First Capitol News,
In the First Capitol News May 6 – 12, 2006 issue in the Conservative Factor the statement was made that “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”. This statement would lead people to believe that Riddler ran my campaign in the Recall election of me on April 4, 2006 which is not a true statement. My husband and I ran my campaign.
Sincerely,
Dorothy “Dottie” Greer
Councilwoman, Ward 7
To the Editor:
St. Charles Yellow Cab is applying for a conditional use permit to move the cab operation to the Moore Oil site in Frenchtown (with the intention of keeping it there temporarily); this represents a step forward, not a step backward in the Frenchtown redevelopment process.
Mr. Griffey has been the owner of St. Charles Yellow Cab for some 2 years now. Mr. Griffey has also agreed to purchase the Moore Oil site for future redevelopment. Moving the cab company to Second Street is further proof of Mr. Griffey’s commitment to this redevelopment as it will serve as an important “place holder” for the project. When redevelopment begins on that block, the cab company will be moved to a permanent home of its own.
Kim Paris
Project Manager
Griffey Construction
When is enough, enough?
This Country is fast going down the drain, with the cost of energy, health care, gasoline etc. going up at the rate of 10-20 percent and salaries only three percent or less if you are on minimum wage which hasn’t rose in 10 years.
The very rich and special interest groups want this country back in the dark ages where you worked for the company, lived in the company houses and got your supplies at the company store and never got out of debt.
Now we see this as evident in our City as we watch the antics going on with our gang of Five Council members and their attorney which is supposed to be our City Attorney. These are the same special interest members who helped with the recall efforts to gain control but even with the special interest money and fraud, could not win. Now with their hook and crook effort after one Council member said he would not be at the May meeting that they called a special meeting and with five votes elected a new Council president. “Our” city attorney always said six votes was needed but for this meeting he changed his opinion to five. This just shows he is not an attorney for the city but is one for special interests.
At the last meeting a developer came in with an attorney and stated if he didn’t get what he wanted that he would sue. Now we read the Mayor said if the Council didn’t vote for the developer the City would be open to a lawsuit; one can only wonder if she is going to write a letter for this person to help in his lawsuit against the City.
I for one can only hope that the voters in these five wards can see if the actions of their representatives are for their interest or for special interests. At the next elections we should oust these “carpet baggers” and the Mayor out of office and elect people who are for the residents and not for special interests. Just my opinion which I think is as good as theirs.
Walter Dietz
Dear Editor FCN
I’ve been out of commission for about 3-4 months and have been wanting to write a letter to the editor for quite some time. “Bear with me now!” It’s going to be about “Nobody Patti”, Nobody Ken and Nobody Tom. The Mayor and two of her cronies. Just to inform you the taxpayers about Nobody Patti and how she operates if you tick her off and present the public with facts.
After Nobody Patti had someone send a letter to some friends (taxpayers) of this town about myself stating about how violent a man I was and for them to check out a web site concerning me - I went to the next meeting and confronted her. After I continued to write letters to the editor about her actions as Mayor another letter went out to Rory Riddler - Memo to Rory Riddler Re: Questionable Choices From John Semplekamp (my insert) “Alias” Nobody Ken probably - that’s my intuitiveness kicking in - with CC to Brown, Brockmeyer, Gieseke, Koester, Greer, Hoepfner, Kneemiller, Weller, Munch, Reese, York and Sonderegger. This memo besides attacking myself, Rory and Tony, the Nobody Ken attacked three other members of Patti’s recall committee.
As all this is taking place Nobody Tom has been very active on his web site going after anyone who may look at Nobody Patti the wrong way, much less expose her and her deceitful tactics in the FCN.
In the October 22 issue of the FCN I wrote a letter stating some facts as I recalled from many years ago at St. Charles Borromeo and how I believed these facts were covered up by some members of the parish. I also mentioned Patti was a Eucharistic minister. To the best of my memory I believe Patti used this in her campaign for Council or her first run for Mayor. I did not in any way question anyone’s moral character in that letter. What I did was give the facts about what took place then and was going to write another letter later about Patti, Henry and Pastor Tillman and the churches’s letterhead being used to promote “Nobody Patti” for Mayor. Also Pastor Tillman’s involvement in Patti’s legal defense fund. (Lest we forget separation of church and state much less the nonprofit organization aspect)
What the heck? The Chamber of Commerce can get by with it. Remember the Charter Amendment and how Officer Meyer used this in the full page ads to vote against Charter amendment #1. When its political, the laws of the land don’t mean a thing in this town. If its political and the laws don’t favor the right people, we all know who they are, they will bend them to the braking point and if this isn’t good enough we’ll just quit talking about it. It seems to work for the nobodies who think they are somebody.
After My October 22 letter in the FCN Nobody Ken’s name being used in the letter, it seemed to tick Nobody Ken off to the extent that a threatening phone call was made to me from Nobody Ken’s phone. Someone in a very vulgar way told me he did not appreciate his name being used in the letter and that whoever was making the call would beat my f_____g head in when he sees me out in public.
After Nobody Ken found out he was found out by myself and (SBC trace call) and that this info was forwarded to the Police, Nobody Ken had to defend his nobody name as well as Pastor Tillman and Nobody Henry and Nobody Patti as he accused me as questioning the moral character of those three nobodies. Nobody Ken was the one who used the words “moral character” in his sleazy letter. His sleazy letter was sent to my neighbors. This is the way these nobodies operate. Nobody Ken got caught at some of his underhanded tactics and he’s got to stand up for the nobodies to take the focus off of himself. I know it was Nobody Ken and Nobody Ken knows it was him and God knows it was him.
Not to forget Nobody Tom and his web site and how this letter that probably Nobody Ken wrote was posted on Nobody Tom’s web site. Not to forget Nobody Ed and his ad supplement. He printed a scaled down version of said letter as an “Open Letter to the Members and Friends of St. Charles Borromeo Parish.” As usual with letters in the ad supplement “nobody” wrote the letter, Nobody signed it. The letter just appeared to get the public eye off of Nobody Ken and for him to vent his hatred toward Rory Riddler and used myself as his ways and means of getting his nobody name back on track with the nobodies who call themselves the do the right thing nobodies.
On Halloween night right after nobody Ken found out I knew where the threatening phone call was made from, on Nobody Tom’s web-site there were some of the filthiest, sleazy, scum printed about myself and my wife and their concern for parents of the children that may come to our house for treats. Our address was listed and a caution given to stay way that there could be some harm come to them if they rang our doorbell.
I write this letter today to inform the taxpaying public of this town what can happen if you tick Nobody Patti off. Does it ever make you wonder what kind of people are running our City? It does me when Nobody Patti and the likes of Nobody Henry,Nobody Kevin have to have other Nobodies like Nobody Ken and Nobody Tom do their dirty work for them and go after a guy like myself just because of stating facts and the truth s I best know it for the good of all the taxpayers of this town.
Bob Bredensteiner
PS I’ve cautioned Nobody Patti before - just remember, Martha Stewart did not go to jail for Insider Trading, she went to jail for lying to a Grand Jury.
Friday, May 12, 2006
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS - MIKE McMurran Sports Editor
MY COLUMN - MIKE MCMURRAN
Someone approached me in reference to last week’s column and shared the following: “As I read the column about the “stuck up” people from Academy of the Sacred Heart, I couldn’t help feel there was a punch line coming, none did. I thought for sure you would lampoon Brian Green or Eric Schaefer or somebody from the Academy, but you were serious.” The fact is my son Joe has two lovely young classmates named Kalei Riggs and Courtney Hughes, both of which have dads who probably are not volunteer subscribers to this fine weekly, but they are Sacred Heart Dads, which to me means something. No, believe me, I am not above lampooning anyone – as a matter of fact, from my perspective nothing is sacred, except maybe music, Romeo and Juliet and Sacred Heart Parents.
You see the education received at ASH is really all encompassing – it really is a way of life. For example, I know a gentleman who was in the first graduating class that allowed boys. This gentleman helped me coach the Titan baseball team for a year or two, and at first I didn’t know how to read him – he was always so darn upbeat and positive and saying nice things about everyone – even the umpires. I just couldn’t take it. No one can be that darn upbeat all the time, or so I thought. No, Tom Clark, a graduate of ASH might just be the most sincere, kind and giving person I have ever met. He impressed me so that during games I would bounce my every thought off of him to insure I was not making an ass out of myself. His son, Andrew Clark no longer plays with the Titans, but has been known to show up and cheer his fellow teammates on to victory (we have a team saying, “once a Titan, always a Titan.”). Tom is such a caring person that I sometimes call him and ask his advice on life in general. O.K., so I am modifying the last sentence in the first paragraph to read “…except maybe music, Romeo and Juliet, Sacred Heart Parents, especially Tom Clark.”
On to sports, or rather sport’s management. Has anyone been paying attention, or is it just me, that the Family Arena either (a) doesn’t care that they cannot hold a minor league team, or (b) doesn’t know what it takes to keep a minor league team. Let’s count the teams they have lost in the past 6 years or so: St. Louis Swarm (basketball), St. Louis Steamers (soccer), RiverCity Rage (football) and now the Missouri River Otters (hockey). Frankly, the building looks terrible. I’ve contacted my County Council person, Joe McColloch, no less than five times, pointing out that there are so many bulbs burned out on the marquee, that when approaching from the south, one cannot read the message. It just keeps getting worse.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting the staff is not doing their job. Every employee I have ever come in contact with goes out of their way to make guests feel welcome. I’m suggesting that maybe someone much higher up might not be doing their job. I cannot but help think the County misses the $300,000 withheld by Saint Charles City.
And for St. Charles City residents, will not the failure to make the $300,000 debt service payment to the County result in additional interest payments – payments made with tax dollars. Sounds to me like a story for Louis to look into – he likes that investigative type of stuff.
We welcome back the “FCN High School Athlete of the Week.” Remember, if you would like to nominate a St. Charles City resident contact me at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net.
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
Duchesne senior Matt Pohlman ready to finish baseball career with a bang.
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Duchesne senior outfielder/pitcher Matt Pohlman has been playing varsity baseball now for head coach Patrick Steagall for four years, so it is safe to say Steagall probably knows Pohlman rather well. “It would sound so cliché to say Matt ‘leads by example,’ or the other popular phrase is ‘he is a rah-rah type of leader.’ With Matt you never know what he is going to do, but you know it will be for the benefit of the entire team. Is he a team leader? Yeah, but he is so much more, he provides, I don’t know, intangible leadership.”
Pitching, Matt has a perfect 5-0 mark going into the final week of regulation play. But its his bat that the opposition had better pay the closest attention. Matt leads the team in runs scored (24), hits (31), singles (24), doubles (6) and RBI’s (20). Last Friday he went 5 for 9, scored 3 runs while driving in 6 as the Pioneers swept cross-town rival St. Charles 12-4 and 11-5 in a twi-night doubleheader.
An interview with Duchesne baseball player Matt Pohlman:
Age: 18; throws R/bats R
With whom do you live: Parents, Alan and Joyce Pohlman, St. Charles City
Where did you attend grade school: St. Cletus
When did you first start playing baseball: I’ve been playing baseball for as long as I can remember. I guess I started playing tee-ball when I was 4 years old or so
Do you play any other sports: Football and basketball
Favorite sport: Football, I love football and that is what I am going to play in college (Editor’s note: my kind of guy!)
Fondest baseball moment: Hitting a home run in the district title game my freshman year. We lost 4-3 to St. Charles West.
Fondest moment in sports: Making it to the state semifinals in football this year. We were beat by Affton.
Have you set any personal goals this season: Drive in at least 25 runs and lead the GAC (Gateway Athletic Conference) in runs scored
Team goals: Getting out of districts is our first goal. Once out of districts anything can happen.
Have you anyone special in baseball you look up to: My brother Scott has taught me pretty much everything I know about baseball, basketball and football. He is so much more than a big brother to me, I really can’t explain it
What about your role model in life: No doubt about it, my dad. What can I say, he did a pretty good job of teaching me right from wrong – I will carry that with me wherever I go in life.
Favorite subject in school: English (Editor’s note: I really do like this kid!)
Favorite teacher: My religion teacher, Dr. Guido Stucco
Advice for underclassmen: Give 100% at practice, if you practice hard you will naturally play hard
Any final thoughts: My grandpa has made every game I have ever played in since the 7th grade, and that is a lot of games. In 7th grade I made a traveling team and we would play 100 games a year. Right before I made that team my grandma, Mary Pohlman died. When I look into the stands and see my grandpa I get a strange, yet special feeling that my grandma is sitting right next to him. I know it sounds corny, but it helps me play better.
The restaurant question: Ah man, I don’t know. I would probably go to Bristol’s (Bristol Bar and Seafood Grill) and order 5 or six crappie plates. I can eat some crappie.
United Hockey League
Finger-Pointing Time
Fans Express Concerns With Their Teams League-Wide
By Louis J. Launer
The United Hockey League season has only been over here in Missouri for almost a month, yet fans and a few movers and shakers have become quite vocal over the situation concerning the Missouri River Otters.
To some of the “experts,” the collapse of the River Otters as an organization was not a surprise. Yet it still leaves fans scratching their heads as to why Mike Shanahan, Jr. decided to “pull the plug” on the team.
The fan reaction to a comment that Shanahan said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch left bad tastes in some mouths. Shanahan referred to the operation of the River Otters organization as a “hobby.” The mutual reaction of the fans was “I can’t believe he said that.” Most fans, including season ticket holders who paid $2,000 to $3,000 for season tickets for River Otter games, felt that Shanahan had really no interest in the team, except last season, when the NHL lockout made the River Otters and the UHL the only game in the area.
But not all UHL teams are hobbies. Michael Franke, who is part owner of the Fort Wayne Komets, is a very serious businessman and his family has operated the Komets franchise for decades, the last ten of those years in the United Hockey League.
“It’s really a good league and great hockey,” Franke said while in St. Charles for the UHL All-Star Classic in January. “If a front office puts enough effort and builds a team and promotes it, it can be fairly successful. But it takes time to build a team.”
The Rockford IceHogs eliminated Franke’s Fort Wayne Komets in the first round of this year’s Colonial Cup playoffs. Rockford was a team who spent years at the bottom of the UHL standings after being a transplanted team from Thunder Bay, Ontario. But after some changes in the front office and improvements to their 7,000-seat facility the MetroCentre, the IceHogs wound up in first place in the UHL’s Western Division and the number 3 seed in the Colonial Cup playoffs. They are currently facing the number-one seed Kalamazoo Wings.
Like the Komets, the Wings also have had a long minor league history, but have only been in the UHL for six seasons. Kalamazoo has one of the smaller and older hockey arenas, known as Wings Stadium. It only seats 4,000—plus there is free parking at the facility. In the last three seasons, the Wings have built themselves up to become a winning franchise, both in the front office and on the ice. They were the UHL’s Franchise of the Year in 2003-04. This season, the Wings won the Tarry Cup, being the team posting the best regular season record. The Wings’ coach, Mark Reeds was the UHL’s Coach of the Year in 2003-04 and 2004-05. This year, the Wings could win the Colonial Cup championship if they continue their winning ways in their current semi-final series. What is ironic about the Wings was that several of their players, front office personnel and Coach Mark Reeds were with the River Otters only a few seasons ago.
For some fans, a little of the blame of the River Otters’ second demise points directly to the United Hockey League and their offices in Lake Saint Louis. There are a few fans who feel that since the league office is in St. Charles County, that there would be more effort to keep a franchise just 25 miles away. Some fans who feel they are hockey experts claim the UHL referees and off-ice officials are worse than amateur and high school hockey. Yet, even a further minority of fans feels that the officiating problems are deliberate. The UHL itself claims that it is fan loyalty that is overextended.
“This is the time of the year where fans feel that their team should have been better and place the problems on the officials and us,” said UHL media relations representative Brian Werger. “A team has to win and a team has to lose.”
Werger denies that the UHL does anything deliberate to favor a game. But many fans are honestly demanding a better hockey product from the United Hockey League—better players, better operational personnel and stable franchises. Fans would like to see more fan participation in some of the teams; something more than just a booster club that most minor league franchises have and the league endorses. The lack of opportunities for fan participation was one of the claims Missouri fans did not go to as many hockey games in the last four seasons. Some fans say they aren’t asking much as far as improvements. But some loyal fans would expect the UHL to award them something for being at the games, yet feel that their team and also the league dejected them, especially at the end of the season.
The UHL has been recognized for awarding franchises to certain markets, expecting them to succeed outstandingly. By the end of the season, there is a good chance that the franchise fails, folds or gets relocated. There is a claim by most fans that it happens much more in the UHL compared to other leagues in their same AA caliber. The fans have a point. The UHL has had at least four franchise moves, failures and additions in the last five seasons. Its ratio of failures is more than what the ECHL and CHL have encountered in the same time span. However the ECHL is much bigger and lost franchises this season due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, since a number of their franchises are along the Gulf coast.
Even the UHL’s cornerstone franchises, such as the Quad City Mallards, Flint Generals and Fort Wayne Komets have fans that feel that their teams should step up to a better level of hockey, more to the style of the American Hockey League, the AAA level of the minor leagues. Just recently, there was a fan movement to try to get the Quad City Mallards to move to the AHL. But it was quashed when the new owners of the franchise announced that it was remaining in the UHL.
Missouri River Otter fans have wanted a further explanation from the team and the league as to why the team has crashed and burned for a second time in three years. Some fans feel they haven’t been told everything. Some fans are fed up with the UHL for remaining quiet.
This past week, St. Charles County, under mounting pressure now that Family Arena could be completely tenant-less in the second half of 2006, has begun their search for a buyer of the Missouri River Otters franchise and also looking at other hockey minor leagues for a team to occupy the Family Arena.
We have repeatedly asked UHL Commissioner Richard Brosal for an interview and further explanation into some of the fans’ concerns. But he continues to be unavailable for comment.
Someone approached me in reference to last week’s column and shared the following: “As I read the column about the “stuck up” people from Academy of the Sacred Heart, I couldn’t help feel there was a punch line coming, none did. I thought for sure you would lampoon Brian Green or Eric Schaefer or somebody from the Academy, but you were serious.” The fact is my son Joe has two lovely young classmates named Kalei Riggs and Courtney Hughes, both of which have dads who probably are not volunteer subscribers to this fine weekly, but they are Sacred Heart Dads, which to me means something. No, believe me, I am not above lampooning anyone – as a matter of fact, from my perspective nothing is sacred, except maybe music, Romeo and Juliet and Sacred Heart Parents.
You see the education received at ASH is really all encompassing – it really is a way of life. For example, I know a gentleman who was in the first graduating class that allowed boys. This gentleman helped me coach the Titan baseball team for a year or two, and at first I didn’t know how to read him – he was always so darn upbeat and positive and saying nice things about everyone – even the umpires. I just couldn’t take it. No one can be that darn upbeat all the time, or so I thought. No, Tom Clark, a graduate of ASH might just be the most sincere, kind and giving person I have ever met. He impressed me so that during games I would bounce my every thought off of him to insure I was not making an ass out of myself. His son, Andrew Clark no longer plays with the Titans, but has been known to show up and cheer his fellow teammates on to victory (we have a team saying, “once a Titan, always a Titan.”). Tom is such a caring person that I sometimes call him and ask his advice on life in general. O.K., so I am modifying the last sentence in the first paragraph to read “…except maybe music, Romeo and Juliet, Sacred Heart Parents, especially Tom Clark.”
On to sports, or rather sport’s management. Has anyone been paying attention, or is it just me, that the Family Arena either (a) doesn’t care that they cannot hold a minor league team, or (b) doesn’t know what it takes to keep a minor league team. Let’s count the teams they have lost in the past 6 years or so: St. Louis Swarm (basketball), St. Louis Steamers (soccer), RiverCity Rage (football) and now the Missouri River Otters (hockey). Frankly, the building looks terrible. I’ve contacted my County Council person, Joe McColloch, no less than five times, pointing out that there are so many bulbs burned out on the marquee, that when approaching from the south, one cannot read the message. It just keeps getting worse.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting the staff is not doing their job. Every employee I have ever come in contact with goes out of their way to make guests feel welcome. I’m suggesting that maybe someone much higher up might not be doing their job. I cannot but help think the County misses the $300,000 withheld by Saint Charles City.
And for St. Charles City residents, will not the failure to make the $300,000 debt service payment to the County result in additional interest payments – payments made with tax dollars. Sounds to me like a story for Louis to look into – he likes that investigative type of stuff.
We welcome back the “FCN High School Athlete of the Week.” Remember, if you would like to nominate a St. Charles City resident contact me at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net.
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
Duchesne senior Matt Pohlman ready to finish baseball career with a bang.
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Duchesne senior outfielder/pitcher Matt Pohlman has been playing varsity baseball now for head coach Patrick Steagall for four years, so it is safe to say Steagall probably knows Pohlman rather well. “It would sound so cliché to say Matt ‘leads by example,’ or the other popular phrase is ‘he is a rah-rah type of leader.’ With Matt you never know what he is going to do, but you know it will be for the benefit of the entire team. Is he a team leader? Yeah, but he is so much more, he provides, I don’t know, intangible leadership.”
Pitching, Matt has a perfect 5-0 mark going into the final week of regulation play. But its his bat that the opposition had better pay the closest attention. Matt leads the team in runs scored (24), hits (31), singles (24), doubles (6) and RBI’s (20). Last Friday he went 5 for 9, scored 3 runs while driving in 6 as the Pioneers swept cross-town rival St. Charles 12-4 and 11-5 in a twi-night doubleheader.
An interview with Duchesne baseball player Matt Pohlman:
Age: 18; throws R/bats R
With whom do you live: Parents, Alan and Joyce Pohlman, St. Charles City
Where did you attend grade school: St. Cletus
When did you first start playing baseball: I’ve been playing baseball for as long as I can remember. I guess I started playing tee-ball when I was 4 years old or so
Do you play any other sports: Football and basketball
Favorite sport: Football, I love football and that is what I am going to play in college (Editor’s note: my kind of guy!)
Fondest baseball moment: Hitting a home run in the district title game my freshman year. We lost 4-3 to St. Charles West.
Fondest moment in sports: Making it to the state semifinals in football this year. We were beat by Affton.
Have you set any personal goals this season: Drive in at least 25 runs and lead the GAC (Gateway Athletic Conference) in runs scored
Team goals: Getting out of districts is our first goal. Once out of districts anything can happen.
Have you anyone special in baseball you look up to: My brother Scott has taught me pretty much everything I know about baseball, basketball and football. He is so much more than a big brother to me, I really can’t explain it
What about your role model in life: No doubt about it, my dad. What can I say, he did a pretty good job of teaching me right from wrong – I will carry that with me wherever I go in life.
Favorite subject in school: English (Editor’s note: I really do like this kid!)
Favorite teacher: My religion teacher, Dr. Guido Stucco
Advice for underclassmen: Give 100% at practice, if you practice hard you will naturally play hard
Any final thoughts: My grandpa has made every game I have ever played in since the 7th grade, and that is a lot of games. In 7th grade I made a traveling team and we would play 100 games a year. Right before I made that team my grandma, Mary Pohlman died. When I look into the stands and see my grandpa I get a strange, yet special feeling that my grandma is sitting right next to him. I know it sounds corny, but it helps me play better.
The restaurant question: Ah man, I don’t know. I would probably go to Bristol’s (Bristol Bar and Seafood Grill) and order 5 or six crappie plates. I can eat some crappie.
United Hockey League
Finger-Pointing Time
Fans Express Concerns With Their Teams League-Wide
By Louis J. Launer
The United Hockey League season has only been over here in Missouri for almost a month, yet fans and a few movers and shakers have become quite vocal over the situation concerning the Missouri River Otters.
To some of the “experts,” the collapse of the River Otters as an organization was not a surprise. Yet it still leaves fans scratching their heads as to why Mike Shanahan, Jr. decided to “pull the plug” on the team.
The fan reaction to a comment that Shanahan said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch left bad tastes in some mouths. Shanahan referred to the operation of the River Otters organization as a “hobby.” The mutual reaction of the fans was “I can’t believe he said that.” Most fans, including season ticket holders who paid $2,000 to $3,000 for season tickets for River Otter games, felt that Shanahan had really no interest in the team, except last season, when the NHL lockout made the River Otters and the UHL the only game in the area.
But not all UHL teams are hobbies. Michael Franke, who is part owner of the Fort Wayne Komets, is a very serious businessman and his family has operated the Komets franchise for decades, the last ten of those years in the United Hockey League.
“It’s really a good league and great hockey,” Franke said while in St. Charles for the UHL All-Star Classic in January. “If a front office puts enough effort and builds a team and promotes it, it can be fairly successful. But it takes time to build a team.”
The Rockford IceHogs eliminated Franke’s Fort Wayne Komets in the first round of this year’s Colonial Cup playoffs. Rockford was a team who spent years at the bottom of the UHL standings after being a transplanted team from Thunder Bay, Ontario. But after some changes in the front office and improvements to their 7,000-seat facility the MetroCentre, the IceHogs wound up in first place in the UHL’s Western Division and the number 3 seed in the Colonial Cup playoffs. They are currently facing the number-one seed Kalamazoo Wings.
Like the Komets, the Wings also have had a long minor league history, but have only been in the UHL for six seasons. Kalamazoo has one of the smaller and older hockey arenas, known as Wings Stadium. It only seats 4,000—plus there is free parking at the facility. In the last three seasons, the Wings have built themselves up to become a winning franchise, both in the front office and on the ice. They were the UHL’s Franchise of the Year in 2003-04. This season, the Wings won the Tarry Cup, being the team posting the best regular season record. The Wings’ coach, Mark Reeds was the UHL’s Coach of the Year in 2003-04 and 2004-05. This year, the Wings could win the Colonial Cup championship if they continue their winning ways in their current semi-final series. What is ironic about the Wings was that several of their players, front office personnel and Coach Mark Reeds were with the River Otters only a few seasons ago.
For some fans, a little of the blame of the River Otters’ second demise points directly to the United Hockey League and their offices in Lake Saint Louis. There are a few fans who feel that since the league office is in St. Charles County, that there would be more effort to keep a franchise just 25 miles away. Some fans who feel they are hockey experts claim the UHL referees and off-ice officials are worse than amateur and high school hockey. Yet, even a further minority of fans feels that the officiating problems are deliberate. The UHL itself claims that it is fan loyalty that is overextended.
“This is the time of the year where fans feel that their team should have been better and place the problems on the officials and us,” said UHL media relations representative Brian Werger. “A team has to win and a team has to lose.”
Werger denies that the UHL does anything deliberate to favor a game. But many fans are honestly demanding a better hockey product from the United Hockey League—better players, better operational personnel and stable franchises. Fans would like to see more fan participation in some of the teams; something more than just a booster club that most minor league franchises have and the league endorses. The lack of opportunities for fan participation was one of the claims Missouri fans did not go to as many hockey games in the last four seasons. Some fans say they aren’t asking much as far as improvements. But some loyal fans would expect the UHL to award them something for being at the games, yet feel that their team and also the league dejected them, especially at the end of the season.
The UHL has been recognized for awarding franchises to certain markets, expecting them to succeed outstandingly. By the end of the season, there is a good chance that the franchise fails, folds or gets relocated. There is a claim by most fans that it happens much more in the UHL compared to other leagues in their same AA caliber. The fans have a point. The UHL has had at least four franchise moves, failures and additions in the last five seasons. Its ratio of failures is more than what the ECHL and CHL have encountered in the same time span. However the ECHL is much bigger and lost franchises this season due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, since a number of their franchises are along the Gulf coast.
Even the UHL’s cornerstone franchises, such as the Quad City Mallards, Flint Generals and Fort Wayne Komets have fans that feel that their teams should step up to a better level of hockey, more to the style of the American Hockey League, the AAA level of the minor leagues. Just recently, there was a fan movement to try to get the Quad City Mallards to move to the AHL. But it was quashed when the new owners of the franchise announced that it was remaining in the UHL.
Missouri River Otter fans have wanted a further explanation from the team and the league as to why the team has crashed and burned for a second time in three years. Some fans feel they haven’t been told everything. Some fans are fed up with the UHL for remaining quiet.
This past week, St. Charles County, under mounting pressure now that Family Arena could be completely tenant-less in the second half of 2006, has begun their search for a buyer of the Missouri River Otters franchise and also looking at other hockey minor leagues for a team to occupy the Family Arena.
We have repeatedly asked UHL Commissioner Richard Brosal for an interview and further explanation into some of the fans’ concerns. But he continues to be unavailable for comment.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Citizen Advocate Joe Buehrle Wants An Investigation
Retired City Inspector Charges tax dollars misused, substandard work accepted, wrongdoing by City inspectors
By Tony Brockmeyer
At a City Council meeting several months ago, Joe Buehrle, a retired City construction inspector who wants to be called a Citizen Advocate, told the Council members he had evidence of wrongdoing going on in the City. Buehrle asked for an opportunity to present his evidence to the Council so that they make take action.
Buehrle was employed by the City from August 8, 1972 until his retirement on July 1, 2003. He started in the street division and worked in various levels until he retired as a construction inspector for the St. Charles Public Works.
Buehrle told the First Capitol News that sometime after the Council meeting Councilman Brown and also Councilwoman Greer contacted him but that he did not give them the evidence because he wanted to offer it to the City Council as a group. He also received a copy of an e-mail sent by Councilman Riddler to Administrator Williams suggesting Williams set up a meeting for Mr. Buehrle to lay out his documentation and then for Public Works and Williams to respond. Mr. Buehrle told the First Capitol News that Williams would not set up a meeting and wrote him to have some outside agency conduct an investigation.
Mr. Buehrle said, “It pertains to a development that Public Works calls the Thoele tract down at the corner of Little Hills Expressway and Little Hills Parkway. Steve Bender, the City Engineer, and Scott Sharp, one of his construction inspectors both have said in front of credible witnesses, myself and on video that there are some Council members and City Administrator that are telling the City not to enforce any rules against Thoele’s development. They have been told to tear up citations. They have been letting them work for over two and one half years without grading permits and he is still in violation of a stop work order that was issued December 30, 2005. He has been allowed to continue without bringing the site up to compliance and without getting the proper permits. He has been allowed to continue.”
Buehrle told the First Capitol News, “I met with City engineer Steve Bender in his office and he told me Councilman Hoepfner and former City Administrator Jim O’Connor had stopped City inspectors from making Thoele comply with City ordinances. In January Steve Bender told me that Allan Williams was also telling him if there were any violations not to do anything with it. They do not have the proper grading permits, they are not complying with the December 30th stop work order when he was told he had to bring the site into compliance with erosion control, which is your silt fence and straw bales, and was assured by Deborah Alysworth, the Acting Public Works Director at the time that Roy Thoele had complied with everything he needed to resume work on his property which I do have proof that he is still not in compliance with the City’s grading permits, the department of natural resources permits. I have pictures where he has buried tires and railroad ties which are not allowed to be put in any normal fill site and again he is being allowed to work without being in compliance with grading permits issued by the public works department.”
When asked if anyone else was in attendance when Mr. Bender was giving him the information Buehrle replied, “The first time no. It was just me and him in his office. The second time there was Mr. Bender and one of his inspectors Scott Sharp and myself and I had a video camera with me taping the development. We had been on site at the Thoele tract and I had confronted him and his inspector about telling me who the other Council people were who were giving them the okay to not issue any citations or anything like that. According to the video you can tell that the inspector stumbled and couldn’t speak and then finally Steve Bender said don’t tell him anything. And also the inspector met with myself and two businessmen next to this development in December 2005 and Scott Sharp the inspector admitted in front of all three of us that there was two Council members and his boss Steve Bender telling him not to bother this place. To find other places in town to work.”
Buehrle said, “I repeatedly, at least four times I clearly asked who the Council people and different bosses who were telling him not to bother with that site down there and he told us, ‘I am afraid I’m going to get in trouble if I say anything.’ Every time I have asked questions at City Hall no body wants to answer them. “
Buehrle says he has been pursuing this matter wanting an official investigation for at least five months. He has only received an e-mail from Allan Williams telling him to seek someone from outside to investigate his claims.
Buehrle said that at one time when he was questioning Steve Bender at the site in January and videotaping the interview, Bender refused to make any comments on tape and according to Buehrle, Bender slapped the video camera back into his (Buehrle’s) face. “I did go out and file assault charges against Steve Bender and am still waiting for a reply from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office. There was a police report made.”
Buehrle, who resides in St. Charles has asked his Councilman, Larry Muench Ward 2, to help but according to Buehrle Muench has avoided taking any action on his Complaints. Buehrle has no intention of dropping his complaints and has stated he will do whatever necessary to see that his complaints are investigated and that taxpayers are protected.
By Tony Brockmeyer
At a City Council meeting several months ago, Joe Buehrle, a retired City construction inspector who wants to be called a Citizen Advocate, told the Council members he had evidence of wrongdoing going on in the City. Buehrle asked for an opportunity to present his evidence to the Council so that they make take action.
Buehrle was employed by the City from August 8, 1972 until his retirement on July 1, 2003. He started in the street division and worked in various levels until he retired as a construction inspector for the St. Charles Public Works.
Buehrle told the First Capitol News that sometime after the Council meeting Councilman Brown and also Councilwoman Greer contacted him but that he did not give them the evidence because he wanted to offer it to the City Council as a group. He also received a copy of an e-mail sent by Councilman Riddler to Administrator Williams suggesting Williams set up a meeting for Mr. Buehrle to lay out his documentation and then for Public Works and Williams to respond. Mr. Buehrle told the First Capitol News that Williams would not set up a meeting and wrote him to have some outside agency conduct an investigation.
Mr. Buehrle said, “It pertains to a development that Public Works calls the Thoele tract down at the corner of Little Hills Expressway and Little Hills Parkway. Steve Bender, the City Engineer, and Scott Sharp, one of his construction inspectors both have said in front of credible witnesses, myself and on video that there are some Council members and City Administrator that are telling the City not to enforce any rules against Thoele’s development. They have been told to tear up citations. They have been letting them work for over two and one half years without grading permits and he is still in violation of a stop work order that was issued December 30, 2005. He has been allowed to continue without bringing the site up to compliance and without getting the proper permits. He has been allowed to continue.”
Buehrle told the First Capitol News, “I met with City engineer Steve Bender in his office and he told me Councilman Hoepfner and former City Administrator Jim O’Connor had stopped City inspectors from making Thoele comply with City ordinances. In January Steve Bender told me that Allan Williams was also telling him if there were any violations not to do anything with it. They do not have the proper grading permits, they are not complying with the December 30th stop work order when he was told he had to bring the site into compliance with erosion control, which is your silt fence and straw bales, and was assured by Deborah Alysworth, the Acting Public Works Director at the time that Roy Thoele had complied with everything he needed to resume work on his property which I do have proof that he is still not in compliance with the City’s grading permits, the department of natural resources permits. I have pictures where he has buried tires and railroad ties which are not allowed to be put in any normal fill site and again he is being allowed to work without being in compliance with grading permits issued by the public works department.”
When asked if anyone else was in attendance when Mr. Bender was giving him the information Buehrle replied, “The first time no. It was just me and him in his office. The second time there was Mr. Bender and one of his inspectors Scott Sharp and myself and I had a video camera with me taping the development. We had been on site at the Thoele tract and I had confronted him and his inspector about telling me who the other Council people were who were giving them the okay to not issue any citations or anything like that. According to the video you can tell that the inspector stumbled and couldn’t speak and then finally Steve Bender said don’t tell him anything. And also the inspector met with myself and two businessmen next to this development in December 2005 and Scott Sharp the inspector admitted in front of all three of us that there was two Council members and his boss Steve Bender telling him not to bother this place. To find other places in town to work.”
Buehrle said, “I repeatedly, at least four times I clearly asked who the Council people and different bosses who were telling him not to bother with that site down there and he told us, ‘I am afraid I’m going to get in trouble if I say anything.’ Every time I have asked questions at City Hall no body wants to answer them. “
Buehrle says he has been pursuing this matter wanting an official investigation for at least five months. He has only received an e-mail from Allan Williams telling him to seek someone from outside to investigate his claims.
Buehrle said that at one time when he was questioning Steve Bender at the site in January and videotaping the interview, Bender refused to make any comments on tape and according to Buehrle, Bender slapped the video camera back into his (Buehrle’s) face. “I did go out and file assault charges against Steve Bender and am still waiting for a reply from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office. There was a police report made.”
Buehrle, who resides in St. Charles has asked his Councilman, Larry Muench Ward 2, to help but according to Buehrle Muench has avoided taking any action on his Complaints. Buehrle has no intention of dropping his complaints and has stated he will do whatever necessary to see that his complaints are investigated and that taxpayers are protected.
Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Green Wins Charles M. Shaw Award For Excellence in Trial Advocacy
On Friday, April 21, 2006 the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presented their annual awards for attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the practice of criminal law. Joe Green received the Charles M. Shaw Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.
Joe Green is a resident of st. Charles County, a Saint Dominic High School graduate and a graduate of St. Louis University.
Joe Green and five other attorneys from the St. Louis area are involved in the largest criminal indictment ever handed down by the United States Government.
The indictment originates out of Los Angeles. Green and the five other attorneys, find themselves representing defendants in Los Angeles after they tried a six month federal jury trial in a capitol murder case in the Southern district of Illinois. After that case ended with a hung jury, the Government dismissed the charges against the defendants and joined them in the case originating out of Los Angeles. It was his work in these cases, and other capitol litigation cases, that served as the basis for attorney Joe Green receiving the Charles M. Shaw Excellence in Trial Advocacy Award from the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice, Michael A. Wolff, was a guest speaker at the luncheon at which the awards were presented.
Joe Green is a resident of st. Charles County, a Saint Dominic High School graduate and a graduate of St. Louis University.
Joe Green and five other attorneys from the St. Louis area are involved in the largest criminal indictment ever handed down by the United States Government.
The indictment originates out of Los Angeles. Green and the five other attorneys, find themselves representing defendants in Los Angeles after they tried a six month federal jury trial in a capitol murder case in the Southern district of Illinois. After that case ended with a hung jury, the Government dismissed the charges against the defendants and joined them in the case originating out of Los Angeles. It was his work in these cases, and other capitol litigation cases, that served as the basis for attorney Joe Green receiving the Charles M. Shaw Excellence in Trial Advocacy Award from the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice, Michael A. Wolff, was a guest speaker at the luncheon at which the awards were presented.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
The Mayor does it again.
If you have an opportunity to watch a replay of the Council meeting Tuesday evening don’t miss the spot where a concerned citizen, Vince Williams, asked about redevelopment of the I-70-West Clay exchange. He said that a developer had been in contact with them about it. The Mayor gave an amazing performance. At first she made it appear that she was not sure where that area was located and then suddenly a light went off and she remembered where it was. “Straightening the road there? Engineering study?” she asked. “Straightening the road, different developers have looked at that area to see if there would be interest in developing that but we don’t have anything on paper. Not tangible or ready to go or anything like that or we would certainly talk to everybody.” The First Capitol News is aware Pace Properties is planning on redeveloping the area bordered by First Capitol, West Clay from the water tower to Walgreen’s and Interstate 70. They have held meetings with the Mayor, yes the Mayor and some Council member. Pace has acquired some of the property and have produced detailed drawings showing the redevelopment project. It is based on Droste Road being put through to Boone’s Lick. Although eminent domain has not been brought up they have not yet acquired all the properties they need to complete the project. Maybe that refreshes your memory Mayor or was it your intention to lie?
Do you know where your child is drag racing this weekend?
On Saturday, April 22 at approximately 11 pm St. Charles Police Officer Stanczak was able to stop and curb two drag racers in the Elm Street, Fountain Lakes area. The 18-year-old drivers were clocked by the police at 110 miles per hour. They were both arrested and their vehicles were towed.
The St. Charles police also wrote other drivers tickets for excessive acceleration. Officer Witterholt also arrested and towed a drag racer on Saturday, April 23 at 12:40 am in the 3600 block of Truman.
Drag racing in these areas is becoming a problem and the St. Charles Police are cracking down. If you have a young driver out with a vehicle you may want to caution them about drag racing or excessive acceleration before your phone rings some evening telling you your child has been arrested and the vehicle towed.
Kneemiller new Council President
Prior to the start of the City Council meeting Tuesday evening Council President Rory Riddler announced he had been told that even before the opening of the meeting and even before the Pledge of Allegiance it would be necessary to hold the election for Council President and Vice President. Kneemiller, Hoepfner, Reese, Weller and Muench voted for Kneemiller and Riddler, Brown and Greer voted for Riddler. Koester was late for the meeting and Gieseke was out of town on business. Riddler started to move on and was stopped by City Attorney Mike Valenti who told him that it only took five votes to elect the president according to the ordinance. At previous meetings Valenti had advised the Council it would take a majority of the elected officials to elect the president, that being six members. A vote was then taken for Vice President and the same five voted for Reese. Kneemiller then took the President’s chair. No one has been able to produce an ordinance backing up Valenti’s statement. The opinion from an attorney is only that, an opinion. It has no legal standing until upheld by a Court of law. I expect more on this to come up later.
If you have an opportunity to watch a replay of the Council meeting Tuesday evening don’t miss the spot where a concerned citizen, Vince Williams, asked about redevelopment of the I-70-West Clay exchange. He said that a developer had been in contact with them about it. The Mayor gave an amazing performance. At first she made it appear that she was not sure where that area was located and then suddenly a light went off and she remembered where it was. “Straightening the road there? Engineering study?” she asked. “Straightening the road, different developers have looked at that area to see if there would be interest in developing that but we don’t have anything on paper. Not tangible or ready to go or anything like that or we would certainly talk to everybody.” The First Capitol News is aware Pace Properties is planning on redeveloping the area bordered by First Capitol, West Clay from the water tower to Walgreen’s and Interstate 70. They have held meetings with the Mayor, yes the Mayor and some Council member. Pace has acquired some of the property and have produced detailed drawings showing the redevelopment project. It is based on Droste Road being put through to Boone’s Lick. Although eminent domain has not been brought up they have not yet acquired all the properties they need to complete the project. Maybe that refreshes your memory Mayor or was it your intention to lie?
Do you know where your child is drag racing this weekend?
On Saturday, April 22 at approximately 11 pm St. Charles Police Officer Stanczak was able to stop and curb two drag racers in the Elm Street, Fountain Lakes area. The 18-year-old drivers were clocked by the police at 110 miles per hour. They were both arrested and their vehicles were towed.
The St. Charles police also wrote other drivers tickets for excessive acceleration. Officer Witterholt also arrested and towed a drag racer on Saturday, April 23 at 12:40 am in the 3600 block of Truman.
Drag racing in these areas is becoming a problem and the St. Charles Police are cracking down. If you have a young driver out with a vehicle you may want to caution them about drag racing or excessive acceleration before your phone rings some evening telling you your child has been arrested and the vehicle towed.
Kneemiller new Council President
Prior to the start of the City Council meeting Tuesday evening Council President Rory Riddler announced he had been told that even before the opening of the meeting and even before the Pledge of Allegiance it would be necessary to hold the election for Council President and Vice President. Kneemiller, Hoepfner, Reese, Weller and Muench voted for Kneemiller and Riddler, Brown and Greer voted for Riddler. Koester was late for the meeting and Gieseke was out of town on business. Riddler started to move on and was stopped by City Attorney Mike Valenti who told him that it only took five votes to elect the president according to the ordinance. At previous meetings Valenti had advised the Council it would take a majority of the elected officials to elect the president, that being six members. A vote was then taken for Vice President and the same five voted for Reese. Kneemiller then took the President’s chair. No one has been able to produce an ordinance backing up Valenti’s statement. The opinion from an attorney is only that, an opinion. It has no legal standing until upheld by a Court of law. I expect more on this to come up later.
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
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.
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.
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.
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