This is a large file and it may take some time to open.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
FRONT PAGE OF FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - October 29, 2005
This is a large file and it may take some time to open.
Murder For Hire Plot Foiled By Federal Agents
The office of Bail Bondsman Gerald Cox on Jefferson St where the murder was to occur. First Capitol News Photo by Tony BrockmeyerBy Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Agents for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have foiled a Murder For Hire plot involving a St. Charles Bondsmen. Virgil Jackson, who worked out of an office at 815 South Fifth Street was arrested and charged Tuesday in an attempt to have a rival Bondsman killed.
According to law enforcement sources, Jackson was upset with another St. Charles Bonds Man, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Cox. Jackson allegedly threatened to kill Cox in December of 2004 because he felt Cox was taking customers from his bail bonding business.
Our source said that in January of this year Jackson told a confidential informant, “Jerry Cox needs a bullet in his head.” Cox operated Cox Bail Bonds on Jefferson Street in St. Charles. Cox is a former St. Charles County Deputy Sheriff and former Missouri State Representative.
On Thursday of last week Jackson allegedly met with the informant at JJ’s Restaurant on South Duchesne in St. Charles. Federal agents recorded the lunch meeting during which the murder for hire of Cox was discussed. The informant; an undercover federal agent working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives drove to Cox’s office on Jefferson where it was reported Jackson discussed how the informant would ambush Cox and kill him after he left his office.
Several days later Jackson provided the informant with a loaded gun and extra ammunition. Shortly thereafter, United States Marshals took Jackson, into custody.
Jackson has been convicted of multiple felonies throughout his life. He has now been charged with possessing a firearm and bullets and could receive a sentence of 15 years to life if convicted.
Writer Of Letter To Editor About Defrocked Priest Threatened
By Tony Brockmeyer
Bob Breidensteiner, a lifetime St. Charles resident, reported to St. Charles Police that he was threatened by telephone late Sunday evening because of a letter he had written and was published in the last edition of the First Capitol News.
Breidensteiner said he was at home Sunday evening when he received a telephone call. “The caller told me in no uncertain terms what he was planning on doing to me. He made it perfectly clear he was threatening my life.”
In the last edition of the First Capitol News, the newspaper had printed a letter from Breidensteiner regarding a former priest at St. Charles Borromeo Church. In his letter, Breidensteiner told of rumors going back about 25 years ago regarding a priest assigned to the parish who was known as Father Duck. Breidensteiner wrote, the rumors at the time implied that the priest was doing more than just his priestly duties with young men in the parish. He also wrote that he contacted the organization headed by David Clohesy that tracks these types of priests and found out the Duck is alive and living in south county and has been sued numerous times by individuals he has allegedly taken advantage of. He has been defrocked and the Catholic Church paid off on two of the suits against him and two additional suits are pending.
Breidensteiner has been a frequent writer of Letters to the Editor and has been a vocal opponent of Mayor Patti York who also serves as a Eucharistic minister at the church. He has been at the front of a movement to recall the Mayor and is a frequent visitor and spokesman at City Council Meetings.
Breidensteiner told the First Capitol News, “They can threaten me all they want but they will not stop me. It is important that we let the people of St. Charles know what outrageous things the Mayor and her cronies are doing and how they are hurting the taxpayers of this fine City. I refuse to be intimidated by their threats. It is evident these people cannot deal with the truth of what has happened and what is happening in this town and they are determined to use any means to keep the public from knowing what they are doing.”
An investigation is being conducted by the St. Charles Police.
Bob Breidensteiner, a lifetime St. Charles resident, reported to St. Charles Police that he was threatened by telephone late Sunday evening because of a letter he had written and was published in the last edition of the First Capitol News.
Breidensteiner said he was at home Sunday evening when he received a telephone call. “The caller told me in no uncertain terms what he was planning on doing to me. He made it perfectly clear he was threatening my life.”
In the last edition of the First Capitol News, the newspaper had printed a letter from Breidensteiner regarding a former priest at St. Charles Borromeo Church. In his letter, Breidensteiner told of rumors going back about 25 years ago regarding a priest assigned to the parish who was known as Father Duck. Breidensteiner wrote, the rumors at the time implied that the priest was doing more than just his priestly duties with young men in the parish. He also wrote that he contacted the organization headed by David Clohesy that tracks these types of priests and found out the Duck is alive and living in south county and has been sued numerous times by individuals he has allegedly taken advantage of. He has been defrocked and the Catholic Church paid off on two of the suits against him and two additional suits are pending.
Breidensteiner has been a frequent writer of Letters to the Editor and has been a vocal opponent of Mayor Patti York who also serves as a Eucharistic minister at the church. He has been at the front of a movement to recall the Mayor and is a frequent visitor and spokesman at City Council Meetings.
Breidensteiner told the First Capitol News, “They can threaten me all they want but they will not stop me. It is important that we let the people of St. Charles know what outrageous things the Mayor and her cronies are doing and how they are hurting the taxpayers of this fine City. I refuse to be intimidated by their threats. It is evident these people cannot deal with the truth of what has happened and what is happening in this town and they are determined to use any means to keep the public from knowing what they are doing.”
An investigation is being conducted by the St. Charles Police.
Contradiction In Testimony Calls Into Question York's Credibility
By Tony Brockmeyer
On September 2, 2005 Mayor Patti York was deposed in the Thomas Mayer vs. City of St. Charles lawsuit. Mayer, a former police officer had filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against all ten council members and the City Attorney Mike Valenti last year. Mayor Patti York is the only elected official not named in the suit.
In May of 2005 York crafted a letter of recommendation to St. Louis police chief Joe Mokwa regarding Thomas Mayer. The First Capitol News’s was the first to break the story of the letter. In the letter York states…………..
Since 2001 we have had some Councilmen who have gone out of their way to single out and harass Sergeant Mayer, both in public and behind the scenes. It was obvious to many of our residents that Sergeant Mayer was a target by certain Councilmen because he was constantly being written about in a local paper that stoops well below the gutter when “reporting” the news. This harassment has gone on ever since, and yet in every instance, Sergeant Mayer performed as he always does; with absolute decorum, with great skill and as the true professional he is.
This firing was truly and only a political “payback” to Sergeant Mayer. I believe this in every way because he has withstood deep harassment from certain Councilmen for such a long time and his reaction was to resolve the harassment by filing a lawsuit against these men. I believe he will be successful.
During the deposition the lawyer for the City, Chet Pleban, asked York why she wrote the letter and if she thought about Mayer’s pending lawsuit before she sent the letter. Chet Pleban asked York. “At the time when you wrote the letter of recommendation, did you know that Thomas Mayer had filed a lawsuit against the City of St. Charles and the members of the City Council both in their individual and official capacities? York replied, “Yes”. Pleban continued to try to find out why York would jeopardize the City of St. Charles taxpayers with this potentially damming letter of recommendation. Pleban asked York, “Did you take that consideration when you wrote this letter? York replied, “Honestly, no”. I didn’t really think about it. The letter to Mokwa clearly says that she believes Mayer will be successful in his lawsuit, yet she testified that she didn’t really think about it. Pleban went on to ask, “Did you consider in any respect the impact of this letter on the lawsuit? York answered, “No, I did not. This was something that was put together, as I said before, kind of leveling the playing field and trying to get some of this out in the open. It was truly allegations. There’s things I heard, the gossip, the rumors around and tried to put some of those to rest.” Pleban then asked, “If I understand your testimony correctly, the bottom line here is that Thomas Mayer is a friend of yours, correct? York answered, “Yes”.
The testimony clearly shows that York wrote the letter knowing that her admitted friend was fired from the City of St. Charles, had a multi million dollar law suit against the City and she told Chief Joe Mokwa, she was confident Mayer would prevail.
“York appears to have placed her friendship over the best interest of the City and the City taxpayers. This is very irresponsible of the Mayor of St. Charles.” stated Joe Koester, councilman Ward 9. Councilman John Gieseke, Ward 8 questioned York’s statements that the City Administrator had disclosed the reasons for Mayer’s firing. Gieseke told the FCN’s, “Williams has never told us the reasons for Mayer’s dismissal and I wouldn’t think he would until the appeal process was complete yet York testified under oath that it happened but it never did.” There seems to be a number of inconsistencies in York’s testimony that leads one to wonder why the Mayor of the City of St. Charles would write such a letter.
York testified that she had been told the reasons why Mayer was fired in closed session so she couldn’t talk under oath about the reasons. Pleban questioned why under oath she felt the closed session information was confidential yet she sent a letter about Mayer’s termination to Chief Mokwa and that information would have been relayed to her during closed session. “The truth is she couldn’t have been told the reasons in closed session because the council would have been there to hear the reasons. It did not happen in closed session. If you look at the testimony that she never discussed this with anyone other than her son you see the reason she had to testify that she heard it in closed session. She would have to come clean and really tell the truth that she had been speaking with Mayer the whole time and that is why she wrote the letter.” Councilman Mark Brown, Ward 3.
Thomas Mayer and Mayor Patti York have both hired the same Public Relations firm to do work for them. Glennon Jamboretz and his Glennon Company has been working for Thomas Mayer and the FOP. In February of 2005 York began to pay Jamboretz’s companies, Lafayette Partnership and Sarah Collins & Associates, from the City treasury. According to many on the Council the two are seemingly working in concert with one another in an effort to gain control of the council so the City will settle with Mayer on his lawsuit.
On September 2, 2005 Mayor Patti York was deposed in the Thomas Mayer vs. City of St. Charles lawsuit. Mayer, a former police officer had filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against all ten council members and the City Attorney Mike Valenti last year. Mayor Patti York is the only elected official not named in the suit.
In May of 2005 York crafted a letter of recommendation to St. Louis police chief Joe Mokwa regarding Thomas Mayer. The First Capitol News’s was the first to break the story of the letter. In the letter York states…………..
Since 2001 we have had some Councilmen who have gone out of their way to single out and harass Sergeant Mayer, both in public and behind the scenes. It was obvious to many of our residents that Sergeant Mayer was a target by certain Councilmen because he was constantly being written about in a local paper that stoops well below the gutter when “reporting” the news. This harassment has gone on ever since, and yet in every instance, Sergeant Mayer performed as he always does; with absolute decorum, with great skill and as the true professional he is.
This firing was truly and only a political “payback” to Sergeant Mayer. I believe this in every way because he has withstood deep harassment from certain Councilmen for such a long time and his reaction was to resolve the harassment by filing a lawsuit against these men. I believe he will be successful.
During the deposition the lawyer for the City, Chet Pleban, asked York why she wrote the letter and if she thought about Mayer’s pending lawsuit before she sent the letter. Chet Pleban asked York. “At the time when you wrote the letter of recommendation, did you know that Thomas Mayer had filed a lawsuit against the City of St. Charles and the members of the City Council both in their individual and official capacities? York replied, “Yes”. Pleban continued to try to find out why York would jeopardize the City of St. Charles taxpayers with this potentially damming letter of recommendation. Pleban asked York, “Did you take that consideration when you wrote this letter? York replied, “Honestly, no”. I didn’t really think about it. The letter to Mokwa clearly says that she believes Mayer will be successful in his lawsuit, yet she testified that she didn’t really think about it. Pleban went on to ask, “Did you consider in any respect the impact of this letter on the lawsuit? York answered, “No, I did not. This was something that was put together, as I said before, kind of leveling the playing field and trying to get some of this out in the open. It was truly allegations. There’s things I heard, the gossip, the rumors around and tried to put some of those to rest.” Pleban then asked, “If I understand your testimony correctly, the bottom line here is that Thomas Mayer is a friend of yours, correct? York answered, “Yes”.
The testimony clearly shows that York wrote the letter knowing that her admitted friend was fired from the City of St. Charles, had a multi million dollar law suit against the City and she told Chief Joe Mokwa, she was confident Mayer would prevail.
“York appears to have placed her friendship over the best interest of the City and the City taxpayers. This is very irresponsible of the Mayor of St. Charles.” stated Joe Koester, councilman Ward 9. Councilman John Gieseke, Ward 8 questioned York’s statements that the City Administrator had disclosed the reasons for Mayer’s firing. Gieseke told the FCN’s, “Williams has never told us the reasons for Mayer’s dismissal and I wouldn’t think he would until the appeal process was complete yet York testified under oath that it happened but it never did.” There seems to be a number of inconsistencies in York’s testimony that leads one to wonder why the Mayor of the City of St. Charles would write such a letter.
York testified that she had been told the reasons why Mayer was fired in closed session so she couldn’t talk under oath about the reasons. Pleban questioned why under oath she felt the closed session information was confidential yet she sent a letter about Mayer’s termination to Chief Mokwa and that information would have been relayed to her during closed session. “The truth is she couldn’t have been told the reasons in closed session because the council would have been there to hear the reasons. It did not happen in closed session. If you look at the testimony that she never discussed this with anyone other than her son you see the reason she had to testify that she heard it in closed session. She would have to come clean and really tell the truth that she had been speaking with Mayer the whole time and that is why she wrote the letter.” Councilman Mark Brown, Ward 3.
Thomas Mayer and Mayor Patti York have both hired the same Public Relations firm to do work for them. Glennon Jamboretz and his Glennon Company has been working for Thomas Mayer and the FOP. In February of 2005 York began to pay Jamboretz’s companies, Lafayette Partnership and Sarah Collins & Associates, from the City treasury. According to many on the Council the two are seemingly working in concert with one another in an effort to gain control of the council so the City will settle with Mayer on his lawsuit.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
I am someone who believes in the representative form of government. The only exception to that rule is when a process designed to protect the taxpayers from despicable politicians is abused. Today we have the potential for the first recall election since the charter was instituted. The ironic thing about it is the recall is taking place in a Ward where the last legally elected official violated the law by drinking and driving, then while in custody he allegedly tried to bribe a police officer with a take home car. The people of the Ward sat by and did nothing.
Now there is an attempt to recall Council woman Dottie Greer. Did she commit a crime? Did she violate the charter? No, to both. So what has this person done? When the residents of her Ward could not get any help from their Councilman, Dan Gould, and he challenged her to run for the office if she could do better, she cared enough about the City and Ward 7 to place her name on the ballot. She won the election. Dottie Greer has been someone who truly believes that solving problems and representing her ward is not done by what the “in the know” and “the movers and shakers” want. No, she believes in trying to do what is best for her residents. What are the thanks some residents show? They are taken in by a “paid for by campaign” that was far from a grass roots effort. This was bought and paid for by likes of TR Hughes and Glennon Jamboretz and Ken Kielty. It now appears it might have been paid for by Mayor York using city tax dollars.
To the people of Ward 7, you are the first to ask for a recall. I just want to find out if you knew that those circulating the petitions were paid help from Rolla, Fairview Heights, St. Louis, and Ferguson. Did you know this was not a grass roots effort but a clever campaign that cost over $15,000 to complete (which by the way was more than all the money spent in the last election), and did you really know that this was a recall election petition before you signed it? If you really want the best government money can buy, then stay silent. If you want to stand up and say money can’t buy my signature then come forward and tell us what led you to sign and we will get you the proper forms to get your name off the petition. Your name can be taken off by filling out a simple form, so if you were misled and lied to by these people please contact us.
Now there is an attempt to recall Council woman Dottie Greer. Did she commit a crime? Did she violate the charter? No, to both. So what has this person done? When the residents of her Ward could not get any help from their Councilman, Dan Gould, and he challenged her to run for the office if she could do better, she cared enough about the City and Ward 7 to place her name on the ballot. She won the election. Dottie Greer has been someone who truly believes that solving problems and representing her ward is not done by what the “in the know” and “the movers and shakers” want. No, she believes in trying to do what is best for her residents. What are the thanks some residents show? They are taken in by a “paid for by campaign” that was far from a grass roots effort. This was bought and paid for by likes of TR Hughes and Glennon Jamboretz and Ken Kielty. It now appears it might have been paid for by Mayor York using city tax dollars.
To the people of Ward 7, you are the first to ask for a recall. I just want to find out if you knew that those circulating the petitions were paid help from Rolla, Fairview Heights, St. Louis, and Ferguson. Did you know this was not a grass roots effort but a clever campaign that cost over $15,000 to complete (which by the way was more than all the money spent in the last election), and did you really know that this was a recall election petition before you signed it? If you really want the best government money can buy, then stay silent. If you want to stand up and say money can’t buy my signature then come forward and tell us what led you to sign and we will get you the proper forms to get your name off the petition. Your name can be taken off by filling out a simple form, so if you were misled and lied to by these people please contact us.
CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
Going once, going twice, going three times…to the vote of the people.
Once upon a time, a man was elected to the office of Governor of California. This elected official had committed no crime, however, a select few industrial leaders with very deep pockets decided that they didn’t like this elected official’s plans to re-regulate energy and cut into their ever-growing profits so they decided to begin a recall that would play on the public’s frustration over increasingly frequent brownouts and skyrocketing energy costs!
At the time, the populace was ignorant to the fact that those funding the recall were tied directly to the problems and cost increases that they were experiencing. Later the public would learn that the brownouts were created by design and hear with disgust taped recordings made by these robber barons where they laughed gleefully about the so-called “energy crisis.”
…the “Governator” was born and the integrity of public office died.
California Republicans and big money had opened a can of worms that soon found its way to Saint Charles County. Jeff Morrison was elected to office but an unpopular stance catapulted him right into a recall.
The next local elected official to face recall was Dottie Greer. What reason had been given to overturn the results of this duly elected official? What terrible crime or misdemeanor had this official committed that caused powerful developers and the movers and shakers to spend thousands of dollars (and the way it looks, our taxpayers’ dollars) to begin a recall using hired help (and at $5/signature, the potential hourly wage wasn’t too shabby)?
After a failed attempt to make the sale of fireworks illegal, Dottie Greer offered up a compromise city ordinance to limit the use of fireworks to three days and in return the City would expect stricter enforcement. The result was the issuance of more summonses for the illegal use of firework than ever before, in fact, the ordinance on the books was never enforced! Dottie also supported a flag post style cellular tower on church property within her ward to solve severe lack of cellular coverage in the area.
Doesn’t every elected official regularly make unpopular choices? How many elected officials have taken tough, unpopular stances throughout the years that might have resulted in their recall had we played by the current game rules? These willy-nilly recall petitions undermine the result of our elections, cost our community resources, intimidate elected officials from taking difficult stances, and deter Jacksonian Democracy in favor of elitist politics.
Our City should consider a charter amendment that provides for recalls when elected officials commit crimes, not when they step on the toes of the powerful!
Once upon a time, a man was elected to the office of Governor of California. This elected official had committed no crime, however, a select few industrial leaders with very deep pockets decided that they didn’t like this elected official’s plans to re-regulate energy and cut into their ever-growing profits so they decided to begin a recall that would play on the public’s frustration over increasingly frequent brownouts and skyrocketing energy costs!
At the time, the populace was ignorant to the fact that those funding the recall were tied directly to the problems and cost increases that they were experiencing. Later the public would learn that the brownouts were created by design and hear with disgust taped recordings made by these robber barons where they laughed gleefully about the so-called “energy crisis.”
…the “Governator” was born and the integrity of public office died.
California Republicans and big money had opened a can of worms that soon found its way to Saint Charles County. Jeff Morrison was elected to office but an unpopular stance catapulted him right into a recall.
The next local elected official to face recall was Dottie Greer. What reason had been given to overturn the results of this duly elected official? What terrible crime or misdemeanor had this official committed that caused powerful developers and the movers and shakers to spend thousands of dollars (and the way it looks, our taxpayers’ dollars) to begin a recall using hired help (and at $5/signature, the potential hourly wage wasn’t too shabby)?
After a failed attempt to make the sale of fireworks illegal, Dottie Greer offered up a compromise city ordinance to limit the use of fireworks to three days and in return the City would expect stricter enforcement. The result was the issuance of more summonses for the illegal use of firework than ever before, in fact, the ordinance on the books was never enforced! Dottie also supported a flag post style cellular tower on church property within her ward to solve severe lack of cellular coverage in the area.
Doesn’t every elected official regularly make unpopular choices? How many elected officials have taken tough, unpopular stances throughout the years that might have resulted in their recall had we played by the current game rules? These willy-nilly recall petitions undermine the result of our elections, cost our community resources, intimidate elected officials from taking difficult stances, and deter Jacksonian Democracy in favor of elitist politics.
Our City should consider a charter amendment that provides for recalls when elected officials commit crimes, not when they step on the toes of the powerful!
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
Karl Rove has long served as President George Bush’s political mastermind. He runs the White House’s political operations, which means he is involved in virtually every congressional race in the country.
But recently, Karl Rove has been embroiled in his own controversy: a special prosecutor is investigating him over the alleged leak of some classified information. Now political pundits are openly questioning whether Rove being distracted with the possibility of an indictment may cause the Republicans problems during the mid-term elections.
Here in St. Charles, Adolphus Busch IV appears to be suffering similar problems. He formed a club of rich St. Louis duck-hunters dedicated to the principle that those with inherited wealth should be able to bully or buy enough local politicians to stop anyone from moving too close to their duck-hunting preserves. His primary target was stopping St. Peters’ proposed development along 370 Highway. And his buddies kicked in the bucks to fund a huge political spin machine deceptively named the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance.
But money alone doesn’t buy elections. Someone has to run the operation. Someone has to write the attack pieces against politicians that can’t be bought. Someone has to do what Karl Rove does for the President. So the duck brethren turned to St. Louis spin-doctor Glenn Jamboretz and his public relations company.
With Jamboretz writing the attack pieces, the duck gang scored an early surprise success by unseating the primary architect behind the 370 project, St. Peters Mayor Tom Brown. But despite that, the St. Peters Board of Aldermen kept pushing the 370 project forward. Jamboretz couldn’t get Adolphus and his guys what they wanted most: all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put the duck hunters’ paradise back together again.
And when Adolphus ran to federal court to stop the project, the judge said that not only was the Army Corp of Engineers right that the project would not hurt the flood plain, but because the project includes setting aside a bunch of acres for wetlands, St. Peters was actually protecting the environment. So much for Adolphus’ claim to be a great environmentalist.
Things are not going well for the great white duck hunters. No one appears to be at the wheel. A little like Karl Rove, Adolphus’ man about town appears to be mightily distracted by his extracurricular problems.
For example, Jamboretz is orchestrating the recall attempts against St. Charles City Council members Mark Brown and Dottie Greer. He claims to have the signatures to start the recall election against Darling Dottie. But Jamboretz may have gotten a little bit sloppy on this one. He paid a $5 bounty for each signature. Not unexpectedly, it looks like some of the St. Louis “bounty hunters” Jamboretz brought in may have simply forged the signatures. And they totaled their bounties right on their petition forms. They must know not to trust Jamboretz when it comes to money.
And Jamboretz got caught with his hand in the St. Charles City taxpayers’ cookie jar. Mayor York loved Jamboretz’s efforts to recall her political critics on the Council. She apparently decided to reward Jamboretz by funneling him (through an assortment of empty shell companies) juicy city contracts worth more than $15,000. All Jamboretz had to do was produce the Mayor’s State of the City Report. The problem is that despite the Mayor signing off that the work had been done, Jamboretz may not have bothered to write the report—at least, the Mayor apparently couldn’t produce it when asked.
Something tells me that Jamboretz is busily squirreled away trying to finish his “homework” that is now past due. The best evidence of this is that his Frankenstein in St. Peters, Mayor Shawn Brown, appears to be responding to his own scandal about his haunted house without any advice from Jamboretz.
Last week, Shawn found himself under fire for trying to hide that he secretly owned the haunted house in St. Peters. Any political advisor worth his salt would have told Shawn to lay low. Responding to those types of allegations (especially when they are true) will just end up getting them repeated in the press. Politicos call this type of mistake “extending the cycle.”
But Shawn went out there screaming to the press. He told the press that when he formed his company to run the haunted house he put down the wrong address because “nobody needed to know it was the Mayor.” He admits that he deliberately didn’t put down his real address because he didn’t want the Aldermen to know of his involvement with the project until after it was cleared by the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Shawn thinks that the Aldermen are out to get him.
He also told the press that the Chief at Central County Fire and Rescue unfairly required him to put in $4000 in safety equipment in his haunted house. Shawn alleges that the Chief did it because the fire department is running the other haunted house in the County — the Haunted Hotel. Shawn thinks that the Chief is out to get him
Shawn also told the press that St. Peters’ Suburban Journal, which broke the story, had falsely reported that he used an incorrect address. When that paper confirmed their facts and refused to retract the earlier report, Shawn claimed that the paper was working for former Mayor Tom Brown. Shawn thinks the Suburban Journal is out to get him.
But the crème de le crème of Shawn’s misstatements to the press relates to his boat. Apparently, some clever reporter found out that he doesn’t use his real address when registering his boat. Shawn was quoted as saying, “I may be the mayor of St. Peters, but why would I pay (higher taxes) down here (in St. Peters) when I can pay at the Ralls County rate?” Apparently the fact that the people of St. Peters pay Shawn $43,000 per year to be Mayor isn’t enough of a reason for him to actually pay his St. Peters taxes. With statements like that, I think Shawn should be worried that he is out to get himself.
Where in the world is a muzzle for Mayor Shawn Brown? Where in the world is Glenn Jamboretz? Maybe after he gets Mayor York’s homework done, he can stop Mayor Brown from committing political suicide.
But wait, duck season starts next week. And Adolphus, Jamboretz and their buddies only got into this to protect their duck hunting. All the county’s empty suit “duck” politicians may be on their own until the mallards are again off limits in January.
But recently, Karl Rove has been embroiled in his own controversy: a special prosecutor is investigating him over the alleged leak of some classified information. Now political pundits are openly questioning whether Rove being distracted with the possibility of an indictment may cause the Republicans problems during the mid-term elections.
Here in St. Charles, Adolphus Busch IV appears to be suffering similar problems. He formed a club of rich St. Louis duck-hunters dedicated to the principle that those with inherited wealth should be able to bully or buy enough local politicians to stop anyone from moving too close to their duck-hunting preserves. His primary target was stopping St. Peters’ proposed development along 370 Highway. And his buddies kicked in the bucks to fund a huge political spin machine deceptively named the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance.
But money alone doesn’t buy elections. Someone has to run the operation. Someone has to write the attack pieces against politicians that can’t be bought. Someone has to do what Karl Rove does for the President. So the duck brethren turned to St. Louis spin-doctor Glenn Jamboretz and his public relations company.
With Jamboretz writing the attack pieces, the duck gang scored an early surprise success by unseating the primary architect behind the 370 project, St. Peters Mayor Tom Brown. But despite that, the St. Peters Board of Aldermen kept pushing the 370 project forward. Jamboretz couldn’t get Adolphus and his guys what they wanted most: all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put the duck hunters’ paradise back together again.
And when Adolphus ran to federal court to stop the project, the judge said that not only was the Army Corp of Engineers right that the project would not hurt the flood plain, but because the project includes setting aside a bunch of acres for wetlands, St. Peters was actually protecting the environment. So much for Adolphus’ claim to be a great environmentalist.
Things are not going well for the great white duck hunters. No one appears to be at the wheel. A little like Karl Rove, Adolphus’ man about town appears to be mightily distracted by his extracurricular problems.
For example, Jamboretz is orchestrating the recall attempts against St. Charles City Council members Mark Brown and Dottie Greer. He claims to have the signatures to start the recall election against Darling Dottie. But Jamboretz may have gotten a little bit sloppy on this one. He paid a $5 bounty for each signature. Not unexpectedly, it looks like some of the St. Louis “bounty hunters” Jamboretz brought in may have simply forged the signatures. And they totaled their bounties right on their petition forms. They must know not to trust Jamboretz when it comes to money.
And Jamboretz got caught with his hand in the St. Charles City taxpayers’ cookie jar. Mayor York loved Jamboretz’s efforts to recall her political critics on the Council. She apparently decided to reward Jamboretz by funneling him (through an assortment of empty shell companies) juicy city contracts worth more than $15,000. All Jamboretz had to do was produce the Mayor’s State of the City Report. The problem is that despite the Mayor signing off that the work had been done, Jamboretz may not have bothered to write the report—at least, the Mayor apparently couldn’t produce it when asked.
Something tells me that Jamboretz is busily squirreled away trying to finish his “homework” that is now past due. The best evidence of this is that his Frankenstein in St. Peters, Mayor Shawn Brown, appears to be responding to his own scandal about his haunted house without any advice from Jamboretz.
Last week, Shawn found himself under fire for trying to hide that he secretly owned the haunted house in St. Peters. Any political advisor worth his salt would have told Shawn to lay low. Responding to those types of allegations (especially when they are true) will just end up getting them repeated in the press. Politicos call this type of mistake “extending the cycle.”
But Shawn went out there screaming to the press. He told the press that when he formed his company to run the haunted house he put down the wrong address because “nobody needed to know it was the Mayor.” He admits that he deliberately didn’t put down his real address because he didn’t want the Aldermen to know of his involvement with the project until after it was cleared by the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Shawn thinks that the Aldermen are out to get him.
He also told the press that the Chief at Central County Fire and Rescue unfairly required him to put in $4000 in safety equipment in his haunted house. Shawn alleges that the Chief did it because the fire department is running the other haunted house in the County — the Haunted Hotel. Shawn thinks that the Chief is out to get him
Shawn also told the press that St. Peters’ Suburban Journal, which broke the story, had falsely reported that he used an incorrect address. When that paper confirmed their facts and refused to retract the earlier report, Shawn claimed that the paper was working for former Mayor Tom Brown. Shawn thinks the Suburban Journal is out to get him.
But the crème de le crème of Shawn’s misstatements to the press relates to his boat. Apparently, some clever reporter found out that he doesn’t use his real address when registering his boat. Shawn was quoted as saying, “I may be the mayor of St. Peters, but why would I pay (higher taxes) down here (in St. Peters) when I can pay at the Ralls County rate?” Apparently the fact that the people of St. Peters pay Shawn $43,000 per year to be Mayor isn’t enough of a reason for him to actually pay his St. Peters taxes. With statements like that, I think Shawn should be worried that he is out to get himself.
Where in the world is a muzzle for Mayor Shawn Brown? Where in the world is Glenn Jamboretz? Maybe after he gets Mayor York’s homework done, he can stop Mayor Brown from committing political suicide.
But wait, duck season starts next week. And Adolphus, Jamboretz and their buddies only got into this to protect their duck hunting. All the county’s empty suit “duck” politicians may be on their own until the mallards are again off limits in January.
CITY ISSUES - THE CITY WATCHMAN
CITY ISSUES
By The City Watchman, R. L. Greer-Author
“”Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19 NKJV)
It appears St Charles has it’s own form of terrorist group as those in Iraqi and Afghanistan, only this group uses the power of words as their bombs and weapon of destruction by desiring to use lies, untruths, innuendoes and twisted forms of the English language. Through the use of hateful statements and remarks, this group with its (consisting of approximately seven main individuals) leaders are dividing this County in half and doing a terrible injustice to the citizens of St Charles County.
Since 1968 the City of St Charles has never experienced such events that have taken place recently through decisions by the current Council, simply because those decisions have been to improve the quality of life of the residents and save taxpayers money but fortunately are contrary to the past agendas. Those prior decisions affected the residents but were designed to benefit a select few or special interests, all at the expense of the residents.
I opened this column with the above scripture for the sole purpose to speak to the tactics being used by these individuals who are set out to destroy the character and reputation of good honest and sincere individuals who were elected to be public servants not politicians. This column is not meant to be a sermon, for hopefully they are receiving theirs from their own individual Pastors. Looking closely at the various statements this group has made; they are extremely negative/hateful and appeal to the feeling of emotion. Everyone knows the consequence of making decisions based on personal emotion. Destruction! After reading some of these statements it is apparent the intent is not to improve the situation by offering sound solutions but to tear down and ridicule. The phrases used certainly are not what one would expect to read if that person was in tune with the Heavenly Father. None of these individuals know or have attempted to contact the Council Representative they are attacking to learn that person’s reasons for their decisions or to determine the character of that person. I can assure everyone the decisions made by Dottie Greer are based on sound moral and ethical principles and are made only after thorough research by reading the hundreds on pages of material furnished and then asking questions. The same questions many constituents would ask.
An election could take place in February 2006 that will allow the registered voters of Ward 7 to decide if they want their elected representative to continue to represent them. You the taxpayer will pay the cost of this special election. If the opposition is successful there will have to be an additional election to select a representative. You the taxpayer will pay the costs of this additional special election. One has to wonder what serious reason would require a negative vote. The accusation given so far centers on the fireworks issue. The Council Representative sponsored responsible legislation this past summer to tighten enforcement of violations. Past years are reported to have experienced few or none summons issued. This summer 30 summons were issued, a 3,000% improvement. The number of days legal for the firing of fireworks is restricted to two. Prior, when there was no legal days did you hear fireworks going off on more than one day? In prior years did the police authorities respond and issue a summon if a complaint call was made? Parental responsibility is now in ordinance form to be responsible for their underage children violating the ordinance. The sale of bottle rockets has been banned in the City of St Charles. Firework companies are seeking a ban on bottle rockets at the state level. The Council passed a resolution to encourage the state legislature to ban the sale of bottle rockets statewide. Has the opposition shared with you any of the above facts? Have you been told how the opponents propose enforcement if fireworks were banned entirely in the City when people would still be able to purchase them elsewhere and still fire them off? The Mayor and City Administrator attempted to not provide the funds necessary to cover the costs for enforcement this past summer by questioning the use of additional funds received from fireworks stands. The final words spoken by Jesus Christ hanging on the cross speaks quite clearly on the situation in which the residents of Ward 7 find themselves. “Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.”
I encourage every individual to be their own watchman by searching out the true facts and not be swayed by sensational and irrational statements. Call your Council Representative; speak to him or her yourself. Learn their views regarding the status of the City. Seek answers by asking questions. Let your views be known. Attend a Council Meeting. See for yourself the goings on that are not shown on the television screen; i.e. the Mayor walking up to speak to a Council Person; the City Administrator walking out of the room, both taking place while the meeting is in session. And observe the antics of certain Council members. The Mayor refers to herself as the Chief Executive Officer of the City. What Corporate Board of Directors or Stockholders would retain their CEO while violating his/her position responsibilities? The same situations we have read about the past six months. Is our Mayor performing like a true CEO?
Think About It !
Truth will prevail !
By The City Watchman, R. L. Greer-Author
“”Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19 NKJV)
It appears St Charles has it’s own form of terrorist group as those in Iraqi and Afghanistan, only this group uses the power of words as their bombs and weapon of destruction by desiring to use lies, untruths, innuendoes and twisted forms of the English language. Through the use of hateful statements and remarks, this group with its (consisting of approximately seven main individuals) leaders are dividing this County in half and doing a terrible injustice to the citizens of St Charles County.
Since 1968 the City of St Charles has never experienced such events that have taken place recently through decisions by the current Council, simply because those decisions have been to improve the quality of life of the residents and save taxpayers money but fortunately are contrary to the past agendas. Those prior decisions affected the residents but were designed to benefit a select few or special interests, all at the expense of the residents.
I opened this column with the above scripture for the sole purpose to speak to the tactics being used by these individuals who are set out to destroy the character and reputation of good honest and sincere individuals who were elected to be public servants not politicians. This column is not meant to be a sermon, for hopefully they are receiving theirs from their own individual Pastors. Looking closely at the various statements this group has made; they are extremely negative/hateful and appeal to the feeling of emotion. Everyone knows the consequence of making decisions based on personal emotion. Destruction! After reading some of these statements it is apparent the intent is not to improve the situation by offering sound solutions but to tear down and ridicule. The phrases used certainly are not what one would expect to read if that person was in tune with the Heavenly Father. None of these individuals know or have attempted to contact the Council Representative they are attacking to learn that person’s reasons for their decisions or to determine the character of that person. I can assure everyone the decisions made by Dottie Greer are based on sound moral and ethical principles and are made only after thorough research by reading the hundreds on pages of material furnished and then asking questions. The same questions many constituents would ask.
An election could take place in February 2006 that will allow the registered voters of Ward 7 to decide if they want their elected representative to continue to represent them. You the taxpayer will pay the cost of this special election. If the opposition is successful there will have to be an additional election to select a representative. You the taxpayer will pay the costs of this additional special election. One has to wonder what serious reason would require a negative vote. The accusation given so far centers on the fireworks issue. The Council Representative sponsored responsible legislation this past summer to tighten enforcement of violations. Past years are reported to have experienced few or none summons issued. This summer 30 summons were issued, a 3,000% improvement. The number of days legal for the firing of fireworks is restricted to two. Prior, when there was no legal days did you hear fireworks going off on more than one day? In prior years did the police authorities respond and issue a summon if a complaint call was made? Parental responsibility is now in ordinance form to be responsible for their underage children violating the ordinance. The sale of bottle rockets has been banned in the City of St Charles. Firework companies are seeking a ban on bottle rockets at the state level. The Council passed a resolution to encourage the state legislature to ban the sale of bottle rockets statewide. Has the opposition shared with you any of the above facts? Have you been told how the opponents propose enforcement if fireworks were banned entirely in the City when people would still be able to purchase them elsewhere and still fire them off? The Mayor and City Administrator attempted to not provide the funds necessary to cover the costs for enforcement this past summer by questioning the use of additional funds received from fireworks stands. The final words spoken by Jesus Christ hanging on the cross speaks quite clearly on the situation in which the residents of Ward 7 find themselves. “Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.”
I encourage every individual to be their own watchman by searching out the true facts and not be swayed by sensational and irrational statements. Call your Council Representative; speak to him or her yourself. Learn their views regarding the status of the City. Seek answers by asking questions. Let your views be known. Attend a Council Meeting. See for yourself the goings on that are not shown on the television screen; i.e. the Mayor walking up to speak to a Council Person; the City Administrator walking out of the room, both taking place while the meeting is in session. And observe the antics of certain Council members. The Mayor refers to herself as the Chief Executive Officer of the City. What Corporate Board of Directors or Stockholders would retain their CEO while violating his/her position responsibilities? The same situations we have read about the past six months. Is our Mayor performing like a true CEO?
Think About It !
Truth will prevail !
THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler
Growing Up In A Haunted House
(A Halloween Treat)
Having grown up in a haunted house, I’ve always been somewhat sympathetic to those who claim to have seen or heard something out of the ordinary. But those experiences also never particularly frightened me as a young child. Every child is the lord of his or her own domain, whether being raised in a modest Midwestern home, or a grass thatched hut on the plains of Africa. Kids aren’t about to let a few bumps in the night keep them from their favorite playtime “haunts”. It takes time to learn to be afraid.
I was around four or five years old when I saw my first and only ghost. Not the floating bed sheet kind or the wispy garden variety. No, my ghost had to be towering over me (though most things towered over me at five). It was night and I had left the comforting light of the kitchen to go into the darkened living room. I turned around to face the fireplace and there it was. The apparition had a light about him that gave off a green glow.
He just stood there in the living room. I say it was a he because whatever it was left me with that impression, but I couldn’t tell you what he wore. He didn’t seem to pay any attention to me or speak. I wanted to run an tell my parents, but couldn’t quite bring myself to move or cry out. It was the first and only time I’ve had that sensation.
The apparition finally moved off towards the enclosed front porch and I was free to run to my parents and tell them of the strange green man. I was probably given a hug and ushered off to bed. No one pays much attention to a child’s “imaginary” friend.
What I wasn’t told till many years later, was the next day a neighbor had asked my parents what the green light was they had seen on our porch.
It was the last time I ever saw the ghost (or what I thought was a ghost). But it wasn’t the last supernatural incident. My parents bought us a Scottish terrier when I was about ten. Every once in a while “Duffy” would start barking at thin air. Sometimes he would jump, start scratching at a spot in the floor and then follow whatever “wasn’t” there through the house. Once he got whatever “it” was to the front porch and out the door, he settled down self-contentedly.
When my parents moved us to our home on North Benton in 1970, Duffy never felt the need to “exorcise” that same way again.
There was also an old table in the house that always creaked at the same time each night. I remember my parents laughing about it. It was a low-lying long table that had been used in an old school in St. Louis. My family has the table now, but it stopped being an annoyance once we left the old house.
There were also things that moved on there own, but nothing that we observed first hand. The worst incident was the spring my Father went to get the window fan out of the basement to install. For those of you younger than forty, it was how people survived before air conditioning. The fan had been undisturbed in a corner of the basement all winter. But when he took it out, every fan blade had been bent.
These were heavy-duty steel blades inside a steel cage. The cage didn’t have a mark on it. It would have been very awkward for someone to have gotten to the blades, let alone bend them.
What I don’t remember was ever being afraid in the house. We lived there from when I was about two till I turned fifteen. It wasn’t that old of a home back then, probably being built in the 20’s or ‘30s. But it sat about a hundred feet from a much older building, that we were told by some elderly neighbors, enclosed a partial log structure and had served as a stage coach inn.
Of course belief in ghosts or ghost stories are as old as man. The first recorded description of a ghost can be traced back to 2,000 B.C. This first ever ghost story is in The Epic of Gilgamesh, etched in cuneiform clay tablets from Babylon. The story tells of the hero Gilgamesh and the ghost of his dead friend, Enkidu. Here is an excerpt:
“And Nergal, accustomed to absurd orders, obeyed as soldiers do.
He freed Enkidu to speak once to kin
and showed Gilgamesh how to descend halfway
to Hell through the bowels of earth.
Enkidu’s shadow rose slowly toward the living
and the brothers, tearful and weak,
tried to hug, tried to speak,
tried and failed to do anything but sob.
“Speak to me please, dear brother,” whispered Gilgamesh.
“Tell me of death and where you are.”
“Not willingly do I speak of death,”
said Enkidu in slow reply.
“But if you wish to sit for a brief
time, I will describe where I do stay.”
“Yes,” his brother said in early grief.
“All my skin and all my bones are dead now.
All my skin and all my bones are now dead.
“Oh no” cried Gilgamesh without relief.
“Oh no,” sobbed one enclosed by grief.
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (born around 70 A.D.) was perhaps the most famous Roman Historian who is our greatest source of information about the early Imperial families. His work Lives Of The Caesars has been the major basis for famous works from Shakespeare Anthony And Cleopatra to the I Claudius series. He also passed along a ghost story from his own time. Writing about the life of Augustus Caesar he made the following observation about a haunted villa:
“In the country mansion, near Velitrae, which belonged to Augustus’s grandfather, a small room, not unlike a butler’s pantry, is still shown and described as Augustus’s nursery...It has long been believed that casual visitors would be overcome by a sudden awful terror; and recently this was proved true when, one night, a new owner of the mansion, either from ignorance or because he wanted to test the truth of the belief, went to sleep in the room. A few hours later he was hurled out of bed by a supernatural agency and found lying half-dead against the door, bedclothes and all.”
It reads more like a scene from a modern B rated movie thriller than a description of a haunted house over 1,900 years ago.
I’m happy to report my own home is quiet and nothing the least “supernatural” has occurred here despite the building dating to the 1860s. That is if you don’t count the three imaginary playmates our daughter told my wife about when she was five.
Three spinster sisters had remained in the house together till the last one passed on. The house, built by their father, had been owned by their family for ninety years.
Three imaginary playmates...three spinster sisters...hmmmm, probably just a coincidence.
Happy Halloween!
(A Halloween Treat)
Having grown up in a haunted house, I’ve always been somewhat sympathetic to those who claim to have seen or heard something out of the ordinary. But those experiences also never particularly frightened me as a young child. Every child is the lord of his or her own domain, whether being raised in a modest Midwestern home, or a grass thatched hut on the plains of Africa. Kids aren’t about to let a few bumps in the night keep them from their favorite playtime “haunts”. It takes time to learn to be afraid.
I was around four or five years old when I saw my first and only ghost. Not the floating bed sheet kind or the wispy garden variety. No, my ghost had to be towering over me (though most things towered over me at five). It was night and I had left the comforting light of the kitchen to go into the darkened living room. I turned around to face the fireplace and there it was. The apparition had a light about him that gave off a green glow.
He just stood there in the living room. I say it was a he because whatever it was left me with that impression, but I couldn’t tell you what he wore. He didn’t seem to pay any attention to me or speak. I wanted to run an tell my parents, but couldn’t quite bring myself to move or cry out. It was the first and only time I’ve had that sensation.
The apparition finally moved off towards the enclosed front porch and I was free to run to my parents and tell them of the strange green man. I was probably given a hug and ushered off to bed. No one pays much attention to a child’s “imaginary” friend.
What I wasn’t told till many years later, was the next day a neighbor had asked my parents what the green light was they had seen on our porch.
It was the last time I ever saw the ghost (or what I thought was a ghost). But it wasn’t the last supernatural incident. My parents bought us a Scottish terrier when I was about ten. Every once in a while “Duffy” would start barking at thin air. Sometimes he would jump, start scratching at a spot in the floor and then follow whatever “wasn’t” there through the house. Once he got whatever “it” was to the front porch and out the door, he settled down self-contentedly.
When my parents moved us to our home on North Benton in 1970, Duffy never felt the need to “exorcise” that same way again.
There was also an old table in the house that always creaked at the same time each night. I remember my parents laughing about it. It was a low-lying long table that had been used in an old school in St. Louis. My family has the table now, but it stopped being an annoyance once we left the old house.
There were also things that moved on there own, but nothing that we observed first hand. The worst incident was the spring my Father went to get the window fan out of the basement to install. For those of you younger than forty, it was how people survived before air conditioning. The fan had been undisturbed in a corner of the basement all winter. But when he took it out, every fan blade had been bent.
These were heavy-duty steel blades inside a steel cage. The cage didn’t have a mark on it. It would have been very awkward for someone to have gotten to the blades, let alone bend them.
What I don’t remember was ever being afraid in the house. We lived there from when I was about two till I turned fifteen. It wasn’t that old of a home back then, probably being built in the 20’s or ‘30s. But it sat about a hundred feet from a much older building, that we were told by some elderly neighbors, enclosed a partial log structure and had served as a stage coach inn.
Of course belief in ghosts or ghost stories are as old as man. The first recorded description of a ghost can be traced back to 2,000 B.C. This first ever ghost story is in The Epic of Gilgamesh, etched in cuneiform clay tablets from Babylon. The story tells of the hero Gilgamesh and the ghost of his dead friend, Enkidu. Here is an excerpt:
“And Nergal, accustomed to absurd orders, obeyed as soldiers do.
He freed Enkidu to speak once to kin
and showed Gilgamesh how to descend halfway
to Hell through the bowels of earth.
Enkidu’s shadow rose slowly toward the living
and the brothers, tearful and weak,
tried to hug, tried to speak,
tried and failed to do anything but sob.
“Speak to me please, dear brother,” whispered Gilgamesh.
“Tell me of death and where you are.”
“Not willingly do I speak of death,”
said Enkidu in slow reply.
“But if you wish to sit for a brief
time, I will describe where I do stay.”
“Yes,” his brother said in early grief.
“All my skin and all my bones are dead now.
All my skin and all my bones are now dead.
“Oh no” cried Gilgamesh without relief.
“Oh no,” sobbed one enclosed by grief.
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (born around 70 A.D.) was perhaps the most famous Roman Historian who is our greatest source of information about the early Imperial families. His work Lives Of The Caesars has been the major basis for famous works from Shakespeare Anthony And Cleopatra to the I Claudius series. He also passed along a ghost story from his own time. Writing about the life of Augustus Caesar he made the following observation about a haunted villa:
“In the country mansion, near Velitrae, which belonged to Augustus’s grandfather, a small room, not unlike a butler’s pantry, is still shown and described as Augustus’s nursery...It has long been believed that casual visitors would be overcome by a sudden awful terror; and recently this was proved true when, one night, a new owner of the mansion, either from ignorance or because he wanted to test the truth of the belief, went to sleep in the room. A few hours later he was hurled out of bed by a supernatural agency and found lying half-dead against the door, bedclothes and all.”
It reads more like a scene from a modern B rated movie thriller than a description of a haunted house over 1,900 years ago.
I’m happy to report my own home is quiet and nothing the least “supernatural” has occurred here despite the building dating to the 1860s. That is if you don’t count the three imaginary playmates our daughter told my wife about when she was five.
Three spinster sisters had remained in the house together till the last one passed on. The house, built by their father, had been owned by their family for ninety years.
Three imaginary playmates...three spinster sisters...hmmmm, probably just a coincidence.
Happy Halloween!
Suit Allegding Defamation Filed Against Tom Hayden, Councilman Mike Weller’s Campaign Manager
Suit Allegding Defamation Filed Against Tom Hayden, Councilman Mike Weller’s Campaign Manager
A lawsuit has been filed in St. Louis City Judicial Court Allegding defamation of character against St. Charles resident, Tom Hayden.
Hayden, a pharmacutical salesman resides on Autumn Wood in St. Charles. He is the campaign Manager for City Councilman Mike Weller and a confidant of St. Charles Mayor Patti York. He was recently appointed to the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission by County Executive Joe Orthwerth.
The suit filed by Eric Tolen, an attorney who is also special counsel to the St. Charles City Council, claims three counts of defamation and prays for judgement against Hayden in the amount of $50,000 on each count plus such damages as are fair and reasonable, together with interest and costs along with injunctive relief and for the removal of the defamatory material from Hayden’s web site.
Tolen alleges Hayden is reponsible for a vile and vicious web site that has been on the internet for the past year. The site’s main purpose appears to be the vilification of anyone who speaks out against the Mayor or former St. Charles Police Sergeant Tom Mayer, state president of the FOP.
In his petition Tolen claims defamation with information Hayden allegedly placed on the web site and claims that Hayden knew the information was false.
Hayden could not be reached for comment by press time.
ttt
A lawsuit has been filed in St. Louis City Judicial Court Allegding defamation of character against St. Charles resident, Tom Hayden.
Hayden, a pharmacutical salesman resides on Autumn Wood in St. Charles. He is the campaign Manager for City Councilman Mike Weller and a confidant of St. Charles Mayor Patti York. He was recently appointed to the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission by County Executive Joe Orthwerth.
The suit filed by Eric Tolen, an attorney who is also special counsel to the St. Charles City Council, claims three counts of defamation and prays for judgement against Hayden in the amount of $50,000 on each count plus such damages as are fair and reasonable, together with interest and costs along with injunctive relief and for the removal of the defamatory material from Hayden’s web site.
Tolen alleges Hayden is reponsible for a vile and vicious web site that has been on the internet for the past year. The site’s main purpose appears to be the vilification of anyone who speaks out against the Mayor or former St. Charles Police Sergeant Tom Mayer, state president of the FOP.
In his petition Tolen claims defamation with information Hayden allegedly placed on the web site and claims that Hayden knew the information was false.
Hayden could not be reached for comment by press time.
ttt
THE NEW TOWN AT ST. CHARLES HOSTS HALLOWEEN PARTY AND PARADE
Everyone is invited to join in the fun as The New Town at St. Charles hosts its first Halloween Party and Parade at the New Town Amphitheater on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2 – 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Children are encouraged to dress up and participate in the parade around the New Town Amphitheater at 2 p.m. After the parade, families can enjoy face painting, games, magic tricks, pumpkin painting, fun giveaways and more. Some of the businesses that are building in New Town will be handing out candy as well.
“These events play a major role in making this development a true town,” says President Greg Whittaker. “New Town is becoming another great destination place in St. Charles where people can hang out and stay awhile. These free events allow people to slow down and spend quality time with their family.”
Ultimately, this $1.5 billion project will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. For information, call 636-970-1511 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
Children are encouraged to dress up and participate in the parade around the New Town Amphitheater at 2 p.m. After the parade, families can enjoy face painting, games, magic tricks, pumpkin painting, fun giveaways and more. Some of the businesses that are building in New Town will be handing out candy as well.
“These events play a major role in making this development a true town,” says President Greg Whittaker. “New Town is becoming another great destination place in St. Charles where people can hang out and stay awhile. These free events allow people to slow down and spend quality time with their family.”
Ultimately, this $1.5 billion project will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. For information, call 636-970-1511 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
MY COLUMN - Mike McMurran Sports Editor
Was it just me, or did anyone else notice that just hours after the baseball season ended in St. Louis the weather took a terrible turn for the worse? The truth is, the weather simply began acting as it should in October; it had been unseasonably warm for a couple of weeks. It was as if the Creator of the Universe decided: baseball is over, so is summer – let there be Fall.
I am not ashamed to admit that I was informed of Albert’s home run the morning after. From what I have read the game ended at approximately 10:40 p.m., which is way past my bedtime. You see on Tuesday mornings I must take Maggie to band practice, which requires getting up at 5 or so. I am usually in bed by 9:30 at the latest. I think on that special Monday night I stayed up until at least 10:15, but by then it was clearly over (shows you what I know). My being in bed is not my point. My point is so were all of my children, and I suspect most children under the age of…well, shall we say most kids were in bed and missed the home run.
How many of you out there remember Kenny Boyer’s grand slam home run in the 1964 World Series? I am not sure which game it was, 3, 4 or 5, but I know it was in New York. I remember watching it live. I also remember watching game #7 in school. My point: Major League Baseball is doing absolutely nothing to build a fan base for the next generation. I think all the World Series games are played at night – too late for many, if not most kids to watch. Kids are waking up in the morning and tuning in ESPN’s SportsCenter to see how their favorite team fared the previous day. Television and its revenue may just be destroying baseball. What a thrill it must have been for those who stayed up and watched Albert’s homer. And what about the walk off homerun in game 2 of the ‘Series; I bet far, far more kids watched the replay than saw the action live.
Can we rewind for a moment to last June. Remember when the River City Rage were forced to play their first home playoff game in franchise history at Savvis Center as opposed to their home at Family Arena. In my column I wrote that the entire endeavor was “seemed more of a courtship than a courtesy.” Granted, this weekly is not mentioned in the same literary conversations as larger, more established publications, but the fact is you read about the possibility of the Rage leaving Family Arena here first! I had no references, just a gut feeling about the way the entire situation was being handled – call it a hunch. Well, I have another hunch – Mike Martz will not return as the head coach of the Rams. Listen to what the man said at Monday’s press conference announcing he would not return this year: “This is Joe Vitt’s team now,” Martz said. “They are going to be fine without me and that makes me mad.” Think what you want of Martz, I for one love him, my partner Bob Barton thinks he is over-rated, Martz usually is very clear when trying to make a point. Oh sure, when he doesn’t want to make his point clear, he can talk circles with the best of them, but when he wants you to know what he is thinking – he is clear as can be.
Monday, Martz announced that he was taking the remainder of the season off with sick leave, but first he made it very clear that his boss was a liar. Believe me, I have learned first hand that one does not “call his boss out” in public without suffering, usually severe, consequences. Once again, its just a hunch, but I would bet dollars to donuts (or is it the other way around), that Martz has seen his last day as head coach of the Rams.
Lastly, as I write this I am not certain how the “roof-gate” incident will turn out in Houston. But I do think that should the roof had been open when the Cardinals were playing, well, the Cardinals might still be playing. Unfortunately, for me and my kids, the games would have ended past our bed times.
I am not ashamed to admit that I was informed of Albert’s home run the morning after. From what I have read the game ended at approximately 10:40 p.m., which is way past my bedtime. You see on Tuesday mornings I must take Maggie to band practice, which requires getting up at 5 or so. I am usually in bed by 9:30 at the latest. I think on that special Monday night I stayed up until at least 10:15, but by then it was clearly over (shows you what I know). My being in bed is not my point. My point is so were all of my children, and I suspect most children under the age of…well, shall we say most kids were in bed and missed the home run.
How many of you out there remember Kenny Boyer’s grand slam home run in the 1964 World Series? I am not sure which game it was, 3, 4 or 5, but I know it was in New York. I remember watching it live. I also remember watching game #7 in school. My point: Major League Baseball is doing absolutely nothing to build a fan base for the next generation. I think all the World Series games are played at night – too late for many, if not most kids to watch. Kids are waking up in the morning and tuning in ESPN’s SportsCenter to see how their favorite team fared the previous day. Television and its revenue may just be destroying baseball. What a thrill it must have been for those who stayed up and watched Albert’s homer. And what about the walk off homerun in game 2 of the ‘Series; I bet far, far more kids watched the replay than saw the action live.
Can we rewind for a moment to last June. Remember when the River City Rage were forced to play their first home playoff game in franchise history at Savvis Center as opposed to their home at Family Arena. In my column I wrote that the entire endeavor was “seemed more of a courtship than a courtesy.” Granted, this weekly is not mentioned in the same literary conversations as larger, more established publications, but the fact is you read about the possibility of the Rage leaving Family Arena here first! I had no references, just a gut feeling about the way the entire situation was being handled – call it a hunch. Well, I have another hunch – Mike Martz will not return as the head coach of the Rams. Listen to what the man said at Monday’s press conference announcing he would not return this year: “This is Joe Vitt’s team now,” Martz said. “They are going to be fine without me and that makes me mad.” Think what you want of Martz, I for one love him, my partner Bob Barton thinks he is over-rated, Martz usually is very clear when trying to make a point. Oh sure, when he doesn’t want to make his point clear, he can talk circles with the best of them, but when he wants you to know what he is thinking – he is clear as can be.
Monday, Martz announced that he was taking the remainder of the season off with sick leave, but first he made it very clear that his boss was a liar. Believe me, I have learned first hand that one does not “call his boss out” in public without suffering, usually severe, consequences. Once again, its just a hunch, but I would bet dollars to donuts (or is it the other way around), that Martz has seen his last day as head coach of the Rams.
Lastly, as I write this I am not certain how the “roof-gate” incident will turn out in Houston. But I do think that should the roof had been open when the Cardinals were playing, well, the Cardinals might still be playing. Unfortunately, for me and my kids, the games would have ended past our bed times.
UHL Opening Weekend - RIVER OTTERS LOSE TWO IN A ROW
UHL Opening Weekend
River Otters Lose Two in a Row
By Louis J. Launer
Opening Weekend for the Missouri River Otters turned out to be a little rough out on the Family Arena ice. River Otters goaltender Kevin Reiter returned to the team after his latest Chicago call-up. On opening night at Family Arena, Reiter appeared shell shocked.
The Motor City Mechanics shot only seven times in the first period on opening night. Three of those shots were goals. Reiter was benched at the end of the first period. Brenden Cuthbert, the team’s new backup goaltender, replaced Reiter and finished the game.
The damage was already done as Motor City defeated the River Otters, 5-2, spoiling the opening day festivities including the first allowed tailgate party held at the Family Arena parking lot. Damian Surma and Brian Church scored for Missouri.
On Saturday night, the Rockford IceHogs came to town and the River Otters remained in focus on the game the first two periods. The River Otters had a 2-1 lead in the second period. Disaster struck in the third period when one IceHog single-handedly finished the River Otters. Left-winger Jason Notermann scored a hat trick (3 goals in a game) and the game-winning goal in a 5-2 loss for Missouri.
Lars Pettersen got his first goal of the season for the Otters in the Rockford game. Damian Surma scored his second of the year as a River Otter. Pettersen’s goal game at 9:00 of the second period after picking up a loose puck at the Rockford blue line and fired in a slap shot.
Steve Yetman for Rockford scored a fluke goal for Rockford late in the third, taking advantage of Kevin Reiter being kept away from the net by the Rockford defense. To add to the disaster, Rockford center Olivier Proulx scored an empty net goal after Reiter was replaced by a sixth River Otter attacker.
Although the River Otters lacked scoring last weekend, they made it up with a number of fights. In the Rockford game, River Otter left winger Richard Paul slammed Rockford defenseman Ryan Carrigan into the boards. Carrigan retaliated by slugging Paul. Both received fighting majors and Paul was giving an additional minor penalty for boarding.
Paul fought again in the second period. This time, he took on Rockford’s Robin Big Snake. Later in the game, Big Snake took on River Otter defenseman Martin Vasut, after Big Snake was high sticked in the face. This time, Big Snake drew blood as Vasut suffered a gash to his head. Vasut was able to skate off the ice and is expected to play on the River Otters first road trip of the season this Halloween weekend.
Forward Mark Odut is expected to return to the River Otters possibly in December. Odut has had a broken wrist suffered in training camp. Dimitri Toupikov is still absent from the team due to U.S. visa problems. Toupikov remains in Canada awaiting U.S. entry.
The River Otters dedicated last Saturday night’s game in memory of long-time season ticket holder Fran Pinkley. She had been a season ticket holder since the team’s beginning in 1999. Pinkley passed away this June. Also, fans cheered as they announced the news former River Otter enforcer Marty Melnychuk, who became a proud father of a baby girl on October 22. Melnychuk played for the River Otters in the 2002-03 season and continues to be an all-time fan favorite.
River Otters Lose Two in a Row
By Louis J. Launer
Opening Weekend for the Missouri River Otters turned out to be a little rough out on the Family Arena ice. River Otters goaltender Kevin Reiter returned to the team after his latest Chicago call-up. On opening night at Family Arena, Reiter appeared shell shocked.
The Motor City Mechanics shot only seven times in the first period on opening night. Three of those shots were goals. Reiter was benched at the end of the first period. Brenden Cuthbert, the team’s new backup goaltender, replaced Reiter and finished the game.
The damage was already done as Motor City defeated the River Otters, 5-2, spoiling the opening day festivities including the first allowed tailgate party held at the Family Arena parking lot. Damian Surma and Brian Church scored for Missouri.
On Saturday night, the Rockford IceHogs came to town and the River Otters remained in focus on the game the first two periods. The River Otters had a 2-1 lead in the second period. Disaster struck in the third period when one IceHog single-handedly finished the River Otters. Left-winger Jason Notermann scored a hat trick (3 goals in a game) and the game-winning goal in a 5-2 loss for Missouri.
Lars Pettersen got his first goal of the season for the Otters in the Rockford game. Damian Surma scored his second of the year as a River Otter. Pettersen’s goal game at 9:00 of the second period after picking up a loose puck at the Rockford blue line and fired in a slap shot.
Steve Yetman for Rockford scored a fluke goal for Rockford late in the third, taking advantage of Kevin Reiter being kept away from the net by the Rockford defense. To add to the disaster, Rockford center Olivier Proulx scored an empty net goal after Reiter was replaced by a sixth River Otter attacker.
Although the River Otters lacked scoring last weekend, they made it up with a number of fights. In the Rockford game, River Otter left winger Richard Paul slammed Rockford defenseman Ryan Carrigan into the boards. Carrigan retaliated by slugging Paul. Both received fighting majors and Paul was giving an additional minor penalty for boarding.
Paul fought again in the second period. This time, he took on Rockford’s Robin Big Snake. Later in the game, Big Snake took on River Otter defenseman Martin Vasut, after Big Snake was high sticked in the face. This time, Big Snake drew blood as Vasut suffered a gash to his head. Vasut was able to skate off the ice and is expected to play on the River Otters first road trip of the season this Halloween weekend.
Forward Mark Odut is expected to return to the River Otters possibly in December. Odut has had a broken wrist suffered in training camp. Dimitri Toupikov is still absent from the team due to U.S. visa problems. Toupikov remains in Canada awaiting U.S. entry.
The River Otters dedicated last Saturday night’s game in memory of long-time season ticket holder Fran Pinkley. She had been a season ticket holder since the team’s beginning in 1999. Pinkley passed away this June. Also, fans cheered as they announced the news former River Otter enforcer Marty Melnychuk, who became a proud father of a baby girl on October 22. Melnychuk played for the River Otters in the 2002-03 season and continues to be an all-time fan favorite.
THE RAGE FOOTBALL by MIKE THOMPSON
THE RAGE
BY MIKE THOMPSON
COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW
I was on the air doing my regular Saturday morning show at Oldies Radio 103.3 KLOU about three weeks ago when my cell phone rang with news from Coach Mike Wyatt that the annual NIFL meetings would be coming to the Gateway City. And I swear it’s true, the above mentioned headline title song, the Beatles number one summertime hit of 1969, was playing as I took the call. Really, I swear (hey, radio on-air people never stretch the truth...you know that)...anyway, I remember smiling as I considered the timing just right, the news exciting, and laughing out loud to Coach on the phone when I considered it best I found out this way than the fiasco played out just a week prior by our owner Tye Elliott. Oh yeah, you haven’t heard that one...get this...Tye leaves on a flight for San Francisco, where the meetings HAD been scheduled, when a call comes to Coach Wyatt at the Rage office informing us that the meetings have been cancelled! Apparently, too many owners from the south and especially the league office near New Orleans were having trouble getting flights out, and some even had to address issues more pressing at the time in regards to the Hurricane. Nothing we could do here at home but wait for the plane to land, get him on his cell phone with the bad news, and then it’s Tye back in the sky. At the end of the day, all told, it was nearly 7 1/2 hours of flight time for what seemed like nothing at the moment, but as I told Coach, the league ‘made up for it’ in awarding The Rage and St. Louis the annual affair.
And it’s like the week before the season opener, or maybe the first playoff game, around here at Rage Headquarters. The Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown St. Louis will be center stage and host for the three day affair, and League President Carolyn Shiver will be presiding over a large contingent of owners, perspective owners, general managers, coaches and other individual team personnel, all focused on making season number six for the National Indoor Football League the best ever.
“The strength and the projected growth of this league is nothing but exciting,” said Shiver from her office in Louisiania early this week, “the main focus of our meetings will be to adress the area of expansion and I’m pleased to say their are many perspective owners who are eager to be part of this game, this league. Their applications will be voted on in St. Louis and it’s going to be great for the league to expand and then localize, while still keeping a national footprint, so to speak, in the eyes of the sports community.”
Expansion for the league, in it’s perfect form, would allow teams to reduce travel costs by lining up teams and division within certain geographical areas. The Rage, for example, would play
Dayton and Cincinnati, and travel wise, branch out as far as Huntsville, Alabama, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. But because the Tri-Cities Fever, located near Seattle, does not have as many regional teams in it’s area, if they were to play us and have to travel to St. Louis, The Rage would then, schedule wise, be obligated to make a trip to play a team travelling a similar distance. Complicated? Well, let’s just say I’m glad I’m not the schedule co-ordinator! But it’ll all be sorted out very soon and after expansion voting next week, it’ll all be in place to put teams to dates and 2006 will be on the sportsmap.
For those looking to buy an NIFL franchise, well, most are charted by a new astrological category. Namely, the dollar $ign! Not to suggest that shrewd business dealings and careful financial dealings haven’t been part of the plan with each individual owner or perspective owner. But it takes a big buck to get in on the fun in the NIFL, and that’s just for starters. As a rule, each application is launched with a $200,000 membership fee, coupled with a $100,000 line-of-credit. Granted, it’s not buying into the NFL, but it’s still not heading on down to the used car dealership! AND, that’s before you begin to calculate the cost of personnel, players, insurance, office rental, arena rental for games, travel costs, and oh, yeah, equipment...gotta have that. Footballs, shoulder pads, jerseys, pants, helmets, it doesn't take long to tug away at the debit side of the ledger. Some are individuals with a love of sports and money to invest, others form partnerships and split the costs, but they all have one thing in common. Rage owner Tye Elliott says it best, “it’s the love of the game for me, a chance to be a part of a first class organization and respected league, a chance to bring to people, especially kids and families, an exciting fan-friendly, fast paced brand of football, coupled with other game day activities that make a day or night at a Rage game a fun time. And, from a practical, business standpoint, it is a solid investment opportunity. Sure, there are struggles along the way, problems to iron out, sometimes on an hourly, if not daily basis. But both Scott and I agree that it’s worth it now, and will be more so in the long haul.”
Finally, the meetings will center also on the adaption of rule changes, if any, and will structure the formation of local and national public relations and media outreach, focus on both local and national sales for teams and the league as a whole, and concentrate on issues of travel costs, risk management and imaging.
Rage owner Scott Wilson is pumped up about the chance to show off the Savvis Center on Wednesday night when The Rage play host to the league officials at the Blues hockey game.
“Talk about fun mixed with business, “ Wilson mused last week, “not only do the Blues play one of their biggest rivals in the Chicago Blackhawks, but it’s a chance to take various owners and our league president up to our new home, introduce them, show them around and let them get the feel for where The Rage will be mixin’ it up come March. It’s a great chance to show them they made the right choice in coming here for the fall meetings, plus they’ll see when the Blues pound the ‘Hawks that St. Louis IS the best sports city in America. I want that roar of the crowd to ring in their ears for a long while.”
At the annual banquet, scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, The Rage is up for the following awards:
Best Gameday Presentation
Best Stat Crew
Best General Manager
Most Fun
Coach of the Year
So, Tye and Scott....Morris, Coach Wyatt, and myself....we’re all ready to get it rollin’ come Tuesday of next week. And the good news for Tye, well, he’ll only have to hop in his car and drive downtown!!.
BY MIKE THOMPSON
COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW
I was on the air doing my regular Saturday morning show at Oldies Radio 103.3 KLOU about three weeks ago when my cell phone rang with news from Coach Mike Wyatt that the annual NIFL meetings would be coming to the Gateway City. And I swear it’s true, the above mentioned headline title song, the Beatles number one summertime hit of 1969, was playing as I took the call. Really, I swear (hey, radio on-air people never stretch the truth...you know that)...anyway, I remember smiling as I considered the timing just right, the news exciting, and laughing out loud to Coach on the phone when I considered it best I found out this way than the fiasco played out just a week prior by our owner Tye Elliott. Oh yeah, you haven’t heard that one...get this...Tye leaves on a flight for San Francisco, where the meetings HAD been scheduled, when a call comes to Coach Wyatt at the Rage office informing us that the meetings have been cancelled! Apparently, too many owners from the south and especially the league office near New Orleans were having trouble getting flights out, and some even had to address issues more pressing at the time in regards to the Hurricane. Nothing we could do here at home but wait for the plane to land, get him on his cell phone with the bad news, and then it’s Tye back in the sky. At the end of the day, all told, it was nearly 7 1/2 hours of flight time for what seemed like nothing at the moment, but as I told Coach, the league ‘made up for it’ in awarding The Rage and St. Louis the annual affair.
And it’s like the week before the season opener, or maybe the first playoff game, around here at Rage Headquarters. The Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown St. Louis will be center stage and host for the three day affair, and League President Carolyn Shiver will be presiding over a large contingent of owners, perspective owners, general managers, coaches and other individual team personnel, all focused on making season number six for the National Indoor Football League the best ever.
“The strength and the projected growth of this league is nothing but exciting,” said Shiver from her office in Louisiania early this week, “the main focus of our meetings will be to adress the area of expansion and I’m pleased to say their are many perspective owners who are eager to be part of this game, this league. Their applications will be voted on in St. Louis and it’s going to be great for the league to expand and then localize, while still keeping a national footprint, so to speak, in the eyes of the sports community.”
Expansion for the league, in it’s perfect form, would allow teams to reduce travel costs by lining up teams and division within certain geographical areas. The Rage, for example, would play
Dayton and Cincinnati, and travel wise, branch out as far as Huntsville, Alabama, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. But because the Tri-Cities Fever, located near Seattle, does not have as many regional teams in it’s area, if they were to play us and have to travel to St. Louis, The Rage would then, schedule wise, be obligated to make a trip to play a team travelling a similar distance. Complicated? Well, let’s just say I’m glad I’m not the schedule co-ordinator! But it’ll all be sorted out very soon and after expansion voting next week, it’ll all be in place to put teams to dates and 2006 will be on the sportsmap.
For those looking to buy an NIFL franchise, well, most are charted by a new astrological category. Namely, the dollar $ign! Not to suggest that shrewd business dealings and careful financial dealings haven’t been part of the plan with each individual owner or perspective owner. But it takes a big buck to get in on the fun in the NIFL, and that’s just for starters. As a rule, each application is launched with a $200,000 membership fee, coupled with a $100,000 line-of-credit. Granted, it’s not buying into the NFL, but it’s still not heading on down to the used car dealership! AND, that’s before you begin to calculate the cost of personnel, players, insurance, office rental, arena rental for games, travel costs, and oh, yeah, equipment...gotta have that. Footballs, shoulder pads, jerseys, pants, helmets, it doesn't take long to tug away at the debit side of the ledger. Some are individuals with a love of sports and money to invest, others form partnerships and split the costs, but they all have one thing in common. Rage owner Tye Elliott says it best, “it’s the love of the game for me, a chance to be a part of a first class organization and respected league, a chance to bring to people, especially kids and families, an exciting fan-friendly, fast paced brand of football, coupled with other game day activities that make a day or night at a Rage game a fun time. And, from a practical, business standpoint, it is a solid investment opportunity. Sure, there are struggles along the way, problems to iron out, sometimes on an hourly, if not daily basis. But both Scott and I agree that it’s worth it now, and will be more so in the long haul.”
Finally, the meetings will center also on the adaption of rule changes, if any, and will structure the formation of local and national public relations and media outreach, focus on both local and national sales for teams and the league as a whole, and concentrate on issues of travel costs, risk management and imaging.
Rage owner Scott Wilson is pumped up about the chance to show off the Savvis Center on Wednesday night when The Rage play host to the league officials at the Blues hockey game.
“Talk about fun mixed with business, “ Wilson mused last week, “not only do the Blues play one of their biggest rivals in the Chicago Blackhawks, but it’s a chance to take various owners and our league president up to our new home, introduce them, show them around and let them get the feel for where The Rage will be mixin’ it up come March. It’s a great chance to show them they made the right choice in coming here for the fall meetings, plus they’ll see when the Blues pound the ‘Hawks that St. Louis IS the best sports city in America. I want that roar of the crowd to ring in their ears for a long while.”
At the annual banquet, scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, The Rage is up for the following awards:
Best Gameday Presentation
Best Stat Crew
Best General Manager
Most Fun
Coach of the Year
So, Tye and Scott....Morris, Coach Wyatt, and myself....we’re all ready to get it rollin’ come Tuesday of next week. And the good news for Tye, well, he’ll only have to hop in his car and drive downtown!!.
Duchesne takes District volleyball crown
CLASS 3 DISTRICT 7 VOLLEYBALL
Duchesne takes District volleyball crown
Pioneers win eighth consecutive district title
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Next year when making the 2006 volleyball schedule, St. Charles West may think twice about scheduling Duchesne the week before districts begin. In last week’s Gateway Athletic Conference-North Division action, the Warriors of West went the full 3 games before falling to head coach’s Courtney Blands Pioneers. Tuesday’s event looked nothing like last week’s battle.
Led by junior middle blocker Emily Wandersee (former FCN athlete of the week), the Pioneers attacked quickly and never let up, taking home 25-8 and 25-14 victories. “Playing them last week helped us, no doubt,” said the 5’11” Wanersee, “we were familiar with their style of play and kind of knew, or at least had a pretty good idea of where they were going to hit the ball tonight.”
The title is the eight consecutive district crown for Duchesne, who now advances to sectional-quarterfinal action to be played at Mexico High. Sectional play will pit the district winners from Visitation Academy and Mexico at 3 p.m., with Duchesne taking on the district champ from Trinity Catholic at 4:30 p.m.
“If we can keep our focus and play the way we did today, I definitely think we have a chance of getting back to state,” Bland said, “Today, we were about as steady as we’ve been all season, and that’s what we need. No more of this up and down stuff. We need to really work hard the next three days in practice to stay confident and to stay consistent. We are ready for the next level.”
The winners from Saturday’s sectional-quarterfinal action will play at 6 p.m. for a place in the State finals, held November 4-5 at Central Missouri State in Warrensburg.
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week Collin Magilligan, Senior, Duchesne High School
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
Collin Magilligan, Senior, Duchesne High School
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Photo by Bob Barton
Age, HT., WT.: 17, 6’0”, 165
FAMILY STATUS: Lives with parents, Pat and Tammy Magilligan, sister Lyndsey and brothers Reed and Brett in St. Charles City
PEOPLE MOST INFLUENCED ME THE MOST/WHY? Certainly my parents, they have pushed me to excel in sports as well as in life. Most first football coach, when I was playing JFL for the Steelers
HOBBIES: Sports pretty much take up my entire life, I have little time for anything else, except of course for school
BEST ADVICE ANYONE EVER GAVE YOU: I know it sounds incredibly simple, but to never give up, no matter what the odds
CAR: 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora
FAVORITE ACTOR: Jamie Foxx
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Any Given Sunday”
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Nip/Tuck
FAVORITE MUSIC: I like everything pretty much
FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL SPORTING TEAM: Atlanta Falcons, or, any team Michael Vick plays for
BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE: High school, right now, this is the best time of my life
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Missing the first couple of football games my junior year due to a hip injury
ADVICE FOR UNDERCLASSMEN: Never give up, work your very hardest, and probably most importantly, never let someone tell you that you can’t do something
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor,
I have a comment regarding the photo on page 13 of the October 22-28 issue. It is a beautiful fence but I don’t see how this helps our school districts financial situation. I was just at a meeting at Null School on October 17th with parents in our district and James Cale the Superintendent. Are you aware he will be recommending to the school board ways to reduce our school districts budget in January? One of the options he has mentioned is closing Benton School although his presentation notes say different use. Listed below are the options that were presented to us:
Administration Center: non-use, hold or lease
Blackhurst Elementary: non-use, hold or lease
Success Campus: non-use, sell
Lincoln Elementary: Different use
Benton Elementary: Different use
these buildings are being considered due to present use, size, and proximity to other schools
or reconfigure our schools:
option 1. K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12
option 2. K-4, 5-7, 8-9, 10-12
option 3. K-2, 3-6, 7-9, 10-12
(He claims our transportation cost will not go up with this plan. I can’t understand how they won’t go up and if we are running all of our schools but one High School. We will be bussing kids all over St. Charles)
Apparently, in the 2006-07 school year we will be operating at a deficit. It is possible he could present to the voters a transfer of the levy approved for SEEK construction. Currently it must be used to pay debt and cannot arbitrarily be used to operate schools. A forty-five cent tax hike is possible to keep running as we are at our current student to teacher ratios.
The survey they gave us was ridiculous. You could not answer several of the questions because it clearly depended on what the changes were. i.e.. Do you support alternate uses of the school buildings? Obviously, this depends on what their alternate use is.
Supposedly, Lindenwood is very interested in Blackhurst. Lindenwood is a private entity but yet exempt from taxes. They are buying up St. Charles and stealing much needed revenue from our public school system.
Are you covering any of this? This is definitely news that concerns our St. Charles Community. They are taking our schools out of our neighborhoods. They are going to overcrowd the classrooms with higher ratios to gain financially. This is not 1973-1978 where students had support from home and the special needs and disruptive children were put into specialized classrooms. Now no matter what your diagnosis you have a right to be in the classroom. Our teacher’s hands are full with the current ratio’s of 1:20 or so. Probably at least 5 if not more are diagnosed with AD, ADHD, language barrier issues, etc. Then there are those who just need a hand held to make it through the day. Teacher’s are already spread thin with “No Child Left Behind.”
Please cover this issue, the community needs to be informed. The next and last meeting is on Monday, October 25th at Monroe Elementary, 2670 Zumbehl at 7:00 P.M.
Thank you for a great paper. I look forward to it every Saturday.
(Concerned Parent of the School District)
P.S. If you choose to print any of this in the editorial section, please withhold my name. I do not want to offend those who have children with special needs. I am fine with them in my child’s classroom. On the other hand these teacher’s are struggling to keep the special needs children up to speed, the exceptionally advanced children challenged and the average on track. They are running several levels of instruction in their classrooms. If you add 8 more students into the classroom someone will be left behind.
First Capitol News,
Thank you for your donation of the $500 of advertising in the First Capitol News for our Silent Auction which we held along with our Oktoberfest Dinner/Dance on September 23rd. Our event was a huge success, thanks in part to your support. Your item was one of the most popular items in our auction.
The proceeds from this event will enable us to continue our cultural exchanges with our Sister City in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely
St. Charles Sister Cities
Oktoberfest Dinner/Dance Committee
First Capitol News Editor,
My comments are directed to Alex Spencer’s article of Sept.24th. Thank you Mr. Spencer for the history lesson praising the Roman Republic for successfully balancing the interests of the Plebeians (commoners) and the Patricians (nobles).
I guess the Roman Empire, as it was taught in school, should be congratulated for trying to rule the world with their “balanced” Army, feeding Christians to the Lions or having them killed by their Gladiators. The history lesson continued when you informed us that the American Republic works the same way as the Romans, but in America only the rich re the nobility, that money is King, especially in the campaign finance system where only the rich get to buy a “Bigger Better Vote.”
I never realized that my family was part of the nobility and the wealthy land-owing aristocracy, and I think you for letting us know this. Gee, we surely should be entitled to a “Bigger, Better Vote” that you say just the rich get to buy. Because we give $50 contributions to several local and state candidates and $50 to our national party preference.
You will have a big decision to make if you would be lucky and win the lottery, would you give the entire amount to charity or become one of those wealthy land-owing aristocrats you write about? Also be sure none of your children, if you have any, become a professional athlete or start their own business that may become successful otherwise they could become one of those rich ones.
What Adolphus Busch IV, or anyone else does with their money is their business.
I was a volunteer naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, at Busch Wildlife Conservation Area, for over 13 years with 2000 hours of service before retiring last year. Four of us gave an off-site program at Belleau Farm, the Busch property in O’Fallon for over fifty school children and their teachers.
The program was done on the Monday following the weekend Mr. Busch and many of his friends held a fundraiser on his property. The large amount raised was added to other monies already donated to the Conservation by that same group. After the ’93 flood, which put 6-8 feet of water over those 2000 acres and into his home, Mr. Busch redeveloped that flooded ground into the most beautiful wildlife conservation area I have ever seen. Sure, it was his land, and that’s what he wanted to do, but that’s his prerogative isn’t it? Could it be that what he saw in the ’93 flood he doesn’t want to see gain?
I am not an engineer, just a layman with an opinion The levee may hold flood water out of the flood plain development, but surely impact north and south of the levee, plus Illinois. It’s like St. Peters and the Corp of Engineers are saying, “It ain’t our problem, it’s theirs”.
Mr. Spencer, if you think the lights in the development would deter ducks from landing on a huge 2000 acres, you must not be a duck hunter.
This is not written to discuss politics in St. Peters. We surely have more than our share in St. Charles and O’Fallon. Mr. Busch or Mr. Musick do not know me from Adam. I just wanted to express my opinion because of the negative articles criticizing them. The Busch family has given millions to many worthy causes over the years. Sure they could afford it, but isn’t that what is expected from wealthy land-owning nobles? In fact Busch Wildlife Conservation wasn’t named that by accident.
Anyway thanks again, Mr. Spencer, for teaching your reader students history lessons. I do agree with your closing statement – Long live the Republic, but want to add to it, God Bless America.
Jim Goessling
I have a comment regarding the photo on page 13 of the October 22-28 issue. It is a beautiful fence but I don’t see how this helps our school districts financial situation. I was just at a meeting at Null School on October 17th with parents in our district and James Cale the Superintendent. Are you aware he will be recommending to the school board ways to reduce our school districts budget in January? One of the options he has mentioned is closing Benton School although his presentation notes say different use. Listed below are the options that were presented to us:
Administration Center: non-use, hold or lease
Blackhurst Elementary: non-use, hold or lease
Success Campus: non-use, sell
Lincoln Elementary: Different use
Benton Elementary: Different use
these buildings are being considered due to present use, size, and proximity to other schools
or reconfigure our schools:
option 1. K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12
option 2. K-4, 5-7, 8-9, 10-12
option 3. K-2, 3-6, 7-9, 10-12
(He claims our transportation cost will not go up with this plan. I can’t understand how they won’t go up and if we are running all of our schools but one High School. We will be bussing kids all over St. Charles)
Apparently, in the 2006-07 school year we will be operating at a deficit. It is possible he could present to the voters a transfer of the levy approved for SEEK construction. Currently it must be used to pay debt and cannot arbitrarily be used to operate schools. A forty-five cent tax hike is possible to keep running as we are at our current student to teacher ratios.
The survey they gave us was ridiculous. You could not answer several of the questions because it clearly depended on what the changes were. i.e.. Do you support alternate uses of the school buildings? Obviously, this depends on what their alternate use is.
Supposedly, Lindenwood is very interested in Blackhurst. Lindenwood is a private entity but yet exempt from taxes. They are buying up St. Charles and stealing much needed revenue from our public school system.
Are you covering any of this? This is definitely news that concerns our St. Charles Community. They are taking our schools out of our neighborhoods. They are going to overcrowd the classrooms with higher ratios to gain financially. This is not 1973-1978 where students had support from home and the special needs and disruptive children were put into specialized classrooms. Now no matter what your diagnosis you have a right to be in the classroom. Our teacher’s hands are full with the current ratio’s of 1:20 or so. Probably at least 5 if not more are diagnosed with AD, ADHD, language barrier issues, etc. Then there are those who just need a hand held to make it through the day. Teacher’s are already spread thin with “No Child Left Behind.”
Please cover this issue, the community needs to be informed. The next and last meeting is on Monday, October 25th at Monroe Elementary, 2670 Zumbehl at 7:00 P.M.
Thank you for a great paper. I look forward to it every Saturday.
(Concerned Parent of the School District)
P.S. If you choose to print any of this in the editorial section, please withhold my name. I do not want to offend those who have children with special needs. I am fine with them in my child’s classroom. On the other hand these teacher’s are struggling to keep the special needs children up to speed, the exceptionally advanced children challenged and the average on track. They are running several levels of instruction in their classrooms. If you add 8 more students into the classroom someone will be left behind.
First Capitol News,
Thank you for your donation of the $500 of advertising in the First Capitol News for our Silent Auction which we held along with our Oktoberfest Dinner/Dance on September 23rd. Our event was a huge success, thanks in part to your support. Your item was one of the most popular items in our auction.
The proceeds from this event will enable us to continue our cultural exchanges with our Sister City in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely
St. Charles Sister Cities
Oktoberfest Dinner/Dance Committee
First Capitol News Editor,
My comments are directed to Alex Spencer’s article of Sept.24th. Thank you Mr. Spencer for the history lesson praising the Roman Republic for successfully balancing the interests of the Plebeians (commoners) and the Patricians (nobles).
I guess the Roman Empire, as it was taught in school, should be congratulated for trying to rule the world with their “balanced” Army, feeding Christians to the Lions or having them killed by their Gladiators. The history lesson continued when you informed us that the American Republic works the same way as the Romans, but in America only the rich re the nobility, that money is King, especially in the campaign finance system where only the rich get to buy a “Bigger Better Vote.”
I never realized that my family was part of the nobility and the wealthy land-owing aristocracy, and I think you for letting us know this. Gee, we surely should be entitled to a “Bigger, Better Vote” that you say just the rich get to buy. Because we give $50 contributions to several local and state candidates and $50 to our national party preference.
You will have a big decision to make if you would be lucky and win the lottery, would you give the entire amount to charity or become one of those wealthy land-owing aristocrats you write about? Also be sure none of your children, if you have any, become a professional athlete or start their own business that may become successful otherwise they could become one of those rich ones.
What Adolphus Busch IV, or anyone else does with their money is their business.
I was a volunteer naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, at Busch Wildlife Conservation Area, for over 13 years with 2000 hours of service before retiring last year. Four of us gave an off-site program at Belleau Farm, the Busch property in O’Fallon for over fifty school children and their teachers.
The program was done on the Monday following the weekend Mr. Busch and many of his friends held a fundraiser on his property. The large amount raised was added to other monies already donated to the Conservation by that same group. After the ’93 flood, which put 6-8 feet of water over those 2000 acres and into his home, Mr. Busch redeveloped that flooded ground into the most beautiful wildlife conservation area I have ever seen. Sure, it was his land, and that’s what he wanted to do, but that’s his prerogative isn’t it? Could it be that what he saw in the ’93 flood he doesn’t want to see gain?
I am not an engineer, just a layman with an opinion The levee may hold flood water out of the flood plain development, but surely impact north and south of the levee, plus Illinois. It’s like St. Peters and the Corp of Engineers are saying, “It ain’t our problem, it’s theirs”.
Mr. Spencer, if you think the lights in the development would deter ducks from landing on a huge 2000 acres, you must not be a duck hunter.
This is not written to discuss politics in St. Peters. We surely have more than our share in St. Charles and O’Fallon. Mr. Busch or Mr. Musick do not know me from Adam. I just wanted to express my opinion because of the negative articles criticizing them. The Busch family has given millions to many worthy causes over the years. Sure they could afford it, but isn’t that what is expected from wealthy land-owning nobles? In fact Busch Wildlife Conservation wasn’t named that by accident.
Anyway thanks again, Mr. Spencer, for teaching your reader students history lessons. I do agree with your closing statement – Long live the Republic, but want to add to it, God Bless America.
Jim Goessling
Law Enforcement To Investigate Recall Petitions
City Council President Rory Riddler confirmed that he had turned over a list of concerns regarding the collection of petitions for the recall of Councilwoman Dottie Greer to law enforcement this week. The First Capital News reported last week on some of the similar handwriting, possible falsified signatures and serious questions regarding the sworn affidavits which accompanied the petition packets turned in to City Clerk Marilyn McCoy.
Councilman Riddler declined to discuss details of his complaint simply saying that he had placed the concerns in the hands of the proper authorities and felt they would be handled in a professional manner.
If evidence supports the concerns raised last week, there are State Statutes that may have been violated by persons associated with the recall committee. Each petition must be accompanied by a sworn notarized affidavit that the person attests they personally circulated the petition and that the persons whose signatures appear on the petitions, signed in their presence.
A review of the petitions by the First Capitol News shows that most of the petitions were circulated by persons from outside the City of St. Charles. Two of the people who took petitions around for the recall of Councilwoman Greer lived in Illinois, one from as far away as Rolla, two in the City of St. Louis, one each from St. Peters, Wright City, Berkely, Ferguson, Florissant and Kirkwood.
Council President Riddler says it was not against the Charter for the person circulating the petitions to not live in the City, but that it is shocking that a Councilperson is being recalled by paid workers who don’t even live in St. Charles. Spending reports show that the recall committee has raised and spent approximately $36,000 trying to recall just two Councilmembers. The largest donations have come from developers or those working for large developers.
Councilman Riddler declined to discuss details of his complaint simply saying that he had placed the concerns in the hands of the proper authorities and felt they would be handled in a professional manner.
If evidence supports the concerns raised last week, there are State Statutes that may have been violated by persons associated with the recall committee. Each petition must be accompanied by a sworn notarized affidavit that the person attests they personally circulated the petition and that the persons whose signatures appear on the petitions, signed in their presence.
A review of the petitions by the First Capitol News shows that most of the petitions were circulated by persons from outside the City of St. Charles. Two of the people who took petitions around for the recall of Councilwoman Greer lived in Illinois, one from as far away as Rolla, two in the City of St. Louis, one each from St. Peters, Wright City, Berkely, Ferguson, Florissant and Kirkwood.
Council President Riddler says it was not against the Charter for the person circulating the petitions to not live in the City, but that it is shocking that a Councilperson is being recalled by paid workers who don’t even live in St. Charles. Spending reports show that the recall committee has raised and spent approximately $36,000 trying to recall just two Councilmembers. The largest donations have come from developers or those working for large developers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)