Florissant Mayor Robert Lowery Sr., far right, received an honorary degree from Lindenwood University for his distinguished record of community service and humanitarianism. At the podium is Lindenwood President Dennis Spellmann. To his left are Lindenwood provost Jim Evans and professor Mike Mason. About 50 people attended the ceremony in Lindenwood’s Spellmann Campus Center. Lowery, who took over as mayor of Florissant after a long tenure as police chief, was a student of Spellmann’s 30 years ago.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Police Capture Main Street Robbery Suspect
By Tony Brockmeyer
St. Charles Police Officer Ted Holland, assigned to the Mounted Patrol, captured a robbery suspect Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Convention and Visitors Bureau on Riverside at First Capitol. He was assisted by Sergeant Ron Lloyd and Patrolman John Greenley.
At approximately 2pm this writer, along with the publisher of the First Capitol News, were pulling into the driveway of our office located at 336 A South Main Street (rear). We observed a tall young man, early 20’s wearing a black t-shirt, red ball cap and blue jeans running down the sidewalk along side of the Gazebo. He was running east from South Main Street. An older man was running behind him and appeared to be trying to catch the young man. As we got out of the car in our driveway the young man ran in front of our vehicle and proceeded to run north through the alley towards First Capitol Drive. The older man started yelling, “He robbed me. He took my money.”
Our publisher, Phyllis Schaltenbrand, and the victim followed the suspect on foot I followed the suspect in my car while calling the police on a cell phone.
We followed him as he ran several blocks traversing South Main, Riverside and several alleys while keeping the police dispatcher advised of his location. The suspect was captured in the CVB Parking lot by Officer Holland while he was attempting to enter a vehicle.
He was interviewed by a St. Charles Police Detective who said the suspect would be charged with robbery.
The victim, who said his name was Robert Nelson, told the First Capitol News he had recently arrived in St. Charles from California.
St. Charles Police Officer Ted Holland, assigned to the Mounted Patrol, captured a robbery suspect Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Convention and Visitors Bureau on Riverside at First Capitol. He was assisted by Sergeant Ron Lloyd and Patrolman John Greenley.
At approximately 2pm this writer, along with the publisher of the First Capitol News, were pulling into the driveway of our office located at 336 A South Main Street (rear). We observed a tall young man, early 20’s wearing a black t-shirt, red ball cap and blue jeans running down the sidewalk along side of the Gazebo. He was running east from South Main Street. An older man was running behind him and appeared to be trying to catch the young man. As we got out of the car in our driveway the young man ran in front of our vehicle and proceeded to run north through the alley towards First Capitol Drive. The older man started yelling, “He robbed me. He took my money.”
Our publisher, Phyllis Schaltenbrand, and the victim followed the suspect on foot I followed the suspect in my car while calling the police on a cell phone.
We followed him as he ran several blocks traversing South Main, Riverside and several alleys while keeping the police dispatcher advised of his location. The suspect was captured in the CVB Parking lot by Officer Holland while he was attempting to enter a vehicle.
He was interviewed by a St. Charles Police Detective who said the suspect would be charged with robbery.
The victim, who said his name was Robert Nelson, told the First Capitol News he had recently arrived in St. Charles from California.
Council Expects $700,000 to $1 million savings on Insurance
On Tuesday night the St. Charles City Council members were presented with an outline of the new insurance coverage for the City employees. The presentation was made by Matt McWilliams of AIG, the new broker of record. McWilliams went through the coverage first to demonstrate how coverage with the new policy would be equal to or greater than coverage with the current policy. McWilliams presented information from United Health Care. The new insurance would be fully insured. Currently the city has self insurance and the Council plans to fully insure the City. McWilliams pointed out the new insurance coverage will save the City taxpayers anywhere from $400,000 to over $1 million. According to McWilliams, there are some discrepancies between the numbers the City has given him and the numbers the current company, Marsh Advantage, has provided his company. The discrepancies prompted Councilman John Gieseke to ask for a forensic auditor to come in and investigate all aspects of the City’s insurance.
Early in 2003 the St. Charles City Council was presented with a change in broker of record by then Human Resource Director Carrie Caskey. During the discussions John Scherr, former councilman Ward 5 and Councilman John Gieseke argued that using one company for the City’s insurance information and insurance coverage was dangerous. “This change would mean we get all our information from one source,” Scherr told the FCN in a previous interview. Gieseke and Mark Brown, Councilman Ward 3, pushed the City to go out to bid when Caskey brought forward the renewal of the insurance policies. Caskey and the representative from Marsh told the Council they had gone out for bids and Safeco was the best deal the City could hope for. During his closing presentation Tuesday, McWilliams reminded the Council that every bid he received was lower than the cost Marsh was offering the City. A Marsh executive plead guilty on January 10th to charges Marsh had rigged bids and asked brokers to give phony bids to make their cost look appropriate.
The presentation demonstrated Marsh had been charging on a two-tier system. That meant even if a person was married with a spouse, the City paid the same amount as a family with six kids. The new insurance plan creates a four-tier system which, according to the presentation, saves in excess of $700,000. The presentation used the cost the City charges for COBRA of those who are retired and compared that with the four-tier system. The City is bound by Federal Law to charge the actual cost to those who are covered by COBRA with a maximum 2 percent administrative charge. These changes will also decrease the amount those who retired with the City are charged for their insurance.
The Council was cautioned there are some charges with the current carrier that will be expended so some of the saving will be used to “run out” the current plan. “That does not take away from the fact that we are saving the money with the new plan,” commented Councilman Mark Brown. “The previous Human Resource director tried to force us to take the old insurance, I took a tremendous amount of criticism because she left, fact is she was pushing a plan that would have cost us a tremendous amount of money without taking any bids.” The Council is voting on the contract with UHC at the next Council meeting.
Early in 2003 the St. Charles City Council was presented with a change in broker of record by then Human Resource Director Carrie Caskey. During the discussions John Scherr, former councilman Ward 5 and Councilman John Gieseke argued that using one company for the City’s insurance information and insurance coverage was dangerous. “This change would mean we get all our information from one source,” Scherr told the FCN in a previous interview. Gieseke and Mark Brown, Councilman Ward 3, pushed the City to go out to bid when Caskey brought forward the renewal of the insurance policies. Caskey and the representative from Marsh told the Council they had gone out for bids and Safeco was the best deal the City could hope for. During his closing presentation Tuesday, McWilliams reminded the Council that every bid he received was lower than the cost Marsh was offering the City. A Marsh executive plead guilty on January 10th to charges Marsh had rigged bids and asked brokers to give phony bids to make their cost look appropriate.
The presentation demonstrated Marsh had been charging on a two-tier system. That meant even if a person was married with a spouse, the City paid the same amount as a family with six kids. The new insurance plan creates a four-tier system which, according to the presentation, saves in excess of $700,000. The presentation used the cost the City charges for COBRA of those who are retired and compared that with the four-tier system. The City is bound by Federal Law to charge the actual cost to those who are covered by COBRA with a maximum 2 percent administrative charge. These changes will also decrease the amount those who retired with the City are charged for their insurance.
The Council was cautioned there are some charges with the current carrier that will be expended so some of the saving will be used to “run out” the current plan. “That does not take away from the fact that we are saving the money with the new plan,” commented Councilman Mark Brown. “The previous Human Resource director tried to force us to take the old insurance, I took a tremendous amount of criticism because she left, fact is she was pushing a plan that would have cost us a tremendous amount of money without taking any bids.” The Council is voting on the contract with UHC at the next Council meeting.
Officer Assaulted, Sustains Injury Making Arrest
Officer Assaulted, Sustains Injury Making Arrest
Early Saturday morning, January 8, at
approximately 0030 hours, a St. Charles Police Officer was feloniously
assaulted while attempting to make an arrest of an individual during a
traffic stop. The officer had stopped the suspect for failing to stop
for a stop sign located at the intersection of S. Main Street and Boones
Lick Road. During a routine computer check of the suspect’s drivers
license, it was discovered the man had outstanding warrants through St.
Louis County. As the officer went to place the offender into handcuffs,
the suspect struck the officer in the head, fracturing bones in the officer’s face. Following the assault, the suspect fled the area running into a nearby tavern.
The officer that was assaulted along with assisting officers, found the suspect inside of the Old Millstream Bar, located in the 900 Block of South Main Street. The suspect once again resisted arrest,
refusing to be voluntarily handcuffed. The suspect is identified as: Kenneth G. Wacker, age 33, a resident of 32 Sungrove, Maryland Heights, pictured in the photo on right.
Wacker is being held at the St. Charles County Jail on the charges of Assault 2nd degree on a law enforcement officer and felony resisting arrest. Bond has been set at $10,000 dollars, cash only.
The victim officer was transported to a local area medical facility, where he was treated and released pending further care for his sustained injuries.
Early Saturday morning, January 8, at
approximately 0030 hours, a St. Charles Police Officer was feloniously
assaulted while attempting to make an arrest of an individual during a
traffic stop. The officer had stopped the suspect for failing to stop
for a stop sign located at the intersection of S. Main Street and Boones
Lick Road. During a routine computer check of the suspect’s drivers
license, it was discovered the man had outstanding warrants through St.
Louis County. As the officer went to place the offender into handcuffs,
the suspect struck the officer in the head, fracturing bones in the officer’s face. Following the assault, the suspect fled the area running into a nearby tavern.
The officer that was assaulted along with assisting officers, found the suspect inside of the Old Millstream Bar, located in the 900 Block of South Main Street. The suspect once again resisted arrest,
refusing to be voluntarily handcuffed. The suspect is identified as: Kenneth G. Wacker, age 33, a resident of 32 Sungrove, Maryland Heights, pictured in the photo on right.
Wacker is being held at the St. Charles County Jail on the charges of Assault 2nd degree on a law enforcement officer and felony resisting arrest. Bond has been set at $10,000 dollars, cash only.
The victim officer was transported to a local area medical facility, where he was treated and released pending further care for his sustained injuries.
Chili Supper At Emmaus House, January 22nd
Aktion Club of St. Charles Announces Chili Supper 4-8 P.M. on January 22nd to be held at the Emmaus Homes
The Aktion Club of St. Charles has announced a Chili Supper fundraiser to be held at the Emmaus Homes main building at 2200 Randolph St. in St. Charles, Missouri on Saturday, January 22, 2005. The Chili Supper will be held from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. and will offer varieties of chili, including vegetarian, with salad, drinks and desserts for the price of a meal ticket. Tickets will be available for sale at the door, not in advance. Adults may purchase tickets for the price of $9.00, and children’s tickets for ages 5 and up will be available for $3.00. The Aktion Club is a community service organization and a sponsored program of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club, assisted by the Emmaus Homes and Community Living, Inc.
The Aktion Club of St. Charles has announced a Chili Supper fundraiser to be held at the Emmaus Homes main building at 2200 Randolph St. in St. Charles, Missouri on Saturday, January 22, 2005. The Chili Supper will be held from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. and will offer varieties of chili, including vegetarian, with salad, drinks and desserts for the price of a meal ticket. Tickets will be available for sale at the door, not in advance. Adults may purchase tickets for the price of $9.00, and children’s tickets for ages 5 and up will be available for $3.00. The Aktion Club is a community service organization and a sponsored program of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club, assisted by the Emmaus Homes and Community Living, Inc.
Lindenwood guarantees graduates’ writing skills
Lindenwood University is placing a unique guarantee on its graduates’ writing skills.
Called the “Proficient Graduates Guarantee,” the pledge ensures that any student who graduates from Lindenwood University is proficient in writing skills necessary for success in the professional world and everyday life.
“The American Association of Colleges has stated a bachelor’s degree should mean that its holder can read, write and speak at levels of distinction and have been given many opportunities to learn how,” said Lindenwood President Dennis Spellmann. “We are following through on that.”
Spellmann said the guarantee will enhance Lindenwood’s already-high placement rate for graduates.
“We want businesses to be even more confident when they see Lindenwood on a resume,” said Spellmann.
Lindenwood evaluates each student’s proficiency in written communication not only in freshman composition courses but also just before the start of the junior year of study, when a special junior-level assessment is given. Spellmann said a student who needs to sharpen competencies in grammar, punctuation or syntax will take an additional writing course, Professional Written Communication, prior to graduation.
“A degree from Lindenwood means that the holder is adept at reading, writing, speaking and problem-solving—all the traits by which society judges one’s education level and general competence,” said Spellmann. “We measure our success by the success of our graduates. This guarantee is a win-win situation for everyone.”
For more information on the Proficient Graduates Guarantee, or for an interview with President Spellmann, please call 636-949-4920.
Lindenwood Guarantees Graduates' Writing Skills
Called the “Proficient Graduates Guarantee,” the pledge ensures that any student who graduates from Lindenwood University is proficient in writing skills necessary for success in the professional world and everyday life.
“The American Association of Colleges has stated a bachelor’s degree should mean that its holder can read, write and speak at levels of distinction and have been given many opportunities to learn how,” said Lindenwood President Dennis Spellmann. “We are following through on that.”
Spellmann said the guarantee will enhance Lindenwood’s already-high placement rate for graduates.
“We want businesses to be even more confident when they see Lindenwood on a resume,” said Spellmann.
Lindenwood evaluates each student’s proficiency in written communication not only in freshman composition courses but also just before the start of the junior year of study, when a special junior-level assessment is given. Spellmann said a student who needs to sharpen competencies in grammar, punctuation or syntax will take an additional writing course, Professional Written Communication, prior to graduation.
“A degree from Lindenwood means that the holder is adept at reading, writing, speaking and problem-solving—all the traits by which society judges one’s education level and general competence,” said Spellmann. “We measure our success by the success of our graduates. This guarantee is a win-win situation for everyone.”
For more information on the Proficient Graduates Guarantee, or for an interview with President Spellmann, please call 636-949-4920.
Lindenwood Guarantees Graduates' Writing Skills
OPENING FOR DIRECTOR FOR FESTIVAL OF THE LITTLE HILLS
Director Sought For Festival of the Little Hills
The board of directors of the Festival of the Little Hills is seeking a member to fill a vacancy that exists. Any resident of the City of St. Charles is eligible and may send a resume to Festival of the Little Hills, Attn; Bob, P.O. Box 1323, St. Charles, MO 63302.
The first general membership meeting of the Festival of the Little Hills will be April 18, 2005 at the County Administration Building starting at 7:00p.m. Any not-for-profit organization that is interested in having a food booth should come to the meeting and pick up an application.
The board of directors of the Festival of the Little Hills is seeking a member to fill a vacancy that exists. Any resident of the City of St. Charles is eligible and may send a resume to Festival of the Little Hills, Attn; Bob, P.O. Box 1323, St. Charles, MO 63302.
The first general membership meeting of the Festival of the Little Hills will be April 18, 2005 at the County Administration Building starting at 7:00p.m. Any not-for-profit organization that is interested in having a food booth should come to the meeting and pick up an application.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
A RESPONSE TO DAN GOULD
IN THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR COLUMN YOU WILL FIND A LETTER FROM EX-COUNCILMAN DAN GOULD. WE SUGGEST YOU READ THAT LETTER FIRST BEFORE READING RAMBLING WHICH IS WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO GOULD’S LETTER.
Editor’s Response
Dear Dan:
Thank you for continuing to read the First Capitol News. Despite what you and a few others would like people to believe I was never confined to a Federal Prison. Over 11 years ago I plead guilty to writing three checks for a total of $1,800 in exchange for money orders. The bank manager approved the transactions. The bank manager was audited and it was determined the transactions were illegal. Today that process is perfectly legal but you have to pay a fee for it. It is called ‘overdraft protection’.
I was contacted and admitted what had occurred. For my indiscretions I spent 28 days at a Federal Camp located in Marion, Illinois. The camp is located near the Marion Federal Prison. I never spent any time behind bars or locked up. I never had to wear an orange jump suit, shower with other men or be strip searched. There were no fences or walls and we slept in a dormitory with private spaces. My 28 days were spent reading and watching television. I was not there long enough to be given a work assignment. At the time this occurred I was a private citizen. I complied with the order of the court and paid my debt to society 11 years ago. You and others have chosen to make this information public in an attempt to put this newspaper out of business. From what I have learned the FOP illegally obtained the records regarding my actions and apparently those police officers responsible could soon be facing charges in a federal court.
You, on the other hand, were a public official who had taken an oath of office to uphold the laws of the city and state which you later admitted violating. You also placed other people at risk when you chose to drive under the influence. Were you locked behind bars and maybe even required to wear an orange jump suit? Unlike you, I was never abusive to any police officers, never threatened them or attempted to bribe them. Nor did I scream and yell and make a fool of myself as you were reported to have done.
You write that the basis of this newspaper is “The Mayor and City Staff versus the Taxpayer.” That is the only statement you make that I agree with. The First Capitol News was brought to life because of the actions of certain city staff members and elected officials and their treatment of the taxpayers along with their flagrant spending of the taxpayer’s money.
Sweetheart deals were being made and certain individuals and businesses were being enriched while the taxpayers were being ignored. Our masthead reads, “Making A Difference, One week at a time.” We have made a difference in St. Charles. A lot of changes have been brought about and a lot more are needed but we are making a difference. The difference is that special deals to special interests are now being reported. They can no longer be covered up or hidden because the First Capitol News is there to report them to the public. You make comment that you feel this publication is the worst thing that ever happened to our fine city and that I am not a good person. There are thousands of people in St. Charles who disagree with you. They can’t wait for the paper to hit the streets and when it does they read it from cover to cover. And they are being informed. They are being informed about the things you and others don’t want them to know. Like the sale of the old police headquarters for $115,000 less than the highest offer. A building that is now appraised for over $1 million. A sale you voted to approve. That is why you don’t like this publication Dan; we have shed light on your actions and actions of others that are detrimental to the taxpayers in St. Charles. Because of the efforts of the First Capitol News and others, people in St. Charles now stand up for good government. They want good government and they want fairness. Something you failed to offer them.
Tony Brockmeyer
Editor - First Capitol News
I sit and wonder when the recall efforts will begin on Governor Matt Blunt. In less than a week Blunt has made sweeping changes not surgical strikes; he has cut jobs and benefits. I am sure those who look to recall some on this council will take on the fight against Blunt. It is obvious Blunt is anti-employee, anti-worker, anti-union, so Gould, Meyer and Meyers are going to have their hands full with another petition.
My own thoughts on the issue are really quite simple. Most who elected Blunt knew he was going in to clean house and change the way the State is run. This is similar to what many on the council promised. The problem the Council has is they are doing it too slow. Jerry Reese said he would not be a rubber stamp; the jury is still out on this. Everybody knew what Bob Heopfner was like, Riddler has been criticized for not doing enough and doing too little. It is hard to figure if anyone is really that upset with him. Then comes Brown, Gieseke, Greer and Koester; all have been very critical of the way staff spends money. It isn’t like Gieseke all of a sudden changed to be this way. He has been outspoken about the lack of accountability from the time he was elected. Brown was critical of staff before he was on the Council.
The truth be told, the people of St. Charles are pretty educated when it comes to what they expect from their elected officials. This past election proved they don’t want rubber stamps. This Council is moving slower than Blunt and taking the heat because of it. Blunt is actually following Conventional Wisdom, do the unpopular things fast and furious and ride it out. The people will forget by the time re-election time hits. The Council took a different approach to insure that the changes made don’t adversely affect the service level to the City. The plain and simple fact is: this Council is not a rubber stamp for anyone or anything. They work to negotiate solutions and make sure the residents 5et their money’s worth.
Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. It is a holiday and city and county offices, along with the post office and banks, will be closed.
Since next week contains a holiday, the next issue of the First Capitol News will be on January 29, 2004. Check our Web Log for news updates. Check it out firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
IN THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR COLUMN YOU WILL FIND A LETTER FROM EX-COUNCILMAN DAN GOULD. WE SUGGEST YOU READ THAT LETTER FIRST BEFORE READING RAMBLING WHICH IS WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO GOULD’S LETTER.
Editor’s Response
Dear Dan:
Thank you for continuing to read the First Capitol News. Despite what you and a few others would like people to believe I was never confined to a Federal Prison. Over 11 years ago I plead guilty to writing three checks for a total of $1,800 in exchange for money orders. The bank manager approved the transactions. The bank manager was audited and it was determined the transactions were illegal. Today that process is perfectly legal but you have to pay a fee for it. It is called ‘overdraft protection’.
I was contacted and admitted what had occurred. For my indiscretions I spent 28 days at a Federal Camp located in Marion, Illinois. The camp is located near the Marion Federal Prison. I never spent any time behind bars or locked up. I never had to wear an orange jump suit, shower with other men or be strip searched. There were no fences or walls and we slept in a dormitory with private spaces. My 28 days were spent reading and watching television. I was not there long enough to be given a work assignment. At the time this occurred I was a private citizen. I complied with the order of the court and paid my debt to society 11 years ago. You and others have chosen to make this information public in an attempt to put this newspaper out of business. From what I have learned the FOP illegally obtained the records regarding my actions and apparently those police officers responsible could soon be facing charges in a federal court.
You, on the other hand, were a public official who had taken an oath of office to uphold the laws of the city and state which you later admitted violating. You also placed other people at risk when you chose to drive under the influence. Were you locked behind bars and maybe even required to wear an orange jump suit? Unlike you, I was never abusive to any police officers, never threatened them or attempted to bribe them. Nor did I scream and yell and make a fool of myself as you were reported to have done.
You write that the basis of this newspaper is “The Mayor and City Staff versus the Taxpayer.” That is the only statement you make that I agree with. The First Capitol News was brought to life because of the actions of certain city staff members and elected officials and their treatment of the taxpayers along with their flagrant spending of the taxpayer’s money.
Sweetheart deals were being made and certain individuals and businesses were being enriched while the taxpayers were being ignored. Our masthead reads, “Making A Difference, One week at a time.” We have made a difference in St. Charles. A lot of changes have been brought about and a lot more are needed but we are making a difference. The difference is that special deals to special interests are now being reported. They can no longer be covered up or hidden because the First Capitol News is there to report them to the public. You make comment that you feel this publication is the worst thing that ever happened to our fine city and that I am not a good person. There are thousands of people in St. Charles who disagree with you. They can’t wait for the paper to hit the streets and when it does they read it from cover to cover. And they are being informed. They are being informed about the things you and others don’t want them to know. Like the sale of the old police headquarters for $115,000 less than the highest offer. A building that is now appraised for over $1 million. A sale you voted to approve. That is why you don’t like this publication Dan; we have shed light on your actions and actions of others that are detrimental to the taxpayers in St. Charles. Because of the efforts of the First Capitol News and others, people in St. Charles now stand up for good government. They want good government and they want fairness. Something you failed to offer them.
Tony Brockmeyer
Editor - First Capitol News
I sit and wonder when the recall efforts will begin on Governor Matt Blunt. In less than a week Blunt has made sweeping changes not surgical strikes; he has cut jobs and benefits. I am sure those who look to recall some on this council will take on the fight against Blunt. It is obvious Blunt is anti-employee, anti-worker, anti-union, so Gould, Meyer and Meyers are going to have their hands full with another petition.
My own thoughts on the issue are really quite simple. Most who elected Blunt knew he was going in to clean house and change the way the State is run. This is similar to what many on the council promised. The problem the Council has is they are doing it too slow. Jerry Reese said he would not be a rubber stamp; the jury is still out on this. Everybody knew what Bob Heopfner was like, Riddler has been criticized for not doing enough and doing too little. It is hard to figure if anyone is really that upset with him. Then comes Brown, Gieseke, Greer and Koester; all have been very critical of the way staff spends money. It isn’t like Gieseke all of a sudden changed to be this way. He has been outspoken about the lack of accountability from the time he was elected. Brown was critical of staff before he was on the Council.
The truth be told, the people of St. Charles are pretty educated when it comes to what they expect from their elected officials. This past election proved they don’t want rubber stamps. This Council is moving slower than Blunt and taking the heat because of it. Blunt is actually following Conventional Wisdom, do the unpopular things fast and furious and ride it out. The people will forget by the time re-election time hits. The Council took a different approach to insure that the changes made don’t adversely affect the service level to the City. The plain and simple fact is: this Council is not a rubber stamp for anyone or anything. They work to negotiate solutions and make sure the residents 5et their money’s worth.
Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. It is a holiday and city and county offices, along with the post office and banks, will be closed.
Since next week contains a holiday, the next issue of the First Capitol News will be on January 29, 2004. Check our Web Log for news updates. Check it out firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
THE CITY DESK By Rory Riddler City Council President, Councilman Ward 1
Ambidextrous Ortwerth Cuts EDC Funds
& Lops Off Own Nose At The Same Time
The loud crunching you may be hearing isn’t the sound of people treading through the new fallen snow. No, it’s the sound of the egg shells people are having to walk on around County Executive Joe Ortwerth and his cult followers on the County Council these days.
Never a group to tolerate much in the way of diverse opinions, they swung into full Spanish Inquisition mode over the Economic Development Center (EDC) saying that a particular development, with its job creation and investment in the county, might be a good thing. Unfortunately for the EDC, they didn’t check with the County Executive and his thought police who could have told them what their opinion was and saved them all that trouble of thinking for themselves.
So the County Executive this week cut $150,000 in funding for the EDC (about 19% of their annual budget). He also pulled the County’s lone employee out of the EDC building. No use making it easy for business to come to St. Charles County.
So what unspeakable “blasphemy” did the EDC utter to bring down the wrath of Ortwerth? Everyone knows how “radical” the successful businessmen are who serve without pay on the EDC board of directors. I hear some of them don’t even wear their three piece suits on casual Friday.
Well it seems the EDC wanted to help negotiate a settlement between the county government and the City of St. Peters over the Lakeside 370 business development that has some duck hunters, St. Louis millionaires and a certain beer making dynasty up in arms. Somewhere along the line the phrase “blessed are the peacemakers” escaped the attention of some in the County Government.
The offer was “interpreted” by the County Executive and some on the County Council to be an endorsement of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) which the County has been locked in a protracted and expensive lawsuit with St. Peters over. Greg Prestemon, the articulate President of the EDC, explained in news articles that the EDC had taken no position on any proposed use of TIFs and was only weighing in on the issue of the business benefits of the development and offering to try to bring all sides together.
But why let the facts get in the way of an abject lesson in political revenge. If intelligent conservative businessmen and women were allowed to think for themselves, the next thing you know rational thought could break out. That could lead to understanding, respect for those of differing opinions and (shudder) political compromise.
Of course the problem for the County Executive and company is that the EDC does a phenomenal job of attracting business and industry to the county. They work closely with our own Economic Development office in the City of St. Charles. They are recognized as the leaders in the entire region and as the best in the State. St. Charles County’s booming economy has been the one bright spot in Missouri’s otherwise bleak economic picture…thanks in large part to the work of individuals like Greg Prestemon and those who serve on the EDC board.
The County has now tried to drive a stake in that operation. Who needs jobs and an expanding tax base? The answer is, we all do.
I haven’t taken a position on the Lakeside development. First of all, it is outside the jurisdiction of the City of St. Charles and I can get myself in enough trouble commenting on issues in my own hometown. Secondly, I figure there are plenty of Federal and State Agencies, lawyers, judges and expert witnesses on both sides to make sure a bad development is either stopped or that a worthy project proceeds with proper safeguards.
I believe TIFs can be both good and bad. Sometimes the law has been abused, but you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. If incentives are the difference between keeping a Chrysler plant in the area or losing it to a Southern State or foreign country, then by all means use incentives.
I think the County has been wrong to not accept the rulings of the lower courts and for driving up legal costs ($210,000 of taxpayers’ money) in its war with St. Peters. It is a State Law. If there are flaws, change them in the Missouri General Assembly, but make sure they apply to the entire State. There is one law regarding TIFs in flood plains that only impacts the City of St. Charles out of the entire State of Missouri. What’s good for us should be good for St. Louis City, St. Louis County and all points North, South and West of here.
But when it comes to the absolute necessity for maintaining a well funded Economic Development Center for the good of the entire County, there should be no argument. Cutting $150,000 in funding to the EDC was wrong. It was done for the wrong reasons. It hurts our ability to compete for jobs and business investment in the region and against other states. It sends the wrong message. It is anti-business.
I am happy to say that the St. Charles City Council approved an additional $10,000 contribution to help the EDC as it struggles to make up the shortfall of a shortsighted act. We want to continue to work with business and economic development experts in a cooperative atmosphere…one where the halls of local government aren’t paved with eggshells.
& Lops Off Own Nose At The Same Time
The loud crunching you may be hearing isn’t the sound of people treading through the new fallen snow. No, it’s the sound of the egg shells people are having to walk on around County Executive Joe Ortwerth and his cult followers on the County Council these days.
Never a group to tolerate much in the way of diverse opinions, they swung into full Spanish Inquisition mode over the Economic Development Center (EDC) saying that a particular development, with its job creation and investment in the county, might be a good thing. Unfortunately for the EDC, they didn’t check with the County Executive and his thought police who could have told them what their opinion was and saved them all that trouble of thinking for themselves.
So the County Executive this week cut $150,000 in funding for the EDC (about 19% of their annual budget). He also pulled the County’s lone employee out of the EDC building. No use making it easy for business to come to St. Charles County.
So what unspeakable “blasphemy” did the EDC utter to bring down the wrath of Ortwerth? Everyone knows how “radical” the successful businessmen are who serve without pay on the EDC board of directors. I hear some of them don’t even wear their three piece suits on casual Friday.
Well it seems the EDC wanted to help negotiate a settlement between the county government and the City of St. Peters over the Lakeside 370 business development that has some duck hunters, St. Louis millionaires and a certain beer making dynasty up in arms. Somewhere along the line the phrase “blessed are the peacemakers” escaped the attention of some in the County Government.
The offer was “interpreted” by the County Executive and some on the County Council to be an endorsement of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) which the County has been locked in a protracted and expensive lawsuit with St. Peters over. Greg Prestemon, the articulate President of the EDC, explained in news articles that the EDC had taken no position on any proposed use of TIFs and was only weighing in on the issue of the business benefits of the development and offering to try to bring all sides together.
But why let the facts get in the way of an abject lesson in political revenge. If intelligent conservative businessmen and women were allowed to think for themselves, the next thing you know rational thought could break out. That could lead to understanding, respect for those of differing opinions and (shudder) political compromise.
Of course the problem for the County Executive and company is that the EDC does a phenomenal job of attracting business and industry to the county. They work closely with our own Economic Development office in the City of St. Charles. They are recognized as the leaders in the entire region and as the best in the State. St. Charles County’s booming economy has been the one bright spot in Missouri’s otherwise bleak economic picture…thanks in large part to the work of individuals like Greg Prestemon and those who serve on the EDC board.
The County has now tried to drive a stake in that operation. Who needs jobs and an expanding tax base? The answer is, we all do.
I haven’t taken a position on the Lakeside development. First of all, it is outside the jurisdiction of the City of St. Charles and I can get myself in enough trouble commenting on issues in my own hometown. Secondly, I figure there are plenty of Federal and State Agencies, lawyers, judges and expert witnesses on both sides to make sure a bad development is either stopped or that a worthy project proceeds with proper safeguards.
I believe TIFs can be both good and bad. Sometimes the law has been abused, but you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. If incentives are the difference between keeping a Chrysler plant in the area or losing it to a Southern State or foreign country, then by all means use incentives.
I think the County has been wrong to not accept the rulings of the lower courts and for driving up legal costs ($210,000 of taxpayers’ money) in its war with St. Peters. It is a State Law. If there are flaws, change them in the Missouri General Assembly, but make sure they apply to the entire State. There is one law regarding TIFs in flood plains that only impacts the City of St. Charles out of the entire State of Missouri. What’s good for us should be good for St. Louis City, St. Louis County and all points North, South and West of here.
But when it comes to the absolute necessity for maintaining a well funded Economic Development Center for the good of the entire County, there should be no argument. Cutting $150,000 in funding to the EDC was wrong. It was done for the wrong reasons. It hurts our ability to compete for jobs and business investment in the region and against other states. It sends the wrong message. It is anti-business.
I am happy to say that the St. Charles City Council approved an additional $10,000 contribution to help the EDC as it struggles to make up the shortfall of a shortsighted act. We want to continue to work with business and economic development experts in a cooperative atmosphere…one where the halls of local government aren’t paved with eggshells.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the Editor
Dear Mr. Brockmeyer:
I would like to reply to the article in your January 8 – 14, 2005 edition about the Dottie Greer recall. First of all, what does my past legal problem have to do with any of this? If you are discrediting me because I made a bad decision 22 months ago, I guess we can pretty much throw anything you do out the window. What I did was wrong, and I make no excuses; I am both sorry and embarrassed for what happened. The last thing I would do is throw stones at another persons because of their past. You, on the other hand, do it on a weekly basis. The people that you bash week after week have never spent time in a federal prison like you. They can’t tell you what it is like to go to bed under lock and key every night, eat prison food, wear an orange jump suit, shower with other men, be strip searched and any other experiences you had in prison. You should do a whole series in your newspaper about what it is like to serve time in a federal prison. I think that is something your readers would enjoy.
In your article you point out that I voted for what the city staff wanted. You make it sound like that is a bad thing. In fact that is pretty much the basis of your newspaper, “The Mayor and City Staff versus the Taxpayer”. When I was in office I relied heavily on the staff’s recommendation; that is why they are there. I can’t tell you how to engineer a street, run a police department, give legal opinions or speak intelligently on tourism trends. But, I knew where to find the answers. St. Charles City Staff members have all gone through an extensive hiring process and were hired because they were the best person for the job. So, not only is it a good idea to listen to city staff, it’s the right thing to do. Have you ever asked yourself, what a city employee has to gain by wasting the taxpayer’s money?
Most city employees are good people who have no personal agenda; they just want to do a good job and be appreciated. That is not happening. They are disgruntled because the city council questions almost everything they do. Recently, the city council hosted a Christmas party for the city employees and board and commission members. The city has over 420 full time employees; including part-timers that number is over 500. It’s my understanding that less than 25 city employees showed up to share peace on earth and good will with Ms. Greer and the rest of the city council. What does that tell you? In my opinion it’s clear: the city employees are very unhappy with the current city council. It’s my guess that the 20 or so employees that did attend did so out of fear of retribution.
The city’s annual budget is around 95 million dollars; over 85% of the general fund goes to salaries and benefits. If it is the job of the city council to manage the city’s money and 85% of the general fund is disgruntled, the council is failing. What kind of service do you think the taxpayers can expect from a city employee who hates his/her job and employers?
When I was in office, I took no less than 20 phone calls and emails from Ms. Greer and her husband Rich. The complaints varied, but I always replied with an honest answer. The Greer’s were never satisfied with my answers, so I finally told them that I would not be taking any more of their complaints. They basically said I was lying to them and I wasn’t. Mr. and Ms. Greer came down to a council meeting and during the public comment section stated that I didn’t respond to their phone calls and emails. Then, they both proceeded to read from an email that I recently sent them. In the email I told them, that if they thought more people agreed with their philosophy on how the city should be run, then, they should run for Ward 7 council seat. Dottie did, and won a five-person race with 27% of the total votes cast. I’m fine with that; the people spoke, and it was clear that they have had enough of Dan Gould. I do not have sour grapes about the election and have no desire to return to politics. That’s not what this is about. There is nothing in this for me, and there never has been.
Linda Meyer contacted me and asked if I would participate in a recall effort of Ms. Greer. After the way Ms. Greer treated me, I told her I would be happy to sign the recall petition. When I initially said I would sign the petition I assumed that I would be one of 750 signatures. I later realized that Linda was asking me to be one of the five committee members to initiate the recall. I knew then what I was in for; I told her how your newspaper would report this. Still, I left my name on the petition because I believe it is the right thing to do. Like clockwork, you did just what I told her you would. A lopsided report making one of your supporters look good and bashing a former councilmember who disagrees with 99% of what the First Capitol News stands for. I guess if I was getting as much revenue from the city as you are, I might think keeping Dottie happy would be a good idea, too.
I am not leading this recall, and I do not plan on doing anything more than sign the petition. I do not plan on going door to door; from what I understand there is no shortage of people willing to help. Just because I am no longer in office doesn’t mean I should not stick up for our city employees. After all, they still work for me.
As for this publication goes, it’s the worst thing that ever happened to our fine city and you are not a good person. Effective immediately, I will no longer spend my money on any business or service that advertises in your paper. They will all get a letter from me explaining why. I am encouraging my family and friends to do the same.
Since I’m pretty sure that you will only print bits and pieces of this letter, I am sending it to all the other papers.
Dan Gould
SEE EDITOR’S RESPONSE IN RAMBLING COLUMN PAGE 4
Dear First Capitol News
The jc misfits would like to thank all their supporters who helped them make their quota on the toy drive. The toys were collected so they could pass them out at the local nursing homes. If anyone would like to make any donations please send them to the house of elohim at 912 North Second Street., St. Charles, MO 63301. They would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
JimDake
Tony,
One thing is certain I can’t fight City Hall, Roy Thoele and all the rest. I am sending you a copy of a news release. This is a very sad day to me because there is a great need in the community for a food pantry. There is a class of working poor out there that need help, I was willing and was getting public donations in to keep going until this hit, and it hit me like a BRICK.
At least I can leave knowing we did the very best we could at helping everyone we could for the last 15 years!
Thank you for the past kindness you have shown to us.
Sincerely,
Mary Groeper
Founder/Director
New Hope Food Pantry
I am Mary Groeper Director and Founder of New Hope Food Pantry in St. Charles, this is my story.
Last Wednesday 1/5/05 a St. Charles building inspector inspected our pantry because the ceiling tiles were falling in on us. Rocky, the inspector told us. I am going to notify the owner they have 10 days to comply, in the mean time I am telling you I am going to condemn the building. I am giving you 10 days so I won’t put an added burden on you but you need to have your things out of here by Saturday 1/17/05.
We found a building, which is the old Hackman Lumber building, we made a deal with the owner, scheduled all the utilities to be changed, proved insurance to the owner and was ready to move when we were told by the city of St. Charles we couldn’t move into the building!
Julie Gaier from Fox 2 came out to do a story and was lied to by Bruce at planning & zoning who told her we could move our stuff into the building until the Feb meeting. That was a straight up lie because we have to have a permit from the city before we can get the keys to the building. In other words the City of St. Charles said what they had to to stop the story!!
Because we are not federally funded, state funded and you can know the city hates us, we are not funded by the United Way but have run a pantry for 15 years (celebrated our 15th yr anniversary 11/9/04) by donations from the general public.
I am ready to throw in the towel now I can’t fight City Hall. My problem is I need to get the word out that any pantry that can use food are welcome to come and get ours. I hate to see the Boy Scout food that is left and all the food that has been donated just this month go to waste. I am at my wits end and would just like to get this out there.
Thank you
Mary Groeper
www.newhopeoutreach.net
Received as a copy of an e-mail sent to Councilman Muench
Good Morning Larry,
I had to return to my house this morning because I forgot my cell phone and
much to my dismay I observed two of the big construction trucks that are
putting the overhead lines underground pulled up and parked on the new
poured brick pavement. I am not a structural engineer but I don’t think
that these SIDEWALKS were made to have this kind of load on them. Let me
know your opinion on this.
Thanks,
Barb Slattery
P.S. Tony-Maybe you would like to run down there with your camera and
document this for the City so when the pavement begins to buckle or crack in
the future you can provide them with the cause and help save the taxpayers
some money that will be needed for repair!!
Dear No Name, (who likes to write to business people regarding the First Capitol News)
You state the FCN on a weekly basis attacks individuals without justification and attempts to demean the character and destroy the reputation of anyone or business which doesn’t agree with their opinions. Where is your proof the FCN does all this? NO NAME.
If you don’t like what FCN prints send a letter to The People Speak. As long as there is no cursing in the letter FCN will print it. I can tell you some of your letters to the businesses went in the trash can.
I would like to thank the no signed name, who sent letters to the people who advertise in the FCN. In your letter you state the FCN is primarily a political newspaper. Citizens want to know what’s going on in St. Charles. The FCN prints what’s going on. You state in your letter that Tony Brockmeyer has close ties to several St. Charles City Council members. So What? Why would this upset you???
See how many ads are pulled. Thanks No Name, everyone has an opinion, but you wasted your time sending out this letter. FCN please keep doing what you are doing to keep us informed.
Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press in this country, no name. It seems that even though you say you don’t like the First Capitol News you sure read it.
Ray Fogg
I would like to reply to the article in your January 8 – 14, 2005 edition about the Dottie Greer recall. First of all, what does my past legal problem have to do with any of this? If you are discrediting me because I made a bad decision 22 months ago, I guess we can pretty much throw anything you do out the window. What I did was wrong, and I make no excuses; I am both sorry and embarrassed for what happened. The last thing I would do is throw stones at another persons because of their past. You, on the other hand, do it on a weekly basis. The people that you bash week after week have never spent time in a federal prison like you. They can’t tell you what it is like to go to bed under lock and key every night, eat prison food, wear an orange jump suit, shower with other men, be strip searched and any other experiences you had in prison. You should do a whole series in your newspaper about what it is like to serve time in a federal prison. I think that is something your readers would enjoy.
In your article you point out that I voted for what the city staff wanted. You make it sound like that is a bad thing. In fact that is pretty much the basis of your newspaper, “The Mayor and City Staff versus the Taxpayer”. When I was in office I relied heavily on the staff’s recommendation; that is why they are there. I can’t tell you how to engineer a street, run a police department, give legal opinions or speak intelligently on tourism trends. But, I knew where to find the answers. St. Charles City Staff members have all gone through an extensive hiring process and were hired because they were the best person for the job. So, not only is it a good idea to listen to city staff, it’s the right thing to do. Have you ever asked yourself, what a city employee has to gain by wasting the taxpayer’s money?
Most city employees are good people who have no personal agenda; they just want to do a good job and be appreciated. That is not happening. They are disgruntled because the city council questions almost everything they do. Recently, the city council hosted a Christmas party for the city employees and board and commission members. The city has over 420 full time employees; including part-timers that number is over 500. It’s my understanding that less than 25 city employees showed up to share peace on earth and good will with Ms. Greer and the rest of the city council. What does that tell you? In my opinion it’s clear: the city employees are very unhappy with the current city council. It’s my guess that the 20 or so employees that did attend did so out of fear of retribution.
The city’s annual budget is around 95 million dollars; over 85% of the general fund goes to salaries and benefits. If it is the job of the city council to manage the city’s money and 85% of the general fund is disgruntled, the council is failing. What kind of service do you think the taxpayers can expect from a city employee who hates his/her job and employers?
When I was in office, I took no less than 20 phone calls and emails from Ms. Greer and her husband Rich. The complaints varied, but I always replied with an honest answer. The Greer’s were never satisfied with my answers, so I finally told them that I would not be taking any more of their complaints. They basically said I was lying to them and I wasn’t. Mr. and Ms. Greer came down to a council meeting and during the public comment section stated that I didn’t respond to their phone calls and emails. Then, they both proceeded to read from an email that I recently sent them. In the email I told them, that if they thought more people agreed with their philosophy on how the city should be run, then, they should run for Ward 7 council seat. Dottie did, and won a five-person race with 27% of the total votes cast. I’m fine with that; the people spoke, and it was clear that they have had enough of Dan Gould. I do not have sour grapes about the election and have no desire to return to politics. That’s not what this is about. There is nothing in this for me, and there never has been.
Linda Meyer contacted me and asked if I would participate in a recall effort of Ms. Greer. After the way Ms. Greer treated me, I told her I would be happy to sign the recall petition. When I initially said I would sign the petition I assumed that I would be one of 750 signatures. I later realized that Linda was asking me to be one of the five committee members to initiate the recall. I knew then what I was in for; I told her how your newspaper would report this. Still, I left my name on the petition because I believe it is the right thing to do. Like clockwork, you did just what I told her you would. A lopsided report making one of your supporters look good and bashing a former councilmember who disagrees with 99% of what the First Capitol News stands for. I guess if I was getting as much revenue from the city as you are, I might think keeping Dottie happy would be a good idea, too.
I am not leading this recall, and I do not plan on doing anything more than sign the petition. I do not plan on going door to door; from what I understand there is no shortage of people willing to help. Just because I am no longer in office doesn’t mean I should not stick up for our city employees. After all, they still work for me.
As for this publication goes, it’s the worst thing that ever happened to our fine city and you are not a good person. Effective immediately, I will no longer spend my money on any business or service that advertises in your paper. They will all get a letter from me explaining why. I am encouraging my family and friends to do the same.
Since I’m pretty sure that you will only print bits and pieces of this letter, I am sending it to all the other papers.
Dan Gould
SEE EDITOR’S RESPONSE IN RAMBLING COLUMN PAGE 4
Dear First Capitol News
The jc misfits would like to thank all their supporters who helped them make their quota on the toy drive. The toys were collected so they could pass them out at the local nursing homes. If anyone would like to make any donations please send them to the house of elohim at 912 North Second Street., St. Charles, MO 63301. They would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
JimDake
Tony,
One thing is certain I can’t fight City Hall, Roy Thoele and all the rest. I am sending you a copy of a news release. This is a very sad day to me because there is a great need in the community for a food pantry. There is a class of working poor out there that need help, I was willing and was getting public donations in to keep going until this hit, and it hit me like a BRICK.
At least I can leave knowing we did the very best we could at helping everyone we could for the last 15 years!
Thank you for the past kindness you have shown to us.
Sincerely,
Mary Groeper
Founder/Director
New Hope Food Pantry
I am Mary Groeper Director and Founder of New Hope Food Pantry in St. Charles, this is my story.
Last Wednesday 1/5/05 a St. Charles building inspector inspected our pantry because the ceiling tiles were falling in on us. Rocky, the inspector told us. I am going to notify the owner they have 10 days to comply, in the mean time I am telling you I am going to condemn the building. I am giving you 10 days so I won’t put an added burden on you but you need to have your things out of here by Saturday 1/17/05.
We found a building, which is the old Hackman Lumber building, we made a deal with the owner, scheduled all the utilities to be changed, proved insurance to the owner and was ready to move when we were told by the city of St. Charles we couldn’t move into the building!
Julie Gaier from Fox 2 came out to do a story and was lied to by Bruce at planning & zoning who told her we could move our stuff into the building until the Feb meeting. That was a straight up lie because we have to have a permit from the city before we can get the keys to the building. In other words the City of St. Charles said what they had to to stop the story!!
Because we are not federally funded, state funded and you can know the city hates us, we are not funded by the United Way but have run a pantry for 15 years (celebrated our 15th yr anniversary 11/9/04) by donations from the general public.
I am ready to throw in the towel now I can’t fight City Hall. My problem is I need to get the word out that any pantry that can use food are welcome to come and get ours. I hate to see the Boy Scout food that is left and all the food that has been donated just this month go to waste. I am at my wits end and would just like to get this out there.
Thank you
Mary Groeper
www.newhopeoutreach.net
Received as a copy of an e-mail sent to Councilman Muench
Good Morning Larry,
I had to return to my house this morning because I forgot my cell phone and
much to my dismay I observed two of the big construction trucks that are
putting the overhead lines underground pulled up and parked on the new
poured brick pavement. I am not a structural engineer but I don’t think
that these SIDEWALKS were made to have this kind of load on them. Let me
know your opinion on this.
Thanks,
Barb Slattery
P.S. Tony-Maybe you would like to run down there with your camera and
document this for the City so when the pavement begins to buckle or crack in
the future you can provide them with the cause and help save the taxpayers
some money that will be needed for repair!!
Dear No Name, (who likes to write to business people regarding the First Capitol News)
You state the FCN on a weekly basis attacks individuals without justification and attempts to demean the character and destroy the reputation of anyone or business which doesn’t agree with their opinions. Where is your proof the FCN does all this? NO NAME.
If you don’t like what FCN prints send a letter to The People Speak. As long as there is no cursing in the letter FCN will print it. I can tell you some of your letters to the businesses went in the trash can.
I would like to thank the no signed name, who sent letters to the people who advertise in the FCN. In your letter you state the FCN is primarily a political newspaper. Citizens want to know what’s going on in St. Charles. The FCN prints what’s going on. You state in your letter that Tony Brockmeyer has close ties to several St. Charles City Council members. So What? Why would this upset you???
See how many ads are pulled. Thanks No Name, everyone has an opinion, but you wasted your time sending out this letter. FCN please keep doing what you are doing to keep us informed.
Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press in this country, no name. It seems that even though you say you don’t like the First Capitol News you sure read it.
Ray Fogg
COMMENTS & COMMENTARY by Charles Hill
I have to admit partnering with the Convention and Sports Authority may be the worst idea the City has ever had. It appears Ken Kielty’s reputation of being a little bit controlling is coming true. Kielty has been a thorn in the side of many but he really relishes in being a thorn in Councilman Riddler’s side. Kielty was elected to the Council, with help from Riddler when he ran years ago. After Kielty’s first term Riddler asked for support because he was running. Kielty told Riddler that was not possible because sitting Councilmen don’t work against each other. Riddler took him at his word, Riddler’s first mistake as a politician. Riddler won the race and his dynasty on the Council began. Kielty left the Council and has been the biggest adversary of Riddler since. If Riddler is for it, chances are Kielty is against it. Kielty attempts to tie his hate for Riddler to many personal flaws of other Council members. Kielty blames Riddler for electing people with drinking problems; one Councilman elected was later to be found a sexual deviant. Kielty blames Riddler for these elections. My personal belief is Kielty has tried to discredit Riddler to insure he kept the license bureau, something Riddler ran under Joe Teasdale. Kielty lost the bureau this past week.
I wanted to give you the history so we might understand why Kielty and the Sports Authority has sued the City and now they are saying the money collected from the hotel tax will not be spent before the City’s. When the Convention Center debate was up for a vote of the people, Keilty and his pals lead the fight to have it built. They went as far as to create a bill that stated if there was any cost to the City it would come from the tourism tax we all pay. At the last Council Meeting the City’s attorneys were asked to spell out the order in which the Authority and City are to spend their money. Please keep in mind if it weren’t for the good of St. Charles voting to allow the Authority to build a monument to themselves there wouldn’t be any discussions. The Authority is proving to be less and less responsive to the residents. My solution is really quite simple and to give credit where I came up with the solution, so no one will accuse me of stealing the idea of someone else. Carl Bearden had suggested the Authority be a County appointed commission. Why not let the County control the Authority? All the taxes are collected in the County. So I am suggesting to Carl Bearden please follow through and take the appointing away from the Governor and make it local. That way we can get people with smaller egos on the Authority.
X
I wanted to give you the history so we might understand why Kielty and the Sports Authority has sued the City and now they are saying the money collected from the hotel tax will not be spent before the City’s. When the Convention Center debate was up for a vote of the people, Keilty and his pals lead the fight to have it built. They went as far as to create a bill that stated if there was any cost to the City it would come from the tourism tax we all pay. At the last Council Meeting the City’s attorneys were asked to spell out the order in which the Authority and City are to spend their money. Please keep in mind if it weren’t for the good of St. Charles voting to allow the Authority to build a monument to themselves there wouldn’t be any discussions. The Authority is proving to be less and less responsive to the residents. My solution is really quite simple and to give credit where I came up with the solution, so no one will accuse me of stealing the idea of someone else. Carl Bearden had suggested the Authority be a County appointed commission. Why not let the County control the Authority? All the taxes are collected in the County. So I am suggesting to Carl Bearden please follow through and take the appointing away from the Governor and make it local. That way we can get people with smaller egos on the Authority.
X
PUT ST.CHARLES FIRST
By Jerry Haferkamp
Franklin Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. We can apply these words to the current situation in our police department. Rest assured, we have an excellent corps of police officers in St. Charles. These individuals are well trained and have served the residents well. They will do their duties professionally and the residents don’t have to worry about their mental or emotional state.
Due to the filing of papers that claim mental and emotional problems, however, there has been some concern that some may not be able to handle stress. We believe they may have been misguided into signing what has been reported as a “form letter” stating these problems. We find it hard to believe we have 73 officers on the force that can’t shrug off the unfortunate ribbing of Councilman Hoepfner. Sure they were insulted by his comments and are angry. We understand. Their leadership added to their problems by allowing the form letters to be submitted.
There is a concerted effort going on to demonize this Council. A public relations firm has been hired, ads are appearing in the St. Peters Journal, a recall against a Councilwoman who never harmed or spoke ill of the police has been started, letters calling the city “out of control”(they mean out of their control) have been published, and characters attacked. There are some who are still angry about where the Mayor sits at Council meetings, even though she thought it was a good idea when brought forward at meetings of the previous Council. Now however, the issue has risen to a new level.
The people stirring up the problems between the officers and the Council would like nothing better than to somehow get Councilman Hoepfner recalled. The problem is Councilman Hoepfner received 60% of the votes in the last election. Dottie Greer received 27% of the vote and there were 5 running for the position. To the troublemakers, Councilwoman Greer is statistically a better target. The wife of the St. Charles Police Officers Association leader used time at the last Council meeting to unleash a tirade against Councilwoman Greer. She spent much of her allotted 2 minutes denying her husband was connected to the recall effort. Someone may have believed that. She may have even believed it, or she may have just been trying to convince herself?
Of course no recall effort in that ward would be worthwhile without the assistance of Dan Gould. We don’t care about his personal problems, only the ones he caused while on the Council. You remember. He insisted all items brought forward from “staff” be rubber-stamped. He felt some bureaucratic panel in Washington should decide where St. Charles should put stop signs, not our local officials. The one time we vehemently disagreed with the Editor of the FCN is when he criticized Mr. Gould for missing so many Council meetings. In my opinion, the less he was there, the less harm could be done to our city. We would have preferred his chair grow cobwebs. Unlike Dottie Greer, he seldom answered calls. When questioned, he may reply if you didn’t like it, you can run for the seat. He told Dottie that, she did and she spanked him soundly at the polls and sent him home.
Councilwoman Greer: Hang in there. The folks in your ward are smarter than the malcontents believe. You have done nothing worthy of recall. You are head and shoulders above your predecessor.
Ward 7 voters: If you really want to see a city “out of control”, sign the petition. Maybe Patti will appoint Danny to the seat. He’s her kinda guy.
Has Steve Powell been “pink slipped” yet? Why not?
Franklin Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. We can apply these words to the current situation in our police department. Rest assured, we have an excellent corps of police officers in St. Charles. These individuals are well trained and have served the residents well. They will do their duties professionally and the residents don’t have to worry about their mental or emotional state.
Due to the filing of papers that claim mental and emotional problems, however, there has been some concern that some may not be able to handle stress. We believe they may have been misguided into signing what has been reported as a “form letter” stating these problems. We find it hard to believe we have 73 officers on the force that can’t shrug off the unfortunate ribbing of Councilman Hoepfner. Sure they were insulted by his comments and are angry. We understand. Their leadership added to their problems by allowing the form letters to be submitted.
There is a concerted effort going on to demonize this Council. A public relations firm has been hired, ads are appearing in the St. Peters Journal, a recall against a Councilwoman who never harmed or spoke ill of the police has been started, letters calling the city “out of control”(they mean out of their control) have been published, and characters attacked. There are some who are still angry about where the Mayor sits at Council meetings, even though she thought it was a good idea when brought forward at meetings of the previous Council. Now however, the issue has risen to a new level.
The people stirring up the problems between the officers and the Council would like nothing better than to somehow get Councilman Hoepfner recalled. The problem is Councilman Hoepfner received 60% of the votes in the last election. Dottie Greer received 27% of the vote and there were 5 running for the position. To the troublemakers, Councilwoman Greer is statistically a better target. The wife of the St. Charles Police Officers Association leader used time at the last Council meeting to unleash a tirade against Councilwoman Greer. She spent much of her allotted 2 minutes denying her husband was connected to the recall effort. Someone may have believed that. She may have even believed it, or she may have just been trying to convince herself?
Of course no recall effort in that ward would be worthwhile without the assistance of Dan Gould. We don’t care about his personal problems, only the ones he caused while on the Council. You remember. He insisted all items brought forward from “staff” be rubber-stamped. He felt some bureaucratic panel in Washington should decide where St. Charles should put stop signs, not our local officials. The one time we vehemently disagreed with the Editor of the FCN is when he criticized Mr. Gould for missing so many Council meetings. In my opinion, the less he was there, the less harm could be done to our city. We would have preferred his chair grow cobwebs. Unlike Dottie Greer, he seldom answered calls. When questioned, he may reply if you didn’t like it, you can run for the seat. He told Dottie that, she did and she spanked him soundly at the polls and sent him home.
Councilwoman Greer: Hang in there. The folks in your ward are smarter than the malcontents believe. You have done nothing worthy of recall. You are head and shoulders above your predecessor.
Ward 7 voters: If you really want to see a city “out of control”, sign the petition. Maybe Patti will appoint Danny to the seat. He’s her kinda guy.
Has Steve Powell been “pink slipped” yet? Why not?
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR BY Alex Spencer
The first order of business for the New Year of 2005 is to define the word felon, and determine if it fits as a proper handle for any who walk among us.
The true definition is “one who has been convicted of a felony crime.” If persons engage in the commission of felony crimes, but never get caught, indicted or convicted, are they merely criminals who have miraculously escaped being labeled a felon? Never being held accountable or paying a price to society for crimes committed insures that future crimes will be committed, each time reaching bold new heights. With the passage of time, these people begin to believe they are untouchable.
I have known upright citizens in this community who have boasted about using charity or the appearance of such to cheat on income taxes.
I knew one wealthy individual who boasted about building his wealth decades ago by “kiting checks.” Back then it took three days at minimum for the banks to clear checks. By constantly juggling checks and deposits, he could operate on interest-free loans without a bank’s knowledge or permission. If one did occasionally bounce, our big-shot knew the banker who agreed to cover the check and not return it until a deposit was made. This was years before “overdraft protection” was offered to bank patrons. Certain people have always had “overdraft protection,” depending on who they knew. Average Joes who wrote checks without sufficient funds were prosecuted.
This past year, Mayor York leaked information to the news media which labeled Tony Brockmeyer, editor of The First Capitol News, as a felon. She further used the attack politically to attempt to discredit the majority of the newly-elected City Council by relaying the information to an applicant for City Administrator and getting him to withdraw as an applicant because “his background check had been conducted by a felon.”
The information York released to the media was apparently illegally obtained by a police officer and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police in another jurisdiction who used his position to obtain confidential information about a citizen without due cause or a warrant. A violation of his rights. The officer then gave the information to a police friend who had requested the search who in turn gave it to York to use for political advantage. We will not release the name of this officer and his friend until after the conclusion of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office. We do not know how many other citizens or political opponents were included in the illegal search to unearth possible negatives to be used politically.
Mr. Brockmeyer has not responded to the attacks, made excuses, defended himself or blamed others. Therefore, we decided to conduct out own fact-finding mission and shed some light on the subject. We know Tony Brockmeyer and respect his character, strength, and dedication. If I were standing in quicksand, I would throw the rope to him because he would not quit pulling until he had me freed. That would also apply to anybody else in this city that needed to be pulled to safety. People know him to be honest and trustworthy.
Approximately twelve years ago, Mr. Brockmeyer wrote three post-dated checks over a period of time for an amount totaling $1,800 to be exchanged for money orders, which were approved by the bank manager. He would deposit funds later to cover those checks. He had no way of knowing that the bank manager was engaged in a scheme to defraud her employer. That is a federal crime for which the bank manager was prosecuted. I do not know how many other people, if any, were unwittingly under suspicion or charged. He was charged. He faced an expensive legal battle to clear his name, not to mention the time and grief involved. The Federal Government offered a plea-bargain whereby he would serve 30 days in a federal boot camp. Had the feds been certain of his guilt and been confident they could prove their case, they would never have offered the plea for a serious charge of bank fraud. It was an unfortunate incident, not a crime. He made a judgment-call and chose not to fight the federal government. He recently paid a dear price for that decision and suffered great embarrassment due to the illegal acts and immoral schemes of those who swim among us like sharks—devouring what they can when they can.
Contrary to the full page ad published and paid for by the St. Charles Police Association, Mr. Brockmeyer was never a prisoner at the Marion Illinois Federal Prison. He served less than 30 days in federal boot-camp. They may be confusing him with a former Republican County Commisioner who served time at the Marion Federal Prison. It is not illegal to be immoral, unethical, and attempt to personally destroy the reputations and lives of people who oppose our wishes or our political goals. However, I have lived long enough to know that immoral unethical behavior with no regard for the welfare of others, almost always leads to illegal activity whether or not they are eventually held accountable.
The one act that I constantly hear people complain about regarding Mayor York and her merry band of followers engaging in Patti’s Un-Pretty Parties, is her decision to sell the old County Office Building valued at approximately One Million Dollars to an insider for approximately $100,000. Her previous Council, who obeyed her without question, approved the sale. That was a city-owned property and a gift from the County. How big of theft to the taxpayers is $800,000 to $900,000? That wasn’t a post-dated check whereby the city got their money later. How does she have the nerve to call any other individual on the face of this earth a felon?
I didn’t think it would ever happen, but Charleytown finally posed an intelligent question. Where is the grand jury investigation? Where is the FBI? Patti’s favorite John, aka Charleytown, intended the question as proof that all is well at City Hall and they never do anything wrong. According to him, the St. Charles Police Association is something real close to sainthood and that $100 million lawsuit against the city by a police officer is just not worth writing about.
Guess again Charley. The state audit has not yet been completed. What are the chances we will someday be entertained by the FBI? I’d really hate to see you eat crow.
The true definition is “one who has been convicted of a felony crime.” If persons engage in the commission of felony crimes, but never get caught, indicted or convicted, are they merely criminals who have miraculously escaped being labeled a felon? Never being held accountable or paying a price to society for crimes committed insures that future crimes will be committed, each time reaching bold new heights. With the passage of time, these people begin to believe they are untouchable.
I have known upright citizens in this community who have boasted about using charity or the appearance of such to cheat on income taxes.
I knew one wealthy individual who boasted about building his wealth decades ago by “kiting checks.” Back then it took three days at minimum for the banks to clear checks. By constantly juggling checks and deposits, he could operate on interest-free loans without a bank’s knowledge or permission. If one did occasionally bounce, our big-shot knew the banker who agreed to cover the check and not return it until a deposit was made. This was years before “overdraft protection” was offered to bank patrons. Certain people have always had “overdraft protection,” depending on who they knew. Average Joes who wrote checks without sufficient funds were prosecuted.
This past year, Mayor York leaked information to the news media which labeled Tony Brockmeyer, editor of The First Capitol News, as a felon. She further used the attack politically to attempt to discredit the majority of the newly-elected City Council by relaying the information to an applicant for City Administrator and getting him to withdraw as an applicant because “his background check had been conducted by a felon.”
The information York released to the media was apparently illegally obtained by a police officer and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police in another jurisdiction who used his position to obtain confidential information about a citizen without due cause or a warrant. A violation of his rights. The officer then gave the information to a police friend who had requested the search who in turn gave it to York to use for political advantage. We will not release the name of this officer and his friend until after the conclusion of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office. We do not know how many other citizens or political opponents were included in the illegal search to unearth possible negatives to be used politically.
Mr. Brockmeyer has not responded to the attacks, made excuses, defended himself or blamed others. Therefore, we decided to conduct out own fact-finding mission and shed some light on the subject. We know Tony Brockmeyer and respect his character, strength, and dedication. If I were standing in quicksand, I would throw the rope to him because he would not quit pulling until he had me freed. That would also apply to anybody else in this city that needed to be pulled to safety. People know him to be honest and trustworthy.
Approximately twelve years ago, Mr. Brockmeyer wrote three post-dated checks over a period of time for an amount totaling $1,800 to be exchanged for money orders, which were approved by the bank manager. He would deposit funds later to cover those checks. He had no way of knowing that the bank manager was engaged in a scheme to defraud her employer. That is a federal crime for which the bank manager was prosecuted. I do not know how many other people, if any, were unwittingly under suspicion or charged. He was charged. He faced an expensive legal battle to clear his name, not to mention the time and grief involved. The Federal Government offered a plea-bargain whereby he would serve 30 days in a federal boot camp. Had the feds been certain of his guilt and been confident they could prove their case, they would never have offered the plea for a serious charge of bank fraud. It was an unfortunate incident, not a crime. He made a judgment-call and chose not to fight the federal government. He recently paid a dear price for that decision and suffered great embarrassment due to the illegal acts and immoral schemes of those who swim among us like sharks—devouring what they can when they can.
Contrary to the full page ad published and paid for by the St. Charles Police Association, Mr. Brockmeyer was never a prisoner at the Marion Illinois Federal Prison. He served less than 30 days in federal boot-camp. They may be confusing him with a former Republican County Commisioner who served time at the Marion Federal Prison. It is not illegal to be immoral, unethical, and attempt to personally destroy the reputations and lives of people who oppose our wishes or our political goals. However, I have lived long enough to know that immoral unethical behavior with no regard for the welfare of others, almost always leads to illegal activity whether or not they are eventually held accountable.
The one act that I constantly hear people complain about regarding Mayor York and her merry band of followers engaging in Patti’s Un-Pretty Parties, is her decision to sell the old County Office Building valued at approximately One Million Dollars to an insider for approximately $100,000. Her previous Council, who obeyed her without question, approved the sale. That was a city-owned property and a gift from the County. How big of theft to the taxpayers is $800,000 to $900,000? That wasn’t a post-dated check whereby the city got their money later. How does she have the nerve to call any other individual on the face of this earth a felon?
I didn’t think it would ever happen, but Charleytown finally posed an intelligent question. Where is the grand jury investigation? Where is the FBI? Patti’s favorite John, aka Charleytown, intended the question as proof that all is well at City Hall and they never do anything wrong. According to him, the St. Charles Police Association is something real close to sainthood and that $100 million lawsuit against the city by a police officer is just not worth writing about.
Guess again Charley. The state audit has not yet been completed. What are the chances we will someday be entertained by the FBI? I’d really hate to see you eat crow.
Straight Talk By Councilman Bob Hoepfner
Well folks it has been a few weeks since I have been here with an article. Life happens. We have a new City Administrator. Long over due but now he is here in place and all indications are he will do a pretty good job. We also have an interim police chief. I have talked to him. He seems to be a very sound individual. He recognizes what he is dealing with and has pledged to do the best he can knowing he is only going to be here a short time.
I don’t know if you noticed but we seem to have more police cars running around the neighborhoods and more tickets being issued. These are all positive signs. Hopefully we can get on with the business of the City and do what is right for the resident taxpayers. Along those lines, in order to help out the resident taxpayers, we have an opportunity to do some annexations such as St. Andrews Golf Course. Councilman Reese and myself have negotiated with Tom Hughes to bring his development into the city voluntarily. In exchange we have pledged that he will have the full cooperation of the City. Some of the side benefits for Mr. Hughes are that he has promised to concentrate on home building and not on becoming involved in city politics. There are other areas outside the City that want to come into the City. There is some opposition from some council people. I want to concentrate on the growth of the city. Growth means more revenue and filling in the gaps and becoming a solid unit as opposed to looking like Swiss cheese. We are concentrating on what is bet for the city and the taxpayers in general trying to avoid and discourage slanted viewpoints when personalities are involved. It is important that we get back to legislating and running the City to benefit the resident taxpayer. I am still fighting for your free trash service. It still has not been identified where the money will come from but we are working on it. Stay tuned stay in touch. 425 Nantucket, 949-0956.
I don’t know if you noticed but we seem to have more police cars running around the neighborhoods and more tickets being issued. These are all positive signs. Hopefully we can get on with the business of the City and do what is right for the resident taxpayers. Along those lines, in order to help out the resident taxpayers, we have an opportunity to do some annexations such as St. Andrews Golf Course. Councilman Reese and myself have negotiated with Tom Hughes to bring his development into the city voluntarily. In exchange we have pledged that he will have the full cooperation of the City. Some of the side benefits for Mr. Hughes are that he has promised to concentrate on home building and not on becoming involved in city politics. There are other areas outside the City that want to come into the City. There is some opposition from some council people. I want to concentrate on the growth of the city. Growth means more revenue and filling in the gaps and becoming a solid unit as opposed to looking like Swiss cheese. We are concentrating on what is bet for the city and the taxpayers in general trying to avoid and discourage slanted viewpoints when personalities are involved. It is important that we get back to legislating and running the City to benefit the resident taxpayer. I am still fighting for your free trash service. It still has not been identified where the money will come from but we are working on it. Stay tuned stay in touch. 425 Nantucket, 949-0956.
Wilke Heirs Settle Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Negligence Suit With Commerce Bank, Grubb & Ellis/Krombach
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
The First Capitol News has learned the lawsuit filed by the heirs of the Oliver Wilke Trust against Commerce Bank, Grubb & Ellis/Krombach of Clayton and their agent Jerome Gidlow, has been settled. The attorney for the Wilke Heirs, Laurence Mass, confirmed the heirs had received a settlement but they were prevented by the terms of the settlement from revealing the amount they received.
On our January 18, 2003 edition, the First Capitol News reported the heirs of the Oliver Wilke Trust had filed suit in St. Charles County Circuit Court against Commerce Bank, N.A. and Grubb & Ellis /Krombach Partners in Clayton. The suit alleged Breach of Fiduciary Duty against Commerce and negligence against Krombach.
An amendment to the suit was filed in St. Charles County Circuit Court on August 4, 2004. Due to discovery of additional facts, Jerome Gidlow, agent with Grubb & Ellis/Krombach who acted as the listing agent hired by the Commerce Bank Trust Department, was personally added as a defendant to the suit.
The suit pertains to the sale of Oliver Wilke’s property (52 acres) located at Zumbehl Road and Hawks Nest Drive at Greystone. The minimum appraised value of the land was between $8 million and $9 million. According to the suit Jerome Gidlow and Commerce Bank sold the land for a little more than $5 million.
The suit alleged Breach of Fiduciary Duty against Commerce and negligence against Krombach. Tract B involved in the suit is the location where the new St. Charles Police Headquarters was built. In June 2000, Commerce and Krombach sold tract B for $1,380,000. Within several months the same tract was re-sold by the new owner to the City of St. Charles for $2,100,000. The new owner realized a profit of approximately $720,000.
Oliver Wilke served as a director on the Commerce Bank Board for approximately 30 years until his death in 1997. Prior to that, his father Otto Wilke served on the board. For several decades Oliver Wilke operated Wilke Dodge on First Capitol Drive where Commerce Bank now stands. The dealership was sold in the late 80’s, it moved to St. Peters and is now known at Zeiser Motors. Otto Wilke also owned the Orchard Farm Telephone Company that was operated from his home. His sister-in-law Julia Bennigman was the first telephone operator. In 1989 the Orchard Farm telephone Company was sold to TDS.
The First Capitol News has learned the lawsuit filed by the heirs of the Oliver Wilke Trust against Commerce Bank, Grubb & Ellis/Krombach of Clayton and their agent Jerome Gidlow, has been settled. The attorney for the Wilke Heirs, Laurence Mass, confirmed the heirs had received a settlement but they were prevented by the terms of the settlement from revealing the amount they received.
On our January 18, 2003 edition, the First Capitol News reported the heirs of the Oliver Wilke Trust had filed suit in St. Charles County Circuit Court against Commerce Bank, N.A. and Grubb & Ellis /Krombach Partners in Clayton. The suit alleged Breach of Fiduciary Duty against Commerce and negligence against Krombach.
An amendment to the suit was filed in St. Charles County Circuit Court on August 4, 2004. Due to discovery of additional facts, Jerome Gidlow, agent with Grubb & Ellis/Krombach who acted as the listing agent hired by the Commerce Bank Trust Department, was personally added as a defendant to the suit.
The suit pertains to the sale of Oliver Wilke’s property (52 acres) located at Zumbehl Road and Hawks Nest Drive at Greystone. The minimum appraised value of the land was between $8 million and $9 million. According to the suit Jerome Gidlow and Commerce Bank sold the land for a little more than $5 million.
The suit alleged Breach of Fiduciary Duty against Commerce and negligence against Krombach. Tract B involved in the suit is the location where the new St. Charles Police Headquarters was built. In June 2000, Commerce and Krombach sold tract B for $1,380,000. Within several months the same tract was re-sold by the new owner to the City of St. Charles for $2,100,000. The new owner realized a profit of approximately $720,000.
Oliver Wilke served as a director on the Commerce Bank Board for approximately 30 years until his death in 1997. Prior to that, his father Otto Wilke served on the board. For several decades Oliver Wilke operated Wilke Dodge on First Capitol Drive where Commerce Bank now stands. The dealership was sold in the late 80’s, it moved to St. Peters and is now known at Zeiser Motors. Otto Wilke also owned the Orchard Farm Telephone Company that was operated from his home. His sister-in-law Julia Bennigman was the first telephone operator. In 1989 the Orchard Farm telephone Company was sold to TDS.
Kevin F. Kast To Retire as President of St. Joseph
SSM Health Care and SSM St. Joseph in St. Charles have announced that Kevin F. Kast is taking early retirement as president of its St. Charles County Facilities that include SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis and St. Joseph Medical Park in St. Peters, effective February 11.
Paul Convery, MD, executive vice president/chief medical officer for SSM Health Care - St. Louis, will join SSM St. Joseph as interim president on January 27 while a national search is conducted to fill the position permanently. Convery’s background included more than 20 years in private medical practice, as well as extensive management experience.
‘I have truly loved serving as president of SSM St. Joseph,” said Kast. “But now, after being in health care for 25 years, I feel it is time to start the next chapter of my life. I am young enough to be interested in investing my time, talent and treasures in other projects, and I want to spend some time discerning just where I want to make these investments. Community involvement has been, and still is, an extremely important park of Kevin Kast. i anticipate that it will continue to be.”
Kast joined SSM Health Care in 1987 as president of SSM Rehab in St. Louis and was named president of SSM St. Joseph Health Center and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West two years later. he left SSM St. Joseph in 1995 to help develop the SSM Managed Care Organization, for which he served as president. He rejoined SSM St. Joseph as president with additional responsibilities as market executive for St. Charles.
Kast is active in St. Charles County, and the region, with memberships in many civic, professional and volunteer organizations. He currently serves as immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County, Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois and Chairman of the Industrial Revenue Authority of St. Charles County. He is on the board of Partners for Progress in St. Charles County and serves on the St. Charles County Advisory Board of RCGA.
Additionally, Kast is a member of St. Charles Community Progress, the St. Charles Rotary Club, and is on the boards of Catholic Charities in St. Charles County and the Children’s Home Society in St. charles. He is on the board of Frontenac Bank of St. Charles and the St. Cletus Parish Council.
In 1868 Kast was appointed a Knight of the Equestrian order of the Holy Sepulcher by Pope John Paul II. He was recipient of the Archbishop John L. May Award for Distinguished health Care Ministry, and currently serves on the Public Policy Committee of the Missouri Catholic Conference.
In 1999, Kast was recipient of the St. Charles Community College Foundation’s Professional Excellence Achievement Recognition (PAR) award and in 2001, received the Visionary Leadership Award from the Missouri Hospital Association. He received a ReinveST. Louis Award from the St. Louis Business Journal, and has been named a Person of the Year by the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce.
Paul Convery, MD, executive vice president/chief medical officer for SSM Health Care - St. Louis, will join SSM St. Joseph as interim president on January 27 while a national search is conducted to fill the position permanently. Convery’s background included more than 20 years in private medical practice, as well as extensive management experience.
‘I have truly loved serving as president of SSM St. Joseph,” said Kast. “But now, after being in health care for 25 years, I feel it is time to start the next chapter of my life. I am young enough to be interested in investing my time, talent and treasures in other projects, and I want to spend some time discerning just where I want to make these investments. Community involvement has been, and still is, an extremely important park of Kevin Kast. i anticipate that it will continue to be.”
Kast joined SSM Health Care in 1987 as president of SSM Rehab in St. Louis and was named president of SSM St. Joseph Health Center and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West two years later. he left SSM St. Joseph in 1995 to help develop the SSM Managed Care Organization, for which he served as president. He rejoined SSM St. Joseph as president with additional responsibilities as market executive for St. Charles.
Kast is active in St. Charles County, and the region, with memberships in many civic, professional and volunteer organizations. He currently serves as immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County, Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois and Chairman of the Industrial Revenue Authority of St. Charles County. He is on the board of Partners for Progress in St. Charles County and serves on the St. Charles County Advisory Board of RCGA.
Additionally, Kast is a member of St. Charles Community Progress, the St. Charles Rotary Club, and is on the boards of Catholic Charities in St. Charles County and the Children’s Home Society in St. charles. He is on the board of Frontenac Bank of St. Charles and the St. Cletus Parish Council.
In 1868 Kast was appointed a Knight of the Equestrian order of the Holy Sepulcher by Pope John Paul II. He was recipient of the Archbishop John L. May Award for Distinguished health Care Ministry, and currently serves on the Public Policy Committee of the Missouri Catholic Conference.
In 1999, Kast was recipient of the St. Charles Community College Foundation’s Professional Excellence Achievement Recognition (PAR) award and in 2001, received the Visionary Leadership Award from the Missouri Hospital Association. He received a ReinveST. Louis Award from the St. Louis Business Journal, and has been named a Person of the Year by the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce.
Lindenwood University Recognized For Top American Humanics Program At American Humanics Management Institute In Atlanta
Lindenwood University was recognized for having the nation’s top American Humanics program at the recent American Humanics Management Institute in Atlanta.
The 2005 program excellence award recognized Lindenwood’s top-flight preparation of nonprofit leaders for the workplace. Lindenwood was honored for thoroughness in course work, leadership, professional employment, marketing and fundraising, institutional support and relationships with nonprofits.
“Lindenwood University has developed creative solutions for working with professionals by offering American Humanics degree completion programs in concert with YMCA and other national nonprofit organizations,” said American Humanics International President Dr. Kala Stroup.
American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations preparing undergraduates for careers with youth and human service agencies. American Humanics’ mission is to prepare and certify future nonprofit professionals to work with America’s youth and families.
The American Humanics Management Institute is a three-day intensive educational symposium designed for college students with an interest in nonprofit management. Administered by the national office of American Humanics, Inc., the Management Institute provides the capstone experience in undergraduate and graduate nonprofit studies.
During the conference, Executive Director and Dean of Campus Life Sheryl Guffey, along with Shawn Dunn, Special Project Manager for the YMCA of the USA, gave an impressive presentation about the unique partnership that the two are forming. Lindenwood is partnering with the YMCA to be the national education and Leadership Development Center for the YMCA of the USA. Lindenwood University was chosen because of the high quality of education and its commitment to traditional values shared by both organizations.
Lindenwood University has been with American Humanics for the past 15 years. During this time, Lindenwood has developed both an undergraduate and a graduate degree program in Human Service Agency Management. These programs has certified over hundreds of students to work in and run nonprofit organizations. Within these years, Lindenwood’s American Humanics has won each of the following awards: Excellence in Fundraising, Excellence in Certification, Excellence in Community Relations, and the Excellence in Public Relations.
In addition, Paul Lee, one of the students at Lindenwood University, was appointed to the National Student Advisory Board of American Humanics. In this capacity, he will directly plan the next American Humanics Management Institute in San Diego. There are only six students that serve on the national board every year.
The 2005 program excellence award recognized Lindenwood’s top-flight preparation of nonprofit leaders for the workplace. Lindenwood was honored for thoroughness in course work, leadership, professional employment, marketing and fundraising, institutional support and relationships with nonprofits.
“Lindenwood University has developed creative solutions for working with professionals by offering American Humanics degree completion programs in concert with YMCA and other national nonprofit organizations,” said American Humanics International President Dr. Kala Stroup.
American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations preparing undergraduates for careers with youth and human service agencies. American Humanics’ mission is to prepare and certify future nonprofit professionals to work with America’s youth and families.
The American Humanics Management Institute is a three-day intensive educational symposium designed for college students with an interest in nonprofit management. Administered by the national office of American Humanics, Inc., the Management Institute provides the capstone experience in undergraduate and graduate nonprofit studies.
During the conference, Executive Director and Dean of Campus Life Sheryl Guffey, along with Shawn Dunn, Special Project Manager for the YMCA of the USA, gave an impressive presentation about the unique partnership that the two are forming. Lindenwood is partnering with the YMCA to be the national education and Leadership Development Center for the YMCA of the USA. Lindenwood University was chosen because of the high quality of education and its commitment to traditional values shared by both organizations.
Lindenwood University has been with American Humanics for the past 15 years. During this time, Lindenwood has developed both an undergraduate and a graduate degree program in Human Service Agency Management. These programs has certified over hundreds of students to work in and run nonprofit organizations. Within these years, Lindenwood’s American Humanics has won each of the following awards: Excellence in Fundraising, Excellence in Certification, Excellence in Community Relations, and the Excellence in Public Relations.
In addition, Paul Lee, one of the students at Lindenwood University, was appointed to the National Student Advisory Board of American Humanics. In this capacity, he will directly plan the next American Humanics Management Institute in San Diego. There are only six students that serve on the national board every year.
St. Charles Christian Church is Building A Church In New Town At St. Charles
St. Charles Christian Church is building a church in New Town at St. Charles, a traditional neighborhood development by Whittaker Homes off Hwy. 370 and New Town Blvd.
According to Chad Abel, trustee for St. Charles Christian Church and head of the relocation/building committee, the current place of worship is in need of improvements and it is more cost effective for the church to build a new facility. Once members researched The New Town at St. Charles development, they felt that it had much to offer its congregation.
“At New Town, St. Charles Christian Church truly can become part of people’s daily lives,” says Abel. “Residents can walk to the church and our current members can meet at the local coffee shop, making them an integral part of the community as well. With New Town being a close-knit community, it seems to promote traditional family values that are less and less present in today’s fast-paced society. This new urban development is a place where people can slow down the rush of life.”
Dr. David P. Hyatt, senior pastor of St. Charles Christian Church believed that New Town at St. Charles was a good fit for his church from the very beginning.
“We saw this new urban neighborhood as a good match and put our name in with the hope and strong vision that this was God’s will and direction for providing a presence and significant ministry in New Town as well as beginning the next chapter of St. Charles Christian Church. Thankfully, many factors have worked together to make this move and this new beginning a reality. We are very excited and thrilled to provide a Christian presence in the New Town community,” says Dr. Hyatt.
St. Charles Christian Church is being designed by New Urbanist Design, LLC of St. Charles and Peckham & Wright Architects, with head offices in Columbia, Missouri. The Church complies with the design typically found in a traditional neighborhood development (TND). In a TND environment, there are a mixture of housing types, retail, restaurants, schools and churches, all set in a walkable community with public parks and amenities. Major public buildings, such as St. Charles Christian Church, are often located at the end of a vista.
Architect Nick Peckham, AIA, says, “The exterior of this church is white neo classical design with the 65 foot steeple tower located at the corner of Hempstead Street and Rue Royale Street. The narthex entry, though classical on the outside, will have a cozy, coffee shop appeal inside to create a relaxed environment for conversation. The two-story sanctuary has a diagonal focus on the alter and baptistery, which are both located under the steeple. The first floor is planned to include offices, classrooms, storage, a kitchen and an elevator, and additional classrooms, a projection room and balcony seating are proposed for the second floor.”
St. Charles Christian Church has not only been designed with traditional architecture but also with green building features, including water-saving fixtures, recycled content construction materials and super insulation in the R-Steel wall panels, which provide twice the required amount of installation.
“The special insulation in this church will save energy and improve the acoustics of the church,” says Peckham.
Victor Barrett of New Urbanist Design, adds, “We have designed buildings for other new urbanist neighborhoods, and New Town is by far the most progressive, and of the highest quality that we have seen. New Urbanist Design’s specialty is incorporating classical design elements, historic proportions, and quality materials with updated traditional design. By working with the experienced team of Peckham & Wright and New Urbanist Design, the St. Charles Christian Church will be able to build a new landmark church in New Town within their budget.”
St. Charles Christian Church is of the Disciples of Christ denomination. The Church is currently located at 1815 Boonslick Road in the City of St. Charles. For information regarding the church, call 636-724-6788 or 636-947-1821.
Ultimately, The New Town at St. Charles, a $1 billion project, will be a thriving town with more than 4,000 residences in nine phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to the entrance on the right. The sales center is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday – Monday. For information regarding New Town, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
According to Chad Abel, trustee for St. Charles Christian Church and head of the relocation/building committee, the current place of worship is in need of improvements and it is more cost effective for the church to build a new facility. Once members researched The New Town at St. Charles development, they felt that it had much to offer its congregation.
“At New Town, St. Charles Christian Church truly can become part of people’s daily lives,” says Abel. “Residents can walk to the church and our current members can meet at the local coffee shop, making them an integral part of the community as well. With New Town being a close-knit community, it seems to promote traditional family values that are less and less present in today’s fast-paced society. This new urban development is a place where people can slow down the rush of life.”
Dr. David P. Hyatt, senior pastor of St. Charles Christian Church believed that New Town at St. Charles was a good fit for his church from the very beginning.
“We saw this new urban neighborhood as a good match and put our name in with the hope and strong vision that this was God’s will and direction for providing a presence and significant ministry in New Town as well as beginning the next chapter of St. Charles Christian Church. Thankfully, many factors have worked together to make this move and this new beginning a reality. We are very excited and thrilled to provide a Christian presence in the New Town community,” says Dr. Hyatt.
St. Charles Christian Church is being designed by New Urbanist Design, LLC of St. Charles and Peckham & Wright Architects, with head offices in Columbia, Missouri. The Church complies with the design typically found in a traditional neighborhood development (TND). In a TND environment, there are a mixture of housing types, retail, restaurants, schools and churches, all set in a walkable community with public parks and amenities. Major public buildings, such as St. Charles Christian Church, are often located at the end of a vista.
Architect Nick Peckham, AIA, says, “The exterior of this church is white neo classical design with the 65 foot steeple tower located at the corner of Hempstead Street and Rue Royale Street. The narthex entry, though classical on the outside, will have a cozy, coffee shop appeal inside to create a relaxed environment for conversation. The two-story sanctuary has a diagonal focus on the alter and baptistery, which are both located under the steeple. The first floor is planned to include offices, classrooms, storage, a kitchen and an elevator, and additional classrooms, a projection room and balcony seating are proposed for the second floor.”
St. Charles Christian Church has not only been designed with traditional architecture but also with green building features, including water-saving fixtures, recycled content construction materials and super insulation in the R-Steel wall panels, which provide twice the required amount of installation.
“The special insulation in this church will save energy and improve the acoustics of the church,” says Peckham.
Victor Barrett of New Urbanist Design, adds, “We have designed buildings for other new urbanist neighborhoods, and New Town is by far the most progressive, and of the highest quality that we have seen. New Urbanist Design’s specialty is incorporating classical design elements, historic proportions, and quality materials with updated traditional design. By working with the experienced team of Peckham & Wright and New Urbanist Design, the St. Charles Christian Church will be able to build a new landmark church in New Town within their budget.”
St. Charles Christian Church is of the Disciples of Christ denomination. The Church is currently located at 1815 Boonslick Road in the City of St. Charles. For information regarding the church, call 636-724-6788 or 636-947-1821.
Ultimately, The New Town at St. Charles, a $1 billion project, will be a thriving town with more than 4,000 residences in nine phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to the entrance on the right. The sales center is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday – Monday. For information regarding New Town, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
BBB Sends Warning About Tactics Of Local Collection Agencies
The Better Business Bureau urges consumers who are contacted by collection agencies to understand their rights under the Federal Trade Commission’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Four such agencies have come to the BBB’s attention due to patterns of complaints alleging questionable collection tactics. These agencies include Client Services, Inc., 3451 Harry S. Truman Boulevard, St. Charles, Mo.; Central Credit Services, Inc., which is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., and which maintains an office at 67 Charleston Square, St. Charles; Midwest Support Services, Inc., 3910 Old Highway 94 South, Suite 105, St. Charles; and Specified Credit Assn., Inc., 3450 Bridgeland Drive, Suite F, Bridgeton, Mo.
The BBB has received more than 250 complaints and reports regarding Client Services, Inc., in the past 36 months.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm attempted to collect debts from consumers who didn’t owe a debt, had rude employees, used improper collection tactics, improperly billed consumers, used vulgarity, and made threatening and harassing phone calls to consumers.
The BBB has sent letters to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The BBB has not received a response.
John L. Kastner is listed as the president of Client Services, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site.
A St. Louis man told the BBB the firm called him four times a day for three days in a row to collect on a debt which he said he had paid six months earlier. He said, “Mr. Billings swore at my wife, cussed at her, and said that he was going to destroy her credit rating. I told him on one occasion I have the documentation that this had been paid off. He (the collector) said, ‘I know people like you. I run into them every day.’ It was a harrowing experience.”In the past 36 months, the BBB has received 100 complaints and reports regarding Central Credit Services.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm made harassing phone calls using rude and vulgar language, provided poor customer service, withdrew funds from customers’ bank accounts either in error or without their permission, and made harassing calls to consumers who don’t owe a debt.
The BBB has sent letters to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The firm responded to the BBB by stating its complaint total is low in comparison to the amount of calls it placed and, among other things, complaints alleging rude and vulgar language are unsubstantiated.
Jeffrey Durante is listed as the president of Central Credit Services, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site.
A St. Charles woman alleged that the firm aggravated her feelings about her family’s troubled financial condition and bankruptcy when it began making insulting phone calls to her at work regarding an unpaid store credit card. “Jason contacted me at work and said the next day the sheriff is going to come to my office and issue me a summons for failing to pay. He screamed at me, told me I was stupid, and called me an idiot.” The firm responded to her complaint by closing her account and referring the debt back to the original creditor.
Midwest Support Services has been the subject of 32 complaints and reports received by the BBB in the past 36 months.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm made harassing phone calls to their homes and made rude, threatening, vulgar, or insulting comments, provided poor customer service, attempted to collect a debt when no debt was due, damaged consumers’ credit in error, used improper collection tactics, and improperly billed consumers.
The BBB sent a letter to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The firm responded to the BBB by stating that because it deals with consumers who fail to pay their bills, they lie about the firm to the BBB to make it look bad.
David Kelcher Jr. is listed as the president of Midwest Support Services, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site.
A St. Louis complainant told the BBB the firm recently contacted her about a seven year old dermatologist bill she has proof that she paid. She said the collector threatened her and then refused to listen to her side, “He said he was going to ruin my credit rating right there on the spot. He hung up on me when I tried to talk to him about it.” The firm responded to the complaint by stating it will not remove the negative mark on her credit rating and will stop sending her letters and calling her when she pays the bill.In the past 36 months, the BBB has received 27 complaints and reports regarding Specified Credit. The firm failed to respond to 17 of them resulting in an unsatisfactory record with the BBB.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm made threatening and harassing phone calls, had rude employees, threatened to garnish consumers’ wages, failed to provide services for creditors when requested, had improper credit or billing procedures, attempted to collect debts from consumers who didn’t owe a debt, used vulgarity, and failed to provide refunds when requested.
The BBB has sent letters to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The BBB has not received a response.
According to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site, Michael Varady is listed as the president of Specified Credit.
A St. Louis veterinarian who used the firm to collect on delinquent accounts told the BBB he was shocked at their response when he called them to request a payment, “When I tried to call them, (an employee) got on the line and chewed me out. He called me one profanity after another. This went on for five minutes. Then they told me ‘don’t ever call this office again’ and slammed the receiver down.”
The following is a list of some highlights of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act of which consumers should be aware:
Debt collectors may not falsely imply that the consumer has committed a crime or that he or she will be arrested if the debt is not paid.
Debt collectors calling outside parties to obtain information on the whereabouts of a person who owes a debt must not reveal that the subject person owes the debt. The collector may only contact these parties once unless the information provided is incomplete or erroneous.
A debt collector is allowed to make consumer contacts only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time at the consumer’s location.
If a consumer notifies the debt collector in writing that he or she refuses to pay a debt or that he or she wants the collector to cease contacting him or her, the collector must cease except in rare circumstances.
A debt collector may not harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. This includes the use of obscene or profane language, causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person called.
If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the 30-day period that the debt or a portion of it is disputed, or if the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the collector shall cease his or her collection attempts until he or she obtains this information and it is mailed to the consumer by the collector.
Consumers who have questions, disputes, or whose rights may have been violated regarding a collection agency may contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) FTC-HELP (382-4357) or at www.ftc.gov. There is a copy of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act available on the FTC’s Web site. Consumers may also report their experiences or file a complaint with the BBB by calling (314) 645-3300 or visiting www.contactbbb.org.
Four such agencies have come to the BBB’s attention due to patterns of complaints alleging questionable collection tactics. These agencies include Client Services, Inc., 3451 Harry S. Truman Boulevard, St. Charles, Mo.; Central Credit Services, Inc., which is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., and which maintains an office at 67 Charleston Square, St. Charles; Midwest Support Services, Inc., 3910 Old Highway 94 South, Suite 105, St. Charles; and Specified Credit Assn., Inc., 3450 Bridgeland Drive, Suite F, Bridgeton, Mo.
The BBB has received more than 250 complaints and reports regarding Client Services, Inc., in the past 36 months.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm attempted to collect debts from consumers who didn’t owe a debt, had rude employees, used improper collection tactics, improperly billed consumers, used vulgarity, and made threatening and harassing phone calls to consumers.
The BBB has sent letters to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The BBB has not received a response.
John L. Kastner is listed as the president of Client Services, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site.
A St. Louis man told the BBB the firm called him four times a day for three days in a row to collect on a debt which he said he had paid six months earlier. He said, “Mr. Billings swore at my wife, cussed at her, and said that he was going to destroy her credit rating. I told him on one occasion I have the documentation that this had been paid off. He (the collector) said, ‘I know people like you. I run into them every day.’ It was a harrowing experience.”In the past 36 months, the BBB has received 100 complaints and reports regarding Central Credit Services.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm made harassing phone calls using rude and vulgar language, provided poor customer service, withdrew funds from customers’ bank accounts either in error or without their permission, and made harassing calls to consumers who don’t owe a debt.
The BBB has sent letters to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The firm responded to the BBB by stating its complaint total is low in comparison to the amount of calls it placed and, among other things, complaints alleging rude and vulgar language are unsubstantiated.
Jeffrey Durante is listed as the president of Central Credit Services, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site.
A St. Charles woman alleged that the firm aggravated her feelings about her family’s troubled financial condition and bankruptcy when it began making insulting phone calls to her at work regarding an unpaid store credit card. “Jason contacted me at work and said the next day the sheriff is going to come to my office and issue me a summons for failing to pay. He screamed at me, told me I was stupid, and called me an idiot.” The firm responded to her complaint by closing her account and referring the debt back to the original creditor.
Midwest Support Services has been the subject of 32 complaints and reports received by the BBB in the past 36 months.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm made harassing phone calls to their homes and made rude, threatening, vulgar, or insulting comments, provided poor customer service, attempted to collect a debt when no debt was due, damaged consumers’ credit in error, used improper collection tactics, and improperly billed consumers.
The BBB sent a letter to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The firm responded to the BBB by stating that because it deals with consumers who fail to pay their bills, they lie about the firm to the BBB to make it look bad.
David Kelcher Jr. is listed as the president of Midwest Support Services, according to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site.
A St. Louis complainant told the BBB the firm recently contacted her about a seven year old dermatologist bill she has proof that she paid. She said the collector threatened her and then refused to listen to her side, “He said he was going to ruin my credit rating right there on the spot. He hung up on me when I tried to talk to him about it.” The firm responded to the complaint by stating it will not remove the negative mark on her credit rating and will stop sending her letters and calling her when she pays the bill.In the past 36 months, the BBB has received 27 complaints and reports regarding Specified Credit. The firm failed to respond to 17 of them resulting in an unsatisfactory record with the BBB.
Complainants primarily allege that the firm made threatening and harassing phone calls, had rude employees, threatened to garnish consumers’ wages, failed to provide services for creditors when requested, had improper credit or billing procedures, attempted to collect debts from consumers who didn’t owe a debt, used vulgarity, and failed to provide refunds when requested.
The BBB has sent letters to the firm bringing to its attention the number and pattern of complaints received. The BBB has not received a response.
According to the Missouri secretary of state’s Web site, Michael Varady is listed as the president of Specified Credit.
A St. Louis veterinarian who used the firm to collect on delinquent accounts told the BBB he was shocked at their response when he called them to request a payment, “When I tried to call them, (an employee) got on the line and chewed me out. He called me one profanity after another. This went on for five minutes. Then they told me ‘don’t ever call this office again’ and slammed the receiver down.”
The following is a list of some highlights of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act of which consumers should be aware:
Debt collectors may not falsely imply that the consumer has committed a crime or that he or she will be arrested if the debt is not paid.
Debt collectors calling outside parties to obtain information on the whereabouts of a person who owes a debt must not reveal that the subject person owes the debt. The collector may only contact these parties once unless the information provided is incomplete or erroneous.
A debt collector is allowed to make consumer contacts only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time at the consumer’s location.
If a consumer notifies the debt collector in writing that he or she refuses to pay a debt or that he or she wants the collector to cease contacting him or her, the collector must cease except in rare circumstances.
A debt collector may not harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. This includes the use of obscene or profane language, causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person called.
If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the 30-day period that the debt or a portion of it is disputed, or if the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the collector shall cease his or her collection attempts until he or she obtains this information and it is mailed to the consumer by the collector.
Consumers who have questions, disputes, or whose rights may have been violated regarding a collection agency may contact the Federal Trade Commission at (877) FTC-HELP (382-4357) or at www.ftc.gov. There is a copy of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act available on the FTC’s Web site. Consumers may also report their experiences or file a complaint with the BBB by calling (314) 645-3300 or visiting www.contactbbb.org.
EMMAUS HOUSE OPEN YOUR HEART DINNER
EMMAUS HOMES HOSTS OPEN YOUR HEART DINNER
Emmaus Homes invites all sweethearts to attend its 17th Annual Open Your Heart Dinner and Auction on Friday, February 11, 2005, at the Sheraton Westport Chalet. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the men and women with mental and physical disabilities served by Emmaus Homes.
The festivities begin at 6:45 with a social hour and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner at 8 p.m. Festivities will wrap up with entertainment by the Emmaus Homes choir, dancing to the Chasers Fore band and an exciting oral auction!
Auction participants can place their bids for a variety of tempting items, including gift baskets, jewelry, sports tickets, handmade items and trips. This year’s featured items include: an adorable full-bred Labrador Retriever Puppy, complete with a Welcome Home basket, shots and vaccinations; an elegant ladies Cultured Pearl Necklace; a luxury suite at a 2005 Cardinals Game; comprehensive professional Teeth Whitening Treatments; a Poker Night set, including table top, cards and a 300-piece casino-quality chip set - all in carrying cases; round-trip Airline Tickets; and a masterful Work of Art based on Dali’s “Landscape with Butterflies” created by the men and women of Emmaus Homes.
Tickets for the Open Your Heart Dinner and Auction are $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten. Angel reservations are available for $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten. Angel reservations provide additional support for the people of Emmaus Homes. Underwriting opportunities are also available.
Emmaus Homes provides residential, habilitative, life-skills and recreational programs for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. It has residential campuses in St. Charles and Marthasville, Mo., as well as group homes and assisted living locations in seven counties throughout eastern and central Missouri. Emmaus Homes also provides day programs at locations in St. Charles and Marthasville, as well as special interest programming for adults with developmental disabilities.
For more information about the Open Your Heart Dinner or underwriting opportunities, please contact Priscilla Bizer, Director of Development, at 636-946-6144, ext. 159, or Karen Schleicher at ext. 150.
Emmaus Homes invites all sweethearts to attend its 17th Annual Open Your Heart Dinner and Auction on Friday, February 11, 2005, at the Sheraton Westport Chalet. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the men and women with mental and physical disabilities served by Emmaus Homes.
The festivities begin at 6:45 with a social hour and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner at 8 p.m. Festivities will wrap up with entertainment by the Emmaus Homes choir, dancing to the Chasers Fore band and an exciting oral auction!
Auction participants can place their bids for a variety of tempting items, including gift baskets, jewelry, sports tickets, handmade items and trips. This year’s featured items include: an adorable full-bred Labrador Retriever Puppy, complete with a Welcome Home basket, shots and vaccinations; an elegant ladies Cultured Pearl Necklace; a luxury suite at a 2005 Cardinals Game; comprehensive professional Teeth Whitening Treatments; a Poker Night set, including table top, cards and a 300-piece casino-quality chip set - all in carrying cases; round-trip Airline Tickets; and a masterful Work of Art based on Dali’s “Landscape with Butterflies” created by the men and women of Emmaus Homes.
Tickets for the Open Your Heart Dinner and Auction are $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten. Angel reservations are available for $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten. Angel reservations provide additional support for the people of Emmaus Homes. Underwriting opportunities are also available.
Emmaus Homes provides residential, habilitative, life-skills and recreational programs for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. It has residential campuses in St. Charles and Marthasville, Mo., as well as group homes and assisted living locations in seven counties throughout eastern and central Missouri. Emmaus Homes also provides day programs at locations in St. Charles and Marthasville, as well as special interest programming for adults with developmental disabilities.
For more information about the Open Your Heart Dinner or underwriting opportunities, please contact Priscilla Bizer, Director of Development, at 636-946-6144, ext. 159, or Karen Schleicher at ext. 150.
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Josh Harrellson, Sophomore
St. Charles High School
By Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
In just his third season of playing organized basketball, St. Charles High School sophomore Josh Harrellson had a game many only dream of having. Last Friday in GAC North action Harrellson lead the Pirates to a 52-39 victory at Zumwalt North. Harrellson’s numbers were nothing less than dominating: 26 points, 11 rebounds and an amazing 8 blocked shots. Asked what attributed to such a game, the 6’ 6” forward responded, “My teammates were working their butts off to get me the ball. They did all the real work, all I did was finish.”
Unlike all previous FCN H.S. Athletes of the Week, Harrellson clearly remembers when he first started playing basketball – just two short years ago. “I never touched a basketball until I was in the eighth grade. I started playing at The Boys and Girls Club of St. Charles.” Last season Harrellson spent the season learning the ropes on the freshman squad. Now he is playing with kids two and three years older than himself.
Josh lives in beautiful St. Charles City with his parents Doug and Carol Harrellson, his sister Ashley who is a senior at St. Charles, and his younger brother Matt who attends Hardin Middle School.
“Playing for Coach (Gary) Wacker can be tough, but the rewards make it worth it,” said Harrellson. “I know deep in my heart if he did not make me do the things I do in practice I never would have had a game like I did against North. All that yelling and running paid off.” Wacker offers, “You gotta remember, Josh is just a 15 year old kid, and with any 15 year old kid there are going to be inconsistencies. Some games he is next to unstoppable; some games he can look almost lost. He needs to work on his consistency.”
Josh’s favorite teacher is his strength-training instructor, Coach Owens. His favorite subject is math. Unbeknownst to Josh, he gave his math teacher the ultimate compliment: “Until I had Mrs. Freeman I never understood, and always hated math. She explains algebra in a way that I can understand it. I really think I have learned more math from her than all my other teachers added together.”
The word Josh most often uttered during this interview was teammates. “My teammates got me the ball…my teammates did all the work…my teammates help me out on the court.” Those “teammates” are seniors Mark Budde, Brad Bichel and Joe Bekebrede. “Without them guys I don’t score. Heck, without them guys I don’t even think I would be playing.” Harrellson sheepishly states.
Next to basketball, eating might be Josh’s favorite past time. Given the opportunity to go to any restaurant he hesitates not to say Lee’s Family Buffet in Bridgeton. With equal hesitation he knows precisely what he would fill his plate with, “crawdads and salmon.” With his 6’ 6” build there is no doubt he would have to make more than one trip to the buffet to satisfy his appetite.
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189
St. Charles High School
By Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
In just his third season of playing organized basketball, St. Charles High School sophomore Josh Harrellson had a game many only dream of having. Last Friday in GAC North action Harrellson lead the Pirates to a 52-39 victory at Zumwalt North. Harrellson’s numbers were nothing less than dominating: 26 points, 11 rebounds and an amazing 8 blocked shots. Asked what attributed to such a game, the 6’ 6” forward responded, “My teammates were working their butts off to get me the ball. They did all the real work, all I did was finish.”
Unlike all previous FCN H.S. Athletes of the Week, Harrellson clearly remembers when he first started playing basketball – just two short years ago. “I never touched a basketball until I was in the eighth grade. I started playing at The Boys and Girls Club of St. Charles.” Last season Harrellson spent the season learning the ropes on the freshman squad. Now he is playing with kids two and three years older than himself.
Josh lives in beautiful St. Charles City with his parents Doug and Carol Harrellson, his sister Ashley who is a senior at St. Charles, and his younger brother Matt who attends Hardin Middle School.
“Playing for Coach (Gary) Wacker can be tough, but the rewards make it worth it,” said Harrellson. “I know deep in my heart if he did not make me do the things I do in practice I never would have had a game like I did against North. All that yelling and running paid off.” Wacker offers, “You gotta remember, Josh is just a 15 year old kid, and with any 15 year old kid there are going to be inconsistencies. Some games he is next to unstoppable; some games he can look almost lost. He needs to work on his consistency.”
Josh’s favorite teacher is his strength-training instructor, Coach Owens. His favorite subject is math. Unbeknownst to Josh, he gave his math teacher the ultimate compliment: “Until I had Mrs. Freeman I never understood, and always hated math. She explains algebra in a way that I can understand it. I really think I have learned more math from her than all my other teachers added together.”
The word Josh most often uttered during this interview was teammates. “My teammates got me the ball…my teammates did all the work…my teammates help me out on the court.” Those “teammates” are seniors Mark Budde, Brad Bichel and Joe Bekebrede. “Without them guys I don’t score. Heck, without them guys I don’t even think I would be playing.” Harrellson sheepishly states.
Next to basketball, eating might be Josh’s favorite past time. Given the opportunity to go to any restaurant he hesitates not to say Lee’s Family Buffet in Bridgeton. With equal hesitation he knows precisely what he would fill his plate with, “crawdads and salmon.” With his 6’ 6” build there is no doubt he would have to make more than one trip to the buffet to satisfy his appetite.
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189
MY COLUMN - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
It seems that just maybe some people are reading my column. My goal, when starting this gig in November, was to increase the readership slowly but surely. If I have increased it only by two readers per week it is now up over a dozen. How do I know there are readers? Letters, comments and e-mails; some rather witty at that. Bob Barton of St. Charles City had mixed reactions to my column last week.
It seems Barton wishes to use the same ammunition to criticize Martz that I used to praise him. Barton expressed his displeasure with Martz’s play calling, in particular his refusal to run against teams “that couldn’t stop Duchesne from running up the middle,” Miami and Arizona. Barton, too, is a fan of Missouri’s favorite son, and suggested a Twain’s quote. “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example,” might be the best of all quotes to describe Martz’s poor coaching. O.K. Bob, I made it clear when I started this column in November, as long as you identify yourself I have no problem acknowledging your thoughts and ideas. When discussing Martz’s lack of tolerance for reporters’ questions, Barton throws out more Twain: “I like criticism, but it must be my way.” Of course Barton saved his best and most obvious Twain quote for last. “If you send a damn fool to St. Louis and you don’t tell him he’s a damned fool, they’ll never find out.” He, Barton, not Twain, states we therefore have an obligation to inform Martz he is a fool, he has been found out, and now needs to get out.
In a lengthy narrative Barton goes on to inform me I “am no Bernie Miklasz.” Lighten up Bobby Boy. The idea you would mention me on the same page, let alone the same paragraph, makes my day. Ironically, I usually agree with Miklasz’s point of view, yet find his style differs from my tastes.
Did I say Barton had “mixed emotions” about my column? My bad – there seems to be nothing “mixed” about it. His final comment had to do with the “high school athlete of the week,” Lauren Thoele, and why where she enjoys eating has anything to do about sports. Fair enough. Those who follow this column on a regular basis, and as I mentioned earlier I think there are now twelve of you, know that first and foremost I am a teacher; literally and state certified. Teachers learn from other teachers; old from new and vice versa. A rookie teacher, Ryan Wallace, once showed me how to “put a student in the chair,” and how it helps build a relationship with the student. Once “in the chair,” Wallace would begin quizzing the student about their favorite eatery and what they enjoy ordering when dining at said restaurant. Strangely enough it helps build a relationship between the teacher and student, it really does. Now I know I am not a teacher in St. Charles, and the athletes I interview are not my students, but even Bobby Boy Barton must admit it is a question he has seldom, if ever seen asked in an interview. Certainly never by Miklasz. See ya next week, when hopefully there will be fourteen of you.
E-mail: mcmurran@charter.net
Phone: 314.280.9189
It seems Barton wishes to use the same ammunition to criticize Martz that I used to praise him. Barton expressed his displeasure with Martz’s play calling, in particular his refusal to run against teams “that couldn’t stop Duchesne from running up the middle,” Miami and Arizona. Barton, too, is a fan of Missouri’s favorite son, and suggested a Twain’s quote. “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example,” might be the best of all quotes to describe Martz’s poor coaching. O.K. Bob, I made it clear when I started this column in November, as long as you identify yourself I have no problem acknowledging your thoughts and ideas. When discussing Martz’s lack of tolerance for reporters’ questions, Barton throws out more Twain: “I like criticism, but it must be my way.” Of course Barton saved his best and most obvious Twain quote for last. “If you send a damn fool to St. Louis and you don’t tell him he’s a damned fool, they’ll never find out.” He, Barton, not Twain, states we therefore have an obligation to inform Martz he is a fool, he has been found out, and now needs to get out.
In a lengthy narrative Barton goes on to inform me I “am no Bernie Miklasz.” Lighten up Bobby Boy. The idea you would mention me on the same page, let alone the same paragraph, makes my day. Ironically, I usually agree with Miklasz’s point of view, yet find his style differs from my tastes.
Did I say Barton had “mixed emotions” about my column? My bad – there seems to be nothing “mixed” about it. His final comment had to do with the “high school athlete of the week,” Lauren Thoele, and why where she enjoys eating has anything to do about sports. Fair enough. Those who follow this column on a regular basis, and as I mentioned earlier I think there are now twelve of you, know that first and foremost I am a teacher; literally and state certified. Teachers learn from other teachers; old from new and vice versa. A rookie teacher, Ryan Wallace, once showed me how to “put a student in the chair,” and how it helps build a relationship with the student. Once “in the chair,” Wallace would begin quizzing the student about their favorite eatery and what they enjoy ordering when dining at said restaurant. Strangely enough it helps build a relationship between the teacher and student, it really does. Now I know I am not a teacher in St. Charles, and the athletes I interview are not my students, but even Bobby Boy Barton must admit it is a question he has seldom, if ever seen asked in an interview. Certainly never by Miklasz. See ya next week, when hopefully there will be fourteen of you.
E-mail: mcmurran@charter.net
Phone: 314.280.9189
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)