Birth Certificates Help Prove, You’re The One & Only You
For over fifty years, since birth to be exact, I’ve been a proud citizen of this great nation. In all that time I’ve left a paper trail a bloodhound with hay fever could follow. Financial records, voting records, employment records, phone records, tax records…not to mention that “permanent” record thing they kept on all of us in school. Though I’ve been a licensed driver in Missouri for over thirty years, that’s no longer good enough to prove to my own government that I’m the person looking back at me from my own photo ID.
In the wisdom of the Federal Government, to renew my Missouri driver’s license, I now must prove that I am…well me. Like Kris Kringle in Miracle On 34th Street, who had to prove he was the “one and only” Santa Claus, I’ve been reduced to proving I am the one and only Rory Riddler.
To do that requires showing my birth certificate.
Now my Scots-Irish heritage and blue eyes probably make me a low risk in the Government’s eyes of being a Middle-East terrorist. But drawing such distinctions wouldn’t be politically correct in a war where we are trying not to offend anyone. We all can appreciate wanting to crack down on potential terrorists getting their hands on real drivers licenses. Make them buy the fake ones they sell on every college campus.
Still, I can’t figure out why the government didn’t just waive the requirement for renewals of licenses for say all those who’ve been licensed for more than twenty years. I can’t believe there are “sleeper” cells of terrorists who have been sitting around for the last twenty years waiting for just the right moment to strike. “Honey, when are we going to strike a blow against the infidels? Right after their kids graduate from Harvard dear.”
So to help in the cause of freedom, I decided to buck up and simply get my birth certificate and go renew my license. Now where did I put that? Let’s see, the last time I needed it was to get a Social Security number so that narrows it down to the last thirty-three years.
I thought about just bringing my Mother and Father to the License Bureau with me as a character witness, but then thought twice about how that might play out.
License Bureau employee: “Do you both solemnly swear that the person standing here is your son?”
Mom: “Well he does look vaguely familiar.”
Dad: “Maybe if he came to visit more often.”
That’s when my wife Sue suggested I could just order a copy from the County Health Departments Vital Records Bureau on Boonslick. The first thing you notice when you approach the desk is a sign that reads, Birth Certificates $15…Death Certificates $13. I’m not sure why it costs less to prove your dead than alive. Maybe there’s less demand so they discounted death certificates to try to generate more business.
There were four other people trying to order birth certificates at the same time I was. Apparently lost records are a real profit center, prompting one man standing at the window to quip that the new rules seemed less about national security and more about $15.
One woman got pretty annoyed when the clerk asked to see her driver’s license to order a copy of her birth certificate. She had her license stolen and was in line to get a copy of her birth certificate to get a new license. The personnel behind the counter were very polite and professional and eventually resolved the woman’s Catch-22. They apparently get yelled at a lot; something I can certainly sympathize with.
I had to wait about fifteen minutes. It gave me time to check out the walls which were covered with helpful advice. There was a poster of Mr. Spock telling me I would “Live Long And Prosper” by not smoking. I learned how to check for ticks and that binge drinking till three in the morning is something expectant mothers should avoid. There was also a big full-color poster of a person licking an ashtray and commenting on the experience being just like kissing someone who smokes. As a non-smoker I wasn’t quite sure if the heavy message was aimed at shaming smokers into quitting to improve their chances with the opposite sex or warning me that kissing smokers would be dangerous to my health.
Of course the surest way to find something you’ve lost is to replace it. I found my birth certificate the very next morning. The original was in a scrapbook my parents had given me a few years ago. It was right there with the baby teeth, lock of hair, hospital wristband and tongue depressor from a house call the doctor made. There are all the report cards, awards, certificates and pages of photos lovingly dated.
Now that I’ve been able to prove, to the satisfaction of Federal and State authorities, that I’m 100% American born and raised, they should be able to reduce the threat level to a bluish green. My wife’s driver’s license isn’t due for another year or so. Till then I guess I’ll just have to take my chances that I might be sleeping with the enemy.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
“Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.”
Sophocles
In a scoundrelly act by councilmen Muench, Reese, Hoepfner, Weller, and Kneemiller, the “Fraudulent Five” (in concert with the administration and blessing of City Attorney, Mike Valenti) seized the presidency and vice-presidency of the Council last Tuesday night. This act of cowardice came about after councilman Gieseke informed the City that he would be out of town on business and would not make the Council meeting.
Meanwhile, the council was working towards compromise in these very positions and was, per tradition, horse-trading on some committee positions as well. Instead of honoring their word, these men decided to follow Dr. Williams’ suit and disregard anything they had heretofore agreed upon.
This total disregard for “doing the right thing” should surprise no one. At least two of the same five Councilmen worked hard to try and unseat a fellow council member, not for anything she had done, but in order to get at Councilman Riddler. Furthermore, all five of these Councilmen marched forward with the recall despite knowing that there were allegations (and later charges) of fraud plaguing the recall effort.
I had expected more from at least one councilman, namely, Councilman Muench. Don’t dare confront Councilman Muench in any matter – he decries that “our side” has made his life hell. Was it the installation of the Boone’s Lick Road improvements or the additional fourteen or so gas light on Main Street that has upset him so? Or just what in his long list of things asked for and gotten has made him feel so mistreated? Truly, Mr. Muench would be hard-pressed to come up with anything that the council has not given him or compromised on to his benefit. Still, in Mr. Muench’s mind he has been somehow wronged by Riddler, Brown, Greer, Gieseke, and me. When Council sought to use subpoena power to bring witnesses to city hall in order to ask questions about potential wrongdoing, Mr. Muench decided that he would rather not even attempt to look into the matter, but voted with four others to maintain the status quo regardless of what benefit it may have had to the city to call witnesses. Mr. Weller commented Tuesday night that by now folks know that he wants to know everything he can on the issues but he too chose to deny subpoena power in order to bring in witnesses concerning the insurance case.
So, the result of Tuesday night’s denial of the full council to choose its president and vice-president will result in greater mistrust and enmity among fellow council members as well as still more distrust of the city attorney who has, up until now, consistently stated that six votes are needed to pass said action.
What I would have expected from our city attorney upon realizing that his opinion of a six-vote requirement would change to a simple majority of those present based upon a recently revealed ordinance, would have been a telephone call and an e-mail stating his new position. This little piece of information was withheld from some council members. Do you think it was done so purposefully? Can you see why council has a need for its own representation?
In the first year of the newly elected council, seven members cast votes together that caused change. In the second year, two council members would shift their position on council meaning a split council in a few contested matters.
The new five members of Kneemiller, Reese, Weller, Hoepfner and Muench weren’t happy with a split council and in an attempted power grab, they wanted to use their connections to money to finance a recall and shift power into their hands.
Big money and the efforts of Mayor York, Councilman Weller, and Councilman Kneemiller failed. Faced with compromise and a new call to work together, these five couldn’t handle it. In a pattern that seems to repeat itself over and over, they began to scheme on how they could grab power from Mr. Riddler.
This matter to me has little to do with Mr. Riddler and much to do with honesty and respect for fellow councilmen. Tuesday night, I was running a few minutes late to council and was therefore not allowed to vote in the matter of council leadership. More importantly, Councilman Gieseke had announced his planned absence of the May 2, meeting to city hall. Kneemiller jumped at his chance to do what he could not have accomplished otherwise – become the figurative leader of the city council.
One reason Mr. Kneemiller could not have gathered six votes became obvious that very first night.
In closed session we listened to the mayor question our duty and accuse us of breaking the charter by not putting Mr. Brown on the ballot for recall. You know the song and dance from Mr. Weller and Mr. Kneemiller too, “We have to protect the rights of the voters and move forward with recall.” This line is repeated ad nauseum, despite the recall effort being tainted with problems. My question remains the same: If someone were to sit down and fraudulently sign the names of registered voters until enough were put onto paper to recall an elected official, and then submit those petitions to the clerk who in turn simply verified with the county that the names on the petition are voters, would the signatures be certified and the election placed on the ballot?
Now, imagine that this had happened to Mr. Kneemiller or Mayor York. Do you think they would say, “Ok, let’s put this on the ballot and then we will deal with the matter in court?” Or do you think they would insist that the matter first be handled in court and decry the petitions to be void because they were not collected legitimately?
Now ask yourself if they (or you) would be okay knowing that only half of the signatures “collected” were fraudulent. What about just 25%? What about 10%?
After having the mayor question our adherence to the charter (as if she need to give lectures on this matter) Mr. Brown rightfully criticized the mayor and in a flash, Mr. Kneemiller was crying foul! You see, Mr. Kneemiller is not capable of unbiased judgement because he thinks himself part of the administration instead of the legislative branch of city government.
Way back when we asked for a vote of the people to decide the issue of stalemate in department head appointments, “the other side” accused us of a power grab.... a power grab by asking for a vote of the people. Tuesday night we saw a real power grab from councilman and gang who would have never won a fair election on his own merit.
“Fair election” doesn’t seem to be part of their vocabulary.
Sophocles
In a scoundrelly act by councilmen Muench, Reese, Hoepfner, Weller, and Kneemiller, the “Fraudulent Five” (in concert with the administration and blessing of City Attorney, Mike Valenti) seized the presidency and vice-presidency of the Council last Tuesday night. This act of cowardice came about after councilman Gieseke informed the City that he would be out of town on business and would not make the Council meeting.
Meanwhile, the council was working towards compromise in these very positions and was, per tradition, horse-trading on some committee positions as well. Instead of honoring their word, these men decided to follow Dr. Williams’ suit and disregard anything they had heretofore agreed upon.
This total disregard for “doing the right thing” should surprise no one. At least two of the same five Councilmen worked hard to try and unseat a fellow council member, not for anything she had done, but in order to get at Councilman Riddler. Furthermore, all five of these Councilmen marched forward with the recall despite knowing that there were allegations (and later charges) of fraud plaguing the recall effort.
I had expected more from at least one councilman, namely, Councilman Muench. Don’t dare confront Councilman Muench in any matter – he decries that “our side” has made his life hell. Was it the installation of the Boone’s Lick Road improvements or the additional fourteen or so gas light on Main Street that has upset him so? Or just what in his long list of things asked for and gotten has made him feel so mistreated? Truly, Mr. Muench would be hard-pressed to come up with anything that the council has not given him or compromised on to his benefit. Still, in Mr. Muench’s mind he has been somehow wronged by Riddler, Brown, Greer, Gieseke, and me. When Council sought to use subpoena power to bring witnesses to city hall in order to ask questions about potential wrongdoing, Mr. Muench decided that he would rather not even attempt to look into the matter, but voted with four others to maintain the status quo regardless of what benefit it may have had to the city to call witnesses. Mr. Weller commented Tuesday night that by now folks know that he wants to know everything he can on the issues but he too chose to deny subpoena power in order to bring in witnesses concerning the insurance case.
So, the result of Tuesday night’s denial of the full council to choose its president and vice-president will result in greater mistrust and enmity among fellow council members as well as still more distrust of the city attorney who has, up until now, consistently stated that six votes are needed to pass said action.
What I would have expected from our city attorney upon realizing that his opinion of a six-vote requirement would change to a simple majority of those present based upon a recently revealed ordinance, would have been a telephone call and an e-mail stating his new position. This little piece of information was withheld from some council members. Do you think it was done so purposefully? Can you see why council has a need for its own representation?
In the first year of the newly elected council, seven members cast votes together that caused change. In the second year, two council members would shift their position on council meaning a split council in a few contested matters.
The new five members of Kneemiller, Reese, Weller, Hoepfner and Muench weren’t happy with a split council and in an attempted power grab, they wanted to use their connections to money to finance a recall and shift power into their hands.
Big money and the efforts of Mayor York, Councilman Weller, and Councilman Kneemiller failed. Faced with compromise and a new call to work together, these five couldn’t handle it. In a pattern that seems to repeat itself over and over, they began to scheme on how they could grab power from Mr. Riddler.
This matter to me has little to do with Mr. Riddler and much to do with honesty and respect for fellow councilmen. Tuesday night, I was running a few minutes late to council and was therefore not allowed to vote in the matter of council leadership. More importantly, Councilman Gieseke had announced his planned absence of the May 2, meeting to city hall. Kneemiller jumped at his chance to do what he could not have accomplished otherwise – become the figurative leader of the city council.
One reason Mr. Kneemiller could not have gathered six votes became obvious that very first night.
In closed session we listened to the mayor question our duty and accuse us of breaking the charter by not putting Mr. Brown on the ballot for recall. You know the song and dance from Mr. Weller and Mr. Kneemiller too, “We have to protect the rights of the voters and move forward with recall.” This line is repeated ad nauseum, despite the recall effort being tainted with problems. My question remains the same: If someone were to sit down and fraudulently sign the names of registered voters until enough were put onto paper to recall an elected official, and then submit those petitions to the clerk who in turn simply verified with the county that the names on the petition are voters, would the signatures be certified and the election placed on the ballot?
Now, imagine that this had happened to Mr. Kneemiller or Mayor York. Do you think they would say, “Ok, let’s put this on the ballot and then we will deal with the matter in court?” Or do you think they would insist that the matter first be handled in court and decry the petitions to be void because they were not collected legitimately?
Now ask yourself if they (or you) would be okay knowing that only half of the signatures “collected” were fraudulent. What about just 25%? What about 10%?
After having the mayor question our adherence to the charter (as if she need to give lectures on this matter) Mr. Brown rightfully criticized the mayor and in a flash, Mr. Kneemiller was crying foul! You see, Mr. Kneemiller is not capable of unbiased judgement because he thinks himself part of the administration instead of the legislative branch of city government.
Way back when we asked for a vote of the people to decide the issue of stalemate in department head appointments, “the other side” accused us of a power grab.... a power grab by asking for a vote of the people. Tuesday night we saw a real power grab from councilman and gang who would have never won a fair election on his own merit.
“Fair election” doesn’t seem to be part of their vocabulary.
THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS By Jerry Haferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
I like Bart Simpson. For those unfamiliar, the Simpsons are T.V.’s most dysfunctional cartoon family. Unfortunately, their antics also reflect life around us.
I recently quoted Bart in reference to the woman who, according to sworn deposition, conspired to commit voter fraud. “I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything.” would be Bart’s comment. I don’t think there will be further prosecution in this case. After all, Dottie won and the backers of the recall have thrown in their sacrificial lamb already.
This week’s Bart comment is, “Darned if you do; darned if you don’t.” This is in reference to the City Council’s predicament concerning Frenchtown. This area is sorely in need of life support. However, the mechanisms that help in this effort also include eminent domain. As seen by the public outcry across America, people don’t want to see some people ripped off to benefit an already wealthy developer become wealthier.
Some of the businesses have asked that the Council give them the same tax breaks they would give the developer, and they will use them to improve their property. It sounds reasonable, but why should businesses in Frenchtown get benefits the businesses on First Capitol or West Clay don’t? The St. Peters paper had a picture of a Frenchtown business with an “anti” eminent domain sign. If you look closely, you would see tall weeds growing in the picture. If the businessman won’t get off his duff and cut the grass, what ever would make us think he would maintain his property?
One of the speakers spoke of a woman whose deceased husband left her with a mobile home that she hoped would house her for her remaining days. If she is displaced, where will she go? At a previous Council meeting, one councilman suggested she move to another park. Mobile home parks won’t accept older homes and certainly not at the pad rent she now pays. If she is forced out so the developer fattens his bank account, the developer should provide her an apartment at the same rent she now pays for her mobile home pad. Fair is fair.
On the other hand, there is little excuse for the condition of some businesses in the area. Look at Don’s Auto Body. Dave Tritz and his son Adam have re-invested some of their profits to turn a business that some may deem undesirable in an historic area into an asset to Frenchtown. When they needed to expand, they renovated the beautiful home next door into their offices. Some of the other businesses should take notice. Business and residences can live side by side, but it takes extra effort from the businesses. As with the Tritz family business, the extra effort shows.
Sorry, Council. It’s inevitable. You are indeed “darned if you do; darned if you don’t.”
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
I like Bart Simpson. For those unfamiliar, the Simpsons are T.V.’s most dysfunctional cartoon family. Unfortunately, their antics also reflect life around us.
I recently quoted Bart in reference to the woman who, according to sworn deposition, conspired to commit voter fraud. “I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything.” would be Bart’s comment. I don’t think there will be further prosecution in this case. After all, Dottie won and the backers of the recall have thrown in their sacrificial lamb already.
This week’s Bart comment is, “Darned if you do; darned if you don’t.” This is in reference to the City Council’s predicament concerning Frenchtown. This area is sorely in need of life support. However, the mechanisms that help in this effort also include eminent domain. As seen by the public outcry across America, people don’t want to see some people ripped off to benefit an already wealthy developer become wealthier.
Some of the businesses have asked that the Council give them the same tax breaks they would give the developer, and they will use them to improve their property. It sounds reasonable, but why should businesses in Frenchtown get benefits the businesses on First Capitol or West Clay don’t? The St. Peters paper had a picture of a Frenchtown business with an “anti” eminent domain sign. If you look closely, you would see tall weeds growing in the picture. If the businessman won’t get off his duff and cut the grass, what ever would make us think he would maintain his property?
One of the speakers spoke of a woman whose deceased husband left her with a mobile home that she hoped would house her for her remaining days. If she is displaced, where will she go? At a previous Council meeting, one councilman suggested she move to another park. Mobile home parks won’t accept older homes and certainly not at the pad rent she now pays. If she is forced out so the developer fattens his bank account, the developer should provide her an apartment at the same rent she now pays for her mobile home pad. Fair is fair.
On the other hand, there is little excuse for the condition of some businesses in the area. Look at Don’s Auto Body. Dave Tritz and his son Adam have re-invested some of their profits to turn a business that some may deem undesirable in an historic area into an asset to Frenchtown. When they needed to expand, they renovated the beautiful home next door into their offices. Some of the other businesses should take notice. Business and residences can live side by side, but it takes extra effort from the businesses. As with the Tritz family business, the extra effort shows.
Sorry, Council. It’s inevitable. You are indeed “darned if you do; darned if you don’t.”
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
CONSERVATIVE FACTOR Alex Spencer
My sister’s family joined us for Easter this year. It was the usual chaos and enthusiasm as we piled into the minivan to go to church. The C & E crowd used up all the parking spaces in the main lot, so we had to hike a bit to reach the church. My niece is awfully cute, but awfully short and she was slowing us all down, so I tossed her up on my shoulders (even though my sister seemed to think that she should walk) and we chatted on our way to church. My cute little niece started asking lots of questions (apparently my answers are far more entertaining than her parents’ answers) about the Easter Bunny, and then she stumbled on the dreaded follow-up inquiry: “Uncle Alex, whatever happened to Snow White?”
Since I was huffing and puffing my way up the road from the special holiday satellite parking, I didn’t really have the time or energy to spin my answer so in light of my sister’s preference for telling the truth (and since the truth wasn’t so bad), I decided to fill her in…
Once upon a time… our favorite Princess Councilmember Darling Dottie was facing a recall election and probable banishment from the Golden Palace. As you might recall, Doc Riddler and Happy John Gieseke tried to block the attack on Darling Dottie, but even Prince Joe could not save her from the attacks of Perilous Patty. The vain and wicked Perilous Patty used evil spells to conjure up her dark nights, Terrible Tom and Krazy Ken, and they helped her to get back at Doc Riddler by attacking Darling Dottie. They schemed and conspired and recruited other dark souls to help with the cause. Cowboy Carl and Cowboy Ray were signed on to help with the campaign, but Doc Riddler never gave up.
Even after Perilous Patty’s witch-in-training, Ludicrous Linda Meyer, produced enough signatures to place the recall election on the ballot, our heroine refused to surrender. Doc Riddler submitted his concerns to the top law enforcement officer of the land and Constable Swope launched an investigation of the recall effort underway at the Golden Palace. Perilous Patty and Ludicrous Linda continued their attacks on Doc Riddler and Darling Dottie and things certainly looked grim.
Ludicrous Linda and her mouthpiece, Krazy Kielty Junior, continued to come to the meetings of the council to spew their venom and hatred and still our heroes stood strong. Constable Swope continued his investigation and Junior was forced to represent many of the participants in Perilous Patty’s scheme during the investigation. Constable Swope found proof of skullduggery sent a letter to all the subjects of the land. Darling Dottie asked the Judge to do the right thing, but her recall election stayed on the ballot.
It turns out that Perilous Patty’s band of marauders, bandits and thieves under the leadership of Ludicrous Linda may have engaged in a bit of fraud when they collected their bounty per signature. These outsiders were so greedy that at least one dangerous damsel admitted to the criminal act of forging some of the signatures on the petition she turned in. There have been other accusations of similar conduct, and Constable Swope is still investigating the matter. Of course, Ludicrous Linda claimed no knowledge of such wrongdoing and really, what’s a few forgeries in a land where Perilous Patty has been caught fleecing the taxpayer’s coffers many times.
Perilous Patty’s sinful ambition will hopefully prove to be her downfall in the end. Darling Dottie’s subjects saw through this pathetic effort on the part of Perilous Patty and Ludicrous Linda. Rumor had it that Ludicrous Linda wanted Darling Dottie’s seat on the Council. Luckily for the subjects, their efforts were rebuffed and Darling Dottie survived the recall effort handily. Hopefully, Perilous Patty’s next onslaught against Doc Riddler’s strong and wise leadership of the Council will be defeated as well when Sneezy Mark Brown survives the recall effort aimed at unseating him. Doc Riddler ultimately runs a better campaign than his enemies, and he was able to soundly defeat the rather uninspired efforts of Cowboy Carl and Cowboy Ray to recall Darling Dottie. Perhaps the Cowboy duo spent too much time fishing to properly run the campaign to recall Darling Dottie.
It turns out that Grumpy Bob Hoepfner was a stalking horse, and it was actually Magic Mirror Kneemiller who wanted to take over Doc Riddler’s position as Council President. See, Perilous Patty always wanted to be Council President too, so installing Magic Mirror Kneemiller would be the next best thing. Magic Mirror Kneemiller was quite used to telling Perilous Patty what she wants to hear. Besides, Dopey Larry Muench is a mute and Bashful Jerry Reese can’t be trusted anymore than Grumpy Bob Hoepfner. The rest of Perilous Patty’s gang should take heed. The subjects have spoken and they have had enough of Perilous Patty and her evil plan to take over the kingdom. Interestingly, Sleepy Mike Weller proved to be fairly awake on election day when he actively campaigned to have Darling Dottie recalled. Ultimately, the palace coup was unsuccessful. Doc Riddler still holds his five votes and Darling Dottie will stay on the Council.
A lesson for Perilous Patty and her motley crew, enough already. The good people of St. Charles want you to get back to the business of the people, not the business of Perilous Patty taking over the kingdom for her own personal gain.
This fairy tale had a happy ending and good triumphed over evil in the end. Perilous Patty and her dark knights will no doubt come back to fight another day, but Darling Dottie has returned to the Golden Palace in triumph and she will live happily ever after...
Since I was huffing and puffing my way up the road from the special holiday satellite parking, I didn’t really have the time or energy to spin my answer so in light of my sister’s preference for telling the truth (and since the truth wasn’t so bad), I decided to fill her in…
Once upon a time… our favorite Princess Councilmember Darling Dottie was facing a recall election and probable banishment from the Golden Palace. As you might recall, Doc Riddler and Happy John Gieseke tried to block the attack on Darling Dottie, but even Prince Joe could not save her from the attacks of Perilous Patty. The vain and wicked Perilous Patty used evil spells to conjure up her dark nights, Terrible Tom and Krazy Ken, and they helped her to get back at Doc Riddler by attacking Darling Dottie. They schemed and conspired and recruited other dark souls to help with the cause. Cowboy Carl and Cowboy Ray were signed on to help with the campaign, but Doc Riddler never gave up.
Even after Perilous Patty’s witch-in-training, Ludicrous Linda Meyer, produced enough signatures to place the recall election on the ballot, our heroine refused to surrender. Doc Riddler submitted his concerns to the top law enforcement officer of the land and Constable Swope launched an investigation of the recall effort underway at the Golden Palace. Perilous Patty and Ludicrous Linda continued their attacks on Doc Riddler and Darling Dottie and things certainly looked grim.
Ludicrous Linda and her mouthpiece, Krazy Kielty Junior, continued to come to the meetings of the council to spew their venom and hatred and still our heroes stood strong. Constable Swope continued his investigation and Junior was forced to represent many of the participants in Perilous Patty’s scheme during the investigation. Constable Swope found proof of skullduggery sent a letter to all the subjects of the land. Darling Dottie asked the Judge to do the right thing, but her recall election stayed on the ballot.
It turns out that Perilous Patty’s band of marauders, bandits and thieves under the leadership of Ludicrous Linda may have engaged in a bit of fraud when they collected their bounty per signature. These outsiders were so greedy that at least one dangerous damsel admitted to the criminal act of forging some of the signatures on the petition she turned in. There have been other accusations of similar conduct, and Constable Swope is still investigating the matter. Of course, Ludicrous Linda claimed no knowledge of such wrongdoing and really, what’s a few forgeries in a land where Perilous Patty has been caught fleecing the taxpayer’s coffers many times.
Perilous Patty’s sinful ambition will hopefully prove to be her downfall in the end. Darling Dottie’s subjects saw through this pathetic effort on the part of Perilous Patty and Ludicrous Linda. Rumor had it that Ludicrous Linda wanted Darling Dottie’s seat on the Council. Luckily for the subjects, their efforts were rebuffed and Darling Dottie survived the recall effort handily. Hopefully, Perilous Patty’s next onslaught against Doc Riddler’s strong and wise leadership of the Council will be defeated as well when Sneezy Mark Brown survives the recall effort aimed at unseating him. Doc Riddler ultimately runs a better campaign than his enemies, and he was able to soundly defeat the rather uninspired efforts of Cowboy Carl and Cowboy Ray to recall Darling Dottie. Perhaps the Cowboy duo spent too much time fishing to properly run the campaign to recall Darling Dottie.
It turns out that Grumpy Bob Hoepfner was a stalking horse, and it was actually Magic Mirror Kneemiller who wanted to take over Doc Riddler’s position as Council President. See, Perilous Patty always wanted to be Council President too, so installing Magic Mirror Kneemiller would be the next best thing. Magic Mirror Kneemiller was quite used to telling Perilous Patty what she wants to hear. Besides, Dopey Larry Muench is a mute and Bashful Jerry Reese can’t be trusted anymore than Grumpy Bob Hoepfner. The rest of Perilous Patty’s gang should take heed. The subjects have spoken and they have had enough of Perilous Patty and her evil plan to take over the kingdom. Interestingly, Sleepy Mike Weller proved to be fairly awake on election day when he actively campaigned to have Darling Dottie recalled. Ultimately, the palace coup was unsuccessful. Doc Riddler still holds his five votes and Darling Dottie will stay on the Council.
A lesson for Perilous Patty and her motley crew, enough already. The good people of St. Charles want you to get back to the business of the people, not the business of Perilous Patty taking over the kingdom for her own personal gain.
This fairy tale had a happy ending and good triumphed over evil in the end. Perilous Patty and her dark knights will no doubt come back to fight another day, but Darling Dottie has returned to the Golden Palace in triumph and she will live happily ever after...
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the editor
The following letter has been sent to the mayor and all councilmen.
After reading about the voting on eminent domain in Sunset Hills and the general disapproval of it’s use throughout the country, I wonder if the officials of our city intend to proceed with the proposed West Clay extension.
Or
If they intend to proceed will the voters be allowed to vote on this project before $16,000,000+ (sixteen million dollars!) of our tax money is spent on a needless project?
I have heard this project is to bring more businesses into the area. Wasn’t this the same reason for the First Capitol re-alignment? How many businesses did that bring in? I can name several that it has cost. How many others have been lost to Lindenwood’s expansion and real estate consumption? One only needs to drive down West Clay to see many vacancies in Westbury as well as in St. Charles Plaza, not to mention the vacancies in Mark Twain Mall, and many of the new buildings around Bass Pro. Much of the mall was recently torn down because it was empty for years. Now the plan is to connect both areas with more commercial buildings?
I believe the proposed West Clay extension will close more businesses, empty more buildings, and cost more families their homes while costing the city potential tax revenues from demolition of taxpaying residences. This would further result in the loss of students and funding for the school district. It is plausible that we will soon have another tax proposal on the ballot if that is the case.
Why would a business owner move to this area when he could easily lose his business the next time Lindenwood feels like expanding. Who will be left in the neighborhoods to patronize the new shops?
With an election in August, it would be quite simple to put this issue on the ballot. My request to the council and mayor is to put this project to a vote of the people. Show us that you represent the taxpayers and not special interests over all others. Mark Brown and Dottie Greer have already voted against this. Is it coincidence both are, or were, facing recall? I would wager that the council will never allow this to be voted on by the residents. Too many people are under Mr. Spellmann’s influence. I would also wager that no councilman who has voted for this proposal will explain why we won’t be allowed to vote on this.
Show the city the true benefits of this plan. Prove to the city that all of the residents will benefit. You want to improve traffic congestion and increase business revenue? Much of the traffic in the First Capitol area comes from the thousands of students crammed into what used to be a residential area. Give the new I-70 overpass a chance to open before deciding the traffic warrants this project. .Don’t destroy people’s homes. Does the college really need better access to the Convention Center?
Residents, speak out if you are against another needless project being forced upon us. Call or e-mail your council representative. Write to the papers. Councilmen, let the voters decide, or explain why we won’t be allowed to vote on this.
Mike Femmer, Ward 7
Dear Editor,
Please continue my subscription to the First Capitol News. This paper is badly needed in this town. Keep up the good work.
Glen Dashner
“The People Speak”
Thank you! Voters of Ward 7, it is nice to see what a “grass roots” effort really is. And it didn’t take $50-$70,000, negative mailings, the buying of names and fraud, the negative help of the Mayor and her husband, some fellow council members. They and their fellow cronies tried to tell you that you didn’t know what you were doing and that they could do a better job of who should represent you. Hooray! For you standing up for your rights, one of a few that the average taxpayer has left. It is a shame that you have to go this route to affirm what you wanted. It only shows what’s going on in this country now, as the gap between the have and the have-nots is getting bigger every day. The working people are fast becoming the working poor. The only way to change this is to vote, as shown in Dottie’s recall election. Your vote is as big as any special interest vote.
Now for Mr. Weller, “What a nice guy”, 4/11 meeting on citywide cable, we saw and heard him complaining about things wrote about him in our local paper. Then he spent about 2 minutes praising our local millionaire developer, another 2-3 minutes berating and criticizing fellow council members Mr. Brown and Mr. Gieseke; another minute telling how happy he was to help at Ward 7 polls to try to get fellow council member Dottie recalled, “what a guy”. With friends like that, who needs enemies? Then he tells about how he has an office in New York and has to fly back and forth for council meetings. It seems to me that he is serving special interest and not his wards voters. Maybe he should stay in New York or the Ward 5 residents should have a recall election, just my opinion.
Walter Dietz
After reading about the voting on eminent domain in Sunset Hills and the general disapproval of it’s use throughout the country, I wonder if the officials of our city intend to proceed with the proposed West Clay extension.
Or
If they intend to proceed will the voters be allowed to vote on this project before $16,000,000+ (sixteen million dollars!) of our tax money is spent on a needless project?
I have heard this project is to bring more businesses into the area. Wasn’t this the same reason for the First Capitol re-alignment? How many businesses did that bring in? I can name several that it has cost. How many others have been lost to Lindenwood’s expansion and real estate consumption? One only needs to drive down West Clay to see many vacancies in Westbury as well as in St. Charles Plaza, not to mention the vacancies in Mark Twain Mall, and many of the new buildings around Bass Pro. Much of the mall was recently torn down because it was empty for years. Now the plan is to connect both areas with more commercial buildings?
I believe the proposed West Clay extension will close more businesses, empty more buildings, and cost more families their homes while costing the city potential tax revenues from demolition of taxpaying residences. This would further result in the loss of students and funding for the school district. It is plausible that we will soon have another tax proposal on the ballot if that is the case.
Why would a business owner move to this area when he could easily lose his business the next time Lindenwood feels like expanding. Who will be left in the neighborhoods to patronize the new shops?
With an election in August, it would be quite simple to put this issue on the ballot. My request to the council and mayor is to put this project to a vote of the people. Show us that you represent the taxpayers and not special interests over all others. Mark Brown and Dottie Greer have already voted against this. Is it coincidence both are, or were, facing recall? I would wager that the council will never allow this to be voted on by the residents. Too many people are under Mr. Spellmann’s influence. I would also wager that no councilman who has voted for this proposal will explain why we won’t be allowed to vote on this.
Show the city the true benefits of this plan. Prove to the city that all of the residents will benefit. You want to improve traffic congestion and increase business revenue? Much of the traffic in the First Capitol area comes from the thousands of students crammed into what used to be a residential area. Give the new I-70 overpass a chance to open before deciding the traffic warrants this project. .Don’t destroy people’s homes. Does the college really need better access to the Convention Center?
Residents, speak out if you are against another needless project being forced upon us. Call or e-mail your council representative. Write to the papers. Councilmen, let the voters decide, or explain why we won’t be allowed to vote on this.
Mike Femmer, Ward 7
Dear Editor,
Please continue my subscription to the First Capitol News. This paper is badly needed in this town. Keep up the good work.
Glen Dashner
“The People Speak”
Thank you! Voters of Ward 7, it is nice to see what a “grass roots” effort really is. And it didn’t take $50-$70,000, negative mailings, the buying of names and fraud, the negative help of the Mayor and her husband, some fellow council members. They and their fellow cronies tried to tell you that you didn’t know what you were doing and that they could do a better job of who should represent you. Hooray! For you standing up for your rights, one of a few that the average taxpayer has left. It is a shame that you have to go this route to affirm what you wanted. It only shows what’s going on in this country now, as the gap between the have and the have-nots is getting bigger every day. The working people are fast becoming the working poor. The only way to change this is to vote, as shown in Dottie’s recall election. Your vote is as big as any special interest vote.
Now for Mr. Weller, “What a nice guy”, 4/11 meeting on citywide cable, we saw and heard him complaining about things wrote about him in our local paper. Then he spent about 2 minutes praising our local millionaire developer, another 2-3 minutes berating and criticizing fellow council members Mr. Brown and Mr. Gieseke; another minute telling how happy he was to help at Ward 7 polls to try to get fellow council member Dottie recalled, “what a guy”. With friends like that, who needs enemies? Then he tells about how he has an office in New York and has to fly back and forth for council meetings. It seems to me that he is serving special interest and not his wards voters. Maybe he should stay in New York or the Ward 5 residents should have a recall election, just my opinion.
Walter Dietz
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
The older I get, the more the phrase “it’s all relative,” seems to apply to most every setting.
Recently someone asked me how I could work for a newspaper that was so “anti-cop.” The question really threw me for a loop, as I was unaware of such. I know Tony is an excop, and his office is almost a Shrine to various police departments. No, Brockmeyer may be a lot of things, but anti-cop is not one of them.
And me? Well, have I ever shared with you my boyhood idol was a St. Louis City cop? Sure was, Sergeant Maurice “Tom” Francis O’Neill, 4th District. Tom was the father of one of my closest boyhood friends, Mike O’Neill. As dysfunctional families typically go, I was closer to Sarge than my own father, and Mike was probably closer to my dad than his own. In the end it all worked out though; both our dads are dead.
To this day I take to heart the lessons Tom taught me: how to fight, how to chase women, and how to drink. Although 51 years old I still fight against what I think is an injustice (hence my gig with this fine weekly), I take pride in chasing my lovely wife of almost 14 years, and as anyone who knows me can attest, when I die, sell your Budweiser stock. Possibly the most important lesson was this: Never lie to a cop, never. He went on to explain to me once a cop catches you in a lie, it makes them mad and they will check every small detail of your story. I can without reservation say I have never lied to a police officer, from any venue – and doubt that I ever will.
On the other side of the coin I had someone approach me and wonder how I could possibly hang out with all those snobs from ASH. Interesting, I thought. From my perspective the parents from Academy of the Sacred Heart are anything but snobs. Granted, many of them have lots and lots of money, but they don’t flaunt it. O.K., most don’t. Those who pay $10,000 for the annual 8th grade quilt, and this Saturday someone will, might have a tad too much discretionary income. Other than that, the overwhelming majority of parents I have met from ASH are some of the most caring and thoughtful people I have met. There certainly would be varying degrees of closeness to various families – but there seems to be one common bond: All value education very highly. This is not to say those who do not send their children to ASH do not value education very highly – its all a matter of priorities, or, if you will, its all relative.
My apologies to Phyllis, Tony and regular readers of the Sports Section. For the past few months, since January to be exact, I have been involved in a tutoring program for some disadvantaged children. My responsibilities included the supervision of some 10 tutors and some 100 students. It also required that I remain on the tutoring site until almost 7 p.m. daily – hence the lack of high school coverage. My weekends have been saturated with Tony Glavin Soccer (Joe and Dee) as well as Academy of the Sacred Heart Soccer (Maggie and Joe). Since late March I have been managing the world famous Titan baseball team, which practiced on Fridays after school. For those interested, and I know some of you are, the Titans are presently sitting on a 2-2 record.
Most of the correspondence I receive regarding my column goes something like this: We never know what you are going to write about, sports or your family. I’ve had a number of women contact me (Thanks Tom O’Neill) explaining that they have never read a sports column in their life, until mine that is. They go on to explain that they enjoy watching Maggie, Joe and Dee grow up right in front of their eyes, thanks to the First Capitol News. Even if it means they have to stumble through an occasional sports story, it is well worth the time.
A special thank you to Louis Launier who picked up some of my slack. Those paying attention will note that Louis informed you of the demise of the Missouri River Otters days before any other publication. Great job Louis. On a related note, Louis is working on another investigative story that should interest anyone who pays taxes in St. Charles County.
Next week we will continue with the high school athlete of the week, which will continue till the end of the school year. Following that we will have the “Carpenter’s Union/First Capitol News Team of the Week.”
“Kids’ Fishing Day set for May 20 at Meramec Spring Park”
The Missouri Department of Conservation, the Meramec Spring Trout Fishermen’s Association and The James Foundation proudly present Kids’ Fishing Day May 20 at Meramec Spring Park, about six miles east of St. James. Kids fish free and there will be no parking fee for cars with kids ages 15 and under inside! The park opens at 5:30 a.m., with fishing to begin at 6:30 a.m. and continuing to 8:15 p.m.
The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for kids ages 15 and younger. Rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the day to help ensure fishing success. Members of the Meramec Spring Trout Fishermen’s Association and MDC staff will be on hand to assist kids with fishing. Kids will need to bring their own fishing poles.
The fishermen’s association will sponsor fishing contests from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. A casting contest will be held at 11 a.m., with 11 trophies to be awarded. Free hotdog's and soda will be provided throughout the day. Prizes to be distributed all day long include bicycles, 50 fishing rods and reels, fishing equipment, savings bonds and more! Many attendance prizes also will be awarded.
Fish print tee shirts, critter stamping, a stream table, taxidermy, photographs, aquatic entomology and games are among the activities, contests and exhibits that will be available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the area around the registration tent. Fly fishing demonstrations and classes will be held on the stream. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will demonstrate their “Seatbelt Simulator.”
New this year is the MDC’s Show-me Missouri Fish Mobile Aquarium. At 40 feet long and containing 3200 gallons of water, the aquarium is utilized for fishing demonstrations and aquatic education seminars around the state. With up to 25 different species of native fish on display, the exhibit provides onlookers the opportunity to learn more about Missouri’s fascinating aquatic life.
Kids who want to fish must pick up a free fishing tag at the Millfield Shelter located next to the fishing area. Included with the free tag is a “goodie bag” containing a variety of free items. The first 1500 kids to arrive will receive a special “Kids’ Fishing Sports Bottle.”
Come enjoy beautiful Meramec Spring Park and let the youngsters catch a fish. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, call (573) 265-7801 or send an email to Paul Spurgeon at paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov.
Meramec Spring Park, owned and operated by The James Foundation, is located on Highway 8 about 6 miles east of St. James.
THE RAGE
By Mike Thompson
It’s Fun!
It’s Free!
It’s JPD!!
The players, their parents and their coaches love it. It’s a great way for young football players in all different age groups to learn the game of football, and develop the life skills that will give them a head start in the most important game of all. It’s the Junior Player Development program, offered in NFL cities across the country, and the RiverCity Rage is proud to be a part of it here in the St. Louis area.
The program is coordinated by Rage Administrative Assistant Kathy Koehler and Mike Yarbrough, the Manager of Community Outreach and Player Development for the St. Louis Rams. And it was in high gear this past Wednesday afternoon when players from around the metro area gathered with area coaches, including Rage coaches and players, to get a good two hours of football, sportsmanship and inspiration. Parents watched from the bleachers at the Northwest Middle School in St. Louis as Rage players Terrell Washington, Jerry Brooks, Anthony Fisher and Marquis Hayes, along with coaches Sven Hack, Mark Wilson, Charles Edmunds and Jeff Hunt put players through various one on one and skill type drills at two opposite ends of the field. Also on hand for one of the two-day sessions was veteran NFL coach Carl Hargrave, now the tight ends coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Rage line coach Sven Hack was impressed with what he saw. “The season for these youngsters begins in July, but from the looks of things right now, most wish it started tomorrow. These programs are great because it teaches players from different areas to come together, work as a team, learning to trust and respect each other both on and off the field, and practice diversity. It’s all about football and life skills and it’s a big boost for the Rage to be involved in it.”
Coach Hargrave, a member of the RiverCity Rage Advisory Board and a former coach at Lindenwood in St. Charles, also had a high-five for the JPD. “The NFL, along with Riddell, sponsors the program and for the league to lend it’s endorsement is indication of the way it’s importance is perceived in the community. I’m impressed with not only the effort on the field by these guys, but also I’ve noticed they really want to learn the game. If it’s coming from me, a Rage coach, or any of the coaches working year round with the JPD, I’ve notices the kids are eager to learn, attentive, and most important of all, respectful. That tells me the program is working.”
Mike Yarbrough says the programs “primarily focus on the underserved areas of the community, and it’s a challenge sometimes to get the players and their parents involved. But once they do come on board, they see the advantage of participation and embrace the opportunity.” Looking out over the field as players blocked, tackled and ran, Yarbrough offered up why he is instrumental in assisting the NFL in this program. “We’re using sports, football in this case, to show youngsters the positive side of growing up. There were no programs offered in the middle schools, and this one is a great start. We have one scheduled for Roosevelt Middle School in late May, and others later in the summer, closer to the regular season. The fact that the Rams and the Rage can lend a hand, and be an influence is a big treat for these kids. It’s a very positive program.”
Players came from as far away as Pacific, Missouri to take part in the program. Bob Slape is a coach for the Pacific Junior League team, and says his players really look forward to the clinics. “I’ve got thirteen players with me, and every one is thrilled to be here. It’s a chance to find out before the season begins in July if football is the game for them, and it gives them an opportunity to meet high quality, pro players and coaches. We saw the info on the Rage website and wanted to take advantage of it. My guys will be talking about this for days to come.”
Kim Crawford assists with the program, and told me of the activity that goes on off the field regarding the program. “We utilize a lot of high school students during the course of the year. They hand out flyers with our JPD information, they talk to parents and players, getting the word out that the program is available, and free.” When asked about the advantages of the JPD, she didn’t hesitate. “It’s a sports program, and a life program all in one. It’s great for these kids to be able to relate one on one with sports stars and coaches and the encouragement offered them goes a lot further than a hundred yards up and down the football field. They’re able to take some confidence into the classroom, into their dealings with other kids, it teaches them respect for themselves and for others. It’s very positive.”
After an exhausting, but fun, two hours of football, players gathered in a huge semi-circle and listened to coaches offer words of encouragement and praise. Then it was time to ‘pull the cards.’ A player, maybe a coach, will pull one card from a deck of about 50, with cards divided into the categories of Smart Moves, Responsibility, Teamwork, and Sportsmanship. The card is drawn, the topic read out loud, then players and coaches take a minute or two to go over the topic, explain and understand how it exemplifies life both on and off the football field. Coach Charles Edmunds of the Rage was impressed with this aspect most of all. “There are a lot of fine athletes on this field tonight, maybe one, two, perhaps more will one day play in the NIFL or the NFL. Then again, it could be that none will make it that far. But I’ll guarantee this, with programs like the JPD in place, they’ll all be given a huge chance to make it where things really matter.”
For more information on the Junior Player Development program (JPD) contact Kathy Koehler at www.ragefootball.com
Recently someone asked me how I could work for a newspaper that was so “anti-cop.” The question really threw me for a loop, as I was unaware of such. I know Tony is an excop, and his office is almost a Shrine to various police departments. No, Brockmeyer may be a lot of things, but anti-cop is not one of them.
And me? Well, have I ever shared with you my boyhood idol was a St. Louis City cop? Sure was, Sergeant Maurice “Tom” Francis O’Neill, 4th District. Tom was the father of one of my closest boyhood friends, Mike O’Neill. As dysfunctional families typically go, I was closer to Sarge than my own father, and Mike was probably closer to my dad than his own. In the end it all worked out though; both our dads are dead.
To this day I take to heart the lessons Tom taught me: how to fight, how to chase women, and how to drink. Although 51 years old I still fight against what I think is an injustice (hence my gig with this fine weekly), I take pride in chasing my lovely wife of almost 14 years, and as anyone who knows me can attest, when I die, sell your Budweiser stock. Possibly the most important lesson was this: Never lie to a cop, never. He went on to explain to me once a cop catches you in a lie, it makes them mad and they will check every small detail of your story. I can without reservation say I have never lied to a police officer, from any venue – and doubt that I ever will.
On the other side of the coin I had someone approach me and wonder how I could possibly hang out with all those snobs from ASH. Interesting, I thought. From my perspective the parents from Academy of the Sacred Heart are anything but snobs. Granted, many of them have lots and lots of money, but they don’t flaunt it. O.K., most don’t. Those who pay $10,000 for the annual 8th grade quilt, and this Saturday someone will, might have a tad too much discretionary income. Other than that, the overwhelming majority of parents I have met from ASH are some of the most caring and thoughtful people I have met. There certainly would be varying degrees of closeness to various families – but there seems to be one common bond: All value education very highly. This is not to say those who do not send their children to ASH do not value education very highly – its all a matter of priorities, or, if you will, its all relative.
My apologies to Phyllis, Tony and regular readers of the Sports Section. For the past few months, since January to be exact, I have been involved in a tutoring program for some disadvantaged children. My responsibilities included the supervision of some 10 tutors and some 100 students. It also required that I remain on the tutoring site until almost 7 p.m. daily – hence the lack of high school coverage. My weekends have been saturated with Tony Glavin Soccer (Joe and Dee) as well as Academy of the Sacred Heart Soccer (Maggie and Joe). Since late March I have been managing the world famous Titan baseball team, which practiced on Fridays after school. For those interested, and I know some of you are, the Titans are presently sitting on a 2-2 record.
Most of the correspondence I receive regarding my column goes something like this: We never know what you are going to write about, sports or your family. I’ve had a number of women contact me (Thanks Tom O’Neill) explaining that they have never read a sports column in their life, until mine that is. They go on to explain that they enjoy watching Maggie, Joe and Dee grow up right in front of their eyes, thanks to the First Capitol News. Even if it means they have to stumble through an occasional sports story, it is well worth the time.
A special thank you to Louis Launier who picked up some of my slack. Those paying attention will note that Louis informed you of the demise of the Missouri River Otters days before any other publication. Great job Louis. On a related note, Louis is working on another investigative story that should interest anyone who pays taxes in St. Charles County.
Next week we will continue with the high school athlete of the week, which will continue till the end of the school year. Following that we will have the “Carpenter’s Union/First Capitol News Team of the Week.”
“Kids’ Fishing Day set for May 20 at Meramec Spring Park”
The Missouri Department of Conservation, the Meramec Spring Trout Fishermen’s Association and The James Foundation proudly present Kids’ Fishing Day May 20 at Meramec Spring Park, about six miles east of St. James. Kids fish free and there will be no parking fee for cars with kids ages 15 and under inside! The park opens at 5:30 a.m., with fishing to begin at 6:30 a.m. and continuing to 8:15 p.m.
The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for kids ages 15 and younger. Rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the day to help ensure fishing success. Members of the Meramec Spring Trout Fishermen’s Association and MDC staff will be on hand to assist kids with fishing. Kids will need to bring their own fishing poles.
The fishermen’s association will sponsor fishing contests from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. A casting contest will be held at 11 a.m., with 11 trophies to be awarded. Free hotdog's and soda will be provided throughout the day. Prizes to be distributed all day long include bicycles, 50 fishing rods and reels, fishing equipment, savings bonds and more! Many attendance prizes also will be awarded.
Fish print tee shirts, critter stamping, a stream table, taxidermy, photographs, aquatic entomology and games are among the activities, contests and exhibits that will be available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the area around the registration tent. Fly fishing demonstrations and classes will be held on the stream. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will demonstrate their “Seatbelt Simulator.”
New this year is the MDC’s Show-me Missouri Fish Mobile Aquarium. At 40 feet long and containing 3200 gallons of water, the aquarium is utilized for fishing demonstrations and aquatic education seminars around the state. With up to 25 different species of native fish on display, the exhibit provides onlookers the opportunity to learn more about Missouri’s fascinating aquatic life.
Kids who want to fish must pick up a free fishing tag at the Millfield Shelter located next to the fishing area. Included with the free tag is a “goodie bag” containing a variety of free items. The first 1500 kids to arrive will receive a special “Kids’ Fishing Sports Bottle.”
Come enjoy beautiful Meramec Spring Park and let the youngsters catch a fish. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, call (573) 265-7801 or send an email to Paul Spurgeon at paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov.
Meramec Spring Park, owned and operated by The James Foundation, is located on Highway 8 about 6 miles east of St. James.
THE RAGE
By Mike Thompson
It’s Fun!
It’s Free!
It’s JPD!!
The players, their parents and their coaches love it. It’s a great way for young football players in all different age groups to learn the game of football, and develop the life skills that will give them a head start in the most important game of all. It’s the Junior Player Development program, offered in NFL cities across the country, and the RiverCity Rage is proud to be a part of it here in the St. Louis area.
The program is coordinated by Rage Administrative Assistant Kathy Koehler and Mike Yarbrough, the Manager of Community Outreach and Player Development for the St. Louis Rams. And it was in high gear this past Wednesday afternoon when players from around the metro area gathered with area coaches, including Rage coaches and players, to get a good two hours of football, sportsmanship and inspiration. Parents watched from the bleachers at the Northwest Middle School in St. Louis as Rage players Terrell Washington, Jerry Brooks, Anthony Fisher and Marquis Hayes, along with coaches Sven Hack, Mark Wilson, Charles Edmunds and Jeff Hunt put players through various one on one and skill type drills at two opposite ends of the field. Also on hand for one of the two-day sessions was veteran NFL coach Carl Hargrave, now the tight ends coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Rage line coach Sven Hack was impressed with what he saw. “The season for these youngsters begins in July, but from the looks of things right now, most wish it started tomorrow. These programs are great because it teaches players from different areas to come together, work as a team, learning to trust and respect each other both on and off the field, and practice diversity. It’s all about football and life skills and it’s a big boost for the Rage to be involved in it.”
Coach Hargrave, a member of the RiverCity Rage Advisory Board and a former coach at Lindenwood in St. Charles, also had a high-five for the JPD. “The NFL, along with Riddell, sponsors the program and for the league to lend it’s endorsement is indication of the way it’s importance is perceived in the community. I’m impressed with not only the effort on the field by these guys, but also I’ve noticed they really want to learn the game. If it’s coming from me, a Rage coach, or any of the coaches working year round with the JPD, I’ve notices the kids are eager to learn, attentive, and most important of all, respectful. That tells me the program is working.”
Mike Yarbrough says the programs “primarily focus on the underserved areas of the community, and it’s a challenge sometimes to get the players and their parents involved. But once they do come on board, they see the advantage of participation and embrace the opportunity.” Looking out over the field as players blocked, tackled and ran, Yarbrough offered up why he is instrumental in assisting the NFL in this program. “We’re using sports, football in this case, to show youngsters the positive side of growing up. There were no programs offered in the middle schools, and this one is a great start. We have one scheduled for Roosevelt Middle School in late May, and others later in the summer, closer to the regular season. The fact that the Rams and the Rage can lend a hand, and be an influence is a big treat for these kids. It’s a very positive program.”
Players came from as far away as Pacific, Missouri to take part in the program. Bob Slape is a coach for the Pacific Junior League team, and says his players really look forward to the clinics. “I’ve got thirteen players with me, and every one is thrilled to be here. It’s a chance to find out before the season begins in July if football is the game for them, and it gives them an opportunity to meet high quality, pro players and coaches. We saw the info on the Rage website and wanted to take advantage of it. My guys will be talking about this for days to come.”
Kim Crawford assists with the program, and told me of the activity that goes on off the field regarding the program. “We utilize a lot of high school students during the course of the year. They hand out flyers with our JPD information, they talk to parents and players, getting the word out that the program is available, and free.” When asked about the advantages of the JPD, she didn’t hesitate. “It’s a sports program, and a life program all in one. It’s great for these kids to be able to relate one on one with sports stars and coaches and the encouragement offered them goes a lot further than a hundred yards up and down the football field. They’re able to take some confidence into the classroom, into their dealings with other kids, it teaches them respect for themselves and for others. It’s very positive.”
After an exhausting, but fun, two hours of football, players gathered in a huge semi-circle and listened to coaches offer words of encouragement and praise. Then it was time to ‘pull the cards.’ A player, maybe a coach, will pull one card from a deck of about 50, with cards divided into the categories of Smart Moves, Responsibility, Teamwork, and Sportsmanship. The card is drawn, the topic read out loud, then players and coaches take a minute or two to go over the topic, explain and understand how it exemplifies life both on and off the football field. Coach Charles Edmunds of the Rage was impressed with this aspect most of all. “There are a lot of fine athletes on this field tonight, maybe one, two, perhaps more will one day play in the NIFL or the NFL. Then again, it could be that none will make it that far. But I’ll guarantee this, with programs like the JPD in place, they’ll all be given a huge chance to make it where things really matter.”
For more information on the Junior Player Development program (JPD) contact Kathy Koehler at www.ragefootball.com
Sunday, April 30, 2006
NEXT EDITION ON MAY 6, 2006
THE NEXT EDITION OF THE FIRST CAPIOTL NEWS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON MAY 6, 2006.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
FRONT PAGE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS _ April 22, 2006
Click on photo to enlarge, scroll down to read entire edition.
ARTIST REMOVES SCULPTURE FROM ART FOUNDRY AND WITHDRAWS FROM ARTWALK - CLAIMS CENSORSHIP
“THE CREATION OF ADAM,” INSPIRED BY MICHELANGELO SISTINE CHAPEL COVERED BY TABLE CLOTHS AND FIG LEAF AT FOUNDRY ART CENTRE
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
and Tony Brockmeyer
Award winning artist Philip Hitchcock has removed his sculpture, “The Creation of Adam,” from the Foundry Art Centre and has notified the organizers of the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk he will not participate. The Foundry Art Centre at Saint Charles had chosen a sculpture by Philip Hitchcock as its centerpiece exhibit for The Saint Charles Spring ArtWalk, April 28, 29, and 30, 2006. The Creation of Adam, inspired by Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel was to be on view daily at the Foundry Art Centre's main entrance for the entire month of April. He said he removed it because of censorship. Joyce Rosen, Executive Director of the Foundry Art Centre told the First Capitol News there was no censorship and there is no official policy on frontal nudity.
Hitchcock was going to demonstrate the process of casting from life at the Foundry Art Centre, during the Spring ArtWalk festivities.
Hitchcock told the First Capitol News, “I installed “The Creation of Adam,” on Sunday, April 2nd at the Foundry Art Centre. I discovered the “Fig Leaf” nonsense 24 hours after the initial set up of the sculpture.”
Hitchcock said several attempts to contact Joyce Rosen, the executive director of the Foundry Art Centre, were futile. He produced an e-mail that he sent to Rosen when he was unable to reach her by phone. In his e-mail he said, “No more “vigilante censorship.” There needs to be in place a “Do Not touch” policy for my work, that includes patrons and staff. I am most disturbed by the actions of Sara Beth (according to Hitchcock she is an employee at the Foundry Art Centre), who having received neither a complaint nor a raised eyebrow, took it upon herself in anticipation of controversy to censor my work. I’m sure this action is not a duty listed in her job description. If this work is censored, that decision is to be made by you,” The work shall be displayed “as is” or I will happily remove it within 72 hours of your request. (During that 72 hour period there shall be no “modesty breeches,” table cloths or foliage, lain upon my work, nor anything similar that undignifies or undermines my art work. Both figures shall be draped in their entirety until I can remove them. Having lived that last quarter of a century in earth quake country, I learned to live without the constant fear of a shaker. I found it was best to simply keep a gallon of fresh water under the sink and let disaster take me by surprise. I think it’s better to foster a climate of righteousness and leadership thank to expect the other shoe to drop. I’d rather say, “I’m shocked by their small mindness,” than, “I knew this would happen.”
Removing his art work after 13 days at the Foundry Art Centre, Hitchcock in a letter to those involved with the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk wrote, “After being invited to install my sculpture “The Creation of Adam” inspired by Michelangelo’s Fresco at the Sistine Chapel, in the entry of the St. Charles Foundry Art Centre, the work was targeted repeatedly for censorship. On one occasion I found a fig leaf covering Adam’s nudity. (Literally a piece of foliage had been laid across the genitals.) On at least two other occasions, including a wedding on April 8, dish rags or table cloths were draped across Adam’s genitals. The event on the 8th happened after I sent Foundry executive director Joyce Rosen a letter expressly stating that no modifications were to be made on my work. If it’s too controversial then please allow me some dignity and drape the piece in its entirety. My request went ignored. Now in what I consider the final insult to me personally and to my reputation as an artist, a massive twelve foot wall was placed six feet in front of my sculpture. Please try to imagine how I felt as an artist having a wall placed in front of work I was invited to put there in the first place. I was humiliated. I was embarrassed to have my work hang in a place that would treat me with such disrespect. Never in my 17 year international exhibition history has my work been denigrated the way it was in just two short weeks at the St. Charles Foundry Art Centere.
I was left no choice but to remove the work, and I am withdrawing m participation and support in the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk.
Unfortunately, I believe that commingled with the censorship of my work is a considerable does of homophobia. The fact that a large breasted female bronze remains just outside the Foundry’s doors is a glaring inconsistency. Why aren’t her breasts and genitals draped in fabric? Perhaps I wasn’t targeted because of the nudity in my work, but because I was the only openly gay artist participating in the Artwalk. Whatever the reason my work was targeted for censorship, the impression I’m left with is this: St. Charles is not a welcome environment for the Arts.
Hitchcock also provided an e-mail he received from Christy Sawyer of Studio 17 in the Foundry:
Philip: Of all that I’ve seen of your work, I’m so disappointed that you chose that piece to display at the Foundry. I can only assume it was poor judgment, bad taste, or deliberate defiance. Surely you didn’t think there would be NO response to your deliberate disregard for the Foundry’s limitation on full frontal nudity. Given that the Foundry is a meeting place for sooooo many streams of life: weddings, children’s events AND art events, it boggles the mind that you chose that piece. And especially because so many of your other pieces are so very very beautiful and are not genitally explicit.
To compare the breasts on the sculpture outside the Foundry with the detailed penis on your piece is absolutely absurd. Snail’s sculpture doesn’t even have nipples! Nor does it have genitals as you implied.
And by the way, where on the roster of artists in the Spring ArtWalk does it indicate WHO IS GAY AND WHO IS NOT/ Is there a “g” beside your name? How would anyone know that fact unless you had sent this inflammatory email?
You put us in a bad light and I’m very resentful of that. The Foundry Art Centre has been on the front line for the last two years bringing the arts into this community and I greatly resent you implying that this is not a welcome environment. Everyone else who opens a gallery of studio in Historic St. Charles will stand on the shoulders of the Foundry Art Centre. Christy Sawyer.
The First Capitol News asked a St. Charles grandmother who frequently visits the Art Foundry with her grandson what her thoughts were regarding the “Creation of Adam.”
“My four year old grandson and I periodically go th the art foundry and look at the art. We walked around and looked at everything and that was one of the pieces we looked at. The only comment from either of us was from my my grandson who said wow that is a big statue compared to the other ones. There was no repulsion due to the nature of the figure. We viewed it as a piece of art and moved on . This is much ado about nothing because if a four year old boy doesn’t notice or make comments what's the big deal?”
Joyce Rosen, Executive Director of the Foundry Art Centre told the First Capitol News, “The work was installed on a Sunday when I was not here. On Monday, when I came in I discovered it had been draped with a table cloth and I removed it. One of the artists who has a studio upstairs, as a joke, covered it with a dried flower. Philip came in and saw it covered with the dried flower. I apologized to him At a press party, on Wednesday, I told Philip that private clients use our facilities for different functions and asked him if it could be covered if they asked. He said I can do that. On April 7th we had the Foundry rented for a wedding and the bride asked that the sculpture be covered and we covered it with a table cloth.”
When questioned if the Foundry Art Centre had a policy prohibiting full frontal nudity Joyce Rosen said, We have no official policy on censoring. I do tell the artists exhibiting here to be award that we are a family viewing facility and to be sensitive.”
Joyce Rosen said she had not seen the sculpture prior to it’s installation. “He has a drawing on his web site with God’s hand extended to Adam and I though that was the one being installed here. You could not tell from the web site that Adam was fully nude.”
When asked about response from the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk Committee regarding his refusal to participate Hitchcock said, Although I have received no official response from the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk Committee, I have received a direct apology via e-mail from Tom Hannegan who is a committee member and through my publicist I received word from Nadine Boon, Committee head, who expressed her apologies and states that my absence would be the ArtWalk’s loss.”
The juried ArtWalk, April 28-30, 2006, is free and open to the public and will showcase 50 professional regional artists who will exhibit their work in a dozen sites on Main Street in downtown St. Charles and in the Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center.
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
and Tony Brockmeyer
Award winning artist Philip Hitchcock has removed his sculpture, “The Creation of Adam,” from the Foundry Art Centre and has notified the organizers of the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk he will not participate. The Foundry Art Centre at Saint Charles had chosen a sculpture by Philip Hitchcock as its centerpiece exhibit for The Saint Charles Spring ArtWalk, April 28, 29, and 30, 2006. The Creation of Adam, inspired by Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel was to be on view daily at the Foundry Art Centre's main entrance for the entire month of April. He said he removed it because of censorship. Joyce Rosen, Executive Director of the Foundry Art Centre told the First Capitol News there was no censorship and there is no official policy on frontal nudity.
Hitchcock was going to demonstrate the process of casting from life at the Foundry Art Centre, during the Spring ArtWalk festivities.
Hitchcock told the First Capitol News, “I installed “The Creation of Adam,” on Sunday, April 2nd at the Foundry Art Centre. I discovered the “Fig Leaf” nonsense 24 hours after the initial set up of the sculpture.”
Hitchcock said several attempts to contact Joyce Rosen, the executive director of the Foundry Art Centre, were futile. He produced an e-mail that he sent to Rosen when he was unable to reach her by phone. In his e-mail he said, “No more “vigilante censorship.” There needs to be in place a “Do Not touch” policy for my work, that includes patrons and staff. I am most disturbed by the actions of Sara Beth (according to Hitchcock she is an employee at the Foundry Art Centre), who having received neither a complaint nor a raised eyebrow, took it upon herself in anticipation of controversy to censor my work. I’m sure this action is not a duty listed in her job description. If this work is censored, that decision is to be made by you,” The work shall be displayed “as is” or I will happily remove it within 72 hours of your request. (During that 72 hour period there shall be no “modesty breeches,” table cloths or foliage, lain upon my work, nor anything similar that undignifies or undermines my art work. Both figures shall be draped in their entirety until I can remove them. Having lived that last quarter of a century in earth quake country, I learned to live without the constant fear of a shaker. I found it was best to simply keep a gallon of fresh water under the sink and let disaster take me by surprise. I think it’s better to foster a climate of righteousness and leadership thank to expect the other shoe to drop. I’d rather say, “I’m shocked by their small mindness,” than, “I knew this would happen.”
Removing his art work after 13 days at the Foundry Art Centre, Hitchcock in a letter to those involved with the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk wrote, “After being invited to install my sculpture “The Creation of Adam” inspired by Michelangelo’s Fresco at the Sistine Chapel, in the entry of the St. Charles Foundry Art Centre, the work was targeted repeatedly for censorship. On one occasion I found a fig leaf covering Adam’s nudity. (Literally a piece of foliage had been laid across the genitals.) On at least two other occasions, including a wedding on April 8, dish rags or table cloths were draped across Adam’s genitals. The event on the 8th happened after I sent Foundry executive director Joyce Rosen a letter expressly stating that no modifications were to be made on my work. If it’s too controversial then please allow me some dignity and drape the piece in its entirety. My request went ignored. Now in what I consider the final insult to me personally and to my reputation as an artist, a massive twelve foot wall was placed six feet in front of my sculpture. Please try to imagine how I felt as an artist having a wall placed in front of work I was invited to put there in the first place. I was humiliated. I was embarrassed to have my work hang in a place that would treat me with such disrespect. Never in my 17 year international exhibition history has my work been denigrated the way it was in just two short weeks at the St. Charles Foundry Art Centere.
I was left no choice but to remove the work, and I am withdrawing m participation and support in the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk.
Unfortunately, I believe that commingled with the censorship of my work is a considerable does of homophobia. The fact that a large breasted female bronze remains just outside the Foundry’s doors is a glaring inconsistency. Why aren’t her breasts and genitals draped in fabric? Perhaps I wasn’t targeted because of the nudity in my work, but because I was the only openly gay artist participating in the Artwalk. Whatever the reason my work was targeted for censorship, the impression I’m left with is this: St. Charles is not a welcome environment for the Arts.
Hitchcock also provided an e-mail he received from Christy Sawyer of Studio 17 in the Foundry:
Philip: Of all that I’ve seen of your work, I’m so disappointed that you chose that piece to display at the Foundry. I can only assume it was poor judgment, bad taste, or deliberate defiance. Surely you didn’t think there would be NO response to your deliberate disregard for the Foundry’s limitation on full frontal nudity. Given that the Foundry is a meeting place for sooooo many streams of life: weddings, children’s events AND art events, it boggles the mind that you chose that piece. And especially because so many of your other pieces are so very very beautiful and are not genitally explicit.
To compare the breasts on the sculpture outside the Foundry with the detailed penis on your piece is absolutely absurd. Snail’s sculpture doesn’t even have nipples! Nor does it have genitals as you implied.
And by the way, where on the roster of artists in the Spring ArtWalk does it indicate WHO IS GAY AND WHO IS NOT/ Is there a “g” beside your name? How would anyone know that fact unless you had sent this inflammatory email?
You put us in a bad light and I’m very resentful of that. The Foundry Art Centre has been on the front line for the last two years bringing the arts into this community and I greatly resent you implying that this is not a welcome environment. Everyone else who opens a gallery of studio in Historic St. Charles will stand on the shoulders of the Foundry Art Centre. Christy Sawyer.
The First Capitol News asked a St. Charles grandmother who frequently visits the Art Foundry with her grandson what her thoughts were regarding the “Creation of Adam.”
“My four year old grandson and I periodically go th the art foundry and look at the art. We walked around and looked at everything and that was one of the pieces we looked at. The only comment from either of us was from my my grandson who said wow that is a big statue compared to the other ones. There was no repulsion due to the nature of the figure. We viewed it as a piece of art and moved on . This is much ado about nothing because if a four year old boy doesn’t notice or make comments what's the big deal?”
Joyce Rosen, Executive Director of the Foundry Art Centre told the First Capitol News, “The work was installed on a Sunday when I was not here. On Monday, when I came in I discovered it had been draped with a table cloth and I removed it. One of the artists who has a studio upstairs, as a joke, covered it with a dried flower. Philip came in and saw it covered with the dried flower. I apologized to him At a press party, on Wednesday, I told Philip that private clients use our facilities for different functions and asked him if it could be covered if they asked. He said I can do that. On April 7th we had the Foundry rented for a wedding and the bride asked that the sculpture be covered and we covered it with a table cloth.”
When questioned if the Foundry Art Centre had a policy prohibiting full frontal nudity Joyce Rosen said, We have no official policy on censoring. I do tell the artists exhibiting here to be award that we are a family viewing facility and to be sensitive.”
Joyce Rosen said she had not seen the sculpture prior to it’s installation. “He has a drawing on his web site with God’s hand extended to Adam and I though that was the one being installed here. You could not tell from the web site that Adam was fully nude.”
When asked about response from the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk Committee regarding his refusal to participate Hitchcock said, Although I have received no official response from the St. Charles Spring ArtWalk Committee, I have received a direct apology via e-mail from Tom Hannegan who is a committee member and through my publicist I received word from Nadine Boon, Committee head, who expressed her apologies and states that my absence would be the ArtWalk’s loss.”
The juried ArtWalk, April 28-30, 2006, is free and open to the public and will showcase 50 professional regional artists who will exhibit their work in a dozen sites on Main Street in downtown St. Charles and in the Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center.
Missourians Have a Right to Know Who Is Influencing Who
Missourians Have a Right to Know Who Is Influencing Who
Senator Timothy P. Green
Missouri State Senate District 13
An editorial in the Post entitled “Sixpack v. Fatcat” (March 30) overlooks the complex mess of campaign finance. The whisper of Missouri voters’ voices can’t compete with the bellow of influential big-money donor special interests. The people of Missouri know that politicians are being influenced by campaign contributions, and the voters have the right to know who is doing the influencing. Missouri needs additional transparency in campaigns.
Consider: The Republican 18th Legislative District Committee connected to Republican House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Tom Dempsey (R-18) received $100,030 in January 2006 and spent $88,750 during that reporting period. Some $5,500 of the $100,000 came from the 2nd Senatorial District Republican Committee. The 18th District Committee then funneled $6,650 to other legislative committees, including giving $2,050 back to the 2nd Senatorial District Republican Committee. Rep. Dempsey, as Majority Floor Leader, controls and decides which bills will go to the House floor. This legal money funneling which provides zero accountability and zero transparency must end.
By eliminating the caps placed on candidate campaign committees and placing them on third-party committees the public would be able to find out exactly who spends what on whom. Campaign finance limits cannot end political corruption, but at least with transparency, the people will know who is influencing who and why certain interests are rewarded.
Currently, it is difficult for people to find out what third-party committees spend on individual candidates. If those committees were placed under limits, the money would flow directly to the individual candidate committees, where the public could easily view the contributions and hold politicians accountable. Then at least the Sixpack would know what Fatcat is doing the influencing.
Senator Timothy P. Green
Missouri State Senate District 13
An editorial in the Post entitled “Sixpack v. Fatcat” (March 30) overlooks the complex mess of campaign finance. The whisper of Missouri voters’ voices can’t compete with the bellow of influential big-money donor special interests. The people of Missouri know that politicians are being influenced by campaign contributions, and the voters have the right to know who is doing the influencing. Missouri needs additional transparency in campaigns.
Consider: The Republican 18th Legislative District Committee connected to Republican House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Tom Dempsey (R-18) received $100,030 in January 2006 and spent $88,750 during that reporting period. Some $5,500 of the $100,000 came from the 2nd Senatorial District Republican Committee. The 18th District Committee then funneled $6,650 to other legislative committees, including giving $2,050 back to the 2nd Senatorial District Republican Committee. Rep. Dempsey, as Majority Floor Leader, controls and decides which bills will go to the House floor. This legal money funneling which provides zero accountability and zero transparency must end.
By eliminating the caps placed on candidate campaign committees and placing them on third-party committees the public would be able to find out exactly who spends what on whom. Campaign finance limits cannot end political corruption, but at least with transparency, the people will know who is influencing who and why certain interests are rewarded.
Currently, it is difficult for people to find out what third-party committees spend on individual candidates. If those committees were placed under limits, the money would flow directly to the individual candidate committees, where the public could easily view the contributions and hold politicians accountable. Then at least the Sixpack would know what Fatcat is doing the influencing.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
Weller rants and raves about the First Capitol News
At a meeting of the City Council a couple of weeks ago Council members along with City Hall and television audiences were subjected to the wild ranting and raving of Councilman Mike Weller. For over twenty minutes Weller went on complaining that the First Capitol News has not called him for any quotes but yet quotes attributed to him have appeared in this publication. “Since they never called me for quotes the First Capitol News is full of lies printing quotes they never called me for It’s nothing but lies, lies, lies.. Why don’t they ever call me for quotes instead of making up lies. I want their questions.”
All quotes attributed to Weller in our newspaper are comments he has made on the Council floor during City Council meetings. We stopped calling him early on in his career as a Councilman when our repeated attempts were ignored. Since Weller says all of the quotes we have credited to him are lies and since we took those quotes from City Council meetings is he telling us that he lies, lies, lies during the Council meetings?
Weller wants us to ask him questions so we will. Right here in the newspaper.
Michael, we were told that at a recent meeting of the Missouri Municipal League at the Lake of the Ozarks you were missing from most of the meetings and seminars. They mentioned you even missed a presentation of a certificate you were to receive. But later one evening you walked into a private dinner sponsored by EMC (they operate the City Sewer facilities) for St. Charles officials with the attractive young Mayor of Mountain Grove, Missouri as your guest. Your EMC hosts made it known they were highly agitated because you brought an uninvited guest to their private dinner. But that aside, our question is: Since you missed the meetings and seminars of the Municipal League and since your attendance at the meetings and lodging was paid for by the City of St. Charles, did you return the taxpayer’s money to the City or did you keep it. Perhaps you thought, as you mentioned at a City Council meeting when you were attempting to justify a raise for the city Council, you could, “Use the money to do something nice for my family.?’
That is our question Michael, we await your answer.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS
We have had calls from readers who have given us news tips asking when the stories will appear. Some of the investigations we are conducting take time. We are working on your tips and our investigative report will be coming forward brought about because of the information you have provided. If you have information or tips you want the First Capitol News to investigate do not hesitate to call or write us.
OUR NEXT EDITION MAY 6th
At a meeting of the City Council a couple of weeks ago Council members along with City Hall and television audiences were subjected to the wild ranting and raving of Councilman Mike Weller. For over twenty minutes Weller went on complaining that the First Capitol News has not called him for any quotes but yet quotes attributed to him have appeared in this publication. “Since they never called me for quotes the First Capitol News is full of lies printing quotes they never called me for It’s nothing but lies, lies, lies.. Why don’t they ever call me for quotes instead of making up lies. I want their questions.”
All quotes attributed to Weller in our newspaper are comments he has made on the Council floor during City Council meetings. We stopped calling him early on in his career as a Councilman when our repeated attempts were ignored. Since Weller says all of the quotes we have credited to him are lies and since we took those quotes from City Council meetings is he telling us that he lies, lies, lies during the Council meetings?
Weller wants us to ask him questions so we will. Right here in the newspaper.
Michael, we were told that at a recent meeting of the Missouri Municipal League at the Lake of the Ozarks you were missing from most of the meetings and seminars. They mentioned you even missed a presentation of a certificate you were to receive. But later one evening you walked into a private dinner sponsored by EMC (they operate the City Sewer facilities) for St. Charles officials with the attractive young Mayor of Mountain Grove, Missouri as your guest. Your EMC hosts made it known they were highly agitated because you brought an uninvited guest to their private dinner. But that aside, our question is: Since you missed the meetings and seminars of the Municipal League and since your attendance at the meetings and lodging was paid for by the City of St. Charles, did you return the taxpayer’s money to the City or did you keep it. Perhaps you thought, as you mentioned at a City Council meeting when you were attempting to justify a raise for the city Council, you could, “Use the money to do something nice for my family.?’
That is our question Michael, we await your answer.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS
We have had calls from readers who have given us news tips asking when the stories will appear. Some of the investigations we are conducting take time. We are working on your tips and our investigative report will be coming forward brought about because of the information you have provided. If you have information or tips you want the First Capitol News to investigate do not hesitate to call or write us.
OUR NEXT EDITION MAY 6th
THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler
Cheap Labor Centerpiece Of
Illegal Immigration Debate
In the current debate over the status of illegal immigrants, what really bothers me are the cheerleaders of cheap labor who keep telling us that an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants are only doing the jobs American’s won’t do. Right. Apparently the homeless people I see standing on street corners, holding up going out of business signs for $50 a day, didn’t get that memo. Or the single moms who open up restaurants at six in the morning for minimum wage and those great “flexible” hours.
Somebody also forgot to tell the entire State of West Virginia. Or perhaps working yourself to death in a coalmine just isn’t as tough as manicuring lawns in Los Angeles. I also don’t like people to tell me there are tough jobs Americans “won’t” do when there are Americans dying in the streets of Iraq trying to bring peace and stability to sectarian factions who appear to want neither. Sounds like a pretty tough job to me.
I’ll be the first to admit that many of the jobs taken by illegal immigrants are hard. But there are plenty of tough jobs Americans do every day. How much particular employers are willing to pay seems to be the real issue.
O’Fallon recently passed legislation to keep contractors from hiring illegal immigrants on jobs involving taxpayer dollars. It grew out of an incident where undocumented workers were brought into the county on a project where there was plenty of willing local manpower to do the job. There simply was no pretext or excuse for turning to undocumented workers other than the lure of cheap labor.
Every American who wants to work should be given every opportunity to work. They price of their labor should not have to compete against undocumented workers. It is simply not a level playing field, when for one set of workers you have to pay applicable taxes and abide by labor and safety regulations and for another set of workers none of that applies.
I have tremendous sympathy for people who want to improve their life or provide for their family. I can’t blame someone for wanting to live the American Dream. But illegal immigrants are exploited because of their status. They have become a permanent underclass of people without the same legal rights, votes or say in the affairs of the place where they live. How likely are they to complain if they are cheated? Who do they call if injured on the job? How do they stop an employer working them sixty hours a week without overtime if in fear of being deported?
John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes Of Wrath, tells the story of a farm family who lost everything and were forced to became migrant farm workers to keep from starving. It paints a stark, but accurate picture of waves of desperate displaced persons, willing to work for almost anything. They were hated for taking jobs away from people in the communities to which they traveled. They lived in horrible conditions and were constantly threatened, cheated and bullied. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.
If you haven’t watched the black and white movie version staring Henry Fonda in a while, it’s well worth the rental. But if you think what it portrays is all part of America’s past…think again. Ask yourself if the high prices charged in the “Company” store in the 1930s are really that much different than the excessive fees those without access to regular bank accounts now pay to the Check-Cashing store?
We are all immigrants or the children and grandchildren of immigrants. My fraternal grandparents came to the United States by steamship from Scotland and were processed through Ellis Island in site of the Statue of Liberty. I don’t want to close that door to others. But there is a big difference between coming through the front door and sneaking in through the window.
So what should be done? First, secure the borders. Solving the problem of what to do with 11 million illegal immigrants won’t be helped by adding another 11 million. Hold employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants responsible. Don’t reward people for breaking the law…but recognize that those already here could be given the second chance we all hope a benevolent God and country would offer us…a chance to make things right…a chance to make restitution and earn the rights of citizenship.
Let some hate us if they must, but America is still the destination of choice for most of the oppressed and economically downtrodden people around the world. We bring cultures together better than any nation of Earth. The great melting pot continues to work. The Statue of Liberty has the same meaning for people today as when my grandfather and grandmother first set eyes upon it…a beacon of hope.
Illegal Immigration Debate
In the current debate over the status of illegal immigrants, what really bothers me are the cheerleaders of cheap labor who keep telling us that an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants are only doing the jobs American’s won’t do. Right. Apparently the homeless people I see standing on street corners, holding up going out of business signs for $50 a day, didn’t get that memo. Or the single moms who open up restaurants at six in the morning for minimum wage and those great “flexible” hours.
Somebody also forgot to tell the entire State of West Virginia. Or perhaps working yourself to death in a coalmine just isn’t as tough as manicuring lawns in Los Angeles. I also don’t like people to tell me there are tough jobs Americans “won’t” do when there are Americans dying in the streets of Iraq trying to bring peace and stability to sectarian factions who appear to want neither. Sounds like a pretty tough job to me.
I’ll be the first to admit that many of the jobs taken by illegal immigrants are hard. But there are plenty of tough jobs Americans do every day. How much particular employers are willing to pay seems to be the real issue.
O’Fallon recently passed legislation to keep contractors from hiring illegal immigrants on jobs involving taxpayer dollars. It grew out of an incident where undocumented workers were brought into the county on a project where there was plenty of willing local manpower to do the job. There simply was no pretext or excuse for turning to undocumented workers other than the lure of cheap labor.
Every American who wants to work should be given every opportunity to work. They price of their labor should not have to compete against undocumented workers. It is simply not a level playing field, when for one set of workers you have to pay applicable taxes and abide by labor and safety regulations and for another set of workers none of that applies.
I have tremendous sympathy for people who want to improve their life or provide for their family. I can’t blame someone for wanting to live the American Dream. But illegal immigrants are exploited because of their status. They have become a permanent underclass of people without the same legal rights, votes or say in the affairs of the place where they live. How likely are they to complain if they are cheated? Who do they call if injured on the job? How do they stop an employer working them sixty hours a week without overtime if in fear of being deported?
John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes Of Wrath, tells the story of a farm family who lost everything and were forced to became migrant farm workers to keep from starving. It paints a stark, but accurate picture of waves of desperate displaced persons, willing to work for almost anything. They were hated for taking jobs away from people in the communities to which they traveled. They lived in horrible conditions and were constantly threatened, cheated and bullied. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.
If you haven’t watched the black and white movie version staring Henry Fonda in a while, it’s well worth the rental. But if you think what it portrays is all part of America’s past…think again. Ask yourself if the high prices charged in the “Company” store in the 1930s are really that much different than the excessive fees those without access to regular bank accounts now pay to the Check-Cashing store?
We are all immigrants or the children and grandchildren of immigrants. My fraternal grandparents came to the United States by steamship from Scotland and were processed through Ellis Island in site of the Statue of Liberty. I don’t want to close that door to others. But there is a big difference between coming through the front door and sneaking in through the window.
So what should be done? First, secure the borders. Solving the problem of what to do with 11 million illegal immigrants won’t be helped by adding another 11 million. Hold employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants responsible. Don’t reward people for breaking the law…but recognize that those already here could be given the second chance we all hope a benevolent God and country would offer us…a chance to make things right…a chance to make restitution and earn the rights of citizenship.
Let some hate us if they must, but America is still the destination of choice for most of the oppressed and economically downtrodden people around the world. We bring cultures together better than any nation of Earth. The great melting pot continues to work. The Statue of Liberty has the same meaning for people today as when my grandfather and grandmother first set eyes upon it…a beacon of hope.
CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
Elbert Hubbard
A student of mine came bearing a newspaper clipping. He stated, “I have something from out of the paper for you.” Before I could see the little scrap he held, I said, “Let me guess, it’s a Sonderegger column making fun of the Council.”
It wasn't a difficult thing to guess, in fact I think I have the pattern down...begrudgingly write some drivel that no one reads or responds to, such as watching a sporting event or going to a fancy ball around town, then slam the Saint Charles City Council with every little sophomoric thing you can think of. Next, maybe write a little something on St. Peters and O’Fallon (with only a jab or two against St. Charles) followed up by a rant about the “Silly Council.” For good measure, write three more times about St. Charles to reinforce your message and then suffer back through the cycle all over again.
Honestly, I don't mind the one-sidedness of Sonderegger; he has his stance and will not sway, so why bother. What many of us in the county have been asking for now for a long time is simply a column that runs opposite of his to give another perspective – one that is shared by many, many readers from Portage to Foristell. I gave up hope that the paper would offer someone to give a counterpoint to the silly columns of Sonderegger and decided to turn to the, First Capitol News to get an alternative voice out to the public – a voice that Lee Enterprise, developers, movers and shakers throughout our town resent because this little paper has beat the big dogs at the newspaper game! Imagine that, a staff of two and some citizen help has created a newspaper with a far more loyal readership than the three newspapers published in town by Lee Enterprises!
Remember the claimed intimidation by those who made it their daily obsession with attacking the City Council? What you may not know is, some of these same people make it a point to contact anyone who advertises in the First Capitol News and threaten to withdraw their business from them because they have the nerve to put their money anywhere besides the Lee Enterprises Corporation where the message is pro-movers and shakers and the bias slant is sure to lean the way they paid for it to!
To these guys I say: you have three newspapers at your disposal. Do what many of us have had to endure for years now with the Post and Journal, write letters to the editor and engage the paper. I remember the first time Steve Pokin, a reporter with the Journal, tried to reach me. I refused to return a call. It was unfair to Steve, but I figured that I knew the spin he would put on an article regardless what I had to say. Luckily, I moved from the leadership position of the Party and handed that on to others due to mounting duties of the Council. To his credit, I think Steve has tried to be a serious, fair reporter. Likewise, contact FCN in a serious fashion -- the paper has proven in the past that it is willing to put in different viewpoints.
What did surprise me a little was that John Sonderegger watches, “American Idol.” I have never liked these reality shows or their mean-spiritedness that send a message that public discourse can spiral into blatant insults and that's somehow acceptable and funny. In fact, when I read Sonderegger’s column's title, I had to ask students who Simon Cowell is. To me, this kind of entertainment does fit well into the toy box of Sonderegger and many around who speak of “Jesus” when it serves their purpose and then spend the rest of their time on the attack of any and all with whom they disagree, often with a hatred that is inexplicable. Surely, such tactics lack all charity found in the gospel.
I do not know John Sonderegger's faith nor do I concern myself with such, but I do believe that nothing good comes from name calling because it is then that dialog breaks down. I read a quote once that said something like, “It’s better to be an actor on the stage than a critic in the seats.” Any actor on the stage can expect criticism of his work. I expect criticism in our role as council members, I just wish this could be expressed as critique of policy instead of using stupid school-yard tactics. Maybe it's time for John to run for office himself.
Regardless, it is too bad Mr. Sonderegger didn't take time to self-reflect and write a few things that Simon Cowell may have scolded him about. Certainly, I could think up some moronic statements that would apply to Mr. Sonderegger, but talk about silly...
Elbert Hubbard
A student of mine came bearing a newspaper clipping. He stated, “I have something from out of the paper for you.” Before I could see the little scrap he held, I said, “Let me guess, it’s a Sonderegger column making fun of the Council.”
It wasn't a difficult thing to guess, in fact I think I have the pattern down...begrudgingly write some drivel that no one reads or responds to, such as watching a sporting event or going to a fancy ball around town, then slam the Saint Charles City Council with every little sophomoric thing you can think of. Next, maybe write a little something on St. Peters and O’Fallon (with only a jab or two against St. Charles) followed up by a rant about the “Silly Council.” For good measure, write three more times about St. Charles to reinforce your message and then suffer back through the cycle all over again.
Honestly, I don't mind the one-sidedness of Sonderegger; he has his stance and will not sway, so why bother. What many of us in the county have been asking for now for a long time is simply a column that runs opposite of his to give another perspective – one that is shared by many, many readers from Portage to Foristell. I gave up hope that the paper would offer someone to give a counterpoint to the silly columns of Sonderegger and decided to turn to the, First Capitol News to get an alternative voice out to the public – a voice that Lee Enterprise, developers, movers and shakers throughout our town resent because this little paper has beat the big dogs at the newspaper game! Imagine that, a staff of two and some citizen help has created a newspaper with a far more loyal readership than the three newspapers published in town by Lee Enterprises!
Remember the claimed intimidation by those who made it their daily obsession with attacking the City Council? What you may not know is, some of these same people make it a point to contact anyone who advertises in the First Capitol News and threaten to withdraw their business from them because they have the nerve to put their money anywhere besides the Lee Enterprises Corporation where the message is pro-movers and shakers and the bias slant is sure to lean the way they paid for it to!
To these guys I say: you have three newspapers at your disposal. Do what many of us have had to endure for years now with the Post and Journal, write letters to the editor and engage the paper. I remember the first time Steve Pokin, a reporter with the Journal, tried to reach me. I refused to return a call. It was unfair to Steve, but I figured that I knew the spin he would put on an article regardless what I had to say. Luckily, I moved from the leadership position of the Party and handed that on to others due to mounting duties of the Council. To his credit, I think Steve has tried to be a serious, fair reporter. Likewise, contact FCN in a serious fashion -- the paper has proven in the past that it is willing to put in different viewpoints.
What did surprise me a little was that John Sonderegger watches, “American Idol.” I have never liked these reality shows or their mean-spiritedness that send a message that public discourse can spiral into blatant insults and that's somehow acceptable and funny. In fact, when I read Sonderegger’s column's title, I had to ask students who Simon Cowell is. To me, this kind of entertainment does fit well into the toy box of Sonderegger and many around who speak of “Jesus” when it serves their purpose and then spend the rest of their time on the attack of any and all with whom they disagree, often with a hatred that is inexplicable. Surely, such tactics lack all charity found in the gospel.
I do not know John Sonderegger's faith nor do I concern myself with such, but I do believe that nothing good comes from name calling because it is then that dialog breaks down. I read a quote once that said something like, “It’s better to be an actor on the stage than a critic in the seats.” Any actor on the stage can expect criticism of his work. I expect criticism in our role as council members, I just wish this could be expressed as critique of policy instead of using stupid school-yard tactics. Maybe it's time for John to run for office himself.
Regardless, it is too bad Mr. Sonderegger didn't take time to self-reflect and write a few things that Simon Cowell may have scolded him about. Certainly, I could think up some moronic statements that would apply to Mr. Sonderegger, but talk about silly...
CONSERVATIVE FACTOR Alex Spencer
Things have settled down after the election, or have they? At first glance, everyone has gone back to the business of governing, but there seem to be a few bumps in the road.
The Francis Howell School Board had a bit of a shake-up. Two incumbent board members were voted out in favor of change. Change seems like an overstatement since Board President Mark Lafata is still leading the bunch. Not too hard to tell what happened there. Lafata abandoned Rhonda Brown, wife of Mayor Shawn Brown, because she abandoned him. She starting taking the advice of political novice Bob Farr, who ironically had a three-year term and the luxury of figuring things out on the job, and rightfully so, Lafata left it up to Farr to help her get re-elected. Farr is beholden to the Teacher’s Union, and the Teacher’s Union did not trust Rhonda Brown either, which is what happens when you switch sides. Trying to please all the people all the time just ensures that no one you have to work with will trust you. You would think she would have learned that lesson from her husband. In any case, Lafata worked with the Union and he remains at the helm of the ship. Lafata now seems to tussle the most with Farr, at least according to the press. Pastor Farr, who never met a reporter he didn’t like, continues to go with whatever position or theory will get him the most press coverage. Who knows what he is running for next, but he’s gotten as transparent as Pandering Pagano over in St. Peters. I gotta wonder what his flock must think of his political extracurricular activities. I guess I’m thankful that we don’t allow that sort of thing with Catholic priests. I prefer a little separation between church and state and a lot less political agenda on the part of my spiritual advisor.
Over in St. Charles, Darling Dottie survived the recall election. You would think the St. Charles City Council would have buried the hatchet and re-elected Council President Riddler. It’s time for the Mayor to throw in the towel. Try as she might, she was unable to recall Darling Dottie. It’s time to stop being a hindrance and work with the Council. Some of the Mayor’s bunch allegedly campaigned actively against one of their own colleagues. This is not really the way to govern, now is it? Infighting is unproductive and the only losers are the residents. Give it up people. Riddler beat you fair and square. You tried and you failed. Now wait until the next election to push your agenda. On a side note, apparently Kevin Kast has taken a post in Illinois. I wonder what this will mean for the 2007 St. Charles Mayoral race. That remains to be seen I suppose, but apparently a board majority is not for sale, so it’s time to go back to the business of governing.
Even though they didn’t have an election, the sparks are flying in St. Peters. The normally mundane act of naming a Board President became quite a performance the other night. I use the word performance, because it starred our favorite character, Pandering Len Pagano. Good old Pandering Pagano created a fairly impressive drama. Pagano who is not the most eloquent of speakers, after all the doddering old fool routine is his shtick, bumbled out a character attack against Alderman Terry Hawkins. In his trumped up outrage it was a bit hard to figure out his point, but basically, he thinks Hawkins is unfit to serve as Board President because last year Hawkins wrote a letter to a judge asking for leniency for a relative of one of his neighbors. From all accounts, Hawkins did not condone the man’s actions, but simply asked for leniency so the man could see his daughter graduate high school. I’ll save my sermon on federal sentencing guidelines for another time. Seems that it’s really no big deal except that Hawkins signed the letter in his capacity as Board President. Again, not a big deal, but maybe bad judgment. Pagano needs to give it up. It’s a little unclear what his purpose was, of course it’s always unclear what his purpose is. Was he trying to garner support for himself or for his compatriot Patrick Barclay, who practically threw a temper tantrum over the whole process? In any case, Barclay and Pagano should be embarrassed. We’ll see what the next chapter will bring in this drama.
It’s also worth mentioning the 2nd District Senate Race. St. Charles County’s Chief RINO (that’s Republican-in-Name-Only) has a slow but decent fundraising start in his efforts to completely destroy the party and unseat newly elected Senator Scott Rupp. Brazil has created a situation which will force Rupp to raise funds and run two additional campaigns. This is all because A.B. wants to have a state senator in his pocket. Brazil’s donors include the usual suspects and various duck-related individuals and entities. In addition, Malcontent Chuck MacNab and Pathetic Brandy Pedersen actually wrote checks in support of Brazil. I’m not sure I’d be so proud of their support. That seems so incredibly appropriate, doesn’t it? The destroyers-in-chief of the Republican Party are supporting the most dangerous RINO of them all. It’s a bit early to tell, but it certainly seems unlikely that Brazil will do the right thing and step aside for the good of the party. After all, you would have to be a Republican to want to do the right thing for the Republican Party and Brazil is certainly no friend of the Republican Party. Maybe Pedersen and MacNab will go with him to Jeff City if Brazil somehow manages to win. They would be great at constituent services. At least that would get them out of the County.
There was some good news, however. In the department of a less bumpy road, how about the difference in O’Fallon? It’s a new day for sure. Four new board members joined the only two reasonable members of the prior Board of Aldermen and these six new councilmen unanimously elected Councilman Cantwell as President Pro Tem. Wow. What a difference. The people of O’Fallon were unhappy with the direction of their government and they expressed their feelings at the ballot box during a regularly scheduled election. The Mayor even appears to be taking her time in appointing members to fill the two vacant seats as opposed to taking marching orders from A.B., or anyone else for that matter. That is a refreshing change of pace. However, it’s not all roses in O’Fallon. It remains to be seen whether the change to a third class city will truly be a transition period for O’Fallon as they explore the possibility of adopting a charter or if they will join the recall circus in St. Charles.
O’Fallon had a transition in the true democratic tradition envisioned by our founding fathers – the Mayor of St. Charles should note the civics lesson. We’ll have to keep an eye on the road and see if it becomes less bumpy.
The Francis Howell School Board had a bit of a shake-up. Two incumbent board members were voted out in favor of change. Change seems like an overstatement since Board President Mark Lafata is still leading the bunch. Not too hard to tell what happened there. Lafata abandoned Rhonda Brown, wife of Mayor Shawn Brown, because she abandoned him. She starting taking the advice of political novice Bob Farr, who ironically had a three-year term and the luxury of figuring things out on the job, and rightfully so, Lafata left it up to Farr to help her get re-elected. Farr is beholden to the Teacher’s Union, and the Teacher’s Union did not trust Rhonda Brown either, which is what happens when you switch sides. Trying to please all the people all the time just ensures that no one you have to work with will trust you. You would think she would have learned that lesson from her husband. In any case, Lafata worked with the Union and he remains at the helm of the ship. Lafata now seems to tussle the most with Farr, at least according to the press. Pastor Farr, who never met a reporter he didn’t like, continues to go with whatever position or theory will get him the most press coverage. Who knows what he is running for next, but he’s gotten as transparent as Pandering Pagano over in St. Peters. I gotta wonder what his flock must think of his political extracurricular activities. I guess I’m thankful that we don’t allow that sort of thing with Catholic priests. I prefer a little separation between church and state and a lot less political agenda on the part of my spiritual advisor.
Over in St. Charles, Darling Dottie survived the recall election. You would think the St. Charles City Council would have buried the hatchet and re-elected Council President Riddler. It’s time for the Mayor to throw in the towel. Try as she might, she was unable to recall Darling Dottie. It’s time to stop being a hindrance and work with the Council. Some of the Mayor’s bunch allegedly campaigned actively against one of their own colleagues. This is not really the way to govern, now is it? Infighting is unproductive and the only losers are the residents. Give it up people. Riddler beat you fair and square. You tried and you failed. Now wait until the next election to push your agenda. On a side note, apparently Kevin Kast has taken a post in Illinois. I wonder what this will mean for the 2007 St. Charles Mayoral race. That remains to be seen I suppose, but apparently a board majority is not for sale, so it’s time to go back to the business of governing.
Even though they didn’t have an election, the sparks are flying in St. Peters. The normally mundane act of naming a Board President became quite a performance the other night. I use the word performance, because it starred our favorite character, Pandering Len Pagano. Good old Pandering Pagano created a fairly impressive drama. Pagano who is not the most eloquent of speakers, after all the doddering old fool routine is his shtick, bumbled out a character attack against Alderman Terry Hawkins. In his trumped up outrage it was a bit hard to figure out his point, but basically, he thinks Hawkins is unfit to serve as Board President because last year Hawkins wrote a letter to a judge asking for leniency for a relative of one of his neighbors. From all accounts, Hawkins did not condone the man’s actions, but simply asked for leniency so the man could see his daughter graduate high school. I’ll save my sermon on federal sentencing guidelines for another time. Seems that it’s really no big deal except that Hawkins signed the letter in his capacity as Board President. Again, not a big deal, but maybe bad judgment. Pagano needs to give it up. It’s a little unclear what his purpose was, of course it’s always unclear what his purpose is. Was he trying to garner support for himself or for his compatriot Patrick Barclay, who practically threw a temper tantrum over the whole process? In any case, Barclay and Pagano should be embarrassed. We’ll see what the next chapter will bring in this drama.
It’s also worth mentioning the 2nd District Senate Race. St. Charles County’s Chief RINO (that’s Republican-in-Name-Only) has a slow but decent fundraising start in his efforts to completely destroy the party and unseat newly elected Senator Scott Rupp. Brazil has created a situation which will force Rupp to raise funds and run two additional campaigns. This is all because A.B. wants to have a state senator in his pocket. Brazil’s donors include the usual suspects and various duck-related individuals and entities. In addition, Malcontent Chuck MacNab and Pathetic Brandy Pedersen actually wrote checks in support of Brazil. I’m not sure I’d be so proud of their support. That seems so incredibly appropriate, doesn’t it? The destroyers-in-chief of the Republican Party are supporting the most dangerous RINO of them all. It’s a bit early to tell, but it certainly seems unlikely that Brazil will do the right thing and step aside for the good of the party. After all, you would have to be a Republican to want to do the right thing for the Republican Party and Brazil is certainly no friend of the Republican Party. Maybe Pedersen and MacNab will go with him to Jeff City if Brazil somehow manages to win. They would be great at constituent services. At least that would get them out of the County.
There was some good news, however. In the department of a less bumpy road, how about the difference in O’Fallon? It’s a new day for sure. Four new board members joined the only two reasonable members of the prior Board of Aldermen and these six new councilmen unanimously elected Councilman Cantwell as President Pro Tem. Wow. What a difference. The people of O’Fallon were unhappy with the direction of their government and they expressed their feelings at the ballot box during a regularly scheduled election. The Mayor even appears to be taking her time in appointing members to fill the two vacant seats as opposed to taking marching orders from A.B., or anyone else for that matter. That is a refreshing change of pace. However, it’s not all roses in O’Fallon. It remains to be seen whether the change to a third class city will truly be a transition period for O’Fallon as they explore the possibility of adopting a charter or if they will join the recall circus in St. Charles.
O’Fallon had a transition in the true democratic tradition envisioned by our founding fathers – the Mayor of St. Charles should note the civics lesson. We’ll have to keep an eye on the road and see if it becomes less bumpy.
VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS by Jerry Haferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
First things first. In my last column I said Ward 2 was next on the “hit list” of the people trying to take control of your city from you. It was a typo. Of course I meant Ward 3. Larry is safe as long as he says “how high?” every time Weller says, “jump”. My other miss-que was referring to Hoepfner as “Schlep”. Everyone knows the fourth member of the Three Stooges was “Shep”, not Schlep. I offer my apologies for getting the name of the fourth of Patty’s Stooges wrong.
I just can’t get over how good it feels to know that $100 and a great deal of honesty turned back a $50,000 to $70,000 assault on your city. I had mentioned the problems in government in our neighboring cities to the west, and how the common factor isn’t politics, as the political affiliation of the combatants doesn’t seem to matter. What does seem to matter is the outside interference of the interlopers who don’t reside in any of the cities. They attempt to buy influence for their developer “du jour” I say “du jour” because in O’Fallon, the money to fund the Non-Citizens Responsible for Turmoil in your Community is now working for developers that gave nice donations to them. This is no surprise to me. I knew all along they were working for developers…it appears the requirement for them to support a developer is for the developer to support them. There is a bigger threat to us from these interlopers coming north across the Page Avenue extension than any imagined threat from those coming north across the Rio Grande.
St. Charles, we need to get control of our borders.
A tip of the hat goes to the many residents who spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting opposing eminent domain. As they so eloquently stated, the use of eminent domain isn’t necessary to cause financial injury to our residents. Just the threat of its use is more than enough. In fact, even the threat of its use is too much. The use of eminent domain and even the threat of its use have been shown to be a disaster to those whose property was taken from them. This council is sitting still while they see what comes from state legislation. We don’t need lemmings that just follow. We elected them as leaders. It’s time to say NO to eminent domain except for public works, utilities and cases of SEVERE, uncorrected blight.
In the next budget sessions, the council needs to set aside funding for a watch for the staffer responsible for setting the times for the school zone flashing lights on Zumbehl. They flash 15 MPH at 10 A.M. when no children are near. They are off at 8 A.M with kids everywhere. Many times the southbound are flashing when the northbound aren’t. Why would it be O.K. to drive 30 on one side of the street and 15 on the other? A little enforcement wouldn’t be bad either. I have been passed twice while obeying the 15 MPH lights. One was a teen with his cap on backwards, or maybe his hat was right and his head was backwards. Who knows?
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
First things first. In my last column I said Ward 2 was next on the “hit list” of the people trying to take control of your city from you. It was a typo. Of course I meant Ward 3. Larry is safe as long as he says “how high?” every time Weller says, “jump”. My other miss-que was referring to Hoepfner as “Schlep”. Everyone knows the fourth member of the Three Stooges was “Shep”, not Schlep. I offer my apologies for getting the name of the fourth of Patty’s Stooges wrong.
I just can’t get over how good it feels to know that $100 and a great deal of honesty turned back a $50,000 to $70,000 assault on your city. I had mentioned the problems in government in our neighboring cities to the west, and how the common factor isn’t politics, as the political affiliation of the combatants doesn’t seem to matter. What does seem to matter is the outside interference of the interlopers who don’t reside in any of the cities. They attempt to buy influence for their developer “du jour” I say “du jour” because in O’Fallon, the money to fund the Non-Citizens Responsible for Turmoil in your Community is now working for developers that gave nice donations to them. This is no surprise to me. I knew all along they were working for developers…it appears the requirement for them to support a developer is for the developer to support them. There is a bigger threat to us from these interlopers coming north across the Page Avenue extension than any imagined threat from those coming north across the Rio Grande.
St. Charles, we need to get control of our borders.
A tip of the hat goes to the many residents who spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting opposing eminent domain. As they so eloquently stated, the use of eminent domain isn’t necessary to cause financial injury to our residents. Just the threat of its use is more than enough. In fact, even the threat of its use is too much. The use of eminent domain and even the threat of its use have been shown to be a disaster to those whose property was taken from them. This council is sitting still while they see what comes from state legislation. We don’t need lemmings that just follow. We elected them as leaders. It’s time to say NO to eminent domain except for public works, utilities and cases of SEVERE, uncorrected blight.
In the next budget sessions, the council needs to set aside funding for a watch for the staffer responsible for setting the times for the school zone flashing lights on Zumbehl. They flash 15 MPH at 10 A.M. when no children are near. They are off at 8 A.M with kids everywhere. Many times the southbound are flashing when the northbound aren’t. Why would it be O.K. to drive 30 on one side of the street and 15 on the other? A little enforcement wouldn’t be bad either. I have been passed twice while obeying the 15 MPH lights. One was a teen with his cap on backwards, or maybe his hat was right and his head was backwards. Who knows?
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the editor
Tony,
First of all, thank you Phyllis and Tony for your wonderful paper.
Congratulations to all of the voters of Ward 7. You “Did the right thing!” Maybe Mr. Hughes and Mr. Kast should move to O’Fallon. They sure as hell aren’t welcome in St. Charles.
In a future edition, could you please list when the terms expire for all the St. Charles Council members?
Also, would it be possible for you to do a piece on what properties on Main Street are owned by the Mayor or City Council members?
Keep up the good work!
T. J.
Ward 10
Dear Editor,
It is refreshing to see that there are times when money cannot buy everything. This has been one of those times. The defeat of the first recall in St. Charles history is a victory of the little guys over the big guys. Those who supported Dottie Greer by voting NO on recall did so for various reasons. Some people simply voted for Dottie because she is a good woman. Some voted for her because they approved of her as their council representative. Some people voted no recall because they were upset with the treatment to which she had been subjected. Others voted for her because they realized that their removal would upset the current balance of power on the council.
We must not get complacent. We have not won the war. We have only won a battle. There are much tougher battles ahead of us. We must keep on fighting.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to the indiscriminant use of the power of eminent domain we must be ever more vigilant. We must be very concerned about the ties between the major developers and our city administration, and ties between these developers and our individual councilpersons. It is happening right here, in our town, right now. Pay very close attention to what is going on in Frenchtown and what is surfacing up at Fifth Street and Boonslick. You would know what I mean if you had attended or watched last Tuesday’s April 4 council meeting.
Looking back a bit on this subject, four months ago on December 6, John Gieseke brought up Bill 8777 for introduction, a bill that would limit the use of eminent domain in our town. After many meetings, discussions, and revisions, this bill was defeated by six council members on February 21. Four council members, John Gieseke, Joe Koester, Mark Brown, and Dottie Greer voted FOR this bill, supporting OUR individual rights as property owners by attempting to limit the use of eminent domain. Dottie Greer is a determined fighter against the use of eminent domain.
I am pleased to see that a majority of the voters in Ward 7 were able to see past the tons of propaganda that was hurled at them by the factions opposing Dottie Greer. I am thankful that a majority of Ward 7 voters had the heart and the wisdom to do the right thing.
Glen Dashner
Dear Editor,
It is refreshing to see that there are times when money cannot buy everything. This has been one of those times. The defeat of the first recall in St. Charles history is a victory of the little guys over the big guys. Those who supported Dottie Greer by voting NO on recall did so for various reasons. Some people simply voted for Dottie because she is a good woman. Some voted for her because they approved of her as their council representative. Some people voted no recall because they were upset with the treatment to which she had been subjected. Others voted for her because they realized that their removal would upset the current balance of power on the council.
We must not get complacent. We have not won the war. We have only won a battle. There are much tougher battles ahead of us. We must keep on fighting.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to the indiscriminant use of the power of eminent domain we must be ever more vigilant. We must be very concerned about the ties between the major developers and our city administration, and ties between these developers and our individual councilpersons. It is happening right here, in our town, right now. Pay very close attention to what is going on in Frenchtown and what is surfacing up at Fifth Street and Boonslick. You would know what I mean if you had attended or watched last Tuesday’s April 4 council meeting.
Looking back a bit on this subject, four months ago on December 6, John Gieseke brought up Bill 8777 for introduction, a bill that would limit the use of eminent domain in our town. After many meetings, discussions, and revisions, this bill was defeated by six council members on February 21. Four council members, John Gieseke, Joe Koester, Mark Brown, and Dottie Greer voted FOR this bill, supporting OUR individual rights as property owners by attempting to limit the use of eminent domain. Dottie Greer is a determined fighter against the use of eminent domain.
I am pleased to see that a majority of the voters in Ward 7 were able to see past the tons of propaganda that was hurled at them by the factions opposing Dottie Greer. I am thankful that a majority of Ward 7 voters had the heart and the wisdom to do the right thing.
Gen Dashner
To the Editor:
Democracy Still Alive and Well!
Thanks to the FCN we the regular people can speak out and be heard. I want to thank Council Woman Dottie Greer for her courage, composure, and demeanor during her past experiences as representative for her constituents in Ward 7, as well as the people of our city. Thank you for being the catalyst that broke new ground in our political system. You proved that Democracy is still alive in our city no matter who or how many people try to destroy it. Truth does bubble to the top it doesn’t care who you are as was proven in our recent election.
Many people in the city were and are in your corner and salute you for your tenacity and caring. Also thank your to your adversaries who have helped to wake people up in our city. We have discovered some things we were unaware of and now have the opportunity to correct. That’s a good thing and now IS THE TIME!
My thanks also to President Riddler for his part in questioning the validity of signatures on the petitions to recall and the part he played in this matter. The same is true for our Chief of Police Tim Swope and his performance in following through with this information. It is yet to be seen how our PA, follows through with what he has received.
Most of our citizens pay attention and want good representation in their wards, their county, state, and nation although we may differ in what we consider that to be. I call that Democracy and it begins in our own back yards. We are on the move and taking our country back. Inch by inch it is a cinch and working together we will succeed. Thanks FCN for this opportunity to speak out.
Darlene Damon
First of all, thank you Phyllis and Tony for your wonderful paper.
Congratulations to all of the voters of Ward 7. You “Did the right thing!” Maybe Mr. Hughes and Mr. Kast should move to O’Fallon. They sure as hell aren’t welcome in St. Charles.
In a future edition, could you please list when the terms expire for all the St. Charles Council members?
Also, would it be possible for you to do a piece on what properties on Main Street are owned by the Mayor or City Council members?
Keep up the good work!
T. J.
Ward 10
Dear Editor,
It is refreshing to see that there are times when money cannot buy everything. This has been one of those times. The defeat of the first recall in St. Charles history is a victory of the little guys over the big guys. Those who supported Dottie Greer by voting NO on recall did so for various reasons. Some people simply voted for Dottie because she is a good woman. Some voted for her because they approved of her as their council representative. Some people voted no recall because they were upset with the treatment to which she had been subjected. Others voted for her because they realized that their removal would upset the current balance of power on the council.
We must not get complacent. We have not won the war. We have only won a battle. There are much tougher battles ahead of us. We must keep on fighting.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to the indiscriminant use of the power of eminent domain we must be ever more vigilant. We must be very concerned about the ties between the major developers and our city administration, and ties between these developers and our individual councilpersons. It is happening right here, in our town, right now. Pay very close attention to what is going on in Frenchtown and what is surfacing up at Fifth Street and Boonslick. You would know what I mean if you had attended or watched last Tuesday’s April 4 council meeting.
Looking back a bit on this subject, four months ago on December 6, John Gieseke brought up Bill 8777 for introduction, a bill that would limit the use of eminent domain in our town. After many meetings, discussions, and revisions, this bill was defeated by six council members on February 21. Four council members, John Gieseke, Joe Koester, Mark Brown, and Dottie Greer voted FOR this bill, supporting OUR individual rights as property owners by attempting to limit the use of eminent domain. Dottie Greer is a determined fighter against the use of eminent domain.
I am pleased to see that a majority of the voters in Ward 7 were able to see past the tons of propaganda that was hurled at them by the factions opposing Dottie Greer. I am thankful that a majority of Ward 7 voters had the heart and the wisdom to do the right thing.
Glen Dashner
Dear Editor,
It is refreshing to see that there are times when money cannot buy everything. This has been one of those times. The defeat of the first recall in St. Charles history is a victory of the little guys over the big guys. Those who supported Dottie Greer by voting NO on recall did so for various reasons. Some people simply voted for Dottie because she is a good woman. Some voted for her because they approved of her as their council representative. Some people voted no recall because they were upset with the treatment to which she had been subjected. Others voted for her because they realized that their removal would upset the current balance of power on the council.
We must not get complacent. We have not won the war. We have only won a battle. There are much tougher battles ahead of us. We must keep on fighting.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to the indiscriminant use of the power of eminent domain we must be ever more vigilant. We must be very concerned about the ties between the major developers and our city administration, and ties between these developers and our individual councilpersons. It is happening right here, in our town, right now. Pay very close attention to what is going on in Frenchtown and what is surfacing up at Fifth Street and Boonslick. You would know what I mean if you had attended or watched last Tuesday’s April 4 council meeting.
Looking back a bit on this subject, four months ago on December 6, John Gieseke brought up Bill 8777 for introduction, a bill that would limit the use of eminent domain in our town. After many meetings, discussions, and revisions, this bill was defeated by six council members on February 21. Four council members, John Gieseke, Joe Koester, Mark Brown, and Dottie Greer voted FOR this bill, supporting OUR individual rights as property owners by attempting to limit the use of eminent domain. Dottie Greer is a determined fighter against the use of eminent domain.
I am pleased to see that a majority of the voters in Ward 7 were able to see past the tons of propaganda that was hurled at them by the factions opposing Dottie Greer. I am thankful that a majority of Ward 7 voters had the heart and the wisdom to do the right thing.
Gen Dashner
To the Editor:
Democracy Still Alive and Well!
Thanks to the FCN we the regular people can speak out and be heard. I want to thank Council Woman Dottie Greer for her courage, composure, and demeanor during her past experiences as representative for her constituents in Ward 7, as well as the people of our city. Thank you for being the catalyst that broke new ground in our political system. You proved that Democracy is still alive in our city no matter who or how many people try to destroy it. Truth does bubble to the top it doesn’t care who you are as was proven in our recent election.
Many people in the city were and are in your corner and salute you for your tenacity and caring. Also thank your to your adversaries who have helped to wake people up in our city. We have discovered some things we were unaware of and now have the opportunity to correct. That’s a good thing and now IS THE TIME!
My thanks also to President Riddler for his part in questioning the validity of signatures on the petitions to recall and the part he played in this matter. The same is true for our Chief of Police Tim Swope and his performance in following through with this information. It is yet to be seen how our PA, follows through with what he has received.
Most of our citizens pay attention and want good representation in their wards, their county, state, and nation although we may differ in what we consider that to be. I call that Democracy and it begins in our own back yards. We are on the move and taking our country back. Inch by inch it is a cinch and working together we will succeed. Thanks FCN for this opportunity to speak out.
Darlene Damon
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS = Mike McMurran Sports Editor
MY COLUMN MIKE MCMURRAN, Sports Editor
I suspect most everyone remembers their first Cardinal baseball game, I certainly do. I was but 9 years old and my grandma, my grandma McMurran, took me to old Sportman’s Park. The year was 1964 and the Cardinals had just acquired an outfielder from the Cubs by the name of Lou Brock. As the saying goes, “the rest is history.”
There was a period in my life when I would attend 30 or so games a season; of course, like every other aspect of your life – kids changed that rather quickly. Still, we have attended at least one or two games a year as a family. This season I was fortunate enough to be invited in on splitting a season ticket with Doug Medley. What I really have is one-half of a season ticket, which means I have four tickets to 10 games. Lynn and I invited our good friends Dr. Bill Solomon and his better half Sue to this past Friday’s game with the Reds. We tried to walk around the stadium but found that to be a rather difficult, if not impossible task, so we entered new Busch Stadium about 90 minutes prior to the first pitch. First impression: it is not a stadium – not even close. It is clearly a “ballpark.” The four of us stood there like little kids, in complete and total awe of what we were witnessing. By now I am rather certain most everyone, at least most everyone who cares, has seen pictures of the ballpark. They do not do the park justice. It really is nothing less than breathtaking.
The four of us walked around the main level concourse for almost an hour; I am at a total loss of words to explain the feeling. Certainly it was not as exciting as the birth of my children, but for some strange reason that is what comes to mind. But, that is not what I wish to write about today…
…today I wish to ad the name of Daniel Patrick McMurran to the long list of those who call themselves “Cardinal Nation.” Paragraph one of this narrative tells how I attended my first Cardinal game at age 9 – and I have been a member of Cardinal Nation ever since. It was not uncommon for me to skip school, ride Bi-State to the Stadium and attend day games. As a matter of fact, often times my teachers would ask: “Is there a baseball game today,” on days that I was absent.
My oldest son Joe has been a member for about two years now. One of the first things Joe does every morning during the baseball season is check the morning paper to see (a) where the Cardinals are in the standings and (b) check out the individual stats for his favorite player, Scott Rolen. My favorite daughter Maggie proudly sports her Cardinal baseball hat most everywhere she goes, including soccer games, which I am certain drives her coach crazy.
Daniel is but 6 years old and still in kindergarten, too young some would say to be an official member of Cardinal Nation. Ah yes, just last evening, Dee, as he is affectionately known, walked up to me with the remote control of the television and asked, “Dad, what channel are the Cardinals on tonight, I want to watch the baseball game.” It was a special moment for me, as I knew my son was hooked for life as a Cardinal fan.
Another special moment happens this weekend for a number of my Titan baseball players who compete at the Atom level of the St. Peters Athletic Association. This Saturday Evan Oelklaus, Griffin Palmer, Will Fairless, Derrick Griffits, Sean Coogan, Matthew Murray, Brody Tinkham, Carson Green, Tyler Hash and of course Joe McMurran will be making their First Holy Communion. All for except Hash will celebrate the special occasion at ASH; Hash, whose father is the head baseball coach at Jennings Senior High, will make his at St. Cletus. Congratulations boys, it is a very special day for you and your parents. I know there was one very, very proud father sitting in the Shrine of St. Phillipine Duchesne, bursting with pride, as his son read Scripture to the 30 or so students and 100’s of parents and grandparents. He, without a doubt, gets his academic background from his mother. I am very proud of you Joe; as proud as I am, I love you even more.
By Louis J. Launer
The Missouri River Otters have faced this music before three seasons ago when there was a lack of attendance, upset fans and a talent roster that did not meet expectations. Three seasons ago, there was an ownership partnership led by Kevin Fitzpatrick, who promised the fans good hockey, yet they could not deliver. The team finished out of the first round and with many signs pointing to the team’s demise as a result of vendors and players not getting paid, the ownership was forfeited to the United Hockey League in 2003 and the 2003-04 season turned out to be one of the worst seasons in River Otters history. It still remains the team’s worst season. This season, it was the team’s second worst.
When Mike Shanahan, Jr. purchased the team in 2004, he promised to the fans that there would be changes made and that it would be more fan friendly. Fans didn’t return. Some fans were so burned by the actions of the Fitzpatrick ownership that even with the River Otters “repackaged,” it was still the same thing and they would never return to Family Arena. Many sponsors and vendors who were also fans felt cheated because they did not feel that they were getting their money’s worth. Some sponsors have said that even though there was new ownership with the Shanahans, that they would never venture into investing in minor league hockey.
It was a hard rebuilding program for the River Otters and apparently the Shanahan family realizes that they encountered more damage than they had expected to see. A week before the season ended, fans noticed that the ownership box was empty and dark.
This time, there are tell-tale signs again that the team could fold or relocate to another city. Attendance figures for this season fell short of expectations. Loyal fans who paid for season tickets felt that they were not getting their money’s worth as the team cut back on promotions. Many players who were doing very well with the River Otters were sent to other teams or were released. The latest “surprise” was the release of Brendan Cuthbert, the backup goaltender. He was picked up two weeks before the season ended by the Rockford IceHogs, a high seed in the UHL playoffs and could see ice time and possibly start because their regular goaltenders are injured.
Cuthbert’s surprise release and his pick up by a top contender could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for most fans. Last Saturday’s final game may have been “fan appreciation night,” but it turned out to be more of a loud whisper night as various people, fans, concessionaires and some arena personnel were saying that this was “the final game ever” for the Missouri River Otters
The United Hockey League, which saw lots of success this season in a number of cities are facing some challenges. Four franchises, Port Huron, Roanoke, Richmond and Missouri have had problems in one way or another. Port Huron has had four different franchises in 15 years and continues to have problems in one way or another, either by the lack of attendance or poor hockey operations. Roanoke has had problems with their building throughout the season, keeping consistent ice (up to 5 games were postponed this year due to ice problems). Richmond has been rumored to move to Hoffman Estates, Illinois and merge with the expansion team scheduled to play in the Chicago suburbs in 2006-07. Missouri continues to have problems, which go back to the Fitzpatrick era and the Shanahan family could not erase those tarnished images and lack of communication that became engraved in the minds of fans and sponsors going back to 2003.
Even successful teams in the UHL faced some difficulty. The Quad City Mallards were just purchased by a group of Iowa investors. But fans and some sponsors tried to campaign for the team to move from the AA level in the UHL to the AAA level of the American Hockey League—the same league which features teams in Peoria, Milwaukee and Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa investors have stated that they will keep the team in the UHL and many a Mallard fan, who dreams of taking on a team such as Peoria or Des Moines do not like staying in the same league.
The Rockford IceHogs, who saw one of their best teams ever this season, face the prospect of losing fans, not because of internal problems. At least one-third of their season ticket base comes from McHenry and Kane Counties, halfway between Chicago and Rockford. When the Hoffman Estates franchise becomes active, there is a distinct possibility that Rockford could lose season ticket holders to the new franchise because of the distance to and from the venues. Rockford’s successes today could mean that next season, they could play to lower attendance because of competition literally down the highway from them.
At this time, nothing has been decided concerning the Missouri River Otters. There are current contracts and agreements between the team and the United Hockey League that do not expire until July 1. That is also the date where the UHL begins its new fiscal year. Usually in the month of June, the UHL meets with their Board of Governors at their annual meetings in Las Vegas. A number of issues could be brought up. One of them could be the stability of several franchises.
Officials with both the River Otters organization and the UHL have clearly stated that at this time, it’s not time to circle the wagons.
“Hopefully the River Otters will be back next season!” said Dan Silver, who is in charge of media relations.
UHL’s media relations chief Brian Werger, believes that the talk of franchise problems and league problems have placed a cloud over this year’s Colonial Cup playoffs.
“All of these issues have been blown way out of proportion,” Werger said. That included rumors that Richmond, Roanoke, Port Huron and Missouri were going to be contracted and become dormant franchises. “It’s up to the individual team to make the decision and they do have to contact the league if they aren’t intending to return.”
River Otters General Manager Frank Buonomo, who has received a lot of criticism from fans, admitted that these are unknown days.
“It was an extremely tough season,” Buonomo said. “But we’ve been in conversations with various members of Family Arena officials and Mike [Shanahan] as to what we’re going to do. There are insurance issues, which we would like to resolve, particularly those concerning workers’ compensation and we also want prime dates from Family Arena. If we don’t get those prime dates, we can’t be successful.”
Buonomo has also received criticism from fans concerning both the firing of head coach Kevin Kaminski and the player personnel brought to the team. Jeff Brown, who was brought in to succeed Kaminski did keep the River Otters from becoming the worst in the UHL, but still finished last in the Western Division, where all of the other teams in the division qualified for the playoffs. Buonomo believes that it is up to Brown himself on whether or not he wants to stay as head coach next season. But Buonomo has said that a “timetable” needs to be put into place.
“We’ll find out next week,” he said.
There are some fans who are just upset with the team. People realize that there is quite a fan base and would definitely support a UHL team. What is not being understood is why the River Otters have been failing miserably. Adam Woehler, an avid hockey fan, feels that minor league hockey can be supported in St. Charles, if it is given a proper chance.
“During the two seasons we’ve been attending games, we’ve struck up friendships with season ticket holders and concession workers,” he said. “The concession people are in-the-stand workers who are Family Arena employees and seem to know everything going on.”
It’s not unusual in minor league hockey to wonder what the fate of a team is going to be when a season ends. There is so much emotion that runs through fans, players and coaches that a season that could have been more is finally over.
“It was a general buzz in the arena [last Saturday] night, with rumors and whispers, and a sense of finality to comments on the loud speaker. I know it wouldn’t be the first time a minor league team has folded, but it would be sad. St. Louis is a great hockey town and the River Otters are a way to support and get to know players, and not go broke on tickets in the process.”
The First Capitol News wanted to contact both River Otters majority owner Mike Shanahan and United Hockey League President/CEO Richard Brosal. But both were unavailable to be reached at this time.
I suspect most everyone remembers their first Cardinal baseball game, I certainly do. I was but 9 years old and my grandma, my grandma McMurran, took me to old Sportman’s Park. The year was 1964 and the Cardinals had just acquired an outfielder from the Cubs by the name of Lou Brock. As the saying goes, “the rest is history.”
There was a period in my life when I would attend 30 or so games a season; of course, like every other aspect of your life – kids changed that rather quickly. Still, we have attended at least one or two games a year as a family. This season I was fortunate enough to be invited in on splitting a season ticket with Doug Medley. What I really have is one-half of a season ticket, which means I have four tickets to 10 games. Lynn and I invited our good friends Dr. Bill Solomon and his better half Sue to this past Friday’s game with the Reds. We tried to walk around the stadium but found that to be a rather difficult, if not impossible task, so we entered new Busch Stadium about 90 minutes prior to the first pitch. First impression: it is not a stadium – not even close. It is clearly a “ballpark.” The four of us stood there like little kids, in complete and total awe of what we were witnessing. By now I am rather certain most everyone, at least most everyone who cares, has seen pictures of the ballpark. They do not do the park justice. It really is nothing less than breathtaking.
The four of us walked around the main level concourse for almost an hour; I am at a total loss of words to explain the feeling. Certainly it was not as exciting as the birth of my children, but for some strange reason that is what comes to mind. But, that is not what I wish to write about today…
…today I wish to ad the name of Daniel Patrick McMurran to the long list of those who call themselves “Cardinal Nation.” Paragraph one of this narrative tells how I attended my first Cardinal game at age 9 – and I have been a member of Cardinal Nation ever since. It was not uncommon for me to skip school, ride Bi-State to the Stadium and attend day games. As a matter of fact, often times my teachers would ask: “Is there a baseball game today,” on days that I was absent.
My oldest son Joe has been a member for about two years now. One of the first things Joe does every morning during the baseball season is check the morning paper to see (a) where the Cardinals are in the standings and (b) check out the individual stats for his favorite player, Scott Rolen. My favorite daughter Maggie proudly sports her Cardinal baseball hat most everywhere she goes, including soccer games, which I am certain drives her coach crazy.
Daniel is but 6 years old and still in kindergarten, too young some would say to be an official member of Cardinal Nation. Ah yes, just last evening, Dee, as he is affectionately known, walked up to me with the remote control of the television and asked, “Dad, what channel are the Cardinals on tonight, I want to watch the baseball game.” It was a special moment for me, as I knew my son was hooked for life as a Cardinal fan.
Another special moment happens this weekend for a number of my Titan baseball players who compete at the Atom level of the St. Peters Athletic Association. This Saturday Evan Oelklaus, Griffin Palmer, Will Fairless, Derrick Griffits, Sean Coogan, Matthew Murray, Brody Tinkham, Carson Green, Tyler Hash and of course Joe McMurran will be making their First Holy Communion. All for except Hash will celebrate the special occasion at ASH; Hash, whose father is the head baseball coach at Jennings Senior High, will make his at St. Cletus. Congratulations boys, it is a very special day for you and your parents. I know there was one very, very proud father sitting in the Shrine of St. Phillipine Duchesne, bursting with pride, as his son read Scripture to the 30 or so students and 100’s of parents and grandparents. He, without a doubt, gets his academic background from his mother. I am very proud of you Joe; as proud as I am, I love you even more.
By Louis J. Launer
The Missouri River Otters have faced this music before three seasons ago when there was a lack of attendance, upset fans and a talent roster that did not meet expectations. Three seasons ago, there was an ownership partnership led by Kevin Fitzpatrick, who promised the fans good hockey, yet they could not deliver. The team finished out of the first round and with many signs pointing to the team’s demise as a result of vendors and players not getting paid, the ownership was forfeited to the United Hockey League in 2003 and the 2003-04 season turned out to be one of the worst seasons in River Otters history. It still remains the team’s worst season. This season, it was the team’s second worst.
When Mike Shanahan, Jr. purchased the team in 2004, he promised to the fans that there would be changes made and that it would be more fan friendly. Fans didn’t return. Some fans were so burned by the actions of the Fitzpatrick ownership that even with the River Otters “repackaged,” it was still the same thing and they would never return to Family Arena. Many sponsors and vendors who were also fans felt cheated because they did not feel that they were getting their money’s worth. Some sponsors have said that even though there was new ownership with the Shanahans, that they would never venture into investing in minor league hockey.
It was a hard rebuilding program for the River Otters and apparently the Shanahan family realizes that they encountered more damage than they had expected to see. A week before the season ended, fans noticed that the ownership box was empty and dark.
This time, there are tell-tale signs again that the team could fold or relocate to another city. Attendance figures for this season fell short of expectations. Loyal fans who paid for season tickets felt that they were not getting their money’s worth as the team cut back on promotions. Many players who were doing very well with the River Otters were sent to other teams or were released. The latest “surprise” was the release of Brendan Cuthbert, the backup goaltender. He was picked up two weeks before the season ended by the Rockford IceHogs, a high seed in the UHL playoffs and could see ice time and possibly start because their regular goaltenders are injured.
Cuthbert’s surprise release and his pick up by a top contender could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for most fans. Last Saturday’s final game may have been “fan appreciation night,” but it turned out to be more of a loud whisper night as various people, fans, concessionaires and some arena personnel were saying that this was “the final game ever” for the Missouri River Otters
The United Hockey League, which saw lots of success this season in a number of cities are facing some challenges. Four franchises, Port Huron, Roanoke, Richmond and Missouri have had problems in one way or another. Port Huron has had four different franchises in 15 years and continues to have problems in one way or another, either by the lack of attendance or poor hockey operations. Roanoke has had problems with their building throughout the season, keeping consistent ice (up to 5 games were postponed this year due to ice problems). Richmond has been rumored to move to Hoffman Estates, Illinois and merge with the expansion team scheduled to play in the Chicago suburbs in 2006-07. Missouri continues to have problems, which go back to the Fitzpatrick era and the Shanahan family could not erase those tarnished images and lack of communication that became engraved in the minds of fans and sponsors going back to 2003.
Even successful teams in the UHL faced some difficulty. The Quad City Mallards were just purchased by a group of Iowa investors. But fans and some sponsors tried to campaign for the team to move from the AA level in the UHL to the AAA level of the American Hockey League—the same league which features teams in Peoria, Milwaukee and Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa investors have stated that they will keep the team in the UHL and many a Mallard fan, who dreams of taking on a team such as Peoria or Des Moines do not like staying in the same league.
The Rockford IceHogs, who saw one of their best teams ever this season, face the prospect of losing fans, not because of internal problems. At least one-third of their season ticket base comes from McHenry and Kane Counties, halfway between Chicago and Rockford. When the Hoffman Estates franchise becomes active, there is a distinct possibility that Rockford could lose season ticket holders to the new franchise because of the distance to and from the venues. Rockford’s successes today could mean that next season, they could play to lower attendance because of competition literally down the highway from them.
At this time, nothing has been decided concerning the Missouri River Otters. There are current contracts and agreements between the team and the United Hockey League that do not expire until July 1. That is also the date where the UHL begins its new fiscal year. Usually in the month of June, the UHL meets with their Board of Governors at their annual meetings in Las Vegas. A number of issues could be brought up. One of them could be the stability of several franchises.
Officials with both the River Otters organization and the UHL have clearly stated that at this time, it’s not time to circle the wagons.
“Hopefully the River Otters will be back next season!” said Dan Silver, who is in charge of media relations.
UHL’s media relations chief Brian Werger, believes that the talk of franchise problems and league problems have placed a cloud over this year’s Colonial Cup playoffs.
“All of these issues have been blown way out of proportion,” Werger said. That included rumors that Richmond, Roanoke, Port Huron and Missouri were going to be contracted and become dormant franchises. “It’s up to the individual team to make the decision and they do have to contact the league if they aren’t intending to return.”
River Otters General Manager Frank Buonomo, who has received a lot of criticism from fans, admitted that these are unknown days.
“It was an extremely tough season,” Buonomo said. “But we’ve been in conversations with various members of Family Arena officials and Mike [Shanahan] as to what we’re going to do. There are insurance issues, which we would like to resolve, particularly those concerning workers’ compensation and we also want prime dates from Family Arena. If we don’t get those prime dates, we can’t be successful.”
Buonomo has also received criticism from fans concerning both the firing of head coach Kevin Kaminski and the player personnel brought to the team. Jeff Brown, who was brought in to succeed Kaminski did keep the River Otters from becoming the worst in the UHL, but still finished last in the Western Division, where all of the other teams in the division qualified for the playoffs. Buonomo believes that it is up to Brown himself on whether or not he wants to stay as head coach next season. But Buonomo has said that a “timetable” needs to be put into place.
“We’ll find out next week,” he said.
There are some fans who are just upset with the team. People realize that there is quite a fan base and would definitely support a UHL team. What is not being understood is why the River Otters have been failing miserably. Adam Woehler, an avid hockey fan, feels that minor league hockey can be supported in St. Charles, if it is given a proper chance.
“During the two seasons we’ve been attending games, we’ve struck up friendships with season ticket holders and concession workers,” he said. “The concession people are in-the-stand workers who are Family Arena employees and seem to know everything going on.”
It’s not unusual in minor league hockey to wonder what the fate of a team is going to be when a season ends. There is so much emotion that runs through fans, players and coaches that a season that could have been more is finally over.
“It was a general buzz in the arena [last Saturday] night, with rumors and whispers, and a sense of finality to comments on the loud speaker. I know it wouldn’t be the first time a minor league team has folded, but it would be sad. St. Louis is a great hockey town and the River Otters are a way to support and get to know players, and not go broke on tickets in the process.”
The First Capitol News wanted to contact both River Otters majority owner Mike Shanahan and United Hockey League President/CEO Richard Brosal. But both were unavailable to be reached at this time.
Friday, April 14, 2006
HAPPY EASTER - OUR NEXT EDITION APRIL 22, 2006
The staff of the First Capitol News wuld like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Easter. Our next edition will be published on April 22, 2006.
Thank you for being a reader of the First Capitol News.
Thank you for being a reader of the First Capitol News.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - April 8, 2006 Front Page
click on image to enlarge - scroll down to read entire edition
David Slays Goliath - Greer Beats Recall Attempt
By Tony Brockmeyer
In the first recall election in the history of St. Charles, Councilwoman Dottie Greer, Ward 7, overcame an attempt to remove her from office.
Greer, serving her first term, defeated the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer, The St. Charles Citizens for Responsible Government headed by Ken Kielty and Glennon Jamboretz, The Citizens for Responsible Community headed by Carl Maus and Raymond Stone and the Do The Right Thing Committee headed by Ed Watkins, Kevin Kast, Mike Sellenschuetter, and TR Hughes. Combined, the groups spent an estimated $70,000 in their efforts to recall Greer and take control of the City Council and the $100 million City budget. Greer was victorious despite efforts by the Mayor and her husband, Councilmen Mike Weller, Bob Kneemiller, Larry Muench, Jerry Reese and Bob Hoepfner.
“I know how it felt when David fought Goliath and won,” Dottie Greer told the First Capitol News in an exclusive interview after the election. “My ward came together as a community and wanted me to stay in office and represent their interests, not special interests. It was wonderful coming home two days in a row and finding flowers on my porch. I spent less than $300 in the campaign. A lot of people helped me and they even bought their own signs. I received a lot of prayers and want to give the glory to God.”
Although they voted to have the City pay for legal representation for themselves, Hoepfner, Reese, Muench, Weller and Kneemiller, in executive meeting of the City Council, voted to deny Greer the same representation.
Shortly before the election Kneemiller sent a letter to voters in Greer’s Ward criticizing her. Weller, TR Hughes, Watkins, Jamboretz, the Mayor, the Mayor’s husband and associates all worked the polls trying to convince voters to recall Greer. Just a few days prior to the election Citizens for Responsible Community sent out a negative mailer ridiculing City Council President Rory Riddler, Greer and Councilman Mark Brown who they are also attempting to recall. An anonymous, mudslinging, vicious mailer full of hate, lies and misinformation, attacking this writer, City Council Special Counsel Eric Tolen and Matt McWilliams an insurance broker handling insurance for the City, was sent to voters in Greer’s Ward just days prior to the election.
Shortly before the election St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas filed felony charges against Kay Seemiller, who was employed by Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer. Meyer is the wife of a St. Charles police officer who at one time was the president of the St. Charles Police Officer’s Association. In addition to paying recall petition circulators on a per signature basis she also paid herself out of the committee funds. It is expected the prosecutor will file charges on additional individuals.
For more information on the recall efforts and individuals involved please see the First Capitol News archives at
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
ttt
In the first recall election in the history of St. Charles, Councilwoman Dottie Greer, Ward 7, overcame an attempt to remove her from office.
Greer, serving her first term, defeated the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer, The St. Charles Citizens for Responsible Government headed by Ken Kielty and Glennon Jamboretz, The Citizens for Responsible Community headed by Carl Maus and Raymond Stone and the Do The Right Thing Committee headed by Ed Watkins, Kevin Kast, Mike Sellenschuetter, and TR Hughes. Combined, the groups spent an estimated $70,000 in their efforts to recall Greer and take control of the City Council and the $100 million City budget. Greer was victorious despite efforts by the Mayor and her husband, Councilmen Mike Weller, Bob Kneemiller, Larry Muench, Jerry Reese and Bob Hoepfner.
“I know how it felt when David fought Goliath and won,” Dottie Greer told the First Capitol News in an exclusive interview after the election. “My ward came together as a community and wanted me to stay in office and represent their interests, not special interests. It was wonderful coming home two days in a row and finding flowers on my porch. I spent less than $300 in the campaign. A lot of people helped me and they even bought their own signs. I received a lot of prayers and want to give the glory to God.”
Although they voted to have the City pay for legal representation for themselves, Hoepfner, Reese, Muench, Weller and Kneemiller, in executive meeting of the City Council, voted to deny Greer the same representation.
Shortly before the election Kneemiller sent a letter to voters in Greer’s Ward criticizing her. Weller, TR Hughes, Watkins, Jamboretz, the Mayor, the Mayor’s husband and associates all worked the polls trying to convince voters to recall Greer. Just a few days prior to the election Citizens for Responsible Community sent out a negative mailer ridiculing City Council President Rory Riddler, Greer and Councilman Mark Brown who they are also attempting to recall. An anonymous, mudslinging, vicious mailer full of hate, lies and misinformation, attacking this writer, City Council Special Counsel Eric Tolen and Matt McWilliams an insurance broker handling insurance for the City, was sent to voters in Greer’s Ward just days prior to the election.
Shortly before the election St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas filed felony charges against Kay Seemiller, who was employed by Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer. Meyer is the wife of a St. Charles police officer who at one time was the president of the St. Charles Police Officer’s Association. In addition to paying recall petition circulators on a per signature basis she also paid herself out of the committee funds. It is expected the prosecutor will file charges on additional individuals.
For more information on the recall efforts and individuals involved please see the First Capitol News archives at
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
ttt
Karam Joins Race To Capture 2nd Congressional District Seat
Saying he is running to help “Save The American Dream”, Charles Karam filed to seek the Democratic nomination in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.“
In his filing statement, Karam pointed out his main reasons for running. “We have gone to war with no plan on how to win and seen it used as justification for billions of dollars to be stolen or squandered by companies like Haliburton. Even the operation of our nation’s most vital ports was nearly outsourced to a foreign government corporation. A culture of greed is destroying the middle class with outlandish oil prices and excessive profits by big oil companies. Big brother is back with government interference in personal family decisions, like the Terry Schiavo case, and the wire taping and spying on United States citizens without proper court review. Karl Rove, Bill Frist, Tom DeLay and Jack Abramhoff are the poster children of a Republican Party drunk on power and addicted to special interest money.”
Karam an American citizen, born to a Christian family in Lebanon, a nation torn by civil war and religious strife, came to America when he was 20 at the urging of his family to seek a better life. He worked to put himself through school and in 1980, he met his wife Mary Jo, and moved to St. Louis. The couple have two beautiful daughters ages 5 and 8. “I will never forget what freedom has meant to me, which is why I want to save the American Dream for future generations, “ explained Karam.
The candidate holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. He also attended Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and received a diploma in management of local government. Karam served for 15 years in the City of Overland as City Engineer and Public Works Director/City Administrator. He started his own development and new homebuilding firm and is currently managing a family-owned company, R.C.W. Corporation/America Home Builders, as President and CEO.
Last year Charles Karam was appointed by St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and now serve as Vice-Chairman of the MSD Board of Trustees.
Charles Karam also used the occasion of his filing to unveil his New Agenda For America. “As a member of the next Congress, I want to promote a new agenda for the 21st Century. One that puts the needs of working people ahead of corporate greed, the lives of seniors ahead of the drug companies, the interests of taxpayers ahead of powerful lobbyists,” explained the candidate.
The main points of his plan are to:
Restore Integrity In Washington by closing the loopholes that high-priced Washington based lobbyists have driven truckloads of money through. We are trillions of dollars in debt due to run-away spending to satisfy special interests and their high priced Washington lobbyists.
Stop Bleeding America’s Middle Class At The Gas Pump - Exxon and Mobil’s excessive profit margins…the largest in history, should be taxed and put into alternative energy research and development.
Build America’s Job Base by keeping American jobs from being outsourced to foreign countries and encouraging new job growth…jobs that pay a living wage. We must secure our nation’s boarders, keep control of our ports and stop firms from hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
Make Retirement More Secure by not allowing the big drug companies to rip-off America’s Seniors. There is no reason we should pay more for the same prescription drugs than consumers in Canada.
Keep Politics Out Of Family Decisions - Congress has no right to intervene in your family’s private end of life decisions as the Republicans did with such blatant disregard in the Terry Shiavo case.
Investigate Billions Missing In Iraq - Tens of billions of dollars are missing from rebuilding programs in Iraq. Those who stole this money are the worst kind of war profiteers and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Respect The Bill Of Rights and stop the erosion of our fundamental freedoms. Restore the balance between civil liberties, privacy and security.
Encourage Smart Growth Decisions - We can protect the environment by making smarter decisions in city planning, creating housing near business centers to reduce drive time and encouraging mixed use developments to provide greens space and more recreational opportunities.
Empower People Through Education - We can empower people to change their lives and help our children to remain competitive in their future careers by putting education first.
Encourage Business Development - The St. Louis region is well positioned to take advantage of advances in bio-technology, agri-business and medical research. We should encourage, not discourage, tomorrow’s industries like stem cell research. We need to encourage entrepreneurship, new business development and protect small business from predatory competition.
In his filing statement, Karam pointed out his main reasons for running. “We have gone to war with no plan on how to win and seen it used as justification for billions of dollars to be stolen or squandered by companies like Haliburton. Even the operation of our nation’s most vital ports was nearly outsourced to a foreign government corporation. A culture of greed is destroying the middle class with outlandish oil prices and excessive profits by big oil companies. Big brother is back with government interference in personal family decisions, like the Terry Schiavo case, and the wire taping and spying on United States citizens without proper court review. Karl Rove, Bill Frist, Tom DeLay and Jack Abramhoff are the poster children of a Republican Party drunk on power and addicted to special interest money.”
Karam an American citizen, born to a Christian family in Lebanon, a nation torn by civil war and religious strife, came to America when he was 20 at the urging of his family to seek a better life. He worked to put himself through school and in 1980, he met his wife Mary Jo, and moved to St. Louis. The couple have two beautiful daughters ages 5 and 8. “I will never forget what freedom has meant to me, which is why I want to save the American Dream for future generations, “ explained Karam.
The candidate holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. He also attended Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and received a diploma in management of local government. Karam served for 15 years in the City of Overland as City Engineer and Public Works Director/City Administrator. He started his own development and new homebuilding firm and is currently managing a family-owned company, R.C.W. Corporation/America Home Builders, as President and CEO.
Last year Charles Karam was appointed by St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and now serve as Vice-Chairman of the MSD Board of Trustees.
Charles Karam also used the occasion of his filing to unveil his New Agenda For America. “As a member of the next Congress, I want to promote a new agenda for the 21st Century. One that puts the needs of working people ahead of corporate greed, the lives of seniors ahead of the drug companies, the interests of taxpayers ahead of powerful lobbyists,” explained the candidate.
The main points of his plan are to:
Restore Integrity In Washington by closing the loopholes that high-priced Washington based lobbyists have driven truckloads of money through. We are trillions of dollars in debt due to run-away spending to satisfy special interests and their high priced Washington lobbyists.
Stop Bleeding America’s Middle Class At The Gas Pump - Exxon and Mobil’s excessive profit margins…the largest in history, should be taxed and put into alternative energy research and development.
Build America’s Job Base by keeping American jobs from being outsourced to foreign countries and encouraging new job growth…jobs that pay a living wage. We must secure our nation’s boarders, keep control of our ports and stop firms from hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
Make Retirement More Secure by not allowing the big drug companies to rip-off America’s Seniors. There is no reason we should pay more for the same prescription drugs than consumers in Canada.
Keep Politics Out Of Family Decisions - Congress has no right to intervene in your family’s private end of life decisions as the Republicans did with such blatant disregard in the Terry Shiavo case.
Investigate Billions Missing In Iraq - Tens of billions of dollars are missing from rebuilding programs in Iraq. Those who stole this money are the worst kind of war profiteers and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Respect The Bill Of Rights and stop the erosion of our fundamental freedoms. Restore the balance between civil liberties, privacy and security.
Encourage Smart Growth Decisions - We can protect the environment by making smarter decisions in city planning, creating housing near business centers to reduce drive time and encouraging mixed use developments to provide greens space and more recreational opportunities.
Empower People Through Education - We can empower people to change their lives and help our children to remain competitive in their future careers by putting education first.
Encourage Business Development - The St. Louis region is well positioned to take advantage of advances in bio-technology, agri-business and medical research. We should encourage, not discourage, tomorrow’s industries like stem cell research. We need to encourage entrepreneurship, new business development and protect small business from predatory competition.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
click on image to enlarge$5 A Signature, Dead or Alive
A St. Charles police officer knocked on my door Monday morning. He was not wearing a brown shirt, was not jack booted, did not appear to be a Nazi, and did not bully me. He told me he was there because of a criminal complaint filed by Linda Meyer, the treasurer of the Citizens Empowerment Committee who is trying to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown, and the wife of a St. Charles police officer who was formerly the president of the St. Charles Police Officers Association. I thought he was joking but he told me she was complaining of being harassed by a cartoon in the February 17th edition of the First Capitol News. She does not like being in cartoons in this newspaper and was upset with the words “dead or alive.” The officer said he wanted to give me an opportunity to respond to her complaint. The cartoon in question is the middle cartoon on this page. I explained to the officer the dead or alive was referring to the fraudulent signatures her committee had collected during the recall petition process and pointed out that one of the signatures was from a dead person. He told me she was insisting the complaint be filed with the office of the Prosecuting Attorney for criminal prosecution. I told the officer the cartoon was protected under the Constitution and I did not care what Linda Meyer thought.
Linda Meyer and members of her group have called and visited our advertisers, filed malicious and false complaints with the better business bureau and tried many times to hurt our newspaper. Now that's harassment!
Happy Easter
Because of the Easter Holiday next weekend our next edition will be on April 22, 2006. However, check our daily web log, firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com for daily updates seven days a week.
RED BAGS
There is a shortage of red bags in which to wrap the newspaper. Because of this there may be occasions when we just have to tie the papers and throw them without bags.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
After two ballots the election for City Council President Tuesday evening was continued until the next Council meeting. The votes were evenly split on both ballots, five for Rory Riddler and five for Bob Kneemiller. Kneemiller made a motion to continue the matter to the next meeting. Evidently he thought Dottie Greer would be recalled and a new member of the Council to be appointed by the Mayor would vote for him. More to come.
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