Abuse of Dollars
Dear Post-Dispatch Editor:
Your editorial states, “WHEN PEOPLE in power sic the police on their political opponents, democracy is the loser.” I was not aware that turning over a police complaint was to sic the police on political opponents. If the paper had bothered to first speak with the council president, it would have seen that several precautions were taken to guarantee there would be no abuse of power by council and that in fact, Allan Williams was present to witness the police report.
You mentioned that going to the police to report possible crimes will result in citizens fearing participation in government. More accurately, big money willing to undo elections it doesn’t like and attack anyone who they disagree with is what will cause citizens to opt out of participating in government. Or maybe it would be receiving threatening telephone calls and letters that will dissuade citizens’ participation.
You went on to state that he should have asked for a probe by an agency that’s not under the council’s thumb. Maybe the editor is unaware that we do not have control over the police department and have been the recipients of attacks by the F.O.P. – I would hardly declare the police under the thumbs of any council member!
This brings up the point, at the end of the editorial it reads. “…the city police should be kept out of city politics.” The Post-Dispatch, however, gladly accepted their money and placed a full-page ad that called certain council “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
Furthermore, you state, “Citizens will certainly question the neutrality of any investigation of Mr. Riddler’s political opponents by a police department over which he holds influence” but just above those words you stated that the investigation has been handed over to the sheriff’s office so this is a moot point, is it not? Better, maybe if citizens question the neutrality of your editorial space and your reporting. I think the Post is under the influence of high-dollar customers and spin doctors buying its opinion. To paraphrase your editorial – you have a clear conflict of interest and the appearance is lousy!
One final thought – will the Post place a similar editorial in the St. Louis paper if Mayor Slay has his police look into signatures of long-deceased citizens who have apparently signed a recent petition to remove some of their alderman?
You Paid for What?
Twice within a couple of weeks St. Charles City got paid a visit by “You Paid for It.” There was, however, a problem with these reports. The reports seemed very hard pressed to actually make a case that any costs were incurred by city residents. This show is often not bad on the issues. But then came a couple of shows that seemed to be arranged by someone trading a favor or maybe just a friend of the reporter’s (I’m guessing he has the initials G.J.).
If Elliot Davis would like to come back to St. Charles and do a real story about something “You paid for” certainly Express Scripts or a certain letter to the St. Louis Chief of Police endangering millions of city dollars in a legal matter would make the cost of a few 2X4s, a few nails and some wiring seem trivial in comparison.
Mr. Davis, if you get the First Capitol News (everyone reads it) contact this newspaper for further information.
The un-citizen
A quick note to Mr. Watkins who is the editor of an ad sheet/newspaper insert that focuses on our City even though he is not a citizen or our community.
In your publication you stated that I have attacked your religion. If any scripture that I have quoted has offended you, rest assured, it was intended for all readers. I’m not certain who all has contracts with our City and who makes money from our tax dollars – my request that each person pointing his or her finger at anyone should first examine his or her motives and make certain that the actions they take are altruistic, just, and not brought about due to personality differences or because of potential financial gain from one group or another being in charge at city hall. Not one thing that I wrote applies solely to you but to you and me and all parties who are involved in city government. My words were sincere that all of us who call ourselves Christians make sure that our motives have to do with what is right and not a budget of 90+million dollars.
