Friday, January 18, 2008

FIRST CAPITOL NEWS FRONT PAGE - January 2008


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THE NEXT PRINTED EDITION OF THE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 2, 2008

JOHN DENGLER A TRUE GENTLEMAN Passes















CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. ALL PHOTOS BY TONY BROCKMEYER FIRST CAPITOL NEWS

JOHN DENGLER
Historic Preservationist
Respected Businessman
Civic Booster & St. Charles Ambassador
A True Gentleman

St. Charles lost a true gentleman and treasure on January 8th. John Dengler left us after enjoying 82 years on this earth and 35 years as the St. Charles Ambassador.

Dengler owned and operated the John Dengler Tobacconist on South Main Street. His father started the shop in 1917 in downtown St. Louis. John moved his business to St. Charles in 1972. It is believed to be the oldest continuous tobacco shop west of the Mississippi. In 1980 he moved his family to St. Charles.

John planned to study law. While still in high school at Beaumont High School, he began taking classes in pre law at Washington University. In 1943, at the age of 18, war interrupted his studies and he joined the military, serving in France and Germany with the U.S. Army’s 70th Trailblazer Division. His father died while he was away and his aunt took over running the family business.

When he returned home in 1945 his aunt and mother wanted him to become a lawyer. But instead he went to work and took retailing classes at night. He finished in 1952, when he received a certificate in retailing from University College. It was in College where he met his wife Trudy who preceded him in death. They were married August 18, 1951.

John was director of the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America from 1961-80 and in 1962 was honored with the first presentation of the Pipe and Tobacco Council’s prestigious Quality Retailer Award.

When he opened his shop in St. Charles it was one of only 17 shops on South Main Street. John served on many boards and commissions that included the South Main Preservation Society and the historical society. John played an important part in the revitalization of the St. Charles Downtown Historic District.

John chaired the 175th Anniversary Commemorations of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer Ceremonies and the Lewis and Clark Rendezvous, which is in its 29th year. John served on the Landmarks Preservation Board and served as chairman of the Civil War Living History Days. In 1992, John founded the all-youth Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps. He also served as chairman of the St. Charles Christmas Traditions for seven years. John was Chairman of the Special Business District Board and received a William T. Kemper Foundation Community Service Award. John served on the board of the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles and of the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center.

John Dengler received a Lifetime Distinguished Service Award in 1994 from the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. He also received Missouri’s first and only Missouri Heritage Award in 1995.

John was a Commander in the Ivanhoe Commandery #8 Knights of Templar and was commissioned as a Colonel in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

John also served as President and Chair of the Board of Retail Tobacco Dealers of America, Secretary of the Tobacconist Association of America, columnist for the Tobacco Leaf and President of the St. Louis Tobacco Table.

In addition, John Dengler was the First recipient Quality Retailer Award from the Pipe & Tobacco Council of the U.S., Guardsman Award from the Army and Air Force for Patriotic Service, Kapnismologists Extraordinaire Award of Merit from the St. Charles Pipe Smokers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars 17th Annual Americanism Awards and the City of St. Charles 2nd Annual Discovery Award for Leadership in Community Progress.

John is survived by one son, John L. of Springfield; two daughters, Laura Muench of St. Charles and Anne Albin of Moscow Mills; and two grandsons.

Information on John Dengler was obtained from friends of John, from his obituary and from the Summer 2004 issue of Washington University in St. Louis Magazine in an article by Terri McClain.

All photos are First Capitol News File Photos by Tony Brockmeyer.

Archic Scott, Pioneer Preservationist Dies


From left to right, John Dengler, Donna Hafer, Archie Scott



Archie Scott, a pioneer preservationist on South Main Street in St. Charles, died at home on December 22, 2007 of natural causes. Archie Scott was 65 years of age at the time of his death.

In 1965, while working as the art director at KTVI in St. Louis, Archie Scott and his family purchased a house on South Main Street and the rest is history. From that point on he devoted his life to the historical preservation of the buildings on South Main Street.

Archie Scott, along with John Dengler who passed away on January 8, 2008 and Donna Hafer the owner of the New Mother-In-Law House Restaurant on South Main were referred to as the Three Musketeers. Now others will have to step forward to help fill the foot prints of Archie Scott and John Dengler to help Donna Hafer and others in their goal to preserve what is viewed as many as the life blood of St. Charles.

When the First Capitol News moved to our office on South Main Street one of our first visitors was Archie Scott. He welcomed us to the street and presented us with one of his valued paintings Archie Scott was a great artist and many of his drawings and paintings can be found hanging in many of the shops on Main Street.

In many discussions we had with Archie Scott his proudest accomplishments included saving the old mill, which is now Trailhead Brewery and saving the Katy Depot, which was moved into Frontier Park.

Archie Scott was one of the founders in 1971 of the South Main Preservation Society. When any proposal regarding Main Street was brought before the city council or any of the city’s boards and commissions Archie Scott would be in attendance in the forefront to make sure that historic preservation was being protected.
He will be missed.

Controversial New Liquor Law To Be Voted On Tuesday

The St. Charles City Council is considering changes to the existing liquor laws in the city. This will be the second time the council has taken up changing the liquor laws in the City of St. Charles in recent months.

Just a short time ago they passed a resolution declaring the Ameristar Casino property a convention area. This was done so that bars on the Casino property but off of the casino floor could apply with the Missouri Gaming Commission for a 3:00 a.m. closing time instead of the 1:30 a.m. time that they had been required to adhere to. The bars at the Casino are not regulated by state liquor control. They come under the control of the gaming commission. The bars on the casino floor were allowed to stay open until 3 am but the bars in other parts of the casino property had to close earlier. Shortly after the council approved the 3 a.m. closing time Ameristar Casino offered the Mayor and all the councilmen and their guests free rooms and a free party on New Years eve. Ameristar Casino is the only licensee to posses such liberal drinking laws and closing times. None of the other bars or restaurants are allowed to stay open that late and many of the bar owners are upset. Ameristar Casino also made donations to campaign funds to the Mayor and some of the council members. Some of the donations were made after the election. Shortly thereafter the council voted on renaming Riverside Drive, Ameristar Casino Drive.

Our sources have told us that there are between four and five fights a night at the new Home Night Club that has opened in the lobby of Ameristar outside of the casino. Sources at city hall told us that the police are receiving numerous calls at the Home Night Club. The nightclub opened on December 27, 2007.

The proposed changes by Councilman Richard Veit to the liquor laws have been part of a national debate and has put St. Charles on the map. Though the publicity the city has been receiving may not be as welcomed as some would like. “Mayor York and her band of merry men and one woman have made our city a laughing stock with this proposed new law,” commented a bar owner who asked to have his name withheld. The owner was fearful because his renewal has to be approved by the council and Mayor’s staff.
 
The new law would have made it illegal to curse or use profane language in bars. This language was stricken from the bill after a fire storm of complaints. The bills sponsor, Richard Veit, took the language out citing that the language was taken from state liquor laws. After calling the state the FCN found out that the language had been written into the state law over 70 years ago and much has changed since then.
 
The proposed law would also “reinsert Director of Finance in the suspension/revocation process” according to documents from the city. Karen McDermott, the Finance Director, was taken out of the liquor license review process by the previous city council. The council determined her roll wasn’t needed because the suspension and revocation was a public safety issue. When the change occurred the Police Chief Tim Swope, Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes and acting Community Development Director Bruce Evans allegedly had problems getting McDermott to agree to suspend licenses of bars that were not abiding to the laws, serving under age drinkers, and unruly crowds with excessive police calls for service. The finance director has no public safety training.
 
Many residents who contacted the FCN believe that true intent of the new law was to cover up the fact that a bar rumored to be owned by the Yorks’ son and a friend and located in the Mayor’s building on North Main Street was illegally issued a liquor license. According to our sources Mayor York and the city staff pushed through the liquor license for “The Lounge” even after the Police Chief sent a memo stating “another bar” wouldn’t be a good situation on Main Street.
Mayor York did not respond to our requests for an interview regarding this matter. After being told by historic preservationist Penny Pitman that the Mayor may own the bar on North Main, KMOX radio contacted the Mayor while she was traveling in Italy. They reported she told them, “We will go over this matter later.”
 
The proposed new liquor bill will be voted on by the city council next Tuesday. City council meetings are televised and can be viewed at 7:00 p.m. on Charter cable channel 20.

RAMBLING WITH The Editor Tony Brockmeyer

We had occasion to spend the holidays in Aruba. One of the most memorable aspects of spending New Years Eve on Aruba is the unbelievable display of firecrackers and fireworks throughout the island.

The tradition of lighting firecrackers and fireworks (Klap) on New Year’s Eve is firmly entrenched in the Aruban cultue.

Individual families and companies by tradition purchase numerous pagaras at the end of each year in Aruba.

Pagara is a long row of firecrackers, tied together on a string and finished with more firecrackers packed together for extra loud noisiness. They are used to ward off any kind of remaining evil spirits (fuku). Pagaras come in various lengths with the largest having 2 million firecrackers and lasting about 30 minutes. The first time we heard one we thought that a fireworks stand had exploded. A Pagara that size sells for $800 U.S.

While Aruban families light the pagara right before the midnight hour, saving the biggest bang for last. The Aruban companies traditionally light their Pagaras before closing their doors for the last time that year. According to Aurubans, the size and length of the Pagara roll usually corresponds to how well that particular company did that year.

The vast majority of families and businesses will throw a Pagara at some point before midnight. The longer the Pagara the more powerful it is.
We were on the roof of our building, fourth floor, and had a view of the entire island. It is an awesome sight to hear Pagaras and see aerial fireworks displays coming from all around the island. It lasted nonstop for several hours.

Councilman Richard Veit was on television explaining his proposed new liquor ordinance which prohibits among other things, dancing on tables and profane language in bars and restaurants. Veit said that he did not want families walking down historic downtown St. Charles streets having bar patrons on decks showering them with profane language. That was especially interesting because we received a phone call from Jim Dake a resident of Ward One, Veit’s ward. Dake told us he was walking Main Street carrying a sign critical of Veit and his proposed liquor bill. He said that when he was in front of Big A’s Bar and restaurant a man yelled at him from a window on the second floor using profane and obscene language. The man, who Dake identified as Bryan Audrey, came onto the street with several other men and berated him with every other word being an obscene word. Audrey identified himself as Councilman Veit’s Campaign Manager.

Dake continued his walk and Audrey and the other men apparently went back into the apartment above Big A’s.

If Veit is really concerned with profane and obscene language being yelled on Main Street he might want to start with his campaign manager.

Historic Preservationist Claims Mayor Owns Bar On North Main Street And That It Is Being Operated Illegally.

Main Street Historic Preservationist and owner of several Main Street buildings, Penny Pitman, in an interview with KMOX Radio last week said that in 1996 the city passed an ordinance not to allow any more bars on Main Street. (Editor’s note – they must have 51 percent food sales to be licensed). She said that in 2005 the city began issuing liquor licenses that were illegal. According to Pittman the profane language bill was just window dressing According to KMOX News Pittman said that six bars on North Main Street were operating illegally and one of the bars was owned by Mayor Patti York. The KMOX interviewer said they contacted Mayor York who was vacating in Italy and York told KMOX News she would talk about this later.

The bar Pittman was referring to as being owned by the Mayor is probably the one that is in the basement of a building owned by York and Her Husband at 218 North Main Street.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor

Dear Editor,

I believe our city government has come straight out of a cartoon, 101 Dalmatians.

I was picketing in opposition to Ward 1 Councilman Richard Veit on January 12. I was upset about the curbs and sidewalks in our city. Drive through the north end and you will see that handicapped residents have to walk in the streets, ride their wheelchairs in the streets and one of them was hit by cars and later died from the injuries. The city has worked on my sidewalk four times. It is still not fixed where a wheel chair or a person with a cane can walk without difficulty. The city told me they ran out of money,

After many calls to the Mayor’s office I was told I might as well stop trying because it is not going to happen. I was lied to by Councilman Veit.

On Saturday I was picketing in front of Veit’s office on Main Street when a man claiming to be his campaign manager started yelling at me, cursing and flipping me off out of a second story window. He is Brian Audrey. I told him to go back inside the window and put his donkey ears on because all of the jackasses I know have bigger ears or come down and talk to me in person. He told a girl that was with me (she is autistic) to “go back to the retarded home and prostitute herself for votes for Riddler.” Then some men came out of the bar. Audrey said he went to college, knows city government, and wrote for government. He told me we had better leave or he would kick my ….

Then he said he would kick my 13-year-old dog to death. This is the dog that I take to nursing homes, handicapped homes, group homes, etc., all for free. I told them Councilman Veit needs to stop acting like he is untouchable. The way he parades around and acts like a little girl in a sundress when he does something.

I was just exercising my right of free speech when Veit’s campaign manager cussed me out and threatened my dog and me.

If you don’t have time to picket, call me and I will picket for you.

Jim Dake

Dear Editor

We have always subscribed to your newspaper.  Moved to Scottsdale, AZ. in September.  Our daughter called to alert me to the Arizona Republic 1/08/08 newspaper in which I found an article that blew me away.  I’m referring to the bill proposed by Richard Veit. I  have to thank Mr. Viet for the best laugh I have had in years (I’m 72).
 
As the bill sets the parameter for where swearing is banned I can only assume that outside this boundary cursing would be allowed (would it be required?).  What fun to walk down the aisles of my local grocery and curse to my heart’s content as I catch someone in the 12 items only aisle with 13 items, etc.  - opportunities are endless.
 
I wasn’t going to  continue our  subscription when we moved but I wouldn’t miss this city council for the world.  I will be more than happy to pay for the subscription plus any postage charges that may occur.   Please keep up the good work that I know you are still doing. 
 
For table top dancing - try the gavotte - much more dignified - probably won’t offend even Mr. Viet.   I’ve never heard of profane music (can this be defined?).

To the Editor,

If the public is entitled to smoke-free buildings, and we are, why can’t we have poison-free neighborhoods?

We can’t as long as St. Charles mosquito trucks spew Anvil 2 x2, an EPA-controlled pesticide that, according to the label, is NEVER supposed to be sprayed on people. It’ s not supposed to be inhaled. Just the same, I’ve been hit  by spray several times over the past two summers and I’ve seen kids sprayed while they played outside. 
Talk about a menace to public health - Anvil and many other pesticides contain synthetic pyrethrins and piperonyl but oxide, plus unknown, untested chemical boosters. These pesticides absolutely cause cancer and also affect the brain, kidneys, liver and genitals, and fetal development, for starters. Links to Parkinson’s and diabetes have also turned up. How do they affect the genitals? Local doctors are seeing more and more boys whose testicles fail to descend. (DDT has a similar effect.) (www.beyondpesticides.com)

If I were City staff, I’d do anything to get out of driving the trucks just to save my own health.

The crews don’t warn the neighborhood before they come. That’s just wrong. It’s not possible to outrun those trucks, and why should we have to? If it’s a pretty night, why can’t you walk the dog, enjoy your own yard, open the windows, barbecue, relax on your porch?

Besides sickening people, Anvil is deadly to all insects, spiders, toads, frogs, fish and other creatures. Have you noticed how few fireflies are in our backyards? Remember when there were so many fireflies that scientists paid kids to collect them by the jar? And forget about gardening for butterflies - it’s better if you don’t, because butterflies and bees attracted to your garden will die if they feed on pollen and nectar that’s been sprayed. Organic gardening? Not possible.

I don’t mean to embarrass the city, but Community Development director Bruce Evans is responsible for this dangerous mosquito abatement program, and he’s been asked several times to at least discuss a safer plan such as other communities have. One that works. Because, despite over-spraying, our neighborhood still has mosquitoes.

Asking nicely and often didn’t work, so I’m speaking up.

Peggy Whetzel

E-mail to Richard Veit and membes of the city council with copy to First Capitol News

Hey Richard Viet,

What a stupid proposal you put out front on the swearing in bars. Don’t you think the cops have better things to do then set around and eavesdrop on peoples conversations? Bars are bars, and that’s the way it is. Why don’t you try to use your influence on more important issues? I haven’t liked you every since you lied to me and said you weren’t backing the Mayor in this last election. When I found out different, I yanked up your sign and put Rory’s back up. Do us all a favor, and resign. What an idiot.

Larry Mumford

THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler

New Year Brings
Reflection
On Those Lives
Worth Living

It was tough saying goodbye, as it always is, to some rather remarkable men. Within the span of a few weeks, three former City Councilmen and two of the pioneers of the remarkable revitalization of South Main Street passed away much like the old year.

I’m not very good at writing obituaries. I could never do justice to the lives these gentlemen lived and the things they did. But perhaps I can express some of what these individuals meant to me and to our community.

The first of the five who died was former Councilman Dan Conoyer. I served with Dan the seven years he was on our Council. He then spent seventeen years helping to build up the St. Charles Community College. That’s the Dan Conoyer most people are familiar with.

But as a Councilman, he fought to try to have competitive bidding among professional service contracts like engineering. It is a concept that appalls engineers, but which Dan proved could save taxpayers huge sums. His local ordinance worked so well in fact, that the professional engineers of the state banded together and got the Missouri General Assembly to pass a law saying that municipalities could not require engineers or architects to bid against one another.

It was particularly hard going to Dan’s memorial service at All Saints the Friday before Christmas. Dan had been a groomsman at my wedding and his second wife Debbie was one of Sue’s bridesmaids.

In my mind’s eye he’s still working by my side, helping to build a float for the City Council to ride on in the July 4th Parade. We built a pretty good likeness of the Washington Monument that year. But everybody thought it was a missile.

Next I heard about the death of South Main advocate and preservationist Archie Scott. Archie relished his role as gadfly of historic preservation. He was very good at shaming people into doing the right thing.

Too many people that were born and raised in St. Charles just looked on the historic buildings as, well old buildings. It took eyes like those of Archie Scott to see the gems beneath the dust.

I then learned of former Councilman Bill Baggerman’s passing. I was a good friend of his daughter Janey. We were in Journalism together at St. Charles High and one of my first assignments was to interview her in her home. That’s when I met her father.

I remember him saying to me (perhaps half jokingly) that opening the new bridge ruined St. Charles with the flood of new residents. Then realizing that I was probably one of those newcomers, excepted all present company. It was the closest I came to being granted a Visa to be here.

I remember Bill Baggerman as a gracious, highly intelligent and vigorous individual who spoke passionately about the things he believed in. The first City Council meeting I ever went to, on the second floor of the old City Hall (formerly the fish market) on North Main Street, was with Janey to watch her Dad.

Before the drive to stamp out public smoking, the old Council chambers were filled from eye level to ceiling with cigarette and cigar smoke. Mayor Brockgreitens sat on the bench normally reserved for a judge and the Council members were arrayed around long tables facing each other.

The audience sat on benches behind a railing. One Councilman (not Bill) sat back in his chair, his feet propped up on the table and his white socks showing beneath dark trousers. It was like a scene out of To Kill A Mockingbird.

In sharp contrast to his surroundings, Bill Baggerman represented the next generation in the development of St. Charles. And he helped inspire me to run for the City Council and to try to leave a place better than I found it.

I was hardly off the phone talking with Janey about her father, when I learned that yet another former Councilman, Gil Brown, had died as well. It was turning out to be a very tough New Year. It was too late by the time I caught up with the news to make Gil’s funeral, but I want his family to know the deep and abiding respect I had for the man.

Gil was old St. Charles. He was a proud member of the Pikers’ Club and the first person to tell me what the organization was. His one idiosyncrasy was he hated fish with a passion. He had spent a lot of time on the rivers as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers. He told me he knew what fish swam in and he didn’t care to eat any. That was too much of a challenge to a former prankster Councilmember, (who shall remain nameless LR), who put an open can of sardines in Gil’s desk drawer in the Council chambers.

Gil used his engineering expertise and knowledge of the Missouri River to benefit St. Charles and freely gave of his time to review stormwater plans.

One time on a flight back from a National league of cities Conference in Washington, D.C., I recall that Gil and I discussed how a German heritage festival, an Oktoberfest, would be good for St. Charles. The idea got passed along to Mayor Mel Wetter, who gave it to one of his sons in the Jaycees and the St. Charles Oktoberfest was born.

Gil didn’t get a lot of recognition in his lifetime, other than from friends and family. They didn’t give out as many awards in those days and Gil never looked for nor expected any recognition.

That same sad week brought a call from Councilman Larry Muench that his father-in-law, South Main icon and personal hero finally succumbed to his long illness. John Dengler was sick for a long time and the end seemed upon him at several turns. But I remember telling Sue that John would be around at Christmas, because no one loved Christmas more on South Main Street, nor held it in his heart better, than John Dengler.

John was loved by so many people, from the Fife and Drum Corps and the hundreds of young lives that program enriched through the years, to our Tourism efforts, the Special Business District Board, the South Main Preservation Society, his former comrades in arms and thousands of customers.

One of the last events I remember John and I being together for was his military reunion. I filled in for the Mayor to present a proclamation to his old military unit whose veterans of World War II had stopped in St. Charles. John was so proud to show off his hometown and much of what he could show off, were projects he had worked towards.

If John Dengler ever made an enemy I wouldn’t know it. It is a skill I wish I had mastered sooner. John took a real interest in me, my wife Sue and our children Kathleen and Justin. He watched them grow up at reenactments and in parades on South Main. He always asked about your family and talked about his own.

John fought to make St. Charles the fun place it became, with festivals and entertainment for those of all ages. His efforts helped put us on the map for something positive and not as oddballs trying to ban cursing in bars.

John knew the real happiness to be had in life was in bringing joy to others and he was a happy and lighthearted soul for it. John made us laugh, he made us smile and only at the end of his life, did he make us cry.

Which brings me to the ending of this story that John would not want me to forget. These five men all gave of themselves to the community and their neighbors. They lived lives worth the living. To those who have picked up the torch, I ask that you measure yourselves by what these men accomplished and ask yourselves the most important question a human being can…how do I want to be remembered?

CASE IN POINT by Joe Koester

“Too many people think Martin freed black people; in truth he helped free all people.”

Marin Luther King, Sr.

The new year has arrived and brought with it economic uncertainties. In the late 1970s, President Carter was in office and America experienced a recession that was also experienced worldwide. It is spurious to blame Carter for the economic woes of the period since the entire world was experiencing economic slowdown too. If you believe those who say it takes a few years for the economic policies of a new administration to impact things, then you’d have to believe that Gerald Ford was to blame. I personally don’t believe that Ford or Carter was to blame – an opinion probably most widely accepted and supported by most readers and by facts.

The economic woes of 2008 are quite different. If you believe that the economic policies of Bush’s first four years are now kicking in, then he himself is to blame. If you believe that it’s just a worldwide phenomenon, you may want to check out the scene from around the globe. What you will see is a one-sided economic slowdown (recession?) that seems to be a, by-far, American, problem. We may still bring some, most, or the entire world down with us, but we are the genesis of the problem.

China churns ahead with exportation (much due to our own importation of their cheap consumer goods); Germany has the highest employment since reunification and has seen an increase in exports. In fact, Europe in general is doing well. The Canadian Dollar is about equal with our own having recently surpassed our currency’s value before falling back slightly. No, this sour economic state is not due to a global financial downturn but rather failed economic policies of the current administration. Local construction companies might do well to rethink their political stance (typically GOP stalwarts) since policies that are deleterious to the middle class are deleterious to their customers. The same goes for most local and even national shops and companies. The concept is simple but always convoluted by those at the very top; namely, more money in more people’s pockets means more money in more people’s pockets. The middle class will spend its money on home improvements putting local trades people to work or on new (usually, American) cars keeping people at Ford, Chrysler and GM employed. These folks are buying new homes keeping developers afloat and carpenters on the job, as well as, real estate agents employed. In contrast, the very wealthy often drive cars from overseas, travel abroad, move factories to foreign shores so that they can maximize profit for themselves (and damage to their country).

Certainly these past seven years of huge tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans while spending like mad has put us in the very boat in which we now sit. The “Charge-and-spend” GOP has done what they do best – put us in the red (now you know why they make the states they win red on the map). There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Actually, the light would be at the end of the year – just slightly into 2009.

Many of you already know that my reference is the end of one of the worst (not to mention illegitimate) presidencies in American history and certainly the worst since WWII. Will the new administration figure out that America needs to rethink its globalization stance and actually protect American jobs from leaving and current American workers by leveling the playing field with import taxes if the manufacturing country’s standard of living is below our own. My choice candidate is John Edwards because he told us eight years ago that we cannot continue to live with “two Americas.” He recognizes the problems within middleclass America and has offered ideas on how to combat those problems. Surprisingly, someone on the far Right also has interesting ideas about how to tackle the problem of cheap imports destroying American jobs -- Pat Buchanan.

For those out there who say they want “free trade” the reality is that markets are regulated already and are no less regulated under GOP governance than they are under Democratic governance. Baseball is regulated and so is plumbing. Simply ask any bar owner in St. Charles about regulation that helps some and hinders others (i.e. who can serve alcohol past 1:30 am and who cannot). No, per usual, when “free market” blabber starts to come up, it’s probably from the fellow who benefits quite nicely from regulation and status quo.

Of course, there is a lot of regulation that helps the powerful keep their power. There is, of course, also regulation that seems silly. Take the regulations on Trailhead. Although they could easily schlep a keg of beer right down Main Street to Lewis and Clark’s, they are not allowed to. Instead, their beer has to be handed to a distributor who adds a fee to drive the four or five blocks. Truly many regulations need to end but it seems that the only regulations that are somehow taboo are the ones protecting American jobs. Hopefully, the next administration will embrace the fact that a great nation must do more than push paper – we also need to manufacture quality goods for home and abroad. I believe this is the first presidential election where all of the choices seem better than what we currently have. Even Ron Paul has many valid points which and I think many on the Left would agree with a lot of what he believes in; the differences between Americans in most policy matters is not as great as the similarities we share. If given the honest facts, most of us would agree on most things and compromise on the rest. I wonder if we could create a hybrid candidate espousing ideas from John, Ron and Pat?

Concerning local matters, I was not happy to hear talk at work around the water cooler where someone stated that, “Things are really bad in Saint Charles. My son moved to get away from it all.” This comment came up with a discussion about the recent robbery of the Shell station on Droste Road. Crime has definitely increased in the past few years and I am guessing that a look into the facts would show a correlation between the casino’s arrival and increase in crime, especially robbery, car theft and related crimes. That said, crime has increased throughout the county, not just in St. Charles City. In fact, many crimes go unreported and therefore provide a false perception of things being better in other areas. Regardless of fact, it is perception that matters, as we all know. You might remember the misinformation that called me a “pro-abortion activist” and thereby creating a perception (albeit a totally false one).

I am the first to defend Saint Charles and always speak well of my hometown to others in the area so it is of utmost importance that we stand up and defend our town by fighting this perception. This very perception was why the police chief fight a few years ago was of utmost importance to me. Apropos to this story, I want to take a moment to thank the police officers who responded to the robbery call and put their lives on the line for all of us!

I would be remiss to bring up local issues and not at least mention council proposal to create an ordinance making cursing in certain places illegal. I believe this is already covered by state law and agree with Erv Ermeling that there are enough laws on the books, just enforce those. I know that a lot of people got emails making fun of Saint Charles due to the proposed ordinance. Just remember, it’s still our city, so say something constructive about our town if you happen to respond to them.

Great Rivers Greenway District Announces New Officers

St. Charles Representatives Named
President and Treasurer

The Great Rivers Greenway District, the public organization leading the development of a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails, known as the River Ring, announced new officers elected for the Board of Directors.  Anne Klein, representing St. Charles County, was elected President; Neal Perryman, representing St. Louis City, was elected Vice President; Jim Hall, representing St. Louis County, was elected Secretary; and John McGuire, representing St. Charles County, was elected Treasurer.
 
The Great Rivers Greenway District’s Board of Directors is comprised of 10 members appointed by the Mayor or Executive of the County represented.  This includes three members from the City of St. Louis, five members from St. Louis County, and two from St. Charles County.  Each board member serves a three-year term. 
 
About The Great Rivers Greenway District:
The Great Rivers Greenway District is the public organization leading the development of a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails, known as the River Ring.  The River Ring will join two states and cover an area of 1,216 square miles.  The Greenway District was established in November 2000 by the successful passage of the Clean Water, Safe Parks and Community Trails Initiative (Proposition C) in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, Missouri. 

Comments & Commentary by Charles Hill

Just when you think the city council and the tourism department hasn’t a clue how to market St. Charles they prove us wrong. The adage any press is good press must be the new mantra. The new liquor license law rewrite has truly made us the laughing stock of the country on so many levels. Mayor York has proudly proclaimed that her task force worked on this bill and Councilman Richard Veit was thrilled with sponsoring it. Since St. Charles, because of York and Veit has now made USA Today, FOX 2 News, CNN, the big 550 KMOX and channel 5 to name a few. To say the press was good wouldn’t be true. Worst is the message that has been sent with these stories is even worse.
 
A town that depends on tourism dollars isn’t helped much by saying the Main Street “where history comes alive”, “fun then fun now”, has a problem with the bar scene. This isn’t the best way to get tourists. As a matter of fact there is a good chance it will have the opposite effect.
 
Main Street suffered through the pedestrian mall fiasco, now we have the Mayor and her nine yes men and one yes woman city council trying to reach inside the bars and run the businesses. York has provided such great leadership in managing the city that she now has decided that she knows how to run the bar business. Her own failed bed and breakfast wasn’t enough, now she wants to ruin other businesses.
 
Those who haven’t really discovered the real reason for this change to the liquor ordinance need to look at the bars that will be allowed to remain open even though their liquor license was approved by those in city hall in violation of the law. One of these bars is in a building on North Main Street that is owned by the Mayor and her husband. The new proposed liquor bill appears to be a smoke screen to cover yet another law that York decided not to follow.
 
In conclusion, thanks Mayor and city council for truly making St. Charles the laughing stock of the country. Your efforts to ensure York’s rent money from her building have resulted in St. Charles becoming the butt of many jokes. The simple truth is we have a good liquor law on the books if it would be followed and enforced. There isn’t a need to make the changes.
 
Note to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and convention center, here is a good selling point. Come to St. Charles where swearing is outlawed in our bars, we have the fighting under control. So come visit, you won’t get beat and won’t hear sh--.
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The View From The Cheap Seats by Jerry Hafferkamp

The View From The Cheap Seats

By Jerry Haferkamp

I want to start this column with an acknowledgement of the contributions to South Main that were made by Archie Scott. I was raised on South Main and enjoy looking at what it has become.
We moved off South Main in 1957. Before that my grandfather owned and rented out what is now the Mother-In-Law House. There were no ghosts there back then. Donna Hafer must have stirred one up when she remodeled. Grandpa also owned and lived in the two storied home next door. My uncle, a former state representative, owned the duplex style home beside Grandpa’s. We had the two storied home next to that, but it burned down years after we moved. My uncles relatives owned the tavern that is now the winery of the Little Hills. My roots are South Main.
Although I disagreed with some of Mr. Scott’s ambitions for South Main, I am well aware that this area defines St. Charles. Archie brought the area back from sure ruin. Due to his efforts, (some rather heavy-handed, I’ve been told) we have a prime tourist attraction here. He had a vision for the area and his efforts led the way to making that vision a reality.
Thanks, Archie Scott. The city owes you the honor of some sort of permanent remembrance for the contributions you have made.

Now the anti-profanity issue. Councilman Veit is too young to remember Lenny Bruce, the blue material using “comedian” of the ‘50’s. Due to the misguided judiciary of the time, he proved that profanity was protected as “free speech”. Those judges bastardized our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. The right of free speech was acknowledged to allow citizens to speak out against our government and not be imprisoned for it. No more, no less. It wasn’t to give any inbred, knuckle-dragging drunk the right to yell obscenities whenever he wasn’t man enough to handle his alcohol or handle himself in public. The bar owners who cry “free speech” are just proving their ignorance of the Bill of Rights. They would make good liberal judges.

Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
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New Town residents want the snow plowed

By Phyllis Schaltenbrand

Some residents of New Town are contemplating a class action lawsuit against the City of St. Charles after the city refused to plow their streets with the last snow storm.

When the streets weren’t plowed, residents called Councilman Mike Klinghammer and were told, “The city hasn’t accepted the streets and Whittaker (The developer) is responsible.” The streets were so bad that it was very difficult and dangerous for emergency vehicles to exceed 10 miles per hour causing a public safety hazard for the New Town residents.

The acceptance of the streets conveys maintenance to the City of St. Charles but does not prevent city services from being provided. The First Capitol News searched the ordinances of the city to find support of the city’s position and couldn’t find any written law. The city’s position is that the streets are private until formally accepted. This position is not supported with an ordinance that states the streets are private according to current law.

New Town has a legally approved plat that shows streets and has an application for acceptance on file, and has been inspected. In addition, the police are able to write speeding tickets, parking violations as well as enforce open container laws. The police service would not be available if the streets were private.
 
The developer did not pay for the plowing of the streets. The cost is passed back to the New Town property owners even though they have been paying taxes to the city for city services. The New town residents are reasonable and would seek the actual cost spent for plowing from the city.

Currently the residents of New Town pay taxes like every other property owners in the city. These taxes are to be used on services the city provides including snow plows. Snow plowing is a service and public safety issue. With the last snow the residents had to pay a private company to plow as well as city taxes. The FCN asked a local attorney if the resident’s case was valid. He confirmed it was very valid and said the residents could actually sue for more damages. This is a classic case of taxation without representation.
 
Any other neighborhood that has had the same problem is encouraged to contact the FCN. The suit can be expanded to include other areas that have had the same issues.

The Family Arena had three quarters of a million people come through the doors in 2007

The Family Arena had three quarters of a million people come through the doors in 2007, a first for the St. Charles County Government operated venue.

Several first-time events helped increase the overall attendance, including the Longhorn World Championship Rodeo, Wide Open Bike Show, and a charity all-star basketball game hosted by Nelly, St. Louis’ own hip-hop music sensation.

The Family Arena also played host to some memorable concerts last year, such as Hank Williams Jr., The Cheetah Girls, Dierks Bentley, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue October, Alice Cooper, Casting Crowns, Cheap Trick, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Soul Asylum, Chris Tomlin, Yellowcard, and George Thorogood.
In addition, the Family Arena was also a great place for action with such events as Mixed Martial Arts, a nationally televised Total Nonstop Action Wrestling pay per view event, AMP Motor Sports Monster Trucks, and Army Boxing Championships.

True to its name, the Family Arena also had several events for families _ Disney Channel’s The Doodlebops, Disney on Ice Presents Disney/Pixa’s Finding Nemo, My Little Pony LIVE, and a new circus benefiting Siteman Cancer Center. NBC’s Last Comic Standing live tour and The Smothers Brothers filled the house with laughter during their stops here as well.

Moreover, the Family Arena held another sold-out WinterJam concert featuring Steven Curtis Chapman. The Moolah Shrine Circus, Xtreme International Ice Racing, and The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions also returned with their events.

Once again, WIL 92.3 brought its annual sold out Jinglefest concert featuring Taylor Swift, American Idol finalist Bucky Covington, and Eric Church. And the RiverCity Rage Arena Football team again called the Family Arena home as it played nine home games in the St. Charles arena. The Rage had a successful season and made it to the playoffs, and Arena Football will return to the building this spring.

In December, the Family Arena capped off another successful year with a Kenny G holiday concert and the National Cheerleading Championships.

This year, many outstanding events already are on the calendar. The Longhorn Rodeo was held last weekend, and there will be football, boxing, wrestling, cheerleading, circuses and much more returning to The Family Arena in 2008.

Disney On Ice will also return this fall with exciting ice and stage shows. Tony La Russa’s annual fundraiser to help rescued animals is on tap for Sunday evening (Jan. 20). In addition, concerts featuring B.B. King, Tom Jones, Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson are already booked.

And the Missouri Valley Conference will also hold its women’s basketball tournament at the Family Arena in March.
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Dan Foust Re-elected County Councilman Chairman

Dan Foust
Re-Elected County Council
Chairman

The first order of business for the St. Charles County Council at its first meeting of the year Monday night (Jan. 14, 2008) was to name its chairman.

Dan Foust, District 6, was re-elected by a voice vote. Foust, who has served on the council since 1997, put in his first stint as chairman last year.

Joe Brazil, District 2, was chosen as vice-chair of the council. He has been on the council since 2001.

The council also approved Bob Schnur as the new director of finance for St. Charles County Government. Schnur, a CPA, previously served on the council for 12 years, and was chairman of the council for six years. He will begin his new duties Feb. 1
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FIRST CAPITOL COUNSELING - Dr Howard Rosenthal

How to Reduce Stress by Making Smart Technology Decisions in 2008

Dr. Rosenthal goes one-on-one with a 14-year old techno-geek!

Dr. Howard Rosenthal

Technology is intended to make our lives easier, less stressful and (dare I say it) fun. The cold-hard truth, however, is that technology often drives us to the boiling point. Who among us has not threatened to do bodily harm to our computers? Fess up, it won’t get you thrown in the slammer – yet!

To make your life easier, I’ve chosen to interview the most technologically sophisticated person I know: My 14-year old son, Paul Rosenthal, mastermind for the www.freecomputerhelpinfo.com website. Paul has repaired scores of computers, a boatload of websites, and does things with his cell phone most people only dream about. (When was the last time you personally used your cell phone to secure wireless high speed internet access on your laptop from St. Louis to Pittsburgh? Try it sometime.

So, without any further ado, here is my interview with my son, 14- year old Paul Rosenthal.

Dr. Rosenthal: Paul, everybody wants an iPhone. True, I personally can’t afford one on a mental health columnist’s salary, but assuming I did have the money, would this be a wise purchase?

Paul: iPhones are very expensive because of all the hype. In addition, when you purchase the iPhone, you are locked into a single provider, AT&T. Unless your readers already have one, I suggest they save their money. A Blackberry has better email capabilities and costs less.

Dr. R: In 1965 Gordon Moore created the now famous “Moore’s Law” which postulates that transistor capabilities of computer chips double every 18-24 months. If a reader has a computer that is two or three years old, will a new out-of-the-box computer really be that much more helpful or powerful?

Paul: If you have a bottom of the line computer, then yes, you will notice a real difference then the answer is yes. If you bought a top of the line model then save your money. The difference will be minimal.

Dr. R: Gee “minimal” Paul. Do people ever tell you sound a lot like me when you are talking?

Paul: Actually dad, a teacher did tell me I sound exactly like you!

Dr. R.: Okay, let’s say a reader has a son or daughter who wants to become a gamer, should the parents be purchasing a PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, or a Wii?
Paul: A Wii is best for younger children or those who are new to gaming. The PlayStation 3 and the XBox 360 have excellent graphics. The PlayStation is a lot more money so I don’t personally recommend it unless you want a Blu-Ray DVD player.

Dr. R: What’s the dumbest mistake folks make when buying a cell phone?

Paul: Three things: read the fine print, read the fine print, and read the fine print again. Most cell phone contracts will lock you in for two years. If you want to switch carriers there is generally a hefty termination fee so be 100% sure you like the plan before signing on the dotted line. Also, many providers offer great mail-in rebates. Remember to ask your salesperson.

Dr. R: Do all techno-geeks really wear pocket protectors?

Paul: In my mind, the label geek is a compliment and no, I’ve worn a pocket protector. My goal is to bring out the hidden geek in everybody.

Dr. R: How in the heck did you learn so much about technology when your dad (namely me) struggles to find the on/off switch on a power strip?

Paul: Well, basically at age 3, I broke your computer and decided I should learn how to fix it. Since that time, I’ve been researching technology.

Dr. Rosenthal is the author of the newly-released Special 15th Anniversary Edition of the Encyclopedia of Counseling used by counselors coast-to-coast to secure licensing and certification. His son Paul wants to make the world a better place using technology. Dr. Rosenthal’s website is www.howardrosenthal.com

MIKE MCMURRAN First Capitol News Sports Editor

Happy New Year everyone, I hope 2008 finds everyone happy and health. Today’s column will be an old fashion “stream of consciousness” style of narrative. It’s a device I learned while studying English at UMSL – I think it might even officially be a literary device. I suspect I asked more questions that anyone else in most of my classes – I remember like it was like yesterday asking the dear old professor if he could break the term stream of consciousness down for me and explain it on a level even I could understand. He responded, “It’s the continuous unedited chronological flow of conscious experience through the mind.” Yep, that’s exactly what he said. I remember it so very clearly, because in my mind I though, (a) that’s a totally b.s. answer, and (b) b.s. is exactly what stream of consciousness really is – at least to us lay folk. Now when I must deal with those highly educated in the English language – you know the type, those who know when to use who or whom – or is it, those whom know when…I think you get the idea.

Is it just me or is buying your child an Officially Licensed Cardinal Baseball Jersey a bad investment? Last Christmas, that would be Christmas 2006, with the Cardinals’ World Series win fresh on the minds of both my sons, both asked Santa Claus for Cardinal jerseys. Joe, because he plays mostly third base for his team, the Titans, naturally wanted a Scott Rolen jersey. Dee, on the other hand, wanted a David Eckstein jersey – mostly because Joe didn’t. So on Christmas morning, both boys opened their gifts, and both received the respective jersey they had asked for. We are now the proud owner of two, Officially Licensed Cardinal Baseball Jerseys, of player who no longer play for the Cardinals. I don’t mean to be an angry old man about the whole situation, but Joe is going to wear his Scott Rolen jersey until he out grows it, at which time Dee will wear it.

Might I suggest, what we are going to do in the McMurran family, is only buy Officially Licensed Cardinal Baseball Jerseys of players retired, and quiet possibly in the Hall of Fame. Of course there would be two exceptions; if either of my boys wanted to wear a “McCarver #15,” jersey, or a “Maris #9,” I would be more than happy to purchase it for them, as they were my two favorite Cardinals as a child.

You’ve less than two months to watch one of the greatest high school basketball players every to come out of Saint Charles County – Kramer Soderberg. In case you’ve been living in a cave, Kramer has been rewriting the record book at St. Charles West – which arguably has the most storied record book in Saint Charles County. Not only has Kramer climbed the ladder into the top 100 scorers in the history of high school basketball in the entire state of Missouri, he is only the third player in the history of Saint Charles County to crack the elusive 2000 point plateau. Ironically, the last player from the county to reach 2,000 was St. Charles West’s very own Ryan Robertson, who scored 2,751 points during his four-year career in the mid-1990s. It seems unlikely Soderberg will top Robertson’s mark, but don’t underestimate this young man. He really is something special to watch. He currently is leading his team to a 16-1 record – against a schedule with the likes of Hazelwood Central, Webster Groves, McCluer and C.B.C., all of whom have fallen to the Warriors. January 29th is a red letter day, as the Warriors will travel to Zumwalt South (14-2) and hope to pay the Bulldogs back for their only blemish this season.
It seems the sport of basketball has crept into a rather significant spot on the McMurran family calendar. Maggie is playing for her school in the Saint Charles County CYA – her team is doing rather well. As a matter of fact, they have advanced to the Championship Game of the Assumption (O’Fallon, MO) Sixth Grade Girls Invitational Tournament. Maggie is not the star, she contributes her 2 points per game and plays a ferocious defense. We have quite the point guard in Elizabeth Francis – who is really fun to watch. She is turning into quite the basketball player, so much so a fan at the Assumption Tournament wanted to know where she was going to play high school ball. As a former high school a.d., such talk is illegal and dangerous. I know what school the gentleman was from, but will not divulge the information. It really does turn my stomach.

More basketball – this time 4th grade boys from Saint Charles City. Now, this isn’t my idea, I simply overheard it and have been pondering the idea in my head. The gentleman who shared it with me probably knows of what he speaks, as he played his college football at Iowa – advancing all the way to the Rose Bowl. To paraphrase him: every now and then there is just a banner year for a region, or a state, in terms of athletic ability. I suspect I can present arguments both in favor and against his idea. However, if he is right, look out for the class of 2016. In the recently completed Sixth Annual Holy Rosary 4th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament – the entire championship game was made up of St. Cletus – that’s right, St. Cletus (team Briscoe) played St. Cletus (Soderberg/Hash) in the title game. Out of a field of 16 teams, they rose to the top – with Briscoe’s team crowned the champion. I know most people are going to think I’m talking out of, well, most are going to think I’m talking over my head, but remember the following names: Alex Moore, Andy Witte, Ryan Bloomfield, Cole Ziesler, Ryan Briscoe, Tony Morris, Shane Ray and Austin Ray. These boys play for Jim Briscoe and took home the First Place Trophy. Suiting up for coaches Brad Soderberg and Lance Hash were Davis Soderberg, Christopher Rehagen, Jake Hearst, Hunter Eisenbath, Shane Loewenstein, Ian McConnaha, Tyler Hash, Lloyd Bussell, James Quiggins and Jonathan Haupert. It seems Brad Soderberg could not be present for all the games, so he had Lance Hash, one of my favorite people on earth, fill in for him. Of course that may explain their second place finish.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, the third place finishing team also came from beautiful downtown St. Charles. Dr. Dan Coogan’s Academy of the Sacred Heart’s team lost only to St. Cletus – holding them to a two year offensive low. Proudly wearing the Red, Black and White of ASH were Andrew Clark, Sean Coogan, Ryan Hasenbeck, Andrew Heying, Joe McMurran, Griffen Plamer, Nathan Smith, Alex Solomon and Jack Wilke.

Not only do these boys compete against each other in basketball, they’ve been butting heads in soccer since kindergarden. The baseball season finds Andrew Clark playing with the Cletus group and Hash playing with the Sacred Heart group – more times than not in a very competitive game – often times for a tournament title.

I’m not sure which, if any of the Cletus boys play football, but August thru November will find Joe McMurran playing for O’Fallon Jr. Renegades and Griffen Palmer and Alex Solomon suiting up for Chesterfield.

And that my friends, is an example of stream of consciousness. See ya.