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Sunday, January 15, 2006
FRONT PAGE - FIRST CAPITOL NEWS of January 14, 2006
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Recall Fraud Admitted In Deposition
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Charita Walker, a part time employee of Penmac Personnel Services, a St. Charles temporary employment agency, admitted in a sworn deposition that she signed a notarized affidavit that she had collected signatures that were on a recall petition when in fact she had not collected the signatures. She said she had been told by Linda Meyer to sign the affidavit after she told Meyer she had not collected the signatures and did not witness them being signed on the recall petition.
Meyer, the wife of a St. Charles police officer who at one time headed the St. Charles Police Officers Association, is heading the Citizens Empowerment Committee. That group is conducting recall efforts against City Councilwoman Dottie Greer and City Councilman Mark Brown. The deposition was being taken regarding the recall effort.
Walker admitted that she falsely swore on the affidavit she had collected the signatures when in fact she had not, because Meyer had told her to sign it.
This revelation of apparent fraud was made under oath in a deposition that was taken on December 14, 2005 in the office of City Attorney Mike Valenti at St. Charles City Hall. Under questioning by Valenti, Walker admitted she had not collected nor witnessed the signatures on the recall form.
According to Walker, the incident occurred on July 9th in Jaycee Park in St. Charles when several employees of Penmac, who were paid to collect signatures for the recall petitions, met there with Meyer and another person who was a notary public.
Also present in addition to Valenti when the admission by Walker was made were John C. Maxwell an attorney who was sitting as a Court Commissioner appointed by Judge Ted House, Attorney Joshua Knight and Attorney Mike Kielty who were representing Meyer; Attorney Eric Tolen, Special Counsel to the St. Charles City Council, Attorney Harold Ellis, St. Charles County Counselor representing the election commissioner and Councilwoman Greer.
Copies of the depositions are available from the St. Charles City Clerk under the Sunshine Law by filing a Freedom of Information request.
Greer and Brown and other members of the Council have complained of fraud during the recall campaign. Council President Rory Riddler made a complaint with the St. Charles Police Department and an investigation is in progress. His complaint involved numerous signatures that appeared to be signed by the same person and inconsistencies of names and dates on the petitions and sworn affidavits. Councilman Mark Brown has filed similar complaints for the St. Charles police department. Police Chief Tim Swope has said that upon completion of the investigations the facts will be presented to St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas for prosecution.
Kielty and millionaire developer TR Hughes, who is providing financing for the Empowerment Committee, have complained about the investigating detectives going so far as to call them thugs and brown shirts. Kielty made his comments during a City Council meeting.
Despite this information and other information pertaining to fraud that has been discovered in the recall efforts, Mayor York and her followers on the City Council have continued to push for the recall elections.
The City of St. Louis has recently been faced with the same set of circumstances and has halted any further recall efforts and are attempting to bring justice to the political system and prosecute those who are responsible for the fraud.
Attorney Invokes Fifth Amendment Won’t let petition circulator answer questions about recall efforts
Melissa Root, one of the persons who was paid up to $10 per name to collect signatures in recent recall efforts against Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown recently invoked the Fifth Amendment during a sworn deposition.
Root, represented by a Criminal Defense Attorney refused to answer any questions regarding the collection of signatures on recall petitions. The refusal was made on the advise of her attorney.
When questioned by St. Charles City Attorney Mike Valenti, Root refused to answer. Her criminal defense attorney Mike Kielty told Valenti, “She has invoked her rights as to any and all questions on her behalf as her counsel, she does not have to say anything. She does not have to invoke her rights, her rights have been invoked by me, I’m acting as counsel. This is tantamount to her sitting next to me at a criminal defense table and the State trying to get her to take the stand.
Attorney Eric Tolen, special counsel to the City Council raised what he said was a conflict of interest in Kielty representing Root. Tolen said, “I believe there’s a conflict of interest in that Mr. Kielty has indicated and has entered his representation of the Relator (Linda Meyer) here and now is, in fact, representing one of the witnesses to this matter in a potential criminal matter. And I think that that, in and of itself, is a conflict of interest which would necessitate a removal of either Mr. Kielty in this matter or in the matter with regards to representation of Ms. Melissa Root in any criminal matter.” The Commissioner said that matter would have to be taken up before Judge House.Valenti asked Root if each and every signature contained on a petition for recall she had signed and had notarized if she observed the person who had signed that petition for recall affix their signature to the petition for recall. Kielty answered Fifth. Valenti asked Root if on each and every occasion in which a person affixed their signature to the petition for recall if she observed them physically affix their signature to that petition for recall. Kielty answered, Fifth. On each and every question Valenti presented to Root, Kielty answered Fifth. The Fifth Amendment provides that a person cannot be made to testify to any matter that could be used for criminal prosecution against themselves. The lawsuit was dropped by the Empowerment Committee before this information could be presented before a judge to make a determination.
Councilman Mark Brown complained, “How could you accept the petitions from a person who would not acknowledge whether she forged the signatures or if she even got the signatures at all. It would seem to me if you were going to turn in petitions you would have to testify that you got the signatures legally and if they can’t do that then they should not be accepted at all. In the City of St. Louis they would go to jail. In St. Charles it appears that everyone thinks it is okay.”
Police Mobile Reserve Unit Impressive Record In A Short Time
“Best job on the department I have ever had,” Officer Dave Senter
“More arrests in 5 months including homicide suspect,” Officer Todd Wilson
By Tony Brockmeyer
They could be called out at any time. They may be in uniform or they could be in plain clothes. They could be in a marked patrol car or in an undercover vehicle. They might be following up on an investigation, providing backup for other officers or just cruising through an area that has experienced recent criminal activity. They could be riding alone or have a partner beside them. But you can be sure that the Mobile Reserve Unit of the St. Charles Police Department is out there and they like what they are doing. Solving crime and preventing criminal activity in St. Charles.
The concept and inception of the Mobile Reserve Unit (MRU) in June of 2005, arose out of what Police Chief Tim Swope received as the need for a proactive contingent of sworn personnel to address criminal activity and quality of life issues that are outside the normal scope of the Field Operations Bureau capabilities. According to Chief Swope, “The creation of such a unit was an effort to combat criminal infiltration into the City of St. Charles from those elements that operate on a global and regional basis, versus those confined only to city limit boundaries.
The MRU is designed to create a small group of experienced police officers available to investigate crime rapidly and with the resources necessary to successfully quell disturbances, investigate crime and bring about the arrest of dangerous individuals. The unit is available at any time for scheduled assignment at any time of day depending upon the nature of the detail. The unit can be plugged in to respond to any activity that threatens the quality of life in St. Charles. Details can include roadside crime interdiction, gang interdiction, security at City hosted functions, surveillance activities and traffic details.”
The St. Charles MRU is comprised of Sergeant Donovan Kenton, Officer Paul Yadlosky, Officer Grant Jansen who works with his canine partner Zzar. Dave Senter a 15 year veteran of the department and Todd Wilson a 17 year veteran.
Officers Wilson and Senter were available on the day this interview was conducted.
Officer Jansen and Zzar usually patrol the interstate highways but they are available to put their talents to work in any area of the city. Zzar is a professional drug dog. Officers claim that Jansen has the uncanny instinct of knowing just what vehicles traveling through on the interstates need to be investigated. He and Zzar spend about 80 percent of their time on highway interdiction.
“With major interstates it is necessary to have that type of unit available,’ said Officer Senter. “Our unit also does a lot of intelligence gathering and working with Federal agencies.”
When asked about gang activity in St. Charles, Officer Wilson said, “We have a lot of wanna be’s. We keep a close watch on them. Wilson went on.” We are on call 24/7 and rarely a day goes by where we would begging for work.”
The MRU recently provided surveillance and increased patrol of the area of San Juan and Riverbluff apartment complexes due to an escalation of disturbance calls involving new residents to the area with self-proclaimed ties to gang activity.
Members of the MRU have taken part in uniform enforcement details for the Fourth of July Festival, the Festival of the Little Hills and the Oktoberfest. On the same weekend of the Oktoberfest, the MRU worked in conjunction with the St. Charles County Sheriffs in providing uniformed patrol in the area of North Hwy 94 in reference to a motorcycle “rat run” involving several thousand motorcycles. Many of these motorcyclist had affiliations with outlaw groups. With the presence of the MRU the lengthy procession passed through St. Charles City without the disturbances that occurred last year.
Roadside interdiction activities of the Mobile reserve Unit resulted in the seizure of over $445,000 in illicit money, 30 pounds of marijuana, 12 pounds of cocaine, the recovery of two stolen vehicles and $10,000 in stolen property.
One seizure of illegal drug money and the identification of the suspect have provided the DEA and ATF with information that will help with federal prosecution of the subject, who without information developed by the MRU would not have been possible. The investigation involving the 6 kilograms of cocaine is continuing with the DEA and will probably lead to further seizures of property worth thousands, located in St. Louis County.
Further information gained through interdiction efforts had lead to the identification of one subject who is a major person of interest with a current FBI Task Force investigation reference to cocaine distribution and money laundering conspiracy occurring through a locally owned business. Interdiction efforts have also lead to the locating of an individual that is on the FBI’s terrorist watch list who frequents the City of St. Charles and surrounding area and is a subject of interest in drug trafficking. Through criminal interdiction efforts a fugitive suspect from Kansas with felony weapon and drug charges was identified and taken into custody for extradition back to Kansas to fact charges.
Members of the MRU assisted the St. Charles County Drug task Force (DTF) on a significant quantity marijuana buy/bust resulting in the arrest of seven individuals in the area of Sun Lake Apartments. The involvement of the MRU avoided the DTF having to use on-duty uniformed patrol officers to assist the, minimizing the impact on patrol services.
Of notable arrests, the Unit has identified seven illegal aliens involved in criminal activity, one of which is wanted in the country of Chile for attempted murder.
According to Officer Dave Senter, during a plainclothes surveillance of a suspected narcotics/money courier, Officer Dave Senter noticed suspicious behavior on the part of four subjects entering a retail electronics store, Best Buy. Breaking off the original surveillance, the subjects were subsequently watched and followed after leaving the store and stopped by another municipality. The subjects were found to be in possession of in excess of $5500 worth of stolen merchandise. As a result of that stop and investigation that municipality obtained arrest warrants for the four subjects for receiving stolen property. It was also discovered that three of the four were illegal aliens and Immigration Customs Enforcement was notified.
Following their initial arrest one of the subjects gave consent for a search of a location in the City of St. Charles where they had been staying while in the area. That search revealed in excess of $20,000 worth of additional stolen merchandise and suspected cash profits. the merchandise consisted of video games, digital flash cards, digital cameras, video game play systems and other electronic components.
Warrants against all four suspects for receiving stolen property are pending.
Information of this case continues as information from throughout the midwest continues to come in daily concerning similar cases possibly involving the same suspects. Information discovered during this investigation indicates that these suspects were active throughout the country, most recently in the Chicago area and appear to have exclusively targeted retail electronics store.
According to Officer Todd Wilson, on December 12, 2005, members of the MRU began surveillance of suspected narcotic/money couriers. Members of the unit followed the subjects as they traveled to seven Office Max and two Office Depots in the St. Charles/St. Louis areas.
After a period of time the subjects were confronted outside one of the stores after members of the unit had followed them inside and watched the subjects conceal merchandise under their outer garments and leave the store without paying for them.
During the subsequent arrest and inventory search of the vehicle they had been operating the MRU members discovered 36 print cartridges in shipping boxes along with other items such as maps. the maps that were located included the Denver, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati. Each map had handwritten markings of the locations of Office Max type store on them.
thirty three of the 36 print cartridges were tracked back to the stores that the subjects had been to during the surveillance. the other three are currently being tracked by Hewlett Package. The total value of the stolen merchandise was valued at $10,000.
Chief Swope said, “MRU also consecrate on criminal identification on the interstate highway system traveling thru St. Charles by focusing on criminal activity, drug trafficking, money laundering etc. MRU also has the capability to establish relationships with not only neighboring agencies but nationwide agencies to deter crime and continue an enforcement presence while people travel through St. Charles. The MRU specializes in several areas however the way it is set up now allows the Unit to continue its commitment to respond to the needs of the department, whatever they may be.”
Officer Dave Senter sums it up for the members of the St. Charles Police Mobile Reserve Unit, “It’s the best job I have ever had with this department.”
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
*Do The Right Thing group formed in St. Charles City.
* Note: the “Right Thing” is a registered trade mark of I-ohnya Co. and exactly what the right thing is will be determined by our members. Disagreement with the right thing is grounds for immediate retaliation including but not limited to: recall, threatening telephone calls, letters, e-mails, and smear campaigns.
In agreement with the newly formed group in our town, I believe that everyone needs to “do the right thing.”
A quick journey back to April 2004 and you will remember that, perhaps, the first wrong thing done was the mayor actively campaigning against a councilman with whom she regularly did battle. Certainly, this was the mayor’s right but after Mr. Hoepfner won a sound reelection she probably could guess that there would be some hard feelings. With the newly formed council, Mr. Hoepfner wanted to be vice president and wanted to seat the administration with administration and the legislative body with the legislative body. I was even told that the mayor agreed to the move but just before the meeting that would rearrange the seating, the mayor changed her mind and asked for a vote to force her from her spot.
Early on, there was hope that the new council would be assertive and stand up for all citizens of the community and not just for the well-connected. Council would seek to spend limited resources getting streets resurfaced and sewers upgraded rather than engineer a host of projects that would rest on shelves because it seemed silly to buy plans with no means or will to complete them. I think this was and is the right thing.
Very early on, the council rejected the decision of those in administration to terminate a veteran police officer who was dealing with an issue that may very well have been work related. I never felt prouder than the day we did the right thing and voted for justice for this officer in spite of objections from administration and others at city hall!
Next, council sought to do the right thing by directing the city to keep take-home cars within our own borders because we felt that the police presence this might create should be in driveways and on streets here in St. Charles instead of, say, Wentzville.
This “right thing” apparently didn’t pass the litmus test, however, and what ensued was a battle that included two full page advertisements calling some of us on council “wolves in sheep’s clothing” complete with pretty-cool graphics of the same.
The next “right thing” was to stand up for a police chief who was recognized by all who interviewed him as the best candidate for the job. A compromise was met that brought Williams to town with the understanding that the mayor would have to accept his decision for the chief’s position in return. “Doing the right thing,” council voted for this tradeoff.
This proved foolish because the mayor got her administrator and we got a lot of semantics after William’s choice for the position (Bob Lowery) was refused. Ouch! The right thing kind of felt like betrayal!
Another instance of the right thing was the council looking into ECM’s broken flow meter that made sewer charges inaccurate for some county areas who are using our sewer system. ECM didn’t (and doesn’t) have a contract with the city and sadly, our own residents were paying higher rates than our county counterparts! The right thing for our city was correcting this problem. Furthermore, the right thing was and is to ask the St. Andrew’s development to meet the city standards for storm water and annex into the city limits if they want to use our city sewer system!
In Tom Dempsey’s mind, the right thing was to rush special legislation through Jefferson City to force St. Charles to hook up the new county development that would stay in the county and not meet city storm water codes. The “right thing” sure can be subjective sometimes!
I guess that’s the entire point I want to make here. We aren’t perfect, to be sure, but so much of the fighting at the gold building has it’s roots in the earliest events and I too want the senseless fighting and use of extra-political means to end.
On the other hand, if doing the right thing means becoming a rubber stamp for administration, developers, and others whose interests are not best for my town, then I must take issue!
Unfortunately, I missed the meeting last Thursday (my invitation came very late) so I didn’t get to have input about “doing the right thing.” A week prior, I did go to a meeting of the same group but was asked to leave because some wouldn’t feel comfortable with me being there.
My hope is that the “right thing” becomes a true dialogue between citizens, elected officials, developers, lawyers, etc., and not a monolithic monologue coming from developers and those whose interests are measured by how much money they can make off of St. Charles’ taxpayers!
“Lord, guide our feet, conscience, and deeds!”
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
It’s a New Year and a time for reflection. After all, that’s where New Year’s Resolutions come from, right? You look back on the past year and think about things you’d like to change about yourself or things you’d like to do that you didn’t make time for last year. I was reading the paper the other day and apparently, most people take classes of some nature to help them accomplish their New Year’s goals.
Some folks take fitness classes, some take dance classes, and others try writing, cooking or more substantive college classes…different strokes for different folks. Me and the missus have signed up for Salsa Caliente lessons. Now, I have no idea what the Salsa Caliente classes will entail (hot salsa?) but this is the latest dance craze she just has to try. Last year, she took a super trendy belly dancing class, and I have to say I was pretty happy with the results. Somehow I doubt that, in my middle-age grandeur, I will be any good at Salsa Caliente, but I’m going to go (well, at least the first couple times). In our quest for “something we can do together that will be fun,” we pored over numerous course listings and catalogs, and I realized that some of our local notables might benefit from classes to help them accomplish their New Year’s Resolutions – hey some of them can even go to class together…
Some of our meek, mute and relatively useless City Council members could join a Toastmasters Club. Bob Kneemiller, Larry Muench, Mike Weller, and Jerry Reese could use a bit of self-confidence, a little backbone and some public speaking skills. Their palpable fear of Patti York and her unholy protectors’ bottomless deep pockets is rather cowardly and thoroughly disappointing. Perhaps they might “see the light” and learn to govern on behalf of their residents (instead of their financial benefactors) if they develop some self-confidence and stop hiding behind Patti’s skirts.
Bob Hoepfner, on the other hand, should try Yoga. He can certainly use lessons on relaxation techniques, and meditation might be just what the doctor ordered. After all, with his new emphasis on self-promotion and profiteering, he might benefit from finding his “center” again.
Patti York should definitely consider attending one of the training seminars scheduled by the Missouri Ethics Commission. While these classes will concentrate on complying with campaign finance laws and reporting requirements, anyone as ethically challenged as Perilous Patti can probably benefit from the information. I doubt the instructors will cover her favorite topics (fleecing the taxpayers and abusing your authority as an elected official to funnel city contracts to your cronies), but maybe she can offer to teach an advanced class for the determined and ruthless – her first student can be Kevin Kast.
Tom Hughes, Claude Knight, Glenn Jamboretz and Ken Kielty can try a cooking class. With the next scheduled election coming in 2007 and their carefully cooked-up “do-over” recall election sooner then that, they will need to learn some new tricks and techniques because their old recipes have become rather stale. They probably need to explore using some new ingredients (other than paid thugs, intimidation and badly written fictional press releases) and the latest fusion techniques (created by Jack Abramoff) as they attempt to buy Adolphus his very own city government, one corrupt politician at a time.
Linda Meyer, and her mouthpiece Mike Kielty, should register for American Government 101. Apparently, they think that elections should be decided by judges and that “do-overs” are merely an alternative electoral process. These pitiable Great Rivers pawns are sorely in need of a primer on elections – hey guys: Elections occur on Election Day, and do-overs (a.k.a. recalls) are not really the “will of the people.” If you desire a certain outcome from an election, then you should work hard BEFORE the election to turn out like-minded voters. Otherwise, you need to wait for the next election! As an aside, Linda should add an Acting class to her curriculum. Linda’s pathetic performances at City Council meetings fool no one and are in dire need of improvement. Right now, her palpable desire to “steal” Darling Dottie’s council seat is thoroughly transparent.
For a couple of the local “journalists” attempting to chronicle the goings-on in St. Charles, how about a refresher journalism course? John Sonderegger probably needs to be reminded that even though he’s a columnist, he needs to report the news rather than give a groupie-like, worshipful accounting of Patti and her cohorts in his quest for an invitation to sit with the “cool kids” in the cafeteria. Get a clue John, grown men don’t refer to themselves in the third person and the “cool kids” will never like you…alas, Patti will not go to the prom with you, ever. Ed Watkins probably needs a review of what constitutes the news. Just because Tom Hughes provides the funding, he doesn’t get to write the news. You might review the “journalistic” environment in the former Soviet Union and re-think your arrangement.
Our embattled City Administrator Allan Williams should schedule a session with a counselor at the Missouri Career Center over in St. Peters. He clearly needs to tune up his resume and move on to his next professional opportunity. FYI Allan – when your contract is not renewed, it’s time for you to leave. And, next time you want to be an “active participant” in city politics, try running for office yourself.
Last but not least, I would encourage Darling Dottie, Doc Riddler and their comrades to give Pilates a whirl. With its emphasis on core strength and stability, this particular fitness class may help fortify their resolve to persevere in the face of adversity. I certainly wish them the best of luck as they take on Perilous Patti, Adolphus and the others poised to attack our city government for their own personal gain.
I wish you all a Happy New Year and the best of luck as you tackle your New Year’s Resolutions – I’ll be salsa dancing on Tuesday and Thursday nights for the time being. Olé!
Some folks take fitness classes, some take dance classes, and others try writing, cooking or more substantive college classes…different strokes for different folks. Me and the missus have signed up for Salsa Caliente lessons. Now, I have no idea what the Salsa Caliente classes will entail (hot salsa?) but this is the latest dance craze she just has to try. Last year, she took a super trendy belly dancing class, and I have to say I was pretty happy with the results. Somehow I doubt that, in my middle-age grandeur, I will be any good at Salsa Caliente, but I’m going to go (well, at least the first couple times). In our quest for “something we can do together that will be fun,” we pored over numerous course listings and catalogs, and I realized that some of our local notables might benefit from classes to help them accomplish their New Year’s Resolutions – hey some of them can even go to class together…
Some of our meek, mute and relatively useless City Council members could join a Toastmasters Club. Bob Kneemiller, Larry Muench, Mike Weller, and Jerry Reese could use a bit of self-confidence, a little backbone and some public speaking skills. Their palpable fear of Patti York and her unholy protectors’ bottomless deep pockets is rather cowardly and thoroughly disappointing. Perhaps they might “see the light” and learn to govern on behalf of their residents (instead of their financial benefactors) if they develop some self-confidence and stop hiding behind Patti’s skirts.
Bob Hoepfner, on the other hand, should try Yoga. He can certainly use lessons on relaxation techniques, and meditation might be just what the doctor ordered. After all, with his new emphasis on self-promotion and profiteering, he might benefit from finding his “center” again.
Patti York should definitely consider attending one of the training seminars scheduled by the Missouri Ethics Commission. While these classes will concentrate on complying with campaign finance laws and reporting requirements, anyone as ethically challenged as Perilous Patti can probably benefit from the information. I doubt the instructors will cover her favorite topics (fleecing the taxpayers and abusing your authority as an elected official to funnel city contracts to your cronies), but maybe she can offer to teach an advanced class for the determined and ruthless – her first student can be Kevin Kast.
Tom Hughes, Claude Knight, Glenn Jamboretz and Ken Kielty can try a cooking class. With the next scheduled election coming in 2007 and their carefully cooked-up “do-over” recall election sooner then that, they will need to learn some new tricks and techniques because their old recipes have become rather stale. They probably need to explore using some new ingredients (other than paid thugs, intimidation and badly written fictional press releases) and the latest fusion techniques (created by Jack Abramoff) as they attempt to buy Adolphus his very own city government, one corrupt politician at a time.
Linda Meyer, and her mouthpiece Mike Kielty, should register for American Government 101. Apparently, they think that elections should be decided by judges and that “do-overs” are merely an alternative electoral process. These pitiable Great Rivers pawns are sorely in need of a primer on elections – hey guys: Elections occur on Election Day, and do-overs (a.k.a. recalls) are not really the “will of the people.” If you desire a certain outcome from an election, then you should work hard BEFORE the election to turn out like-minded voters. Otherwise, you need to wait for the next election! As an aside, Linda should add an Acting class to her curriculum. Linda’s pathetic performances at City Council meetings fool no one and are in dire need of improvement. Right now, her palpable desire to “steal” Darling Dottie’s council seat is thoroughly transparent.
For a couple of the local “journalists” attempting to chronicle the goings-on in St. Charles, how about a refresher journalism course? John Sonderegger probably needs to be reminded that even though he’s a columnist, he needs to report the news rather than give a groupie-like, worshipful accounting of Patti and her cohorts in his quest for an invitation to sit with the “cool kids” in the cafeteria. Get a clue John, grown men don’t refer to themselves in the third person and the “cool kids” will never like you…alas, Patti will not go to the prom with you, ever. Ed Watkins probably needs a review of what constitutes the news. Just because Tom Hughes provides the funding, he doesn’t get to write the news. You might review the “journalistic” environment in the former Soviet Union and re-think your arrangement.
Our embattled City Administrator Allan Williams should schedule a session with a counselor at the Missouri Career Center over in St. Peters. He clearly needs to tune up his resume and move on to his next professional opportunity. FYI Allan – when your contract is not renewed, it’s time for you to leave. And, next time you want to be an “active participant” in city politics, try running for office yourself.
Last but not least, I would encourage Darling Dottie, Doc Riddler and their comrades to give Pilates a whirl. With its emphasis on core strength and stability, this particular fitness class may help fortify their resolve to persevere in the face of adversity. I certainly wish them the best of luck as they take on Perilous Patti, Adolphus and the others poised to attack our city government for their own personal gain.
I wish you all a Happy New Year and the best of luck as you tackle your New Year’s Resolutions – I’ll be salsa dancing on Tuesday and Thursday nights for the time being. Olé!
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
NEW ROTARY CLUB FORMED
There is a new Rotary Club starting in the Winghaven area. It will be the Rotary Club of Boone Trail. For now, the group meets each Friday at noon at the Culppers Restaurant , 4401 Hwy.K in O Fallon. If you would like to be part of a great service organization that does remarkably good work for people locally, nationally and internationally, the offer is open to join them for lunch. If you would like more information, Please call Jerry Collins at 636-578-7323.
Weller Willing To Deal Williams Out
City Councilman Mike Weller has been soliciting some members of the Council for their votes to appoint Michael Spurgeon as City Administrator of St. Charles. Spurgeon is the City Manager of Miami, Oklahoma. He was a candidate prior to Williams but withdrew his name from consideration when he learned that the City Council had contracted with the First Capitol News to do a background investigation on him. I bet Williams thought Weller was in his corner. Allan take the money and run they don’t care about you.
Do The Right Thing? Sure
Word on the street tells us that "Do the right thing," a group formed by millionaire developer Tom Hughes and Kevin Kast, etal. met at the convention center Thursday January 5th. We were told Hughes told the people at the meeting there was police thuggery during the investigation of alleged fraud involving the collection of signatures for the recall petitions of Dottie Greer and Mark Brown.
It seems Paula Eberhard is upset that her children were questioned in regards to the collection of signatures. Paula claims that the police are intimidating and harassing her and her kids. Hughes, an ex-cop, should know the St. Charles police department isn't run that way. (Eberhardt sent her young children out to collect signatures but now doesn’t want them questioned. about their activities) It is obvious that Hughes etal, are concerned about the investigation because the heat has been turned up on Chief of Police Tim Swope. It appears that an illicit campaign with rumors and lies are being floated in what appears to be an attempt to oust the Chief.
That is the way Hughes, Kast and their minions work. They don’t like several of those elected by the people to the City Council so they are trying to recall them and put their anointed candidates in their place. They don’t like this newspaper keeping the public aware of their activities which they want to keep secret and undercover so they tried to put The First Capitol News out of business. Now they are trying to stop a police investigation into fraud involving their minions and the recalls so they are trying to get rid of the Chief of Police.
Don't like the police investigating crime so get rid of the Chief. This sounds like vindictive acts by someone who should enjoy the helicopter, a million dollar house at the lake and a beautiful home off Zumbehl. Evidently Hughes needs more and more money and the only way to get it is to take over control of the St. Charles government. He had control in O'Fallon and now it is reported because of the new administration he can't get much done. Hughes has now set his sight on St. Charles. Let the fleecing begin.
Next Edition Jan. 28th
Because of Martin Luther King’s holiday Monday our next edition will be on January 28th. Check our web log for updates firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
There is a new Rotary Club starting in the Winghaven area. It will be the Rotary Club of Boone Trail. For now, the group meets each Friday at noon at the Culppers Restaurant , 4401 Hwy.K in O Fallon. If you would like to be part of a great service organization that does remarkably good work for people locally, nationally and internationally, the offer is open to join them for lunch. If you would like more information, Please call Jerry Collins at 636-578-7323.
Weller Willing To Deal Williams Out
City Councilman Mike Weller has been soliciting some members of the Council for their votes to appoint Michael Spurgeon as City Administrator of St. Charles. Spurgeon is the City Manager of Miami, Oklahoma. He was a candidate prior to Williams but withdrew his name from consideration when he learned that the City Council had contracted with the First Capitol News to do a background investigation on him. I bet Williams thought Weller was in his corner. Allan take the money and run they don’t care about you.
Do The Right Thing? Sure
Word on the street tells us that "Do the right thing," a group formed by millionaire developer Tom Hughes and Kevin Kast, etal. met at the convention center Thursday January 5th. We were told Hughes told the people at the meeting there was police thuggery during the investigation of alleged fraud involving the collection of signatures for the recall petitions of Dottie Greer and Mark Brown.
It seems Paula Eberhard is upset that her children were questioned in regards to the collection of signatures. Paula claims that the police are intimidating and harassing her and her kids. Hughes, an ex-cop, should know the St. Charles police department isn't run that way. (Eberhardt sent her young children out to collect signatures but now doesn’t want them questioned. about their activities) It is obvious that Hughes etal, are concerned about the investigation because the heat has been turned up on Chief of Police Tim Swope. It appears that an illicit campaign with rumors and lies are being floated in what appears to be an attempt to oust the Chief.
That is the way Hughes, Kast and their minions work. They don’t like several of those elected by the people to the City Council so they are trying to recall them and put their anointed candidates in their place. They don’t like this newspaper keeping the public aware of their activities which they want to keep secret and undercover so they tried to put The First Capitol News out of business. Now they are trying to stop a police investigation into fraud involving their minions and the recalls so they are trying to get rid of the Chief of Police.
Don't like the police investigating crime so get rid of the Chief. This sounds like vindictive acts by someone who should enjoy the helicopter, a million dollar house at the lake and a beautiful home off Zumbehl. Evidently Hughes needs more and more money and the only way to get it is to take over control of the St. Charles government. He had control in O'Fallon and now it is reported because of the new administration he can't get much done. Hughes has now set his sight on St. Charles. Let the fleecing begin.
Next Edition Jan. 28th
Because of Martin Luther King’s holiday Monday our next edition will be on January 28th. Check our web log for updates firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
First Capitol News,
Subject: Mr. Reese Fist Capitol News, December 17, 2005
I was rather surprised that the editorial articles concerning Mr. Reese were printed in the First Capitol News. Though I am not a regular reader, I must say that I agree with the comments. Mr. Reese may be well educated, however he appears to lack common sense in my opinion, or at most does not seek all of the facts before acting.
Mr. Reese does not appear to be capable of administering a small Condo Association let alone the affairs of a City the size of St. Charles, MO. For example, due to minor hail damage he and the board members had beautiful wood like aluminum siding replaced with dark gray vinyl siding, (insurance$$) there was no backing put on under the vinyl siding. It was not applied properly and therefore; every time a gust of wind comes along the siding is loosened and sometimes blows off completely. The siding was applied by an out of town contractor with unskilled, non english speaking workers. Nothing against non english speaking citizens, just that they should be skilled. If anyone doubts my word just have them drive down the alley behind Forest Hills Drive and look up at the siding. You will notice loose vinyl siding ends and bulging vinyl siding, and gaps between the ends of the siding due to not overlapping enough when installed. I had vinyl siding installed on my house by a local contractor 10 years ago and have had only one minor incident.
I probably got off the subject a little here but just wanted to give an example of how little some people care about the welfare of the general public, and I could go on and on. I have informed Mr. Reese of this siding problem sending three letters and promised to bring it to the media’s attention. Therefore, could not pass on this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Citizen of Ward 5
Dear Phyllis & Tony,
On behalf of my wife, stepdaughter and me, I want to extend my Christmas greetings to both of you and also all of the best for 2006. It was a interesting year for the First Capitol News, as you have done consistently since 2001, you have provided a hometown newspaper that is very widely read by those in St. Charles.
I agree with you in the recent editorial that we have a City Council that is pretty much doing their job. There is nothing wrong with a 5-5 vote. It is what it is and it needs to be accepted. I feel that the City Council this year has done its job despite much interference it has received from interest groups and several residents and non-residents. I am very disappointed with the conduct of our Mayor, especially this year. I do believe that she has overstepped her boundaries of her job and has made some decisions that could be interpreted as going against the St. Charles City Charter and possibly the Missouri Constitution.
At my day job, I recently signed an agreement that I obey the policies and procedures of “conflicts of interest.” In my case, I am not supposed to play favorites when it comes to selecting vendors for the day-to-day operations of my department and the company where I am employed. I believe that the Mayor as well as members of the City Council must adhere to similar standards.
I originally thought that Mayor York was being picked on by certain individuals who wanted her out. But after looking at the big picture in the second half of this year, I am starting to see a graver picture of a leader and her administration abusing power and denying any kind of check and balance to anyone that is in their way or affects the agenda they have for the city.
There have been many issues that I have disagreed with Mayor York on, mainly anything concerning beautification. Sometimes beautification of a City isn’t really the responsibility of a City administration, unless there is something considered as a public nuisance. Her beautification agenda reminds me of the 1960s when President Lyndon Johnson’s wife wanted to “beautify America” by placing items along the new Interstates as eye candy to motorists. They disappeared in the 1970s due to expansion of the Interstates and improvements to the system. I’m afraid that Mayor York is in a very similar mode.
As a runner, I was offended when she and several of her friends wanted to place a veterans memorial at McNair Park, right in a place where high school cross country runners compete and where recreational runners like myself want to run. I consider McNair Park to be part of my “backyard,” since I now live across the street from the park. I can tolerate the soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and the swimming pool. But the park isn’t designed for memorials. I am pleased to see that there was an alternate site for a memorial and most residents accept it at the current location.
The company I work for in my day job sells material to T..R. Hughes. In fact, T.R. Hughes built my sister and brother-in-law’s current residence in O’Fallon. I don’t think he is a bad developer and from what I have seen of my sister’s house. It is in great shape. However, I believe that Mr. Hughes is overstepping himself as an individual in trying to be a lead person of influence in St. Charles. I don’t think that a business person, whether or not they live inside the City or not, should be able to act the way that Mr. Hughes had recently conducted himself at City Council meetings. I have watched a number of proceedings and I think Rory Riddler catches javelins and has a difficult job when it comes to who speaks before the Council. Rory has done a fine job as Council president. I know he wants to be Mayor, but he does have a role as presiding officer of the legislative branch to check on the executive branch. It’s part of our system of government here and in this country.
I have always held a rule even when I was a senior manager of a mom-and-pop operation in St. Charles during the 1990s that not only are you a business person, you also have to play by the rules and the laws established by the community or municipality where the business is based. As President Nixon said, “no one is above the law.” Mr. Hughes might pay more taxes compared to someone like me. But he still has the same rights and the same obligations as me when it comes to our votes and citizenship.
I do not want to see a City Council act as a rubber stamp for anyone, whether it is the Mayor or an influential businessman. I saw it too many times when I was a young child and my grandfather was the street commissioner for this City. Looking at historical documents when my grandfather worked for the City, I noticed that there were many “influential” people who tried to get their way and did all kinds of things just to get their way. Unfortunately what I see today, compared to the 1950s and 1960s, is more childish and more degrading. Who do those influential people think they are? Have they learned anything from their parents and grandparents who lived here before?
As far as Allan Williams, I might have met him before during the 1990s, but he has got to go. Since the St. Charles City Charter was enacted in 1982, we have had more trouble with anyone who has become a City administrator. I was never for the provision in the Charter that called for a City administrator or “City manager” as it was once known. Being a lifelong resident, I know that the charter was formed in 1981 as a way to curb the powers of the then-Mayor Douglas Boschert, who at that time took advantage of loopholes in state law concerning municipalities. I know that most of those loopholes have been cleared up by members of the Missouri General assembly in the last 25 years. But I believe that Mayor York has been just as abusive as a Mayor compared to Douglas Boschert. The only difference was that Boschert was a Mayor who presided over the Council meetings. Mayor York has done many things unilaterally without the consent of the City Council. There is a time and a place for executive decisions and Mayor York’s timing and tactics is unacceptable. I have seen better Mayors such as Frank Brockgreitens (Mayor during the 1970s) and Melvin Wetter act as true leaders of this City and showed some respect and dignity for the office they held. They were true representatives of St. Charles.
I am not thrilled with the recent stories in other media, whether it is Elliot Davis, John Sonderegger or Ed Watkins (who lost all of my credibility this when when he literally libeled a long-time friend of mine in his publication), Davis and Sonderegger have been way too soft when it comes to news in St. Charles. But you have done quite a good job. I admit that there have seen moments where I thought a story or two published in the First Capitol News was going to get you into trouble. But in the long run, it looks more like Watkins went off the deep end. Lately his publication doesn’t tell me anything. It’s all political rhetoric and nothing really news worthy. Watkins can’t even write a good column in good taste. He doesn’t know anything about writing for the media and I knew that going back to when I was a journalism student at Lindenwood College during the 1980s when he was a vice president under Jim Spainhower.
Being interested in newspaper style and design, I have seen nothing significant in Watkin’s publication. It tries to mock or imitate the First Capitol News and I think that he doesn’t really know how to practice good journalism or even good taste.
I didn’t send too many Christmas cards this year due to my wife being ill. She’s doing better and is recovering from surgery. But this year, I did cross Ken Kielty's name off of My Christmas list. I had a lot of respect for the gentleman back when he had the license office. He got things done and he and his sons were great customers during the 1990s when I worked at a local video store. But I have grown very disappointed with the Kielty family. I would have thought that a veteran politician would have more decorum and taste than to resort to threatening a letter writer on the telephone. When I read that, I thought it was quite sophomoric. I still don’t understand why he needed to do that. I don’t know Bob Bredensteiner. But Bob makes his points quite clear in his letter writing and I hope he continues to write letters to the editor. I wish he would get his own column. He would make quite a columnist.
When I was in high school 25 years ago (I attended and graduated from St. Charles West), I wrote numerous letters to the editor in the school newspaper. I made a difference and people enjoyed reading my letters. It was one of the things that convinced me to change my ambitions from engineering to journalism. The other factor that convinced me was my work during high school with a lifelong friend of mine named Richard Vinson, who was establishing his collection while I was in high school. I now see that Frenchtown Museum (especially in my Saturday morning runs) and I am proud that there are people in this community who have great intentions to preserve a collection that he built. The collection celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary in 2006. I hope those who are operating the museum realize that.
Overall, you have a great group of contributors to the First Capitol News. It has grown to become quite a newspaper and I am proud to be a part of it. I enjoy covering the Missouri River Otters during the winter and I’m looking forward to a full season of River City Rascals baseball during the summer.
I am looking forward to quite a productive 2006 and I do hope that our City improves as the residents take charge away from these different groups and influential people who try to make the place a personal playground. Keep up the good work. I also hope that the River Otters will win some hockey games this winter.
Louis J. Launer
Dear Mr. Brockmeyer,
January 3, 2006 is a day that will go down in infamy. It wasn’t as drastic as Pearl Harbor, but we saw some Council members and Patti fly bombs over the rest of the Council. I looked for the red circles on the planes but there was too much smoke in the air to see them.
There is an interesting book out by Tracy Campbell from the University of Kentucky, “Deliver the Vote”. Mr. Campbell is a historian. He suggests there is a deeply embedded culture within American politics that considers cheating fully justifiable...part of a game.
We certainly had this with the petition drives. We had spouses signing for their away from home spouse, we had a government teacher willfully sign the petition two times, a deceased man signed the petition. The list goes on and on..
I heard our Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas said when the police investigation is finished he will not do anything with the illegalities. I hope to God this is a rumor but I do believe I heard it last night.
Mr. Chrismer (Director of elections) is a dead end. He refuses to talk to anyone. I should know as I called him for some information. The poor ladies in his office put me through to his office and he did not pick up the phone. The ladies said he was in his office. When is he due for reelection if we so choose?
The only course left for a person wanting justice is to call the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. Maybe they can get Mr. Banas to do his job.
JH, A Ward Seven Voter
An open letter to the community,
There are no words that can express the gratitude and thankfulness our family is feeling for your incredible outpouring of love, concern and generosity. On December 19, 2005, our brother, Brian, his wife, Julie, their daughters, Alex and Jordan, and our mother, Joyce, lost their home, all they owned and their two dogs in a house fire. While this was a horrible tragedy, you, our community and friends, turned it into the most wonderful holiday season this family has ever experienced.
From the first moments of the fire when Brian needed a pair of socks and 15 pairs appeared for his sock-less feet, to all those who showed up, called, e-mailed, sent letters, and gave and gave and gave, the words “thank you” are never going to be enough. Your generosity, especially just days before Christmas, has reinforced in our hearts the goodness and kindness of mankind. The extent that so many cared and how much or community stands beside it’s own can never be measured and is so very much appreciated.
Our sincerest and heartfelt thanks, prayers and best wishes for a glorious New Year, go out to each and every one of you.
With eternal gratitude,
Tammy (Vipond) Lawing
Dear Editor,
Kevin Kast and TR Hughes need to get off their high horses and get down here on a shetland pony like the rest of us. “It’s We the people, Kevin. It’s not we the movers and shakers, who should be trying to control our City Council.
If you and TR can’t make things happen fast enough, you TR the stand up guy that you are, or you think you are, go ahead and do the right thing and get State Rep. Tom Dempsey to get legislation passed to benefit you and your company. You might talk to Dempsey and the Governor and see maybe if they would be interested in do the right thing in Jeff City.
Kevin and TR decide to do the right thing as they and Sonderagger backstab Riddler in the very article they are tying to convince everybody else they should do the right thing.
Lets bet Kevin & TR and Cleaver dictate how our Council should be. They probably would have Kneemiller president of the Council and Weller vice president. Kneemiller was president when he and Patti and the lockstep six were in power. They along with O’Connor, the administrator, gave away our old police station for about $3250,000 shy of what it should have been. Remember Corporate Group and how Jerry Scheidegger got the old County building on 2nd street from the City for $100,000 and now its worth about $1 million and the City is now paying rent to them for offices for the Fire Department.. Remember the Waterworks property. Remember Ernie and some of his real estate deals with the City. Think about this folks and ask Kevin and TR if the lockstep six and Patti and O’Connor would fit again for a do the right thing Council so TR and the rest of the movers and shakers could move forward and spend more of our taxpayers money. (TR to Kevin) “Hey Kevin lets do the right thing and go to the Council meeting with a group. I’ll holler Kangaroo Court real loud and we can squash their Express Script deal and the subpoenas for the people that just might tell the truth and get the Mayor booted out of office. We can’t have that. We may need her before 2007 when you take office Kevin and then we can really do the right thing if you know what I mean.”
According to TR, a 21 year veteran police officer of our City, he is very upset with Rory Riddler for using our police department for political purposes. Can you imagine that folks! I wonder what he thinks got a lot of these problems we have in our city started. Open your eyes TR you are living in the fantasy world that Patti is in.
Remember the opening of the police contract? Remember the 200 hours comp pay for friend and ex-officer Tommy Maye?. Remember the take home cars that left our City every day? Remember the photograph of Patti addressing the Fraternal Order of Police? About 75 of our officers do not live in our town. Remember the 73 who said they were stressed out and filed to get an injunction against our council for apparently stressing them out? I’ve got to check with Chief Swope and see how he handled all that and what disciplinary action was taken if any.
Remember the full page ads that ran in the newspapers with the FOP and SCOPA footing the bill with Dean Meyer’s signature? About 75 officers don’t live in St. Charles yet they are allowed to take part in our choosing the way our charter should apply. (Charter Amendment #1) they don’t vote here. They don’t pay taxes here and all the rest anyone does in the town they live in. (Political I guess!)
TR & Kevin are trying to pull a CON over the citizens of St. Charles. About 95 percent of the problems we have in our City government started at 200 North Second Street Suite #400 (Mayor’s office). If you and your cohorts and her cronies don’t quit covering for her and she gets control of our City Council, she may just pull off one of the biggest CON’s by any Mayor in the State of Missouri past or future. You give her enough cover and she’ll show you, TR & Kervin the exact way to do the right thing - Patti’s style.
Bob Bredensteiner
An Open Letter to Senator Chuck Gross & Others
The front page of the January 4th Post Dispatch read “Shock Waves Sent Through Congress”, and it seems to us that some of the same kind of power grabs that are coming to light in Washington D.C. are also occurring in St. Charles City.
We residents of St. Charles City have recently been subjected to a rash of recall drives, two of which have been orchestrated by a group of people whose political objectives seem to be to take over City Hall and to rid themselves of people who get in their way.
One example of this is the recall petition drive leveled against Ward 7 Councilwoman Dottie Greer. You would think that in a Ward recall, the citizens of the Ward would be the ones making accusations, passing petitions, and going door to door. However, in this case only one resident of Ward 7 was involved in the recall process. From where did the other petitioners come? They came from Kirkwood, Wentzville, Florissant, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Peters, Wright City, Rolla, Ferguson, Berkeley, Belleville, Illinois, and Cahokia, Illinois.
You might wonder why these people would travel from as far as Rolla just to collect signatures for a St. Charles City Ward recall. Of course, the answer is obvious. They were being paid. The more important question is who was paying them and from where did the money come? The Citizen Empowerment Committee raised nearly $35,000 for this effort. A large sum of money was donated by Glennon Jamboretz, a public relations man who lives in St. Louis County, and a fundraising effort for this committee was sponsored by Ken Kielty, Richard Baum, builder Tom Hughes, Kevin Kast, and builder Mike Sellenschuetter, none whom live in Ward 7. However, builders Hughes and Sellenschuetter have a financial interest in keeping “friends” on the Council and Mr. Kast has been mentioned as a mayoral candidate backed by these people. The Citizens for Responsible Government, a group headed by Carl Maas and Raymond Stone, neither of whom even live in St. Charles City, loaned the group $7500. Citizens for a Responsible Government has been trying to gain a foothold in St. Charles City politics for several years now.
After several months and much badgering of the Ward residents by the petition gatherers (who were looking for their paycheck), the petitions were turned in. Residents report that these petitioners came to their homes repeatedly banging on their doors, intimidating some of the residents if they did not sign, encouraging some to sign for spouses who were not home, and asking some to sign twice. There were so many irregularities in the petitions that the police have started an investigation. So far, according to Ms. Greer who attended the deposition, one of the petitioners stated that she was instructed to sign and have her signature notarized on a petition sheet on which she had not collected all of the signatures, and one of the petitioners was instructed by her attorney, Michael Kielty (son of one of the backers of the recall), to take the Fifth Amendment so as not to incriminate herself.
Similar tactics were used in the Ward 3 recall drive which was also instigated by the same people who organized the Ward 7 drive, and none of whom live in Ward 3.
As for the Council people against whom the recall is aimed, they have been subject to different forms of intimidation. The home of Councilperson Greer, who sponsored a bill limiting fireworks in the city, was bombarded with fireworks on the 4th of July, and the neighbors (and one of the letter writers is a neighbor) were actually afraid her home would be burned down. Councilman Brown tells us that after he refused to accept favors from one of the builders (he tells us MJ Developers offered him money for any project he wanted and they also offered to put in a retainer wall around his house if he would vote their way), he and his wife were subject to a sudden rash of tax audits (which were all clear) and the state attempted to take his wife’s certification for her business.
We are writing to you today because we are concerned with the direction our city is taking. We noted in a December 31st article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that St. Louis City is taking steps to solve its’ problem of recall fraud (see “Possible Fraud Stops Recall Drive, pg. A4). If recall is to be instigated, should it not be done by the constituents of the Ward who elected the official? Shouldn’t there be set rules governing the appropriateness of recall? This is a rather complicated issue which affects the voting ability of the average citizen and it would seem there should be an overriding set of state and/or federal laws which guide individual municipalities and which would prevent special interests from taking advantage of the recall process.
Allowing people who have outside interests and the power of money behind them to promote recall effectively negates our vote and undermines our democracy. It’s time to start putting an end to the greed and the power-grabs. We are asking those of you to whom we write this letter to consider creating some laws requiring more stringent rules regarding recall and/or to start shedding some light on what’s happening in our city.Sincerely,
Jane Horning, Eleanor McCune,
cc: Rich Chrismer, Sen. Christopher Bond, Sen. Jim Talent, Rep. Todd Akin, Alice Fisher, Attn. Gen. Jay Nixon, Rep. Tom Dempsey, Gov. Matt Blunt, Sen. Chuck Gross
Subject: Mr. Reese Fist Capitol News, December 17, 2005
I was rather surprised that the editorial articles concerning Mr. Reese were printed in the First Capitol News. Though I am not a regular reader, I must say that I agree with the comments. Mr. Reese may be well educated, however he appears to lack common sense in my opinion, or at most does not seek all of the facts before acting.
Mr. Reese does not appear to be capable of administering a small Condo Association let alone the affairs of a City the size of St. Charles, MO. For example, due to minor hail damage he and the board members had beautiful wood like aluminum siding replaced with dark gray vinyl siding, (insurance$$) there was no backing put on under the vinyl siding. It was not applied properly and therefore; every time a gust of wind comes along the siding is loosened and sometimes blows off completely. The siding was applied by an out of town contractor with unskilled, non english speaking workers. Nothing against non english speaking citizens, just that they should be skilled. If anyone doubts my word just have them drive down the alley behind Forest Hills Drive and look up at the siding. You will notice loose vinyl siding ends and bulging vinyl siding, and gaps between the ends of the siding due to not overlapping enough when installed. I had vinyl siding installed on my house by a local contractor 10 years ago and have had only one minor incident.
I probably got off the subject a little here but just wanted to give an example of how little some people care about the welfare of the general public, and I could go on and on. I have informed Mr. Reese of this siding problem sending three letters and promised to bring it to the media’s attention. Therefore, could not pass on this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Citizen of Ward 5
Dear Phyllis & Tony,
On behalf of my wife, stepdaughter and me, I want to extend my Christmas greetings to both of you and also all of the best for 2006. It was a interesting year for the First Capitol News, as you have done consistently since 2001, you have provided a hometown newspaper that is very widely read by those in St. Charles.
I agree with you in the recent editorial that we have a City Council that is pretty much doing their job. There is nothing wrong with a 5-5 vote. It is what it is and it needs to be accepted. I feel that the City Council this year has done its job despite much interference it has received from interest groups and several residents and non-residents. I am very disappointed with the conduct of our Mayor, especially this year. I do believe that she has overstepped her boundaries of her job and has made some decisions that could be interpreted as going against the St. Charles City Charter and possibly the Missouri Constitution.
At my day job, I recently signed an agreement that I obey the policies and procedures of “conflicts of interest.” In my case, I am not supposed to play favorites when it comes to selecting vendors for the day-to-day operations of my department and the company where I am employed. I believe that the Mayor as well as members of the City Council must adhere to similar standards.
I originally thought that Mayor York was being picked on by certain individuals who wanted her out. But after looking at the big picture in the second half of this year, I am starting to see a graver picture of a leader and her administration abusing power and denying any kind of check and balance to anyone that is in their way or affects the agenda they have for the city.
There have been many issues that I have disagreed with Mayor York on, mainly anything concerning beautification. Sometimes beautification of a City isn’t really the responsibility of a City administration, unless there is something considered as a public nuisance. Her beautification agenda reminds me of the 1960s when President Lyndon Johnson’s wife wanted to “beautify America” by placing items along the new Interstates as eye candy to motorists. They disappeared in the 1970s due to expansion of the Interstates and improvements to the system. I’m afraid that Mayor York is in a very similar mode.
As a runner, I was offended when she and several of her friends wanted to place a veterans memorial at McNair Park, right in a place where high school cross country runners compete and where recreational runners like myself want to run. I consider McNair Park to be part of my “backyard,” since I now live across the street from the park. I can tolerate the soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and the swimming pool. But the park isn’t designed for memorials. I am pleased to see that there was an alternate site for a memorial and most residents accept it at the current location.
The company I work for in my day job sells material to T..R. Hughes. In fact, T.R. Hughes built my sister and brother-in-law’s current residence in O’Fallon. I don’t think he is a bad developer and from what I have seen of my sister’s house. It is in great shape. However, I believe that Mr. Hughes is overstepping himself as an individual in trying to be a lead person of influence in St. Charles. I don’t think that a business person, whether or not they live inside the City or not, should be able to act the way that Mr. Hughes had recently conducted himself at City Council meetings. I have watched a number of proceedings and I think Rory Riddler catches javelins and has a difficult job when it comes to who speaks before the Council. Rory has done a fine job as Council president. I know he wants to be Mayor, but he does have a role as presiding officer of the legislative branch to check on the executive branch. It’s part of our system of government here and in this country.
I have always held a rule even when I was a senior manager of a mom-and-pop operation in St. Charles during the 1990s that not only are you a business person, you also have to play by the rules and the laws established by the community or municipality where the business is based. As President Nixon said, “no one is above the law.” Mr. Hughes might pay more taxes compared to someone like me. But he still has the same rights and the same obligations as me when it comes to our votes and citizenship.
I do not want to see a City Council act as a rubber stamp for anyone, whether it is the Mayor or an influential businessman. I saw it too many times when I was a young child and my grandfather was the street commissioner for this City. Looking at historical documents when my grandfather worked for the City, I noticed that there were many “influential” people who tried to get their way and did all kinds of things just to get their way. Unfortunately what I see today, compared to the 1950s and 1960s, is more childish and more degrading. Who do those influential people think they are? Have they learned anything from their parents and grandparents who lived here before?
As far as Allan Williams, I might have met him before during the 1990s, but he has got to go. Since the St. Charles City Charter was enacted in 1982, we have had more trouble with anyone who has become a City administrator. I was never for the provision in the Charter that called for a City administrator or “City manager” as it was once known. Being a lifelong resident, I know that the charter was formed in 1981 as a way to curb the powers of the then-Mayor Douglas Boschert, who at that time took advantage of loopholes in state law concerning municipalities. I know that most of those loopholes have been cleared up by members of the Missouri General assembly in the last 25 years. But I believe that Mayor York has been just as abusive as a Mayor compared to Douglas Boschert. The only difference was that Boschert was a Mayor who presided over the Council meetings. Mayor York has done many things unilaterally without the consent of the City Council. There is a time and a place for executive decisions and Mayor York’s timing and tactics is unacceptable. I have seen better Mayors such as Frank Brockgreitens (Mayor during the 1970s) and Melvin Wetter act as true leaders of this City and showed some respect and dignity for the office they held. They were true representatives of St. Charles.
I am not thrilled with the recent stories in other media, whether it is Elliot Davis, John Sonderegger or Ed Watkins (who lost all of my credibility this when when he literally libeled a long-time friend of mine in his publication), Davis and Sonderegger have been way too soft when it comes to news in St. Charles. But you have done quite a good job. I admit that there have seen moments where I thought a story or two published in the First Capitol News was going to get you into trouble. But in the long run, it looks more like Watkins went off the deep end. Lately his publication doesn’t tell me anything. It’s all political rhetoric and nothing really news worthy. Watkins can’t even write a good column in good taste. He doesn’t know anything about writing for the media and I knew that going back to when I was a journalism student at Lindenwood College during the 1980s when he was a vice president under Jim Spainhower.
Being interested in newspaper style and design, I have seen nothing significant in Watkin’s publication. It tries to mock or imitate the First Capitol News and I think that he doesn’t really know how to practice good journalism or even good taste.
I didn’t send too many Christmas cards this year due to my wife being ill. She’s doing better and is recovering from surgery. But this year, I did cross Ken Kielty's name off of My Christmas list. I had a lot of respect for the gentleman back when he had the license office. He got things done and he and his sons were great customers during the 1990s when I worked at a local video store. But I have grown very disappointed with the Kielty family. I would have thought that a veteran politician would have more decorum and taste than to resort to threatening a letter writer on the telephone. When I read that, I thought it was quite sophomoric. I still don’t understand why he needed to do that. I don’t know Bob Bredensteiner. But Bob makes his points quite clear in his letter writing and I hope he continues to write letters to the editor. I wish he would get his own column. He would make quite a columnist.
When I was in high school 25 years ago (I attended and graduated from St. Charles West), I wrote numerous letters to the editor in the school newspaper. I made a difference and people enjoyed reading my letters. It was one of the things that convinced me to change my ambitions from engineering to journalism. The other factor that convinced me was my work during high school with a lifelong friend of mine named Richard Vinson, who was establishing his collection while I was in high school. I now see that Frenchtown Museum (especially in my Saturday morning runs) and I am proud that there are people in this community who have great intentions to preserve a collection that he built. The collection celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary in 2006. I hope those who are operating the museum realize that.
Overall, you have a great group of contributors to the First Capitol News. It has grown to become quite a newspaper and I am proud to be a part of it. I enjoy covering the Missouri River Otters during the winter and I’m looking forward to a full season of River City Rascals baseball during the summer.
I am looking forward to quite a productive 2006 and I do hope that our City improves as the residents take charge away from these different groups and influential people who try to make the place a personal playground. Keep up the good work. I also hope that the River Otters will win some hockey games this winter.
Louis J. Launer
Dear Mr. Brockmeyer,
January 3, 2006 is a day that will go down in infamy. It wasn’t as drastic as Pearl Harbor, but we saw some Council members and Patti fly bombs over the rest of the Council. I looked for the red circles on the planes but there was too much smoke in the air to see them.
There is an interesting book out by Tracy Campbell from the University of Kentucky, “Deliver the Vote”. Mr. Campbell is a historian. He suggests there is a deeply embedded culture within American politics that considers cheating fully justifiable...part of a game.
We certainly had this with the petition drives. We had spouses signing for their away from home spouse, we had a government teacher willfully sign the petition two times, a deceased man signed the petition. The list goes on and on..
I heard our Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas said when the police investigation is finished he will not do anything with the illegalities. I hope to God this is a rumor but I do believe I heard it last night.
Mr. Chrismer (Director of elections) is a dead end. He refuses to talk to anyone. I should know as I called him for some information. The poor ladies in his office put me through to his office and he did not pick up the phone. The ladies said he was in his office. When is he due for reelection if we so choose?
The only course left for a person wanting justice is to call the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. Maybe they can get Mr. Banas to do his job.
JH, A Ward Seven Voter
An open letter to the community,
There are no words that can express the gratitude and thankfulness our family is feeling for your incredible outpouring of love, concern and generosity. On December 19, 2005, our brother, Brian, his wife, Julie, their daughters, Alex and Jordan, and our mother, Joyce, lost their home, all they owned and their two dogs in a house fire. While this was a horrible tragedy, you, our community and friends, turned it into the most wonderful holiday season this family has ever experienced.
From the first moments of the fire when Brian needed a pair of socks and 15 pairs appeared for his sock-less feet, to all those who showed up, called, e-mailed, sent letters, and gave and gave and gave, the words “thank you” are never going to be enough. Your generosity, especially just days before Christmas, has reinforced in our hearts the goodness and kindness of mankind. The extent that so many cared and how much or community stands beside it’s own can never be measured and is so very much appreciated.
Our sincerest and heartfelt thanks, prayers and best wishes for a glorious New Year, go out to each and every one of you.
With eternal gratitude,
Tammy (Vipond) Lawing
Dear Editor,
Kevin Kast and TR Hughes need to get off their high horses and get down here on a shetland pony like the rest of us. “It’s We the people, Kevin. It’s not we the movers and shakers, who should be trying to control our City Council.
If you and TR can’t make things happen fast enough, you TR the stand up guy that you are, or you think you are, go ahead and do the right thing and get State Rep. Tom Dempsey to get legislation passed to benefit you and your company. You might talk to Dempsey and the Governor and see maybe if they would be interested in do the right thing in Jeff City.
Kevin and TR decide to do the right thing as they and Sonderagger backstab Riddler in the very article they are tying to convince everybody else they should do the right thing.
Lets bet Kevin & TR and Cleaver dictate how our Council should be. They probably would have Kneemiller president of the Council and Weller vice president. Kneemiller was president when he and Patti and the lockstep six were in power. They along with O’Connor, the administrator, gave away our old police station for about $3250,000 shy of what it should have been. Remember Corporate Group and how Jerry Scheidegger got the old County building on 2nd street from the City for $100,000 and now its worth about $1 million and the City is now paying rent to them for offices for the Fire Department.. Remember the Waterworks property. Remember Ernie and some of his real estate deals with the City. Think about this folks and ask Kevin and TR if the lockstep six and Patti and O’Connor would fit again for a do the right thing Council so TR and the rest of the movers and shakers could move forward and spend more of our taxpayers money. (TR to Kevin) “Hey Kevin lets do the right thing and go to the Council meeting with a group. I’ll holler Kangaroo Court real loud and we can squash their Express Script deal and the subpoenas for the people that just might tell the truth and get the Mayor booted out of office. We can’t have that. We may need her before 2007 when you take office Kevin and then we can really do the right thing if you know what I mean.”
According to TR, a 21 year veteran police officer of our City, he is very upset with Rory Riddler for using our police department for political purposes. Can you imagine that folks! I wonder what he thinks got a lot of these problems we have in our city started. Open your eyes TR you are living in the fantasy world that Patti is in.
Remember the opening of the police contract? Remember the 200 hours comp pay for friend and ex-officer Tommy Maye?. Remember the take home cars that left our City every day? Remember the photograph of Patti addressing the Fraternal Order of Police? About 75 of our officers do not live in our town. Remember the 73 who said they were stressed out and filed to get an injunction against our council for apparently stressing them out? I’ve got to check with Chief Swope and see how he handled all that and what disciplinary action was taken if any.
Remember the full page ads that ran in the newspapers with the FOP and SCOPA footing the bill with Dean Meyer’s signature? About 75 officers don’t live in St. Charles yet they are allowed to take part in our choosing the way our charter should apply. (Charter Amendment #1) they don’t vote here. They don’t pay taxes here and all the rest anyone does in the town they live in. (Political I guess!)
TR & Kevin are trying to pull a CON over the citizens of St. Charles. About 95 percent of the problems we have in our City government started at 200 North Second Street Suite #400 (Mayor’s office). If you and your cohorts and her cronies don’t quit covering for her and she gets control of our City Council, she may just pull off one of the biggest CON’s by any Mayor in the State of Missouri past or future. You give her enough cover and she’ll show you, TR & Kervin the exact way to do the right thing - Patti’s style.
Bob Bredensteiner
An Open Letter to Senator Chuck Gross & Others
The front page of the January 4th Post Dispatch read “Shock Waves Sent Through Congress”, and it seems to us that some of the same kind of power grabs that are coming to light in Washington D.C. are also occurring in St. Charles City.
We residents of St. Charles City have recently been subjected to a rash of recall drives, two of which have been orchestrated by a group of people whose political objectives seem to be to take over City Hall and to rid themselves of people who get in their way.
One example of this is the recall petition drive leveled against Ward 7 Councilwoman Dottie Greer. You would think that in a Ward recall, the citizens of the Ward would be the ones making accusations, passing petitions, and going door to door. However, in this case only one resident of Ward 7 was involved in the recall process. From where did the other petitioners come? They came from Kirkwood, Wentzville, Florissant, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Peters, Wright City, Rolla, Ferguson, Berkeley, Belleville, Illinois, and Cahokia, Illinois.
You might wonder why these people would travel from as far as Rolla just to collect signatures for a St. Charles City Ward recall. Of course, the answer is obvious. They were being paid. The more important question is who was paying them and from where did the money come? The Citizen Empowerment Committee raised nearly $35,000 for this effort. A large sum of money was donated by Glennon Jamboretz, a public relations man who lives in St. Louis County, and a fundraising effort for this committee was sponsored by Ken Kielty, Richard Baum, builder Tom Hughes, Kevin Kast, and builder Mike Sellenschuetter, none whom live in Ward 7. However, builders Hughes and Sellenschuetter have a financial interest in keeping “friends” on the Council and Mr. Kast has been mentioned as a mayoral candidate backed by these people. The Citizens for Responsible Government, a group headed by Carl Maas and Raymond Stone, neither of whom even live in St. Charles City, loaned the group $7500. Citizens for a Responsible Government has been trying to gain a foothold in St. Charles City politics for several years now.
After several months and much badgering of the Ward residents by the petition gatherers (who were looking for their paycheck), the petitions were turned in. Residents report that these petitioners came to their homes repeatedly banging on their doors, intimidating some of the residents if they did not sign, encouraging some to sign for spouses who were not home, and asking some to sign twice. There were so many irregularities in the petitions that the police have started an investigation. So far, according to Ms. Greer who attended the deposition, one of the petitioners stated that she was instructed to sign and have her signature notarized on a petition sheet on which she had not collected all of the signatures, and one of the petitioners was instructed by her attorney, Michael Kielty (son of one of the backers of the recall), to take the Fifth Amendment so as not to incriminate herself.
Similar tactics were used in the Ward 3 recall drive which was also instigated by the same people who organized the Ward 7 drive, and none of whom live in Ward 3.
As for the Council people against whom the recall is aimed, they have been subject to different forms of intimidation. The home of Councilperson Greer, who sponsored a bill limiting fireworks in the city, was bombarded with fireworks on the 4th of July, and the neighbors (and one of the letter writers is a neighbor) were actually afraid her home would be burned down. Councilman Brown tells us that after he refused to accept favors from one of the builders (he tells us MJ Developers offered him money for any project he wanted and they also offered to put in a retainer wall around his house if he would vote their way), he and his wife were subject to a sudden rash of tax audits (which were all clear) and the state attempted to take his wife’s certification for her business.
We are writing to you today because we are concerned with the direction our city is taking. We noted in a December 31st article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that St. Louis City is taking steps to solve its’ problem of recall fraud (see “Possible Fraud Stops Recall Drive, pg. A4). If recall is to be instigated, should it not be done by the constituents of the Ward who elected the official? Shouldn’t there be set rules governing the appropriateness of recall? This is a rather complicated issue which affects the voting ability of the average citizen and it would seem there should be an overriding set of state and/or federal laws which guide individual municipalities and which would prevent special interests from taking advantage of the recall process.
Allowing people who have outside interests and the power of money behind them to promote recall effectively negates our vote and undermines our democracy. It’s time to start putting an end to the greed and the power-grabs. We are asking those of you to whom we write this letter to consider creating some laws requiring more stringent rules regarding recall and/or to start shedding some light on what’s happening in our city.Sincerely,
Jane Horning, Eleanor McCune,
cc: Rich Chrismer, Sen. Christopher Bond, Sen. Jim Talent, Rep. Todd Akin, Alice Fisher, Attn. Gen. Jay Nixon, Rep. Tom Dempsey, Gov. Matt Blunt, Sen. Chuck Gross
THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler
Remodeling Project Turns Into
One Of Life’s Defining Moments
If it had been left up to cave men, there would be no home remodeling shows on television. Hardware stores would still be called, well Hardware stores, and not “Home Decorating” or “Home Remodeling Centers”.
No self-respecting Neolithic male, dragging the hindquarters of a mastodon back to his rock shelter for dinner, ever uttered the words, “Honey, don’t you think it’s time we remodeled the inside of our cave?” No, those words surely sprang from a member of the fairer sex.
And from that point onward, civilization blossomed and male dominance of our planet began its steady, but inevitable decline.
Where once Bass fishing and golf shows dominated the weekend airways, now people are tuned in to Trading Spaces, This Old House, Design On A Dime, While You Were Out, Small Spaces – Big Design, Designers Challenge, Clean Sweep, Weekend Warriors, Room By Room...the mind boggles.
At first it was all good fun. Like most men, I could sit and watch other people work for hours. Better “he” than me.
Living in a house built around the time of the Civil War, it wasn’t like we hadn’t done our share of home repair, remodeling projects and even a major addition. But those experiences pale beside the life-altering experience of remodeling a kitchen.
It began innocently enough. My wife Sue suggested a small do-it-yourself extension of a counter top would give us all a lot more workspace in the kitchen. What I have since learned is that no new cabinetry can exist in the same room as old cabinetry. It is an unwritten law of physics. This, in turn, leads to a never-ending cascade of consequences somewhat akin to knocking over the first domino.
Ordering new cabinets for the entire kitchen necessitates a plan. Plans allow people to move objects through space and time while ignoring the physical constraints of the actual labor involved. Of course, what better time to replace an old floor than when you are going to have the kitchen torn up anyway?
I had to admit the floor could use some attention. Fortunately they still make tongue and groove solid wood flooring. They consider it a product for commercial construction, but at least they still make it.
The old portion of the stone basement didn’t go under the kitchen. Did I mention the house is 150 years old? So the tongue and groove flooring sat right on the floor joists. The joists were hung in the thick stone walls of the foundation, but to shore them up laterally, two additional beams sat on piles of brick and stone.
These two beams were oddly shaped, notched and had holes drilled through them. They obviously had been reused from something else. One of the workmen had the best guess among us. He thought they were part of the suspension system of an old wagon. After all, recycling is not a new invention. We replaced this 19th Century innovation with three steel beams. People heavier than I can now jump to their hearts content in our kitchen.
Of course, new floors have a way of making old walls look shabby. It all becomes a matter of perfect logic. There is no since in painting a ceiling and walls after a new floor and new cabinets are in.
As anyone who has done any remodeling in the last ten years call tell you, painting isn’t just painting any more. Everything has to have a “faux” finish. We (and I use that term loosely) chose a tissue paper affect. It’s not much work if you want to cover say a small decorative box. Three hundred square feet of wall is a different story.
As long as walls are being finished, the original iron sink in the kitchen had to be reglazed. I was surprised to discover cast iron sinks are the heaviest man made objects. I also discovered that faucets are literally worth their weight in gold. Forget about oil producing countries, we need to get out of Iraq and invade a country that makes kitchen faucets.
When it is done, and I still have hope that day will come, it will be a wonderful kitchen. I will have to admit that all the inconvenience was worth it and thank Sue for serving as a General Contractor and working so hard to make our house a wonderful inviting home.
But for now, staring at the bare walls, exposed pipes, wires going everywhere, layers of dust, exposed floor joists and the sound of power tools drowning out all speech, I notice our dog Sophie just staring at the open hole. She looks at me and shakes her head. I know she’s thinking, “You guys do this and I get in trouble just for digging in the yard.”
The Prancing Pony at New Town offers residents relaxation, food and books
By Lynndi Lockenour
In the midst of the chaos that is New Town, with hammers constantly banging and backhoes whizzing by, there is a new place to relax. From the heated porch to the barstools next to the oven, The Prancing Pony is a warm and comfortable place to get a cup of joe.
Not just a coffee shop and book store, The Prancing Pony also offers customers a light menu of brunch and lunch items as well as a bookstore. For those who aren’t into reading as much, wireless Internet is also accessible from the café. Manager Cody Long said the first three weeks of business have been great. “I never expected this many people to be in here,” she said.
Lisa Maull, marketing director for Whittaker Homes, the company responsible for New Town’s creation, said they originally planned on much slower opening for The Prancing Pony. “It’s a slow time of year,” she said. “But from the first day we were open, this place was packed.”
The café doesn’t officially open until January 21 when a grand opening ceremony will be held, but already five more people have been hired due to the increased number of patrons.
Hours for the café are currently from seven a.m. until seven p.m. but already there is talk of extending them. Maull said more hours are needed to accommodate many of the people already living in the new houses. “Seven p.m. just isn’t late enough for people who don’t get home until five,” she said. “By the time they pick up their kids and finish dinner, we are closing.”
Long and Maull both mentioned the café isn’t just for residents of New Town, but rather for anyone who wishes to come by, especially visitors and those thinking about buying a home in the community. So far, Long said, Sunday is the most popular day for out-of-town residents. “People come in for lunch and coffee after church,” she said.
The menu includes: soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, pizza, pastries, desserts, and more. Already, Long said their “Phabulous Philly” is a hit among customers. The sandwich consists of roast beef, sauteed mushrooms, onions, peppers, and dijon mustard. The pizza is also a popular item, especially among the construction workers. “We have a stone hearth to cook our pizza,” Long said. “I think it makes a big difference in the taste.”
The café coincides with the new urbanism theme after which New Town is modeled. New urbanism argues that homebuyers are interested in purchasing houses within walking distance to most businesses. “When this is complete, New Town will have next to everything residents need,” Maull said. “The neatest part is that it’s all within walking distance.”
According to Maull, the café is just one of many things homebuyers who purchase in Newtown are looking for. “Buyers move here for a very specific reason,” she said. “They are looking for a special place to spend their time.” The café is just one of many places in the works which will allow them to do so.
In addition to providing a place to relax and enjoy a book, the café also offers live music once a week. On Thursday nights, between the hours of 6:30 and 8 p.m., musicians perform acoustic compositions for customers.
On January 12 The Prancing Pony will host a Curious George night for children. The Curious George movie opens in early February and Long said the event is designed to bring children and books together. “We are going to have someone dress up as a character from the book and read to the children,” she said. “We want the kids to read more and be excited about it.”
More than anything, Long said patrons say the café feels like “their place.” “It’s just a really neat place,” she said. “It’s kind of reminds me of Main Street and the feeling you get when visiting.”
The rapid growth of the café gives future businesses in New Town hope. Though most of them aren’t set to open until the autumn of 2006, the opening of The Prancing Pony foreshadows success. “Not only is the café good for residents,” Maull said, “It says to visitors and homebuyers that New Town is going to be a hit and businesses will succeed here.”
Grand Opening Saturday Jan. 21st at the Prancing Pony Books and Cafe
The Prancing Pony Books & Café, the first restaurant/bookstore in The New Town at St. Charles, is officially open for business! The general public is invited to attend a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The festivities include live music and a special acoustic performance from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Local authors will be on hand to sign books, including Valerie VanBooven, who wrote Aging Answers, from 9 – 11 a.m.; Laura Bradford, who wrote the popular novel, Jury of One, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Barbara Youree, who wrote Duel Love, from 1 – 3 p.m., and Ann Hazelwood, who wrote 100 Things To Do In and Around Historic St. Charles, from 3 – 5 p.m. There also will be free pizza samples and complimentary desserts from some of the café’s suppliers, including J. Noto in Historic St. Charles and Companion Baking in St. Louis.
“We’ve seen New Town residents, future homeowners and visitors alike frequenting the Prancing Pony,” says Greg Whittaker, developer of New Town. “I’ve traveled new urbanism developments, such as New Town, across the country and what make these places special are the unique businesses and the people who visit them. The people who live in or visit New Town want great, local places to hangout where the owner knows their name.”
The Prancing Pony also has live music every Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. There will be children’s book readings, book clubs and discussion groups in the near future.
The Prancing Pony is located in The New Town at St. Charles. Take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town Drive on the right. Go around the round-about to South New Town Ave. to left on Domain Street to an immediate right into the amphitheater area; the Prancing Pony Books and Café is in an old-fashioned train station building off to the left.
The Prancing Pony Books and Café is open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The café is closed on Monday and open late for special events. For information, call 636-946-1812.
PUT ST. CHARLES FIRST
By Jerry Haferkamp
An actual St. Charles “Citizen”
I will again be writing an occasional column for the FCN, although I am changing the name of the column to “ The View from The Cheap Seats”. As with the previous column, it will be a voice for the citizens from a citizen. It will not be written to better wealthy people trying to buy influence. I am not “for sale” like writers in other periodicals seem to be. I don’t care if I am never invited to the Mayor’s soirées. I want nothing but a city government that represents all of its citizens, not just the well heeled.
As you know, I stopped writing because of a difference of opinion within our ranks over the mayoral recall. I only condone recall if the person committed some breach of the oath of office or was found to have committed abuses while in office. While our current mayor seems to qualify, I feared the result of a recall would be that her allies would do exactly what they have done…start recalls of anyone who didn’t march in lockstep with the “money” as Petty Patty does. She knows who butters her bread and it’s not the average citizen.
This effort to recall is pushed by a man who claimed in a dropped lawsuit that he was compared to a picture of the devil. The jury in this ridiculous lawsuit would have had to “wing it” since none of us has actually seen the devil and have no point of reference. The devil can only be known by his acts, not his facial features. In that case, the plaintiff would surely not have wanted anyone on the jury who reads the paid political advertisement that he tries to palm off as news. I can’t express my personal view of his actions because he can afford better lawyers than I, but the phrase “Satan incarnate” keeps resonating in my head. His paid political ad insert is what brings my column out of “retirement”. I can’t sit still and watch our citizens become so misled.
Please read today’s column; “ The View From The Cheap Seats”. That’s where most of us have to sit.
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
It’s a thrill only a few of us were able to experience. I’m speaking of the thrill I witnessed and experienced at a banquet table the night before the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.
After the St. Charles West Marching Warrior Band was awarded four of the possible six trophies for “best” in separate field performance areas, five of the possible six in the Gator Bowl Parade, first place in their division in field competition, and first place in their division in the parade, we all awaited the announcement of who won the Grand Champion Award. Of high school bands from all over the U.S., only one would get to perform in the Gator Bowl pre-game show.
When the announcer read the name, “St. Charles West”, the assembled crowd erupted in applause. Some West Band parents in attendance teared up. Others “high fived”. We all applauded the band members who were cheering and hugging each other.
I have had the great pleasure of being allowed to haul the instruments, uniforms and props for these great kids for the past few years and have witnessed the hard work and long hours they have put in to attain the level of excellence that was evident at the Gator Bowl.
There are many parents who need to be thanked. They work year ‘round to provide the financial support and hard work necessary to keep the band program alive. Doctor Tom Siler accompanied the band and attended to the several illnesses that popped up during the trip. Thank you, Doc. A Schnucks mechanic, John LePique, donates many hours of hard work maintaining the tractor/trailer. There are also generous sponsors who helped make this possible. The outstanding staff works tirelessly.
But that Florida day belonged to the members of the St. Charles West Marching Warrior Band, the Color Guard and the Dance and Drill Team. With little sleep in the week, they drew on their inner strengths and gave performances that wowed the spectators and impressed the judges. On the following day, they assembled on the field and performed in the pre-game show for over 50,000 Virginia Tech and Louisville fans and members of bands from all over the U.S.
Be proud, St. Charles.
On that day they were not just a band; they were the band.
An actual St. Charles “Citizen”
I will again be writing an occasional column for the FCN, although I am changing the name of the column to “ The View from The Cheap Seats”. As with the previous column, it will be a voice for the citizens from a citizen. It will not be written to better wealthy people trying to buy influence. I am not “for sale” like writers in other periodicals seem to be. I don’t care if I am never invited to the Mayor’s soirées. I want nothing but a city government that represents all of its citizens, not just the well heeled.
As you know, I stopped writing because of a difference of opinion within our ranks over the mayoral recall. I only condone recall if the person committed some breach of the oath of office or was found to have committed abuses while in office. While our current mayor seems to qualify, I feared the result of a recall would be that her allies would do exactly what they have done…start recalls of anyone who didn’t march in lockstep with the “money” as Petty Patty does. She knows who butters her bread and it’s not the average citizen.
This effort to recall is pushed by a man who claimed in a dropped lawsuit that he was compared to a picture of the devil. The jury in this ridiculous lawsuit would have had to “wing it” since none of us has actually seen the devil and have no point of reference. The devil can only be known by his acts, not his facial features. In that case, the plaintiff would surely not have wanted anyone on the jury who reads the paid political advertisement that he tries to palm off as news. I can’t express my personal view of his actions because he can afford better lawyers than I, but the phrase “Satan incarnate” keeps resonating in my head. His paid political ad insert is what brings my column out of “retirement”. I can’t sit still and watch our citizens become so misled.
Please read today’s column; “ The View From The Cheap Seats”. That’s where most of us have to sit.
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
It’s a thrill only a few of us were able to experience. I’m speaking of the thrill I witnessed and experienced at a banquet table the night before the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.
After the St. Charles West Marching Warrior Band was awarded four of the possible six trophies for “best” in separate field performance areas, five of the possible six in the Gator Bowl Parade, first place in their division in field competition, and first place in their division in the parade, we all awaited the announcement of who won the Grand Champion Award. Of high school bands from all over the U.S., only one would get to perform in the Gator Bowl pre-game show.
When the announcer read the name, “St. Charles West”, the assembled crowd erupted in applause. Some West Band parents in attendance teared up. Others “high fived”. We all applauded the band members who were cheering and hugging each other.
I have had the great pleasure of being allowed to haul the instruments, uniforms and props for these great kids for the past few years and have witnessed the hard work and long hours they have put in to attain the level of excellence that was evident at the Gator Bowl.
There are many parents who need to be thanked. They work year ‘round to provide the financial support and hard work necessary to keep the band program alive. Doctor Tom Siler accompanied the band and attended to the several illnesses that popped up during the trip. Thank you, Doc. A Schnucks mechanic, John LePique, donates many hours of hard work maintaining the tractor/trailer. There are also generous sponsors who helped make this possible. The outstanding staff works tirelessly.
But that Florida day belonged to the members of the St. Charles West Marching Warrior Band, the Color Guard and the Dance and Drill Team. With little sleep in the week, they drew on their inner strengths and gave performances that wowed the spectators and impressed the judges. On the following day, they assembled on the field and performed in the pre-game show for over 50,000 Virginia Tech and Louisville fans and members of bands from all over the U.S.
Be proud, St. Charles.
On that day they were not just a band; they were the band.
MONEY TALKS Kevin Daniels, Vice President, Main Street Financial
Sell Your Trash
If you and I were neighbors and we were both walking down our driveways to take out the trash at the same time, we would likely strike-up conversation. What would you say if I asked you to sell me some of what you are throwing away? Would you? Furthermore, what if I said you could select what you put in the bag that you sell? That’s almost exactly what Uncle Sam says you can do.
It sure is easier to carry these items to the curb, but it certainly is less profitable.
Every year at tax time I ask, “Did you donate any clothing/furniture/household items to The Salvation Army, Goodwill or the American Veterans, a homeless shelter or a church benevolence program? Often the answer comes back “No”. “Nothing?” I ask.
They usually reply, “I really need to start doing that”. You see, (if you itemize) schedule A of your Federal return you are allowed to deduct fair market value for clothing, furniture, toys, tools, stocks, bonds, jewelry, art or a multitude of items donated to charity.
Prosperity often produces waste and if we are not careful, we could be throwing away money. When the garage sale is over and there are two tables worth of treasures left over, box them and donate them. You will get a percentage of your donation back as raw cash from your tax return. As a rule of thumb you will get about a third of the value of the item back on your tax refund. Uncle Sam actually encourages you to donate to charities. For many people this can be hundreds or thousands of dollars. Be sure and document the value of your donated items with blue book pricing, E-Bay comparables or some type of substantiation and keep that with your tax return detail. You will have to fill out one extra form if you exceed a $500 donation, so be sure and document when you purchased the item, what it cost, when you donated it and so on.
Our tax code really allows for some flexibility when it comes to donations. For example, did you know that you can generally donate an item and deduct the fair market value of the item, regardless of what it cost you? Imagine if you donate an item that was worth $2,000 yet only cost you $100. Many non-profit organizations will accept your old car, tools, appliances, furniture, even old cell phones. So stop carrying everything to the street and start selling it back to the government. You won’t even have to trouble yourself with the garage sale!
Keeping good records for tax time can really add up. Of course if you want to pay more taxes, the rest of us would like to thank you for your tax donation!
COMMENTS & COMMENTARY by CHARLES HILL
Charles Hill was unable to write his column this week because he is sunning in far off places. He asked another to craft an article that is appropriate.
Good day to all in St. Charles. I know that some of you don’t really care to read about the goings on along Main Street so I will leave that subject to Charles.
I think we all need to realize that we are a somewhat exclusive group when it comes to problems on Main Street. The fact that all in St. Charles pay the tourism tax creates a Global Convention and Visitors Bureau. The tourism tax has grown to be a great deal of money that was once controlled by a less than qualified person. That person has since left and a search was conducted for a replacement. I think it is important to understand some history in regard to the previous person and ties to one of our longer tenured councilpersons. Councilman Rory Riddler and Steve Powell had been very close at one time. Riddler sat on the Convention and Visitors Bureau board for many years and with the help of Powell created the CVB that needed to be fixed. Riddler used Powell and Powell used Riddler to help move money from one place to another often times spending it with friends of both. Look at the amount spent with a company called JEM.
This history lesson serves a purpose. Riddler and the Mayor are part of those people interviewing the current replacement. I wonder if the next CVB Director will have to find ways to do business through a person to help funnel money back to another certain person. This is the politics of St. Charles I guess but it isn’t right. Rumor has it that Riddler has been pushing a candidate that has no background in tourism to be the next head of the CVB. If successful there would be a void of knowledge I bet Riddler would be more than happy to fill.
This position needs a person that is second to none. The people who pay the tax deserve the best not inexperience. There were over 100 applicants; you can’t tell me that out of 100 applicants we can’t find the experience that fits the entire City’s needs. After all tourism isn’t just about us, there are so many places that attract tourist in our general area. We all need to pay close attention to the person that is brought forward and demand the best.
Good day to all in St. Charles. I know that some of you don’t really care to read about the goings on along Main Street so I will leave that subject to Charles.
I think we all need to realize that we are a somewhat exclusive group when it comes to problems on Main Street. The fact that all in St. Charles pay the tourism tax creates a Global Convention and Visitors Bureau. The tourism tax has grown to be a great deal of money that was once controlled by a less than qualified person. That person has since left and a search was conducted for a replacement. I think it is important to understand some history in regard to the previous person and ties to one of our longer tenured councilpersons. Councilman Rory Riddler and Steve Powell had been very close at one time. Riddler sat on the Convention and Visitors Bureau board for many years and with the help of Powell created the CVB that needed to be fixed. Riddler used Powell and Powell used Riddler to help move money from one place to another often times spending it with friends of both. Look at the amount spent with a company called JEM.
This history lesson serves a purpose. Riddler and the Mayor are part of those people interviewing the current replacement. I wonder if the next CVB Director will have to find ways to do business through a person to help funnel money back to another certain person. This is the politics of St. Charles I guess but it isn’t right. Rumor has it that Riddler has been pushing a candidate that has no background in tourism to be the next head of the CVB. If successful there would be a void of knowledge I bet Riddler would be more than happy to fill.
This position needs a person that is second to none. The people who pay the tax deserve the best not inexperience. There were over 100 applicants; you can’t tell me that out of 100 applicants we can’t find the experience that fits the entire City’s needs. After all tourism isn’t just about us, there are so many places that attract tourist in our general area. We all need to pay close attention to the person that is brought forward and demand the best.
CITY ISSUES by R.L. Greer
CITY ISSUES
by R. L. Greer
In my last article I stated the TAXPAYERS GET SNUBBED BY ST CHARLES SCHOOL DISTRICT. They were to meet with the Mayor but not the Council. After that I read an article stating the President of the School Board was in attendance at a room in the St Charles Convention Center with the special interest group who are attempting to recall two city council persons. Do you wonder how much they paid for the use of the room. The same group that lost their court case attempting to force a February election. Also at the last Council meeting on December 20th a motion was presented by the Finance and Audit Committee to require vouchers be serial numbered. The purpose of the voucher is substantiation for disbursement of City funds for the payment of bills/invoices by check or cash. The voucher should bear the signatures of the person requesting and signed off by the Department Head, City Administrator and Finance Director. The number of the voucher requesting / authorizing disbursement of funds would be placed on the check when issued. In all my years work experience in the financial field this was simply an audit procedure that any experienced accountant/auditor would require. However, Muench, Kneemiller, Weller, Reese, Hoepfner expressed opposition against this procedure with Koester, Greer, Gieseke, Riddler, Brown in favor. A decision was made to send it to a work session where more than likely it will receive a slow death. The reason given by the opposition was that the Finance Director did not want serial numbers required on vouchers. Hmmm! When the City Attorney was asked what would he do with the voucher if the information were incorrect, he said he would simply tear it up and throw it away. Precisely the reason why they should be serial numbered. Remember, earlier this year there was some question regarding expense checks issued on behalf of the Mayor and the work was not received or completed and she placed the blame on her secretary, some executive, huh! Once again the taxpayers are being shortchanged.
I write all the above to remind you that one of the councilmen in opposition was on the School Board for eleven years, he also was in attendance in the court room, sitting with the money group who are attempting to recall two council persons. Now we are told the school district is having financial problems. This same individual stated in his campaign ads in the FCN on March 27 2004 and April 6, 2004 - “I will not just represent special interest groups”. Should have been a clue for things to come. Perhaps the money group will solve their problems the same way they are attempting to snow ball the residents with their untruthful remarks against certain members of the Council. What untruth you say? How about the remark by the leader of the recall pack stating the Council forced them to take legal action. If I remember correctly after a distasteful display by their attorney they threatened the Council with going to court if the ordinance to place the election in February failed that night. Then they say they are citizens for responsible government or citizens empowerment.
Considering the political scene today is an excellent time to quote the Truman Doctrine that stated, “Communism is based upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections; and the suppression of personal freedoms. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressure.” (Freedom A History of US; Joy Haskim; Oxford University Press) Even though we are not currently facing a threat of Communism doesn’t your mind tend to relate the theme to episodes occurring today?
Referring to the council meeting of December 20th the budget for 2006 was also passed by a 6 to 4 vote. Two of those voting against are the same people facing a recall election. For 2006 you the residents will receive three new employee positions which is estimated to cost well over $250,000 in salary and benefits plus remodeling costs to establish a new department in the City. This equipment will be expensive technology at an unknown cast. The mayor wants the fire department moved out of city hall so this is estimated at $25,000.00 for moving expenses plus unknown equipment cost and annual lease of approximately $25,000.00, which will last beyond 2008 when a new fire station is planned in the Capital Improvements Plan. Where are they proposing to move, where else but in the old County Administration building that the City sold saying it would cost too much to remove the asbestos and remodel the building. Sounds like another police station deal. There is an old fire station located on Booneslick at Fairgrounds Lane that administration is saying would cost too much to rehab. With the estimated $100,000.00 cost to move the fire department, why not seek bids for an estimate on cost to restore that building. It was also mentioned they should look into utilizing one of the vacant commercial buildings around town. Its been stated that Jim O’Connor was one of the best city administrators the city has had, but there was never any mention of moving the building/planning/code enforcement departments into the old police department building thus freeing up additional parking space in the city garage for the public. Then shortly after he left the City talk was circulating around that the city was running out of space.
Here are a few additional points of interest regarding the budget for 2006. (1) The Mayor replacing a position that the Council removed in 2005 at an estimated cost of $100,000.00+ including benefits; (2) the 30% reduction in utility tax was pulled by Hoepfner being the sole sponsor even though he knew he had the necessary votes to pass it. The administration and Mayor ignored once again the Council directive to suggest areas in the budget that could be altered. Then you hear that the Council is not co-operating with the Mayor. Recently a citizen stated their gas bill has increased 43% for Nov/Dec ‘05 and anticipate another increase in 2006 of 35 to 50%. Her opinion is that the amount of increase will more than cover the 30% reduction in utility taxes. Sounds reasonable. But now that the budget has been approved any adjustment will have to come from the Mayor. Good luck with that one folks. Next week we’ll explore some points of interest from McClure’s Magazine from 1903 that seem parallel to today.
“Always do right, this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
Mark Twain
“‘I’m hoping to make a reputation, but you’ll have to put up with a lot if I do because I won’t sell influence.”
Written by Harry Truman to wife Bess in 1935.
by R. L. Greer
In my last article I stated the TAXPAYERS GET SNUBBED BY ST CHARLES SCHOOL DISTRICT. They were to meet with the Mayor but not the Council. After that I read an article stating the President of the School Board was in attendance at a room in the St Charles Convention Center with the special interest group who are attempting to recall two city council persons. Do you wonder how much they paid for the use of the room. The same group that lost their court case attempting to force a February election. Also at the last Council meeting on December 20th a motion was presented by the Finance and Audit Committee to require vouchers be serial numbered. The purpose of the voucher is substantiation for disbursement of City funds for the payment of bills/invoices by check or cash. The voucher should bear the signatures of the person requesting and signed off by the Department Head, City Administrator and Finance Director. The number of the voucher requesting / authorizing disbursement of funds would be placed on the check when issued. In all my years work experience in the financial field this was simply an audit procedure that any experienced accountant/auditor would require. However, Muench, Kneemiller, Weller, Reese, Hoepfner expressed opposition against this procedure with Koester, Greer, Gieseke, Riddler, Brown in favor. A decision was made to send it to a work session where more than likely it will receive a slow death. The reason given by the opposition was that the Finance Director did not want serial numbers required on vouchers. Hmmm! When the City Attorney was asked what would he do with the voucher if the information were incorrect, he said he would simply tear it up and throw it away. Precisely the reason why they should be serial numbered. Remember, earlier this year there was some question regarding expense checks issued on behalf of the Mayor and the work was not received or completed and she placed the blame on her secretary, some executive, huh! Once again the taxpayers are being shortchanged.
I write all the above to remind you that one of the councilmen in opposition was on the School Board for eleven years, he also was in attendance in the court room, sitting with the money group who are attempting to recall two council persons. Now we are told the school district is having financial problems. This same individual stated in his campaign ads in the FCN on March 27 2004 and April 6, 2004 - “I will not just represent special interest groups”. Should have been a clue for things to come. Perhaps the money group will solve their problems the same way they are attempting to snow ball the residents with their untruthful remarks against certain members of the Council. What untruth you say? How about the remark by the leader of the recall pack stating the Council forced them to take legal action. If I remember correctly after a distasteful display by their attorney they threatened the Council with going to court if the ordinance to place the election in February failed that night. Then they say they are citizens for responsible government or citizens empowerment.
Considering the political scene today is an excellent time to quote the Truman Doctrine that stated, “Communism is based upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections; and the suppression of personal freedoms. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressure.” (Freedom A History of US; Joy Haskim; Oxford University Press) Even though we are not currently facing a threat of Communism doesn’t your mind tend to relate the theme to episodes occurring today?
Referring to the council meeting of December 20th the budget for 2006 was also passed by a 6 to 4 vote. Two of those voting against are the same people facing a recall election. For 2006 you the residents will receive three new employee positions which is estimated to cost well over $250,000 in salary and benefits plus remodeling costs to establish a new department in the City. This equipment will be expensive technology at an unknown cast. The mayor wants the fire department moved out of city hall so this is estimated at $25,000.00 for moving expenses plus unknown equipment cost and annual lease of approximately $25,000.00, which will last beyond 2008 when a new fire station is planned in the Capital Improvements Plan. Where are they proposing to move, where else but in the old County Administration building that the City sold saying it would cost too much to remove the asbestos and remodel the building. Sounds like another police station deal. There is an old fire station located on Booneslick at Fairgrounds Lane that administration is saying would cost too much to rehab. With the estimated $100,000.00 cost to move the fire department, why not seek bids for an estimate on cost to restore that building. It was also mentioned they should look into utilizing one of the vacant commercial buildings around town. Its been stated that Jim O’Connor was one of the best city administrators the city has had, but there was never any mention of moving the building/planning/code enforcement departments into the old police department building thus freeing up additional parking space in the city garage for the public. Then shortly after he left the City talk was circulating around that the city was running out of space.
Here are a few additional points of interest regarding the budget for 2006. (1) The Mayor replacing a position that the Council removed in 2005 at an estimated cost of $100,000.00+ including benefits; (2) the 30% reduction in utility tax was pulled by Hoepfner being the sole sponsor even though he knew he had the necessary votes to pass it. The administration and Mayor ignored once again the Council directive to suggest areas in the budget that could be altered. Then you hear that the Council is not co-operating with the Mayor. Recently a citizen stated their gas bill has increased 43% for Nov/Dec ‘05 and anticipate another increase in 2006 of 35 to 50%. Her opinion is that the amount of increase will more than cover the 30% reduction in utility taxes. Sounds reasonable. But now that the budget has been approved any adjustment will have to come from the Mayor. Good luck with that one folks. Next week we’ll explore some points of interest from McClure’s Magazine from 1903 that seem parallel to today.
“Always do right, this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
Mark Twain
“‘I’m hoping to make a reputation, but you’ll have to put up with a lot if I do because I won’t sell influence.”
Written by Harry Truman to wife Bess in 1935.
LOCAL NEWS OF ST. CHARLES
Marching Warriors Win Grand Champion
By Lynndi Lockenour
Members of the St. Charles West High School Marching Warriors, Dance and Drill, and Jefferson Middle School eighth grade recently retuned from a successful trip to Jacksonville, Florida, and the Toyota Gator Bowl festivities.
The Marching Warriors competed in the Gator Bowl field competition, where they were named class 2A champions. The band also picked up the following awards for their performance in the competition: best music, best general effect, best marching, and best auxiliary (colorguard). They also received the highest score of all the bands at the field competition, and were invited to perform their show at the Pre-Game of the Gator Bowl football game.
Because of their success, the band was awarded with the honor of Gator Bowl Grand Champion. This is the highest of all awards, and though the band is not in the highest competition class, they managed to pick up the award, beating out 26 other bands for the honor. “The fact that they won grand champion and had the highest score without being in the highest class is amazing,” said Band Director, Terry Martinez. “Usually a band in the lower classes never wins that honor.”
In addition to participating in the Gator Bowl, the band was selected to lead in the ElectroMagic Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. The band was also awarded for their performance in the parade as well. These included: taking home first place, best music, best general effect, best marching, best auxiliary, and best percussion.
Martinez said his favorite part of the entire trip was when the band marched down Main Street toward the castle. It was the first time he’d been able to take his family with him and Martinez said Walt Disney World has always held a magical place in his heart. “Seeing the kids perform without it being a competition and just to have fun was amazing,” he said. “It was such a special and magical time for all of us.”
The best part for the children, Martinez estimates, was the awards ceremony. Though he said the band doesn’t place a particular importance on awards, they come as a result of their hard work and dedication throughout the season. “It’s a nice way for the kids to see that hard work and dedication can pay off,” he said.
One hundred and sixty-five people traveled to Jacksonville. The group left on December 27, traveling on two charter buses, and returned on January 3. Of the 165 people on the busses, 126 were marching members of the band, the rest included staff, chaperons, and parents. Besides that number, Martinez estimates at least 20 other parents drove down separately to see the kids perform.
Martinez points out that parents are an incredible part of the band’s performance. With dads called the “prop pops,” who load equipment, and moms named the “band moms,” who maintain uniforms, the parents help make the show happen. “They are an incredible support base,” Martinez said,” and a very important part of what we do here.”
Each student was responsible for the $1,000 needed to make the trip. To combat this overwhelming cost, the band held multiple fundraisers throughout the year.
The Marching Warriors performed their show entitled “Second Wind,” the same show they used for their fall competition show. Martinez said the show dealt with wind, featuring everything from wind chimes to each section of the winded instruments. Along with this, there was a second meaning to the group. Martinez said the group didn’t have a very good season last year. “As a result the title of “Second Wind” was a way of giving hope to reviving the life into the group this year.”
Since returning home Martinez said there has been an outpouring of support from the community. Both the School Board and City Council have expressed the desire to recognize the kids at upcoming meetings for their hard work. “First thing this morning when we got back,” Martinez said, “they took our trophies down to the atrium and put them in the case.”
Within the next three or four weeks, the Marching Warriors will begin planning for next years show. However, for right now they are content to enjoy the excitement and reward for all their hard work. “Right now I want the kids to savor the victory from this year.” Martinez said.
Duchesne Teacher Takes Creative Biology Games To Market
Duchesne High School biology teacher and science department head Beth Steagall wanted to find an innovative way to pique her student’s interest and retain the information they learned in class. Steagall began making up board games as a fun way to introduce and review material in her biology classes.
After presenting the games at the National Science Teachers Association national convention, a teacher in the audience advised her to get her games on the market “before someone steals her ideas.” Steagall took the advice immediately and approached the first publisher she saw at the convention, American Educational Products, LLC, a division of Scott Hubbard Scientific. They offered to buy and publish three of her games on the spot.
“My first three games, Brain Race, Antigen Alley and Invertebrate Beach, are primarily dice-rolling and question-answer games,” said Steagall. “The Brain Race is designed so that as you travel around the board, what happens to you is actually what happens in that section of the brain. It helps introduce students to where in the brain the different functions occur.
Antigen Alley’s purpose is to introduce students to all kinds of diseases and viruses caused by bacteria. Players accumulate germ and antibody cards throughout the game. “Whoever has the most antibodies at the end is the winner,” said Steagall. “Each card contains a ‘Virus Fact’ that covers the history or some other fun facts that supplement what the students have been learning in class.”
In Invertebrate Beach, players answer questions about invertebrates and get money for the spaces they land on. “All the spaces have something to do with invertebrates,” said Steagall. You travel from simple to complex. This game has been purchased the most.”
Steagall continues to invent games for her students. This past summer, Scott Hubbard purchased two more games from her. The Digestive Game involves traveling through the digestive system answering questions dealing with the digestive system and winning digest-o-bucks.
The Rain Forest game is quite similar. “The Rain Forest bucks can be used to purchase rain forest acres,” said Steagall. “The player with the most rain forest acres at the end of the game wins.”
Students in her biology classes really enjoy her games. “We make it really competitive and have a lot of fun,” said junior Kyle Boaz. “The games really help us focus and prepare for our tests.”
Junior Jared Hu adds, “It is so much easier to learn when you are having fun.”
All five of Steagall’s games are available for purchase for $29.95 at www.shnta.com.
Assessor Mailed 2006 Assessment Forms
The St. Charles County Assessor’s Office will began mailing personal property assessment forms January fourth. Approximately 150,000 forms in total will be sent in two separate mailings. These staged mailings will help minimize phone congestion when taxpayers need to contact the office. The Assessor’s Office continues to make enhancements to simplify the declaration process for County taxpayers. County residents are encouraged to complete and return their forms by the March first date to assure fair distribution of the tax burden throughout all St. Charles County taxing entities.
“Our main function in the Assessor’s Office is to deliver accurate and timely assessments. To avoid late filing fees and logistic problems with license renewals, residents should file their forms by the March first deadline. Timely returns make certain that our schools, cities, fire districts, and other taxing bodies are able to establish an equitable tax rate, ensuring the tax burden is equitably distributed,” said Scott Shipman, St. Charles County Assessor.
Taxpayers who fail to file a declaration form the the March first deadline will receive a second notice and are subject to the late filing penalty added to their 2006 property tax bill. Residents who do not receive a form by the end of January may access a blank assessment from from the County’s website www.saintcharlescounty.org under the Assessor’s link or contact the Assessor’s office for assistance at 636-949-7420 or 1 800-822-4012, extension 7420. The website includes both individual and business personal property assessment forms and information.
Duchesne Student Has Promising Public Speaking Career
For many people, the thought of public speaking is frightening. Certainly, that is not the case for Duchesne High School sophomore Ben Chambers. Chambers is a member of the Duchesne Debate Team and the Duchesne Christian Interscholastic Speech League (CISL).
As a result of his success in both organizations, Chambers will be busy in January representing Duchesne at the District American Legion Oratorical contest and the Greater St. Louis Speech League (GSL) student congress final competition.
Chambers was asked by Duchesne speech coach and drama teacher Mrs. Sharon Morgan to represent Duchesne at the local American Legion Oratorical contest in December. “When I had Ben in speech his freshman year, I could tell he had a natural talent for speaking and I had real high hopes that he would join CISL,” said Morgan.
Chambers joined CISL as an extemporaneous speaker. “Ben has competed four times for Duchesne and every time he receives a perfect score,” said Morgan.
Contestants of the oratorical contest had to give a five-to six-minute speech on the role the constitution plays in the world. “My speech was judged by a panel of several local office holders,” said Chambers. Chambers took first place and will now advance to the District oratorical contest on Jan. 8 in Wentzville.
“Ben is the first student from Duchesne to win first place in the local American Legion contest,” said Morgan. “He is just an unbelievably good speaker.”
As a member of the Duchesne Debate team, Chambers participated in several preliminary rounds in order to qualify for the final GSL student congress competition. “Student congress works just like congress,” said Chambers. “We get to submit bills and speak in front of other representatives, and we are judged on how well we speak.” The student who has the highest score is the winner of the competition. Over 20 schools will be represented at the competition on Jan. 14 at Ladue High School.
“In order to prepare for the competition I will be doing a lot of research on popular topics such as the reconstruction of New Orleans, terrorism or the United Nations,” said Chambers. “Whenever I debate, I go with what ‘I’ believe, based on my research.”
His qualification to the final competition is a testament to his good work in preparing for competitions and his interest in current issues focusing on our nation,” said Duchesne Debate coach Holly Eschenbrenner. “It is a true joy to work with Ben. His leadership keeps our debate team activities fun and worthwhile for all of our members. He is unfailingly polite and respectful to his peers and teachers alike. He exhibits a level of poise and maturity that is very rare for teenagers.”
Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital has gone WI-FI… with new FREE wireless internet access
Waiting for a family member to get out of surgery? Visiting a patient in the OB department? Coming to the hospital for a regular weekly treatment? Now patients and visitors can stay connected to the web when they visit Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital (BJSPH). Now that BJSPH has FREE wireless internet access, patients and visitors can now check their email or surf the internet on their laptops or PDA during their next visit or stay.
The WI-FI connection, short for wireless fidelity, allows wireless data transfer through personal communication devices. Patients and visitors can bring in their laptop or PDA to the hospital and access the Internet free of charge. They just need a properly configured wireless device. When they first connect they’ll be presented with BJC’s Guidelines for Network Use and Internet Access and Use Agreement. When the user accepts them, the internet will be available to you.
Users need not worry about the wireless connection affecting hospital equipment. The low power emissions have been proven to not interfere with sensitive medical equipment.* Patients and visitors can keep up with messages from work and make visits more enjoyable. The convenient service will help people stay productive or in touch during their time at the hospital.
Frequently asked questions on wireless service
Are costs involved? No. This is a free service. Costs are not passed to you or your insurance company. You must, however, provide your own wireless device and wireless connectivity.
What is a wireless network? A wireless network works much the same way as other computer networks, except there are no cables or wires involved. A device with built-in wireless capability or a special wireless network card is required instead. When properly configured, your computer will communicate with a dedicated network, providing you access to the internet that’s similar to the access you already enjoy at home or work.
What equipment do I need? Wireless Device: Users must provide your own laptop computer or PDA. Most PC’s, Pocket PC’s and Macintosh computers should work so long as they are properly configured and have an appropriate wireless network card. Wireless Card: Users need to provide his/her own wireless network card. Some new devices have the wireless card built in – otherwise it will probably be inserted into a slot on the side of the laptop or the top of the PDA.
Supported wireless formats: The user’s network card must support either 802.11b or 802.11g frequencies. The BJSPH wireless network does not support other industry standards.
Browser: The user’s device must use a standard internet browser such as Internet Explorer, America Online or Netscape.
But I don’t have a wireless card…For the most part wireless cards are standardized and may be purchased on-line or from any retail electronics store. BJSPH is not permitted to install the wireless card.
How secure is my Internet session?Wireless networks are ‘shared’ among all users and, by nature, are public. All public networks lack the high level of security you may be accustomed to at work and home. We encourage you to be careful when sending personally identifiable or sensitive information. If the web sites you visit support the industry standard SSL encryption, our network connection to that site is as secure as if you were on a standard wired network.
Fourth Annual Mardi Gras Parade and King’s Ball to be held February 18, 2006
The St. Charles Jaycees are organizing the Fourth Annual St. Charles Jaycees’ Frenchtown Mardi Gras Parade. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, at 3:00 p.m. along Second Street in the Frenchtown Historic District. This year’s theme is “Music of the Night”
“The St. Charles Jaycees are very excited. This parade has grown each year since we started it four years ago” says Mardi Gras Parade Chair Christine Grote. “We now have a few thousand people attending to catch the trinkets and necklaces that are thrown out.”
The Jaycees encourage anyone interested in participating to sign-up today. “Float entries have been slow to catch on, but we hope this is our breakout year,” says Grote. “We encourage organizations including youth groups, church groups, non-profits, and groups who just want to be part of a fun parade to sign-up. There is no entry fee for these type of entries, however, businesses are assessed a small entry fee.”
“This is a great family-friendly event,” Grote said. “We want to offer an alternative for parents who want to celebrate Mardi Gras with their children in an alcohol-free environment.”
For more information about the Frenchtown Mardi Gras Parade or for an entry form, contact Christine Grote at 314-477-4772. Entry forms can also be downloaded from the St. Charles Jaycees Website, www.geocities.com/stcharlesjaycees.
For the second year in a row, The Fourth Annual Mardi Gras King’s Ball will be held on the same day as the parade. The ball is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at the Foundry Art Centre. Tickets for this event are $45 per person and includes dinner. There will be a cash bar and entertainment will be provided by Serapis. This Mardi Gras event is organized and hosted by the Historic Frenchtown Association (HFA). Proceeds from this event will benefit the HFA. The HFA will be crowning this year’s King & Queen at the King’s Ball. For more information on this event or tickets, contact Marilyn Geery at 636-916-5344.
The St. Charles Jaycees, a leadership training, community service, and social organization for people between the ages of 21 & 39, have helped to build young leaders in St. Charles since 1948. For more information about the St. Charles Jaycees, visit the organization’s official website at www.geocities.com/stcharlesjaycees.
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