The City Desk - Rory Riddler City Council President

Maus & Stone Throw
Sticks And Stones
There is a political campaign committee that calls itself Citizens For Responsible Community (CFRC). They are one of several what I would call “conduit” committees. Their main purpose appears to be to serve as a front organization for laundering vast sums of political cash.

Like many other states, Missouri wisely adopted campaign spending limits to try to reduce the influence of special interest money in elections. In local races for the City Council, that limit is $300 per person or business.

But CFRC has received four donations of over $30,000 each from wealthy individuals seeking to gain political influence with local office holders. These individuals have given over 100 times the amount they legally could have donated to an individual candidate.

Their latest and largest donor was a homebuilder who gave $35,000 to Citizens For Responsible Community. But wait you say! Isn’t CFRC an anti-development group working to stop the unbridled growth of urban sprawl? How can they be taking money from millionaire developers?

The self-appointed co-leaders-for-life of the CFRC, Carl Maus and Raymond Stone have a unique definition of what “Responsible Growth” means. One time it can be to not build residential homes on land they say should be for commercial development. The next time, it is okay to build homes on that exact same parcel if the developer is now someone that gave the CFRC money.

They have also developed a well-deserved reputation for using the political cash they receive, not to support candidates, but to run negative attacks against their opponents. It is the old “good” cop “bad” cop ploy. The candidates they want to win get to say they had nothing to do with the nasty mudslinging pieces mailed out on their behalf by CFRC.

Recently an incumbent Alderman from O’Fallon resigned for personal and health reasons. It was too late, however, for his name to be removed from the ballot.

Carl Maus and Raymond Stone mailed out a flyer attacking this Alderman anyway. They showed his likeness with a turban on his head and chasing away “infidel” homebuilders.

This Alderman was part of the same “anti-development” slate that CFRC had helped elect previously. But CFRC then publicly “disowned” three Aldermen who refused to back-off those developers the CFRC was receiving money from.

So why spend money on a candidate that isn’t running a campaign for reelection and has publicly resigned from the board? The answer was because the Alderman was still being politically active in the community. In other words, they needed to send him a message. Sounds like an episode of the Sopranos.

Maus and Stone also tried their hand again at bending the political landscape to their will in the City of St. Charles. Neither of them live in the City of St. Charles, but they were part of an alliance of such outside special interest brokers who altogether spent a considerable amount of money trying to recall Dottie Greer.

How much money was spent trying to oust Councilwoman Greer? By my estimate, from all committees and anonymous sources, over $70,000!

Of course the CFRC couldn’t mail out literature in Dottie’s ward without using the opportunity to attack me personally. After all, they are still embarrassed that all the money they spent against me two years ago didn’t fool the voters. So I ended up on a mailer in Dottie’s ward dressed like “The Riddler” of Batman infamy. Gee, where have I heard that one before. Oh yeah…third grade.

Now a guy whose name in German literally means “Mouse” and a guy whose name is “Stone” probably had issues growing up. Kids can be cruel. But at some point you have to grow up.

Putting a turban on the likeness of an Alderman in O’Fallon and making him appear to be a terrorist, especially at a time when American servicemen and women are in harms way, was terribly…terribly cruel. It is the worst kind of mudslinging.

When asked about how such personal attacks might affect a person’s family, Maus and Stone told a local reporter that they do consider how the children of a target might feel and that is why they didn’t send the one of the Alderman dressed like a terrorist to his home.

Gee, that’s so nice of them. They mail it to all of his neighbors, the people his children go to school with, but they saved him the embarrassment of having one come to his own home.

This is the quote they gave a local newspaper about this magnanimous gesture of not sending a copy of the mailing of the man they just tried to make look like Osama Bin Laden to his home:

“We are not brutes,” Maus said. “We do have hearts.”

Could I see the X-rays again just to make sure.

CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9

If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
Mother Teresa

Tuesday night, Ward 7 of the City of St. Charles went to the polls and decided that city hall is not for sale to developers and the country club elites who believe their opinions are somehow more important than that of the rest of the citizens who work to build and sustain this community. Armed with a self-imposed restricted budget of about $250.00 (that’s two hundred and fifty dollars!), Dottie Greer rebuffed an assault of more than $50,000 (who knows what the actual amount was since much seemed to go undeclared) and the publication and distribution of what amounted to on-going campaign material in a paid advertisement ironically titled, The Citizen, but put out by a non-citizen of our town.

Furthermore, Dottie entered office with a plurality but was allowed to win a majority vote in her own right. (Congratulations Dottie on your second victory – the first in city history!) The First Capitol News stood by Councilwoman Greer’s side serving as the voice of the average citizen much to the chagrin of those who already controlled Lee Enterprises (Post & Journal) by way of advertisement dollars. Even with the Post, Journal, and “You Paid For It” on their side, the same group sought to silence and discredit the little paper in red because this one publication prints stories that often go against the grain of the self-anointed, “movers and shakers.” The most read newspaper in town was demonized for its take on things because it wasn’t in line with the “official message.”

It was ludicrous to hear some of the same movers and shakers with their bazillion dollars, army of hired guns, and attorneys step up and rant against council in one breath and then shout about how intimidated they were in the next! Their public declaration that the Council president by submitting to the chief of police, (in the City administrator’s presence), those signatures that were believed to be forgeries somehow make our town a police state is ridiculous. The police were not doing the bidding of elected officials; in fact, we had no idea what the findings would ultimately render or if the prosecuting attorney would agree to take action. I do think we were vindicated when our prosecutor filed felony charges in this matter and when he gave the opinion that the entire thing should not have been certified until the matter was settled.

In their great fear because of their supposed intimidation (what exactly that was supposed to be, no one knows) some of these movers and shakers sent out illegal campaign letters lacking any disclosure. These letters demonized people such as our insurance broker! The majority of citizens in Ward 7 saw this as a vile, cowardly step that frankly went too far.

Since the Mayor and Councilman Weller went to the polls and actually worked against Dottie, and Councilman Kneemiller reportedly sent out a letter against Dottie, I think Dottie has the right to shovel a little payback their way, but knowing Dottie, I don’t think she will have the same desire for revenge that Battling Bob had back in 2004.

I guess what I am really wondering is whether or not the movers and shakers will allow Council to work out its differences on its own instead of causing still more trouble. Let the “Other Fab Five” stand on their own and together we can reach for common goals, disagree about some things, fight about other things and in general, function like government has in our country since our nation’s birth!

To those who worry about a Council with differences, I say worry about a Council that has none!

Thank You, Ward 7, for knowing the issues and doing the right thing!

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the editor

To Mike McMurran
First Capitol News Sports Editor

Saturday morning I went out to get the paper and found the weekly First Capitol News in our yard. Knowing that Mike McMurran’s sports column would be there, I quickly opened it and found the attached article. What a thrill it was to see that Mike had chosen to focus on “Family Tollefson” and our recent visit to Savvis for the Rage Home Opener.

I am sending this email to you three to let you know how much we appreciated the opportunity to attend the game as guests of the Rage, not to mention the wonderful hospitality we experienced during the game. My daughter and two sons thoroughly enjoyed being there. Mike really hit the nail on the head when he wrote about my youngest son, Andrew, and how much he enjoys the Rage games. Though he is a special needs child with some pretty serious physical disabilities, intellectually he is “all there” and truly loves sports, football, and going to the Rage games. Words alone will never adequately express what it meant to Andrew to be there, next to the field, receiving high fives from the players just before kick-offs, and receiving the autographed football.

Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for the joy you brought to Andrew, Peter, and Sophie. Keep up the good work — on the field and in the community!

Mike McMurran — Thanks for including us in your weekly column. It was pretty exciting to see your column and it gave us something to share with our friends and relatives. And, as always, I appreciate what you did in helping us to get tickets to the game. See you on the soccer field!

Kevin Tollefson

Dear Editor,

Until the following items are dealt with plus some others, Missouri is not qualified to pass safety laws for motorcycle riders. For the most part, we are far better riders than most people are drivers and we know, better than anyone, Missouri’s traffic laws are an hypocrisy designed by and for private interests. If Missouri actually wanted highway safety, they would:

-Defy the Missouri Transportation committees chaired by politicians with conflicting interests. Trucks are allowed to soar down our interstates at break-neck speeds in defiance of all the laws of physics while they pound our interstates into dust. It takes far longer to stop a thirty-plus ton vehicle than it does a one and a half ton vehicle. These facts are why most states pass laws to make them stay in the right lane at 55 to sixty MPH and actually write them speeding tickets if they don‘t!

-Enforce and improve the lane laws. We have them in Missouri but they are ignored by law enforcement people. The fact of someone in the passing lane holding up a string of traffic for a mile or two is disregarded right along with the victims passing on their right. The facts of accident results in these incidents go unreported by the police and the media in favor of speed estimates and seat belt usage. States that enforce their lane laws have found that removing lane hogs improves traffic flow resulting in less accidents and road rage.

-Stop cell phone usage while driving. Many states have recognized the fact that some drivers can’t walk and chew gum at the same time so they put a stop to cell phone usage while driving. Missouri often preaches “Driving is a full time job” yet they ignore egocentric drivers that blabber on cell phones causing no end of accidents and road rage. There is no way these folks could be paying attention to their driving.

-Make anyone over the age of seventy take a driver’s exam or at least a reflex test when renewing their license. Some of the elderly do not belong behind the wheel. They are a menace to themselves and others because of slow reflexes and ignoring traffic. Unfortunately, the AARP has more power than it should.

It should be considered that the vast majority of Motorcycle riders are not risk-challenged teenagers or smelly gangsters. We are older, responsible adults and almost all if us have health insurance. We do not appreciate badly-informed do-gooders, motorcycle haters and hypocritical politicians telling us how to be safe because they obviously don’t know.

Joe Morice,
Honda Riders Club of America; River Road Riders Club

COMMENTS & COMMENTARY by Charles Hill

Often times you hear the phrase you “can’t fight city hall”. This phrase is synonymous with City Hall standing in the way of progress in one way or another. This past week we saw that in reality when you say you “can’t fight City Hall” it really means you can’t fight the people of a city. After all City Hall is an extension of the people who make up a city.

The voters of Ward 7 showed that you could fight City Hall when they refused to recall Ward 7 Councilwoman Dottie Greer. Despite efforts of the Mayor, her husband, her confidants, Glennon Jamboretz, Ken Kielty. Linda Meyer, Kevin Kast, Mike Weller and Bob Kneemiller along with millionaire developer TR Hughes and Mike Sellenschuetter, Dottie retained her office

The recall of Dottie Greer wasn’t Dottie vs. wealthy developers, public relations firms, scorned police wives, Mayor York, Bob Kneemiller or Mike Weller. It was them against City Hall, a City Hall that is the people’s public house. Our City Hall is only as strong as those who serve their terms in our government. Each and every member of the council is an extension of the wards they represent.

That is where the wealthy developers, public relation firm, scorned police officers wives, Mayor York, Bob Kneemiller and Mike Weller made their mistake. They thought they were fighting Dottie alone. She had support in her ward because her ward saw her supporting them. She fought to get streets fixed, streetlights installed, tax relief for the seniors. Dottie didn’t break any laws; she broke the mold of previous council members in the ward. She said the rich and famous are not my constituents. Those who live on Park, Headland, Elmhurst, West Adams, Concordia, Westminster just to name a few, are the people who Dottie serves. Those she serves, delivered a blow to a millionaire developer and his friend the Mayor this past Tuesday. The money spent to get rid of Dottie dwarfed the amounts spent in normal City Council races. The negative, mudslinging ads against her offended even the most hardened of souls. Those who decided to pick on Dottie for recall did it because they thought she was weak.

Dottie by herself might have appeared weak but the residents of Ward 7 are not weak. They are as strong as ever. The residents of Ward 7 sent a message to the likes of Tom Hughes, Kevin Kast, Patti York, Bob Kneemiller, Mike Sellenschuetter, Linda Meyer, Ken Kielty and Mike Weller that our City Hall is not for sale. The people spoke to those who conspired in destroying our city and our way government for their own gain. As a resident of Ward 1 I say thank you to the people of Ward 7 for not allowing our City Hall to go to the highest bidder.

THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer

Well, that was quite an election night, wasn’t it? Turnout was low, which is not surprising. St. Charles County survived the introduction of optical scan voting equipment, again not surprising. The whole process went relatively smooth, yet again not surprising. But some of the results were definitely surprising.

Let’s take a look at what happened. First the bad news: In a mildly surprising upset, former O’Fallon Alderman Cheryl Hibbeler won the special election to fill the vacancy on the County Council. I say mildly surprising for a couple reasons. It’s certainly no secret and no surprise that the Republican Party in St. Charles County is broken. The green wing whackos led by Cowboy Ray, Cowboy Carl and crazy Brandy Pedersen are tearing apart the GOP. The dispute over Darrel Lackey’s nomination was not helpful, and their amateur mouthpiece, Malcontent MacNab, has been doing his best to undermine Lackey’s candidacy. In fact, he’s still at it. This is unfortunate and the result is entirely predictable. The Democrats exerted very little effort, exploited the schism in the party and paved the way for Hibbeler’s victory. Second, the spoiler candidate from St. Paul manufactured enough headlines to earn himself a few votes that probably would have gone to Lackey. Now, the formerly 100% Republican St. Charles County Council is 2/7 Democrat. Wow. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s a frightening harbinger of things to come. I sincerely hope the Republican State Party folks are paying attention. It’s time to remind everyone that Republicans are pro-business and generally pro-growth. It’s time to send a message to crazy Brandy Pedersen and Malcontent MacNab that we don’t need or want them in the Republican party anymore. Go join the Democrats. Problem is they certainly won’t want you either. Maybe you can start your own independent party for the insane. Now, that’s an entertaining thought.

Now, the good news: Things went well for Scott Rupp. I was very pleased to see him become State Senator Rupp, and I believe he will do a fine job. Of course, the right thing for Councilman Joe Brazil to do would be to bow out of the contested primary situation he has created, but that seems unlikely. He would have to obtain a special dispensation from his sugar daddy – A.B. (that’s duckboy-in-chief Adolphus Busch to my less informed readers), to withdraw from the race and with AB’s pathetically long string of losses in court battles to stop the Lakeside 370 project in St. Peters, he really needs a State Senator of his very own to introduce crazy legislation to stop growth. Things bode well for Senator Rupp and the benefit of incumbency may be enough to help him past Brazil for the rematch with Henke. It will also be interesting to see how low Brazil will stoop to try and steal the Republican nomination. Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl are certainly talented when it comes to slinging mud and other assorted kinds of slime at opponents. I hope that Rupp does his research and seriously questions how Brazil can possibly call himself a Republican. Turnout will be much higher in November, but so will the level of effort by both parties as they attempt to win a U. S. Senate seat. It remains to be seen whether Senator Rupp will in fact remain Senator Rupp, but things look good.

The best news of all…a very special congratulations to Darling Dottie. She will happily remain on the St. Charles City Council, as she should. Perhaps, the various committees (all orchestrated, organized and funded by Glenn Jamboretz and Tom Hughes) and the Mayor will finally understand that the people are starting to get it. It’s not so easy to pull the wool over our eyes anymore and Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl are starting to lose their touch (which happens to arrogant political operatives when they try to win that one race too many). Memo to Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl: your ridiculously large signs blocked traffic at my polling place, get a clue. Memo to Jamboretz and Hughes: sometimes you can’t buy elections, bummer for you boys. Memo to Linda Meyer: get a life and a real job - your days of milking the recall efforts for lunch money are numbered. Memo to Patti York: no such luck this time - you are going to have to wait until election time to stack the council with sycophants and groupies – hey maybe John Sonderegger is interested, you might look into that.

Now for News of the Weird: O’Fallon Musical Chairs. Two more incumbents bit the dust (involuntarily) when Bob Patek and Jimmy Mitchell lost their seats on the Board of Aldermen. With the vacancies created by the resignations of Schipper, Hudson and Busken and the assorted Mayoral appointments that will be needed, the end result is 6 brand spanking new aldermen. My goodness. That’s a lot of new aldermen. Apparently the people of O’Fallon decided that they made a mistake and they managed to correct it without recalling any elected officials or seeking a do-over in court. Unfortunately, the City of O’Fallon did place a measure on the ballot turning them into a third class city, primarily so that citizens will now have the right to recall elected officials. This is an unfortunate legacy left by the cowards who resigned their aldermanic seats in some kind of kindergarten-style protest. It remains to be seen whether the good people of O’Fallon will allow themselves to be used in some sort of political witchhunt again or if its time for the City of O’Fallon to go back to being a decent place to live. I suspect that will depend in large part on whether Mayor Morrow got the message.

As a recap, Fort Zumwalt got its bond issue courtesy of an excellent campaign by Dr. DuBray. Voters said no to tax increases for the St. Charles School District and St. Charles Community College but yes to transferring funds. Francis Howell School District ends up with two new teacher’s union-approved board members. Apparently, the voters were not happy with Rhonda Brown’s inability to pick a side and stick with it or else they aren’t happy with her husband Skippy’s leadership in St. Peters. Either way, there is only one Brown holding political office now. It remains to see if Mark Lafata holds on as School Board President in the new landscape.

Another election day has come and gone. No telling yet what the final consequences of this particular election will show us, but it is certainly interesting. The fallout from this election will shape the political landscape as we move forward. Some folks woke up on Wednesday to start campaigning for the August primary election. Others are planning for their first go-around in municipal government. I guess there is always an election somewhere. It’s a wonder anyone has time to govern.

VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS by Jerry Haferkamp

The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp

Tuesday’s recall outcome has to be bittersweet at best. Sweet because the majority of voters turned back the onslaught against our city, but bitter when you realize that 715 voters chose to support corruption and fraud over honesty. I guess because of my advancing years I would like to have seen an overwhelming vote against the powers trying to buy City hall. I long for the days when honesty and integrity were revered in St. Charles, the days when a person was judged by the content of his character, not by the size of his wallet.

The For Sale sign has not been removed from City Hall yet. The prospective buyers are still waging war against you in the form of the recall effort aimed against Mark Brown. They won’t rest until they get a puppet council, and we shouldn’t rest until we show them again and again that they are wrong. Hopefully the Brown recall will also be unsuccessful for them, but if so they will only go after another councilman. The only ones safe from a recall drive are the ones who already dance to their tune: Weller, Kneemiller, Reese and Hoepfner. I will cut Muench a lot of slack because I really think he is independent and is pretty sick of the attacks on his fellow council members. I could be wrong, but his future actions will show whether he supports the continued assault on the citizens or not. I think that he (unlike Larry Weller, Curly Kneemiller, Moe Reese and Schlep Hoepfner) really wants what is best for his constituents.

Probably the most disheartening occurrence Tuesday was the traveling troupe of comic figures that appeared at the Ward 7 polls. Showing up to support the recall were Petty Patti, Weller, carpetbaggers Watkins, Jamboretz and others. You would think that the mayor and councilmen would have at least stayed neutral, but that isn’t what they need to do to help their friends close the deal on the purchase of City Hall. I have heard that the developer who is suing the City was there for good measure. With the help of Weller, Reese and Kneemiller, he has his eye on your tax dollars.

What Petty Patti and her handlers fail to realize is that most of the good people of St. Charles don’t want to hate. This recall was based on hate. The developers hate the word “No”. The mayor hates to be told “No”. Linda hates that Mr. Linda’s pal is no longer running the police department. They all hate the council members that won’t dance to their music. It was never about fireworks or cell towers. It was about the power that Patti’s handlers could have with just one more council seat. Therein lies the reason for the Mark Brown recall effort. We can only hope the voters in Brown’s ward send the same message back to the special interests and carpetbaggers.

I’m also going to have to cut Jack Banas a little slack. Although he has sworn depositions stating that there was conspiracy, it may be difficult to prove. The Ward 7 resident who submitted the fraudulent documents will claim she didn’t know they were phony. Banas has sworn depositions to counter that claim. It would probably be a case of “I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything”. Then again, maybe Banas should prosecute and let a jury decide.

Thank you Ward 7. You were inundated with nearly $50,000 worth propaganda, but you did “the right thing” and retained Council member Greer. (Kinda makes you wonder what makes it worth $50,000 to buy a council seat). The whole city owes you a big round of applause. Beware, Ward 2. You’re next on the hit list. Brown has worked hard for you. It’s your chance to turn back the assault on your city.

Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.

FIRSTCAPITOLNEWS - APRIL 1, 2006 - FRONT PAGE

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POSSIBLE BREAK-IN AT CITY WATER TANK

By Phyllis Schaltenbrand

Around noon on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 a St. Charles City employee, while changing flags in Fox Hill Park, noticed the gate to the fence surrounding the Fox Hill water tank had been broken and that the bolts on the top of the hatch of the tank had been broken off.

According to an e-mail sent to City Council members, City Administrator Allan Williams told the council they could not tell if entry was made because some of the washers were still in place while others were not. According to Williams, the City workers immediately isolated the tank from the system, started checking the area and the water, involved the St. Charles Police Department, the FBI and Department of Natural Resources. Williams also told the Council members that the City followed the procedures set out by federal terrorism regulations. He also said they do not have any reason to believe this is an act of terrorism at this point.

Williams pointed out that the City water system functioned for years without the Fox Hill tank and he believes it will function safely now. He believes the incident to be more likely vandalism than anything more serious.

The City is testing the tank and waters supplies and will continue to do so. DNR will join in on testing Thursday. Next week the City plans a slow drain of the tank.

City Council president Rory Riddler has asked the City administration to check on the cost of installing video cameras and intrusion alarm systems at the City water system.

The Associated press reported today the water system in Blackstone, Mass. that also serves homes in North Smithfield Rhode Island, was broken into.

According to the Associated Press, someone entered the facility after cutting through barbed wire. They vandalized an electrical panel and a vent on top of a 13 million gallon storage tank. A 5-gallon container was discovered on top of the tank emitting an odor. The Associated Press reported the authorities have ruled out terrorism, and the FBI has decided not to pursue the case. There were reports of teenagers fleeing the scene.

FATAL HOUSE FIRE IN ST. CHARLES

Fatal House Fire
(see photos at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com)

At approximately 3:45 pm on Thursday, March 30 St. Charles fire received a call of a mulch fire in the 2900 block of McArthur. Then the call came in that the home was in flames. Before arriving on the scene they received another call that a person was trapped..

Upon arrival they immediately found heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. They began search and rescue but could not enter from the front door because the floor had collapsed. Entry was made through the garage and they discovered the victim, a 84 year old female resident of the home, in the kitchen. As they were attempting to remove the woman, who was later pronounced dead, the floor collapsed and four firemen and the victim fell through the floor into the basement.

They were able to remove the victim through a basement window. None of the firemen reported any injuries.

The First Capitol News learned that the victim had only been living there for several months and was sharing the home with her son and his wife.

Captain Dan Casey, public information officer for the St. Charles Fire Department, told gathered reporters that mulch can start on fire from internal combustion. It has not been determined what caused the fire. It is being investigated by fire officials and St. Charles Police Investigators. It appeared that new mulch had recently been distributed throughout the area.

Firefighters from St. Charles, Cottleville, Central County and Pattonville responded.

Awards Given For Saving Officer Stein’s Life

Awards Given For Saving Officer Stein’s Life

On January 19 Officer Paul Stein of the St. Charles Police Department, a member of the Metro West SWAT team, was running the required obstacle course when he collapsed and lost consciousness. Several team members acted quickly, determined stein was not breathing and began CPR. Moments later the officers were able to activate and use the Automatic External Defibrillator on Officer Stein, a pulse was detected and he was airlifted by ARCH to St. John’s Mercy Hospital where he successfully recovered from the incident.

On March 29th the St. Charles Police, St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Charles County Ambulance district honored, officer Jeff Haislip of the St. Charles Police Department, Detective Tim MacMann, Deputy Tim Dulin and Deputy Tom Jones of the Sheriff’s Department and Sergeant Chad Leyton of the Lake St. Louis Police Department.

Additional information and additional photographs can be found on our daily web log which can be found at
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.

Former Mayor Grace Nichols Honored As 2006 Woman of Achievement

Former Mayor Grace Nichols Honored As 2006 Woman of Achievement

In honor of Women’s History Month, The St. Charles Women’s Coalition sponsored an educational seminar on Saturday, March 25, 2006. State Democratic Representatives Jane Bogotto and Rachel Storch spoke about current legislation in Jefferson City which will negatively affect women’s and children’s rights if enacted and encouraged us to make our voices heard. Stacey Newman, Director of the MO State Women’s Coalitions, presented an overview of women’s power at the polls and also encouraged us to work for women’s issues.

Following lunch, Grace Nichols, former St. Charles City Mayor, was honored as our 2006 Woman of Achievement. She was selected as the first recipient of this award because of all the many achievements she has had working in the political arena in both St. Charles and St. Louis County.

The St. Charles Women’s Coalition is a group which was formed to campaign for progressive issues at the local, state, and national level. Information on current issues is distributed using an e-mail newsletter as well as occasional forums during which current issues are addressed. For more information, contact Eleanor McCune at 947-9133 or Genie Hatch at 447-5071.

RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer

WILL JUDGE HOUSE JAIl THE COUNCIL MEMBERS?

We reported in the last edition (still found at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com) the attorney representing developer Mike Sellenschuetter had filed a motion asking the Judge to jail the members of the City Council who voted not to allow his client to hook up to the City water and sewer system. On Monday, March 27, Judge House issued an order that Rory Riddler, City Council President is hereby ordered to direct the appropriate staff members of the City to complete their ministerial duties associated with issuing and delivering the water and sewer permits to MJ Developers. He also ordered that should Riddler fail, recuse, abstain or refuse to comply with the Court order then Bob Hoepfner as Vice President of the Council shall so direct the appropriate staff members. Should Hoepfner fail, recuse, abstain or refuse to comply with the Court order then the Council as a whole shall so direct the appropriate staff members.. They were to provide documentation to the Court by 12 noon of April 7, which demonstrates full compliance with his order.

Riddler, who has done work for a sister company owned by Sellenschuetter abstained and did not issue the order. He also told the First capitol News that to make such direction to City staff would be in direct violation of the City Charter.

Council Vice President, who has done plumbing work in one of Sellenschuetter’s developments and who has refused to abstain from voting on the matter, then issued the order on March 28., in apparent violation of the City Charter. Also on March 28, City Administrator Allan Williams directed City staff to issue water and sewer connection permits to Sellenschuetter.

On March 30, attorney Chet Pleban, representing Councilmen Mark Brown, Joe Koester and Dottie Greer filed a motion with the Court to stay enforcement of and to reconsider the court’s March 10, 2006 order, judgment and writ in mandamus and the Court’s March 28, 2006 supplemental order and to recall or cancel any sewer or water connection permits issued to Sellenschuetter’s MJ Developers.

Pleban also filed a counter claim for Councilman Mark Brown who had been sued individually by Schellenschuetter in Federal Court and then in Circuit Court for more than $25,000 in damages and $1 million in punitive damages and attorney fees. The next scheduled Court hearing is Scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2006 at 9:00 am in front of Judge House, Division 1 of St. Charles County Circuit Court. For more information please go to our web log
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
Check our web log daily for updates to this and other stories

WARD 7 VOTERS
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON APRIL 7th.
VOTE NO to recall
Dorothy Dottie Greer

THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler

Candidate With Secret Identity
Slings Mud From The Shadows


There are times I think I have heard or seen it all.

Some people have imaginary friends. I get an imaginary opponent.

I’m probably the only elected official with a political opponent using a “secret identity”.

A couple of weeks ago I received phone calls from friends that a three-page letter had been sent to them with lots of the usual accusations and mudslinging. There was the standard high school attack. I would think the lack of material that forces my opponents to use thirty-four year old data, speaks volumes of the life I’ve tried to lead.

Then there was the convoluted argument that if someone else wrote a column they didn’t like in the First Capitol News and I didn’t stop writing this column, that means I “endorsed” what the other person wrote. Based on that same logic, John Sonderegger should quit writing for the Post-Dispatch, because of what Bill McClellan writes, otherwise he is just endorsing everything Bill writes….right? My brain hurts trying to think like these people.

My opponent also revealed in the letter that he was conducting polling, setting up a web site and blog. There in fact had been a survey done months before. There was also a letter sent anonymously to members of my Parish attacking me and saying I somehow wasn’t a good Catholic because of something someone else wrote. It also told people I didn’t go to Church frequently enough. I guess they forgot to ask themselves what Jesus would have done before mailing that one out.

Since the letters are all being mailed first class, thousands of dollars have been spent already, over a year before the election…all in violation of the campaign spending laws of the State of Missouri which require full disclosure and reporting of where that money is coming from.

But now comes the real punch-line. The writer of the letter, the person who wants the trust and support of voters, who spends three pages trashing my name…wants to remain anonymous. My imaginary opponent writes:

“For the time being I will identify myself only as Phoenix.”

That’s right. I have an announced opponent for my reelection in April of 2007 with a code name. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

Two weeks ago, when the Council meeting went on till after midnight, I got some good natured “ribbing” from folks at Borromeo’s fish fry Friday. Most were along the line that the Council had kept them up past their bedtime. That’s the meeting where when we returned from executive session I noticed the clock said it was 12:01 and welcomed everyone back to “day two” of the City Council meeting.

People ask me all the time how I manage to stay calm chairing the meetings when people substitute bricks for the hardballs they normally throw at us. I guess it helps to have a sense of humor and not to take yourself too seriously. A couple of weeks ago I read an article by a local columnist saying I had “gaveled down” two people. One held the opinion that we were somehow like the Ku Klux Klan, the other that our Police acted like Nazis.

Both violated the Council rule against making defamatory remarks, so as President of the Council I had to inform them they were out of order and had to forfeit the remainder of their time. I did so politely and never even picked up the gavel. I haven’t figured out how you “gavel down” two speakers without using a gavel. Someday I’ll have to ask John Sonderegger how he thinks I did that.

Most of the time people just don’t think about what they are saying till it falls out of their mouths. In this case, the references to Nazis and the Klan were meant to stir up fear…fear of the terrible “police state” we are living in.

The ten member “Do The Right Thing Committee” has been beating that drum for several weeks now. Here is how they reached the conclusion people are living in fear of the Police:

I see some things that just don’t look right with petitions circulated in the recall of Councilwoman Dottie Greer. I then ask permission of the City Administrator to turn in a complaint to the Police that I feel a crime has been committed. The Administrator arranges and sits in on the meeting to make sure I am giving no direction to the Police and simply pass on to them the facts. That is the extent of my involvement.

I feel somewhat vindicated that the Police uncovered what they felt was credible evidence of a crime and that the County prosecuting Attorney has now filed felony charges in the case. But I got to endure several weeks of attacks by this group for daring to stand up and question them.

But they terribly overplayed their hand trying to convince average law-abiding citizens that they had anything to fear from local law enforcement. Worse yet, trying to smear the reputation of the men and women of law enforcement by mentioning them in the same breath as Nazis or Klan members.

I had an uncle who helped liberate death camps. I have a life-long Jewish friend, whose family was nearly exterminated at the hands of the Nazis. I have close friends and the godfather of my son, whose families were persecuted by the Klan. I’m offended anyone with any knowledge of history or sense of decency would try to smear the reputations of our Police to try to “shift” the focus away from their own political problems.

There also seems to be no limits to the hypocrisy of this coordinated smear campaign.

It is an amazing coincidence, but my imaginary opponent, “Phoenix”, seems to agree a lot with this group…almost as if they were all one in the same. But if Phoenix isn’t a real person, then that would mean some other person or group, say one with obscene amounts of money to spend on a recall election, could be behind these smear attacks.

Could a group that claims to have a thousand “imaginary” members, or to have collected “imaginary” signatures on petitions, be the people behind my “imaginary” opponent?

You just have to laugh sometimes. Goodnight Phoenix…wherever you are.

CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9

“Men occasionally stumble on the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”

Winston Churchill

The City of Saint Charles desperately needs retail business. We are the most populous municipality in the county, however, we are constantly passed over by retailers who have drawn their market rings on the map and we either fall on the eastern edge or western edge of that demographic circle.

Certainly, I am not alone in resisting fighting the Mid-Rivers Mall traffic to arrive at the retailers out west. Or, surely many of you too have a sense of dread at the prospect of heading down highway 94 for most any reason or crossing the river between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

At the retailers convention I argued with several representatives of businesses that their tactic of drawing a circle around highway K in O’Fallon and expecting our town’s residents to make that journey is unrealistic and that business is lost in this way.

Perhaps I’m mistaken and it’s not a big deal to drive 30 minutes in traffic to get to a retailer out west, but I don’t know anyone from town here who shops out there with any regularity. The lack of specialty retail is frustrating; however, many of the shops we lack are not very exotic at all.

To be sure, our neighbors to the west had lots of open space to develop while our city is facing redevelopment that incurs more expense and political costs. It is important, though, for our property value and quality of life that we redevelop commercial areas in our town to generate sales tax and to reduce travel time for goods and services.

Some of the development we have gotten has been in the form of small strip centers and, I agree with Councilman Kneemiller who pointed out that the new strip mall on Zumbehl Road just north of the Walgreens was quickly filled with businesses that most townspeople will not use on any regular basis such as, TLC (Traffic Law Center).

Furthermore, those of us from St. Charles, or long-time city residents know that we have a nice town with lots of history and interesting places, but anyone entering our town from Fifth Street or First Capitol Drive wouldn’t know that by the first impression they get. The streetscape isn’t very appealing at all, and on both streets one of the first things one sees is predatory lending institutions that will cash your pay check and charge you fees that should violate state usury laws. I must believe that, sadly, most of the people who use this service are those who can least afford it.

If fuel costs continue to rise, the day of the 20 minute car ride to the giant retail may be coming to an end and maybe then the small shopkeeper will be able to compete with the behemoths of retail. In the meantime, write your favorite retailer and tell them that our city wants them here!

I wanted to write a little something on a separate topic. To mark the change, another quote, this one from W.C. Fields: “A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money.”

I have heard some press frame the recall of Dottie Greer as a way to break up the “fab-five” (their name). This act is futile because the original seven votes that the newly elected council had that sought reform ended after a short run. Once the council was split 5:5 on the big issues, any further reform ended. The council refused to use its subpoena power to bring in people in order to simply ask questions about Express Scripts. The council does not have the political will to enforce William’s contract as it was agreed to. The “Other Fab-five” might have the 6th vote it needs to push through its will if Dottie were to lose and a replacement were installed, however, throughout this period there would still be a fight to get six votes on a lot of issues. The “Other Fab-five” can already often count on Mr. Riddler’s vote without the recall. Contrary to what Lee Enterprise would have you believe, the council usually votes unanimously on most issues and we still try to defer to the councilperson from the affected ward when it is of such nature. I would like to note here that a compromise was reached and “Rudi’s Ribs” can now be enjoyed at the outdoor theater of New Town. You may have to call ahead because they have been selling out down there!
I believe that the public will reject the recall and if the public pays attention to the voting record of the “Other Fab-five” they will be angered to hear that, in spite of the strong recommendation of our city attorney, the “Other Fab-five” voted not to appeal a lawsuit leveled against the city for $3 million dollars thereby weakening our defense and jeopardizing public funds. Reportedly, that wasn’t enough and letters were sent to the judge supporting the lawsuit and thereby incriminating our town.
Surely the influence of the mighty dollar has done much damage to our political system from the top down and reform is difficult and rare - but still I hope for it.

THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer

Well, here we are folks. Tuesday April 4th, election Day is upon us.

In the City of St. Charles, a recall election made its way onto the ballot. This paper has spent a great deal of time discussing this recall effort, the collection of signatures and the chaos that was brought upon us by a wealthy, greedy and power-hungry group of individuals. Mayor York wants to reclaim control of the City Council, so she “solicited” the help of some of her backers to do in Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Since Darling Dottie is the only one on this ballot, I’ll concentrate on her recall effort. The public face of this effort is Linda Meyer, a strange and inexplicably angry woman who has personally profited from this venture. Ms. Meyer and her cohorts paid bounty hunters/signature gatherers from everywhere except St. Charles to collect the necessary signatures. At least one of these bounty hunters had been criminally charged for forgery as of my deadline. Who knows how many more will follow. FRAUD. That’s a really unfortunate word in the world of electoral politics and I think that really sums up the state of things with this recall effort. Regardless of how you might feel about certain decisions made by Darling Dottie, a recall effort fraught with FRAUD is not the answer. The voters will be able to grade Darling Dottie, along with the rest of the council, next April. This is a power-hungry move by Mayor York, backed by her merry band of idiots. Unfortunately, they are rich idiots so it is entirely likely that they might prevail. I hope that by the time this issue is tossed on your driveway, the courts will stop this FRAUD, but again the odds are against Darling Dottie. Please remember that this is a recall election. VOTE NO on Tuesday. VOTE NO to demonstrate that St. Charles City is not for sale to the highest bidder. VOTE NO to show Mayor York that the people decide who serves on the City Council, not her and her dark nights. VOTE NO to save Darling Dottie. VOTE NO.

On the County Council, voters in District 1 have been treated to another unfortunate circus with spoiler candidate using the courts to generate headlines and increase his name I.D. He’s a bumbling idiot running as the smart growth, aka no growth, guy. Who knows how that will all shake out. As I have said before, while I respect Ms. Hibbeler and her service to the people of O’Fallon, I’m a Republican, so it’s no big secret that I support Darrel Lackey. Notwithstanding the attacks he has suffered from within our own ranks, he is the best candidate to represent the interests of this fast-growing area of the County. Show the green wing that you understand growth can be beneficial, VOTE LACKEY.

In O’Fallon, there are three vacancies (and counting) on the Board of Aldermen with a total of four vacancies in the last couple months. Just in case you don’t have your scorecard handy, four seats are up for election on April 4th but not all the vacancies will be filled by the election. Donna Morrow says she’s embarrassed and she should be. I’m not even really sure what to recommend or suggest on this one since it’s impossible to know how many more resignations will come before the election and how many will withdraw from consideration. I guess people in O’Fallon should go to the polls. Maybe if more people took part in the process, this fracas would stop. Just VOTE.

And the race getting the most statewide attention is easily the election to fill the vacancy in State Senate District 2. Some of us are still adjusting to the fact that Jon Dolan resigned. He was so very entertaining after all. The rest of us are watching our own Republican party implode. Malcontent Chuck MacNab, press secretary for Joe Brazil (RINO), is urging voters to vote for Henke, the Democrat, to teach the Republican Party a lesson about selecting nominees. He is such an idiot that he thinks this will somehow help Brazil in the long run? This is a fairly simple analysis for any reasonable conservative. VOTE RUPP. This is a make it or break it election for Republicans. A Democratic victory does not bode well for the elections in November. Scott Rupp is an excellent candidate with a proven record of accomplishment. Brazil, like his fellow Democrat Henke, has accomplished nothing. In fact, that should be his motto – I do nothing. People in District 1 should turn out and vote to counter Henke’s popularity in Lincoln County and run off the green wing of our party. VOTE RUPP.

Last but not least, it’s always worth mentioning the Mayoral race in St. Peters. Granted, the election won’t take place until April 2008, but we can always count on Alderman Len Pagano’s perennial campaign. It seems that Pagano has staffed his campaign, and I think that’s probably worthy of note. Apparently, he has tapped St. Peters craziest and most long-winded resident, Sandy Waters, as his campaign manager. He’s also using county malcontent MacNab as his press secretary and he appears to be nutty enough to use the services of St. Charles County’s Democrat in sheep’s/Republican clothing, Brandy Pedersen. He apparently needs this completely wacko group to defend him from the criticism of his colleagues. There have also been rumors that he has secured untold promises from our favorite Great White Duck Hunters. Maybe his compatriots on the Board are just tired of the way he bumbles into the headlines and breaks his word.

I mean really – anyone with half a brain can see through his game. He throws discussion items on the agenda for each meeting just to see what will stick. His goal is simple. He wants a headline before the meeting and then he stumbles/mumbles through discussion on television usually remembering, but sometimes forgetting, some prior vote or position and then somehow manages to waste so much time that he earns a second headline. The latest example is rather amusing. He places an item on the agenda suggesting that the City of St. Peters should withdraw from the Chamber of Commerce because of the Chamber’s position on a piece of legislation in Jefferson City. He gets a banner headline before the meeting. During the meeting, he’s reminded by Alderman Jerry Hollingsworth, a fairly transparent Mayoral candidate himself, that Pagano criticized former Mayor Brown for withdrawing from the Chamber over a single issue. Hollingsworth also reminded Pagano of the Chamber’s support of the City. Lo and behold – Pagano, using his doddering old fool routine, remembers that this is true and decides that maybe that was an overreaction and he likes being a member of the Chamber. Goal accomplished – another headline. Anyway, I think we’ll be dealing with Pagano press performances for the next couple years so we might as well enjoy the show.

Go VOTE on Tuesday especially if you live in St. Charles City. VOTE NO to save Darling Dottie.

THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS By Jerry Haferkamp

The View From The Cheap Seats

By Jerry Haferkamp

Hey, Stupid. Listen up! I’m trying to sell something here!
That should have been the header of Ed Watkins’ egotorial in the latest issue of the Non-Citizen. All who read it should be aware the next step in logical progression would be for him to try to sell you a bridge in Brooklyn or oceanfront lots in Arizona. Be on your guard. He obviously thinks you’re stupid.
The only sentence that isn’t arguable is his first sentence. “The 350 voters that elected Dottie Greer in 2004 got much more than they voted for.” I couldn’t agree more. After that sentence, the spin is so bad that I think I heard the tornado sirens going off.
He spins that Greer switched positions on the fireworks issue. Not true. After her attempt to ban the sale of fireworks failed she introduced legislation that restricted their use, called for increased enforcement and provided funds for that enforcement coming from the sellers of the fireworks. It worked well. The failed attempt to ban the sale and the subsequent tougher enforcement of their use were both in the best interests of our citizens’ safety
He spins that she helped lead “nasty” campaigns against two “respected” developers. Both of these “respected” developers wanted to annex into the city without adequately addressing the creek stabilization in their respective developments. One had enough influence on a State Rep to have a special law that applies only to him help force the city to hook up his sewers to our overcrowded Mississippi treatment plant. This plant now has a committed 97% of its capacity. If a developer inside our city needs to hook up, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources would have concerns and would become involved. Development inside our city was sacrificed to take care of a developer outside our city. Besides, our city is spending hundreds of thousands to stabilize creek banks already in our city. Why should we subject our taxpayers to more of this?
He spins that she voted to “kick” the mayor off the dais. (What a great mental picture, especially the “kick” part) Why didn’t he spin that the mayor thought it a good idea when she had her rubber stamp, no concern for the residents council? In the same paragraph he attacks Greer for telling the Beautification Committee that if they continue to violate the law as they apparently did in the past, she would take the appropriate action. In past egotorials, Ed claimed the committee members “resigned en masse”. Only two who apparently didn’t like to obey the law resigned. Volunteers or not, the laws should be followed.
He spins that Greer flip-flopped when she voted to have our former City Administrator Williams removed from his office after voting previously to hire him (in fact Mrs. Greer was a desenting vote). The facts are that Williams hadn’t fulfilled the provisions of his contract prior to the expiration of his contract. When he no longer had a contract with the city (and still doesn’t) he refused to vacate the offices he was using. Of course, that is when a contract was a contract and a man’s word was his bond. A judge recently ruled that contracts aren’t contracts, and seemingly Williams’ word means nothing to a man of his character, or lack thereof.
Eddie’s halo done slipped off his noggin. There are 10 commandments, not nine. He keeps forgetting the one about “Thou shalt not bear false witness”. That means don’t lie. Somebody, look it up for him.
If I had more space, I would decipher Kenny’s rant in the box above Eddie’s. I did go back and read the past two issues of the FCN and the only mention of the former mayors was praise for them in Riddler’s column and a small mention in this column. They weren’t “vilified” anywhere. In the spirit of equal time in this column, if I comment any more on Kenny today I would have to comment every time I pass a barnyard and heard a certain beast of burden bray.
The Non-Citizen should start using spell check. In big red letters on the front of the political ad rag there is an error. There is no “r” in fiend. According to sworn deposition, this same f( r )iend submitted petitions that she knew were fraudulent. Isn’t that fraud? I think that if I submitted a check to my bank that I knew was fraudulent, I would be just as responsible as the person who wrote the fraudulent check. I think Banas won’t touch those who are directly responsible for submitting fraudulent documents to help their cause.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
Will ward seven voters support our residents and Dottie Greer, or will they support fraud?
Tell the power brokers and the Non-Citizen that you aren’t stupid!
Say “NO’ to fraud and deception! Vote to retain Dottie Greer!

CITY ISSUES by R.L. Greer

CITY ISSUES
by R. L. Greer

On Tuesday, April 4th, you will have the opportunity to retain Councilwoman Dottie Greer in her duly elected position on the City St Charles Council to fulfill her term that you elected her to in 2004. The way the language on the ballot is worded it must be a no vote to keep Dottie on the Council for another year. She has served her constituents with honesty, openness and sincerity. A yes vote will state that speaking and writing hate, is ok; that fraud is ok; that deception is ok; that lying is ok; that misrepresentation is ok. That obtaining a notarization of your signature to a certification that you personally witnessed every signature on the attached petition pages, even though some were forged or not signed in your presence is ok. Should this circulator be charged with fraud just as the person who forged the signatures ? In 2004 the balance of power was shifted away from those who had constantly received a simple nod of approval to whatever they wanted, often to the detriment of the taxpayers. Developers and self interest individuals were getting anything they wanted without any questions asked. An example of this is with us now in five councilmen (Weller, Muench, Kneemiller, Hoepfner, Reese) wanting to see you the taxpayers pay up to $3 million to a developer who does not want to comply with city building codes. They voted no and against City Attorney Mike Valenti’s advice to appeal the judges decision. Cost of government operation before was ever increasing. Then a new day came with the shift in control of the Council. This election on April 4th is all about power. The Mayor wants power and money, the special interests want power and money, the developers want power and money. You and I are to pay for their power with our money. Here’s an analogy for you to consider. Have you ever thought about how darkness retreats away from light. Stand in a room without any lights lit. It’s total black darkness. Light a match or turn on a flashlight and watch the darkness retreat away from the light. Light in this case signifies truth, honesty and gracefulness. Darkness in this case represents the lies, deceitfulness, fraud and hate that is being said, printed and spread about by a group who say they are for honesty and integrity. Honesty and integrity is meaningless if TRUTH is left out. Truth will prevail. (The Liberty Bell of Truth has Rung ! by Dottie Greer) Again the recall effort is attempting to mislead you the voters of Ward 7 by deceit and implying a yes vote will help Dottie Greer. You must vote NO to retain her as your representative of Ward 7. In this week advertisement by Ed Watkins, he has once again printed one lie after another. A true Christian Believer would not print or say the things he has and in such a hateful manner. Again I invite you to call and speak to Dottie to determine for yourself the kind of individual she is.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight-ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27 HNSB)

Again the recall effort is attempting to mislead you the voters of Ward 7 by deceit and implying a yes vote will help Dottie Greer. You must vote NO to retain her as your representative of Ward 7.

The New Town At St. Charles Is Best-Selling Development Out of 17,280 Communities In 16 States

According to a recent study, The New Town at St. Charles, a new urbanism development off Hwy. 370 and New Town Blvd., was the best-selling development out of 17,280 communities in 16 states.

The study was conducted by MarketGraphics. The independent study included data from the last twelve months for MarketGraphics markets in 16 states. Edsel Charles began MarketGraphics in the late 1980’s to respond to the needs of builders and developers for factual information to make good business decisions. Over 15 years later, MarketGraphics, and its affiliates are in sixteen states and have a client list that includes most of the country’s top builders.

Developer Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes, contributes New Town’s amazing success to two key factors. “This is one of the only new-home developments in the entire Midwest that adheres to the new urbanism (otherwise known as a traditional neighborhood development) architectural design principles and guidelines. If you want to live in a new home in a true traditional neighborhood development, New Town is the place to buy,” says Whittaker.

The New Town at St. Charles also is one of the most affordable new urbanism projects in the entire country. In fact, new urbanism experts agree that New Town is one of the most important new urbanism projects in the country because of the mix of housing types and price ranges. Prices start from the mid-$100’s and range to $800’s+. Housing types include townhome mansions, row houses, cottages, single-family homes, custom homes, live work units and senior courtyards.

Ultimately, this $1.5 billion project will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a large town center and four neighborhood centers.

To reach New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to the entrance on the right. The sales center is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the editor

Letter to the Editor

Well St. Charles City Taxpayers, here we go again. Just how long are the city voters going to let special interest groups and their paid cronies run our city?

We have had our old police station sold for thousands less than it was worth, health care plans for our city employees signed without any bids or council approval, our “Top Cop” fired (retired) and our Mayor writing letters for his benefit, with the taxpayers picking up the bill. Now we have paid political friends of one developer getting laws in Jefferson City to allow his subdivision to hook up to city water and sewer systems even though they are outside the city limits; and another developer getting a judge to allow his subdivision to hook-up to city systems even though their homes are not up to city codes. We are told these systems are old and in need of repairs and I guess the city taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for those conditions, because these subdivisions are outside city limits and do not pay city taxes.

Now we have council members voting to let these in; Mr. Weller (who says he works for M J Developers) Mr. Hoepfner (who first said “no” but now says “yes” after he got plumbing permits for MJ Developers) Mr. Riddler (who first said “no” but now abstains after his media company got MJ Developer business) and Mr. Kneemiller & Mr. Reese who always vote for special interests.

I have an idea, send a bill to the state and to the judges for the upgrading of our water and sewer systems to handle the extra load; or better yet, for these council members to do the job they were voted in for (their ward residents and the city) and not for special interest groups or TO RESIGN NOW!

Folks, you have as much power as anyone else at the ballot box and we have one election coming up very soon. If you want your city back, get out and vote.

Walter Dietz

Dear First Capitol News,

You have all read the past issues of the FCN and have seen the numbers on Proposition A and B. The School Board paints an ugly picture about the future of the St. Charles School District if these Propositions are not passed. I see this as a win-win situation for the board if either of them are passed.

As stated in the district administrations financial projections, Prop. A will fulfill the needs of the district. But they choose to throw in Prop. B as a scare tactic, threatening to close schools and reduce teachers and resources. It’s a shell game and they are hoping for one or maybe even both to pass while holding these threats over our heads.

As a former Ozark/TWA/AA Airlines employee when the company needed money the first place they went to was the employees. They cut pay, benefits and jobs. It is an unfortunate point of fact that if the enrollment is down some fat will have to be cut from our school district. Coming from a teaching family, my father and my sister, in no way am I suggesting any teacher cuts as can be seen with the teacher per student ratio.

If we do in fact have a drop in enrollment, which no percentage has ever been revealed, and the School Board is really concerned about the education of our children, then let them start with a pay cut among administration. If the enrollment is being reduced by 15 to 20 percent then lets cut the number of School Board members down by that amount. The phrase, “put you money where you mouth is” comes to mind.

If anyone is looking for any other way to produce funds to support our school district then let us look as the projected 16 to 18 million dollars the city will be spending on the West Clay Extension. This extension will take West Clay and connect it with the Fairgrounds Rd. overpass. This will connect the new convention center with Lindenwood University. I say if the University wants this connection then let them pay for it. We need the money more for our children than we need a new road.

Dennis Wagner
St. Charles

To the Editor:

I would like to call your attention to several errors in the March 25-31 edition of the First Capitol News article relative to the School Board election. Although the article says that very little information about each candidate is available, I was not contacted for any information.

I would call your attention to the incorrect statement that “she ran opposed last April to complete the term vacated by Jerry Reese after he was elected to the city council.” I did run unopposed last April BUT it was to complete the term vacated by the resignation of Ellen Wallace. Also, it was stated “Ms. Darting has voted in favor of closing and reconfiguring the schools.” There has not been a vote taken at this time to close and reconfigure schools. I DID vote in favor of placing PROP A and PROP B on the April 4 ballot, which allows the voters to determine the future of the schools in the City of St. Charles school district.

I respectfully request that a correction of these statements be printed in the next edition of the First Capitol News.

Thank you in advance for this correction.
Mary Darting

Dear Editor,

Often Times life’s challenges can seem monumental.

Fourth Grade student Daniel Ingle faced the challenge of literally life and death, when he suffered a debilitating aneurism while attending school at Becky David Elementary on December 12th of last year. A fundraising benefit in his honor was held Saturday March 25, at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Hall.

When faced with what can seem impossible, you simply know it is time to call in people who can help you get it done. People, who you can count on, who give without counting cost, or expecting anything in return. People who can literally move mountains, and in reality; create miracles. Those people of whom I speak are each and every one of you, our friends.

It would be a complete understatement to say we were able to plan and implement this benefit alone. A special thanks needs to be extended to St. Robert Bellarmine Community, Faculty, Students, & Men’s Club; The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Athletic Association and Men’s Club, Francis Howell Board, Administration, Faculty and Students; The St. Charles Jaycees and Lion’s Club, The Duchesne High School Key Club, Mid Rivers Football Association, Pearl Computer, Nancy’s Specialties, Carrollton Bank and St. Charles City Parks and Recreation. These organization did so much to assist, too many efforts to mention, but we simply we couldn’t have done it without them!

Thanks to the following area businesses for donating food: Tony’s on Main, Mid-Towne IGA, King Edwards Chicken, Subway Restaurants, Pepsi Americas, Patty’s Catering, All Occasions Catering, Custom Catering by Beth, Dierbergs Markets and Chevy’s Fresh Mex. These area businesses totally came through to support this event. It is because of them, we were able to keep expenses to practically nothing.

A special thanks to all those individuals, business and organizations who donated items for our silent and live auctions. They are far too numerous to mention but all of their gifts enabled us to do great things.

Thanks to their combined efforts, we were able to raise $13,451.00 for Daniel and the Ingle family. That, combined with other donations we have already presented the Ingles with, our total is close to $14,000.00. All monies raised were delivered to the Ingle Family this and they were simply speechless and miraculously, after two neurosurgeries, Daniel’s total recovery is absolutely possible!

I have had the pleasure to be involved with some charitable events in the past, but never have I had the pleasure to be involved in such a total community effort. It is events like Daniel’s Spring Fling that totally illustrate what a great community we have in St. Charles. It is the people, businesses, and organizations that I mention above that make this community such a great area, and I am proud to call St. Charles my home!

On Behalf of the Daniel’s Spring Fling Committee, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

TJ Slattery – 636-795-8887 – 16 Sassafras Court – St. Charles MO 63301
Angela Slattery
Marie Georgen
Rob Georgen
Deb Houdyshell
Cheryl Folkerts

Dear Editor

I would like for those people attempting to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer to explain to me how it is all right for a Councilman to plead guilty to a Driving While Intoxicated charge after being arrested and keep his seat while a woman who has done nothing is being recalled. Dottie Greer has done nothing wrong. They are after her because she is an older woman who they consider to be a weak link. Dottie Greer has represented the residents of her ward well while resisting the attempts of millionaire developers and big money special interests. Now that they can’t have their way these millionaire developers and special interests are spending thousands and thousands of dollars to have her removed from office and they are being helped by Councilmen who are already very deep in their pockets, especially Mike Weller and Bob Hoepfner. So on Tuesday, please keep control of City government in your hands and vote no on the recall of Dottie Greet.

John Scherr

Dear Tony,

In watching the Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21, once again Councilman Mark Weller showed how very ignorant he is. It’s good to disagree with other Councilmen, but do it with your opinion in a decent manner. In watching these meetings, Mr. Weller seems to have a extreme dislike for Councilman Brown. Mr. Weller, your foul mouth at this meeting directed at Mr. Brown was out of place. Mr. Riddler, as Council President, you lost control of the meeting when you allowed Weller to curse not once but twice. This is not the first time he has cursed at a Council meeting. Are you going to let this foul mouth Weller to continue to do this? Mr. Weller you should be ashamed of yourself.

Ray Fogg

Dear Editor

A friend called recently to ask if I was “pro-Dottie” or “anti-Dottie” in the Recall election which is to take place on April 4th. My answer to that question is that this election is not about Dottie Greer. This election is about undermining the most basic of our democratic processes...the process of electing public officials.

Think of the consequences of this recall. To put it simply, this recall process is being brought about by people who did not like the outcome of a legitimate election and who had the money to hire canvassers to work until enough signatures were collected to force the duly-elected official to re-run for the office. What was the initial election worth then? I can think of a lot of officials who I would like to see have to re-run for their office before their term is over (starting with our President, for one), but that’s just not the way our democracy works. This recall process gives way too much power to those who had the money to initiate it.

If you are thinking of voting for the recall, please think of the consequences of your decision. If you don’t like Mrs. Greer or any of the other Council members for that matter, there is an election next year. Get out and work for the candidate of your choice. That’s the way our democracy works. And if your candidate wins, you’d better hope that his victory is not overshadowed by the threat of recall initiated by someone who has the money to do so. Our voting process should not be bought or sold. It’s too important.

Eleanor McCune

FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS = Mike McMurran Sports Editor

MY COLUMN - MIKE MCMURRAN

A little over a year ago, one of the regular readers of this column hinted that it was somewhat of a surprise that the RiverCity Rage allowed reporters from this fine weekly to cover their events, let alone advertise in The First Capitol News. The reader came to this conclusion as a result of the previous owner of the Rage and his political philosophy – not to mention his openly biased opinion and hatred this paper.

“Nope,” I said then and repeat now, “the new owners of the RiverCity Rage are some straight up, men of their word, down to earth guys.” Not only did they advertise in our sports page, they did so without a contract. Just a shake of the hand from Scott Wilson and we were in business. Now I suspect some of you with business savvy would scoff at such business dealings, but I admire it. One of the lessons I most wish to teach my children is “a person is only as good as their word.” Scott Wilson is a man of his word.

Another person in the Rage organization that impresses me is Mike Thompson, director of media relations. Many of you are familiar with Mike from his work as a d.j. on KLOU; he is the guy with the golden voice, born to be an FM d.j.

Stay with me now, this isn’t just a story brown nosing the Rage, but rather a story on their big heartedness. Last year the Rage played their home games at Family Arena in beautiful St. Charles. You may remember there was a scheduling conflict and they were forced to play their playoff game at Savvis Center. If you really have a good memory and are a regular reader of this column you will recall that I said it seemed much more like a courtship than a courtesy that Savvis was available – low and behold I nailed that one, but I digress.

Someone from the Rage asked me what I thought of the move, to which I replied something along the lines of it makes good business sense. By playing in downtown St. Louis the likelihood of attracting folks from Illinois would certainly triple. “But,” I told them, “I know one person who will be heart broken.” It seems that Andrew Tollefson of St. Charles might just be one of the biggest Rage fans there is. I know this because I would see he and his dad, Kevin Tollefson at most every home game last season. Kevin informed me as soon as the Rage schedule came out that he and Andrew would not be able to make it downtown for the Friday night games. “So our entire Rage season will be the season opener on Sunday,” Kevin told me.

I shared this story with Scott and Mike and their reply was, “Then let’s make it a game Andrew won’t forget.” All they did was insure Andrew, his dad, his brother Peter and sister Sophie has V.I.P. seats for Sunday’s contest. This meant that Family Tollefson were basically the guests of the Rage for the afternoon. All drinks and food were included, and we are not just talking pretzels and nuts here. This also meant Kevin was afforded the opportunity to enjoy all the adult beverages which he cared to enjoy – of course he declined and stuck to soft drinks. Just when it looked like it couldn’t get any better – it did!

Just after half time Scott Wilson and Rage defensive lineman Michael Kortkamp (Howell North and Lindenwood alum) presented Andrew with an official NIFL football, signed by all the players. Fortunately the moment was saved by my partner Bob Barton. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to see happiness, look at the accompanying picture of Andrew and his dad, and look at how Andrew is focusing on his new possession. I’m telling ‘ya, Barton’s eyes were swelling from it all.
So, if a person is only as good as their word, Scott Wilson, Mike Thompson, and the rest of the Rage front office and staff, from my perspective, and certainly from the perspective of a little boy named Andrew – their word is a good as gold.



United Hockey League
Colin Chaulk: Now A UHL Veteran
Career Blossomed in Missouri A Few Seasons Ago

By Louis J. Launer

If there are fans who have followed the Missouri River Otters since their beginnings in 1999, they do remember Colin Chaulk. Chaulk was one of the first River Otter players ever to wear the green and navy blue. He played in Missouri’s inaugural season and provided emotion and youth to a successful team coached back then by Mark Reeds.

At the same time, the River Otters were affiliated with the International Hockey League’s Kansas City Blades, which really was not fielding good teams from 1999 through 2001. There were many games where Chaulk, who was a scoring leader for the River Otters would be called to Kansas City for a weekend and literally sit on the bench and not see ice time. At the same time, Missouri would slump and not win games because of his absence.

“Missouri always had great fans when I played there,” he said. “They are loyal to their players if they play well. They still have some great fans.”

Chaulk played 50 games for the River Otters in the 1999-2000 season, scoring 19 goals and 47 assists. He was unable to see playoff time due to injury that season. But in the next season, he split his time evenly between Missouri and Kansas City. Out of 39 games for the River Otters, he scored 14 goals and 39 assists. In the same year when he got called to Kansas City, he played 37 games for the Blades, but only scored 5 goals and 13 assists. Colin admitted that he preferred Missouri that season.

“There was a time when we had to play the [Quad City] Mallards at Family Arena,” he said. “When I got reassigned to Missouri, I had only an hour to get ready for the game. But I was happy to be there. I think the fans were happy to see me, too.”

Chaulk’s best season in the Show-Me State was the 2000-01 season, although he split his time between the IHL and UHL, he did help Missouri to the playoffs and was a leading participant for the River Otters. In his first UHL playoff season, he played four games, scored 4 goals and 2 assists. Ironically, the opponent that the River Otters lost to that year, were the Fort Wayne Komets.

The 2001-02 season was a season of soul searching for Chaulk. At first, he signed with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL, believing that he could get more ice time and he could become more of an experienced center. Somehow, he did not fit in the Nailer’s overall plans and Chaulk headed west to Colorado Springs, where he played 55 games for the Colorado Gold Kings. His 19 goal, 46 assist season impressed some with the Grand Rapids Griffins, a key AHL team one level below the NHL. The Griffins called him up from Colorado. Despite playing 13 games and scoring 3 goals and 1 assist, his ability to get Grand Rapids to the playoffs as a team player was what he needed. He only played two games. But it gave him the confidence to find a team and a league where he could play.

He returned to the United Hockey League. The Missouri River Otters did not want him.

In 2002-03, the Fort Wayne Komets were trying to get themselves more of an edge, since they were playing against tough teams such as Quad City, Muskegon, Elmira, Flint and Adirondack. At the same time, Kalamazoo and Rockford were rebuilding and fans there were hungry for a championship. The Komets signed Chaulk and became the team’s leader on the ice. Playing 70 games in 2002-03 for the Komets, Chaulk scored 23 goals and 59 assists. In the same year, he played all 11 playoff games for the Fort Wayne Komets, scored four goals and 12 assists, but set up a number of scoring opportunities for the Komets in their championship run, giving the team it’s first Colonial Cup and the team’s first championship since 1993, when they were members of the International Hockey League. Chaulk was named the finals’ most valuable player.

Chaulk has played consistently for the Komets in the last four seasons. Last season, the Komets lost to the Muskegon Fury in four straight games. This season, he is enroute to his best season as a pro as he has so far scored 24 goals (surpassing his career-high 23 in 2002-03 and 2003-04) and recorded 48 assists. He is the Komets’ top center and if it works in the Komets’ favor, he could be a key player in this year’s Colonial Cup playoffs.

There will be a number of River Otter fans who will remember Colin Chaulk and the games he played for the River Otters. Some fans think Chaulk is one of those who got away from Missouri. A few fans who appreciate minor league hockey know that Chaulk worked his way to being a successful UHL hockey player and Missouri was just a stopping off point in his career.

CHAULK’S PRESENCE FELT THIS WEEKEND: Colin Chaulk did make his presence known for the Komets when they visited the River Otters last weekend at Family Arena. He scored the game’s first goal at 5:54 of the first period. J.P. Beilsten tied the game. But it was Chaulk’s role as captain and the one setting up the plays that had the Komets in a tough game against the River Otters. The game went to a shootout with Kevin Miller and Alan Luciuk scoring for the Komets in a 2-1 shootout victory. On Sunday, the River Otters traveled to Fort Wayne, where Chaulk only received one assist on a goal and the Komets still won, 3-2 in another shootout.

OTTERS “TRASHED” BY DANBURY: In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, the Danbury (CT) Trashers dominated the Saturday night game at Family Arena. The Trashers are known for their rough play and it showed. The Trashers had a 4-0 lead going into late in the second period when Jim Duhart finally scored for the Otters at 17:39 in the second period. Scott Dobben scored late in the third for the Otters, but Danbury took the victory, 4-2. Danbury most likely will be the top seed in the Eastern Division when the playoffs take place in late April.



RAGE

By Mike Thompson

To fans of the RiverCity Rage, he’s big number 38...to his teammates, Rage Linebacker Terrell Washington is known as “T-Rex” because, as defensive back Brandon Gregory likes to say, “he’ll swoope down on you in a hurry, get the bite, and leave nothing behind.” Ask any hurried quarterback in the National Indoor Football League who’s been chased down in the pocket and seen that number 38 on Washington’s Rage jersey loom larger and larger, bigger, bigger, until the full force of “T-Rex” has slammed him to the turf with an earth shaking vengeance. The University of Illinois must be the Jurassic Park of college football, because it was during his three-year stint as a starting defensive end at the Big 10 School that Washington says he took on the tough persona of prehistoric mayhem.
“We had good teams all three years I played at Champaign. We went to the Micron PC Bowl my first year and topped it off with a trip to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans my final season. Even though we lost that game to LSU, I was satisfied that I had taken on a menacing approach to the game. I played every down like it was my last one in football, and I guess I made enough of an impression to warrant some consideration after college. Since I was a youngster playing in the neighborhood Herbert Hoover Boy’s Club program, I had always wanted to make something happen for myself in football.”
Hey, let’s back up from “T-Rex” just for a second, let’s retreat and retrace a few years. Terrell Washington was a starting tight end on the 1996 Class 5A State Championship team at Hazelwood Central, and credits his defensive line coach with motivating him to succeed on the field, in the classroom and looking ahead to success in college. “Coach Benhart was the type of man you just wanted to work hard for, and all the players just went out and played hard for him. He gave off a lot of positive influence and was more like a big brother to the guys than a teacher and coach. He’s a big reason I am the player I am today.”
Motivation in many ways was a big factor in Washington’s life after high school as his first step up in football and study was not a major college program, at least not right away.” Due to a number of factors, I found myself at Hutchinson Junior College in Kansas, and red-shirted my freshman year to boot.” Reaching back for the strong, positive influence of his parents, whom he credits with “arming me with the strength needed to see through some hard times,” Washington’s work ethic on the football field was so outstanding that the Hutchenson JC coaches tried unsuccessfully to take him off the red-shirt list late in the season. “It was too late in the year to really do anything with me that first season, but after it was over, the football program honored me in a way I could never have imagined.” Instigated was the annual Terrell Washington Award, given at the end of each season to the outstanding red-shirt performer who outperforms the starters in practice. To this day, Washington says, “it’s an award I’m really proud to have my name linked to, simply because it represents work and effort.”
Terrell’s sophomore season was a pole-vault to success. Making All-Conference, leading the team in tackles and sacks, he was recruited by top schools like Michigan State and Miami, but was intrigued by the Illinois program and “wanted to display my talents locally, a bit closer to home and the fact that my parents could make the trip to see me play at Illinois was a big factor in making a decision.”
Signed as a free agent by the Houston Texans of the NFL after graduation, Washington played through the 2002 training camp, saw action in the pre-season contests, before being caught up in the infamous NFL ‘numbers crunch’ and was waived. Brought back late in the season (December 2002) Terrell finished the last two games of the season on the Houston roster, before being allocated to NFL Europe to play for the Amsterdam Admirals. An enjoyable time, to be sure, for the young Washington, who finished third on the team in tackles and register five sacks. “I had a great time in Europe. I was able to play football, enjoy the culture, travel, and do all sorts of things I never dreamed I’d get to do, or see for that matter. We finished the season 6-4 and I spent a great deal of time at defensive end, learning a new position.” But the harsh roadblock of NFL-type reality was waiting ahead. Caught up again in the numbers game, Washington says the Texan’s “drafted a guy at my position in the third round and it was a monetary decision, a front office decision and ultimately, worked it’s way down to a coaching decision. It was tough to accept, but I simply went forward and began looking for a new place to play football and stay in the game.”

Welcome to the RiverCity Rage of the NIFL.....The team’s top tackler in 2005....an NIFL leader in forced fumbles and fumbles recovered...a team leader on defense...a player who calls Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt “a great coach to play for, one who can really relate to players, especially in this league. Coach knows we have regular jobs to accentuate football and he finds the ways to get the fit that allows you to keep the game in your life, be it practice schedules, game travel, whatever. He makes it work.”
Pressure on the quarterback, pressure on the quarterback.....”I run on the treadmill and that’s all I think about...getting to the QB and forcing the fumble, getting the sack, stepping up to make the big play for the Rage. I like to be on the field pretending I’m that bull and every opposing player is wearing bright red.”
Comfortable with where he is in football today, Washington lives with his wife Katriena, his daughter Taija and his son Terrell, Junior. And like all RiverCity Rage players, coaches and fans, looks ahead to March 26th when some unfinished business draws some attention at Savvis Center. The Rage will take on the Cincinnati Marshals, the team that wiped out any hope of a Rage NIFL title last year with an opening round loss in the 2005 playoffs. After this weekend’s game in Houston, it’s the 2006 Home Opener, and Washington couldn’t be more ready. “They took it away last year, we owe them. They played a great game and we fell a little short, but I’ve lived with that loss since last July, we all have. I’m ready for payback, and I’ve got an extra incentive to play well. March 26th is my Mother’s birthday, and she and many of my family will be in the stands. I’m excited...I’m up for this one.”
Sounds like he’s ready to swoope down...bite ‘em...and leave nothing behind!!

FRONT PAGE - FIRST CAPITOL NEWS 3/25/06

Click on image to enlarage. Scroll down to read entire issue.

Sergeant Ed Copeland Files For County Sheriff

Sergeant Ed Copeland
Files For County Sheriff
Sergeant Ed Copeland, a twenty-five year veteran of the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department, has filed as a Democratic candidate to run for Sheriff. According to the candidate, his decision to run was based on encouragement from his family as well as those he considers his extended family of fellow members of the Sheriff’s Department.

“As an experienced law enforcement officer and long time member of the Sheriff’s Department, I have a realistic vision of what it takes to achieve the goals I’ve set for the Department and what it takes to make our community a safer place to live and raise a family,” said Copeland in his filing statement. Among those goals outlined by the candidate are increasing the visibility of the Sheriff’s Department by stepping up neighborhood patrols, increasing interaction between deputies and members of the community, assigning an investigator to “Cold Case” investigations, increasing the number of investigators assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, a total commitment to the Highway Drug Interdiction Team and creating a state-of-the art website for the Department.

Ed is currently serving the community as a Detective Sergeant in the Department’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations. He was promoted to this position after three years as a Special Federal Officer in the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) office in St. Louis. He is also an Investigator for the St. Louis Major Case Squad, a position he has held since 1994. Copeland’s extensive training and experience have not gone unnoticed and he has received many accolades for outstanding service. Ed is married to Patty Copeland and the couple have two grown daughters, one grown son and two grandchildren. The Copelands live in Weldon Spring.

Ed believes his leadership skills will bring the department and the community closer together. “As a group of dedicated law enforcement professionals, every member of the Department needs to be working together toward building a Sheriff’s Department second to none. The people of St. Charles County deserve nothing less. When the Sheriff provides positive leadership, based on fairness and integrity, it is reflected in the work of all employees,” explained Copeland.

Copeland added that, “The conduct of my campaign will be reflective of the leadership and professionalism that I have demonstrated in my 25 years of serving the citizens of this community. I will continue to maintain these values throughout the campaign, as well as during my administration as Sheriff of St. Charles County.”

Councilmen Kneemiller, Weller, Muench, Reese and Hoepfner Put City at Risk for $3 million

Councilmen Kneemiller, Weller, Muench, Reese and Hoepfner Put City at Risk for $3 million

By Tony Brockmeyer

The First Capitol News has learned that at a closed meeting of the St. Charles City Council several members of the City Council, against the advise of City attorney Mike Valenti, voted not to appeal a decision of Circuit Judge Ted House that ordered the City Council and the Mayor to allow MJ Developers to hook up to the City sewer and water system.

According to our sources and from statements made on the City Council floor by Councilman Mark Brown at the Council meeting on Tuesday, Valenti had advised the Council in closed session he believed the decision by the Judge was in error and should be appealed. Valenti told the Council members the City was at risk for $3 million dollars in possible damages if they did not appeal.

According to Brown, Councilman Bob Kneemiller told the Council members that Sellenschuetter deserved the $3 million and Kneemiller along with Bob Hoefpner, Larry Muench, Mike Weller, and Jerry Reese voted not to appeal the Judge’s decision going against the advise of City Attorney Mike Valenti.

EDIITORIAL CARTOON

RAMBLING With the Editor - Tony Brockmeyer

VOTE NO ON
DOTTIE’S RECALL

On Tuesday, April 4th the voters of Ward Seven will be asked to vote on the recall of Dottie Greer. Dottie has done nothing to deserve a recall. According to our Chief of Police the recall petition drive was replete with criminal violations and forgeries. The matter is now in the hands of the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney for criminal prosecution. This is nothing but an attempt by our Mayor, developers and people who have been on the public dole for years to gain control of the $100 million budget of the City. When the voters of the seventh ward enter the polling booths on April 4th they should vote NO on the recall of Dottie Greer.
Grocery Coming To
Mark Twain Mall

It appears that Aldi Supermarkets will be coming to Mark Twain Mall in the near future. Weekends Only Furniture is closing and some of the space will be taken over by Aldi’s. While we are talking about Mark Twain Mall the latest rumor on the street is that Bass Pro may be moving their super store to St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Right now it is just a rumor and we are trying to track it down.

CONDEMNATION COMING TO BOONES LICK & FIFTH?

We have been told that local developer Mike Sellenschuetter wants to develop the corner of Boones Lick and Fifth Street where Mary Rents and McDonald’s are located. We understand he wants the City to condemn the other side of Fifth Street and move McDonald's and Mary Rents to that location even though the businesses currently located there are thriving. The proposal is coming forth from Mike Sellenschuetter the developer who is not involved in lawsuits against the City and whose attorney wants a judge to jail Council members. More to come on this later.

WE OCCASIONALLY TAKE TIME OFF

Occasionally we need to take time off. This is a stressful and demanding job but even so, it is something we enjoy. We have many tips we need to follow up on and investigate and occasionally we like to relax and travel. Each time we take a week off we receive calls and e-mails from readers telling us how much they enjoy the First Capitol News and how much they miss it when we don’t print. But, not to worry. You can always keep abreast of daily news of St. Charles by going to firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com We will continue to update that web log even when we take a break. Our weekly edition can also be found on our web log at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.