County Councilman Dan Foust, our favorite retriever, appears to be rabid about insuring every fire station in the county is under the jurisdiction of one fire district, including the St. Charles Fire Dept. He recently sent e-mails to numerous people requesting help in securing an opponent to run against another Republican office holder because he didn’t quite see things his way. Those Republicans who have an opinion different than Dan’s should immediately arm themselves with a stick and a can of mace to ward off possible attacks. Mailmen have advised the stick, the mace and a sharp command of “Down Fido” works 90 percent of the time when their ankles are chewed on.
There is controversy and heated discussion on both sides and I am not advocating either at this early date. However, those citizens who wish to discuss this issue with Mr. Foust can find him everyday at noon at the first table on the right just before the bar area at Pio’s on First Capitol Drive. I’m sure Mr. Foust would welcome discussing this matter with you if you have any concerns.
County Executive Joe Ortwerth is also adamant about placing all fire departments under one fire district under his jurisdiction. However, Mr. Ortwerth is not seeking reelection and will not be dealing with the issue. Ortwerth selected Steve Ehlmann to be his successor and appointed him County Administrator so he could run the county prior to being elected County Executive. To date, Ehlmann does not appear to have stated an opinion on this issue, although he has declared his candidacy for the office. Therefore we have to presume his stance by association. Joe Ortwerth is his boss and Dan Foust claims to be his “close friend”.
It was reported some time ago Ernie Dempsey, owner of Pio’s, is business partners with Ken Kielty in the building housing the local license bureau and also in partnership with another democrat, Roger Pryor, of the Columns Banquet Center. Dempsey is also in a partnership with Steve Ehlmann in the building once occupied by Ehlmann when he practiced law. That space is now leased to Senator Chuck Gross for his district senate office and the rent is paid by the State of Missouri. With Dempsey being awarded the local license office, he now receives all that revenue after paying expenses. In conjunction with Ehlmann, he also receives state money in the rental by Chuck Gross.
If we look at these political business partnerships as family, does this make Ehlmann first cousins to Kielty and Pryor? If they are cousins to Ehlmann, does this make Pryor and Kielty aristocrats? If Mr. Dempsey is in partnerships with various people, but none of these people are in business with each other, does this make Ernie Dempsey his own grandfather? Goodness, a money tree can get just as complicated as a real family tree.
After being retired from the senate due to term limits, Ehlmann announced his candidacy for the 2nd district to represent us in Washington. Unable to raise the funds needed, he dropped out and filed for Associate Circuit Judge. He then moved up and was elected Circuit Judge. He vacated the office of Circuit Judge to be the County administrator for mentoring under Ortwerth to insure his election as County Executive.
Prior to Ehlmann vacating his judgeship, Senator Chuck Gross was planning to run for County Executive next election. Not wishing for Ehlmann to have a primary opponent, Gross was enticed to consider running for Mayor of St. Charles. I don’t know if he is actually serious about that but he did step aside for Ehlmann when he decided he did not like being a judge. Chuck Gross is the Nathan Hale of our times; “I regret that I have but one life to give to my Steve Ehlmann.” Gross’ district office will continue on in the Dempsey-Ehlmann building because Dempsey’s son, Tom, will be seeking the vacated position now held by Gross.
Senator Gross and Tom Dempsey have made public statements that they are unhappy with the current City Council who assumed office one year ago. This is where we need to review history. How did Patti York become Mayor? She was first blessed, anointed, and then endorsed by Steve Ehlmann who was a senator, Chuck Gross who was a state rep. and Tom Dempsey. They also financially supported her campaign. The object was to retire Rory Riddler so they could also control the St. Charles City Council. For York’s first term, she had a rubber-stamp Council who walked in lock-step with the exception of Hoefpner, Riddler, Scheer and Gieseke.
One year ago, the Dempsey group attempted to again remove Hoefpner, Riddler, Scheer, and Gieseke. Their candidates lost 6 of the 10 city council races. This did not dissuade the Dempsey group. Ernie Dempsey helped spearhead the drive to change the City Charter to give the total power to a full-time Mayor. Huge sums of money were spent on slick mailings which persuaded the voters to change the charter. That has not gone into effect yet, therefore, the new City Council has been under constant, vicious attack by York and her minions.
Ehlmann, Gross, and Tom Dempsey have supported every action of the Mayor and never said a public word, and as far as anyone knows did not even attempt to persuade her to stop blocking the City Council so business could be conducted. The object of this group was never to smoothly conduct City business, but to destroy the majority of councilmen whom the voters chose in order to put people in office who were under their control. The public should pay close attention to the public hearings soon to be conducted investigating the Mayor’s alleged illegall signing of a city contract . Bear in mind, the Mayor thought she could do anything because she had the support and backing of powerful people. There is plenty of blame to spread around to others for any fault found.
Thus far, we have heard two people may run for the office of Mayor: John Gieseke, and Chuck Gross. If Gross runs, it is because Ehlmann would not allow him to seek the office of County Executive and he needs to be in public office until he moves up to something higher. If Gieseke runs, it is because his commitment is to this City as proven by two successful terms as Councilman. There are marked differences between these two possible candidates. John Giseke could not be bullied into not running for the office he really wants in the area of his personal commitment. If John Gieseke were playing the Nathan Hale role, I believe he would say; “I regret that I have but one life to give to my city.”
