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Sunday, December 18, 2005
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - FRONT PAGE Decembere 17, 2005
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TR Hughes Planning Coup d’etat Of City Government?
Being Helped By The Secret Society, Citizens Empowerment Committee, St. Charles Citizens For Responsible Government and Friends Of Patti
By Tony Brockmeyer
A concerned friend and community leader gave us a copy of an e-mail he received from TR Hughes. (The e-mail can be found toward the middle of this story.) This person was concerned because he believes that like in Chile’, the Philippines and Nicaragua, there appears to be a well financed coup d’etat underway in St. Charles.
In those countries wealthy landowners and blue bloods used corrupt generals and politicians to overturn duly elected officials for fear their power base would erode. In St. Charles we have almost the same thing. The wealthy elite who are fearful the $90 million City budget and the $47,000 a day from the Casino will be spent on projects that would benefit all the residents and not be diverted to the pocket books of the wealthy.
In St. Charles it appears we have corrupt politicians who may have diverted City funds to spin doctors who may have co-opted Elliot Davis and many of the other press that depend on advertisements from companies such as TR Hughes Homes, SSM, the St. Charles Convention Center, to pay the bills. The coup is really about some of the wealthy landowners and millionaires being mad because they are losing control and easy access to the taxpayers’ money.
This City Council made Tom Hughes mad. In a Post Dispatch article dated August 19, 2005, Hughes told the reporter the St. Charles City Council tried to put him out of business. One councilman speaking on the basis of anonymity for fear he would be a larger target for Hughes and his moneyed friends told the First Capitol News, “Hughes tried to buy the last election and was unsuccessful, now he is paying for the re-call of two sitting Council members who refuse to do his bidding.” When asked about trying to put Hughes out of business the Councilperson replied, “What an ego. We would have never been concerned about the sewer hook ups in the area Hughes was developing if East Central Missouri, the private sewer company that Hughes is hooking the St. Andrews homes up to, wouldn’t have demanded that St. Charles City taxpayers pay for a broken flow meter. The meter is used to determined how much sewage they were sending into the City system so the City knows what to charge them. That started an investigation which disclosed ECM’s contract with St. Charles had expired some time ago and those who live in the county and were hooked up to the City sewer system were paying less than those in the City. Hughes should be concerned more about building homes under power lines and placing residents in harms way.”
The coup has some players who appear hell bent on taking over City Hall and the money that flows through the City budget.
Please read the e-mail below sent to friends and community leaders.
From: Tom Hughes
To: undisclosed recipients:
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 5:33 PM
Friends and community leaders
This is a copy of an editorial that ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch last Week on 12-07-05. It was in the big Post, not just the St. Charles section Once again St. Charles City makes the news, unfortunately, once again it’s very ugly. In my opinion this editorial is right on the money. I’ve heard people say that they were afraid of the St. Charles City Council, but how terrified should we all be when the bad guys are allowed to use our Police Department to launch a criminal investigation to intimidate those who are willing to stand up to them. The innocent women, children, and men that lawfully collected recall signatures have been under a criminal police investigation for weeks with no end in sight. Who will be next? If Rory or one of the bad guys wants get to make your life, or that of your wife’s or children a living HELL all they have to do make up an allegation and a police detective will be knocking at your door. THIS IS VERY VERY SERIOUS AND SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The more people that are willing to stand up to these guys, the greater our chances of changing this very bad situation.
There are two meetings scheduled to discuss St. Charles City. Tues/ 12-13-05 4pm to 5:30pm or Thurs. 12-15-05 7:30am to 9am at the St Charles Convention center. Please try to attend.
Approximately 30 people attended the meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Convention Center called by TR Hughes. Those in attendance included; T.R. Hughes, Ken Kielty, Kevin Kast, Roland Whetzel, John Smith, Bill Weber, Mike Sellenschutter, Hank Cleaver, Carl Maus, Raymond Stone, Paula Eberhardt, Linda Meyer, Ed Watkins, Mike Weller, and Bob Kneemiller.
Carl Maus and Raymond Stone are the leaders of Citizens for Responsible Community. Neither lives in St. Charles. TR Hughes, Glennon Jamboretz, Ken Kielty, Adolphus Busch, Don Musick Ameristar Casino and others have made significant contributions to Citizens for Responsible Community.
Roland Whetzel writes a Republican publication. He has also contributed to Conservative Factor articles published in the First Capitol News.
Kevin Kast is a confidant of Mayor York and TR Hughes. He was the head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center prior to his sudden resignation. It is rumored that TR is planning on running Kast for Mayor in 2007. Kast, along with Hughes are believed to be a member of the Secret Society (FCN 4/5/04 The Conservative Factor Column by Alex Spencer) allegedly headed by Bill Weber.
John Smith is the president of the St. Charles Board of Education. The Board is under fire from taxpayers for what is considered to be inept handling of school district affairs. One of the attendees remarked he did not know why he (the attendee) was invited by Hughes but wanted to see what the ruckus was all about. He said he thought the City Council was doing a fine job. He further remarked he was surprised to see Smith there because Smith should be worrying about the failure of the School District to respond to parent concerns instead of butting into City business.
Mike Sellenschutter is a local developer who has filed suit against the City and Councilman Mark Brown in an attempt to have his development in unincorporated St. Charles County hooked up to St. Charles City and sewer service without annexing into the City or complying with City building codes. He has also provided financing to the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer and Paula Eberhardt in their efforts to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer and City Councilman Mark Brown.
Linda Meyer is the head of the Citizens Empowerment Committee and the wife of a St. Charles Police officer. She and Paula Eberhardt is leading the recall efforts of Brown and Greer. Sellenschutter, TR Hughes, and The St. Charles Citizens for Responsible Government headed by Glennon Jamboretz and Ken Kielty, both of whom are confidants of Mayor York, is financing Citizens Empowerment Committee. It has been rumored that Meyer intends to seek the City Council seat now held by Greer if her group is successful in removing Greer from office. Eberhardt is the assistant publisher of a local political advertising sheet whose sole purpose appears to be to vilify anyone who disagrees with the Mayor. A police investigation is currently underway due to a complaint that has been filed alleging the possibility of fraud in the collection of signatures for the recall effort. They are represented by Kielty
Ed Watkins has printed and distributed the ad sheet that currently vilifies whoever the Mayor chooses. But that may soon change. He is a confidant of the Mayor along with Hank Clever a local physician. Watkins does not live in St. Charles. It is alleged he is a member of the Secret Society.
Ken Kielty is a native New Yorker who controlled the license bureau in St. Charles after employment in the local school district. A recent telephone call threatening physical violence was traced by the St. Charles Police Department to a telephone registered to Ken Kielty after the resident placed a trace on the call and turned the matter over to the authorities.
Bob Kneemiller and Mike Weller are City Councilmen who are part of the Mayor’s team who stand ready to do her bidding without thought of how it might affect St. Charles taxpayers. One of the most noted examples of this was their vote in favor of allowing TR Hughes to hook his County development into the city sewers in spite of the development remaining outside of the city limits. St. Charles needs the capacity for its own growth.
By Tony Brockmeyer
A concerned friend and community leader gave us a copy of an e-mail he received from TR Hughes. (The e-mail can be found toward the middle of this story.) This person was concerned because he believes that like in Chile’, the Philippines and Nicaragua, there appears to be a well financed coup d’etat underway in St. Charles.
In those countries wealthy landowners and blue bloods used corrupt generals and politicians to overturn duly elected officials for fear their power base would erode. In St. Charles we have almost the same thing. The wealthy elite who are fearful the $90 million City budget and the $47,000 a day from the Casino will be spent on projects that would benefit all the residents and not be diverted to the pocket books of the wealthy.
In St. Charles it appears we have corrupt politicians who may have diverted City funds to spin doctors who may have co-opted Elliot Davis and many of the other press that depend on advertisements from companies such as TR Hughes Homes, SSM, the St. Charles Convention Center, to pay the bills. The coup is really about some of the wealthy landowners and millionaires being mad because they are losing control and easy access to the taxpayers’ money.
This City Council made Tom Hughes mad. In a Post Dispatch article dated August 19, 2005, Hughes told the reporter the St. Charles City Council tried to put him out of business. One councilman speaking on the basis of anonymity for fear he would be a larger target for Hughes and his moneyed friends told the First Capitol News, “Hughes tried to buy the last election and was unsuccessful, now he is paying for the re-call of two sitting Council members who refuse to do his bidding.” When asked about trying to put Hughes out of business the Councilperson replied, “What an ego. We would have never been concerned about the sewer hook ups in the area Hughes was developing if East Central Missouri, the private sewer company that Hughes is hooking the St. Andrews homes up to, wouldn’t have demanded that St. Charles City taxpayers pay for a broken flow meter. The meter is used to determined how much sewage they were sending into the City system so the City knows what to charge them. That started an investigation which disclosed ECM’s contract with St. Charles had expired some time ago and those who live in the county and were hooked up to the City sewer system were paying less than those in the City. Hughes should be concerned more about building homes under power lines and placing residents in harms way.”
The coup has some players who appear hell bent on taking over City Hall and the money that flows through the City budget.
Please read the e-mail below sent to friends and community leaders.
From: Tom Hughes
To: undisclosed recipients:
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 5:33 PM
Friends and community leaders
This is a copy of an editorial that ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch last Week on 12-07-05. It was in the big Post, not just the St. Charles section Once again St. Charles City makes the news, unfortunately, once again it’s very ugly. In my opinion this editorial is right on the money. I’ve heard people say that they were afraid of the St. Charles City Council, but how terrified should we all be when the bad guys are allowed to use our Police Department to launch a criminal investigation to intimidate those who are willing to stand up to them. The innocent women, children, and men that lawfully collected recall signatures have been under a criminal police investigation for weeks with no end in sight. Who will be next? If Rory or one of the bad guys wants get to make your life, or that of your wife’s or children a living HELL all they have to do make up an allegation and a police detective will be knocking at your door. THIS IS VERY VERY SERIOUS AND SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The more people that are willing to stand up to these guys, the greater our chances of changing this very bad situation.
There are two meetings scheduled to discuss St. Charles City. Tues/ 12-13-05 4pm to 5:30pm or Thurs. 12-15-05 7:30am to 9am at the St Charles Convention center. Please try to attend.
Approximately 30 people attended the meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Convention Center called by TR Hughes. Those in attendance included; T.R. Hughes, Ken Kielty, Kevin Kast, Roland Whetzel, John Smith, Bill Weber, Mike Sellenschutter, Hank Cleaver, Carl Maus, Raymond Stone, Paula Eberhardt, Linda Meyer, Ed Watkins, Mike Weller, and Bob Kneemiller.
Carl Maus and Raymond Stone are the leaders of Citizens for Responsible Community. Neither lives in St. Charles. TR Hughes, Glennon Jamboretz, Ken Kielty, Adolphus Busch, Don Musick Ameristar Casino and others have made significant contributions to Citizens for Responsible Community.
Roland Whetzel writes a Republican publication. He has also contributed to Conservative Factor articles published in the First Capitol News.
Kevin Kast is a confidant of Mayor York and TR Hughes. He was the head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center prior to his sudden resignation. It is rumored that TR is planning on running Kast for Mayor in 2007. Kast, along with Hughes are believed to be a member of the Secret Society (FCN 4/5/04 The Conservative Factor Column by Alex Spencer) allegedly headed by Bill Weber.
John Smith is the president of the St. Charles Board of Education. The Board is under fire from taxpayers for what is considered to be inept handling of school district affairs. One of the attendees remarked he did not know why he (the attendee) was invited by Hughes but wanted to see what the ruckus was all about. He said he thought the City Council was doing a fine job. He further remarked he was surprised to see Smith there because Smith should be worrying about the failure of the School District to respond to parent concerns instead of butting into City business.
Mike Sellenschutter is a local developer who has filed suit against the City and Councilman Mark Brown in an attempt to have his development in unincorporated St. Charles County hooked up to St. Charles City and sewer service without annexing into the City or complying with City building codes. He has also provided financing to the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer and Paula Eberhardt in their efforts to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer and City Councilman Mark Brown.
Linda Meyer is the head of the Citizens Empowerment Committee and the wife of a St. Charles Police officer. She and Paula Eberhardt is leading the recall efforts of Brown and Greer. Sellenschutter, TR Hughes, and The St. Charles Citizens for Responsible Government headed by Glennon Jamboretz and Ken Kielty, both of whom are confidants of Mayor York, is financing Citizens Empowerment Committee. It has been rumored that Meyer intends to seek the City Council seat now held by Greer if her group is successful in removing Greer from office. Eberhardt is the assistant publisher of a local political advertising sheet whose sole purpose appears to be to vilify anyone who disagrees with the Mayor. A police investigation is currently underway due to a complaint that has been filed alleging the possibility of fraud in the collection of signatures for the recall effort. They are represented by Kielty
Ed Watkins has printed and distributed the ad sheet that currently vilifies whoever the Mayor chooses. But that may soon change. He is a confidant of the Mayor along with Hank Clever a local physician. Watkins does not live in St. Charles. It is alleged he is a member of the Secret Society.
Ken Kielty is a native New Yorker who controlled the license bureau in St. Charles after employment in the local school district. A recent telephone call threatening physical violence was traced by the St. Charles Police Department to a telephone registered to Ken Kielty after the resident placed a trace on the call and turned the matter over to the authorities.
Bob Kneemiller and Mike Weller are City Councilmen who are part of the Mayor’s team who stand ready to do her bidding without thought of how it might affect St. Charles taxpayers. One of the most noted examples of this was their vote in favor of allowing TR Hughes to hook his County development into the city sewers in spite of the development remaining outside of the city limits. St. Charles needs the capacity for its own growth.
Revelations Made In Paid Media Contradict Reasons For Recalls
Phyllis Schaltenbrand
When the Citizen Empowerment Committee announced their recall effort against City Councilwoman Dottie Greer they had a precise list of “reasons” why they launched their effort. Since then, an article has surfaced that would indicate those never were the real reasons behind the recall effort and that the committee misled voters as to why they were being asked to sign petitions against both Councilwoman Greer and Councilman Brown.
Top on their list of reasons for the recall of Dottie was her vote to support a cell phone tower in her ward.
It seemed like a pretty ludicrous reason to recall someone since FCC regulations have taken much of the control over where cell phone towers go out of the hands of local officials. Also, it isn’t like we don’t experience “dead zones” with cell phone service in St. Charles. It wasn’t even controversial at the time. Only three people showed up to protest the cell phone tower permit before the City Council. For her part, Dottie Greer worked with them to try to disguise the tower as much as possible.
Also on the list was the supposed high crime of voting to move the Mayor from the dais to a chair next to the City Administrator. It was a move the Mayor first agreed to and then recanted. How soon everyone seems to have forgotten the facts. The change was first proposed and strongly championed by Councilman Bob Hoepfner. He had just come off a bruising re-election campaign where the Mayor was personally going door-to-door working for his defeat. Now that Hoepfner has been, shall we say, “taken in” by the Mayor, his name gets left out of stories on television or other newspapers. Let’s call it selective amnesia.
The supposed list of reasons to recall Mark Brown was even thinner than the wafer thin complaints against Dottie Greer. It seems Brown had referred to the Public Works Department as a cesspool. He didn’t single anyone out, but six mailings have gone out against him, telling the voters of his ward, over and over again that Mark Brown has to be recalled because he called the Public Works Department a cesspool. If using tough words is a crime, let’s lock up Dick Cheny and Howard Dean.
Last week, a paid political insert in the Journal, disclosed the real reasons for the recall and the strategy that had been in place and funded by millionaire developers from the beginning. It was simply to take control of the City Council.
But the question for voters to ponder is why they didn’t admit that from the beginning? Why mislead residents of the 3rd and 7th Wards by making up a list of groundless reasons?
The same paid political insert, the official mouthpiece of millionaire homebuilder Tom Hughes, also announced that a mysterious citizen has been “recruited” to lead the climactic battle against good and evil in the days to come. Readers of the First Capitol News won’t have to hold their breath in suspense. We believe the great “leader” they have “recruited” is none other than long time Hughes friend and confidant Kevin Kast. His new role as citizen advocate for the rich and famous is the run-up to his being “recruited” later in the year to run for Mayor. That is provided the powers that be can get the salary of Mayor raised to at least $120,000 a year. Which is funny because this same article said the person being “recruited” wasn’t in it for personal gain.
That of course is bad news for supporters of Mayor York. It seems the power brokers have decided she hasn’t been up to the job and are ready to give her a testimonial, a gold watch and an offer to help her clean out her office in 2007. How soon before this same “paid” political insert starts attacking the Mayor to pave the way for their personal political savior? More to come.
When the Citizen Empowerment Committee announced their recall effort against City Councilwoman Dottie Greer they had a precise list of “reasons” why they launched their effort. Since then, an article has surfaced that would indicate those never were the real reasons behind the recall effort and that the committee misled voters as to why they were being asked to sign petitions against both Councilwoman Greer and Councilman Brown.
Top on their list of reasons for the recall of Dottie was her vote to support a cell phone tower in her ward.
It seemed like a pretty ludicrous reason to recall someone since FCC regulations have taken much of the control over where cell phone towers go out of the hands of local officials. Also, it isn’t like we don’t experience “dead zones” with cell phone service in St. Charles. It wasn’t even controversial at the time. Only three people showed up to protest the cell phone tower permit before the City Council. For her part, Dottie Greer worked with them to try to disguise the tower as much as possible.
Also on the list was the supposed high crime of voting to move the Mayor from the dais to a chair next to the City Administrator. It was a move the Mayor first agreed to and then recanted. How soon everyone seems to have forgotten the facts. The change was first proposed and strongly championed by Councilman Bob Hoepfner. He had just come off a bruising re-election campaign where the Mayor was personally going door-to-door working for his defeat. Now that Hoepfner has been, shall we say, “taken in” by the Mayor, his name gets left out of stories on television or other newspapers. Let’s call it selective amnesia.
The supposed list of reasons to recall Mark Brown was even thinner than the wafer thin complaints against Dottie Greer. It seems Brown had referred to the Public Works Department as a cesspool. He didn’t single anyone out, but six mailings have gone out against him, telling the voters of his ward, over and over again that Mark Brown has to be recalled because he called the Public Works Department a cesspool. If using tough words is a crime, let’s lock up Dick Cheny and Howard Dean.
Last week, a paid political insert in the Journal, disclosed the real reasons for the recall and the strategy that had been in place and funded by millionaire developers from the beginning. It was simply to take control of the City Council.
But the question for voters to ponder is why they didn’t admit that from the beginning? Why mislead residents of the 3rd and 7th Wards by making up a list of groundless reasons?
The same paid political insert, the official mouthpiece of millionaire homebuilder Tom Hughes, also announced that a mysterious citizen has been “recruited” to lead the climactic battle against good and evil in the days to come. Readers of the First Capitol News won’t have to hold their breath in suspense. We believe the great “leader” they have “recruited” is none other than long time Hughes friend and confidant Kevin Kast. His new role as citizen advocate for the rich and famous is the run-up to his being “recruited” later in the year to run for Mayor. That is provided the powers that be can get the salary of Mayor raised to at least $120,000 a year. Which is funny because this same article said the person being “recruited” wasn’t in it for personal gain.
That of course is bad news for supporters of Mayor York. It seems the power brokers have decided she hasn’t been up to the job and are ready to give her a testimonial, a gold watch and an offer to help her clean out her office in 2007. How soon before this same “paid” political insert starts attacking the Mayor to pave the way for their personal political savior? More to come.
Williams Ouster Sought Thru Courts
A Petition for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunction was filed in St. Charles County Circuit Court Tuesday morning. St. Charles attorney Ronald J. Brockmeyer at the request of St. Charles City Councilmen, John Gieseke, Mark Brown, Joe Koester, and Councilwoman Dottie Greer filed the Petition.
The Petition was filed in response to the refusal of Allan Williams to refrain from acting as City Administrator after his contract expired and was not renewed for another year.
A hearing was scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 2005 but was postponed for a week because the attorney representing Williams is recovering from surgery. St. Charles attorney Claude Knight is defending Williams. Knight is the attorney representing the Citizens Empowerment Committee in their attempts to recall Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer. He represents Adolphus Busch and his Great Rivers Habitat Alliance. Knight is the attorney who was caught placing unfavorable information on former St. Charles County Councilman Jeff Morrison in the mailbox of the First Capitol News. He also represented the Mayor in her lawsuit against a member of the City personnel commission. The member, who had been selected as part of a group to interview Robert G. Lowery, Jr. for the position of City Administrator, said in his letter, other members of the group had told him that no matter what the outcome of the interview the Mayor was not going to appoint Lowery.
Williams’s contract expired on December 1, 2005. In order for him to continue as City Administrator, Williams would have needed contract renewal, however, the bill to renew his contract failed at a November City Council meeting. Williams has refused to leave his office or release control of the City.
The Petition was filed in response to the refusal of Allan Williams to refrain from acting as City Administrator after his contract expired and was not renewed for another year.
A hearing was scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 2005 but was postponed for a week because the attorney representing Williams is recovering from surgery. St. Charles attorney Claude Knight is defending Williams. Knight is the attorney representing the Citizens Empowerment Committee in their attempts to recall Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer. He represents Adolphus Busch and his Great Rivers Habitat Alliance. Knight is the attorney who was caught placing unfavorable information on former St. Charles County Councilman Jeff Morrison in the mailbox of the First Capitol News. He also represented the Mayor in her lawsuit against a member of the City personnel commission. The member, who had been selected as part of a group to interview Robert G. Lowery, Jr. for the position of City Administrator, said in his letter, other members of the group had told him that no matter what the outcome of the interview the Mayor was not going to appoint Lowery.
Williams’s contract expired on December 1, 2005. In order for him to continue as City Administrator, Williams would have needed contract renewal, however, the bill to renew his contract failed at a November City Council meeting. Williams has refused to leave his office or release control of the City.
EDITORIAL
Editorial
I am growing tired of this never-ending attempt to spin things about the City Council and their actions. I am speaking for all of them at this point. Like them or not, they did something that none of you did. They decided to run for office and won. They didn’t hold guns to the voter’s heads, stuff ballot boxes or bribe election officials. They campaigned and convinced the voters that they were the right ones for the job. In 2007 there will be new elections and those who held to their word and those who did a good job in the eyes of the voters will win re-election.
Ninety percent of the votes of the City Council go 10 - 0. On divisive issues, issues that truly affect the people, there appears to be a split of 5-5 on the council. That isn’t a bad thing, it isn’t a good thing. It is a split of 5-5. If one side is voting in a block and it is wrong for them, wouldn’t it be just as wrong for the other side who does the same?
There is a group who vote for storm water projects that would fix flooding in people’s basements and houses on West Adams. There is a group that voted against it. There is a group that voted against a county development hooking into our sewer system because the developer wanted to build in a creek bed. There is a group that voted in favor of this developer. There is a group that actually followed the City Ordinance and had a judge of the County or City Clerk swear them in. There is a one that had the Mayor swear him in. There is a group that ran for office saying they would not be a rubber stamp for the administration. There is a group that can’t wait to vote yes on tax increases, increased spending, anything the City Administration wants.
I believe you are all very smart and able people and can see what is right and what is wrong. The voters need to know there are those who would sell them out for a plumbing contract or their son getting a real estate contract to sell for developers. You need to know the Mayor has spent your tax dollars illegally and without authority. You need to understand those who want to waste your money want chaos to rule the day because that covers up the true actions of this administration.
When you watch and read about the council ask yourself, which side would you be on? The side of those who want to represent the people or the side that wants to rubber stamp any and all decisions of City staff. If you want rubber stamps why even have Councilman? Our government needs a council that understands its role. The Council is not part of the administration. The Council is our watchdog, our eyes and ears,. They are our only defense from a corrupt administration.
I am growing tired of this never-ending attempt to spin things about the City Council and their actions. I am speaking for all of them at this point. Like them or not, they did something that none of you did. They decided to run for office and won. They didn’t hold guns to the voter’s heads, stuff ballot boxes or bribe election officials. They campaigned and convinced the voters that they were the right ones for the job. In 2007 there will be new elections and those who held to their word and those who did a good job in the eyes of the voters will win re-election.
Ninety percent of the votes of the City Council go 10 - 0. On divisive issues, issues that truly affect the people, there appears to be a split of 5-5 on the council. That isn’t a bad thing, it isn’t a good thing. It is a split of 5-5. If one side is voting in a block and it is wrong for them, wouldn’t it be just as wrong for the other side who does the same?
There is a group who vote for storm water projects that would fix flooding in people’s basements and houses on West Adams. There is a group that voted against it. There is a group that voted against a county development hooking into our sewer system because the developer wanted to build in a creek bed. There is a group that voted in favor of this developer. There is a group that actually followed the City Ordinance and had a judge of the County or City Clerk swear them in. There is a one that had the Mayor swear him in. There is a group that ran for office saying they would not be a rubber stamp for the administration. There is a group that can’t wait to vote yes on tax increases, increased spending, anything the City Administration wants.
I believe you are all very smart and able people and can see what is right and what is wrong. The voters need to know there are those who would sell them out for a plumbing contract or their son getting a real estate contract to sell for developers. You need to know the Mayor has spent your tax dollars illegally and without authority. You need to understand those who want to waste your money want chaos to rule the day because that covers up the true actions of this administration.
When you watch and read about the council ask yourself, which side would you be on? The side of those who want to represent the people or the side that wants to rubber stamp any and all decisions of City staff. If you want rubber stamps why even have Councilman? Our government needs a council that understands its role. The Council is not part of the administration. The Council is our watchdog, our eyes and ears,. They are our only defense from a corrupt administration.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
IT MAKES ME WONDER
It is said that imitation is the best form of flattery. I am not sure if I agree with that statement. Last weekend the Journal threw their papers in red wrappers. The First Capitol News has been using red wrappers since our beginning. Some said they were just imitating us. Others said that since their readership has gone down they were using the red wrappers to make people think it was the First Capitol News so their papers would be picked up. Whatever the reason, the Fist Capitol News is still he most read newspaper in St. Charles.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
As has been our policy for the last five years, the First Capitol News will not publish between Christmas and New Years. We do not publish in weeks that contain a Holiday. Our next publication will therefore be on January 14, 2006.
The time off from publication will also allow us to spend more time on several investigations we have been conducting. If you have reported something to us and have not read anything about it in the First Captiol News do not get discouraged. We have a small staff and a vast number of tips to follow up on. Eventually we hope to get to yours. They are all important to us.
We hope you and your family have a safe and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
BREAKING NEWS WILL BE ON OUR WEB LOG
If there is important breaking news during the time we are off we will report it on our web log on the Internet. You will be able to find it at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. Check our web log daily for frequent updates.
HANGING ON
This cold and cough are hanging on. I just can’t seem to get rid of them. Several other friends and family members of mine have also been affected. I wonder if we are suffering from Pertussis. You can read about the warning about Pertussis from the County Health Department. The story starts on page 3.
Remember to check our web log
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
frequently for updates on any breaking news during the holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the First Capitol News.
It is said that imitation is the best form of flattery. I am not sure if I agree with that statement. Last weekend the Journal threw their papers in red wrappers. The First Capitol News has been using red wrappers since our beginning. Some said they were just imitating us. Others said that since their readership has gone down they were using the red wrappers to make people think it was the First Capitol News so their papers would be picked up. Whatever the reason, the Fist Capitol News is still he most read newspaper in St. Charles.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
As has been our policy for the last five years, the First Capitol News will not publish between Christmas and New Years. We do not publish in weeks that contain a Holiday. Our next publication will therefore be on January 14, 2006.
The time off from publication will also allow us to spend more time on several investigations we have been conducting. If you have reported something to us and have not read anything about it in the First Captiol News do not get discouraged. We have a small staff and a vast number of tips to follow up on. Eventually we hope to get to yours. They are all important to us.
We hope you and your family have a safe and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
BREAKING NEWS WILL BE ON OUR WEB LOG
If there is important breaking news during the time we are off we will report it on our web log on the Internet. You will be able to find it at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com. Check our web log daily for frequent updates.
HANGING ON
This cold and cough are hanging on. I just can’t seem to get rid of them. Several other friends and family members of mine have also been affected. I wonder if we are suffering from Pertussis. You can read about the warning about Pertussis from the County Health Department. The story starts on page 3.
Remember to check our web log
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
frequently for updates on any breaking news during the holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the First Capitol News.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Mr. Brockmeyer,
When are you going to look into the St. Charles School District? Doesn’t it
make you wonder who was on the school board when the $52 million bond was
passed for schools they now say have to be shut down. None other than Jerry
Reese!! Reese was a puppet for the administration and passed anything and
everything the administration told him. On top of that under his tenure the
school district was bilked out of hundreds of thousands by a worker.
Reese now is trying to get the City to pay for his mistakes. He convinced
the school board to buy a city building and now he is trying to get the city
to buy it back. Wake up St. Charles, guys like Reese only want to spend,
spend, spend. They don’t like doing the job of questioning the
administration. Look at him on the Council, you could have a monkey sit
there and do his job. All he does is protect the administration.
J Downey
Dear Editor,
Before the first stones are thrown at Councilwoman Greer and Councilman Brown, there are other councilpersons who need our attention. Not everyone is above reproach.
For weeks we were inundated with pictures of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. We were able to see women, children, men, Police, thugs walking in water filled with sewage. The networks made sure we were aware of the danger and imminent illness that would come from this activity. And then came Pearl Ridge and Harvest Ridge school to our attention. Once more we were told the water was filled with sewage and extremely toxic. We saw pictures of children and adults walking in this water. Strangely I believe it might have been on a Tuesday. I could be wrong. Anyway there was a City Council meeting near the time of the incident.
The councilman I am upset with is Jerry Reese. My husband and I voted for him for the School Board every time he ran. Both of us are teachers and we felt Jerry Reese was a heads up man with the desire to do what’a right for the children in the district. So much for that thought. Then the council meeting came and he voted not to work on the sewers in Pearl Ridge and in extension help the students and their flooded playground.
It seemed that right after his election he was a thinking person until the night he went to a bar and was asked to join Patti, Kneemilller, Weller, and Muench. He was brought into the fold. He now votes as how his Lieutenant tells him to vote. I can’t discern any signals being passed but I’m sure they are. I wish we had the old Jerry Reese back. Someone who knows right from wrong.
Ward 7 Voter
Dear Editor,
Watching the goings on in O’Fallon I now understand why Lowery wouldn’t have been a good fit for St. Charles. He actually is trying to clean up years a corruption and abuse by City Hall Staff and politicians alike. York must have known that her dealings, sweat heart deals and money flowing from one account to another would have been found out and stopped by Lowery. Criminal charges would have been filed against people taking kick backs and bribes to sell a million dollar building for a lot less by simply signing a name and giving $1,000 down, With Lowery here, it never would have occurred. Let’s face it, Lowery would not have been a good fit in a town like St. Charles. That would have been like letting Elliot Ness in the Capone family.
S. Thomas
When are you going to look into the St. Charles School District? Doesn’t it
make you wonder who was on the school board when the $52 million bond was
passed for schools they now say have to be shut down. None other than Jerry
Reese!! Reese was a puppet for the administration and passed anything and
everything the administration told him. On top of that under his tenure the
school district was bilked out of hundreds of thousands by a worker.
Reese now is trying to get the City to pay for his mistakes. He convinced
the school board to buy a city building and now he is trying to get the city
to buy it back. Wake up St. Charles, guys like Reese only want to spend,
spend, spend. They don’t like doing the job of questioning the
administration. Look at him on the Council, you could have a monkey sit
there and do his job. All he does is protect the administration.
J Downey
Dear Editor,
Before the first stones are thrown at Councilwoman Greer and Councilman Brown, there are other councilpersons who need our attention. Not everyone is above reproach.
For weeks we were inundated with pictures of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. We were able to see women, children, men, Police, thugs walking in water filled with sewage. The networks made sure we were aware of the danger and imminent illness that would come from this activity. And then came Pearl Ridge and Harvest Ridge school to our attention. Once more we were told the water was filled with sewage and extremely toxic. We saw pictures of children and adults walking in this water. Strangely I believe it might have been on a Tuesday. I could be wrong. Anyway there was a City Council meeting near the time of the incident.
The councilman I am upset with is Jerry Reese. My husband and I voted for him for the School Board every time he ran. Both of us are teachers and we felt Jerry Reese was a heads up man with the desire to do what’a right for the children in the district. So much for that thought. Then the council meeting came and he voted not to work on the sewers in Pearl Ridge and in extension help the students and their flooded playground.
It seemed that right after his election he was a thinking person until the night he went to a bar and was asked to join Patti, Kneemilller, Weller, and Muench. He was brought into the fold. He now votes as how his Lieutenant tells him to vote. I can’t discern any signals being passed but I’m sure they are. I wish we had the old Jerry Reese back. Someone who knows right from wrong.
Ward 7 Voter
Dear Editor,
Watching the goings on in O’Fallon I now understand why Lowery wouldn’t have been a good fit for St. Charles. He actually is trying to clean up years a corruption and abuse by City Hall Staff and politicians alike. York must have known that her dealings, sweat heart deals and money flowing from one account to another would have been found out and stopped by Lowery. Criminal charges would have been filed against people taking kick backs and bribes to sell a million dollar building for a lot less by simply signing a name and giving $1,000 down, With Lowery here, it never would have occurred. Let’s face it, Lowery would not have been a good fit in a town like St. Charles. That would have been like letting Elliot Ness in the Capone family.
S. Thomas
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
Abuse of Dollars
Dear Post-Dispatch Editor:
Your editorial states, “WHEN PEOPLE in power sic the police on their political opponents, democracy is the loser.” I was not aware that turning over a police complaint was to sic the police on political opponents. If the paper had bothered to first speak with the council president, it would have seen that several precautions were taken to guarantee there would be no abuse of power by council and that in fact, Allan Williams was present to witness the police report.
You mentioned that going to the police to report possible crimes will result in citizens fearing participation in government. More accurately, big money willing to undo elections it doesn’t like and attack anyone who they disagree with is what will cause citizens to opt out of participating in government. Or maybe it would be receiving threatening telephone calls and letters that will dissuade citizens’ participation.
You went on to state that he should have asked for a probe by an agency that’s not under the council’s thumb. Maybe the editor is unaware that we do not have control over the police department and have been the recipients of attacks by the F.O.P. – I would hardly declare the police under the thumbs of any council member!
This brings up the point, at the end of the editorial it reads. “…the city police should be kept out of city politics.” The Post-Dispatch, however, gladly accepted their money and placed a full-page ad that called certain council “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
Furthermore, you state, “Citizens will certainly question the neutrality of any investigation of Mr. Riddler’s political opponents by a police department over which he holds influence” but just above those words you stated that the investigation has been handed over to the sheriff’s office so this is a moot point, is it not? Better, maybe if citizens question the neutrality of your editorial space and your reporting. I think the Post is under the influence of high-dollar customers and spin doctors buying its opinion. To paraphrase your editorial – you have a clear conflict of interest and the appearance is lousy!
One final thought – will the Post place a similar editorial in the St. Louis paper if Mayor Slay has his police look into signatures of long-deceased citizens who have apparently signed a recent petition to remove some of their alderman?
You Paid for What?
Twice within a couple of weeks St. Charles City got paid a visit by “You Paid for It.” There was, however, a problem with these reports. The reports seemed very hard pressed to actually make a case that any costs were incurred by city residents. This show is often not bad on the issues. But then came a couple of shows that seemed to be arranged by someone trading a favor or maybe just a friend of the reporter’s (I’m guessing he has the initials G.J.).
If Elliot Davis would like to come back to St. Charles and do a real story about something “You paid for” certainly Express Scripts or a certain letter to the St. Louis Chief of Police endangering millions of city dollars in a legal matter would make the cost of a few 2X4s, a few nails and some wiring seem trivial in comparison.
Mr. Davis, if you get the First Capitol News (everyone reads it) contact this newspaper for further information.
The un-citizen
A quick note to Mr. Watkins who is the editor of an ad sheet/newspaper insert that focuses on our City even though he is not a citizen or our community.
In your publication you stated that I have attacked your religion. If any scripture that I have quoted has offended you, rest assured, it was intended for all readers. I’m not certain who all has contracts with our City and who makes money from our tax dollars – my request that each person pointing his or her finger at anyone should first examine his or her motives and make certain that the actions they take are altruistic, just, and not brought about due to personality differences or because of potential financial gain from one group or another being in charge at city hall. Not one thing that I wrote applies solely to you but to you and me and all parties who are involved in city government. My words were sincere that all of us who call ourselves Christians make sure that our motives have to do with what is right and not a budget of 90+million dollars.
The City Desk - Rory Riddler City Council President
Christmas Lost And Found
This is a story of a special Christmas gift lost and how I came to find it again.
We can all remember those special toys from our childhood. Faces and names may fade from our memories, but call to mind a special Christmas gift and the years melt away. Close your eyes and think back.
Suddenly it’s a Christmas morning from our youth. The Christmas Tree seems so much larger, the lights and the ornaments more magical. The Nativity is there, right where little hands carefully placed each lamb and wise man, before settling baby Jesus down in the hay.
Familiar Christmas carols are playing on the radio and the kitchen is filled with the smell of pumpkin pies, roast turkey and gingerbread. Once more perched on a well-worn kitchen chair, we press out bells, reindeer and forests of trees with the old tin cookie cutters of many a Christmas past. For some reason Mom always seemed to need our help.
Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and siblings are all there as we remembered them…all gathered again at the appointed time and place. Even the beloved family pet, in my case a wee Scottish Terrier, is there in our minds eye once more to tug at bows and jump on piles of wrapping paper.
And then you find the special gift. You can still see it clearly in your minds eye. Not chipped, faded, torn or broken, but fresh and new as only the bright clear eyes of a child can see a favorite toy.
Through the love and sacrifice of our parents, my brother and I were fortunate enough to have our letters to Santa answered on Christmas morning. Through the years there were many special toys.
One of my earliest toys was a metal telephone company truck, complete with linemen and poles to set up. My father remembers that after setting everything up, I would carefully take it down and put it all away again in the back of the truck. I guess any kid putting his toys away is a memory that sticks with a parent, especially since I had armies of plastic soldiers from every period of history that never seemed to make it off the living room floor.
Every boy who ever was given one, remembers his first Lionel train. Setting up the track was half the fun, then running your short-line railroad round and round the Christmas Tree. Like many a model and toy train enthusiasts, I never quite grew up and still live for the hours I can steal away to work on my never ending rail empire.
Of course, growing up in the 50’s and 60’s we had one eye on the future. You know, the far future of say 2000, when we would be living in space. There were robots like Mr. Machine with his cogs and gears to march across the living room floor. There was a flying saucer with a gyroscope you wound to make it spin and stand on end.
Let’s not forget the Cold War. My brother was partial to James Bond and the Man From U.N.C.L.E. He still has the Aston-Martin Gorgi Car from Goldfinger, the one that ejects the bad guy through the roof. One year he got the toy James Bond briefcase, with caps that exploded if you opened it the wrong way. Like many toys we didn’t keep, this one now goes for around $10,000…if you can find a kid who keeps their toys in the original box and never plays with them.
The very earliest toy I can remember from my childhood was a wooden soldier that stood nearly nine inches tall. He had a glossy red military tunic, blue trousers, crossed white webbing across the chest and a shinny tall black bonnet, the kind made out of bearskin. My wooden solder was made in Denmark, where similarly attired soldiers guard their royal palace.
It wasn’t in the toys I had saved and I often wondered what became of that proud soldier, so far from his native land. When I grew up, I would often check out antique toy booths with an eye for finding another one.
I soon discovered how hard it was to find a nearly fifty-year-old toy from Denmark in Missouri. But my hopes were raised a few years ago when I saw a book about the old Captain Kangaroo children’s show. There in the black and white still pictures was one of the Captain where you could see the toys on the shelf behind him. There stood the exact same wooden soldier. Not willing to believe that Captain Kangaroo had stolen my toy, I had renewed hope of finding one.
Then, just before Christmas last year, my wife Sue and I were going through an antique mall on Tesson Ferry. There in one of the hundreds of cases was the wooden solder I had hoped for so long to find. It had been partially repainted, but otherwise it was the same.
In the excitement of making this find all sorts of thoughts went through my mind. Perhaps, given their scarcity, this was the very same soldier I had when I was three or four. Somehow it had been lost and made its way from one owner to the next, till at last in a Christmas miracle I had found it after all these years.
I gave the soldier a prominent position among the holiday decorations in our dining room, where he was standing at attention when my parents came to visit. I was excited to be able to show my parents what I had found.
“Look, what do you think of this?” I asked.
My Father, not showing the desired level of enthusiasm I had expected, simply said, “That’s nice.”
“But it’s the wooden soldier you gave me as a kid,” I explained.
My Father looked a little puzzled and said, “That’s not your wooden solder.”
“Sure it is,” I insisted, “The paint has changed a bit, but it’s the same one.”
“No it’s not.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because I have your’s in a drawer at home.”
It seems I wasn’t the only one who thought that gift was special all these years. My “original” wooden soldier soon arrived as a gift from two loving parents…for a second time.
This Christmas both soldiers stand at attention beneath our Christmas Tree. They are still a long way from Denmark. That’s where you will find them…evidence of my Christmas lost and found.
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
As you well know, I proudly wear the label of conservative Republican. Unfortunately, when I see the exploits of some of our Republican leaders in St. Charles County, I am ashamed to admit my political affiliation. I am truly at a loss to explain the actions of our own Republican Central Committee Vice-Chairwoman, Brandy Pedersen. I think it might be possible that she is a Democratic spy let loose in our midst to wreak havoc internally in Republican politics. In reality, her efforts to destroy fellow Republicans will only yield one logical result – a loss for Governor Matt Blunt in St. Charles County (and possibly statewide) when re-election rolls around.
How can I draw such a conclusion you might ask – well, it’s fairly easy. You need only look at her crusade against former County Councilman Jeff Morrison and the City of St. Peters (her hometown).
First, she decided to spearhead an effort to recall County Councilman Morrison (an elected Republican from St. Peters) for reasons including his opposition to the County suing the City of St. Peters over tax increment financing, and his pro-business philosophy.
Then, she fell off her bike while riding it on the sidewalk in the City of St. Peters, which is illegal. Pathetic Brandy Pedersen filed a lawsuit against the city because she hurt herself. The city settled with her out of court, but it seems it wasn’t enough to pacify her. She still appears to be holding a grudge.
Now, she’s a regular participant during St. Peters Board of Aldermen meetings where she rants and raves about a variety of completely unimportant issues – centering most of her criticism on Mayor Shawn Brown’s appointment of Jeff Morrison as Prosecuting Attorney. The appointment was perfectly legal and Morrison turned out to be a good City Prosecutor, but yet she returns to each meeting to attack the Board of Aldermen (most of whom are Republicans). The most amusing aspect of her “performances” in St. Peters involves which false hairpiece (the most recent resembling roadkill) she might choose to wear that evening.
I have some friends on the Republican Central Committee, and I have asked them how the Republican establishment can tolerate this sort of behavior from Ms. Pedersen. They laughingly tell me that it’s not that bad anymore since she keeps skipping Central Committee meetings in favor of television airtime during the St. Peters Board of Aldermen meetings.
I do not envy Central Committee Chairman Tom Kuypers as he tries to keep his troops in line. He seems to be making every attempt to present a unified front for the Republican Party in St. Charles County; however Pathetic Brandy Pedersen and her crusade against the City of St. Peters may be the downfall of the Republican juggernaut otherwise known as St. Charles County.
Last month, County Councilman Jeff Morrison resigned his posts as a County Councilman and as St. Peters Prosecuting Attorney to take an “unexpected professional opportunity” that he could not refuse. Apparently, according to his estranged wife, he has taken a job with a law firm out east. In any case, I think I speak for my journalistic colleagues in saying that he will be dearly missed, and we hope that he remains a fixture in local politics.
The unanimously elected GOP nominee to succeed Morrison, Darrel Lackey (a Wentzville Alderman), is an incredibly likable fellow with an outstanding resume. Like Morrison, Lackey is staunch pro-business Republican. It seems like it should be a “slam dunk” for Republicans to retain this county council seat. In addition to the democratic challenger, two candidates have filed as independents in the special election. Ironically these “independent” candidates, Joe Cronin (an active participant in the first unsuccessful recall attempt against Councilman Morrison) and Harry Bogart (an active participant in the second unsuccessful recall attempt against Councilman Morrison) both originally sought the Republican nomination.
Joe Cronin, no doubt at the urging of Ms. Pedersen, has decided to file a lawsuit and contest the results of an election in which he did not receive even a single vote. His theory of the case is that apparently there should be no Republican nominee. The proxy exercised in the special election was approved and witnessed by Central Committee Chairman Tom Kuypers. The proxy holder, Amanda Darnell (from St. Peters), is a duly qualified registered voter in the O’Fallon Township. She exercised the proxy of Terry Hawkins (a St. Peters Alderman and Morrison ally). Either way, all the votes were for Darrel Lackey. The only problem with the process appears to be that Pathetic Brandy Pedersen was unhappy with the outcome because she thinks Morrison had a role in Lackey’s selection. Since no one seems to have heard anything at all from Morrison since his resignation, this seems unlikely at best. It is much more likely that the participants selected the best candidate, Darrel Lackey, to be the Republican nominee.
The Democrats should be rubbing their hands together with glee this holiday season. Ms. Pedersen may have gift-wrapped a victory in the special election for the Democrats. Last year’s democratic victory for County Councilman Joe McCulloch is a harbinger of things to come and a new page from the Democratic playbook: select conservative candidates and work the elections, one race at a time, on the grassroots level. Democrats will begin to force every race into a referendum on an unfortunately unpopular young Republican governor, and Republican candidates statistically pay the price during off-year elections, especially when the party is not unified behind the Republican nominee.
I don’t know what Santa’s political affiliation might be, but assuming that he is a Republican (he certainly fits the demographic with all that charitable giving before the end of the tax year), I think Pathetic Brandy Pedersen should be expecting a lump of coal in her stocking this Christmas.
After all, as we like to remind the kids: “he’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice…Santa Claus is coming to town…”
From the Spencer clan to you and yours: Merry Christmas!
How can I draw such a conclusion you might ask – well, it’s fairly easy. You need only look at her crusade against former County Councilman Jeff Morrison and the City of St. Peters (her hometown).
First, she decided to spearhead an effort to recall County Councilman Morrison (an elected Republican from St. Peters) for reasons including his opposition to the County suing the City of St. Peters over tax increment financing, and his pro-business philosophy.
Then, she fell off her bike while riding it on the sidewalk in the City of St. Peters, which is illegal. Pathetic Brandy Pedersen filed a lawsuit against the city because she hurt herself. The city settled with her out of court, but it seems it wasn’t enough to pacify her. She still appears to be holding a grudge.
Now, she’s a regular participant during St. Peters Board of Aldermen meetings where she rants and raves about a variety of completely unimportant issues – centering most of her criticism on Mayor Shawn Brown’s appointment of Jeff Morrison as Prosecuting Attorney. The appointment was perfectly legal and Morrison turned out to be a good City Prosecutor, but yet she returns to each meeting to attack the Board of Aldermen (most of whom are Republicans). The most amusing aspect of her “performances” in St. Peters involves which false hairpiece (the most recent resembling roadkill) she might choose to wear that evening.
I have some friends on the Republican Central Committee, and I have asked them how the Republican establishment can tolerate this sort of behavior from Ms. Pedersen. They laughingly tell me that it’s not that bad anymore since she keeps skipping Central Committee meetings in favor of television airtime during the St. Peters Board of Aldermen meetings.
I do not envy Central Committee Chairman Tom Kuypers as he tries to keep his troops in line. He seems to be making every attempt to present a unified front for the Republican Party in St. Charles County; however Pathetic Brandy Pedersen and her crusade against the City of St. Peters may be the downfall of the Republican juggernaut otherwise known as St. Charles County.
Last month, County Councilman Jeff Morrison resigned his posts as a County Councilman and as St. Peters Prosecuting Attorney to take an “unexpected professional opportunity” that he could not refuse. Apparently, according to his estranged wife, he has taken a job with a law firm out east. In any case, I think I speak for my journalistic colleagues in saying that he will be dearly missed, and we hope that he remains a fixture in local politics.
The unanimously elected GOP nominee to succeed Morrison, Darrel Lackey (a Wentzville Alderman), is an incredibly likable fellow with an outstanding resume. Like Morrison, Lackey is staunch pro-business Republican. It seems like it should be a “slam dunk” for Republicans to retain this county council seat. In addition to the democratic challenger, two candidates have filed as independents in the special election. Ironically these “independent” candidates, Joe Cronin (an active participant in the first unsuccessful recall attempt against Councilman Morrison) and Harry Bogart (an active participant in the second unsuccessful recall attempt against Councilman Morrison) both originally sought the Republican nomination.
Joe Cronin, no doubt at the urging of Ms. Pedersen, has decided to file a lawsuit and contest the results of an election in which he did not receive even a single vote. His theory of the case is that apparently there should be no Republican nominee. The proxy exercised in the special election was approved and witnessed by Central Committee Chairman Tom Kuypers. The proxy holder, Amanda Darnell (from St. Peters), is a duly qualified registered voter in the O’Fallon Township. She exercised the proxy of Terry Hawkins (a St. Peters Alderman and Morrison ally). Either way, all the votes were for Darrel Lackey. The only problem with the process appears to be that Pathetic Brandy Pedersen was unhappy with the outcome because she thinks Morrison had a role in Lackey’s selection. Since no one seems to have heard anything at all from Morrison since his resignation, this seems unlikely at best. It is much more likely that the participants selected the best candidate, Darrel Lackey, to be the Republican nominee.
The Democrats should be rubbing their hands together with glee this holiday season. Ms. Pedersen may have gift-wrapped a victory in the special election for the Democrats. Last year’s democratic victory for County Councilman Joe McCulloch is a harbinger of things to come and a new page from the Democratic playbook: select conservative candidates and work the elections, one race at a time, on the grassroots level. Democrats will begin to force every race into a referendum on an unfortunately unpopular young Republican governor, and Republican candidates statistically pay the price during off-year elections, especially when the party is not unified behind the Republican nominee.
I don’t know what Santa’s political affiliation might be, but assuming that he is a Republican (he certainly fits the demographic with all that charitable giving before the end of the tax year), I think Pathetic Brandy Pedersen should be expecting a lump of coal in her stocking this Christmas.
After all, as we like to remind the kids: “he’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice…Santa Claus is coming to town…”
From the Spencer clan to you and yours: Merry Christmas!
COMMENTS & COMMENTARY by CHARLES HILL
Leave no Child Behind!
I usually just write about Main Street but our editor and publisher knew that I have grandchildren in school and an concerned with some of the issues before the school board. It is at their request that I submit my comments regarding the St. Charles School District.
Wasn’t that the battle cry that helped to land “W” in the White House? Yet it appears that our school system is ready to do just that. Why? Because school board after school board refused to look at the fact that just because that is the way it has been done for years doesn’t mean it must be right. The school boards of past made that mistake and this one might have a chance to right some wrongs. Let’s get down to business:
1st If the High Schools have fewer kids why the need for three principles, a secretary for the head principle and a school resource officer? Let’s take one principle out of each high school and save some money.
2nd If the school district is getting smaller, why is the school district administration getting larger? The fact is, school boards have been hesitant to decrease administration but more than willing to cut the number of teachers. Let’s cut out 15 percent to 20 percent of the administration budget and get them working harder with less. After all, isn’t that is what they tell the teachers?
3rd Why did the district hire a person who would cut teachers in favor of adding administrative staff? This school board needs to look at what the schools are supposed to do, educate kids and work from that premise forward. Take the budget and ask, does this educate kids? Does this increase test scores? If there isn’t a clear answer than cut it.
4th The proposed plan calls for numerous different schemes that bus kids across town? How can that be a savings to the district? One of the biggest costs is transportation.
5th Let’s cut the teacher planning by one day a week. That way there are more teachers available to teach classes without adding cost. Study Hall can be a time for the teacher to grade and plan. I am sympathetic to teachers but they have to realize with school boards and administrations that are openly trying to cut them out, they need to give a little.
6th School Board President John Smith needs to focus on the School District and stay out of City Politics and hate papers. Maybe if Smith spent as much time on the school district budget as he does palling around with the likes of TR Hughes and Ed Watkins he would see that he is part of the problem with his inaction.
I will continue to offer suggestions to the school board over the next few months. One thing they really need to be reminded of is the cost of running an election. To attempt to have two issues regarding taxes in one election cycle is suicide for both issues. Pick one and run with it first.
Please school board members, realize that these are our kid’s lives that you control. If you begin to experiment and it fails you have failed the thousands of kids you profess to care about. Superintendent Cale is not all knowing and really hasn’t thought this past the next five years. Please don’t just listen to them, take this district apart, and find the waste that exist and cut it. Don’t start with the teachers that touch the kids. That approach has been tried and failed, start with those who are “overhead” and cut them, if after all those cuts are made and you still need to find more money than ask the people. Cutting teachers is not the answer it won’t raise test scores it won’t fulfill the true reason we have schools. You are in a unique position, take that budget and go line from line and ask what does this do for the kids? If the answer is not enough get rid of that cost and move to the next. I would bet if you took the budget you would find that this district has been mismanaged by previous school boards who were merely a rubber stamp for administration and not an advocate for the kids.
I usually just write about Main Street but our editor and publisher knew that I have grandchildren in school and an concerned with some of the issues before the school board. It is at their request that I submit my comments regarding the St. Charles School District.
Wasn’t that the battle cry that helped to land “W” in the White House? Yet it appears that our school system is ready to do just that. Why? Because school board after school board refused to look at the fact that just because that is the way it has been done for years doesn’t mean it must be right. The school boards of past made that mistake and this one might have a chance to right some wrongs. Let’s get down to business:
1st If the High Schools have fewer kids why the need for three principles, a secretary for the head principle and a school resource officer? Let’s take one principle out of each high school and save some money.
2nd If the school district is getting smaller, why is the school district administration getting larger? The fact is, school boards have been hesitant to decrease administration but more than willing to cut the number of teachers. Let’s cut out 15 percent to 20 percent of the administration budget and get them working harder with less. After all, isn’t that is what they tell the teachers?
3rd Why did the district hire a person who would cut teachers in favor of adding administrative staff? This school board needs to look at what the schools are supposed to do, educate kids and work from that premise forward. Take the budget and ask, does this educate kids? Does this increase test scores? If there isn’t a clear answer than cut it.
4th The proposed plan calls for numerous different schemes that bus kids across town? How can that be a savings to the district? One of the biggest costs is transportation.
5th Let’s cut the teacher planning by one day a week. That way there are more teachers available to teach classes without adding cost. Study Hall can be a time for the teacher to grade and plan. I am sympathetic to teachers but they have to realize with school boards and administrations that are openly trying to cut them out, they need to give a little.
6th School Board President John Smith needs to focus on the School District and stay out of City Politics and hate papers. Maybe if Smith spent as much time on the school district budget as he does palling around with the likes of TR Hughes and Ed Watkins he would see that he is part of the problem with his inaction.
I will continue to offer suggestions to the school board over the next few months. One thing they really need to be reminded of is the cost of running an election. To attempt to have two issues regarding taxes in one election cycle is suicide for both issues. Pick one and run with it first.
Please school board members, realize that these are our kid’s lives that you control. If you begin to experiment and it fails you have failed the thousands of kids you profess to care about. Superintendent Cale is not all knowing and really hasn’t thought this past the next five years. Please don’t just listen to them, take this district apart, and find the waste that exist and cut it. Don’t start with the teachers that touch the kids. That approach has been tried and failed, start with those who are “overhead” and cut them, if after all those cuts are made and you still need to find more money than ask the people. Cutting teachers is not the answer it won’t raise test scores it won’t fulfill the true reason we have schools. You are in a unique position, take that budget and go line from line and ask what does this do for the kids? If the answer is not enough get rid of that cost and move to the next. I would bet if you took the budget you would find that this district has been mismanaged by previous school boards who were merely a rubber stamp for administration and not an advocate for the kids.
CITY ISSUES by R.L. Greer
CITY ISSUES
R. L. Greer - Author
The first topic of this article is TAXPAYERS GET SNUBBED BY ST CHARLES SCHOOL DISTRICT. I read that the School District has requested a meeting with Mayor York on December 22nd but have ignored the Council. If I remember correctly the Council are the ones who passed a resolution recommending against the closing of schools for concern what the closings may have on property values of the citizens, one of many other reasons. Since the citizens are the ones who elected all of the Council members as well as the Mayor, needless to say this meeting is not only a snub towards the Council but indirectly towards the people of St Charles City. Could it be they feel her contacts with the money people will help them solve their problems. I am delighted to hear there are some on the Board who are not ready to give the ok without further considerations.
I’ve just finished reading the editorial in this week’s advertisement insert in the Journal. Currently there are three statements made by the publisher of the advertisement that is worth reiterating and commenting on. (1) “The bible warns us about pleasing men over pleasing God”; (2) “This is the first time I’ve talked about my faith in the…”; and (3) “For us Christians, it is our command and our duty to spread the message of Christ.” What I do not understand is if you believe all that you stated, how you could write the derogative, nasty editorials about someone whom you have never met and have no understanding regarding that person. I believe the message from Jesus Christ is one just the opposite. My faith prevents me from ordinarily writing particulars about any person but only truth in regards to the methods they are using. It is very obvious this whole issue of recalls is simply directed towards one particular individual and being orchestrated by individuals who have a personal vendetta towards this person. This county is being torn apart and causing disruption through out, all in the guise of bringing honesty back into government. Why not honesty and truth in statements written in articles? Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to everyone, and may the New Year bring forth true honestly for the residents of St Charles,
Last week I asked the question concerning Council Rule 43. Here it is in its entirety. “When the chair is putting any question, or addressing the Council, no one shall walk out of, or across the room in which the Council is sitting, nor in such case, or when a member is speaking, or when the Clerk is reading the minutes or any other paper, shall any member engage in private discourse. During Council Meetings no member shall engage in electronic discourse, including instant messaging, test messaging, and e-mailing. No person visiting the meeting of the Council shall engage in any private discourse, or speak to the Council or to any member thereof, without leave of the President or Council.” When you are attending a Council Meeting in person watch for violations of this rule. If you want to know why the rule was adopted by this Council, once again I refer you to ask your Council Representative.
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works’.”
James 2:18 NKJV
“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles. Even so, every good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Mathew 17:16-17 NKJV
R. L. Greer - Author
The first topic of this article is TAXPAYERS GET SNUBBED BY ST CHARLES SCHOOL DISTRICT. I read that the School District has requested a meeting with Mayor York on December 22nd but have ignored the Council. If I remember correctly the Council are the ones who passed a resolution recommending against the closing of schools for concern what the closings may have on property values of the citizens, one of many other reasons. Since the citizens are the ones who elected all of the Council members as well as the Mayor, needless to say this meeting is not only a snub towards the Council but indirectly towards the people of St Charles City. Could it be they feel her contacts with the money people will help them solve their problems. I am delighted to hear there are some on the Board who are not ready to give the ok without further considerations.
I’ve just finished reading the editorial in this week’s advertisement insert in the Journal. Currently there are three statements made by the publisher of the advertisement that is worth reiterating and commenting on. (1) “The bible warns us about pleasing men over pleasing God”; (2) “This is the first time I’ve talked about my faith in the…”; and (3) “For us Christians, it is our command and our duty to spread the message of Christ.” What I do not understand is if you believe all that you stated, how you could write the derogative, nasty editorials about someone whom you have never met and have no understanding regarding that person. I believe the message from Jesus Christ is one just the opposite. My faith prevents me from ordinarily writing particulars about any person but only truth in regards to the methods they are using. It is very obvious this whole issue of recalls is simply directed towards one particular individual and being orchestrated by individuals who have a personal vendetta towards this person. This county is being torn apart and causing disruption through out, all in the guise of bringing honesty back into government. Why not honesty and truth in statements written in articles? Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to everyone, and may the New Year bring forth true honestly for the residents of St Charles,
Last week I asked the question concerning Council Rule 43. Here it is in its entirety. “When the chair is putting any question, or addressing the Council, no one shall walk out of, or across the room in which the Council is sitting, nor in such case, or when a member is speaking, or when the Clerk is reading the minutes or any other paper, shall any member engage in private discourse. During Council Meetings no member shall engage in electronic discourse, including instant messaging, test messaging, and e-mailing. No person visiting the meeting of the Council shall engage in any private discourse, or speak to the Council or to any member thereof, without leave of the President or Council.” When you are attending a Council Meeting in person watch for violations of this rule. If you want to know why the rule was adopted by this Council, once again I refer you to ask your Council Representative.
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works’.”
James 2:18 NKJV
“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles. Even so, every good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Mathew 17:16-17 NKJV
SPORTS - First Capitol News Sports Section - MIKE MCMURRAN Sports Editor
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
St. Charles West Hockey Warriors
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
How can an entire team be honored as athlete of the week you ask? Simple: the modesty of one player. One of the young men on the St. Charles West Hockey team was nominated as athlete of the week. An appointment was made to interview the young man and take his picture.
Upon arriving the youngster pulled the same thing the New England Patriots did in their Super Bowl against the Rams, remember that. After introducing the Rams starters the public address announcer stated: “The Patriots refuse to be introduced individually, so here they are, the New England Patriots.” I personally remember it as if it were yesterday for a couple of reasons. One, it was the first time I had ever heard such, especially in an age when individuality seems to dominate team sports, and two I remember saying to myself, “these guys mean business.”
The same can be said for the Hockey Warriors. The young man nominated, refused to be interviewed, instead only said, “we have no starts on this team, we are a team – we win as a team, we lose as a team, we play as a team.”
Well, thus far they have played and won as a team, but not lost, as they are undefeated – as a team.
So here they are, the First Capitol New High School Athlete of the Week, the St. Charles West Hockey Warriors.
MY COLUMN Mike McMurran Sports Editor
Since this is the final publication of the year, I traditionally, or at least for two years running now, save postage by sending my Christmas Greetings via my column. They are in no particular order, with possible exception of the final greetings – God knows I would want to offend anyone by putting someone of less importance ahead of them.
With that being said I would like to congratulate, wish Christmas Greetings and the best of luck in his new business venture to my nephew, Brad Bullerdieck. Brad is a sophomore in college, studying business, and has decided maybe the best way to learn business is to open one. He is the co-owner of Petopia, located on North 3rd Street. His mom and dad, Denise and Brian Bullerdieck are very proud of his venture (o.k., he is my nephew on my wife’s side of the family).
I am sure this will come as a surprise to one of my oldest and dearest friends John Kozlowski, who just a few short years ago volunteered to watch Brad for a few short hours. In reality it was more like 15 years ago. John and I have been wishing each other Merry Christmas now for over 30 years – hard to believe.
Last year I thanked my friend Mark Francis for helping me keep my foot out of my mouth. He has done such a wonderful time that I have reduced my apologies in 2005 by 48% - thank you Mark, and happy holidays. May God bless you and your wonderful family: Tammy, Elizabeth and Eric.
Last year I would have been able to wish Elizabeth and Eric Merry Christmas at Henry and Jill Kruse’s annual Cocktails and Cookies Christmas Celebration; unfortunately, this year’s gathering will simply be cocktails. I have looked at the guest list and I cannot believe they have invited close to 75 people to gather, drink and tell lies. I don’t even know 75 people, or at least 75 people who would want to hang out with me. Someone who I would like to say a special thank you and wish Merry Christmas is Mike Lemke and his wife Lynette. Mike is the individual responsible for most of the ads that appear in the Sports Section of the paper. He will be at Kruse’s, as will Dr. Bill and Sue Solomon, Greg and Becky Padavan, Jim and Chris Freeman – holiday greetings to all of you.
Thank you and holiday greetings to Phyllis Schaltenbrand and Tony Brockmeyer who have allowed me the privilege of coming into your homes now for just over a year. Philosophically speaking, I truly think St. Charles City is a better place to live due their contributions.
On a related note, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my dear, old friend, and partner in crime, Bob Barton. Bob and I met over 27 years ago, became pretty close friends – and then didn’t see each other for over 20 years. Once reunited it was as if we had been hanging out together the entire time. Happy holidays to his lovely wife Kitty, to his favorite daughter, Jessie, and favorite son, Bobby.
I’ve often said the best choice I’ve ever made in my life was to marry my wife; the second was to send my kids to the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Both my wife and I value education very highly – hence, we put our money where our hearts are – our kid’s education. A very special Christmas greetings and sincere thank you to the entire faculty and staff at ASH. In particular to Sister Maureen Glavin, who had the imposing task of replacing an icon – and did so without a glitch.
Next to our kid’s education, their activities probably take up most of our time. Dr. Richard Heise and Matt Fairless have dedicated literally hundreds of hours to a 2nd grade soccer team – the Falcons, of which my son Joe is a member. Merry Christmas to both these gentlemen, as well as their better halves, Marry O’Connor and Sandy Fairless. Sandy likes to tell the story of how when we first met she thought I was the biggest horse’s ass she had ever met – and she would stress the definite article the. Now I am only an indefinite article as she refers to me as one of the biggest.
In addition to soccer and softball, Maggie’s primary activity is the Patt Holt Singers. To the casual observer it seems like simply dancing and singing – and that is an important part of it. Behind the scenes one would never imagine the hours, and hours and hours of work put in by the kids and their instructors. My hat is off to both Patt Holt and Laurie Strickland who instill a discipline in their students second to no activity I have ever experienced. They demand and accept nothing less than excellence – Merry Christmas ladies, thank you for what you do!
Joe’s baseball coach is none other than yours’ truly – but the real work is done by my assistants: Tom (Becky) Clark, Joe (Paige) Murray, and Brian (Susie) Green. Merry Christmas to all of you –and thank you for putting up with me.
Lastly, Dee’s soccer and baseball team are coached by individuals who have already been mentioned in this column, which brings me back to ASH for a moment. The icon Sister Glavin replaced, Sister Margaret Caire, informed us during orientation, over 6 years ago, that the Sacred Heart Experience was all encompassing. At the time I was not sure of what she meant, now I know. It is a way of life. Enough said.
Finally, to my favorite daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Kurtz McMurran, to my first born son, Joseph Conway McMurran, and my last born child, Daniel “DEE” Patrick McMurran, Merry Christmas kids – someday I hope you will understand how much you mean to me. If you do, and I suspect you will, that means you will have experienced the special kind of love your mother and I have for each other. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to someone who has been my best friend now for over 20 years, my wife for over 13, and the mother of my children for over 10 – Lynn Marie McMurran. Believe me, putting up me with for all these years warrants sainthood for Lynn, and I realize that.
Merry Christmas to all of the regular readers of this column, and thank you for your comments, both positive and negative, they are all read.
See y’all next year – I hope all of your wishes for 2005 were realized.
Missouri River Otters Hockey
Pettersen Remains Consistent
Team notches 4 wins in a row
By Louis J. Launer
Lars Pettersen makes St. Charles home so far. The last two seasons for the River Otters has seen the veteran forward as the team’s leading scorer, sometimes drawing the first score for the team in most of the games. It hasn’t been easy this season for Pettersen as the team had a rough start.
“Wins have been tough to come by,” said Pettersen. “But I think we have finally found a way to win and we have to keep on doing that.”
Pettersen doesn’t lead the team in goals or assists this season. That belongs to Frank Littlejohn (with 10 goals) and Damian Surma (14 assists). Although there have been few wins, Pettersen has seen his share of game winning goals and power play goals. Although Missouri’s power play still needs work.
“We’ll definitely be battling it out with Surma when it comes to the goals and assists,” Pettersen said. “Littlejohn is doing great this season. Once we get everything together, we’ll see some more goals and we hope to win.”
The River Otters are slow in putting things together this season. That doesn’t stop or put a damper on team morale. All of the teammates are working well and try to help each other out on and off the ice.
“We have a great chemistry this season and the team works well,” he said. “We had to get used to everyone’s style and what the others could do. We’ve worked some long hours in practice. The competition is tough and we can be able to do well with the other teams in the league.”
Pettersen tries to at least get a goal or an assist once every game. With teammates such as Brian Heckendorn, Damian Surma and Jim Duhart on the team, Pettersen could have quite a season.
RIVER OTTERS WIN TWO MORE GAMES: You might want to call it a lifting of the Mark Reeds Curse, or you might want to call it the Jim Duhart Factor. In either way, the River Otters have won four games in a row so far in the month of December. This past weekend, The Kalamazoo Wings arrived in St. Charles holding first place in the United Hockey League Central Division standings. They have been winning games and before their arrival added Dustin Virag to their roster. Virag played for several seasons with the Fort Wayne Komets, including the Komets’ 2003 Colonial Cup championship.
Last Friday, the River Otters drew first blood at 7:59 of the first period as Lars Pettersen scored thanks to a Brian Heckendorn shot that was blocked by the K-Wings’ goaltender. In the second period, Frank Littlejohn and Jim Duhart scored two quick goals at 13 seconds and 3:37 giving the River Otters a 3-0 lead. But halfway through the game, Kalamazoo came back and the River Otters forgot that no one counts a Mark Reeds-coached team out until it is over. Reeds coached the River Otters from 1999 through 2003. But no one on the current River Otter roster ever had Reeds as a head coach.
Forward Mike Manley of the K-Wings began their rally, skating into their own zone on a 2-on-1 break receiving a Jason Deitsch pass. Manley’s goal at 12:59 was the beginning of the K-Wings getting even over the last-place River Otters. Todd Grant scored next for the K-Wings at 7:33 of the third period.
Late in the third period as the River Otter fans thought the team would hang on for a victory, saw Pettersen get caught for slashing at 17:47. That put the K-Wings in the drivers seat with the power play for almost the rest of the game. In addition, Reeds pulled goaltender Joel Martin, giving Kalamazoo a 2-man advantage. It gave K-Wing veteran Joe Seroski to score his eighth power play goal with 43 seconds remaining in regulation. That tied the game at 3-3 and it was shootout time.
Martin went up against River Otters’ goaltender Kevin Reiter. Martin had 11 wins and was a big reason why the K-Wings were in first place. Reiter only began his comeback from an early season slump. After four rounds of the shootout, no one scored. That included River Otters shooters Duhart, Littlejohn, Pettersen and Surma. It came down to Joe Seroski who scored the last goal in regulation and Reiter rejected him. Brad Church was the last shooter for the River Otters before sudden death. Church was the only player in the five rounds to stuff it past Martin to give the River Otters the win.
K-Wings head coach Mark Reeds did have some good things to say about his former team. “Missouri played a good game,” he said, “and Jim Duhart got his 900th and 901st career points, which is quite a milestone.”
Last Saturday, the River Otters decided to get a little more physical. It started thirteen seconds into the game when K-Wing Tom Willis and River Otter Dave Stewart dropped the gloves and started fighting. It did set the tone for the game as both teams concentrated on checking and hitting, rather than passing the puck during the first period. Seroski scored first for the K-Wings at 13:33. But Duhart tied the game for Missouri at 18:04. Missouri let a little matters get out of hand late in the first period and early in the second period as Karl Karlander scored at 18:49 of the first. At 4:36 of the second, the River Otters were on a power play and someone missed the puck. Mark Manley of the K-Wings took advantage and scored, giving Kalamazoo a 3-1 advantage.
Someone had to tell the River Otters to get tough. Maybe it was Jim Duhart. Duhart scored at 15:09 of the second. Brad Church, still hot from the previous night’s shootout, scored unassisted at 1:33 of the third period, tying it up at 3 again. Church’s goal was a shorthanded goal, thanks to Brian Heckendorn being penalized for interference a minute before. Thanks to one K-Wing player in the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct, Tim O’Connell led the River Otters’ power play drive and scored on a Damian Surma rebound at 10:24. O’Connell’s goal was the game winner in another 4-3 victory for the River Otters, this time within regulation.
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Over twenty-five years ago, Tony Glavin came to the St. Louis region, for what he thought was to be only five months. He has yet to leave and now calls the City of Cotteville home.
Champion Sports Management, Inc., a Missouri Corporation, founded by Tony Glavin, Lefteris Patelis and a local group of investors, have announced that it has acquired the franchise rights from United Soccer Leagues (USL) for an outdoor soccer team in the Premier Development League (PDL). The name of the new team will be the St. Louis Lions Soccer Club, and it will begin play in the 2006 season that runs from mid-April through mid-August.
Champions Sports Management (CSM) is a full-service sports marketing resource committed to increasing brand awareness through creative marketing campaigns, soccer related event activities, and community outreach programs. Patelis, CSM’s executive vice president and chief operations officer said, “Champions Sports building foundation is focused on serving our local businesses and the community while providing great family entertainment, and growing the game of soccer from the grassroots level up.”
“We are excited about the Lions and the future of USL soccer in St. Louis,” said USL director of PDL operations, Steve Clamp. “We are confident in CSM’s ability to make the Lions a premier sports entertainment attraction in the market.
CSM has named Glavin as the St. Louis Lions head coach. Glavin, who is also CSM’s president, is better known to soccer fans as the “Pocket Rocket” and “Motorman,” and is a former soccer great who played professionally for the Philadelphia Fury of the NASL and the St. Louis Steamers of the MISL. Glavin also coached professionally the St. Louis Steamers, the Kansas City Comets and the Dayton Dynamo.
The Lions will be competing in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference against teams from Boulder Colorado, Colorado Springs CO, Des Moines Iowa, Overland Park Kansas, Sioux Falls South Dakota and Thunder Bay Ontario. In the 2006 season there will be 59 teams competing in the PDL throughout the U.S. and Canada within four conferences (Central, Eastern, Southern and Western).
The PDL provides top U.S. and Canadian players under 23 (U23) years of age with the opportunity to compete in a professional setting during the summer months while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The U23 design of the league was created with the goal of continuing the development of players as they transition from the youth to professional ranks, often times while attending college. “CSM, with the St. Louis Lions, will join in this goal with great pride as the development of players benefits the game as a whole,” said Glavin.
The Lions will actively recruit local college talent from St. Louis University, Washington University, UM-St.Louis, Lindenwood University and the Junior College ranks. “The Lions are looking forward to working with the soccer programs of regional colleges and amateur clubs to allow the players to participate in a league simulating a professional atmosphere. Our goal is to put together a group of players that represent the soccer talent of this region, train them physically and mentally to compete at the next level, and present them to the soccer world through a very competitive cohesive team that plays entertaining and attack minded soccer,” said Glavin. “We hope some our St. Louis Lions hometown heroes will also reach the professional level and become role models to youngster who hope to develop their games to play at the top level,” Glavin concluded.
The St. Louis Lions will play 16 regular season games, eight of which will be played at home at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, in Cotteville. Construction will soon begin on seating, locker rooms, expanding the parking facilities and other improvements required to meet USL stadium standards.
Rage sacks are filled with money at Christmas time
“It’s the holiday season” (chorus: ‘the holiday season’)
and the indoor league, is goin’ ‘round
to every good little owner in town
reminding them, that monies abound
and should be comin’ down the chimney down…………
By Mike Thompson
Sorry, Andy….but hey, it IS the most wonderful time of the year….with parties for hosting, marshmallows for….well, you get the idea, and first of all, from The Rage to you and yours, here’s hoping this holiday season brings everything you wish. It’s been a great year for this NIFL franchise, beginning with a press conference one year ago this week to announce the new ownership of GST Sports, Inc., unveil a new team logo and turn loose the RiverCity Rage on the St. Louis area. A lot has happened since that first media round up at Family Arena. Like a kid waiting for Santa to appear, I remember well the anxious feeling I endured while sitting in The Locker Room Restaurant, keeping an eye on the entrance door, waiting for all the invited media to show up. Radio and TV reporters who had been personally contacted by me, the newly appointed Media Relations Director, to come see this new upstart team, meet the new owners, start the cameras rolling when the new logo was revealed and have the microphones well in place when those profound sound bytes were coming from the mouths of babes. Because we were ‘babes’ so to speak, in many ways…..but from the get-go, players, coaches, owners and everyone associated with this team were ready to tackle the NIFL challenge with a Lombardi like gusto that carried through a 10 win regular season and a playoff game at Savvis Center.
The growth of this franchise, from its new owner infancy to its rise as one of the premier teams in the league, has been well documented in previous articles. There’s still growth to be had, but we’ve elbowed out some space for ourselves and taken a deep breath, and moving into the new year, our second season promises to be filled with plenty of excitement, with many returning veteran players, some new shining stars, and a new home in downtown St. Louis.
And the media….that day last December?
Ooohh, yeah!……and I for one say ‘thank you’ to the reporters, sports anchors, and newspaper writers who embraced this team in 2005. True, our play on the field gave the team credibility in terms of coverage, but the effort was made by the various media outlets to go the extra mile in some way, at some time…an appearance on The Sports Couch on KSDK Channel 5….coverage by Fox Sports Net….a feature with Maurice Drummond on Fox 2… press conference and game coverage on KMOV-TV…. play by play on ESPN 1380…. interviews and reporting on KMOX Radio….KTRS Radio…. WB11….WGNU….KWRE…KLOU…93.7 The Bull….and at some time or other throughout the season, mention on just about every radio outlet in the metro St. Louis area. And a special thanks to Randy Gardner at News channel 20, for monthly features on The Rage, all the game-day coverage, and for being a big booster of this football team in it’s inaugural season!! May your days be merry and bright….and hey, the best is yet to come.
And, oh, yeah, I haven’t forgotten. There was money in those sacks…yes sir!
Rage players were notified on Monday that bonus checks had arrived just in time for Christmas. Players who were active for two or more games and in good standing with the team will receive a check for $200 for attaining one of the two playing incentives set forth in 2005. The NIFL, perhaps anticipating the holidays, had allowed for a fixed number of dollars to be used by each team as incentive money. That pre-season arrangement was at the discretion of each individual team. The owners could opt to give the extra cash to one player, a multiple of players, or the entire team. The Rage opted to purchase the incentive insurance that would pay larger dividends for the entire team, provided goals were reached.
And it was the Rage defense that proved to be the super stocking stuffer for the guys, as the recorded 39 sacks on quarterback outdistanced the goal of 36 set in the beginning of the year. That category led the league, and before he leaves for camp next month with the New York Dragons of the AFL, every Rage player should shake the hand of defensive end Bruce Blue who led the team with 11 sacks in 2005.
Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt said it was satisfying to know that every player receiving a bonus check had earned his money with his play on the field and his involvement in the community. “These are top quality guys, players who are fun to coach and great to be around. I never lacked for effort on the field, but it was also good to see a vast number of our players get involved with youth programs, junior football leagues, and other community type programs. And it speaks well of both Tye and Scott (Rage owners) for having the vision and the belief in our players, coaches and system to have purchased the incentive insurance through the league. It’s a great bonus, and very timely at Christmas.”
So…Whoop-dee-doo
and dickery-dock…….
Happy Holidays!! (Thanks, Andy!!)
NEWS NOTES
County Health Department Reminds Community of Pertussis Risk
The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment’s Division of Public Health would like to remind the community of the dangers and consequences of pertussis.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It begins with mild upper respiratory symptoms including runny nose and mild cough. A severe chronic cough can develop producing episodes of coughing accompanied by a whooping sound. The cough spasm can be so severe that it causes vomiting. Fever may or may not be present. While pertussis is most often considered a young child’s disease, it can occur at any age.
Younger children who have not been immunized have the most severe symptoms. Adults and older children may have the persistent cough but no whoop. Incubation time for this illness, the time from exposure to actual disease, is 7 to 20 days from the date of exposure. Pertussis is treated with antibiotics to help reduce the spread of infection and, if given during the early stage of illness, may help shorten the illness. If left untreated, the severe cough could last one to two months or longer. Pertussis is not usually life-threatening in adults or adolescents. However, it can be extremely serious in younger children and infants.
While a widespread outbreak of pertussis is not expected in the community, the county has had an increasing incidence of the disease. St. Charles County has had 54 reported cases of pertussis so far this year after only 9 reported in 2004. One explanation for the increase in cases may be because of an increased awareness of the disease and better reporting measures.
Children should be kept up-to-date on their immunizations. The vaccine for pertussis is typically given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus and is recommended to be given in several doses between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. Older children and adults may be more at risk of infection since immunity tends to wane with age; therefore it is very important to keep infants and children vaccinated against this easily preventable illness.
Adults and adolescents who have been previously vaccinated can receive a newly licensed booster vaccine. This vaccine is not available at the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment. Check with your physician for availability.
Additional Information about pertussis can be found on the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment website at www.scchealth.org.
St. Charles Resident Wins Grand Prize In First Community Credit Union Promotion
First Community Credit Union awarded a $500 Visa gift card to Jane Shelnutt, of St. Charles Missouri, as a result of the credit union’s Kick Off campaign.
In a recent promotion, First Community current and new members were automatically entered into a prize drawing when they opened a checking or money management account or applied for a loan. Anyone could enter the contest through the mail or by dropping their name in a drawing box. Jane Shelnutt visited First Community’s St. Charles branch and was the lucky winner of the $500 prize!
First Community is state chartered to serve all persons living or working in the city of St. Louis and a 16-county region in the metropolitan St. Louis area and the Illinois counties of Monroe, St. Clair and Madison. They also serve employees and retirees of over 250 select employee groups and their immediate family members.
Hundreds of Native American children will have a Merry Christmas Due to Efforts of Joyce Smith
Last Friday morning members of the Metro West SWA Team and other volunteers packed a large semi-trailer with Christmas gifts bound for Lakota Sioux Children at the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Bluff, South Dakota.
Joyce Smith of St. Charles has been collecting toys and gifts for the Indian children for the past nine years. Smith’s husband, a former assistant superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, passed away in 1997 and this has been her project ever since.
Each year Joyce Smith receives hundreds of letters to Santa written by the Native American children. She and a group of volunteers then start to work to answer the requests of the children. In addition to answering the requests in the letters, Smith’s group also obtained beds for an entire family and a washer and dryer for another.” We had one child who wanted a saddle and tackle. One of our volunteers drove many miles to get the saddle and the items needed to fulfill that Christmas wish. She was so excited and it reminded her of when she was a child with her first horse,” Smith told the First Capitol News.
While camping in South Dakota with her late husband, Ms. Smith met Julie Garreau who started the youth camp for the Indian children in 1988. After learning about the plight of the Indian children Joyce Smith started her annual Christmas project. Erv Emerling, a local businessman, provides storage for the toys and gifts while they are being packed and awaiting shipment to the children. This year the gifts filled a large five room house along with the garage and basement.
More flu shots available at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital
Have you not received your flu shot yet? It’s not too late. With all the holiday rush and upcoming family gatherings, it’s the perfect time to get your immunization. Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital will have one more clinic. The CDC recommends flu shots for all individuals 50 years of age and older, especially those with chronic illness.
WHAT: Flu Shots
WHEN: Monday, December 19 from 1 to 4 p.m.
WHERE: 6 Jungermann Circle, Suite 117, professional building #1 on the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital campus
COST: $20, Medicare part B covers the fee for eligible participants.
Please register by calling 636-928-WELL (9355) to make an appointment. Visit the hospital online at www.bjsph.org
FIRST BANK WRAPS UP HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS
Bank, employees and community team up to raise $82,000 for victims
By accepting and encouraging community and customer donations at all First Bank locations, First Bank helped raise $82,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“Hurricane Katrina was one of the most catastrophic events in our nation’s history,” said Terry McCarthy, chairman, president and chief executive officer for First Bank. “We want to thank everyone for their generation donations to raise badly needed funds for the victims in Louisiana and Mississippi.”
To assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, First Bank supported and matched First Bank employee donations through a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund Drive. The bank also accepted community donations. All donations went to American Red Cross Hurricane Relief.
“Our Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund Drive was a very important cause and the efforts on behalf of the victims were really outstanding,” said McCarthy. “We can all be proud.”
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HOLIDAY CARDS AVAILABLE AT FIRST BANK
Proceeds from 2005 Landmark Holiday Cards will help fight heart disease in St. Louis
Those looking to get into the holiday spirit while helping out a good cause can now purchase the American Heart Association’s 2005 Landmark Holiday Cards at 44 First Bank locations in metro St. Louis and metro Illinois.
“Sleigh Bells Ring” is the card available for purchase from award winning artist Billyo O’Donnell, a Missouri native who has produced the American Heart Association cards for the past four years. Nationally recognized, O’Donnell is known for his impressionistic painting style of landscapes created in a single on-site setting.
The “Sleigh Bells Ring” card features a snowy, holiday scene of downtown St. Louis, complete with a horse and carriage, the Old Courthouse, and a view of the Arch.
Proceeds from the holiday cards will be used locally in the American Heart Association’s fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke. To order the 2005 Landmark Holiday Cards stop by any Metro St. Louis First Bank office, visit our Web site at firstbanks.com, or contact Sharon Loberg from the American Heart Association at 314-692-5625.
MEET LIBERTY THE BALD EAGLE
Christmas shopping getting you down? Take a break from the bustle to enjoy some of the region’s best eagle viewing opportunities, right here at the confluence of the mighty Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
The confluence attracts hundreds of bald eagles during the cold winter months, becoming an eagle watcher’s paradise. Eagle watchers are invited to oogle their favorite bird from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary along Riverlands Way near West Alton, MO. Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and located along the western edge of the Mississippi River just above Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this area is a favorite fishing spot for the Bald Eagle. From late December to late February dozens of eagles scan the waters of Ellis Bay for a bite to eat. Visitors are also welcome to stop in at the Rivers Project Office to pick up information, use the restrooms, or view the eagles from the comfort of the indoors. The Rivers Project Office will also be open on weekends from January 7th to February 5th from 11 AM to 3 PM for your viewing pleasure.
Another way to learn more about these majestic birds is to attend a program sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation, presented by the World Bird Sanctuary.
Free public programs will be held at the National Great Rivers Museum on the following Sundays: January 22, February 5 and February 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Attendees will get to meet Liberty, a rescued bald eagle, whose handler will discuss eagle lifestyles and habitats.
Liberty arrived at the Florida Rehabilitation Center in 1992 with a fractured collarbone. He received medical attention and was then released back into the wild. Three weeks later he was found again, this time with a dislocated shoulder and eye damage. Soon after, Liberty was transferred to the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Mo., where he resides today and helps tell the story of these great birds through the education programs he participates in.
The National Great Rivers Museum will also host a “Masters of the Sky” program February 18-20. Daily program times will be 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. The World Bird Sanctuary will demonstrate several different kinds of birds of prey including hawks, owls, and eagles. There will be a charge of $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Children under the age of 3 will be free. Please call the museum at 1-877-462-6979 for more information.
The World Bird Sanctuary was founded in 1977 by renowned ornithologist Walter C. Crawford. The sanctuary’s mission is to preserve the earth’s biological diversity and to secure the future of threatened bird species. Environmental education is the primary focus of the organization, and the programs are a wealth of interesting details concerning the natural history of raptors, some problems they face, and what people can do to insure their survival.
The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the foot of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam on the Illinois side of the river. From the Clark Bridge, go 2 miles South on Illinois Route 143 to Lock and Dam Way, and turn right.
O’Fallon Board approves ordinance on requirement for signs advertising public hearings
The O’Fallon Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance at their last meeting which requires developers to post signs advertising public hearings on development issues including zoning, conditional use permits, area plans, etc. The specifics of the hearing will be required to be included on the signs, which will be at the developers’ cost.
Currently for public hearings, the City sends letters to any property owners adjacent to the area in question within 185 feet. Mailings will continue for any public hearings, and the new ordinance will extend that adjacency to 300 feet.
The new requirement for signs will apply to public hearings for the Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the Board of Aldermen. It will also apply to preliminary plats that are brought before the Planning and Zoning Commission. In the past, public hearings were not required for preliminary plats, but if the proposed ordinance is passed, a hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission level will be required. This will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on proposed subdivision plats.
The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment’s Division of Public Health would like to remind the community of the dangers and consequences of pertussis.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It begins with mild upper respiratory symptoms including runny nose and mild cough. A severe chronic cough can develop producing episodes of coughing accompanied by a whooping sound. The cough spasm can be so severe that it causes vomiting. Fever may or may not be present. While pertussis is most often considered a young child’s disease, it can occur at any age.
Younger children who have not been immunized have the most severe symptoms. Adults and older children may have the persistent cough but no whoop. Incubation time for this illness, the time from exposure to actual disease, is 7 to 20 days from the date of exposure. Pertussis is treated with antibiotics to help reduce the spread of infection and, if given during the early stage of illness, may help shorten the illness. If left untreated, the severe cough could last one to two months or longer. Pertussis is not usually life-threatening in adults or adolescents. However, it can be extremely serious in younger children and infants.
While a widespread outbreak of pertussis is not expected in the community, the county has had an increasing incidence of the disease. St. Charles County has had 54 reported cases of pertussis so far this year after only 9 reported in 2004. One explanation for the increase in cases may be because of an increased awareness of the disease and better reporting measures.
Children should be kept up-to-date on their immunizations. The vaccine for pertussis is typically given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus and is recommended to be given in several doses between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. Older children and adults may be more at risk of infection since immunity tends to wane with age; therefore it is very important to keep infants and children vaccinated against this easily preventable illness.
Adults and adolescents who have been previously vaccinated can receive a newly licensed booster vaccine. This vaccine is not available at the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment. Check with your physician for availability.
Additional Information about pertussis can be found on the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment website at www.scchealth.org.
St. Charles Resident Wins Grand Prize In First Community Credit Union Promotion
First Community Credit Union awarded a $500 Visa gift card to Jane Shelnutt, of St. Charles Missouri, as a result of the credit union’s Kick Off campaign.
In a recent promotion, First Community current and new members were automatically entered into a prize drawing when they opened a checking or money management account or applied for a loan. Anyone could enter the contest through the mail or by dropping their name in a drawing box. Jane Shelnutt visited First Community’s St. Charles branch and was the lucky winner of the $500 prize!
First Community is state chartered to serve all persons living or working in the city of St. Louis and a 16-county region in the metropolitan St. Louis area and the Illinois counties of Monroe, St. Clair and Madison. They also serve employees and retirees of over 250 select employee groups and their immediate family members.
Hundreds of Native American children will have a Merry Christmas Due to Efforts of Joyce Smith
Last Friday morning members of the Metro West SWA Team and other volunteers packed a large semi-trailer with Christmas gifts bound for Lakota Sioux Children at the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Bluff, South Dakota.
Joyce Smith of St. Charles has been collecting toys and gifts for the Indian children for the past nine years. Smith’s husband, a former assistant superintendent of the Fort Zumwalt School District, passed away in 1997 and this has been her project ever since.
Each year Joyce Smith receives hundreds of letters to Santa written by the Native American children. She and a group of volunteers then start to work to answer the requests of the children. In addition to answering the requests in the letters, Smith’s group also obtained beds for an entire family and a washer and dryer for another.” We had one child who wanted a saddle and tackle. One of our volunteers drove many miles to get the saddle and the items needed to fulfill that Christmas wish. She was so excited and it reminded her of when she was a child with her first horse,” Smith told the First Capitol News.
While camping in South Dakota with her late husband, Ms. Smith met Julie Garreau who started the youth camp for the Indian children in 1988. After learning about the plight of the Indian children Joyce Smith started her annual Christmas project. Erv Emerling, a local businessman, provides storage for the toys and gifts while they are being packed and awaiting shipment to the children. This year the gifts filled a large five room house along with the garage and basement.
More flu shots available at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital
Have you not received your flu shot yet? It’s not too late. With all the holiday rush and upcoming family gatherings, it’s the perfect time to get your immunization. Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital will have one more clinic. The CDC recommends flu shots for all individuals 50 years of age and older, especially those with chronic illness.
WHAT: Flu Shots
WHEN: Monday, December 19 from 1 to 4 p.m.
WHERE: 6 Jungermann Circle, Suite 117, professional building #1 on the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital campus
COST: $20, Medicare part B covers the fee for eligible participants.
Please register by calling 636-928-WELL (9355) to make an appointment. Visit the hospital online at www.bjsph.org
FIRST BANK WRAPS UP HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS
Bank, employees and community team up to raise $82,000 for victims
By accepting and encouraging community and customer donations at all First Bank locations, First Bank helped raise $82,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“Hurricane Katrina was one of the most catastrophic events in our nation’s history,” said Terry McCarthy, chairman, president and chief executive officer for First Bank. “We want to thank everyone for their generation donations to raise badly needed funds for the victims in Louisiana and Mississippi.”
To assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, First Bank supported and matched First Bank employee donations through a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund Drive. The bank also accepted community donations. All donations went to American Red Cross Hurricane Relief.
“Our Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund Drive was a very important cause and the efforts on behalf of the victims were really outstanding,” said McCarthy. “We can all be proud.”
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HOLIDAY CARDS AVAILABLE AT FIRST BANK
Proceeds from 2005 Landmark Holiday Cards will help fight heart disease in St. Louis
Those looking to get into the holiday spirit while helping out a good cause can now purchase the American Heart Association’s 2005 Landmark Holiday Cards at 44 First Bank locations in metro St. Louis and metro Illinois.
“Sleigh Bells Ring” is the card available for purchase from award winning artist Billyo O’Donnell, a Missouri native who has produced the American Heart Association cards for the past four years. Nationally recognized, O’Donnell is known for his impressionistic painting style of landscapes created in a single on-site setting.
The “Sleigh Bells Ring” card features a snowy, holiday scene of downtown St. Louis, complete with a horse and carriage, the Old Courthouse, and a view of the Arch.
Proceeds from the holiday cards will be used locally in the American Heart Association’s fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke. To order the 2005 Landmark Holiday Cards stop by any Metro St. Louis First Bank office, visit our Web site at firstbanks.com, or contact Sharon Loberg from the American Heart Association at 314-692-5625.
MEET LIBERTY THE BALD EAGLE
Christmas shopping getting you down? Take a break from the bustle to enjoy some of the region’s best eagle viewing opportunities, right here at the confluence of the mighty Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
The confluence attracts hundreds of bald eagles during the cold winter months, becoming an eagle watcher’s paradise. Eagle watchers are invited to oogle their favorite bird from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary along Riverlands Way near West Alton, MO. Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and located along the western edge of the Mississippi River just above Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this area is a favorite fishing spot for the Bald Eagle. From late December to late February dozens of eagles scan the waters of Ellis Bay for a bite to eat. Visitors are also welcome to stop in at the Rivers Project Office to pick up information, use the restrooms, or view the eagles from the comfort of the indoors. The Rivers Project Office will also be open on weekends from January 7th to February 5th from 11 AM to 3 PM for your viewing pleasure.
Another way to learn more about these majestic birds is to attend a program sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation, presented by the World Bird Sanctuary.
Free public programs will be held at the National Great Rivers Museum on the following Sundays: January 22, February 5 and February 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Attendees will get to meet Liberty, a rescued bald eagle, whose handler will discuss eagle lifestyles and habitats.
Liberty arrived at the Florida Rehabilitation Center in 1992 with a fractured collarbone. He received medical attention and was then released back into the wild. Three weeks later he was found again, this time with a dislocated shoulder and eye damage. Soon after, Liberty was transferred to the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Mo., where he resides today and helps tell the story of these great birds through the education programs he participates in.
The National Great Rivers Museum will also host a “Masters of the Sky” program February 18-20. Daily program times will be 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. The World Bird Sanctuary will demonstrate several different kinds of birds of prey including hawks, owls, and eagles. There will be a charge of $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Children under the age of 3 will be free. Please call the museum at 1-877-462-6979 for more information.
The World Bird Sanctuary was founded in 1977 by renowned ornithologist Walter C. Crawford. The sanctuary’s mission is to preserve the earth’s biological diversity and to secure the future of threatened bird species. Environmental education is the primary focus of the organization, and the programs are a wealth of interesting details concerning the natural history of raptors, some problems they face, and what people can do to insure their survival.
The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the foot of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam on the Illinois side of the river. From the Clark Bridge, go 2 miles South on Illinois Route 143 to Lock and Dam Way, and turn right.
O’Fallon Board approves ordinance on requirement for signs advertising public hearings
The O’Fallon Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance at their last meeting which requires developers to post signs advertising public hearings on development issues including zoning, conditional use permits, area plans, etc. The specifics of the hearing will be required to be included on the signs, which will be at the developers’ cost.
Currently for public hearings, the City sends letters to any property owners adjacent to the area in question within 185 feet. Mailings will continue for any public hearings, and the new ordinance will extend that adjacency to 300 feet.
The new requirement for signs will apply to public hearings for the Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the Board of Aldermen. It will also apply to preliminary plats that are brought before the Planning and Zoning Commission. In the past, public hearings were not required for preliminary plats, but if the proposed ordinance is passed, a hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission level will be required. This will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on proposed subdivision plats.
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