TOP PHOTO - Michael Kielty, an attorney representing members of the Citizens Empowerment Committee, berating members of the City Council Tuesday evening because an investigation has been started by the St. Charles Police Department regarding alleged fraud in the collection of signatures in the movement to recall Council woman Dottie Greer. Kielty claimed the police detectives conducting the investigation were “brown shirts and thugs to intimidate.” Photo taken from video tape of Council meeting.
BOTTOM PHOTO - Linda Meyer, wife of a St. Charles police officer, is leading the recall effort of the Citizens Empowerment Committee. Meyer serves as treasurer of the committee which is attempting to oust Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Photo taken from video tape of Council meeting.
At the City Council meeting Tuesday evening, Mike Kielty, an attorney berated members of the City Council because a police investigation had been opened because of alleged fraud in the collection of signatures in the recall attempt of Councilman Dottie Greer. Dancing around the podium, gesturing towards the council and almost shouting Kielty said, “I’m a criminal defense attorney . And something very strange happened last week. I have handled thousands if not tens of thousands of criminal defense cases and in my entire career, much less one day much less one week, I have never had so many innocent people come to me for representation. And you heard from a few of them. All right. And they’re accountable. They are accountable to their community. They are accountable to this Council . They are accountable to this Mayor. They and I as a member of this community are asking each one of you individually and collectively for the same accountability. To follow the law, cause I know the law and they followed the law. What they didn’t tell you was they just didn’t get their names in the paper. Their kids names weren’t just in the paper. They were interrogated and intimidated by police officers of this community at the request and bequest of citizens of this community in general, and members of this council in particular. Mr. Riddler you employed people under your direct control, at that St. Charles City Police Department as brown shirts and thugs to intimidate. I’m here to say no and I’m here to ask each one of you, as jurors of this community and this council to stand up individually to your constituents, some of whom are here, some of which aren’t, all of which are watching. Mr. Brown stand up. Mr, Riddler stand up. Mr. Gieseke stand up. Mr. Koester stand up. Ms. Greer stand up your jobs on the line. Mr. Riddler your political career is on the line and you know it. This time you crossed the line and we said enough is enough. Good night.”
Kietly was apparently referring to an investigation requested by Council President Rory Riddler into what he believes is fraud in the collection of signatures by the people hired by the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer, the wife of a St. Charles Police Officer.
Riddler pointed out that very few residents of Greer’s ward were in the collection of signatures for the recall election. Riddler pointed out that the collectors of signatures were paid $5 per signature and were from Illinois, Rolla, St. Louis, St. Peters, Wright City, Berkeley, Ferguson, Florissant and Kirkwood. Most were hired through a temporary placement agency.
In our October 29th edition we reported on the pending investigation by law enforcement officers.
Prior to the theatrics by Kielty, millionaire developer Tom Hughes addressed the Council. When he made disparaging remarks against Council members he was warned by Councilman Riddler. Hughes then said, “Since the election of April 04 the status quo has been intimidation, retaliation, retribution and revenge. There are many, many citizens who are afraid of you.” When he continued with the remarks he was called out of order by Riddler and was told to sit down. As Hughes went to his seat, Kevin Kast, formerly the head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center prior to his sudden and unexpected retirement, jumped up from an adjoining seat and began applauding, encouraging other members of the Hughes entourage in the audience to also stand up and applaud. After Kast sat down he placed his arm around Hughes and kept it there for some time.
We have been told that a group was being put to together to gather support for Kast in an attempt to be elected Mayor in 2007.
Other speakers attempted to intimidate members of the Council to put the recall election of Greer on the ballot in February instead of April. There is less turnout for February elections and they feel they stand a better chance of recalling her if the voter turnout is low. Later in the meeting the bill to hold the elections in February failed on a five to five vote.
Next week read more details of this story on, firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
