesterday. Last night I watched a program titled “Combat Hospital” and cried as medic's fought to save horribly wounded men and women sent to war by our government under false intelligence and I’ve watched the Libby trial reports about how this administration wanted Sadam so badly that they even went after Joe Wilson , who reported Sadam was not trying to get Uranium from Niger, and his wife to keep the truth from the American people . Now the media is being manipulated again with almost the exact same rhetoric so that we will support another escalation into Iran. When Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney tell me I am hurting the troops by trying to end the war and bring them home or that I am encouraging the terrorists, it has nothing to do with the truth and they know it. For all those who believe this war is just, there are many who say they should go there themselves and fight and let our son’s and daughters come home. I say no one should be there, no one should die or lose a limb or have their brains and insides shattered by this war and there should be no more hate mongering to advance political agendas. A friend told me the Peace March made him want to puke. It’s the death and maiming that makes me want to puke, the children dying and the mothers crying. It makes me sick enough to write letters, join peace marchers and plead with my government to listen to the majority of it’s citizens and please, end it now.
Sandra Vago
I was quite disappointed that you did not print my response last week which pointed out some inaccuracies.
Although I may not still be a candidate after Feb 6, I still think it is important to correct the record. Your latest edition Feb 3-Feb 9, also contained some inaccurate statements:
(1) I have never suggested closed door meetings of the full council. What I suggested was communication between the Mayor and council members behind closed doors to avoid the acrimony. I am totally in favor of full debate of issues and council members voting their conscience instead of deciding what their faction is going to do before the meeting and then attacking the other side on the council floor.
(2) I have been having fireside chats all over the city to hear what citizens have to say and let them know my positions on issues. It has been a valuable experience. If I am still in the race I will continue to meet with any and all who wish to do so.
(3) I have serious plans to work with neighborhoods and have never mentioned the words “affordable housing”. I don’t know where you got that.
Thank you for your attention.
Grace Nichols
Editor’s response,
Your letter was received too late for inclusion into our last edition.
Call it what you may but closed door meetings between the Mayor and council members is still a violation of the sunshine law. I would have thought that being a former Mayor and retired Judge you would have known that. One of the problems in St. Charles has been too many closed door deals being made for friends and special interests and then trying to convince the public otherwise.
I think it is admirable you are concerned enough to have fireside chats with residents. We never criticized them. We were just pointing out how interesting it was that the attendees of your chats had previously been strong supporters of the Mayor.
If you go back over some of the statements you made you will find the words “affordable housing.”
Dear Editor,
I returned home from Washington, D.C. where hundreds of thousands of people gathered from all over the United States to March for Peace on the National Mall at the Capitol. All of them there for one reason, to stop the escalation of this war, save our brave men and women putting their lives on the line every minute of every day and bring them home. Since we marched the deaths reached 3,090 by Friday, many more were wounded and lots of Iraqi’ men, women and children were killed and wounded as well, 127 dead yesterday. Last night I watched a program titled “Combat Hospital” and cried as medic's fought to save horribly wounded men and women sent to war by our government under false intelligence and I’ve watched the Libby trial reports about how this administration wanted Sadam so badly that they even went after Joe Wilson , who reported Sadam was not trying to get Uranium from Niger, and his wife to keep the truth from the American people . Now the media is being manipulated again with almost the exact same rhetoric so that we will support another escalation into Iran. When Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney tell me I am hurting the troops by trying to end the war and bring them home or that I am encouraging the terrorists, it has nothing to do with the truth and they know it. For all those who believe this war is just, there are many who say they should go there themselves and fight and let our son’s and daughters come home. I say no one should be there, no one should die or lose a limb or have their brains and insides shattered by this war and there should be no more hate mongering to advance political agendas. A friend told me the Peace March made him want to puke. It’s the death and maiming that makes me want to puke, the children dying and the mothers crying. It makes me sick enough to write letters, join peace marchers and plead with my government to listen to the majority of it’s citizens and please, end it now.
Sandra Vago
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
Terrorism & Gang Violence…
Children Of The Same Environment
Last week a man born in Jordan, who had been living in St. Charles County, was arrested in St. Louis on charges of buying illegal weapons from undercover agents. The “suspect” (and I use that term loosely) had purchased several fully-automatic weapons, a claymore mine and grenades. According to press reports, he apparently had told agents he needed them to go to war.
He was then promptly released on $50,000 bond.
Rewind. What?!
Are there no secret prisons? Was the hotel for suspected terrorists full at Guantanamo? Is it their busy season?
Apparently the man had a more plausible explanation for the judge and prosecutors than the jihadist holy war that immediately came to my mind.
His lawyer explained that he was simply buying the illegal weapons to sell to street gangs. That explains everything. Nothing to look at here folks…move along now.
Which prompts my first question. Why do we seem to care more about Americans being killed by terrorists from overseas than by gangs on the streets of every large American City? We should be as outraged and demanding answers. Perhaps more importantly, we should be looking at the causes and attacking this homegrown problem at its roots. Which could perhaps help point the way to more effectively combating international terrorism at its source.
I’ll use St. Louis to make my point. Not because it is simply the closest major metropolitan area with gang violence, but because it is, and I am sad to say, one of the worst in the nation. St. Louis had 129 deliberate murders in 2006, ranking it as one of the most violent cities in the nation. It represented a drop of just two from the previous year, but St. Louis County went up by seven to 35.
St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa attributed part of the high rate to a certain “gangster” attitude that any perceived slight should be met with violence and a corresponding retaliation. In the Middle-East they call it simply an “eye for an eye”.
Over half of the killings in St. Louis occurred in just two of the nine police districts and these were the two on the North Side where gang violence predominates. North St. Louis has become a killing field where too many hearts have become hardened to the violence and too many people look the other way out of fear.
Would more police on the street help? A military “surge” if you like?
Not necessarily. New Orleans, with its own bad reputation for gang killings, experienced nine murders in the first eight days of this year. The murders occurred despite the presence of 300 National Guardsmen and 60 Louisiana State Troopers that have been on hand to assist beleaguered local police. While the police force is down from its pre-Katrina strength of 1,700 to just 1,400 officers, the population of New Orleans has been cut in half. So, in theory, you could double the number of police officers in St. Louis and it would have no appreciable impact on the murder rate.
So what do St. Louis and New Orleans (post-Katrina especially) have in common? The answer is hopelessness.
Twenty miles down Interstate 70 from St. Louis is St. Charles County. Last year we had one…yes only one, homicide in 2006 in a county with a population nearing that of the population of the City of St. Louis.
Poverty is obviously one of the root causes, but poverty alone doesn’t breed violence. Many of us grew up in families of limited means and turned out just fine. But one thing we always had in abundance was hope…the American Dream.
St. Charles County was recently recognized as being the top county, out of 115 in the State of Missouri, for children and youth services. Twenty miles down the road, the City of St. Louis has the highest incidence of infant mortality in the State.
One of the most important factors in my opinion is education. Give a child a good education and you give them hope they can succeed, that they can make something of themselves. St. Louis City Schools have failed and failed miserably to give children either hope or a good education.
The drop out rate for St. Charles County is 2.6% compared to the State average of 3.7. The cumulative drop out rate for the City of St. Louis is 61%!
While I applaud moves by the State of Missouri to now take over the management of the St. Louis Public Schools, it begs my second question…what took them so long?
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
Wherever they burn books they will also, in the end, burn human beings.
Heinrich Heine
A Post column from John Sonderegger dated February 4th, 2007 did a good job trying to make the City the bad guys when a car dealership decided to move to O’Fallon; you know, the one under the water tower. John Gieseke did a good job clarifying the facts of the matter; however, I wanted to respond here to some things quoted in the piece.
First of all, the concerned residents of Olde Towne Estates didn’t see the jovial, humorous Trenary as seen on TV. Residents were treated as annoyances in the way of what a businessman wanted to do. The neighboring residents wanted to protect their property values and the current zoning laws for the adjacent property. Any one of us can appreciate this. Simply put, had Trenary been at the West Clay site and then a subdivision put in that in turn complained about the dealership as a neighbor, it would make sense to defend the business. When the opposite is true, it makes sense to defend the neighborhood. Trenary stated, “We’ll try to take our sense of humor out that way.” Sadly, had more humor and humility been afforded the working men and women who are his customers right from the start, perhaps an early compromise could have been reached regarding the relocation of the dealership. Several alternative locations with highway frontage were offered up, but for the auto dealership, it was this spot or no spot at all.
A further quote continues, claiming that the current City Council legacy will be that, “they ran another auto dealer out of town.”
I’m thinking....no, I’m quite certain that not only did we not run Trenary out of town, this council has not run any dealership out of town. It is true that our City does not wish to allow any more used car lots in town. Could that be what he meant? You see, by “running out of town” the dealership owner meant “didn’t allow a blank check to a powerful businessman.” By the way, if you doubt his power, just see the aforementioned column – eleventh paragraph. It reads:
Now, if you eat lunch at Pio’s and you hold court there with Ernie Dempsey and his pals, you’d think the local pols would treat you with more respect than Trenary was afforded a couple of years ago when he wanted to buy property along West Clay Street...”
This sentence tells you that the columnist is taken with such power and connections to even mention this and it also lets you know that Trenary was well connected to the good-old-boy network that runs much of our government. I can say that I was glad that John Gieseke resisted the awe that a Pio’s-eating, local celebrity brings to the table and instead he chose to do the right thing (“do the right thing” - those words have been forever altered in the local vocabulary). John chose to support the local homeowners who like their quiet streets and want to keep them that way. These homeowners are our neighbors and live among us – not in Town and Country. For many, their home’s value means a safer retirement and for our town’s future, favorable neighborhoods mean new families who will call our town home.
Today, a beautiful development inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright is being constructed on the West Clay site where, had it not been for concerned residents, a sea of cars would have taken out old-growth trees and a well-built building. Today, several new businesses already call the building home and work continues to add more businesses and towards the back of the property housing - including senior housing.
Where Trenary’s business is departing underneath the water tower, a developer is interested in developing new retail. Our City has an opportunity to clean up First Capitol Drive which should be our main objective for the next three years.
It needs to be said too that Trenary stated, “I’m still a friend of St. Charles.”
I’m glad to hear that – I’m no enemy of Trenary. His plan couldn’t get through planning and zoning. That’s all there really is to the matter. I wish Trenary continued success at his new location. I pray that the American car manufacturers can stabilize their market so that down the road, Trenary still has a product to sell. I know I have been happy with my GM product for years now.
Heinrich Heine
A Post column from John Sonderegger dated February 4th, 2007 did a good job trying to make the City the bad guys when a car dealership decided to move to O’Fallon; you know, the one under the water tower. John Gieseke did a good job clarifying the facts of the matter; however, I wanted to respond here to some things quoted in the piece.
First of all, the concerned residents of Olde Towne Estates didn’t see the jovial, humorous Trenary as seen on TV. Residents were treated as annoyances in the way of what a businessman wanted to do. The neighboring residents wanted to protect their property values and the current zoning laws for the adjacent property. Any one of us can appreciate this. Simply put, had Trenary been at the West Clay site and then a subdivision put in that in turn complained about the dealership as a neighbor, it would make sense to defend the business. When the opposite is true, it makes sense to defend the neighborhood. Trenary stated, “We’ll try to take our sense of humor out that way.” Sadly, had more humor and humility been afforded the working men and women who are his customers right from the start, perhaps an early compromise could have been reached regarding the relocation of the dealership. Several alternative locations with highway frontage were offered up, but for the auto dealership, it was this spot or no spot at all.
A further quote continues, claiming that the current City Council legacy will be that, “they ran another auto dealer out of town.”
I’m thinking....no, I’m quite certain that not only did we not run Trenary out of town, this council has not run any dealership out of town. It is true that our City does not wish to allow any more used car lots in town. Could that be what he meant? You see, by “running out of town” the dealership owner meant “didn’t allow a blank check to a powerful businessman.” By the way, if you doubt his power, just see the aforementioned column – eleventh paragraph. It reads:
Now, if you eat lunch at Pio’s and you hold court there with Ernie Dempsey and his pals, you’d think the local pols would treat you with more respect than Trenary was afforded a couple of years ago when he wanted to buy property along West Clay Street...”
This sentence tells you that the columnist is taken with such power and connections to even mention this and it also lets you know that Trenary was well connected to the good-old-boy network that runs much of our government. I can say that I was glad that John Gieseke resisted the awe that a Pio’s-eating, local celebrity brings to the table and instead he chose to do the right thing (“do the right thing” - those words have been forever altered in the local vocabulary). John chose to support the local homeowners who like their quiet streets and want to keep them that way. These homeowners are our neighbors and live among us – not in Town and Country. For many, their home’s value means a safer retirement and for our town’s future, favorable neighborhoods mean new families who will call our town home.
Today, a beautiful development inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright is being constructed on the West Clay site where, had it not been for concerned residents, a sea of cars would have taken out old-growth trees and a well-built building. Today, several new businesses already call the building home and work continues to add more businesses and towards the back of the property housing - including senior housing.
Where Trenary’s business is departing underneath the water tower, a developer is interested in developing new retail. Our City has an opportunity to clean up First Capitol Drive which should be our main objective for the next three years.
It needs to be said too that Trenary stated, “I’m still a friend of St. Charles.”
I’m glad to hear that – I’m no enemy of Trenary. His plan couldn’t get through planning and zoning. That’s all there really is to the matter. I wish Trenary continued success at his new location. I pray that the American car manufacturers can stabilize their market so that down the road, Trenary still has a product to sell. I know I have been happy with my GM product for years now.
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS - MIKE McMurran Sports Editor
There seem to be a couple of rather hot issues regarding local high schools’ athletic programs. The first has to do with St. Charles West’s boys basketball program. It seems some took offense to the recent one-sided West victory over Timberline. On a local high school chat site, the following was posted:
“Some of you may have seen the SCW/Timerland game last night. If you did, am I the only one that came away with a sour taste in my mouth in the manner in which the SCW coach managed that game.”
The individual took offense to (a) West coming out of the starting gate and scoring 30 points in the first quarter and (b) Kramer Soderburg taking “almost every shot.” If I may be so professional: HOG WASH!
The coach the writer is referring to is Terry Hollander; Coach Hollander is without a doubt one of the classiest, most professional coaches I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. What Coach Hollander is doing is preparing his Warriors to compete in what is arguably the toughest district in the entire state – possibly in any class. He would be doing his players an injustice if he gave them a “night off” because of facing a weaker opponent.
I’ve watched a Hollander practice in past seasons – it’s nothing less than a basketball clinic. The conditioning and skill building are ever present.
The blogger continued:
“Timberland ran out 3 sophomores in their starting lineup, obviously a younger team. SCW jumped all over them early to the tone of 30-4 in the first quarter. Even with this lead, SCW remained in a full court press and Soderberg was the only shooter every time down the court.”
Wow. Talk about exposing one’s ignorance. Please remember for 6 years I served as the a.d. at beautiful Jennings High School. During that time period I suspect I attended over 100 games per season (freshman, j.v. and varsity – boys and girls) and found there are a couple of unwritten rules in basketball. 1. Starters pretty much play the entire first quarter. An exception might be if the 1st player off the bench checked in at, shall we say the 4:00 mark every game. Such is common. Coaches will tell their first team: “You had better play hard the first quarter, ‘cause that might be all you play.” Coach Hollander’s starters simply did as they do best. Period.
Another unwritten rule in basketball deals with players the likes of Kramer Soderberg (and Josh Harrelson of High and Zach Plackemeier of Duchesne). Presently Soderberg is averaging 26.6 points per game, Plackemeier 24.6 and Harrellson 19. The unwritten rule is, during a blowout, as was the case against Timberline, you allow your star player to “get his points.” In Soderberg’s case “his points” would be 27. Against Timberline he had 31. You really cannot expect Hollander to call time out the moment Soderberg scores his 27th point – you expect him to remove the kid the next time the play stops. I suspect that is precisely what happened against Timerland.
It seem that others are simply jealous of the success the Warriors are having. You don’t hear Coach Wacker complaining – oh, maybe because he has been around the sport long enough that he recognizes the unwritten rules of which I have spoken.
Another unwritten law of high school sports is that private schools recruit. From my perspective as someone who has been involved in high school sports for over 20 years allow me to offer my version of that unwritten law; “Private schools recruit more successfully than public schools.” There is not a high school coach, a.d. or official worth his or her weight that doesn’t know that undue influence is, and has been rampant for, at least, the past 30 years. Not all schools, at least not in all sports, are guilty – but more are than are not. Deal with it!
Unfortunately, some small out-state school are trying to deal with it by proposing separate state championships for public and private schools. On the spring’s Missouri State High School Activities Association’s ballot, just such a proposal will be voted on. If it passes I think you will see the rivalry of West vs. Duchesne and High vs. Duchesne fall to the side of the road. If the schools succeed in passing the issue, there would be (a) no reason for private schools to join MSHSAA, and (b) no reason for public and private schools to play each other. What a step in the wrong direction! Am I the only one here old enough to remember the mid-60’s when the Public High League Champion would play the Catholic Athletic Conference Champion in football for a mythical state title? While I’m at it, the biggest injustice is that, shall we say Orchard Farm’s vote counts the same as Howell North’s vote. Orchard Farm has under 500 students while North has over 2000.
In the St. Louis Region the private and public schools get along pretty well. West plays DeSmet annually in basketball – and heck, Duchesne plays in an all public school conference. Such is not the case statewide. Pay close attention to this topic, it very well could change the face of high school sports in Missouri.
Mike McMurran: 314.280.9189 mcmurran@charter.net
Boys basketball
Class 4 District 7 hosted by St. Charles High
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
St. Charles High first year athletic director Julie Williams had no way of knowing hosting her first district basketball tournament might be this large. “Of course it all depends upon who makes it to the finals, we know who is seeded where, but that means very little once the tournament begins,” she offered in a telephone interview. For the record the seeding is as follows: St. Charles West (20-3) was seeded 1st, followed by St. Charles (16-6), St. Francis Borgia (16-7), who just happens to be the defending Class 4 State Champions, Duchesne (10-11), St. Dominic (11-10) and Pacific (8-13).
First round action begins on Monday, February 19 with Duchesne and Dominic tipping off at 3 p.m., followed by Borgia and Pacific. The semifinals will be played on Tuesday with West taking on the winner of Duchesne and Dominic and St. Charles battling the Borgia/Pacific winner.
The St. Charles High gym has a capacity of 1800 – if West and High make it to he finals that number will be tested. “The title game will be played on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.,” Williams noted, “We will open the gates at 6. A lot was learned last from last year’s finals at Duchesne,” she said.
This year the boys and girls title games will be played on separate evenings, with the girls playing on Friday evening. “That allows more people to see the games,” Williams said. “This way we don’t have to clear the gym out after one game – which in itself is a logistical nightmare. This way moms and dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and aunts and uncles will get a chance to watch a district title game. Many districts have been doing it for some time,” she concluded.
Admission for all district contests is $4 per person.
St. Charles West Continue Scoring Beyond the Three-Point Line
By Louis J. Launer
It’s always a great feeling to be on top, even tied for top in the case of St. Charles West and St. Charles High School. Last week, St. Charles West had their scare as they faced Duchesne, now playing the role of spoiler in the GAC North Conference. The Pirates and the Warriors are tied for first in a fight to the finish. Although St. Charles West dominated the game last week against Duchesne, the Pioneers did come up with a rally—just enough to scare the Warriors.
That didn’t stop the Warriors “Raining 3s,” meaning their three-pointers that Brian Mauer, Kramer Soderberg and Jeff Ellis continue to do game after game. Although the Warriors led big at the half, the Duchesne Pioneers came back in the third quarter and cut the West lead down to 4 points with a minute and a half remaining.
A basketball team needs to stay focused, even when they are interrupted by the intermission. West remained focused and in the 4th quarter last week Soderberg and Maurer scored two three pointers and gave St. Charles West a 72-56 win over the Pioneers.
Even the fans of the Warriors and the St. Charles West Concert Band participate in the action. During the game last week, West fans and the band donned rain ponchos. Despite the fact that it wasn’t raining indoors, the rain gear is symbolic of the three point scores that their “raining” threesome continue to do for West as they try to get closer to earning a spot in the Missouri state tournament.
SODERBERG DOMINATES OVER TIMBERLAND. Kramer Soderberg scored 31 points in what became a one-man domination over Wentzville Timberland Tuesday night at St. Charles West. Brian Mauer had ten points and Jeff Ellis had 9. The Timberwolves were not a match for St. Charles West, who played on all cylinders. St. Charles West won, 72-40.
“Some of you may have seen the SCW/Timerland game last night. If you did, am I the only one that came away with a sour taste in my mouth in the manner in which the SCW coach managed that game.”
The individual took offense to (a) West coming out of the starting gate and scoring 30 points in the first quarter and (b) Kramer Soderburg taking “almost every shot.” If I may be so professional: HOG WASH!
The coach the writer is referring to is Terry Hollander; Coach Hollander is without a doubt one of the classiest, most professional coaches I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. What Coach Hollander is doing is preparing his Warriors to compete in what is arguably the toughest district in the entire state – possibly in any class. He would be doing his players an injustice if he gave them a “night off” because of facing a weaker opponent.
I’ve watched a Hollander practice in past seasons – it’s nothing less than a basketball clinic. The conditioning and skill building are ever present.
The blogger continued:
“Timberland ran out 3 sophomores in their starting lineup, obviously a younger team. SCW jumped all over them early to the tone of 30-4 in the first quarter. Even with this lead, SCW remained in a full court press and Soderberg was the only shooter every time down the court.”
Wow. Talk about exposing one’s ignorance. Please remember for 6 years I served as the a.d. at beautiful Jennings High School. During that time period I suspect I attended over 100 games per season (freshman, j.v. and varsity – boys and girls) and found there are a couple of unwritten rules in basketball. 1. Starters pretty much play the entire first quarter. An exception might be if the 1st player off the bench checked in at, shall we say the 4:00 mark every game. Such is common. Coaches will tell their first team: “You had better play hard the first quarter, ‘cause that might be all you play.” Coach Hollander’s starters simply did as they do best. Period.
Another unwritten rule in basketball deals with players the likes of Kramer Soderberg (and Josh Harrelson of High and Zach Plackemeier of Duchesne). Presently Soderberg is averaging 26.6 points per game, Plackemeier 24.6 and Harrellson 19. The unwritten rule is, during a blowout, as was the case against Timberline, you allow your star player to “get his points.” In Soderberg’s case “his points” would be 27. Against Timberline he had 31. You really cannot expect Hollander to call time out the moment Soderberg scores his 27th point – you expect him to remove the kid the next time the play stops. I suspect that is precisely what happened against Timerland.
It seem that others are simply jealous of the success the Warriors are having. You don’t hear Coach Wacker complaining – oh, maybe because he has been around the sport long enough that he recognizes the unwritten rules of which I have spoken.
Another unwritten law of high school sports is that private schools recruit. From my perspective as someone who has been involved in high school sports for over 20 years allow me to offer my version of that unwritten law; “Private schools recruit more successfully than public schools.” There is not a high school coach, a.d. or official worth his or her weight that doesn’t know that undue influence is, and has been rampant for, at least, the past 30 years. Not all schools, at least not in all sports, are guilty – but more are than are not. Deal with it!
Unfortunately, some small out-state school are trying to deal with it by proposing separate state championships for public and private schools. On the spring’s Missouri State High School Activities Association’s ballot, just such a proposal will be voted on. If it passes I think you will see the rivalry of West vs. Duchesne and High vs. Duchesne fall to the side of the road. If the schools succeed in passing the issue, there would be (a) no reason for private schools to join MSHSAA, and (b) no reason for public and private schools to play each other. What a step in the wrong direction! Am I the only one here old enough to remember the mid-60’s when the Public High League Champion would play the Catholic Athletic Conference Champion in football for a mythical state title? While I’m at it, the biggest injustice is that, shall we say Orchard Farm’s vote counts the same as Howell North’s vote. Orchard Farm has under 500 students while North has over 2000.
In the St. Louis Region the private and public schools get along pretty well. West plays DeSmet annually in basketball – and heck, Duchesne plays in an all public school conference. Such is not the case statewide. Pay close attention to this topic, it very well could change the face of high school sports in Missouri.
Mike McMurran: 314.280.9189 mcmurran@charter.net
Boys basketball
Class 4 District 7 hosted by St. Charles High
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
St. Charles High first year athletic director Julie Williams had no way of knowing hosting her first district basketball tournament might be this large. “Of course it all depends upon who makes it to the finals, we know who is seeded where, but that means very little once the tournament begins,” she offered in a telephone interview. For the record the seeding is as follows: St. Charles West (20-3) was seeded 1st, followed by St. Charles (16-6), St. Francis Borgia (16-7), who just happens to be the defending Class 4 State Champions, Duchesne (10-11), St. Dominic (11-10) and Pacific (8-13).
First round action begins on Monday, February 19 with Duchesne and Dominic tipping off at 3 p.m., followed by Borgia and Pacific. The semifinals will be played on Tuesday with West taking on the winner of Duchesne and Dominic and St. Charles battling the Borgia/Pacific winner.
The St. Charles High gym has a capacity of 1800 – if West and High make it to he finals that number will be tested. “The title game will be played on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.,” Williams noted, “We will open the gates at 6. A lot was learned last from last year’s finals at Duchesne,” she said.
This year the boys and girls title games will be played on separate evenings, with the girls playing on Friday evening. “That allows more people to see the games,” Williams said. “This way we don’t have to clear the gym out after one game – which in itself is a logistical nightmare. This way moms and dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and aunts and uncles will get a chance to watch a district title game. Many districts have been doing it for some time,” she concluded.
Admission for all district contests is $4 per person.
St. Charles West Continue Scoring Beyond the Three-Point Line
By Louis J. Launer
It’s always a great feeling to be on top, even tied for top in the case of St. Charles West and St. Charles High School. Last week, St. Charles West had their scare as they faced Duchesne, now playing the role of spoiler in the GAC North Conference. The Pirates and the Warriors are tied for first in a fight to the finish. Although St. Charles West dominated the game last week against Duchesne, the Pioneers did come up with a rally—just enough to scare the Warriors.
That didn’t stop the Warriors “Raining 3s,” meaning their three-pointers that Brian Mauer, Kramer Soderberg and Jeff Ellis continue to do game after game. Although the Warriors led big at the half, the Duchesne Pioneers came back in the third quarter and cut the West lead down to 4 points with a minute and a half remaining.
A basketball team needs to stay focused, even when they are interrupted by the intermission. West remained focused and in the 4th quarter last week Soderberg and Maurer scored two three pointers and gave St. Charles West a 72-56 win over the Pioneers.
Even the fans of the Warriors and the St. Charles West Concert Band participate in the action. During the game last week, West fans and the band donned rain ponchos. Despite the fact that it wasn’t raining indoors, the rain gear is symbolic of the three point scores that their “raining” threesome continue to do for West as they try to get closer to earning a spot in the Missouri state tournament.
SODERBERG DOMINATES OVER TIMBERLAND. Kramer Soderberg scored 31 points in what became a one-man domination over Wentzville Timberland Tuesday night at St. Charles West. Brian Mauer had ten points and Jeff Ellis had 9. The Timberwolves were not a match for St. Charles West, who played on all cylinders. St. Charles West won, 72-40.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
FRONT PAGE - FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - February 3, 2007
(Click on Image to enlarge) Scroll down to read entire edition.
An Editorial Endorsement - Gieseke Is Only Real Choice For Positive Change
An Editorial Opinion
Tuesday Crucial To Future
Of Our City Government
Tuesday is the primary election for Mayor of St. Charles. While the concept of a non-partisan primary may be silly, especially when it is the only thing on the ballot, the impact of this election will be far reaching. Voters will narrow the field of candidates for Mayor from three to two. Whether or not voters have a real choice in April will depend on those willing to go to the polls in February.
As near as we can tell, the entire Grace Nichols campaign will collapse the minute someone asks her “how” she intends to accomplish any of the things she is promising. Affordable housing sounds good till you find out it’s low income housing going into your neighborhood. Keeping schools open sounds good, when you don’t have the authority to do anything about it. Making decisions in the backroom to avoid debating issues in public sounds good, till you realize that means violating the sunshine law and keeping “you” in the dark.
The one breath of fresh air voters have is in the candidacy of John Gieseke. A race between incumbent Mayor Patti York and John Gieseke would be a true contrast, a real choice for voters. A race between Grace Nichols and Patti York would be like watching two shades of tan paint dry.
As few as 20% of the voters may go the polls Tuesday. That would be a travesty. How anyone can watch what’s going on overseas and not understand how precious our freedoms are is beyond me. Let’s not take that freedom for granted this Tuesday.
On Tuesday, give yourself, and all voters, the gift of a spirited race and diverse candidates for the April election. Give John Gieseke, the only candidate who hasn’t had the opportunity to serve as Mayor already, his chance to serve our community.
Tuesday Crucial To Future
Of Our City Government
Tuesday is the primary election for Mayor of St. Charles. While the concept of a non-partisan primary may be silly, especially when it is the only thing on the ballot, the impact of this election will be far reaching. Voters will narrow the field of candidates for Mayor from three to two. Whether or not voters have a real choice in April will depend on those willing to go to the polls in February.
As near as we can tell, the entire Grace Nichols campaign will collapse the minute someone asks her “how” she intends to accomplish any of the things she is promising. Affordable housing sounds good till you find out it’s low income housing going into your neighborhood. Keeping schools open sounds good, when you don’t have the authority to do anything about it. Making decisions in the backroom to avoid debating issues in public sounds good, till you realize that means violating the sunshine law and keeping “you” in the dark.
The one breath of fresh air voters have is in the candidacy of John Gieseke. A race between incumbent Mayor Patti York and John Gieseke would be a true contrast, a real choice for voters. A race between Grace Nichols and Patti York would be like watching two shades of tan paint dry.
As few as 20% of the voters may go the polls Tuesday. That would be a travesty. How anyone can watch what’s going on overseas and not understand how precious our freedoms are is beyond me. Let’s not take that freedom for granted this Tuesday.
On Tuesday, give yourself, and all voters, the gift of a spirited race and diverse candidates for the April election. Give John Gieseke, the only candidate who hasn’t had the opportunity to serve as Mayor already, his chance to serve our community.
Police Raids Yield Large Amounts Of Drugs, Illegal Aliens
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
During the early morning hours last Saturday morning police served search warrants on residences in the 700 block of Cunningham and the 800 block of Tompkins. St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope told the First Capitol News, “These search warrants resulted in the confiscation of a large amount of cocaine and a large amount of marijuana. Four individuals were arrested including three illegal aliens believed to be Mexican nationals.”
According to Chief Swope, “When we arrest illegal aliens and charge them with a felony we notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They respond and take the illegal aliens into custody. If we don’t have a felony charge against the individual they do not respond.”
Chief Swope stated that the St. Charles Police arrested approximately 100 illegal aliens last year. “Most of these illegals were arrested for other crimes and during our investigation we learned of their illegal status,” said Chief Swope.
“When we detain or arrest an illegal alien we notify ICE. If the illegal has been arrested for a felony ICE will come out and pick them up. If the charge is a misdemeanor they do not respond. They advise us they have limited resources and to let them go. It is very frustrating as a law enforcement officer to arrest an illegal and bring them in the front door and then have to let them walk out the back door free.”
ICE does not have the resources to take into custody and deport every illegal alien taken into detained by local police departments. According to Chief Swope, “We work very hard combating crime in St. Charles and it takes the officers time to arrest, investigate and book these illegal aliens. Then we have to let them go if they are not charged with a felony or have a outstanding warrant against them. It doesn’t make it easy.”
One St. Charles police officer who usually patrols the highways came into contact with over 200 illegal aliens last year. They were not charged with any crimes but he discovered they were illegal. After detaining them and notify ICE he was told by ICE to release them.
Another illegal alien arrested by St. Charles Police last year was wanted for murder in Chile.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “ This problem is what I was speaking about at the recent Mayoral debate. This is a prime example of our hard earned tax dollars being spent on illegal aliens. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have had over 250 arrests in the past year or so. These illegal aliens are costing the City hundreds of thousands of dollars that could be used for our residents.
We need to work with our U.S. Representatives to allow cities to recoup the cost involved with these arrests and then require ICE to take responsibility for those arrested. The federal government has a responsibility to enforce our immigration laws and protect our citizens.
Chief Swope told us the American citizen arrested during the raids will face charges in St. Charles County Circuit Court. The disposition of the illegal aliens is up to ICE.
During the early morning hours last Saturday morning police served search warrants on residences in the 700 block of Cunningham and the 800 block of Tompkins. St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope told the First Capitol News, “These search warrants resulted in the confiscation of a large amount of cocaine and a large amount of marijuana. Four individuals were arrested including three illegal aliens believed to be Mexican nationals.”
According to Chief Swope, “When we arrest illegal aliens and charge them with a felony we notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They respond and take the illegal aliens into custody. If we don’t have a felony charge against the individual they do not respond.”
Chief Swope stated that the St. Charles Police arrested approximately 100 illegal aliens last year. “Most of these illegals were arrested for other crimes and during our investigation we learned of their illegal status,” said Chief Swope.
“When we detain or arrest an illegal alien we notify ICE. If the illegal has been arrested for a felony ICE will come out and pick them up. If the charge is a misdemeanor they do not respond. They advise us they have limited resources and to let them go. It is very frustrating as a law enforcement officer to arrest an illegal and bring them in the front door and then have to let them walk out the back door free.”
ICE does not have the resources to take into custody and deport every illegal alien taken into detained by local police departments. According to Chief Swope, “We work very hard combating crime in St. Charles and it takes the officers time to arrest, investigate and book these illegal aliens. Then we have to let them go if they are not charged with a felony or have a outstanding warrant against them. It doesn’t make it easy.”
One St. Charles police officer who usually patrols the highways came into contact with over 200 illegal aliens last year. They were not charged with any crimes but he discovered they were illegal. After detaining them and notify ICE he was told by ICE to release them.
Another illegal alien arrested by St. Charles Police last year was wanted for murder in Chile.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “ This problem is what I was speaking about at the recent Mayoral debate. This is a prime example of our hard earned tax dollars being spent on illegal aliens. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have had over 250 arrests in the past year or so. These illegal aliens are costing the City hundreds of thousands of dollars that could be used for our residents.
We need to work with our U.S. Representatives to allow cities to recoup the cost involved with these arrests and then require ICE to take responsibility for those arrested. The federal government has a responsibility to enforce our immigration laws and protect our citizens.
Chief Swope told us the American citizen arrested during the raids will face charges in St. Charles County Circuit Court. The disposition of the illegal aliens is up to ICE.
Nichols Wants Closed Door, Back Room, Hidden From The Public, Government
At the Chamber of Commerce’s Candidate night, and in a recent story in the Post written by Mark Schlinkman, former Mayor Grace Nichols, who is a candidate for Mayo,r makes the statement, “What is needed is a strong mayor who can sit down with council members and work out the differences behind closed doors without having this public acrimony going on,” she (Nichols) said.
This statement made by Nichols, who is an attorney and former Circuit judge, and served two previous terms as Mayor, is in direct violation of the Sunshine Law.
Backroom, closed doors politics often lead to shady deals and special favors for special interests. Keeping things out of the view of the public is not a healthy government and often leads to wide spread corruption.
Councilman John Gieseke Ward 8, who is also a candidate for Mayor, told the First Capitol News, “While often times it may appear we argue a lot, that is what makes good government. Each side gets to make their story known and efforts are made to get the others to agree with your opinion. We felt it was so important for the public to know all the opinions in City government we even had the City Council work sessions televised. While our Council meetings sometimes have an appearance of confrontation within the council, every government has it. If there were not a difference of opinion with each member trying to convince the others you would just have a bunch of yes people. Then we would have a dictatorship with one person making all the decisions. That also leads to corruption with only the rich getting richer and with the average residents not having a chance.”
Gieseke also said, “It is wrong for government to have the attitude of ‘Keep it quiet and don’t let anybody know. Just keep it our secret. What public don’t know wont hurt them’.”
The legislature passed the Sunshine Law just to prevent this type of government. Any time you have backroom, closed door government you run the risk of having special favors for special interests at the expense of the tax paying residents.
Prior Council members who served on the City Council during Nichol’s tenure as Mayor said when Nichols was Mayor she did have a lot of back room meetings. The problem was they were never with the Council and the Council never knew what she was doing. One Councilman stated that was the main reason when she ran for reelection 12 years ago not one Council member supported her.
The First Capitol News could not reach Mayor York for comment but we are aware that she has never attempted to stop the televising of any of the meetings.
This statement made by Nichols, who is an attorney and former Circuit judge, and served two previous terms as Mayor, is in direct violation of the Sunshine Law.
Backroom, closed doors politics often lead to shady deals and special favors for special interests. Keeping things out of the view of the public is not a healthy government and often leads to wide spread corruption.
Councilman John Gieseke Ward 8, who is also a candidate for Mayor, told the First Capitol News, “While often times it may appear we argue a lot, that is what makes good government. Each side gets to make their story known and efforts are made to get the others to agree with your opinion. We felt it was so important for the public to know all the opinions in City government we even had the City Council work sessions televised. While our Council meetings sometimes have an appearance of confrontation within the council, every government has it. If there were not a difference of opinion with each member trying to convince the others you would just have a bunch of yes people. Then we would have a dictatorship with one person making all the decisions. That also leads to corruption with only the rich getting richer and with the average residents not having a chance.”
Gieseke also said, “It is wrong for government to have the attitude of ‘Keep it quiet and don’t let anybody know. Just keep it our secret. What public don’t know wont hurt them’.”
The legislature passed the Sunshine Law just to prevent this type of government. Any time you have backroom, closed door government you run the risk of having special favors for special interests at the expense of the tax paying residents.
Prior Council members who served on the City Council during Nichol’s tenure as Mayor said when Nichols was Mayor she did have a lot of back room meetings. The problem was they were never with the Council and the Council never knew what she was doing. One Councilman stated that was the main reason when she ran for reelection 12 years ago not one Council member supported her.
The First Capitol News could not reach Mayor York for comment but we are aware that she has never attempted to stop the televising of any of the meetings.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
To the supporters and readers of the First Capitol News:
For the last seven years we have been reporting the news and pointing out problems in the City of St. Charles. This Tuesday you have an opportunity to do something about it. If you have been a loyal reader and supporter of our paper we are now asking you to go to the poles and make a difference. Remember, normal primaries have less than a fifteen percent turn out of voters. If all the readers and supporters of the First Capitol News would just go to the polls, what a difference we could make.
You would think I would have learned by now not to be surprised by anything that happens in politics, but I continue to be taken aback.
A lot of the movers and shakers who have been staunch supporters of Mayor York have dropped her and have moved over to Nichols. I don’t know if they think Patti carries too much baggage or if they believe they have a better chance of having their special interests taken care of by Nichols should she be elected. Probably a little of both.
FOP’s, (friends of Patti) have taken to having secret fireside chats with Grace. it appears the members of the Secret Society want Nichols as Mayor. You remember the Secret Society, we wrote about them during the last City Council elections. They brought the candidates in to dictate to them what they would have to do for their support and if the candidate did not wish to be bought and paid for, they told them to leave by the back door.
Some of the people on Historic Main Street have also turned their backs on Patti. Even after all the special favors she gave them in deference to the resident taxpayers. These people had a fireside chat with Nichols the other night. The Mydlers, Haddocks, Archie Scott, Venetia McEntire, Steve Powell and others gathered to plan what they want to be Grace’s triumph over Patti. I was told that Archie Scott and Paul Mydler spoke about how devastating it would be if Nichols were not voted into office. I guess this ruins Steve Powell’s chance to be re-hired as the Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau by Patti if she would win. Perhaps Grace has made him an offer. They say bring back Grace; maybe Grace will bring back Steve.
Former City Councilwoman Mary West is also sponsoring fireside chats with Grace. She was an ardent supporter of Patti, I wonder what made her desert? Too bad she did not jump on the John Gieseke bandwagon.
Tuesday, February 6th is a very important day for the voters of St. Charles. Please vote. Each and every vote counts.
You have to decide if you want a professional, efficient, progressive government that John Gieseke will give you or do you want to go backwards. John is completing his second term as City Councilman for Ward 8. He has shown by his actions that he is concerned about the residents and has demonstrated he works for them.
Or do you want more of Patti? You can read a lot about Patti and her record as Mayor on our web log; firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. In the search area you can type in York or Mayor or Recall plus many others to read about her adventures as the leader of this City. You can read about how she called a special meeting to sell the old police headquarters for less than the appraised value with an offer of over $100,000 more on the table. How she maneuvered City funds into the recalls against Councilman Mark Brown and Dottie Greer. Recall efforts that were fraught with fraud, forgeries and arrests. You can read how she signed a contract illegally, without City Council authorization, which brought a $200,000 demand and then a lawsuit against the City. You can read how she wrote a letter of recommendation for a fired police sergeant who put the City Administrator on the ground at gunpoint. You can read how that same sergeant, at the time she wrote the letter, had a multi million law suit against the City and how she wrote in the letter she believed his lawsuit would be successful. I could go on, however, I suggest you just go to our web log and see for yourself.
Or, you could bring back Grace Nichols. I do have a correction to make about Grace Nichols. She did not serve as a state representative. She ran for the office of state representative twice and lost both times.
Grace served two terms as Mayor and was defeated when she tried for a third term and 78 percent of the voters refused her. She would like you to forget about her dismal record while she was in office. She evidently believes it was so long ago you will not remember. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just go to the library and pull up the archives of the Post Dispatch and type in Grace Nichols and you can see for yourself. Or talk to a member of the City Council who was in office during her term in office and you will learn that when she tried for a third term not one sitting Council member would support her. You really don’t want to go backwards with Grace do you?
Vote for John Gieseke for a professional, efficient, progressive St. Charles.
For the last seven years we have been reporting the news and pointing out problems in the City of St. Charles. This Tuesday you have an opportunity to do something about it. If you have been a loyal reader and supporter of our paper we are now asking you to go to the poles and make a difference. Remember, normal primaries have less than a fifteen percent turn out of voters. If all the readers and supporters of the First Capitol News would just go to the polls, what a difference we could make.
You would think I would have learned by now not to be surprised by anything that happens in politics, but I continue to be taken aback.
A lot of the movers and shakers who have been staunch supporters of Mayor York have dropped her and have moved over to Nichols. I don’t know if they think Patti carries too much baggage or if they believe they have a better chance of having their special interests taken care of by Nichols should she be elected. Probably a little of both.
FOP’s, (friends of Patti) have taken to having secret fireside chats with Grace. it appears the members of the Secret Society want Nichols as Mayor. You remember the Secret Society, we wrote about them during the last City Council elections. They brought the candidates in to dictate to them what they would have to do for their support and if the candidate did not wish to be bought and paid for, they told them to leave by the back door.
Some of the people on Historic Main Street have also turned their backs on Patti. Even after all the special favors she gave them in deference to the resident taxpayers. These people had a fireside chat with Nichols the other night. The Mydlers, Haddocks, Archie Scott, Venetia McEntire, Steve Powell and others gathered to plan what they want to be Grace’s triumph over Patti. I was told that Archie Scott and Paul Mydler spoke about how devastating it would be if Nichols were not voted into office. I guess this ruins Steve Powell’s chance to be re-hired as the Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau by Patti if she would win. Perhaps Grace has made him an offer. They say bring back Grace; maybe Grace will bring back Steve.
Former City Councilwoman Mary West is also sponsoring fireside chats with Grace. She was an ardent supporter of Patti, I wonder what made her desert? Too bad she did not jump on the John Gieseke bandwagon.
Tuesday, February 6th is a very important day for the voters of St. Charles. Please vote. Each and every vote counts.
You have to decide if you want a professional, efficient, progressive government that John Gieseke will give you or do you want to go backwards. John is completing his second term as City Councilman for Ward 8. He has shown by his actions that he is concerned about the residents and has demonstrated he works for them.
Or do you want more of Patti? You can read a lot about Patti and her record as Mayor on our web log; firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. In the search area you can type in York or Mayor or Recall plus many others to read about her adventures as the leader of this City. You can read about how she called a special meeting to sell the old police headquarters for less than the appraised value with an offer of over $100,000 more on the table. How she maneuvered City funds into the recalls against Councilman Mark Brown and Dottie Greer. Recall efforts that were fraught with fraud, forgeries and arrests. You can read how she signed a contract illegally, without City Council authorization, which brought a $200,000 demand and then a lawsuit against the City. You can read how she wrote a letter of recommendation for a fired police sergeant who put the City Administrator on the ground at gunpoint. You can read how that same sergeant, at the time she wrote the letter, had a multi million law suit against the City and how she wrote in the letter she believed his lawsuit would be successful. I could go on, however, I suggest you just go to our web log and see for yourself.
Or, you could bring back Grace Nichols. I do have a correction to make about Grace Nichols. She did not serve as a state representative. She ran for the office of state representative twice and lost both times.
Grace served two terms as Mayor and was defeated when she tried for a third term and 78 percent of the voters refused her. She would like you to forget about her dismal record while she was in office. She evidently believes it was so long ago you will not remember. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just go to the library and pull up the archives of the Post Dispatch and type in Grace Nichols and you can see for yourself. Or talk to a member of the City Council who was in office during her term in office and you will learn that when she tried for a third term not one sitting Council member would support her. You really don’t want to go backwards with Grace do you?
Vote for John Gieseke for a professional, efficient, progressive St. Charles.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor,
Thanks for the endorsement of John Gieseke. Many of my friends are saying anyone but Patty. This is a dangerous path to take and I hope your historical perspective of the other two helps my friends realize that Mr. Gieseke is the best fit for the job. I remember the Goldenrod and the millions it cost the taxpayers. As our streets where cracking money was spent fixing the Goldenrod. It took John to get the city to “rid itself of the albatross”. Grace was the Mayor who made the decision to purchase the Goldenrod. I hope that people remember this when voting and know that Nichols isn’t frugal when it comes to their tax dollars.
Pamela Wilson
Thanks for the endorsement of John Gieseke. Many of my friends are saying anyone but Patty. This is a dangerous path to take and I hope your historical perspective of the other two helps my friends realize that Mr. Gieseke is the best fit for the job. I remember the Goldenrod and the millions it cost the taxpayers. As our streets where cracking money was spent fixing the Goldenrod. It took John to get the city to “rid itself of the albatross”. Grace was the Mayor who made the decision to purchase the Goldenrod. I hope that people remember this when voting and know that Nichols isn’t frugal when it comes to their tax dollars.
Pamela Wilson
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
That’s Five….Six…
Pick Up Sticks
Here’s a good bar bet you can win. How much debris from the big ice storm of 2007 is the City faced with hauling off? Give up?
The answer is 35,000 cubic yards.
Since it’s Super Bowl Weekend, I thought I would try to relate that number to something we could all visualize. First I needed accurate dimensions of a football field. So I turned to www.sportsknowhow.com. Here you can download the “official” dimensions and specifications for a regulation NFL football field. I never knew why I would need this information in the past, but it’s nice to know you can get plans to anything on line.
Now let’s see, that’s length 360 feet or 120 yards and width at 160 feet or 53 and 1/3rd yards. Now here’s the part where I have to sharpen my pencil. The surface area of a regulation NFL football field is 6,396 square yards. So you divide 35,000 cubic yards by the surface area of the field and you get 5.5 yards or 16 ½ feet.
So when you sit down Sunday and turn on the big game, take a second to imagine the entire field to the height of 16 ½ feet covered with logs and branches. If it helps, the goal posts are ten feet high…regulation of course.
So far, the Public Works Department says they have removed approximately 20,000 cubic yards. Depending on where you live in town, that rates them either an A or an F. Overall, I would have to say they have done a fairly good job given the size of the disaster.
They did miss their own self-imposed deadline of having all the debris picked up in two weeks. That allows people like me to say I told you so, but it’s more important to know what the City is doing to fix the problem. In this case, I have to applaud the decision of the Public Works Department which acted quickly to double the number of contracted debris removal crews. On Wednesday of this week they were up to eighteen trucks under contract and our own street crews began to pick up the debris from the alleys.
All of this material is getting hauled to land the city owns that was once the Princess Jodi trailer park off North 94. Here they are creating a wall of wood to rival the Great Wall of China. The two stories of material on each side of the road now dwarves the trucks bringing new material to the site.
We are also learning the hard way that FEMA regulations are helping do for us what they did to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Nineteen city employees, who otherwise could be out collecting debris themselves, are being required by FEMA to monitor and check every truck and crew of the private contractors. A city employee has to be present to make sure no debris is picked up from private property…only city right of way.
Now it is okay for you to haul the limbs off your private property for us to pick up off the public rights of way, but FEMA is so afraid of having to pay 75% of the cost of picking up a tree limb just inside your yard, that they are wasting the time of valuable city employees to over monitor what should be a relatively minor disaster to them.
If the hurricanes and ice storms don’t get you, the FEMA red tape will.
Knowing how picky FEMA is about not touching private property helps me understand why communities on the Gulf Coast are still devastated with mounds of debris. They have clean streets though…the better to drive through town and admire the mounds of garbage.
The distinction FEMA makes between public and private property is particularly bad for Seniors and those of limited means. Next Tuesday the Council will be discussing using city funds and resources to help these individuals on a case by case basis.
I don’t mind when mistakes are made, so long as we learn from those mistakes. FEMA doesn’t seem to learn. But I think the City of St. Charles has learned a lot just from the storm last summer. This time we hired private contractors to help right away. We didn’t try to haul chippers around in the field behind the trucks, but concentrated on hauling the debris to a centralized location where it can be ground down later.
We are also going to look at ways to make our community better prepared to deal with future disasters. We need fixed permanent generators at warming centers. We need generators on gasoline supplies, because when the electricity goes out you can’t pump gas to run other generators and emergency vehicles. We also need to keep getting the word out (as Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes reminds us) that residents need to have an emergency kit and to be prepared to live without outside help for at least three days in the event of a major disaster.
To be better prepared myself, I’m honing my skills with a chain saw. My wife observed that for a guy who won’t go near a circular or bench saw around the house, I seem to be having way too much fun with a chain saw. She can go into a rather funny skit of my waving a chain saw over my head while standing on a ladder in the dark if you ask her.
Confidentially, it’s a lot more fun than playing pick up sticks.
Pick Up Sticks
Here’s a good bar bet you can win. How much debris from the big ice storm of 2007 is the City faced with hauling off? Give up?
The answer is 35,000 cubic yards.
Since it’s Super Bowl Weekend, I thought I would try to relate that number to something we could all visualize. First I needed accurate dimensions of a football field. So I turned to www.sportsknowhow.com. Here you can download the “official” dimensions and specifications for a regulation NFL football field. I never knew why I would need this information in the past, but it’s nice to know you can get plans to anything on line.
Now let’s see, that’s length 360 feet or 120 yards and width at 160 feet or 53 and 1/3rd yards. Now here’s the part where I have to sharpen my pencil. The surface area of a regulation NFL football field is 6,396 square yards. So you divide 35,000 cubic yards by the surface area of the field and you get 5.5 yards or 16 ½ feet.
So when you sit down Sunday and turn on the big game, take a second to imagine the entire field to the height of 16 ½ feet covered with logs and branches. If it helps, the goal posts are ten feet high…regulation of course.
So far, the Public Works Department says they have removed approximately 20,000 cubic yards. Depending on where you live in town, that rates them either an A or an F. Overall, I would have to say they have done a fairly good job given the size of the disaster.
They did miss their own self-imposed deadline of having all the debris picked up in two weeks. That allows people like me to say I told you so, but it’s more important to know what the City is doing to fix the problem. In this case, I have to applaud the decision of the Public Works Department which acted quickly to double the number of contracted debris removal crews. On Wednesday of this week they were up to eighteen trucks under contract and our own street crews began to pick up the debris from the alleys.
All of this material is getting hauled to land the city owns that was once the Princess Jodi trailer park off North 94. Here they are creating a wall of wood to rival the Great Wall of China. The two stories of material on each side of the road now dwarves the trucks bringing new material to the site.
We are also learning the hard way that FEMA regulations are helping do for us what they did to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Nineteen city employees, who otherwise could be out collecting debris themselves, are being required by FEMA to monitor and check every truck and crew of the private contractors. A city employee has to be present to make sure no debris is picked up from private property…only city right of way.
Now it is okay for you to haul the limbs off your private property for us to pick up off the public rights of way, but FEMA is so afraid of having to pay 75% of the cost of picking up a tree limb just inside your yard, that they are wasting the time of valuable city employees to over monitor what should be a relatively minor disaster to them.
If the hurricanes and ice storms don’t get you, the FEMA red tape will.
Knowing how picky FEMA is about not touching private property helps me understand why communities on the Gulf Coast are still devastated with mounds of debris. They have clean streets though…the better to drive through town and admire the mounds of garbage.
The distinction FEMA makes between public and private property is particularly bad for Seniors and those of limited means. Next Tuesday the Council will be discussing using city funds and resources to help these individuals on a case by case basis.
I don’t mind when mistakes are made, so long as we learn from those mistakes. FEMA doesn’t seem to learn. But I think the City of St. Charles has learned a lot just from the storm last summer. This time we hired private contractors to help right away. We didn’t try to haul chippers around in the field behind the trucks, but concentrated on hauling the debris to a centralized location where it can be ground down later.
We are also going to look at ways to make our community better prepared to deal with future disasters. We need fixed permanent generators at warming centers. We need generators on gasoline supplies, because when the electricity goes out you can’t pump gas to run other generators and emergency vehicles. We also need to keep getting the word out (as Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes reminds us) that residents need to have an emergency kit and to be prepared to live without outside help for at least three days in the event of a major disaster.
To be better prepared myself, I’m honing my skills with a chain saw. My wife observed that for a guy who won’t go near a circular or bench saw around the house, I seem to be having way too much fun with a chain saw. She can go into a rather funny skit of my waving a chain saw over my head while standing on a ladder in the dark if you ask her.
Confidentially, it’s a lot more fun than playing pick up sticks.
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
There can’t be good living where there is not good drinking.
—Benjamin Franklin
On Tuesday about twenty percent of us will head out to the polls to cast our vote in the mayoral primary. I suppose if there had only been two candidates running, there would be no need for the primary election. The election does have a price tag and some find it a waste of money while others believe that possibly electing a mayor to office who has not received a majority of the vote bad enough that they like the current process. If you remember back a few years, a mayor simply needed a plurality and could win the election with much less than fifty percent. In fact, we had mayors elected who had received about twenty percent of the vote. Sadly, since a tiny portion of eligible voters actually bother to cast votes in municipal elections, the chief administrator of the City can be put into office literally by garnering a couple thousand votes.
Some citizens have experienced the process long enough that they have become cynical about the whole affair. I have to admit, I can understand the sentiment. However, there is something more important than our personal feelings about elections and government – namely, our role as active participants in our democratic-republic. It isn’t much to ask of us to head to the polls up to four times a year and do our duty. Too many Americans like to beat the drum of patriotism by sticking a yellow, “Support our Troops” sticker on our car and listen to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood but fail to vote in election after election. It reminds me of a quote by Mark Twain who said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” It seems to fit that, the patriot who has the right to vote but does not do so has no advantage over the man who cannot vote. I completely understand not voting on every issue every time because there are times when one feels less than well-informed on an issue and therefore, just makes a decision not to vote (think of all of those state judges who show up from time to time on the ballot). On Tuesday, and in April, and in August, and again in November, remember to thank a Veteran but do more than that; honor the sacrifices made by our soldiers by partaking in America at the most basic level – inform yourself as best you can and go to the polls.
I would like to segue into two areas from this point. The first area is simply this: some states lawmakers and governors have begun to recognize the importance of a paper trail at the polls. It is absolutely necessary that our elections can be verified and that we do not depend on trust in a private company to safeguard this fundamental part of our system. Continue to write all of your elected officials on state and federal levels to demand a voting system that can be verified and trusted. One good resource to check out in this matter would be: blackboxvoting.org
Next, if you have never listened to “Story Corps” (a traveling oral history project) from National Public Radio which is played every Friday morning around 7:30am, I would encourage you to do so and if you have internet access, go to npr.org and simply type “Story Corps” into the search bar for the site. You will get a list of the latest recordings played on NPR. Listen to the story titled, “The Little Brother who made the World Bigger” from January 26, 2007. Lt. Travis John Fuller who was killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq is eulogized by his two sisters. Their story one of personal loss and a solemn way to contemplate the full measure the American soldier gives when called to duty.
—Benjamin Franklin
On Tuesday about twenty percent of us will head out to the polls to cast our vote in the mayoral primary. I suppose if there had only been two candidates running, there would be no need for the primary election. The election does have a price tag and some find it a waste of money while others believe that possibly electing a mayor to office who has not received a majority of the vote bad enough that they like the current process. If you remember back a few years, a mayor simply needed a plurality and could win the election with much less than fifty percent. In fact, we had mayors elected who had received about twenty percent of the vote. Sadly, since a tiny portion of eligible voters actually bother to cast votes in municipal elections, the chief administrator of the City can be put into office literally by garnering a couple thousand votes.
Some citizens have experienced the process long enough that they have become cynical about the whole affair. I have to admit, I can understand the sentiment. However, there is something more important than our personal feelings about elections and government – namely, our role as active participants in our democratic-republic. It isn’t much to ask of us to head to the polls up to four times a year and do our duty. Too many Americans like to beat the drum of patriotism by sticking a yellow, “Support our Troops” sticker on our car and listen to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood but fail to vote in election after election. It reminds me of a quote by Mark Twain who said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” It seems to fit that, the patriot who has the right to vote but does not do so has no advantage over the man who cannot vote. I completely understand not voting on every issue every time because there are times when one feels less than well-informed on an issue and therefore, just makes a decision not to vote (think of all of those state judges who show up from time to time on the ballot). On Tuesday, and in April, and in August, and again in November, remember to thank a Veteran but do more than that; honor the sacrifices made by our soldiers by partaking in America at the most basic level – inform yourself as best you can and go to the polls.
I would like to segue into two areas from this point. The first area is simply this: some states lawmakers and governors have begun to recognize the importance of a paper trail at the polls. It is absolutely necessary that our elections can be verified and that we do not depend on trust in a private company to safeguard this fundamental part of our system. Continue to write all of your elected officials on state and federal levels to demand a voting system that can be verified and trusted. One good resource to check out in this matter would be: blackboxvoting.org
Next, if you have never listened to “Story Corps” (a traveling oral history project) from National Public Radio which is played every Friday morning around 7:30am, I would encourage you to do so and if you have internet access, go to npr.org and simply type “Story Corps” into the search bar for the site. You will get a list of the latest recordings played on NPR. Listen to the story titled, “The Little Brother who made the World Bigger” from January 26, 2007. Lt. Travis John Fuller who was killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq is eulogized by his two sisters. Their story one of personal loss and a solemn way to contemplate the full measure the American soldier gives when called to duty.
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