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Saturday, June 23, 2007
St. Louis Symphony Plays One Hour In Frontier Park - Cost To Taxpayers $27,000
Mayor York Is On The St. Louis Symphony Board
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
On Sunday, June 17th, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra played for one hour in Frontier Park on the St. Charles Riverfront at a cost of $27,000 to the St. Charles taxpayers. This was the first time in approximately 17 years that the St. Louis Symphony has performed in St. Charles. The performance was well attended by the public.
The City Council approved payment of the contract with the Symphony at the June 5, 2007 council meeting . The contract called for a performance fee, and rental of lighting and sound equipment. It was not mentioned at that time that the Mayor was on the Board of the St. Louis Symphony. When some residents in attendance at the performance were told, they remarked they believed it was a conflict of interest and should be investigated.
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
On Sunday, June 17th, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra played for one hour in Frontier Park on the St. Charles Riverfront at a cost of $27,000 to the St. Charles taxpayers. This was the first time in approximately 17 years that the St. Louis Symphony has performed in St. Charles. The performance was well attended by the public.
The City Council approved payment of the contract with the Symphony at the June 5, 2007 council meeting . The contract called for a performance fee, and rental of lighting and sound equipment. It was not mentioned at that time that the Mayor was on the Board of the St. Louis Symphony. When some residents in attendance at the performance were told, they remarked they believed it was a conflict of interest and should be investigated.
Council President Criticized For Going On Mexican Holiday With Millionaire Developer
Kneemiller Says They Paid Their Own Way
By Tony Brockmeyer
St. Charles City Council President, Bob Kneemiller and his wife Elaine, recently took a holiday in Cancun, Mexico. The occasion was the annual getaway sponsored by millionaire developer TR Hughes.
After photographs of Council president Kneemiller and his wife along with TR Hughes and others who were on the trip appeared in a local publication the First Capitol News was contacted by several residents who believed this was a conflict of Interest. They said that even if the Kneemillers paid for their own trip it gave the appearance of impropriety.
Hughes recently spent close to $60,000 to defeat several incumbent members of the city council who opposed his hooking up his county development to city water and sewers.
He was also the leader of a failed effort to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. An effort that was fraught with forgeries and fraud. Arrests were made and more are expected as County Prosecutor Jack Banas continues his review of the investigation.
When the First Capitol News asked Council President Kneemiller about the trip sponsored by Hughes, he replied:
“My wife and I paid for this trip ourself. The hotel was all inclusive. (That means everything was included in the price). The hotel transfers from the airport was also included which is very common on trips such as this. The one day trip we took we paid for by my wife and I.
I am not sure what you mean by "sponsored". Mr Hughes and some others picked the location and people that went made their own arrangements with the travel agent.”
By Tony Brockmeyer
St. Charles City Council President, Bob Kneemiller and his wife Elaine, recently took a holiday in Cancun, Mexico. The occasion was the annual getaway sponsored by millionaire developer TR Hughes.
After photographs of Council president Kneemiller and his wife along with TR Hughes and others who were on the trip appeared in a local publication the First Capitol News was contacted by several residents who believed this was a conflict of Interest. They said that even if the Kneemillers paid for their own trip it gave the appearance of impropriety.
Hughes recently spent close to $60,000 to defeat several incumbent members of the city council who opposed his hooking up his county development to city water and sewers.
He was also the leader of a failed effort to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. An effort that was fraught with forgeries and fraud. Arrests were made and more are expected as County Prosecutor Jack Banas continues his review of the investigation.
When the First Capitol News asked Council President Kneemiller about the trip sponsored by Hughes, he replied:
“My wife and I paid for this trip ourself. The hotel was all inclusive. (That means everything was included in the price). The hotel transfers from the airport was also included which is very common on trips such as this. The one day trip we took we paid for by my wife and I.
I am not sure what you mean by "sponsored". Mr Hughes and some others picked the location and people that went made their own arrangements with the travel agent.”
Search is Still On For Killer
By Tony Brockmeyer (C) 2007
St. Charles police are still following leads in the murder of Robert Eldman that occurred on June 8th. Eldman, of St. Peters, was murdered in his insurance agency office on First Capitol Drive near I-70. Eldman was found shot in his office by a postal worker.
The First Capitol News was shown a business card from Detective Morissey of the St. Charles Police by a man who said Detective Morissey was interviewing customers last weekend in a St. Louis Soulard bar frequented by homosexuals. According to the customers, who are credible professionals, Detective Morissey told them he was conducting a murder investigation and showed them a photograph of a very large man and asked if they had seen him in the bar
We attempted to contact Detective Morissey but his voice mail says he will not be in the office until June 25. We do not know the significance of how this large man and a gay bar in St. Louis may be connected to the murder of Eldman. Detectives receive many tips and they have to follow up on all leads.
The Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad was called in to help with the murder investigation and extended their stay for an additional five days but have now ended their participation. They reported they were looking for a four-door car similar to a Ford Focus, light-colored or white apparently the vehicle has not been located.
Any one with information can call the St. Charles Detectives at 636-949-3320 or Crimestoppers at 636-949-3333.
St. Charles police are still following leads in the murder of Robert Eldman that occurred on June 8th. Eldman, of St. Peters, was murdered in his insurance agency office on First Capitol Drive near I-70. Eldman was found shot in his office by a postal worker.
The First Capitol News was shown a business card from Detective Morissey of the St. Charles Police by a man who said Detective Morissey was interviewing customers last weekend in a St. Louis Soulard bar frequented by homosexuals. According to the customers, who are credible professionals, Detective Morissey told them he was conducting a murder investigation and showed them a photograph of a very large man and asked if they had seen him in the bar
We attempted to contact Detective Morissey but his voice mail says he will not be in the office until June 25. We do not know the significance of how this large man and a gay bar in St. Louis may be connected to the murder of Eldman. Detectives receive many tips and they have to follow up on all leads.
The Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad was called in to help with the murder investigation and extended their stay for an additional five days but have now ended their participation. They reported they were looking for a four-door car similar to a Ford Focus, light-colored or white apparently the vehicle has not been located.
Any one with information can call the St. Charles Detectives at 636-949-3320 or Crimestoppers at 636-949-3333.
Veit Uses Play On Words In Attempt To Fool Public
By Tony Brockmeyer
At the St. Charles City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Councilman Richard Veit tried to pull a mask over the eyes of the public.
In the Column, Rambling With The Editor June 9th edition of the First Capitol News, we commented that Veit was apparently in the running to overtake Councilman Mike Weller’s record for being absent from council meetings. We mentioned that Veit has only been on the council for two months and he has already missed half of the regular meetings.
At Tuesday’s meeting Veit remarked, “I have only missed one council meeting since being sworn in not like what was reported in a local rag.”
This was a typical spin doctor trick by someone who believes they are smarter than the general public and can confuse them or have them believe half truths.
What Veit does not want the public to know is that he was absent from half of the regular council meetings. He missed the regular meeting at which he and the rest of the council were to be sworn in. Veit was on holiday in Sri Lanka. The rest of the council was in attendance and were sworn in.
Editor’s note - We would have expected Veit to be more original in his name calling. The First Capitol News has been called a rag and worse by those whose questionable activities we have been successful in exposing.
At the St. Charles City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Councilman Richard Veit tried to pull a mask over the eyes of the public.
In the Column, Rambling With The Editor June 9th edition of the First Capitol News, we commented that Veit was apparently in the running to overtake Councilman Mike Weller’s record for being absent from council meetings. We mentioned that Veit has only been on the council for two months and he has already missed half of the regular meetings.
At Tuesday’s meeting Veit remarked, “I have only missed one council meeting since being sworn in not like what was reported in a local rag.”
This was a typical spin doctor trick by someone who believes they are smarter than the general public and can confuse them or have them believe half truths.
What Veit does not want the public to know is that he was absent from half of the regular council meetings. He missed the regular meeting at which he and the rest of the council were to be sworn in. Veit was on holiday in Sri Lanka. The rest of the council was in attendance and were sworn in.
Editor’s note - We would have expected Veit to be more original in his name calling. The First Capitol News has been called a rag and worse by those whose questionable activities we have been successful in exposing.
Charged With Embezzling From Motivational Concepts
Charged With Embezzling From Motivational Concepts
Heather McCoy, 31, of Devondale Place in St. Peters has been charged with embezzling $20,600 from Motivational Concepts where she was employed.
McCoy is free after posting a $5,000 bond. The thefts apparently occurred over a 22-month period.
Motivational Concepts, former St. Peter’s Mayor Tom Brown and his daughter Linda Didion own Motivational Concepts located at 1234 Jungerman Road in St. Peters.
Heather McCoy, 31, of Devondale Place in St. Peters has been charged with embezzling $20,600 from Motivational Concepts where she was employed.
McCoy is free after posting a $5,000 bond. The thefts apparently occurred over a 22-month period.
Motivational Concepts, former St. Peter’s Mayor Tom Brown and his daughter Linda Didion own Motivational Concepts located at 1234 Jungerman Road in St. Peters.
Tolen Charged With Child Molestation and Sodomy
City Physician Dismissed by Mayor on Sexual Complaints
Former United States Attorney and former St. Charles City Council Attorney Eric Tolen has been arrested and charged with 18 counts of child molestation and sodomy.
It was reported that the alleged incidents involved two fifteen year old boys whose mother Tolen had befriended.
Tolen, of Town and Country,was held at the St. Louis County Jail in Clayton until he was able to post a $200,000 bond.
It was reported that the incidents occurred over several years.
Tolen is the second individual employed by the City alleged to have committed sexual misconduct.
Several months ago Mayor York dismissed her appointed city physician because of complaints of sexual impropriety.
Former United States Attorney and former St. Charles City Council Attorney Eric Tolen has been arrested and charged with 18 counts of child molestation and sodomy.
It was reported that the alleged incidents involved two fifteen year old boys whose mother Tolen had befriended.
Tolen, of Town and Country,was held at the St. Louis County Jail in Clayton until he was able to post a $200,000 bond.
It was reported that the incidents occurred over several years.
Tolen is the second individual employed by the City alleged to have committed sexual misconduct.
Several months ago Mayor York dismissed her appointed city physician because of complaints of sexual impropriety.
Kirkwood Man Charged With Vehicular Assault After Leaving Scene of Accident
Lawrence Boehmer, 57, of Kirkwood, Missouri was charged with vehicular assault and leaving the scene of an accident after striking a police officer Saturday evening.
Boehmer, who had apparently been attending the Hank Williams, Jr. concert at the Family Arena was being held in the St. Charles County Jail in lieu of $75,000 cash only bond.
Boehmer was leaving the Family Arena parking lot and was directed to turn right out of the north entrance but turned left instead when he struck the St. Charles County Deputy Sheriff and drug him for a distance of about 25 feet. Boehmer did not stop after striking the deputy and left the scene of the accident.
Police eventually caught Boehmer at which time he refused to take a breath test. Police obtained a warrant and took a blood test two hours later. His blood-alcohol content was 0.07 percent, below the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
The Deputy is recovering from his injuries which were not life threatening.
Boehmer, who had apparently been attending the Hank Williams, Jr. concert at the Family Arena was being held in the St. Charles County Jail in lieu of $75,000 cash only bond.
Boehmer was leaving the Family Arena parking lot and was directed to turn right out of the north entrance but turned left instead when he struck the St. Charles County Deputy Sheriff and drug him for a distance of about 25 feet. Boehmer did not stop after striking the deputy and left the scene of the accident.
Police eventually caught Boehmer at which time he refused to take a breath test. Police obtained a warrant and took a blood test two hours later. His blood-alcohol content was 0.07 percent, below the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
The Deputy is recovering from his injuries which were not life threatening.
EDITORIAL
Editorial Commentary
Beckering Motion Exposes Hypocrisy
Of Do As I Say - Not As I Do - Feldman
Seventh Ward Councilman Dave Beckering recently made a motion to eliminate what was left of the Councilmember’s ward discretionary funds. These were funds that the ward’s councilmember could direct towards projects specifically in that ward. The money initially came from a one-time windfall the city received from permits for the new Ameristar Casino Hotel of $1.4 million.
Councilman Beckering said that earmarking such funds was seen as a way to “buy votes” in some cases. Shortly after being elected, Councilman Beckering received a report that $490,000 was left from the original $1.4 million. But just a month later, only $192,000 was able to be returned to the General Fund.
So what happened to the other money?
In some cases it went to projects already in the pipeline, but in at least one glaring case, a councilmember who had campaigned against the discretionary spending of her predecessor, had no problem turning around and spending the same money herself.
Voters may recall that in running for election this spring, Third Ward Councilwoman Laurie Feldman criticized the past Council for allocating Council discretionary funds. She specifically criticized the incumbent councilman she was running against for using discretionary funds to buy uniform roll-away trash containers for households in the ward.
In fact, it was this Councilman who was criticized for “buying votes” by his detractors.
But in the thirty days or so that it took for the Council to “mull over” Councilman Beckering’s proposal to return what was left of the funds, Councilwoman Laurie Feldman had spent $74,240 for streetlights along South River Road in her ward.
Do as I say – not as I do – can be Laurie Feldman’s reelection slogan.
Councilwoman Feldman had company from Ninth Ward Councilman Ron Stivinson. He spent $43,000 for lights in his own subdivision of Prairie Haute.
Now both of these Council members could have avoided the appearance that they were trying to “buy votes” as Councilman Beckering said, by the fact that they did so after the election. They could have, but for the fact they used as their “excuse” for spending the money already, that they had, according to another area newspaper, “...talked before the May 8 vote with…constituents about their intention to use the money that way.
In other words, or perhaps in Councilman Beckering’s words, they used the money during the election to buy votes. Just two pots calling the kettle black.
Beckering Motion Exposes Hypocrisy
Of Do As I Say - Not As I Do - Feldman
Seventh Ward Councilman Dave Beckering recently made a motion to eliminate what was left of the Councilmember’s ward discretionary funds. These were funds that the ward’s councilmember could direct towards projects specifically in that ward. The money initially came from a one-time windfall the city received from permits for the new Ameristar Casino Hotel of $1.4 million.
Councilman Beckering said that earmarking such funds was seen as a way to “buy votes” in some cases. Shortly after being elected, Councilman Beckering received a report that $490,000 was left from the original $1.4 million. But just a month later, only $192,000 was able to be returned to the General Fund.
So what happened to the other money?
In some cases it went to projects already in the pipeline, but in at least one glaring case, a councilmember who had campaigned against the discretionary spending of her predecessor, had no problem turning around and spending the same money herself.
Voters may recall that in running for election this spring, Third Ward Councilwoman Laurie Feldman criticized the past Council for allocating Council discretionary funds. She specifically criticized the incumbent councilman she was running against for using discretionary funds to buy uniform roll-away trash containers for households in the ward.
In fact, it was this Councilman who was criticized for “buying votes” by his detractors.
But in the thirty days or so that it took for the Council to “mull over” Councilman Beckering’s proposal to return what was left of the funds, Councilwoman Laurie Feldman had spent $74,240 for streetlights along South River Road in her ward.
Do as I say – not as I do – can be Laurie Feldman’s reelection slogan.
Councilwoman Feldman had company from Ninth Ward Councilman Ron Stivinson. He spent $43,000 for lights in his own subdivision of Prairie Haute.
Now both of these Council members could have avoided the appearance that they were trying to “buy votes” as Councilman Beckering said, by the fact that they did so after the election. They could have, but for the fact they used as their “excuse” for spending the money already, that they had, according to another area newspaper, “...talked before the May 8 vote with…constituents about their intention to use the money that way.
In other words, or perhaps in Councilman Beckering’s words, they used the money during the election to buy votes. Just two pots calling the kettle black.
RAMBLING WITH The Editor Tony Brockmeyer
Will it be Green vs Dempsey in Senate Race?
Local Democrats are promoting former State Representative Tom Green as their candidate to face Republican Tom Dempsey in the upcoming state senate race. Dempsey will no doubt be the Republican candidate to fill the unexpired term of Republican Senator Chuck Gross who resigned his seat to be the assistant to St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlman.
The Governor will soon set a date for the special election. The Democrats Central Committee will select the Democrat candidate who will face off with Dempsey.
When contacted Tom Green told the FCN that if the right things fall into place he would be interested in challenging Dempsey.
Kielty Fails In Attempt To Have Devlin Trial Moved But Will Have Out Of County Jury Hear The Case
Michael Kielty, a local attorney, representing Michael Devlin, who has multiple charges of kidnapping, sodomy, child molestation, etc. in multiple counties, failed in his and his co-counsel’s attempt to have Devlin’s trial moved from Franklin County. The motion was denied by Franklin County Judge Stanley Williams.
Devlin, of Kirkwood, is charged in the kidnapping and sexual assault of Ben Ownby. He is also charged in Washington County for the kidnapping and sexual assault of Shawn Hornbeck who was found in his Kirkwood apartment along with Ownby. Hornbeck had been missing since 2002. A hearing is scheduled in Washington County on July 16. Kielty is also attempting to have the trial moved from Washington County. Devlin is facing federal charges for both incidents.
Kielty is a St. Charles attorney and the son of former councilman and political activist Ken Kielty.
Ken Kielty recently lost his bid to be elected St. Charles City Councilman for Ward 8. He was trounced by Michael Klinghammer in the April election.
Kielty along with St. Louis PR guru Glennon Jamboretz was involved with Mayor York in her alleged money laundering of taxpayer dollars. City money was allegedly passed through stealth companies connected with Jamboretz to a political committee started by Jamboretz and Kielty whose intent purpose was to recall St. Charles councilpersons. They then funneled the money to the recall group. After the laundered money was funneled to the recall attempts to remove Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer by the Kielty committee, the committee was abandoned. The recall attempts were fraught with fraud and forgeries and arrests were made and more are expected. Jack Banas, St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney, is reviewing the investigative report submitted by the St. Charles police.
Last year a threatening phone call, traced to a phone registered to Ken Kielty, was made to local resident Bob Bredensteiner shortly after Bredensteiner wrote a letter in the First Capitol News regarding a pedophile priest at Borromeo Parish in St. Charles. Kielty was asked to come to the police station to be questioned and agreed. Later he refused to be interviewed on the advice of his attorney son.
Recently a article appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch regarding a pedophile priest who was at Borromeo at the time referred to by Bredensteiner in his letter. The Post article stated that two Bishops had been aware of the priest but had taken no action against him.
The First Capitol News was unable to determine if any threatening calls had been made to the Post reporter after the story appeared in the newspaper.
The Kielty family is known for threats. A candidate who had filed for the Council election for Ward 8 withdrew from the race after he said he received a threatening phone call from Ken Kielty.
Several years ago Attorney Michael Kielty made a threatening call to this newspaper after unflattering stories appeared about his father Ken Kielty. The phone call from Michael Kielty was recorded by our telephone system.
Several businesses have recently received threatening post cart cards because they have ads appearing in the First Capitol News. The threatening post cards have been signed Ken Kielty Family and also Tom Hayden. Hayden is a confidant of the Mayor and was Councilman Michael Weller’s campaign manager.
It has also been alleged that Hayden may be responsible for a vile blog site filled with lies and untruths.
Kielty operated the license office on Raymond Drive until Matt Blount was elected Governor. The office was then turned over to Ernie Dempsey of Pio’s Restaurant who owns the building on Raymond along with Kielty. Dempsey is the father of State Representative Tom Dempsey, majority floor leader of the Missouri House who is expected to be a candidate for Senate to fill the unexpired term of Senator Chuck Gross.
Local political sources have told the First Capitol News Ken Kielty is lining up people to work in the campaign of Attorney General Jay Nixon when Nixon runs for Governor. It is apparent his goal is to reclaim the license office.
We know that Ken Kielty is originally from New York and his girth is approaching that of Tony Soprano, however, someone needs to tell him that Sopranos is a fictional television show and if he continues to threaten and harass people he could be subject to arrest and confinement.
Local Democrats are promoting former State Representative Tom Green as their candidate to face Republican Tom Dempsey in the upcoming state senate race. Dempsey will no doubt be the Republican candidate to fill the unexpired term of Republican Senator Chuck Gross who resigned his seat to be the assistant to St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlman.
The Governor will soon set a date for the special election. The Democrats Central Committee will select the Democrat candidate who will face off with Dempsey.
When contacted Tom Green told the FCN that if the right things fall into place he would be interested in challenging Dempsey.
Kielty Fails In Attempt To Have Devlin Trial Moved But Will Have Out Of County Jury Hear The Case
Michael Kielty, a local attorney, representing Michael Devlin, who has multiple charges of kidnapping, sodomy, child molestation, etc. in multiple counties, failed in his and his co-counsel’s attempt to have Devlin’s trial moved from Franklin County. The motion was denied by Franklin County Judge Stanley Williams.
Devlin, of Kirkwood, is charged in the kidnapping and sexual assault of Ben Ownby. He is also charged in Washington County for the kidnapping and sexual assault of Shawn Hornbeck who was found in his Kirkwood apartment along with Ownby. Hornbeck had been missing since 2002. A hearing is scheduled in Washington County on July 16. Kielty is also attempting to have the trial moved from Washington County. Devlin is facing federal charges for both incidents.
Kielty is a St. Charles attorney and the son of former councilman and political activist Ken Kielty.
Ken Kielty recently lost his bid to be elected St. Charles City Councilman for Ward 8. He was trounced by Michael Klinghammer in the April election.
Kielty along with St. Louis PR guru Glennon Jamboretz was involved with Mayor York in her alleged money laundering of taxpayer dollars. City money was allegedly passed through stealth companies connected with Jamboretz to a political committee started by Jamboretz and Kielty whose intent purpose was to recall St. Charles councilpersons. They then funneled the money to the recall group. After the laundered money was funneled to the recall attempts to remove Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer by the Kielty committee, the committee was abandoned. The recall attempts were fraught with fraud and forgeries and arrests were made and more are expected. Jack Banas, St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney, is reviewing the investigative report submitted by the St. Charles police.
Last year a threatening phone call, traced to a phone registered to Ken Kielty, was made to local resident Bob Bredensteiner shortly after Bredensteiner wrote a letter in the First Capitol News regarding a pedophile priest at Borromeo Parish in St. Charles. Kielty was asked to come to the police station to be questioned and agreed. Later he refused to be interviewed on the advice of his attorney son.
Recently a article appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch regarding a pedophile priest who was at Borromeo at the time referred to by Bredensteiner in his letter. The Post article stated that two Bishops had been aware of the priest but had taken no action against him.
The First Capitol News was unable to determine if any threatening calls had been made to the Post reporter after the story appeared in the newspaper.
The Kielty family is known for threats. A candidate who had filed for the Council election for Ward 8 withdrew from the race after he said he received a threatening phone call from Ken Kielty.
Several years ago Attorney Michael Kielty made a threatening call to this newspaper after unflattering stories appeared about his father Ken Kielty. The phone call from Michael Kielty was recorded by our telephone system.
Several businesses have recently received threatening post cart cards because they have ads appearing in the First Capitol News. The threatening post cards have been signed Ken Kielty Family and also Tom Hayden. Hayden is a confidant of the Mayor and was Councilman Michael Weller’s campaign manager.
It has also been alleged that Hayden may be responsible for a vile blog site filled with lies and untruths.
Kielty operated the license office on Raymond Drive until Matt Blount was elected Governor. The office was then turned over to Ernie Dempsey of Pio’s Restaurant who owns the building on Raymond along with Kielty. Dempsey is the father of State Representative Tom Dempsey, majority floor leader of the Missouri House who is expected to be a candidate for Senate to fill the unexpired term of Senator Chuck Gross.
Local political sources have told the First Capitol News Ken Kielty is lining up people to work in the campaign of Attorney General Jay Nixon when Nixon runs for Governor. It is apparent his goal is to reclaim the license office.
We know that Ken Kielty is originally from New York and his girth is approaching that of Tony Soprano, however, someone needs to tell him that Sopranos is a fictional television show and if he continues to threaten and harass people he could be subject to arrest and confinement.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor,
Attached please find a picture taken at 8:20 in the evening on June 8, 2007. As you know this is the day a murder was committed in the City of St. Charles. This police officer was observed reading a magazine behind the counter of the Convenient Mart at Elm and Elm Point Road. His car was parked along side the building with the engine running.
Is this the new police department under Mayor York’s command? No wonder speeding is rampant and the teens feel free to congregate at in the lot in front of Stefanina’s and It’s A Grind. The day a murder was committed you would think the police would want to make us all feel safe. Watching this officer spend time reading a magazine without noticing this photo being taken doesn’t make me feel safe.
Look at the picture, this is a sergeant, a person who is supposed to lead by example. With the increase in crime in the City, I’m considering moving to St. Peters or O’Fallon. These two cities have mayors who haven’t put politics above public safety and allow for qualified Chiefs to run their departments and not a former stewardess. What qualifications does a flight attendant have in running a police department. This city is in danger of becoming a Riverview with the apathetic way those who swore to protect and
to serve our residents do their jobs. Mayor York promised the union so much and we are all suffering for her need to win.
Name withheld for fear of life and limb.
Picture attached
Dear Police Chief York,
In considering the removal of the seed bumps from Elmhurst, I feel you need to assign some of your patrolmen to patrol Elmhurst. They need to stop the speeders and drag racers and remove their cars from them. Then call their parents to come and get them. I believe from the noise level their curfew must be 12 midnight. Happy hunting patrolmen!!!!
Just a grandparent concerned about her grandsons riding their bikes.
Dear Tony,
As I handed out fliers earlier this week, a man told me that Dennis Hahn, school board prez, told him he particularly wanted to close Benton School to help the Lutheran School’s enrollment.
Do private schools and churches have to disclose who is on their boards and committees to the public?
Thanks so much! People were too discouraged to come to the rally except for a handful, including a little boy and his dad with a letter to the school board.
Dempsey was there. He seemed....surprised ...and somehow struck by my presence
Peggy Whetzel
The Honorable Patti York, Mayor of St. Charles
& St. Charles City Council Members
The South Main Street business district is closed to vehicular traffic for the annual Oktoberfest car show, held on the Sunday of Okotoberfest weekend. As a merchant on South Main, I’m opposed to closing the street for this event for the following reasons.
1. South Main Street businesses are hurt. Closing the street to traffic drastically reduces the number of parking spaces for South Main Street shoppers, resulting in lost business. A thriving business community goes hand-in-hand with preservation of South Main Street.
2. The car show does not fit the historic theme of South Main Street. Most of the cars on display are new or late model vehicles that have no historic interest.
3. The car show presents an unattractive image to visitors. (See attached photos.) South Main Street’s image as a carefully restored and preserved historic district is marred by the car show. Car show participants sitting on aluminum lawn chairs next to plastic coolers is not what we want visitors to remember about South Main Street. Some participants bring their dogs and fail to dispose of their pet’s waste. Others advertise their business concerns in a manner not consistent with South Main Street standards – i.e., with tacky signs on tripods.
While there are events that warrant closing South Main Street, such as Festival of the Little Hills or the Halloween candy give-away, the Oktoberfest car show is not one of them. A crafts festival contributes to South Main’s theme, and the Halloween event is an opportunity for the merchants to give something back to the community. The Oktoberfest car show detracts from South Main Street’s image and would be better off confined to Frontier Park, a more appropriate setting. It would be greatly appreciated if you would deny permission to close South Main Street for the Oktoberfest car show.
Thank you,
James Fairchild, Owner
Little Hills Cottage
335 South Main Street
Dear Editor
My name is Brad Sewell. I am the business manager for Frenchtown Transmission Inc.. I am responding to “Talk Of Charleytown”, John Sonderegger’s article in the Thursday, June 21, 2007, edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Frenchtown Transmission has been located in the Historic Frenchtown District since 1987. We chose this area because of the reasonable price of property suitable for the type of business we operate and the close proximity to a residential area large enough to support our type of business.
The other businesses located around our facility are here because of similar economic reasons.
None of us is here because the buildings are of exceptional beauty but these buildings are not overvalued either.
None are in disarray or a shambles, as some of the proponents of the redevelopment of this area have stated.
The entire idea of the area being “blighted” is a sham and the situation was created by certain members of the city council, who have since been removed from office by the voters of St. Charles.
Development involves an investor acquiring property and installing buildings and fixtures which will attract residents, businesses and a flow of visitors to generate cash flow sufficient to cover the cost to build the buildings and fixtures plus an amount of profit.
Redevelopment is a viable investment when the property can be acquired at a favorable price. That is not the situation in the Frenchtown Historical District. These buildings are still sound, occupied, suitable for their present use and worth a ton of money.
The property owners and business owners in the area surrounding the property being suggested for redevelopment were all for the project because it presented a boon or windfall to them in property values or traffic for their businesses.
When the argument concerning the use of eminent domain was being waged last winter and spring, these people were quite vocal about their support of its use, all the while ignoring that the plan would have been a financial “raping” of the property owners and businesses being “seized”.
The real problem is that certain business owners in the area just south of the Frenchtown Historical District wish that the area in which their businesses are located in was something different than what it is.
Most of them opened their businesses in the area after we all did and now want our area to change in some manner which will benefit theirs.
They do not want much change for their area, just a lot of change for ours.
The area is perfect for our group of business owners located in the Frenchtown Historical District and I am sorry if that is inconvenient for the group located to the south of us.
If they need to be located next to a big-box store to increase the traffic for their respective businesses then they should move their business to a location closer to a big box store.
To rephrase a comment quoted in John Sonderegger’s article, if they didn’t want their businesses to be located next to “Pigs with Lipstick on”, they should have made a different decision about their real estate in the first place.
ttt
Attached please find a picture taken at 8:20 in the evening on June 8, 2007. As you know this is the day a murder was committed in the City of St. Charles. This police officer was observed reading a magazine behind the counter of the Convenient Mart at Elm and Elm Point Road. His car was parked along side the building with the engine running.
Is this the new police department under Mayor York’s command? No wonder speeding is rampant and the teens feel free to congregate at in the lot in front of Stefanina’s and It’s A Grind. The day a murder was committed you would think the police would want to make us all feel safe. Watching this officer spend time reading a magazine without noticing this photo being taken doesn’t make me feel safe.
Look at the picture, this is a sergeant, a person who is supposed to lead by example. With the increase in crime in the City, I’m considering moving to St. Peters or O’Fallon. These two cities have mayors who haven’t put politics above public safety and allow for qualified Chiefs to run their departments and not a former stewardess. What qualifications does a flight attendant have in running a police department. This city is in danger of becoming a Riverview with the apathetic way those who swore to protect and
to serve our residents do their jobs. Mayor York promised the union so much and we are all suffering for her need to win.
Name withheld for fear of life and limb.
Picture attached
Dear Police Chief York,
In considering the removal of the seed bumps from Elmhurst, I feel you need to assign some of your patrolmen to patrol Elmhurst. They need to stop the speeders and drag racers and remove their cars from them. Then call their parents to come and get them. I believe from the noise level their curfew must be 12 midnight. Happy hunting patrolmen!!!!
Just a grandparent concerned about her grandsons riding their bikes.
Dear Tony,
As I handed out fliers earlier this week, a man told me that Dennis Hahn, school board prez, told him he particularly wanted to close Benton School to help the Lutheran School’s enrollment.
Do private schools and churches have to disclose who is on their boards and committees to the public?
Thanks so much! People were too discouraged to come to the rally except for a handful, including a little boy and his dad with a letter to the school board.
Dempsey was there. He seemed....surprised ...and somehow struck by my presence
Peggy Whetzel
The Honorable Patti York, Mayor of St. Charles
& St. Charles City Council Members
The South Main Street business district is closed to vehicular traffic for the annual Oktoberfest car show, held on the Sunday of Okotoberfest weekend. As a merchant on South Main, I’m opposed to closing the street for this event for the following reasons.
1. South Main Street businesses are hurt. Closing the street to traffic drastically reduces the number of parking spaces for South Main Street shoppers, resulting in lost business. A thriving business community goes hand-in-hand with preservation of South Main Street.
2. The car show does not fit the historic theme of South Main Street. Most of the cars on display are new or late model vehicles that have no historic interest.
3. The car show presents an unattractive image to visitors. (See attached photos.) South Main Street’s image as a carefully restored and preserved historic district is marred by the car show. Car show participants sitting on aluminum lawn chairs next to plastic coolers is not what we want visitors to remember about South Main Street. Some participants bring their dogs and fail to dispose of their pet’s waste. Others advertise their business concerns in a manner not consistent with South Main Street standards – i.e., with tacky signs on tripods.
While there are events that warrant closing South Main Street, such as Festival of the Little Hills or the Halloween candy give-away, the Oktoberfest car show is not one of them. A crafts festival contributes to South Main’s theme, and the Halloween event is an opportunity for the merchants to give something back to the community. The Oktoberfest car show detracts from South Main Street’s image and would be better off confined to Frontier Park, a more appropriate setting. It would be greatly appreciated if you would deny permission to close South Main Street for the Oktoberfest car show.
Thank you,
James Fairchild, Owner
Little Hills Cottage
335 South Main Street
Dear Editor
My name is Brad Sewell. I am the business manager for Frenchtown Transmission Inc.. I am responding to “Talk Of Charleytown”, John Sonderegger’s article in the Thursday, June 21, 2007, edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Frenchtown Transmission has been located in the Historic Frenchtown District since 1987. We chose this area because of the reasonable price of property suitable for the type of business we operate and the close proximity to a residential area large enough to support our type of business.
The other businesses located around our facility are here because of similar economic reasons.
None of us is here because the buildings are of exceptional beauty but these buildings are not overvalued either.
None are in disarray or a shambles, as some of the proponents of the redevelopment of this area have stated.
The entire idea of the area being “blighted” is a sham and the situation was created by certain members of the city council, who have since been removed from office by the voters of St. Charles.
Development involves an investor acquiring property and installing buildings and fixtures which will attract residents, businesses and a flow of visitors to generate cash flow sufficient to cover the cost to build the buildings and fixtures plus an amount of profit.
Redevelopment is a viable investment when the property can be acquired at a favorable price. That is not the situation in the Frenchtown Historical District. These buildings are still sound, occupied, suitable for their present use and worth a ton of money.
The property owners and business owners in the area surrounding the property being suggested for redevelopment were all for the project because it presented a boon or windfall to them in property values or traffic for their businesses.
When the argument concerning the use of eminent domain was being waged last winter and spring, these people were quite vocal about their support of its use, all the while ignoring that the plan would have been a financial “raping” of the property owners and businesses being “seized”.
The real problem is that certain business owners in the area just south of the Frenchtown Historical District wish that the area in which their businesses are located in was something different than what it is.
Most of them opened their businesses in the area after we all did and now want our area to change in some manner which will benefit theirs.
They do not want much change for their area, just a lot of change for ours.
The area is perfect for our group of business owners located in the Frenchtown Historical District and I am sorry if that is inconvenient for the group located to the south of us.
If they need to be located next to a big-box store to increase the traffic for their respective businesses then they should move their business to a location closer to a big box store.
To rephrase a comment quoted in John Sonderegger’s article, if they didn’t want their businesses to be located next to “Pigs with Lipstick on”, they should have made a different decision about their real estate in the first place.
ttt
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler
Holding The Line On Main Street
What Image Do We Want?
For all the concern individuals and groups have shown for preserving the historic character of Main Street, I’m surprised more concern isn’t being shown when it comes to the image Main Street projects.
Take for example “Tipsy Tuesdays”.
That’s what Mexico On Main is proud to call it’s Tuesday night promotions aimed at younger drinkers. Of course that isn’t the first thing that attracts your attention to their full-color glossy advertising cards that have been making their way around area universities.
I would say the first thing that would attract the attention of any red blooded male would be the rear view of the topless brunet tugging seductively at her thong. Something tells me the ad is promising a little more than it can deliver to those young male patrons, but hey, they have to learn about truth in advertising sometime.
Nothing in the ad promises that what you see is what you’ll find when you get there. Sex sells and after all, they have to compete with all those bars on the East Side.
Every good promotion needs a slogan and Mexico On Main has a great one. Their slogan on this advertising piece is “It Don’t Get Any Cheaper Than This In St. Louis”. Wow, that should attract the kind of customers we want in Downtown St. Charles. There is nothing like advertising yourself as the discount leader of entertainment districts.
In this case, their claim to be cheaper is no will-of-the-wisp scantily clad model. It’s backed up by their Tipsy Tuesday special of “50 Cent” mixed drinks from 8 till 10:30. Nothing says drink to excess to a college student better than a 50 Cent mixed drink special. If you have a hybrid car, be sure to stop by to fill up the tank.
Any good promotion needs a few good sponsors. In the case of Mexico On Main they have 104.1 and stldrunks.com. “Hot” FM 104.1 is the home of St. Louis hip-hop. STLdrunks.com is a web site that posts posed and candid photos of, well, drunks. They promote bars that want to appeal to young people who want to, uhhhh now don’t tell me, oh yeah….get drunk.
If you think I am being too simplistic, just check out stl.drunk.com’s slogan, “There’s A Good Chance I’m Wasted”. It kind of goes right to the point.
Having your photo looking drunk and stupid, posted on stldrunks.com is a good way to stay in touch with Mom and Dad who are paying your college bills. Employers might also find this web site useful. Of course, George Bush and Bill Clinton might not have gotten as far as they did, if everyone had a camera in a cell phone and a place to post the pictures when they were in college.
Another interesting challenge of marketing to young people is you aren’t suppose to be selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. Mexico On Main’s advertising says you must be 18 and older to get in. Hmmm. It must be a terrible responsibility to make sure the 21 year olds aren’t passing 50 cent mixed drinks to the 18 year olds in a place where they are packed in like sardines. Good luck with that.
The responsibility to see that no alcohol is given to those under 21 within an establishment rests solely with the owner and holder of the liquor license. Ordinance 115.03 is even entitled RESPONSIBILITY OF SELLER FOR SALES TO CERTAIN PERSONS. It reads in part:
“ (A) …Intoxicating liquor or non-intoxicating beer shall not be given, sold or otherwise supplied to any person under the age of 21 years.”
In the end it all comes down to what a community, its elected representatives and Police Department will allow.
There are many fine establishments on Main Street and there is nothing wrong with having a variety of entertainment venues and music. But there is a price you pay when the reputation and image of an area changes. It becomes harder to keep places like the St. Louis Bread Company or to attract quality retailers.
Is it worth the short term return to say anything goes? Or is it time to make the tough decisions about the future of our Downtown.
Just as the reputation of a lifetime can be ruined in a moment, the reputation of a wonderful retail, dining and entertainment area can be ruined overnight. There is a line which, once crossed, is hard to move back. It’s time to hold the line on Main Street.
What Image Do We Want?
For all the concern individuals and groups have shown for preserving the historic character of Main Street, I’m surprised more concern isn’t being shown when it comes to the image Main Street projects.
Take for example “Tipsy Tuesdays”.
That’s what Mexico On Main is proud to call it’s Tuesday night promotions aimed at younger drinkers. Of course that isn’t the first thing that attracts your attention to their full-color glossy advertising cards that have been making their way around area universities.
I would say the first thing that would attract the attention of any red blooded male would be the rear view of the topless brunet tugging seductively at her thong. Something tells me the ad is promising a little more than it can deliver to those young male patrons, but hey, they have to learn about truth in advertising sometime.
Nothing in the ad promises that what you see is what you’ll find when you get there. Sex sells and after all, they have to compete with all those bars on the East Side.
Every good promotion needs a slogan and Mexico On Main has a great one. Their slogan on this advertising piece is “It Don’t Get Any Cheaper Than This In St. Louis”. Wow, that should attract the kind of customers we want in Downtown St. Charles. There is nothing like advertising yourself as the discount leader of entertainment districts.
In this case, their claim to be cheaper is no will-of-the-wisp scantily clad model. It’s backed up by their Tipsy Tuesday special of “50 Cent” mixed drinks from 8 till 10:30. Nothing says drink to excess to a college student better than a 50 Cent mixed drink special. If you have a hybrid car, be sure to stop by to fill up the tank.
Any good promotion needs a few good sponsors. In the case of Mexico On Main they have 104.1 and stldrunks.com. “Hot” FM 104.1 is the home of St. Louis hip-hop. STLdrunks.com is a web site that posts posed and candid photos of, well, drunks. They promote bars that want to appeal to young people who want to, uhhhh now don’t tell me, oh yeah….get drunk.
If you think I am being too simplistic, just check out stl.drunk.com’s slogan, “There’s A Good Chance I’m Wasted”. It kind of goes right to the point.
Having your photo looking drunk and stupid, posted on stldrunks.com is a good way to stay in touch with Mom and Dad who are paying your college bills. Employers might also find this web site useful. Of course, George Bush and Bill Clinton might not have gotten as far as they did, if everyone had a camera in a cell phone and a place to post the pictures when they were in college.
Another interesting challenge of marketing to young people is you aren’t suppose to be selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. Mexico On Main’s advertising says you must be 18 and older to get in. Hmmm. It must be a terrible responsibility to make sure the 21 year olds aren’t passing 50 cent mixed drinks to the 18 year olds in a place where they are packed in like sardines. Good luck with that.
The responsibility to see that no alcohol is given to those under 21 within an establishment rests solely with the owner and holder of the liquor license. Ordinance 115.03 is even entitled RESPONSIBILITY OF SELLER FOR SALES TO CERTAIN PERSONS. It reads in part:
“ (A) …Intoxicating liquor or non-intoxicating beer shall not be given, sold or otherwise supplied to any person under the age of 21 years.”
In the end it all comes down to what a community, its elected representatives and Police Department will allow.
There are many fine establishments on Main Street and there is nothing wrong with having a variety of entertainment venues and music. But there is a price you pay when the reputation and image of an area changes. It becomes harder to keep places like the St. Louis Bread Company or to attract quality retailers.
Is it worth the short term return to say anything goes? Or is it time to make the tough decisions about the future of our Downtown.
Just as the reputation of a lifetime can be ruined in a moment, the reputation of a wonderful retail, dining and entertainment area can be ruined overnight. There is a line which, once crossed, is hard to move back. It’s time to hold the line on Main Street.
Comments & Commentary by Charles Hill
Okay, I’ve been pretty patient with the newly elected officials. I wanted to let them get their sea legs before really putting them to the test. Now it’s time to begin to hold them accountable to those who put them in office. Richard Veit, where did you go to law school and where did you learn civics?
After speaking to members of the Frenchtown Association, as well as those who live in the ward, I have to say you have the most warped sense of duty as an elected official I have ever heard. “I’m one member of a greater collective body”, what are you a borg? Of course that is in reference to the borg in the new Star Trek adventures. They were a collective without any individual thought. I guess that’s easier for Richard. Also, Richard you have now missed more meetings in the first three months than former councilman Rory Riddler did in three years. Will you give the taxpayers their money back for missing those meetings or did you cash your check from the city?
Veit has been noted as telling those in his ward that he is the legislative branch so if they have problems with trash pick up or streets, sidewalks, etc.they need to call the administration not him. And he waits several days before he returns their calls to tell them that. Richard, if you earned a law degree one would think you had to take some Political Science courses. In those courses one would hope that you learned your duty as an elected councilman is to represent the people of your ward; not only by enacting laws that help create a higher quality of life, but you are to also act as oversight of the administrative branch. It’s that pesky checks and balance. We see it daily from a very large body of legislature called Congress. Daily they have committee meetings where they question departments on how they are doing.
If I hear one more person on the City Council say something about micro managing I think they should all be kicked out of office. Asking questions and holding the staff accountable is not micro managing. Not standing up to the Mayor and letting her fire the Chief of Police and letting her balloon the administrative budget is dereliction of duty. You sat by and violated the trust the people placed in you to hold the Mayor and the executive branch of government accountable.
Richard, you have a lot of learning to do if you really want to run for Mayor. By the way, remember that those people are pumping your ego for their own gain; they really aren’t in love with you. Also, what about the bar where you had your fundraiser and who is advertising on stlouis drunks.com. Do you think this is what your ward residents feel is appropriate on Main Street? I think you need to take a breath, leave the gentlemen’s club you belong to on Main Street above Rumples, and meet the real people in Ward 1. Those who are used to a councilperson who understood what a government of the people by the people meant.
After speaking to members of the Frenchtown Association, as well as those who live in the ward, I have to say you have the most warped sense of duty as an elected official I have ever heard. “I’m one member of a greater collective body”, what are you a borg? Of course that is in reference to the borg in the new Star Trek adventures. They were a collective without any individual thought. I guess that’s easier for Richard. Also, Richard you have now missed more meetings in the first three months than former councilman Rory Riddler did in three years. Will you give the taxpayers their money back for missing those meetings or did you cash your check from the city?
Veit has been noted as telling those in his ward that he is the legislative branch so if they have problems with trash pick up or streets, sidewalks, etc.they need to call the administration not him. And he waits several days before he returns their calls to tell them that. Richard, if you earned a law degree one would think you had to take some Political Science courses. In those courses one would hope that you learned your duty as an elected councilman is to represent the people of your ward; not only by enacting laws that help create a higher quality of life, but you are to also act as oversight of the administrative branch. It’s that pesky checks and balance. We see it daily from a very large body of legislature called Congress. Daily they have committee meetings where they question departments on how they are doing.
If I hear one more person on the City Council say something about micro managing I think they should all be kicked out of office. Asking questions and holding the staff accountable is not micro managing. Not standing up to the Mayor and letting her fire the Chief of Police and letting her balloon the administrative budget is dereliction of duty. You sat by and violated the trust the people placed in you to hold the Mayor and the executive branch of government accountable.
Richard, you have a lot of learning to do if you really want to run for Mayor. By the way, remember that those people are pumping your ego for their own gain; they really aren’t in love with you. Also, what about the bar where you had your fundraiser and who is advertising on stlouis drunks.com. Do you think this is what your ward residents feel is appropriate on Main Street? I think you need to take a breath, leave the gentlemen’s club you belong to on Main Street above Rumples, and meet the real people in Ward 1. Those who are used to a councilperson who understood what a government of the people by the people meant.
CASE IN POINT by Joe Koester
Live one day at a time emphasizing ethics rather than rules.
Wayne Dyer
Certainly, everyone is aware of the slowdown in the housing market. While the Midwest is probably a little more insulated than the coasts, we still have seen homes for sale take months to move and new housing slow down to the point where developers have been laying off their employees. There are developments that have had the breaks put on due to this slowdown and this is unfortunate for Saint Charles. Things will improve, however, developments have stalled and it is unclear how long we will have to wait before some exciting developments come to fruition.
The Montgomery on South Main Street is reportedly in hiatus. A housing/commercial development at the old First National Bank site on Main has been scrapped (some other issues were at play at this site as well) and developments along First Capitol seemed to have lost steam too.
The Art/Community building at First Capitol and West Clay is moving along slowly but still I think most everyone is happy that this project is underway and helped clear out a run-down section of town.
You have probably read that a plan to put a street car into operation is underway and possible routes are being studied. Regardless what your feelings are on this, there are some clear guidelines that can be employed to help make such a system feasible.
Having worked with developers along West Clay who were putting in senior housing or mixing such usage into their greater development, one idea that came to mind was to truly make a corridor developed for our town’s seniors along West Clay. With no fewer than three senior housing developments in existence or planned for the area, wouldn’t it benefit Saint Charles to go ahead and plan shuttle and bus stops along this route. Furthermore, with hopes of redeveloping the Droste – West Clay – Duchesne business area, certain stores and services could be attracted to this area that would work well with such a development.
When I co-sponsored a bill making it harder for Saint Charles government to use eminent domain, I knew that it could possible make it harder to get a redevelopment along First Capitol Drive or the aforementioned business area. The main thing this ordinance did was help protect homeowners and small businesses. The tools for derelict properties have been left in place and have been implemented to condemn the old County Seat restaurant and the defunct Mulch Masters site.
When Frenchtown redevelopment was in the limelight, I often spoke with residents opposed to eminent domain abuse. Sadly, when my great aunt Marie Hanslick’s house was taken twenty years prior right in Saint Charles, few folks had much to say about it. I understand both sides of this issue and I know it is a complex issue because you are weighing public good against private property rights. I heard of one town that used eminent domain to take Wal-mart’s property! The Wal-mart Corporation screamed, “Unfair!” For too long taking of property was exclusively for large businesses. When used sparingly and appropriately most citizens do not have a black-or-white stance on the issue. Homes and businesses are regularly taken throughout the country for public infrastructure creation. Sometimes condemnation helps improve the community at large and therefore, it can be argued that even condemning certain properties for retail or industrial use could be for the public good. Take, for example, a vacant lot that has remained for ten or twenty years with weeds and trash as its only tenant. A retailer is willing to come into the area but needs the corner lot to for exposure, etc. One could argue that this would be an appropriate condemnation for public good.
Saint Charles has several redevelopment issues but in the long run, I believe St. Charles is in a good position to bring in new retail and clean up some of the pockets that need new life as long as our local government works diligently and we as citizens make it a point to shop in St. Charles and support the local businesses we have now. Also, take the time to write or call retailers whom you’d like to see come to town and let them know that our City wants them here – right here in St. Charles.
A couple final notes:
- I enjoyed the “From the City Desk” in the last FCN about the origins of the name, Missouri. I remember in Missouri history class at St. Charles High reading about an obscure footnote in Missouri History called, “The Honey Wars.” Missouri and Iowa had a little civil war of its own so I wanted to request that Mr. Riddler write a little something about that if he gets time. Not exactly “local” but a quirky history that, I’m sure, he could make interesting and informative.
- Ward 9 residents, a reminder that decorative stop signs were purchased for the entire ward. In fact, there were even some ordered for Ward 10 where intersections came together so that all signs would match. This money has already been spent. Next, money was set aside for the installation of these signs so because the city staff wouldn’t be swamped trying to put them all up. Our ward deserves this improved infrastructure. Please call city hall and Ron Stivison and ask when the installation will begin. Ron’s number is: 946-4030.
- Lastly, in a column in the St. Peters newspaper, Rich Chrismer stated that claims I made regarding the last election would be shown to be wrong. I want to point out for the record, that these claims and problems were made not by me, but by Rich Chrismer. It was the Election Authority who filed a lawsuit seeking a new election claiming that voting irregularities and mistakes made at the polls made it impossible to determine the true outcome of the election. What the Election Authority should have said was, “I will prove the claims I made were wrong.”
Wayne Dyer
Certainly, everyone is aware of the slowdown in the housing market. While the Midwest is probably a little more insulated than the coasts, we still have seen homes for sale take months to move and new housing slow down to the point where developers have been laying off their employees. There are developments that have had the breaks put on due to this slowdown and this is unfortunate for Saint Charles. Things will improve, however, developments have stalled and it is unclear how long we will have to wait before some exciting developments come to fruition.
The Montgomery on South Main Street is reportedly in hiatus. A housing/commercial development at the old First National Bank site on Main has been scrapped (some other issues were at play at this site as well) and developments along First Capitol seemed to have lost steam too.
The Art/Community building at First Capitol and West Clay is moving along slowly but still I think most everyone is happy that this project is underway and helped clear out a run-down section of town.
You have probably read that a plan to put a street car into operation is underway and possible routes are being studied. Regardless what your feelings are on this, there are some clear guidelines that can be employed to help make such a system feasible.
Having worked with developers along West Clay who were putting in senior housing or mixing such usage into their greater development, one idea that came to mind was to truly make a corridor developed for our town’s seniors along West Clay. With no fewer than three senior housing developments in existence or planned for the area, wouldn’t it benefit Saint Charles to go ahead and plan shuttle and bus stops along this route. Furthermore, with hopes of redeveloping the Droste – West Clay – Duchesne business area, certain stores and services could be attracted to this area that would work well with such a development.
When I co-sponsored a bill making it harder for Saint Charles government to use eminent domain, I knew that it could possible make it harder to get a redevelopment along First Capitol Drive or the aforementioned business area. The main thing this ordinance did was help protect homeowners and small businesses. The tools for derelict properties have been left in place and have been implemented to condemn the old County Seat restaurant and the defunct Mulch Masters site.
When Frenchtown redevelopment was in the limelight, I often spoke with residents opposed to eminent domain abuse. Sadly, when my great aunt Marie Hanslick’s house was taken twenty years prior right in Saint Charles, few folks had much to say about it. I understand both sides of this issue and I know it is a complex issue because you are weighing public good against private property rights. I heard of one town that used eminent domain to take Wal-mart’s property! The Wal-mart Corporation screamed, “Unfair!” For too long taking of property was exclusively for large businesses. When used sparingly and appropriately most citizens do not have a black-or-white stance on the issue. Homes and businesses are regularly taken throughout the country for public infrastructure creation. Sometimes condemnation helps improve the community at large and therefore, it can be argued that even condemning certain properties for retail or industrial use could be for the public good. Take, for example, a vacant lot that has remained for ten or twenty years with weeds and trash as its only tenant. A retailer is willing to come into the area but needs the corner lot to for exposure, etc. One could argue that this would be an appropriate condemnation for public good.
Saint Charles has several redevelopment issues but in the long run, I believe St. Charles is in a good position to bring in new retail and clean up some of the pockets that need new life as long as our local government works diligently and we as citizens make it a point to shop in St. Charles and support the local businesses we have now. Also, take the time to write or call retailers whom you’d like to see come to town and let them know that our City wants them here – right here in St. Charles.
A couple final notes:
- I enjoyed the “From the City Desk” in the last FCN about the origins of the name, Missouri. I remember in Missouri history class at St. Charles High reading about an obscure footnote in Missouri History called, “The Honey Wars.” Missouri and Iowa had a little civil war of its own so I wanted to request that Mr. Riddler write a little something about that if he gets time. Not exactly “local” but a quirky history that, I’m sure, he could make interesting and informative.
- Ward 9 residents, a reminder that decorative stop signs were purchased for the entire ward. In fact, there were even some ordered for Ward 10 where intersections came together so that all signs would match. This money has already been spent. Next, money was set aside for the installation of these signs so because the city staff wouldn’t be swamped trying to put them all up. Our ward deserves this improved infrastructure. Please call city hall and Ron Stivison and ask when the installation will begin. Ron’s number is: 946-4030.
- Lastly, in a column in the St. Peters newspaper, Rich Chrismer stated that claims I made regarding the last election would be shown to be wrong. I want to point out for the record, that these claims and problems were made not by me, but by Rich Chrismer. It was the Election Authority who filed a lawsuit seeking a new election claiming that voting irregularities and mistakes made at the polls made it impossible to determine the true outcome of the election. What the Election Authority should have said was, “I will prove the claims I made were wrong.”
The View From The Cheap Seats by Jerry Hafferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
Several years ago, Senator Everett Dirkson of Illinois made a comment concerning government spending saying “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it adds up to real money”. This quote came to mind while watching the report on the Convention Center at the past council meeting. It was somewhat unnerving to hear our mayor gushing over the Convention Center’s success in that it only lost a half million or so this past year. Even worse was her almost giddiness that it is on target to repeat. And please, don’t even ask how tourism has increased since it was built.
The white elephant that was supposed to bring tourists to our “world class” destination has only 1 percent of its bookings as conventions. While 6 percent of the gross revenue came from conventions, a full 55 percent came from meetings and banquets. Meetings and banquets don’t bring in tourists. These events draw business away from already existing privately owned facilities. There is nothing like a government entity, supported by taxes competing unfairly with private enterprise. It makes one wonder why the supporters of private enterprise, the Chamber of Commerce, supported the construction of the center. I wonder if they would support a government owned, tax financed car dealership that would unfairly compete with our local dealership.
While writing under the banner of “Put St. Charles First” I warned that as it fails, the proponents would say we need to build it bigger. While not directly putting this misconception into play, the point was made several times during the presentation that we lost the booking of many events because we were too small. Hold onto your wallets, folks. I don’t think it will be long before we’re told we can save this sinking ship by making it bigger.
In the meanwhile, just keep paying taxes to continue the support of government undermining private enterprise.
Re: Recall petitions. Is Jack Banas going to do his job? You really think so? To quote Moms Mabley, “Well, give me a hit on whatever that is you are smoking before you step on it”.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
Several years ago, Senator Everett Dirkson of Illinois made a comment concerning government spending saying “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it adds up to real money”. This quote came to mind while watching the report on the Convention Center at the past council meeting. It was somewhat unnerving to hear our mayor gushing over the Convention Center’s success in that it only lost a half million or so this past year. Even worse was her almost giddiness that it is on target to repeat. And please, don’t even ask how tourism has increased since it was built.
The white elephant that was supposed to bring tourists to our “world class” destination has only 1 percent of its bookings as conventions. While 6 percent of the gross revenue came from conventions, a full 55 percent came from meetings and banquets. Meetings and banquets don’t bring in tourists. These events draw business away from already existing privately owned facilities. There is nothing like a government entity, supported by taxes competing unfairly with private enterprise. It makes one wonder why the supporters of private enterprise, the Chamber of Commerce, supported the construction of the center. I wonder if they would support a government owned, tax financed car dealership that would unfairly compete with our local dealership.
While writing under the banner of “Put St. Charles First” I warned that as it fails, the proponents would say we need to build it bigger. While not directly putting this misconception into play, the point was made several times during the presentation that we lost the booking of many events because we were too small. Hold onto your wallets, folks. I don’t think it will be long before we’re told we can save this sinking ship by making it bigger.
In the meanwhile, just keep paying taxes to continue the support of government undermining private enterprise.
Re: Recall petitions. Is Jack Banas going to do his job? You really think so? To quote Moms Mabley, “Well, give me a hit on whatever that is you are smoking before you step on it”.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
Residents Complain About Sidewalk Work & Councilman Veit
Residents Complain About Sidewalk Work & Councilman Veit
By Tony Brockmeyer
Residents in the 1100 block of Third Street are complaining about the quality of concrete work on sidewalks that are being repaired. Jim Dake told the First Capitol News that he had to make several calls to Councilman Richard Veit before any of his calls were returned. When he told Veit about the unacceptable concrete work he said Veit told him he was legislative not administrative. He said when he finally convinced Veit to respond to the site and view the work Veit told him it would be sometime the following week because he was busy.
Residents said that they had complained to a city inspector and were told that he would just have the contractor place another layer of concrete to try to correct the mess.
The First Capitol News attempted to contact Councilman Veit and he returned our calls two days later. Veit told the First Capitol News he was legislative not administrative and the people should call city hall. When we inquired about his statement that it would take a week before he could look at the problem he responded he had driven by after receiving our call.
Prior to Councilman Veit responding to the residents complaints, Deputy Mayor / Fire Chief Rhodes was contacted and addressed the problem for the residents.
By Tony Brockmeyer
Residents in the 1100 block of Third Street are complaining about the quality of concrete work on sidewalks that are being repaired. Jim Dake told the First Capitol News that he had to make several calls to Councilman Richard Veit before any of his calls were returned. When he told Veit about the unacceptable concrete work he said Veit told him he was legislative not administrative. He said when he finally convinced Veit to respond to the site and view the work Veit told him it would be sometime the following week because he was busy.
Residents said that they had complained to a city inspector and were told that he would just have the contractor place another layer of concrete to try to correct the mess.
The First Capitol News attempted to contact Councilman Veit and he returned our calls two days later. Veit told the First Capitol News he was legislative not administrative and the people should call city hall. When we inquired about his statement that it would take a week before he could look at the problem he responded he had driven by after receiving our call.
Prior to Councilman Veit responding to the residents complaints, Deputy Mayor / Fire Chief Rhodes was contacted and addressed the problem for the residents.
First Capitol News Sports - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
I’ve always had somewhat mixed emotions about the baseball-wide retiring of number 42, the number wore by Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers. You see, I can remember the wonderful year of 1982, the year the Cardinals beat the Brewers in 7 games for the teams’ 9th World Championship. Many will remember the nickname Jack Buck gave Bruce Sutter that summer, “Engine Number 42” has entered the game for the Cardinals. I’m not certain they year baseball decided to retire the number, but I am certain I had mixed feelings.
Well, as the Creator of the Universe would have it, Harry Griffitts and his son Derrick invited Joe and me to a Cardinal game last summer. It was an overcast Sunday afternoon that turned into a rainy Sunday afternoon the minute we entered the Stadium. The rain let up long enough to unveil the newest of retired numbers along the left field fence – the number was 42, and it was shared by Jackie Robinson and Bruce Sutter. Once the ceremony was complete, the skies opened up for a solid two hours, and the game was officially rained out. I can proudly say I was at the first rain out in the history of the new stadium.
I shared with Joe how for years to come, probably even after I am dead and buried, he will look at the retired number 42 and always remember that he and I attended the ceremony retiring the number. As sick as it may sound, Joe and I have such conversations. Recently though, Joe wanted to know why black people were not allowed to play major league baseball until Jackie Robinson came along. Not an easy question to answer.
Those familiar with my philosophical background understand my liberal to moderate thought process. That being said, I wanted to make sure I didn’t incorporate my biases into my explanation to Joe. Rather, I focused on the positive.
I explained to Joe that until Jackie Robinson played in the major leagues, seldom were there large numbers of blacks and whites together at the same place. Once he started playing thousands, literally thousand of blacks began attending major league baseball games. At any given game there would be thousands of blacks as well as thousands of whites – something that really never before happened in American Culture. “That’s cool dad, but why was he not allowed to play in the majors?” I could see all the money I was paying for tuition at ASH was paying off. Rather than answer Joe’s question, I danced around it, and he called me on it.
I then went on to explain to Joe that many people in the United States simply didn’t want black people and white people to do things together. They wanted separate schools, churches, baseball leagues – even neighborhoods. As usual, Joe wanted to know if there were any books at the library on Jackie Robinson, so we went and found one on Joe’s reading level. It took him all of three hours to finish the book (he gets his reading habits from me), and he shared with me the following. “Dad, our Country wasn’t always the best place for blacks to live. Not only that, this book says one of the cities that was the most rude to Jackie Robinson was St. Louis. It said the first time he came to St. Louis, Jackie had to stay with an Army buddy of his because he could stay in the same hotel as the rest of the team.” Wow, I thought to myself, reading is really a powerful tool. “You remember don’t you dad?” he then added. “Pardon me Joe?” He repeated, “You remember when Jackie Robinson first came to St. Louis, it says in the book he first played here in 1947, you were alive then, weren’t you?” (His math skills come from his mom)
I then explained to Joe that I really didn’t become a Cardinal fan until some years later, 1964 to be exact, at the age of ten – so no, I wasn’t alive when Jackie Robinson first came to St. Louis.
My point? After talking with my son about the importance of Jackie Robinson’s contribution to not only major league baseball, but to American society, I now understand why his number, number 42, will never be worn by another player. I understand as well as agree. Most importantly, it was a lesson I learned with my son. Thanks Joe, you really are something special.
Well, as the Creator of the Universe would have it, Harry Griffitts and his son Derrick invited Joe and me to a Cardinal game last summer. It was an overcast Sunday afternoon that turned into a rainy Sunday afternoon the minute we entered the Stadium. The rain let up long enough to unveil the newest of retired numbers along the left field fence – the number was 42, and it was shared by Jackie Robinson and Bruce Sutter. Once the ceremony was complete, the skies opened up for a solid two hours, and the game was officially rained out. I can proudly say I was at the first rain out in the history of the new stadium.
I shared with Joe how for years to come, probably even after I am dead and buried, he will look at the retired number 42 and always remember that he and I attended the ceremony retiring the number. As sick as it may sound, Joe and I have such conversations. Recently though, Joe wanted to know why black people were not allowed to play major league baseball until Jackie Robinson came along. Not an easy question to answer.
Those familiar with my philosophical background understand my liberal to moderate thought process. That being said, I wanted to make sure I didn’t incorporate my biases into my explanation to Joe. Rather, I focused on the positive.
I explained to Joe that until Jackie Robinson played in the major leagues, seldom were there large numbers of blacks and whites together at the same place. Once he started playing thousands, literally thousand of blacks began attending major league baseball games. At any given game there would be thousands of blacks as well as thousands of whites – something that really never before happened in American Culture. “That’s cool dad, but why was he not allowed to play in the majors?” I could see all the money I was paying for tuition at ASH was paying off. Rather than answer Joe’s question, I danced around it, and he called me on it.
I then went on to explain to Joe that many people in the United States simply didn’t want black people and white people to do things together. They wanted separate schools, churches, baseball leagues – even neighborhoods. As usual, Joe wanted to know if there were any books at the library on Jackie Robinson, so we went and found one on Joe’s reading level. It took him all of three hours to finish the book (he gets his reading habits from me), and he shared with me the following. “Dad, our Country wasn’t always the best place for blacks to live. Not only that, this book says one of the cities that was the most rude to Jackie Robinson was St. Louis. It said the first time he came to St. Louis, Jackie had to stay with an Army buddy of his because he could stay in the same hotel as the rest of the team.” Wow, I thought to myself, reading is really a powerful tool. “You remember don’t you dad?” he then added. “Pardon me Joe?” He repeated, “You remember when Jackie Robinson first came to St. Louis, it says in the book he first played here in 1947, you were alive then, weren’t you?” (His math skills come from his mom)
I then explained to Joe that I really didn’t become a Cardinal fan until some years later, 1964 to be exact, at the age of ten – so no, I wasn’t alive when Jackie Robinson first came to St. Louis.
My point? After talking with my son about the importance of Jackie Robinson’s contribution to not only major league baseball, but to American society, I now understand why his number, number 42, will never be worn by another player. I understand as well as agree. Most importantly, it was a lesson I learned with my son. Thanks Joe, you really are something special.
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