Dear Editor,
I would like to share a few words with your readers regarding recall. This seems to be a live topic these days. The views expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of our recall group. Early this year I joined a group circulating a petition to recall Mayor York. Before I share a few thoughts on that subject let me state a few facts.
Our group has no major funding. We don’t need any. We are not inundating the population of St. Charles with hateful literature. We are simply a group of St. Charles City registered voters circulating a petition. Most of us are up in years and we are longtime residents. No one active in the circulation of our petition is pad to do so. I don’t believe citizenship should be hired out.
When I first decided to immerse myself in this activity I had to do some soul searching. I had to ask myself a few questions. What right did I have to attempt to unseat a public official, our top local public official, who had been placed in that position by a majority of the St. Charles citizenry? The Mayor is reported to be a fine Christian woman, a woman active in her church. It is right for one Christian to put themselves against another Christian? What is the morality of a recall action? I thought about these issues.
The legal right to take such an action was no problem. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution speaks “of the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances”. Our City Charter spells out the right of the people to recall a local public official and gives explicit instructions for doing so.
What about the fact that our Mayor was chosen by a majority of the electorate? Is our recall group attempting to subvert the will of the majority? Not at all. We are attempting to determine what is the current will of the majority. Do people feel the same about her, her actions, and the people behind her, as they did when she was first elected? The temperament and preferences of the electorate may have changed. The temperament and actions of the Mayor may have changed. Situations in our City may have changed. I think the electorate has remained fairly constant in their desires and expectations but I think the Mayor and the political scene in our City has changed considerably. A recall petition, and a recall election should things progress that far, are simply a sampling of public opinion to determine whether the public still feels as they did when that official was first elected. If the majority is proven to still support the Mayor, nothing changes, and nothing should change. In our country the majority rules. On the other hand, if the majority is proven to desire change, then we have not only the right but the duty to pursue this recall activity.
What about the morality of a recall action? I had a problem with this. I attempted to find a biblical parallel. I couldn’t find one, or more accurately, I didn’t recognize one. I was discussing this issue with a friend, telling her of my concern. It didn’t take her very long at all. She said, “We are chasing the money changers out of the temple”. I felt she was right on. We are indeed chasing the moneychangers out of the temple of our City government. Moneychangers? Yes! Organizations of home builders and developers have circled the wagons around our Mayor and are now desperately trying to change the composition of our City Council so they can have a City government which will do their bidding; so they can have a free hand in the control of our government; so they can get sweetheart deals from City Hall; so they can build homes and subdivisions outside our boundaries to standards less than our City standards and then expect to bring them into our confines; so they can devise huge projects for our City, with the blessing of the Mayor and the council, which we don’t want, don’t need, and can’t afford. They are indeed moneychangers, changing our money into their money. We need a Mayor who does not answer to these groups. I feel the only way to drive the money changers from the temple is to find a new Mayor – if a majority of the St. Charles electorate agrees.
If you share these views, drop by the library any Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and add y our name to our petition. The library is not involved in our group or its activities but merely furnishes a place for petitioners to circulate petitions – any duly authorized petition.
Join our fight; help us take back our City.
Glen Dashner
Dear Editor,
During the month of September, probably now the worst time in history to conduct a fundraiser, we at Veterans & Citizens for Truth conducted such an event for wounded Missouri veterans. That particular event we had hoped to raise a lot of money for the wounded but due to a strict enforcement of our contract with the Westin Hotel and a very low turn out, it was a dismal turnout.
I would, however, like to give what little we did collect in the form of $500 aid checks to 8 of the neediest wounded veterans families in the state to help them through the holidays. It is nearly impossible to get information from the Pentagon on the wounded returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and although I personally know of a few, I wanted to ask the papers in the area, if you may have access to information of some of the veterans you may possibly have run stories about or know through other papers. I remember a young man in Festus (I believe) and the story recently run about the young woman paralyzed in a fall. If it is possible to get me that information or to ask them to contact us, it would be greatly appreciated. We promised those who contributed that the money would go directly to those in need and not to a bureaucracy for salaries and such.
I thank you in advance if there is anything you might be able to help us with on this search.
Most Respectfully,
Sandra M. Vago
President, Veterans & Citizens for Truth & Voices of America Coming Together
10241 Tesson Valley Ct.
St. Louis, MO 63123
314-544-5000
Non Profit, Missouri Charter Organization
First Capitol News
I recently read two interesting articles in the St. Charles Journal. That in itself is something unusual because I have remarked for years that the Journal is a waste of good trees. Perhaps they will finally prove me wrong. I hope so. Back to the articles. The first was an article about Eminent Domain, and the second was the growth of Lindenwood. Anyone who knows me or has read my letters to the papers knows I am not a fan of either.
What I really found interesting was Councilman Muench’s comment about the proposed thoroughfare through Powell Terrace, “If the residents of Ward 2 don’t want this road project, it won’t go through.” I don’t remember many people being for the First Capitol re-alignment, but it went through. In fact, I have never spoken to anyone who was for it. To be fair, I have never met Mr Spellmann, whom I’m sure was for it.Nor have I met any city official who has become an “Associate Professor” while if office. I believe it was Councilman Herman Elmore who proposed putting the project to a vote of the residents. But the city council decided we didn’t need that. (I believe Mr. Riddler was for a vote of the residents, but not sure)
I think most residents would agree with me that we don’t want our neighborhoods bulldozed to put in another road. Most subdivisions North of 70 have been there for decades. The roads in these areas have worked for years.I personally think that is what cost Dan Foust the Mayoral race. Many people didn’t like his ideas of widening Kingshighway or running Droste Road through to First Capitol.Many homes would be destroyed. The biggest increase in traffic has come from more students living in Lindenwood owned houses.
The last letter I wrote to the FCN was also forwarded to some of the city council members. Councilman Koester and Councilman Brown both were kind enough to write back and thanked me for sharing my views and urging me to talk to other residents and have them share their opinions. Our council is supposed to work for us. I urge everyone to talk to your councilperson, send an e-mail, or attend a council meeting. Most people have sat back and done nothing for years (Myself included) If we the citizens don’t get involved, we will have another re-alignment and more people forced out of their homes. The First Capitol News is a great place to have your opinions heard.Make the most of it. Let’s all try to do a little to make our city the best for all citizens, not just a select few.
Mike Femmer
To The Editor,
I had a Birkenstock (shoes) booth at the Working Women’s Survival Show and was located on the upper level directly adjacent to the Embassy Suites hotel entrance and witnessed what Rhona Lococo wrote you.
I talked to the gentleman in charge of the facility on the first day of the show and he explained to me for security purposes the doors on the upper level needed to be locked. Also because of the layout of the show, (it was throughout both the 1st floor and Lower Level,) the show patrons needed to enter through the Convention Center entrance on the back of the facility adjacent to the huge parking lot to pay for their admission.
The majority of the parking lot on the upper level is for hotel guests, especially during a big event as the Working Women’s Show. Several of the vendors for the show stayed at the hotel (tax revenue for the City) taking up a majority of the parking spaces on the front parking lot.
I feel the majority cause of the problems was two
fold:
1.) A $5.00 parking fee was being charged for this event, therefore patrons were parking in the commuter lots across the street from the Convention Center and walking across the street trying to gain access through the doors on the first level.
2.) Large signage needs to be installed directing individuals attending events at the Convention Center to around the back of the building.
I would like to know if it’s truly necessary to charge patrons a parking fee if the City of St. Charles owns the facility and the parking lot is part of the facility, is it legal that a parking fee is being charged?
As a vendor I would much rather have free parking for the patrons coming to an event, the fee we pay for our booth should adequately cover parking expenses. From patrons I spoke to the parking fee was their major complaint.
When attending events downtown St. Louis the majority of us know we will be paying for parking, we’re just not used to paying for parking in St. Charles.
I talked to a couple of vendors who were not thoroughly please with this event. Over the years I have had a booth at Fair St. Louis and the Working Women’s Show when it was downtown St. Louis. All of
us need to realize when it is a new facility and the first time for an event this size, there are going to be some challenges. Hopefully, come time for the next Working Women’s Survival Show, lessons will have been learned and improvements made.
I was very pleased with the event, I passed out approximately 700 coupons, talking to many individuals informing them of our business.
All of the employees I talked to from the Convention Center, Embassy Suites Hotel and the staff from the Working Women’s Survival Show were very professional and accommodating as possible.
I feel I cannot close without saying, if you have yet to visit our St. Charles Convention Center/Embassy Suites Hotel, be sure to make it a destination, it’s spectacular! From the wonderful murals on the walls in the Convention Center depicting our city’s history to inside the hotel lobby, where it looks as if you’ve stepped into the French Quarter. There’s a restaurant and a bar and a beautiful waterfall with a flow of
water which winds its way through a seating area in the bar down to the lower level of the hotel. Also, don’t miss taking a walk around the back of the facility, there’s seating and beautiful fountain out there as well.
No, I don’t work for the City of St. Charles, I never have. I have been a resident for 22 years, I’m very excited we have this facility. I still can’t believe it is here in our home town, the beauty of it is
unbelievable! You can view it at:
www.stcharlescity.com then click on St. Charles Convention Center City Website, there’s a place to take a virtual tour.
Best regards,
Mrs. Pat Hamilton
Aaron’s Birkenstock Store & All Brand Shoe Repair St. Peters, MO
Dear Editor,
Sharper than a doubled edge sword. Does everyone know what that means? For those who are ignorant to these words or maybe not sure, let me tell you. This means that God’s word is sharper than a double edge sword. That is TRUTH.
There is more strength in his word than all the big money cronies can come up with to fight against good. Let me tell you something. His word says, “Greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world.” Very powerful words. There is NO big money or NO special interest groups and NO people from out of our City and no men walking around allowing themselves to be called the Pop or the Godfather and NO people being paid for each signature, NO anonymous hate mail or e-mail. NO books being thrown at anyone, NO BIG Politicians changing laws for special interests, and NO threatening phone calls by our group called NICE to recall the poorest excuse of a Mayor this City has ever voted into office.
There are a number of citizens who would say, “The people voted her in.” (Not by much). The list of recall reasons for the Mayor is not personal. This recall has to do with the abuse of her power and the abuse of our taxpayer’s money. She seems to think this City belongs to her along with our hard earned money. WRONG. Our group is backed by a lot of dedicated taxpayers who are volunteering their time to collect signatures for her recall. History always repeats itself and it is a shame that we do not learn from history.
We should all remember the man who gained his power by placing fear in those around him and gaining control of the police and powerful people. This man had the citizens in fear of retaliation if they dared to question or not agree with him. This of course is only my opinion but if good people would have stood up and taken him out of office before he gained all of his power the holocaust would never have taken place and our young men would not have gone to war.
The civil rights movement would never have taken place without the good men and women who marched without fear of retaliation. Thank God for Martin Luther King and his peaceful way to turn wrong into RIGHT. Good dedicated people, who choose the Freedoms – right over fear, also backed him. The double edge sword has paved the way through history and will continue to clear the way for the good of his people.
Let us not forget the Watergate scandal that brought President Nixon down. It was a few good dedicated reporters who believed the freedom of the press could expose the wrong of a president and let the people know the TRUTH. While this was truly an act of fearless men, they could not have obtained the truth without deep throat. This man also had to walk and talk without fear of retribution to come forward and speak the TRUTH. History has a way of guiding the future if people would only care enough to get involved.
Our group of citizens will continue to search out the TRUTH about what is really taking place in our City Hall. Some people think if no one is watching they can get away with anything, WRONG. We may not be able to watch every move, but we will be watching. Of Course God sees it all. The word and the TRUTH will continue Hebrews 4:12. “The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing”, Edmond Burke.
Our group will be supporting Dottie Greer and Mark Brown – what have these two good people done to deserve a recall? “Nothing.” Look at the list for the Mayor and see what a real recall is all about.
We all know the Mayor needs to control a couple more seats on the Council to enable her to continue her control over OUR CITY for her special interests. Let me tell you something, I strongly believe there are good citizens who will come forward with the TRUTH and help take back Yorktown to the original owners, OUR CITIZENS.
Thank God for the First Capitol News
GOD BLESS & Speak Out!
Joyce Bredensteiner
First Capitol Capitol New
It is distressing to find that within the short span of only a few weeks there were three instances of unbridled rage directed at citizens of our City who are engaged in the petition drive for the recall of Mayor Patti York. To briefly recap, the first was a threat of physical violence directed at Bob Breidensteiner, the second occurred in the Kathryn Lindemann Library on Elm where an enraged man threw a heavy book accompanied by a stream of obscenities at two people sitting quietly at the table with the recall petition, and the third and most recent an anonymous letter mailed to the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Church with accusations primarily directed at Mr. Breidensteiner for his letters to the editor of the of the First Capitol News and at the same time somehow connecting one of the councilmen to Mr. Breidensteiner’s letters.
It would be almost reassuring to think these three instances of out of control rage came from the same person. More likely, several people in our City are so angered and apparently feel so threatened by a small group of taxpayers they feel their response is normal. It is not. A recall petition is a right of the democratic process whether it involves the Mayor or the two council persons. The difference here appears to be the people with the other recall petitions do not inspire the rage Mayor York’s does.
Carol Diller
Dear Editor:
They brought out their big guns at the City Council meeting. It was millionaire TR, Sneaky Clyde, Silent Kevin, Kielty (daddy and boy) along with St. Chuck Tommy. Laughing stock of the midwest. When you throw in Linda Meyer the “re-call know it all”, you really get to chuckling. They were passing around a note among members of their party telling everyone about a victory party to be held after they got little lady Dottie Greer taken care of for not letting the Mayor swear her into office.
As I sat there I just told myself, this isn’t going to happen. You know what? It didn’t happen.
There were nine other people voting on Dottie’s future on the Council and you know what? Eight of them did not get sworn in by the Mayor.
You have lockstep #1 Kneemiller and lockstep #2 Muench from the previous Council. Lockstep #3 Weller, the only one to be sworn in by the Mayor and then you have lockstep #4 Reese known as the school board turncoat and lockstep #5 Mr. “Battlin for the Mayor” Bob Hoepfner.
Ready - now everybody laugh. No victory party last night. TR probably saved a little money and got a restless nights sleep.
Bob Bredenstiner
PS The “Laundry business man Jamboretz” did not show, one of his sidekicks did but did not stay long - he looked lost without Jambi.
Dear Editor:
The Lindenwood Effect is in full force and nobody is going to stop them. Councilman Larry Muench has sold out Ward 2 to the Spellmann forces. Larry has lied and denied that reports and maps existed. Want to know why? Last Tuesday we saw why, Tom Hughes who is a member of the Board of Directors at Lindenwood is actively trying to recall one of the few voices that stands in the way. Councilwomen Greer has held firm on her opposition to Lindenwoods never ending lust for power and public funding. Hughes has bought and paid for this re-call effort and we can all thank Dennis Spellmann for helping.
P. Jackson
