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Saturday, July 08, 2006
FRONT PAGE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - July 8, 2006
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Wanted For Stabbing 500 block San Juan
St. Charles Police are looking for three male subjects who they want for First Degree Assault and Armed Criminal Action involving a stabbing.
Suspect one is a white, male, 19-20 years of age, 5’ 10”, 150 – 170 pounds, with a visible mark on his left cheek (possibly a laceration), wearing a red ball cap.
Suspect two is a black male, 19 – 20 years of age, 5’ 10” – 6’, wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans.
Suspect three is a black, male, 19-20 years of age, no further description.
At approximately 2:50 am Thursday morning the St. Charles Police were called to a stabbing that occurred in the 500 block of San Juan in St. Charles.
A male victim was assaulted and stabbed by the three wanted subjects. He is in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries in a local hospital and was scheduled to undergo surgery. The victim, police are not releasing his name, was stabbed twice in the back.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is requested to cal the St. Charles Crime stoppers hotline at 636 949-3333 or the Detective Bureau at 636 949-3320.
Suspect one is a white, male, 19-20 years of age, 5’ 10”, 150 – 170 pounds, with a visible mark on his left cheek (possibly a laceration), wearing a red ball cap.
Suspect two is a black male, 19 – 20 years of age, 5’ 10” – 6’, wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans.
Suspect three is a black, male, 19-20 years of age, no further description.
At approximately 2:50 am Thursday morning the St. Charles Police were called to a stabbing that occurred in the 500 block of San Juan in St. Charles.
A male victim was assaulted and stabbed by the three wanted subjects. He is in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries in a local hospital and was scheduled to undergo surgery. The victim, police are not releasing his name, was stabbed twice in the back.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is requested to cal the St. Charles Crime stoppers hotline at 636 949-3333 or the Detective Bureau at 636 949-3320.
Money Laundering or Smart Politics The people have a right to know
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
and Tony Brockmeyer
THIRD IN A SERIES
When we began our series in early May on “Money Laundering or Smart Politics, The Public has a right to know,” we were told State Representative Tom Dempsey and other leading Republicans were commenting we were just playing politics and we had no substantial information to provide to our readers. Imagine our surprise when a Post article, co-authored by Dempsey on June 15, was brought to our attention.
In the June 15, 2006 edition of the Post an article appeared authored by Charles Shields, R, St. Joseph, Majority floor leader of the Missouri Senate and Tom Dempsey, R, St. Charles, majority floor leader of the Missouri House of Representatives. The headline for the article was, “CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS A STEP FORWARD”. Quoting from their article, which can be found on page D11 of that edition, “Even more alarming, more than $34 million was funneled in 2004 to political parties and legislative committees in Missouri. Yet no one seems to know where these incredible amounts of money are coming from.” That is an absurd statement for them to make; in fact, they are part of the attempt to hide the information from the public.
In the May 6th edition of the First Capitol News we introduced our investigative report headlined, “MONEY LAUNDERING OR SMART POLITICS? THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW”. Quoting from their June 15th article, “Every Missourian has the right to know how much money candidates are raising and what the sources of the funds are. These committees engage in a legal form of money laundering. Millions of dollars are donated to these committees and directed to specific candidates, all behind the scenes.”
In their article they also commented about the campaign finance reform bill saying, “This bill passed because it is a step in the right direction toward reigning in the legal forms of campaign money laundering and hidden transactions that plague our elections today. By combining technology, media focus and the public’s attention, the bill would bring transparency and accountability to every political race in Missouri.”
Our investigation uncovered TEN of these questionable and suspicious Republican Legislative Committees headquartered at 320 Monroe Street in St. Charles. City and County records on file show that Thomas W. Smith, a legislative aide to State Representative Tom Dempsey, owns the aforementioned residence. Smith is also listed as the treasurer of all 10 suspicious committees and is evidently responsible for any and all money laundering that is being accomplished through those committees. A political expert close to the situation told the First Capitol News, “Anyone who does not think Dempsey is controlling the millions of dollars that is flowing through those legislative committees is pretty naïve. There is no way they would allow a legislative aide to control that much money alone. The power of the majority floor leader of the House is what controls that money.”
It was only after the First Capitol News began publishing our investigative report on these money laundering legislative committees that Dempsey and Shields wrote their article on how bad they thought the money laundering of the millions of dollars of secret campaign donations was. Had they been sincere in what they now want the public to believe, they could have stopped these money laundering legislative committees at any time, but they waited until their scheme was exposed.
Coming next in our investigative series you will learn who is funding these money laundering legislative committees. Later in our series you will learn where the millions of dollars involved are being sent.
The First Capitol News believes the public has a right to know.
and Tony Brockmeyer
THIRD IN A SERIES
When we began our series in early May on “Money Laundering or Smart Politics, The Public has a right to know,” we were told State Representative Tom Dempsey and other leading Republicans were commenting we were just playing politics and we had no substantial information to provide to our readers. Imagine our surprise when a Post article, co-authored by Dempsey on June 15, was brought to our attention.
In the June 15, 2006 edition of the Post an article appeared authored by Charles Shields, R, St. Joseph, Majority floor leader of the Missouri Senate and Tom Dempsey, R, St. Charles, majority floor leader of the Missouri House of Representatives. The headline for the article was, “CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS A STEP FORWARD”. Quoting from their article, which can be found on page D11 of that edition, “Even more alarming, more than $34 million was funneled in 2004 to political parties and legislative committees in Missouri. Yet no one seems to know where these incredible amounts of money are coming from.” That is an absurd statement for them to make; in fact, they are part of the attempt to hide the information from the public.
In the May 6th edition of the First Capitol News we introduced our investigative report headlined, “MONEY LAUNDERING OR SMART POLITICS? THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW”. Quoting from their June 15th article, “Every Missourian has the right to know how much money candidates are raising and what the sources of the funds are. These committees engage in a legal form of money laundering. Millions of dollars are donated to these committees and directed to specific candidates, all behind the scenes.”
In their article they also commented about the campaign finance reform bill saying, “This bill passed because it is a step in the right direction toward reigning in the legal forms of campaign money laundering and hidden transactions that plague our elections today. By combining technology, media focus and the public’s attention, the bill would bring transparency and accountability to every political race in Missouri.”
Our investigation uncovered TEN of these questionable and suspicious Republican Legislative Committees headquartered at 320 Monroe Street in St. Charles. City and County records on file show that Thomas W. Smith, a legislative aide to State Representative Tom Dempsey, owns the aforementioned residence. Smith is also listed as the treasurer of all 10 suspicious committees and is evidently responsible for any and all money laundering that is being accomplished through those committees. A political expert close to the situation told the First Capitol News, “Anyone who does not think Dempsey is controlling the millions of dollars that is flowing through those legislative committees is pretty naïve. There is no way they would allow a legislative aide to control that much money alone. The power of the majority floor leader of the House is what controls that money.”
It was only after the First Capitol News began publishing our investigative report on these money laundering legislative committees that Dempsey and Shields wrote their article on how bad they thought the money laundering of the millions of dollars of secret campaign donations was. Had they been sincere in what they now want the public to believe, they could have stopped these money laundering legislative committees at any time, but they waited until their scheme was exposed.
Coming next in our investigative series you will learn who is funding these money laundering legislative committees. Later in our series you will learn where the millions of dollars involved are being sent.
The First Capitol News believes the public has a right to know.
Great Jazz, Free Giveaways, Specialty Food Samples, Beer Tasting, July 22 at NEW TOWN!
Imagine a day filled with a beer-tasting event, specialty food samples, free giveaways and great jazz tunes. On Saturday, July 22, New Town is home to its second beer-tasting event, the Marsala’s Market, Toy Box and Lotions & Potions Grand Opening, and the first annual Jazz Festival!
The Marsala’s Market Grand Opening is a day of specials, complimentary food and wine samples and fun prizes for all. Come see why Marsala’s is quickly becoming one of the favorite markets in town, known for it’s USDA Choice Meats, hand-cut, fresh-daily, Boar’s Head Deli, Oberweis products and more. Many specialty food representatives will be on hand to talk about their products and give away free samples! Mark and Debbie Hohenshell, owners, have surpassed expectations with a wide variety of products to satisfy even the most discriminating buyers. Best yet, they cook for you several nights a week with their prepared foods so you don’t have to.
Lotions & Potions, a specialty bath shop, and The Toy Box are now open in the south kiosks at the New Town outdoor amphitheater. Enjoy grand opening specials all day on July 22 …. There will also be fun giveaways, including bath and body samples from Lotions & Potions and bubbles for the kids (and kids at heart) at The Toy Box while supplies last. Lotions & Potions carries all-natural products from the renowned Bee Natural and Renaud line. If you’re looking for that unique gift or scent, you’ll find it at this elegant bath shop. And The Toy Box … what can we say? It’ll take you back to the days of classic army figures, wooden puzzles, plush stuffed animals, unique arts & crafts, wind-up toys and more …real finds!
The word is out on the second beer-tasting event at the Prancing Pony Books & Café back courtyard from 2 – 5 on July 22. For $5, residents and visitors are invited to taste 20 import beers from around the world. Participants must show up between 2 – 4 p.m. to participate in the event, and we are limiting the event to 200 participants. Of course, you have to be 21 to participate.
Once you’ve checked off the 20 beers on your card, wander over to the outdoor amphitheater for a fun-filled night of great jazz tunes under the stars, beginning at 5 p.m. Richard Kennison, Entertainment Director, has rounded up some of the best bands in the St. Louis area, including The Readus Miller Project, ptah Williams, Da’ Jazz Club, and New World Harmonica Jazz Featuring Sandy Weltman.
For more information on The New Town at St. Charles or these specific events, visit www.newtownatstcharles.com or call 636-949-2700.
The Marsala’s Market Grand Opening is a day of specials, complimentary food and wine samples and fun prizes for all. Come see why Marsala’s is quickly becoming one of the favorite markets in town, known for it’s USDA Choice Meats, hand-cut, fresh-daily, Boar’s Head Deli, Oberweis products and more. Many specialty food representatives will be on hand to talk about their products and give away free samples! Mark and Debbie Hohenshell, owners, have surpassed expectations with a wide variety of products to satisfy even the most discriminating buyers. Best yet, they cook for you several nights a week with their prepared foods so you don’t have to.
Lotions & Potions, a specialty bath shop, and The Toy Box are now open in the south kiosks at the New Town outdoor amphitheater. Enjoy grand opening specials all day on July 22 …. There will also be fun giveaways, including bath and body samples from Lotions & Potions and bubbles for the kids (and kids at heart) at The Toy Box while supplies last. Lotions & Potions carries all-natural products from the renowned Bee Natural and Renaud line. If you’re looking for that unique gift or scent, you’ll find it at this elegant bath shop. And The Toy Box … what can we say? It’ll take you back to the days of classic army figures, wooden puzzles, plush stuffed animals, unique arts & crafts, wind-up toys and more …real finds!
The word is out on the second beer-tasting event at the Prancing Pony Books & Café back courtyard from 2 – 5 on July 22. For $5, residents and visitors are invited to taste 20 import beers from around the world. Participants must show up between 2 – 4 p.m. to participate in the event, and we are limiting the event to 200 participants. Of course, you have to be 21 to participate.
Once you’ve checked off the 20 beers on your card, wander over to the outdoor amphitheater for a fun-filled night of great jazz tunes under the stars, beginning at 5 p.m. Richard Kennison, Entertainment Director, has rounded up some of the best bands in the St. Louis area, including The Readus Miller Project, ptah Williams, Da’ Jazz Club, and New World Harmonica Jazz Featuring Sandy Weltman.
For more information on The New Town at St. Charles or these specific events, visit www.newtownatstcharles.com or call 636-949-2700.
EDITORIAL ENDORSEMENTS
Editorial Endorsements
Charles Karam For Congress
Democrats have a golden opportunity to select a strong candidate on August 8th to be their standard bearer against incumbent Congressman Todd Akin in the Fall. Charles Karam is an engaging, well qualified individual with a great family. But it is his strong stands on vital issues that set him apart from the incumbent.
Charles Karam (pronounced Care-um) is willing to stand up to the big money special interests, the high priced Washington lobbyists, big oil and big drug companies. He’s fighting for the issues of greatest importance to the working families and Seniors: the high price of gasoline squeezing the middle class, the need to stop illegal immigration, providing affordable health insurance and lower prescription costs and holding companies that stole billions of our tax dollars in Iraq responsible for war profiteering.
Charles main opponent in the Democratic Primary, Richard Lesh, is a Lindenwood University professor, who has had several business failures and whose wife is running for a State Representative seat at the same time. Lesh seems too far to the left to be a viable Democratic candidate. Karam is more moderate and has the strong support of organized labor.
Todd Akin has been the poster child of the Bush/Cheney Administration, being nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President. He’s voted against efforts to stop big oil from price gouging and against Americans being able to order cheaper prescription medications from Canada, even when those medicines were made in the United States to begin with. Akin is also clearly out-of-step with 2nd District voters on the issue of stem cell research and the tremendous promise of medical breakthroughs from continued scientific research.
People seem ready for a change in Washington. Charles Karam is the best choice of Democrats to carry that message and banner in November. The First Capitol News is proud to give Charles Karam our editorial endorsement.
Joe Koester For State Representative – 18th District
Joe Koester is the son of the late Sheriff Robert Koester, a man that served the people of St. Charles County for many years with honor and distinction. But Joe Koester is also a proven leader and thinker in his own right.
Joe Koester decided to run because of the special favors he saw the incumbent granting developers to the detriment of City taxpayers. The First Capitol News has since uncovered millions of dollars of special interest money being funneled through a local gentleman who works for Tom Dempsey. Joe Koester is committed to ending the influence of special interest money in Jefferson City.
Koester, a public school teacher, will also be a better advocate for the St. Charles School District which has suffered severe cutbacks and school closings despite Representative Dempsey holding a powerful Republican leadership position in Jefferson City.
Joe Koester also supports giving Seniors real tax relief and freezing reassessments for those over age 65. In the 18th District, Joe Koester is the best choice for a new direction and breath of fresh air in the State Capitol. The First Capitol news is proud to give our endorsement to Joe Koester for State Representative.
Charles Karam For Congress
Democrats have a golden opportunity to select a strong candidate on August 8th to be their standard bearer against incumbent Congressman Todd Akin in the Fall. Charles Karam is an engaging, well qualified individual with a great family. But it is his strong stands on vital issues that set him apart from the incumbent.
Charles Karam (pronounced Care-um) is willing to stand up to the big money special interests, the high priced Washington lobbyists, big oil and big drug companies. He’s fighting for the issues of greatest importance to the working families and Seniors: the high price of gasoline squeezing the middle class, the need to stop illegal immigration, providing affordable health insurance and lower prescription costs and holding companies that stole billions of our tax dollars in Iraq responsible for war profiteering.
Charles main opponent in the Democratic Primary, Richard Lesh, is a Lindenwood University professor, who has had several business failures and whose wife is running for a State Representative seat at the same time. Lesh seems too far to the left to be a viable Democratic candidate. Karam is more moderate and has the strong support of organized labor.
Todd Akin has been the poster child of the Bush/Cheney Administration, being nothing more than a rubber stamp for the President. He’s voted against efforts to stop big oil from price gouging and against Americans being able to order cheaper prescription medications from Canada, even when those medicines were made in the United States to begin with. Akin is also clearly out-of-step with 2nd District voters on the issue of stem cell research and the tremendous promise of medical breakthroughs from continued scientific research.
People seem ready for a change in Washington. Charles Karam is the best choice of Democrats to carry that message and banner in November. The First Capitol News is proud to give Charles Karam our editorial endorsement.
Joe Koester For State Representative – 18th District
Joe Koester is the son of the late Sheriff Robert Koester, a man that served the people of St. Charles County for many years with honor and distinction. But Joe Koester is also a proven leader and thinker in his own right.
Joe Koester decided to run because of the special favors he saw the incumbent granting developers to the detriment of City taxpayers. The First Capitol News has since uncovered millions of dollars of special interest money being funneled through a local gentleman who works for Tom Dempsey. Joe Koester is committed to ending the influence of special interest money in Jefferson City.
Koester, a public school teacher, will also be a better advocate for the St. Charles School District which has suffered severe cutbacks and school closings despite Representative Dempsey holding a powerful Republican leadership position in Jefferson City.
Joe Koester also supports giving Seniors real tax relief and freezing reassessments for those over age 65. In the 18th District, Joe Koester is the best choice for a new direction and breath of fresh air in the State Capitol. The First Capitol news is proud to give our endorsement to Joe Koester for State Representative.
RAMBLING With The Editor - Tony Brockmeyer
WHY WEREN’T THE POLICE INVOLVED?
In our last edition we reported that a City employee in the finance department was suspected of embezzlement of City funds. We contacted assistant City Administrator Brent Schultz and he said it was a personnel matter and refused to make any comment. He refused to confirm or deny the embezzlement. The First Capitol News has since learned that the employee has been fired. We also learned that no report was made to the police regarding the alleged theft. Why? The theft of City funds is a matter that should be investigated by the police not by some director at City hall. When embezzlement was suspected federal law enforcement officials were called in and the person responsible was prosecuted in Federal court. Why is this not being done in St. Charles? Why is this person receiving special treatment? Stealing is stealing and is to be handled by law enforcement officials. This matter needs to be corrected now.
WELLER BREAKS GOULD’S ABSENTEE RECORD
I never thought anyone would break the absenteeism record of former Councilman Dan Gould but lo and behold Councilman Mike Weller has already missed more meetings and still has several months to go. Mike don’t you think you should return the money you have been paid to attend the meetings. I heard that he did not want to come back from the lake to attend the last meeting. It is time for Mike to be replaced.
WEEDS ALONG THE RIVER
Last year the City did a great job and mowed down the weeds along the river bank so that the river could be seen. This year the weeds have not been cut and the view of the river is blocked. Why would they allow such a great asset to be overrun by weeds preventing residents and visitors alike from enjoying one of the great assets that are available to us.
CVB STEPS STILL NOT FIXED
We reported in our last edition that the steps at the CVB had been blocked for several months and were not being repaired. As of today the steps are still blocked and have not been repaired.
In our last edition we reported that a City employee in the finance department was suspected of embezzlement of City funds. We contacted assistant City Administrator Brent Schultz and he said it was a personnel matter and refused to make any comment. He refused to confirm or deny the embezzlement. The First Capitol News has since learned that the employee has been fired. We also learned that no report was made to the police regarding the alleged theft. Why? The theft of City funds is a matter that should be investigated by the police not by some director at City hall. When embezzlement was suspected federal law enforcement officials were called in and the person responsible was prosecuted in Federal court. Why is this not being done in St. Charles? Why is this person receiving special treatment? Stealing is stealing and is to be handled by law enforcement officials. This matter needs to be corrected now.
WELLER BREAKS GOULD’S ABSENTEE RECORD
I never thought anyone would break the absenteeism record of former Councilman Dan Gould but lo and behold Councilman Mike Weller has already missed more meetings and still has several months to go. Mike don’t you think you should return the money you have been paid to attend the meetings. I heard that he did not want to come back from the lake to attend the last meeting. It is time for Mike to be replaced.
WEEDS ALONG THE RIVER
Last year the City did a great job and mowed down the weeds along the river bank so that the river could be seen. This year the weeds have not been cut and the view of the river is blocked. Why would they allow such a great asset to be overrun by weeds preventing residents and visitors alike from enjoying one of the great assets that are available to us.
CVB STEPS STILL NOT FIXED
We reported in our last edition that the steps at the CVB had been blocked for several months and were not being repaired. As of today the steps are still blocked and have not been repaired.
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
St. Charles July Fourth Parade
Is Rockwell Painting In Motion
If famed illustrator Norman Rockwell had wanted to portray a slice of Americana, he would have found no more engaging subject than our own Fourth of July Parade. Looking for something As American As Apple Pie? Look no further than the red, white and blue pageantry of the flatbeds and floats, civic groups, politicians, and bands that blend together so well on this day of celebration.
Study each crepe paper creation on its own for too long and they can lose their luster. This isn’t the Rose Bowl or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Every petal isn’t meticulously glued in place. No Broadway stars illuminate the floats. No armies of balloon handlers choreograph the flight of giant cartoon characters down the streets of our town.
Yet each Fourth of July, no matter how many summers we’ve managed to live to that point, we all receive a very special gift. We have the opportunity to once more watch the parade with the eyes of our youth…where every blemish fades in the haze of a hot summers day. No greater proof is needed of the appeal of this parade than the large crowds and the fact people were putting out blankets and chairs to hold their spots along the parade route, two hours before it began.
This year our household arose early to help assemble one of the floats and blow up balloons. That left me free to be a spectator this year, from the front porch of my brother’s home, and to write this chronicle of the 2006 July Fourth Parade in the City of St. Charles, on this the 230th year of our nation’s birth.
The Jaycees (who organized the parade) were well represented on their antique fire truck at the head of the parade. The Mayor and several of my fellow Council members were each riding in their own classic convertible. As far as I know, they don’t get to keep the convertibles. Councilman John Gieseke chose to walk the parade route shaking hands and kissing babies. Or was it shaking babies and kissing hands?
Here are a few of the groups, businesses and individuals represented in no particular order of appearance: There were civic and charitable groups, like The Red Cross and St. Charles Kiwanis. There were also youth groups like the Boys & Girls Club, 4-H, Junior Football (seems too hot for football) and the Boy Scouts, closely followed by a bevy of Girl Scouts. Or is a claque of Girl Scouts? In the over specialization category, there were the members of the Fort Zumwalt High School Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Cheerleaders or the FZHSJVIHC for short. “Give me an F…etc., etc., so on and so forth.”
In the performance category the crowds were aptly entertained by the St. Charles Municipal Band en masse on a flatbed truck, a ‘50s era float featuring songs by the talented Patt Holt Singers, the patriotic samplings of the St. Charles West Marching Band and the flag twirling precision of the Hardin Middle School Color Guard. My personal favorite had to be the Moolah Shrine precision drill team and Drum Corps. Each member resplendent in red fez and golden sash, the twenty- man drill team performed close order drill moves that thrilled the crowd. Fortunately they weren’t wearing scimitars in those sashes or they could have done themselves physical harm.
I don’t want to forget the business entries. Allied Waste, Yellow Cab, Baue Funeral Home, Jehling’s Hardware, Bogey Limousine Service, The Montgomery County Speedway and the Verlo Mattress Factory demonstrated their community spirit. It’s sometimes too easy to dismiss commercial participation in civic events as self-serving. But each of these businesses seems to take genuine pride in being part of the fabric of our hometown and I thank them for it.
Tony’s Barber Shop shied away from reminding guys like me to get a haircut with a simple heartfelt message to Support Our Troops. The Orchard Farm VFW also came out to show their patriotism and support for our men and women in uniform.
There were numerous Churches and religious groups represented among the entries. It was hard not to see the Knights of Columbus in their red and black capes and ostrich plumed hats. It takes an act of faith to dress in a black suit and walk in a parade in July around here. Ridgecrest Baptist, St. Johns United Church of Christ and Church of the Shepard showed their colors as well.
Also looking a little hot in their wool clothing and stiff tall collars were the men of the Discovery Expedition in the period uniforms of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (circa 1804). At least they were able to ride in one of the replica boats of the period. Lewis and Clark’s men would have spent most of their time pulling the boat against the current upstream.
There are female members of the group who help portray frontier women they would have encountered here in St. Charles. The women looked a bit cooler in classic Empire dresses of the period, but my wife reminded me that the square openings on the bodices pose their own unique sunscreen challenges.
Also touting another annual events, were the entries advertising the Festival of the Little Hills. It was good to see both Bob and Clara Scott on their float, having donated so many years of their lives to the event and numerous other civic and community groups.
Which brings me to perhaps the largest sub-group of participants…the candidates for public office. The July 4th Parade seems to be the one time they are truly welcomed at an event. Other events during the year usually try to run them off. That’s harder to do at a celebration of the birth of representative democracy in America.
Pat Riley, Republican candidate for Sheriff, had in tow the front end of a fighter jet. Not a paper-mache mock up…a real fighter jet. It made we wonder just how tough he was going to get on crime.
Also causing me to scratch my head, was an entry by the “Conservative Ladies Association Sharp Shooters” or CLASS. Their float sported a painting of a woman with an elephant’s head and an automatic pistol in her hand. As a gun owner myself, I support our 2nd Amendment rights. I also remember we have a 1st Amendment and a bunch more that Congress doesn’t seem to want to stand up and defend anymore.
I guess I was just wondering why there also wasn’t a painting of a woman with a donkey’s head and a hunting rifle? I also thought the woman in the painting looked way too thin to have an elephant’s head. An anthropomorphic figure (yes that’s a real word) of a cross between an elephant and a human being, would likely have a bigger…but I digress.
Rick Zerr and Rich Veit, both Republicans running for judgeship positions, had red, white and blue strings of beads. It was a nice give-away item, but didn’t get the crowd too excited. I felt sorry for the candidates with the lame give-away items. You know, rulers and pocket calendars. Imagine you’re a kid enjoying your summer vacation and someone hands you a ruler for school. It has the same depressing effect as back to school sale signs in stores.
City Councilman Joe Koester, who is taking on incumbent State Representative Tom Dempsey in November, had a large contingent of volunteers and was working hard to shake every hand along the parade route. I get the impression that race is heating up faster than the asphalt.
County Councilwoman Sally Faith had her volunteers dressed in yellow shirts. Right behind her was Doug Saulters, another Republican running for Sheriff, who had his volunteers in yellow T-Shirts. I wonder if they felt the same way some women do when they go to a party wearing the same dress?
I also want to thank parade organizers for still allowing candy to be thrown from floats. Catching it in bags, baseball caps or free hand is one of the great joys of youth. Those parades that don’t always say tossing candy will put someone’s eye out, but never seem to produce the one eyed victim who seems more a product of urban myth.
This year’s hot items with the kids were the white helium balloons given out by Charles Karam, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, and frozen flavored Icees given out by Scott Shipman, running for County Assessor.
Charles Karam was there in person shaking hands. That puts him one up on the Republican incumbent Todd Akin, who wasn’t. It also plays into Karam’s favorite theme, that he’s running against the “invisible” Congressman.
Republican United States Senator Jim Talent wasn’t here, but had a float and workers. Strangely, his Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill, who is ahead in the polls, didn’t.
The arrival of the City aerial fire truck, LSV, motorcycle policeman and the Mounted Patrol, marked the end of the parade. I estimated 700 people were in the parade itself. At least 4,000 watched the parade and my estimate is probably low.
If you were a kid and walked away from this parade with a Karam for Congress balloon, a Scott Shipman Icee and pocketful of candy, it was a good day. If you were an adult and walked away feeling proud of your country, proud of your hometown and a little bit like a kid again…it was a good day too.
Is Rockwell Painting In Motion
If famed illustrator Norman Rockwell had wanted to portray a slice of Americana, he would have found no more engaging subject than our own Fourth of July Parade. Looking for something As American As Apple Pie? Look no further than the red, white and blue pageantry of the flatbeds and floats, civic groups, politicians, and bands that blend together so well on this day of celebration.
Study each crepe paper creation on its own for too long and they can lose their luster. This isn’t the Rose Bowl or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Every petal isn’t meticulously glued in place. No Broadway stars illuminate the floats. No armies of balloon handlers choreograph the flight of giant cartoon characters down the streets of our town.
Yet each Fourth of July, no matter how many summers we’ve managed to live to that point, we all receive a very special gift. We have the opportunity to once more watch the parade with the eyes of our youth…where every blemish fades in the haze of a hot summers day. No greater proof is needed of the appeal of this parade than the large crowds and the fact people were putting out blankets and chairs to hold their spots along the parade route, two hours before it began.
This year our household arose early to help assemble one of the floats and blow up balloons. That left me free to be a spectator this year, from the front porch of my brother’s home, and to write this chronicle of the 2006 July Fourth Parade in the City of St. Charles, on this the 230th year of our nation’s birth.
The Jaycees (who organized the parade) were well represented on their antique fire truck at the head of the parade. The Mayor and several of my fellow Council members were each riding in their own classic convertible. As far as I know, they don’t get to keep the convertibles. Councilman John Gieseke chose to walk the parade route shaking hands and kissing babies. Or was it shaking babies and kissing hands?
Here are a few of the groups, businesses and individuals represented in no particular order of appearance: There were civic and charitable groups, like The Red Cross and St. Charles Kiwanis. There were also youth groups like the Boys & Girls Club, 4-H, Junior Football (seems too hot for football) and the Boy Scouts, closely followed by a bevy of Girl Scouts. Or is a claque of Girl Scouts? In the over specialization category, there were the members of the Fort Zumwalt High School Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Cheerleaders or the FZHSJVIHC for short. “Give me an F…etc., etc., so on and so forth.”
In the performance category the crowds were aptly entertained by the St. Charles Municipal Band en masse on a flatbed truck, a ‘50s era float featuring songs by the talented Patt Holt Singers, the patriotic samplings of the St. Charles West Marching Band and the flag twirling precision of the Hardin Middle School Color Guard. My personal favorite had to be the Moolah Shrine precision drill team and Drum Corps. Each member resplendent in red fez and golden sash, the twenty- man drill team performed close order drill moves that thrilled the crowd. Fortunately they weren’t wearing scimitars in those sashes or they could have done themselves physical harm.
I don’t want to forget the business entries. Allied Waste, Yellow Cab, Baue Funeral Home, Jehling’s Hardware, Bogey Limousine Service, The Montgomery County Speedway and the Verlo Mattress Factory demonstrated their community spirit. It’s sometimes too easy to dismiss commercial participation in civic events as self-serving. But each of these businesses seems to take genuine pride in being part of the fabric of our hometown and I thank them for it.
Tony’s Barber Shop shied away from reminding guys like me to get a haircut with a simple heartfelt message to Support Our Troops. The Orchard Farm VFW also came out to show their patriotism and support for our men and women in uniform.
There were numerous Churches and religious groups represented among the entries. It was hard not to see the Knights of Columbus in their red and black capes and ostrich plumed hats. It takes an act of faith to dress in a black suit and walk in a parade in July around here. Ridgecrest Baptist, St. Johns United Church of Christ and Church of the Shepard showed their colors as well.
Also looking a little hot in their wool clothing and stiff tall collars were the men of the Discovery Expedition in the period uniforms of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (circa 1804). At least they were able to ride in one of the replica boats of the period. Lewis and Clark’s men would have spent most of their time pulling the boat against the current upstream.
There are female members of the group who help portray frontier women they would have encountered here in St. Charles. The women looked a bit cooler in classic Empire dresses of the period, but my wife reminded me that the square openings on the bodices pose their own unique sunscreen challenges.
Also touting another annual events, were the entries advertising the Festival of the Little Hills. It was good to see both Bob and Clara Scott on their float, having donated so many years of their lives to the event and numerous other civic and community groups.
Which brings me to perhaps the largest sub-group of participants…the candidates for public office. The July 4th Parade seems to be the one time they are truly welcomed at an event. Other events during the year usually try to run them off. That’s harder to do at a celebration of the birth of representative democracy in America.
Pat Riley, Republican candidate for Sheriff, had in tow the front end of a fighter jet. Not a paper-mache mock up…a real fighter jet. It made we wonder just how tough he was going to get on crime.
Also causing me to scratch my head, was an entry by the “Conservative Ladies Association Sharp Shooters” or CLASS. Their float sported a painting of a woman with an elephant’s head and an automatic pistol in her hand. As a gun owner myself, I support our 2nd Amendment rights. I also remember we have a 1st Amendment and a bunch more that Congress doesn’t seem to want to stand up and defend anymore.
I guess I was just wondering why there also wasn’t a painting of a woman with a donkey’s head and a hunting rifle? I also thought the woman in the painting looked way too thin to have an elephant’s head. An anthropomorphic figure (yes that’s a real word) of a cross between an elephant and a human being, would likely have a bigger…but I digress.
Rick Zerr and Rich Veit, both Republicans running for judgeship positions, had red, white and blue strings of beads. It was a nice give-away item, but didn’t get the crowd too excited. I felt sorry for the candidates with the lame give-away items. You know, rulers and pocket calendars. Imagine you’re a kid enjoying your summer vacation and someone hands you a ruler for school. It has the same depressing effect as back to school sale signs in stores.
City Councilman Joe Koester, who is taking on incumbent State Representative Tom Dempsey in November, had a large contingent of volunteers and was working hard to shake every hand along the parade route. I get the impression that race is heating up faster than the asphalt.
County Councilwoman Sally Faith had her volunteers dressed in yellow shirts. Right behind her was Doug Saulters, another Republican running for Sheriff, who had his volunteers in yellow T-Shirts. I wonder if they felt the same way some women do when they go to a party wearing the same dress?
I also want to thank parade organizers for still allowing candy to be thrown from floats. Catching it in bags, baseball caps or free hand is one of the great joys of youth. Those parades that don’t always say tossing candy will put someone’s eye out, but never seem to produce the one eyed victim who seems more a product of urban myth.
This year’s hot items with the kids were the white helium balloons given out by Charles Karam, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, and frozen flavored Icees given out by Scott Shipman, running for County Assessor.
Charles Karam was there in person shaking hands. That puts him one up on the Republican incumbent Todd Akin, who wasn’t. It also plays into Karam’s favorite theme, that he’s running against the “invisible” Congressman.
Republican United States Senator Jim Talent wasn’t here, but had a float and workers. Strangely, his Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill, who is ahead in the polls, didn’t.
The arrival of the City aerial fire truck, LSV, motorcycle policeman and the Mounted Patrol, marked the end of the parade. I estimated 700 people were in the parade itself. At least 4,000 watched the parade and my estimate is probably low.
If you were a kid and walked away from this parade with a Karam for Congress balloon, a Scott Shipman Icee and pocketful of candy, it was a good day. If you were an adult and walked away feeling proud of your country, proud of your hometown and a little bit like a kid again…it was a good day too.
CASE IN POINT - Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
Baseball is green and safe. It has neither the street intimidation of basketball nor the controlled Armageddon of football.... Baseball is a green dream that happens on summer nights in safe places in unsafe cities.
-Luke Salisbury
The past couple of weeks have been pretty quiet at city hall. This made me think that maybe all legislation on all levels needs to be conducted in the summer. You can imagine how quickly lawmakers would finish up business and work together if it meant spending the long, warm days of summer in a room
with florescent lighting and bad coffee.
Regardless, the city council can be happy about one issue where we have taken the lead on a local level while up in Jefferson City they have dropped the ball – tax relief for seniors. Those in our community who have fixed income have watched their real income shrink from rising fuel costs, rising health care costs, and fast-rising home assessments that make the tax bill harder and harder to swallow. Certainly, tax relief could be more substantial on a federal or state level; however, we have taken steps to help out here locally.
For debate, I have asked that the bill be discussed at work session in order to include assistance for others in our community. My thoughts include: raising the income level to adjust for inflation where citizens can ask for the same tax break regardless their age, and offering the same tax break to those in our community with three or more school-aged children. Regardless whether or not this additional section becomes reality, the legislation was a good step in reducing taxes on local retirees.
A serious issue that we have to face head on in St. Charles is the state of our public schools. While we are in the middle of shuttering schools, Fort Zumwalt and Orchard Farm are or will be constructing new schools just to the west and north of us, respectively. In the case of Zumwalt, the new Zumwalt East High School will be right on the border of the St. Charles City School District. The St. Charles School District, while faced with a student bodythat isn’t growing, has already lived those big growth days of the 70s -
building, splitting the school day into two shifts, and using trailers for classroom space. When Francis Howell was in the thick of their financial troubles, St. Charles schools seemed to be financially sound. In fact, the public passed a bond issue for millions of dollars to repair and modernize our schools. I think the fact that this bond issue was passed just a few years ago added to the public’s surprise at the announcement that schools would be closed unless a new tax was levied in April. The general thought was that we should have made the latter decision first and then we would have had more bond money to invest into the schools that would be remaining open. For many, this was the thing that stuck in their craw the most about closing schools. Our property values and quality of life are directly bound to how well our schools are doing, how far the neighborhood school is from home (especially elementary schools/middle schools), what are the classes and programs -offered and what is the average class size.
Development and redevelopment within the school district should help our schools for the next several years. The Noah’s Ark site is under contract for development, the Montgomery Building is under construction on South Main Street, the casino is constructing a large hotel on its property, and the old SSM property on West Clay is currently under construction to name a few.
One deleterious influence on the funding for our local schools is Lindenwood University. Each house bought for student housing removes the property taxes off the books. From that tax, a large portion did go to our city schools. The university has acquired a couple hundred properties – including some commercial space that would have put in an even greater amount. This situation needs to be changed but it will take legislation on a state level in order to do that.
Next, while gasoline prices are the most glaring example of inflation, other basic products have been skyrocketing too - today, a 1⁄2 inch, 10’ section of copper pipe at the hardware store runs about $17.00. The past six years have been good to the oil industry and other multi-national corporations. It’s only the working stiffs who have lost ground lately. It’s time to change government from D.C. to Jefferson City!
Finally, the question whether we should have a full-time or part-time mayor should be going back before the voters now that the matter has been explored and citizens have been given a chance to examine just what is meant by this definition. If you simply ask someone, “Should the mayor be full or part time?” Most would say that a full time mayor would be good. The question that needs to be asked is, “Should we have strong-mayor form of government that allows the mayor to hire and fire department heads at will. Or, do you prefer to keep a city government with a professional city administrator who hires and fires by procedure and who promotes based upon performance? Should the council have input in the hiring process? Full-time and Part-time does not well describe the changes that are involved with the vote of the people. We have to make certain that we make this clear so people can make an informed decision.
-Luke Salisbury
The past couple of weeks have been pretty quiet at city hall. This made me think that maybe all legislation on all levels needs to be conducted in the summer. You can imagine how quickly lawmakers would finish up business and work together if it meant spending the long, warm days of summer in a room
with florescent lighting and bad coffee.
Regardless, the city council can be happy about one issue where we have taken the lead on a local level while up in Jefferson City they have dropped the ball – tax relief for seniors. Those in our community who have fixed income have watched their real income shrink from rising fuel costs, rising health care costs, and fast-rising home assessments that make the tax bill harder and harder to swallow. Certainly, tax relief could be more substantial on a federal or state level; however, we have taken steps to help out here locally.
For debate, I have asked that the bill be discussed at work session in order to include assistance for others in our community. My thoughts include: raising the income level to adjust for inflation where citizens can ask for the same tax break regardless their age, and offering the same tax break to those in our community with three or more school-aged children. Regardless whether or not this additional section becomes reality, the legislation was a good step in reducing taxes on local retirees.
A serious issue that we have to face head on in St. Charles is the state of our public schools. While we are in the middle of shuttering schools, Fort Zumwalt and Orchard Farm are or will be constructing new schools just to the west and north of us, respectively. In the case of Zumwalt, the new Zumwalt East High School will be right on the border of the St. Charles City School District. The St. Charles School District, while faced with a student bodythat isn’t growing, has already lived those big growth days of the 70s -
building, splitting the school day into two shifts, and using trailers for classroom space. When Francis Howell was in the thick of their financial troubles, St. Charles schools seemed to be financially sound. In fact, the public passed a bond issue for millions of dollars to repair and modernize our schools. I think the fact that this bond issue was passed just a few years ago added to the public’s surprise at the announcement that schools would be closed unless a new tax was levied in April. The general thought was that we should have made the latter decision first and then we would have had more bond money to invest into the schools that would be remaining open. For many, this was the thing that stuck in their craw the most about closing schools. Our property values and quality of life are directly bound to how well our schools are doing, how far the neighborhood school is from home (especially elementary schools/middle schools), what are the classes and programs -offered and what is the average class size.
Development and redevelopment within the school district should help our schools for the next several years. The Noah’s Ark site is under contract for development, the Montgomery Building is under construction on South Main Street, the casino is constructing a large hotel on its property, and the old SSM property on West Clay is currently under construction to name a few.
One deleterious influence on the funding for our local schools is Lindenwood University. Each house bought for student housing removes the property taxes off the books. From that tax, a large portion did go to our city schools. The university has acquired a couple hundred properties – including some commercial space that would have put in an even greater amount. This situation needs to be changed but it will take legislation on a state level in order to do that.
Next, while gasoline prices are the most glaring example of inflation, other basic products have been skyrocketing too - today, a 1⁄2 inch, 10’ section of copper pipe at the hardware store runs about $17.00. The past six years have been good to the oil industry and other multi-national corporations. It’s only the working stiffs who have lost ground lately. It’s time to change government from D.C. to Jefferson City!
Finally, the question whether we should have a full-time or part-time mayor should be going back before the voters now that the matter has been explored and citizens have been given a chance to examine just what is meant by this definition. If you simply ask someone, “Should the mayor be full or part time?” Most would say that a full time mayor would be good. The question that needs to be asked is, “Should we have strong-mayor form of government that allows the mayor to hire and fire department heads at will. Or, do you prefer to keep a city government with a professional city administrator who hires and fires by procedure and who promotes based upon performance? Should the council have input in the hiring process? Full-time and Part-time does not well describe the changes that are involved with the vote of the people. We have to make certain that we make this clear so people can make an informed decision.
The View From The Cheap Seats - By Jerry Haferkamp
There will be a non-binding referendum in the upcoming elections. It will have to do with the proposed salary of the incoming mayor, but only if the position will become full-time.
With little information as to the pros and cons, the voters were hurried into voting on the issue of full-time mayor. We approved the change. Almost immediately, many questioned whether their decision was the proper one. I am among those.
At the time this is written, the council is discussing whether the issue of full-time mayor should be placed on the ballot along with the salary issue. The St. Peters advertiser (formerly the St. Charles Journal) editorial came out in opposition to allowing your voices to be heard. This is no surprise, since they have pretty much always been out of step when it comes to St. Charles issues. They claim that the people have already spoken. I wonder if that was their stance when the voters approved the Charter that called for the present structure. Did they stand up and decry the later effort to change to a full-time mayor? No, because it fit their agenda.
Many residents would vote the same way they did before, but many on both sides of the issue may have rethought the issue and would change their vote. Since there is little expense adding this to an already scheduled election, I see no harm in doing so. I have always felt that allowing the citizens as much voice as possible is the right way to go. Times change and so do folks’ positions on issues. Now is the time to address this issue, before the change would take effect. The resulting vote may change or may not, but residents should have the final say.
No matter how you vote on that issue, be sure to cast your vote that would set the mayoral salary if the position does become full time. As I stated in my last column, Councilman Hoepfner originally suggested a salary that was $10,000 more than we pay our governor. He has more recently let a little of the hot air from his balloon and come a little more “down to Earth”, but his proposal is still too high. You will probably be given three salary ranges from which to choose. Consider carefully and choose one!
Lastly, we should all support the tightening up of the recall provisions. We can’t afford the type of activity that we have recently witnessed that attempted to make a mockery of our election process. Our elections are too dear to us to have them turned into the farce that the Citizens Empowerment Committee attempted to foist upon us. Recall should only be used to remove someone from office for abuse of office or criminal acts in the performance of official duties.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
With little information as to the pros and cons, the voters were hurried into voting on the issue of full-time mayor. We approved the change. Almost immediately, many questioned whether their decision was the proper one. I am among those.
At the time this is written, the council is discussing whether the issue of full-time mayor should be placed on the ballot along with the salary issue. The St. Peters advertiser (formerly the St. Charles Journal) editorial came out in opposition to allowing your voices to be heard. This is no surprise, since they have pretty much always been out of step when it comes to St. Charles issues. They claim that the people have already spoken. I wonder if that was their stance when the voters approved the Charter that called for the present structure. Did they stand up and decry the later effort to change to a full-time mayor? No, because it fit their agenda.
Many residents would vote the same way they did before, but many on both sides of the issue may have rethought the issue and would change their vote. Since there is little expense adding this to an already scheduled election, I see no harm in doing so. I have always felt that allowing the citizens as much voice as possible is the right way to go. Times change and so do folks’ positions on issues. Now is the time to address this issue, before the change would take effect. The resulting vote may change or may not, but residents should have the final say.
No matter how you vote on that issue, be sure to cast your vote that would set the mayoral salary if the position does become full time. As I stated in my last column, Councilman Hoepfner originally suggested a salary that was $10,000 more than we pay our governor. He has more recently let a little of the hot air from his balloon and come a little more “down to Earth”, but his proposal is still too high. You will probably be given three salary ranges from which to choose. Consider carefully and choose one!
Lastly, we should all support the tightening up of the recall provisions. We can’t afford the type of activity that we have recently witnessed that attempted to make a mockery of our election process. Our elections are too dear to us to have them turned into the farce that the Citizens Empowerment Committee attempted to foist upon us. Recall should only be used to remove someone from office for abuse of office or criminal acts in the performance of official duties.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
Limerick Book Is Fun For Entire Family
By Lynndi Lockenour
What started as an ode to his father,
Was for Bob not much a bother.
Now he has a limericks book,
To which everyone can take a look
And find much laughter.
Local funny man, now turned author, Bob Schneider recently published a book of limericks and poems titled 79 Reasons to Smile. The book is a compiled mixture of humor stemming from limericks Bob’s father, Jerry Schneider, wrote throughout his life, as well as some of Bob’s own original work.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Bob decided to publish a book after his father passed away in July 2005 from surgery complications. “Dad spent a lot of time writing these limericks,” he said. But until Bob was 40, he never knew about his father’s hidden talent. “Dad was very modest and didn’t tell anyone about it.”
Bob said he had always encouraged his father to assemble his material into a book, but Jerry was always too modest to do so. After his father’s death Bob decided Jerry’s work would get published, with a little help from him, of course. With both his wife and mother telling him there weren’t enough hours in the day to put something like this together, Bob set to work. “There’s no greater motivation to do something than when someone tells you that you can’t,” he said.
Of all the poems and limericks throughout the book, Bob said his personal favorite is “Dad’s Shoes” because it strikes a more serious tone about the relationship he had with his father. “There wasn’t a day the two of use spent together that wasn’t filled with laughter,” he said.
Bob said he has been amazed at how “easy” it was to get the book ready and published. “I’m not saying there weren’t difficult times,” he said. “But somehow I think Dad was helping things out a little, making it go more smoothly.”
With all the negative messages out there today, Bob said he hopes this book brings something positive to the table. “I want 79 Reasons to Smile to give kids and their parents a chance to be happier and do something together for a change,” he said. Bob said he intends the book for all ages. “From six to 60, I want people to get something out of this that they didn’t have before, even if it’s only a slight chuckle.
During the publishing process Bob has encountered several happy moments, but he said his favorite was finishing it. “Handing that first copy to my mother and saying ‘I finished Dad’s book’ was the best,” he said. “Seeing that smile on her face made it all worth it.”
The book features illustrations by Phil Cappello and Don Humphrey, with graphic production design by Florence Bommarito.
Bob published the book himself and it is therefore only available at the following selected locations: Borders and Heart Food and Drug in O’Fallon, Illinois, The book costs $19.95, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Valley Industries, a sheltered workshop in St. Louis County that provides employment for over 200 adults with disabilities. For more information on the book or how you can find a copy for yourself, visit www.79reasonstosmile.com
What started as an ode to his father,
Was for Bob not much a bother.
Now he has a limericks book,
To which everyone can take a look
And find much laughter.
Local funny man, now turned author, Bob Schneider recently published a book of limericks and poems titled 79 Reasons to Smile. The book is a compiled mixture of humor stemming from limericks Bob’s father, Jerry Schneider, wrote throughout his life, as well as some of Bob’s own original work.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Bob decided to publish a book after his father passed away in July 2005 from surgery complications. “Dad spent a lot of time writing these limericks,” he said. But until Bob was 40, he never knew about his father’s hidden talent. “Dad was very modest and didn’t tell anyone about it.”
Bob said he had always encouraged his father to assemble his material into a book, but Jerry was always too modest to do so. After his father’s death Bob decided Jerry’s work would get published, with a little help from him, of course. With both his wife and mother telling him there weren’t enough hours in the day to put something like this together, Bob set to work. “There’s no greater motivation to do something than when someone tells you that you can’t,” he said.
Of all the poems and limericks throughout the book, Bob said his personal favorite is “Dad’s Shoes” because it strikes a more serious tone about the relationship he had with his father. “There wasn’t a day the two of use spent together that wasn’t filled with laughter,” he said.
Bob said he has been amazed at how “easy” it was to get the book ready and published. “I’m not saying there weren’t difficult times,” he said. “But somehow I think Dad was helping things out a little, making it go more smoothly.”
With all the negative messages out there today, Bob said he hopes this book brings something positive to the table. “I want 79 Reasons to Smile to give kids and their parents a chance to be happier and do something together for a change,” he said. Bob said he intends the book for all ages. “From six to 60, I want people to get something out of this that they didn’t have before, even if it’s only a slight chuckle.
During the publishing process Bob has encountered several happy moments, but he said his favorite was finishing it. “Handing that first copy to my mother and saying ‘I finished Dad’s book’ was the best,” he said. “Seeing that smile on her face made it all worth it.”
The book features illustrations by Phil Cappello and Don Humphrey, with graphic production design by Florence Bommarito.
Bob published the book himself and it is therefore only available at the following selected locations: Borders and Heart Food and Drug in O’Fallon, Illinois, The book costs $19.95, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Valley Industries, a sheltered workshop in St. Louis County that provides employment for over 200 adults with disabilities. For more information on the book or how you can find a copy for yourself, visit www.79reasonstosmile.com
Building Collapses in Clinton, Sending Seven Local Firefighters to the Rescue
By Lynndi Lockenour
Last Monday night, seven members of the St. Charles County Fire Department found themselves in a situation for which they have spent years training. A three-story building collapsed around 6 p.m. Monday evening in Clinton Missouri. At the time of the collapse, 50 some people were inside. The top floor of the structure, built in the early 1800s, housed a retail store, while the bottom belonged to a local Elk Lodge. The accident was originally reported as an explosion, though no fire was found. The actual cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
The local fire department in Clinton responded immediately. However, when they realized the damage was beyond their control, they accessed the regional asset out of Kansas City. When the Kansas City unit arrived, they saw the situation was also beyond their manpower, then activating the Missouri Task Force One. This is a regional group of firefighters who are called upon in situations like these where buildings collapse or suffer structural damage.
Seven local firefighters responded to the call in Clinton. Making the four-hour trek to Clinton, Missouri were Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes, Captain Robb Watkins, Captain Gary Bird, Captain Dave Fecht, Captain Larry Hagedorn, and Private Gerard Orf.
When the men from St. Charles arrived, 10 of the original 50 victims were still contained within the ruble. Captain Watkins described the scene as “fluid,” saying the building itself was very unstable and difficult to maneuver. “People were tangled around furniture and debris,” he said.
Using timbers and box cripping, the firefighters stabilized the ruble as much as possible before entering. Captain Watkins said the firefighters were able to maintain verbal contact with most of the victims throughout the rescue effort. “To say I wasn’t scared at times would be an understatement,” Watkins said. “But hearing those people crying for help was motivation to focus on the job and go in there.”
Of the 10 people still trapped in the building, nine survived. Watkins called it a miracle, saying, “someone was watching out for us all.” He said this rescue was the most successful he’d ever seen in his 14 years with the department. “It was a euphoric feeling to assist in rescuing those people,” he said.
After being rescued from the ruble, most of the victims were able to walk away. Captain Watkins said most of the people were just thankful to be alive. “To turn around and see what you’ve just lived through,” he said. “It was nothing short of miraculous.”
The Missouri Task Force One unit also assisted in New York during the aftermath of the September 11 and Hurricane Katrina tragedies. Captain Watkins said the success of Monday night’s rescue is an example of how these emergency systems are designed to work. “This proves how important it is to have this type of back-up system readily available,” he said.
Most people think in natural disasters or large-scale emergencies, FEMA will come to the rescue effort. In reality the statutes issued by FEMA say that in such a situation, the local rescue teams should be prepared to wait up to 48 hours for FEMA to arrive. “In a large-scale accident like this one, we don’t have 48 hours,” Captain Watkins said. “It was vital to have such a system established within the state.”
In the coming months, the local Fire Department establishments will be equipped with Task Force One trucks to accompany them in the instance of structural damage during a fire or other emergency. At a cost of over $400,000 per truck, Captain Watkins said they would enable rescue crews to maneuver much more efficiently. “These trucks would be ready to respond at a moments notice,” Watkins said. “Allowing us to save lives, should a building catch fire or collapse in the St. Louis metro area.”
Last Monday night, seven members of the St. Charles County Fire Department found themselves in a situation for which they have spent years training. A three-story building collapsed around 6 p.m. Monday evening in Clinton Missouri. At the time of the collapse, 50 some people were inside. The top floor of the structure, built in the early 1800s, housed a retail store, while the bottom belonged to a local Elk Lodge. The accident was originally reported as an explosion, though no fire was found. The actual cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
The local fire department in Clinton responded immediately. However, when they realized the damage was beyond their control, they accessed the regional asset out of Kansas City. When the Kansas City unit arrived, they saw the situation was also beyond their manpower, then activating the Missouri Task Force One. This is a regional group of firefighters who are called upon in situations like these where buildings collapse or suffer structural damage.
Seven local firefighters responded to the call in Clinton. Making the four-hour trek to Clinton, Missouri were Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes, Captain Robb Watkins, Captain Gary Bird, Captain Dave Fecht, Captain Larry Hagedorn, and Private Gerard Orf.
When the men from St. Charles arrived, 10 of the original 50 victims were still contained within the ruble. Captain Watkins described the scene as “fluid,” saying the building itself was very unstable and difficult to maneuver. “People were tangled around furniture and debris,” he said.
Using timbers and box cripping, the firefighters stabilized the ruble as much as possible before entering. Captain Watkins said the firefighters were able to maintain verbal contact with most of the victims throughout the rescue effort. “To say I wasn’t scared at times would be an understatement,” Watkins said. “But hearing those people crying for help was motivation to focus on the job and go in there.”
Of the 10 people still trapped in the building, nine survived. Watkins called it a miracle, saying, “someone was watching out for us all.” He said this rescue was the most successful he’d ever seen in his 14 years with the department. “It was a euphoric feeling to assist in rescuing those people,” he said.
After being rescued from the ruble, most of the victims were able to walk away. Captain Watkins said most of the people were just thankful to be alive. “To turn around and see what you’ve just lived through,” he said. “It was nothing short of miraculous.”
The Missouri Task Force One unit also assisted in New York during the aftermath of the September 11 and Hurricane Katrina tragedies. Captain Watkins said the success of Monday night’s rescue is an example of how these emergency systems are designed to work. “This proves how important it is to have this type of back-up system readily available,” he said.
Most people think in natural disasters or large-scale emergencies, FEMA will come to the rescue effort. In reality the statutes issued by FEMA say that in such a situation, the local rescue teams should be prepared to wait up to 48 hours for FEMA to arrive. “In a large-scale accident like this one, we don’t have 48 hours,” Captain Watkins said. “It was vital to have such a system established within the state.”
In the coming months, the local Fire Department establishments will be equipped with Task Force One trucks to accompany them in the instance of structural damage during a fire or other emergency. At a cost of over $400,000 per truck, Captain Watkins said they would enable rescue crews to maneuver much more efficiently. “These trucks would be ready to respond at a moments notice,” Watkins said. “Allowing us to save lives, should a building catch fire or collapse in the St. Louis metro area.”
First Capitol Counseling Connection - By Dr. Howard Rosenthal
What about those new natural cures for mental health?
One of the most common questions I am asked is whether natural remedies for mental health really exist. Let me begin by saying that I could fill an entire text with information about this exciting topic. Hmm, maybe one day I will.
Before I share any information with you, I must insist that you check with your physician or psychiatrist – you know, the guys and gals with MDs or DOs after their name – since natural treatments can interact with prescription medicinals. In addition, these substances can have side effects, although in general the undesirable effects would not be as common as those associated with prescription drugs.
A lot of folks erroneously believe that the natural mental health movement was spawned by a bunch of health nut hippies in the 1960s sitting at the corner of Haight & Ashbury munching on carrot sticks and kale. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Natural mental health, originally dubbed as orthomolecular psychiatry (don’t worry nobody is ever going to ask you to spell it), was popularized by the world famous biochemist Linus Pauling who began the vitamin C craze and the only man on the face of the planet to snare two unshared Nobel Prizes – 1954 for chemistry and 1962 for the Nobel Peace Prize. Pauling, along with psychiatrists Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer, discovered that persons with severe emotional issues often had extremely low levels of nutrients. Thus, a guy who thought he was Napoleon might come to the conclusion that he was really Joe Smith if you gave him several hundred times the B-vitamins (usually B3 or niacin) that the average person would consume. Because of this, the trend was became known as “mega-vitamin therapy” which was also the title of a popular book in the early 70s.
Here is a brief vest pocket list of some of the more popular nonprescription treatments.
St. John’s Wort Wort (not wart for gosh sakes) is old English for plant. A ton of studies have revealed that St. John’s Wort is often an effective treatment for mild – not severe – depression. In Germany where alterative treatments are not so alternative St. John’s Wort is prescribed much more often than Prozac! The Lancet, the British Medical Journal, conducted meta-research and found that St. John’s Wort, is an excellent choice for a first line of defense for treating clinical depression. Like some prescription medicines, it can cause problems due to extreme sun exposure and is contraindicated for some transplant patients and persons taking certain AIDS medicines. Ask your doctor.
SAMe Enunciated Sammy, SAMe is often used for more severe depression and is touted as an excellent supplement for arthritis sufferers.
Ultra-refined pharmaceutical grade fish oil For years mental health workers have heard rumors that folks living in fishing towns suffered from less depression and their kids were rarely plagued with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We know now that fish oil or fish body oil has a class of fats called Omega-3s that fight depression, build immunity, help keep our hearts and skin healthy, boost brain functioning, and even assist us to annihilate unwanted fat. (Yes, you read it correctly, a fat that fights fat) For those of you who are patting yourself on the back because you just gobbled down a greasy fast food fish sandwich or your freezer has a pack of those famous fish sticks . . . well I’m sorry to bust your bubble, but commercial fish products like these often have the beneficial omega 3’s removed so they won’t taste . . . well . . . too fishy! Since fish oil can thin your blood seek medical advice before ingesting fish oils. Barry Sears, who created the well-know Zone Diet, is adamant that supplementing with high grade fish oil is one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs in years. Some research indicates that Omega-3’s can help people suffering from bi-polar disorder even if they are already taking prescription treatments. Supplementation is used in research studies instead of eating fish to control dosages and allow the person a much higher intake without the worries of mercury poisoning.
5 HTP This supplement was popularized by athletes who were depressed after engaging in excessive exercise. Although moderate exercise is a mild antidepressant, a 26 mile marathon or living in the gym and performing twenty sets of weight lifting per body part, does just the opposite and seemingly depletes brain chemicals. Some experts claim that this supplement is as strong if not stronger than prescription antidepressants because it raises serotonin levels. It also generally causes moderate weight loss. Since balance in life is essential and too much serotonin is not a good thing, you would do well to speak with your physician before combining 5-HTP, or for that matter any supplement described here, with a prescription medicine.
Lithium When most people think of lithium they visualize a prescription medicine and rightly so. Between 1948 and 1949 an Australian psychiatrist, Dr. John Cade, discovered that lithium salts could help control mania. Today, doctors often prescribe lithium for depression or for bi-polar disorder (formerly termed manic-depression). Blood tests are required because prescription lithium can have serious side effects that impact the thyroid and kidneys. Nevertheless, some experts insist that we all need very small dosages of this trace mineral (i.e., in parts per million or PPM). According to the new theory, we get our lithium from plants and the water supply. Unfortunately, even if you ate the perfect diet (and who does?) the soil has been depleted of lithium for years and thus you would still be deficient. Hence, some people have begun ingesting lithium supplements readily available at health food stores. Sometimes these are colloidal or ionic plant supplements, in the form of a liquid. For those who think this theory outlandish, you will be surprised to know that some research indicates higher suicide and homicide rates in areas where the water supply lacks lithium! Stay tuned, this is going to get interesting!
Sunlight Yes sunlight, it’s free. There is even a recognized form of depression called SAD or seasonal affective disorder that is caused by a lack of sunlight. For those who can’t catch enough rays full-spectrum light bulbs and phototherapy devices are available. Also, some exciting new research shows that vitamin D from the sun is not a vitamin after-all, but actually a hormone that can influence immunity and one’s emotional state. Vitamin D supplements are indeed available at health food stores. In the US Milk has been supplemented with vitamin D to prevent rickets, however, milk is an unreliable source that may be too weak to help those who need more of this vital nutrient. This, needless to say, has created a heated debate about whether the use of too much sunscreen might just be harmful. Hey, don’t look at me I don’t have the definitive answer on this one yet!
So see your doctor and don’t forget to take your vitamins!
Dr. Howard Rosenthal is a St. Charles resident and the author of a number of books including Help Yourself to Positive Mental Health and the Encyclopedia of Counseling. His website is www.howardrosenthal.com. Copyright 2006 Dr. Howard Rosenthal
One of the most common questions I am asked is whether natural remedies for mental health really exist. Let me begin by saying that I could fill an entire text with information about this exciting topic. Hmm, maybe one day I will.
Before I share any information with you, I must insist that you check with your physician or psychiatrist – you know, the guys and gals with MDs or DOs after their name – since natural treatments can interact with prescription medicinals. In addition, these substances can have side effects, although in general the undesirable effects would not be as common as those associated with prescription drugs.
A lot of folks erroneously believe that the natural mental health movement was spawned by a bunch of health nut hippies in the 1960s sitting at the corner of Haight & Ashbury munching on carrot sticks and kale. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Natural mental health, originally dubbed as orthomolecular psychiatry (don’t worry nobody is ever going to ask you to spell it), was popularized by the world famous biochemist Linus Pauling who began the vitamin C craze and the only man on the face of the planet to snare two unshared Nobel Prizes – 1954 for chemistry and 1962 for the Nobel Peace Prize. Pauling, along with psychiatrists Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer, discovered that persons with severe emotional issues often had extremely low levels of nutrients. Thus, a guy who thought he was Napoleon might come to the conclusion that he was really Joe Smith if you gave him several hundred times the B-vitamins (usually B3 or niacin) that the average person would consume. Because of this, the trend was became known as “mega-vitamin therapy” which was also the title of a popular book in the early 70s.
Here is a brief vest pocket list of some of the more popular nonprescription treatments.
St. John’s Wort Wort (not wart for gosh sakes) is old English for plant. A ton of studies have revealed that St. John’s Wort is often an effective treatment for mild – not severe – depression. In Germany where alterative treatments are not so alternative St. John’s Wort is prescribed much more often than Prozac! The Lancet, the British Medical Journal, conducted meta-research and found that St. John’s Wort, is an excellent choice for a first line of defense for treating clinical depression. Like some prescription medicines, it can cause problems due to extreme sun exposure and is contraindicated for some transplant patients and persons taking certain AIDS medicines. Ask your doctor.
SAMe Enunciated Sammy, SAMe is often used for more severe depression and is touted as an excellent supplement for arthritis sufferers.
Ultra-refined pharmaceutical grade fish oil For years mental health workers have heard rumors that folks living in fishing towns suffered from less depression and their kids were rarely plagued with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We know now that fish oil or fish body oil has a class of fats called Omega-3s that fight depression, build immunity, help keep our hearts and skin healthy, boost brain functioning, and even assist us to annihilate unwanted fat. (Yes, you read it correctly, a fat that fights fat) For those of you who are patting yourself on the back because you just gobbled down a greasy fast food fish sandwich or your freezer has a pack of those famous fish sticks . . . well I’m sorry to bust your bubble, but commercial fish products like these often have the beneficial omega 3’s removed so they won’t taste . . . well . . . too fishy! Since fish oil can thin your blood seek medical advice before ingesting fish oils. Barry Sears, who created the well-know Zone Diet, is adamant that supplementing with high grade fish oil is one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs in years. Some research indicates that Omega-3’s can help people suffering from bi-polar disorder even if they are already taking prescription treatments. Supplementation is used in research studies instead of eating fish to control dosages and allow the person a much higher intake without the worries of mercury poisoning.
5 HTP This supplement was popularized by athletes who were depressed after engaging in excessive exercise. Although moderate exercise is a mild antidepressant, a 26 mile marathon or living in the gym and performing twenty sets of weight lifting per body part, does just the opposite and seemingly depletes brain chemicals. Some experts claim that this supplement is as strong if not stronger than prescription antidepressants because it raises serotonin levels. It also generally causes moderate weight loss. Since balance in life is essential and too much serotonin is not a good thing, you would do well to speak with your physician before combining 5-HTP, or for that matter any supplement described here, with a prescription medicine.
Lithium When most people think of lithium they visualize a prescription medicine and rightly so. Between 1948 and 1949 an Australian psychiatrist, Dr. John Cade, discovered that lithium salts could help control mania. Today, doctors often prescribe lithium for depression or for bi-polar disorder (formerly termed manic-depression). Blood tests are required because prescription lithium can have serious side effects that impact the thyroid and kidneys. Nevertheless, some experts insist that we all need very small dosages of this trace mineral (i.e., in parts per million or PPM). According to the new theory, we get our lithium from plants and the water supply. Unfortunately, even if you ate the perfect diet (and who does?) the soil has been depleted of lithium for years and thus you would still be deficient. Hence, some people have begun ingesting lithium supplements readily available at health food stores. Sometimes these are colloidal or ionic plant supplements, in the form of a liquid. For those who think this theory outlandish, you will be surprised to know that some research indicates higher suicide and homicide rates in areas where the water supply lacks lithium! Stay tuned, this is going to get interesting!
Sunlight Yes sunlight, it’s free. There is even a recognized form of depression called SAD or seasonal affective disorder that is caused by a lack of sunlight. For those who can’t catch enough rays full-spectrum light bulbs and phototherapy devices are available. Also, some exciting new research shows that vitamin D from the sun is not a vitamin after-all, but actually a hormone that can influence immunity and one’s emotional state. Vitamin D supplements are indeed available at health food stores. In the US Milk has been supplemented with vitamin D to prevent rickets, however, milk is an unreliable source that may be too weak to help those who need more of this vital nutrient. This, needless to say, has created a heated debate about whether the use of too much sunscreen might just be harmful. Hey, don’t look at me I don’t have the definitive answer on this one yet!
So see your doctor and don’t forget to take your vitamins!
Dr. Howard Rosenthal is a St. Charles resident and the author of a number of books including Help Yourself to Positive Mental Health and the Encyclopedia of Counseling. His website is www.howardrosenthal.com. Copyright 2006 Dr. Howard Rosenthal
Comments & Commentary By Charles Hill
Hello everybody, long time no talk. I have been watching and trying to figure out if the new tourism director has a clue as to what has been going on and what needs to be done in our City. To help him out here are what I consider the top 5 he needs to address:
5- Kiosk at the sports venues. The City of St. Charles has numerous soccer tournaments and sports events that bring people from all over. A kiosk would educate the participants and families to all St. Charles have to offer. This will go a long way to moving those at the sports fields to other businesses in the City.
4-Stop spending our tax dollars taking people to venues outside of the City of St. Charles. We have plenty to offer the travel writers and if our tourism department doesn’t think so, then they should quit. This has to be the most insulting thing to a business in St. Charles. The tourism department spending our tax dollars in St. Louis while former CVB Director Steve Powell has told us that anyone from the metropolitan area isn’t a tourist.
3-Admit that the Convention Center has cannibalized the other centers and the success is overblown. This will demonstrate his ability to understand and show he will be honest with the people of St. Charles. He should begin to lobby the Council to change the tourism law to exclude the other centers from collecting a tax that supports their competition unfairly.
2- Change and update completely the entire marketing plan of the tourism department. The tried and failed past need not be repeated.
1- Understand that St. Charles is more than Main Street and all businesses that support the Convention and Visitors Bureau should be included in all aspects of our marketing. To put it simply, the idea of packaging would create a tourism department that uses tax dollars that are paid by many to support a few. It is not tourism’s job to advertise for the individual, but for the whole. The idea of packaging would help the few while excluding the many.
I hope the new director has some business sense and sees all we have to offer. Don’t let the bed and breakfast, preservationist lobby get their hooks into the new director. We will see if they have by his first actions. The use of tax dollars paid by the many only to support the few will certainly be telling.
5- Kiosk at the sports venues. The City of St. Charles has numerous soccer tournaments and sports events that bring people from all over. A kiosk would educate the participants and families to all St. Charles have to offer. This will go a long way to moving those at the sports fields to other businesses in the City.
4-Stop spending our tax dollars taking people to venues outside of the City of St. Charles. We have plenty to offer the travel writers and if our tourism department doesn’t think so, then they should quit. This has to be the most insulting thing to a business in St. Charles. The tourism department spending our tax dollars in St. Louis while former CVB Director Steve Powell has told us that anyone from the metropolitan area isn’t a tourist.
3-Admit that the Convention Center has cannibalized the other centers and the success is overblown. This will demonstrate his ability to understand and show he will be honest with the people of St. Charles. He should begin to lobby the Council to change the tourism law to exclude the other centers from collecting a tax that supports their competition unfairly.
2- Change and update completely the entire marketing plan of the tourism department. The tried and failed past need not be repeated.
1- Understand that St. Charles is more than Main Street and all businesses that support the Convention and Visitors Bureau should be included in all aspects of our marketing. To put it simply, the idea of packaging would create a tourism department that uses tax dollars that are paid by many to support a few. It is not tourism’s job to advertise for the individual, but for the whole. The idea of packaging would help the few while excluding the many.
I hope the new director has some business sense and sees all we have to offer. Don’t let the bed and breakfast, preservationist lobby get their hooks into the new director. We will see if they have by his first actions. The use of tax dollars paid by the many only to support the few will certainly be telling.
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS - Mike McMurran. S[prts Edotpr
June 30 marks the end of yet another fiscal year, which to me really means nothing. Well, except for the fact that my school district will have a new superintendent, which for the most part shouldn’t affect me. Since this is the end of the fiscal year I will offer a hodge-podge of information and stories.
July 4th weekend is always busy in the McMurran household, primarily due to Maggie and her involvement with the Patt Holt Singers. From what Maggie’s mom tells me, this year’s schedule is nothing like last year’s; that is good. Last year I know Maggie was performing sometimes 4 or 5 shows a day. I was proud of her though, in the 90+ degree temperature, she made every show. This yea she performed on the main stage at Frontier Park on the 4th. The show began right after the parade has been completed. Maggie is easy pick out as she starts the show with “Nothing but a Hound dog.”
One reason I am very much looking forward to July 1st is that I will be reunited with my oldest son Joe. For the past couple of days Joe has been at the YMCA’s Camp Lakewood, having a blast. Of course I voted against his going, as he will have missed a very important Titan baseball game on Thursday. But as usual his mom acts as the voice of reason. “There’s much more to life than sports,” Lynn suggested. The more I think about it, “suggested” is not the correct term – more like “demanded.” So she won out, this time. I on the other hand won out on a much more important front.
It seems Joe was invited to play soccer this upcoming season for both Tony Glavin and Scott Gallager. Now usually Lynn leaves the sports decisions up to me, probably because I am the Sports Editor of this fine weekly, but for some reason she stuck her nose where it didn’t belong. “Joe, who would you rather play for, Tony Glavin or Scott Gallager?,” she questioned the 8-year old. Joe thought for a while and responded, “Mom, I don’t care who I play soccer for, because as soon as dad says I can, I am going to play football.” Proud moment, heh? Not quite. My lovely wife accused me of brain washing my own son; she was serious. This could not go unchallenged by yours truly, as such was a serious charge. “I’ve never brainwashed Joe, all I’ve done is expose him to the game.” Which is true. Joe has literally been in high school football locker rooms since before he could walk. He has attended a NFL National Conference Title game (Rams vs. Eagles), in addition to more Ram’s games than I can count. This past season he began the season as the water boy for the Trinity Catholic High School Titans, working his was up to ball boy. No, brainwashed is the wrong word. Now ladies and gentlemen, if you have ever paid any degree of attention to my written words, pay extremely close attention to this: Lynn apologized! One of the few times in our 20+ relationship, maybe the only time, Lynn apologized.
I could go on to tell you how I then promised Joe he could play football this coming fall – only to find out all the teams were full. Of course I had already promised him he could play before I found out. Telling him the teams were full brought tears to his eyes – which really made me feel like whale crap. Ah but there is a happy ending. If Joe could receive clearance from his pediatric orthopedic surgeon, he could play for the O’Fallon Junior Renegades. As far as Joe knew he was just going in for his annual visit. His appointment was on a Tuesday and I had made arrangements for him to pick up his equipment on that Thursday – as long as she cleared him. She did, and I couldn’t wait to tell him the good news. As he was getting dressed in the doctor’s office I told him he would be picking up his equipment in two days. For the first time in Joe’s life he shed tears of happiness – no kidding! Its something I know I’ll never forget.
Being the fair father that I attempt to be, I have to be equal with all three kids. So a quick word about Dee – the thinker. Dee is playing baseball in the St. Peter’s Athletic Association Pee Wee league. When batting they receive five pitches from the pitching machine, if they don’t get a hit they then hit it off a tee. Dee can clobber the ball. When practicing he will hit eight of 10 from the pitching machine.
During a recent game, he missed all five pitches, leaving me to wonder what was up. His response: “Dad, it is so much easier to hit the ball off the tee, and it goes so much further.” That’s really the way he talks. “I figured if I hit it off the tee I might be able to hit the ball over the fence for a home run.” He didn’t, but you have to admire his thought process.
That’s it for this fiscal year. See ya soon, hopefully with some stories from the Spinks’ fight.
July 4th weekend is always busy in the McMurran household, primarily due to Maggie and her involvement with the Patt Holt Singers. From what Maggie’s mom tells me, this year’s schedule is nothing like last year’s; that is good. Last year I know Maggie was performing sometimes 4 or 5 shows a day. I was proud of her though, in the 90+ degree temperature, she made every show. This yea she performed on the main stage at Frontier Park on the 4th. The show began right after the parade has been completed. Maggie is easy pick out as she starts the show with “Nothing but a Hound dog.”
One reason I am very much looking forward to July 1st is that I will be reunited with my oldest son Joe. For the past couple of days Joe has been at the YMCA’s Camp Lakewood, having a blast. Of course I voted against his going, as he will have missed a very important Titan baseball game on Thursday. But as usual his mom acts as the voice of reason. “There’s much more to life than sports,” Lynn suggested. The more I think about it, “suggested” is not the correct term – more like “demanded.” So she won out, this time. I on the other hand won out on a much more important front.
It seems Joe was invited to play soccer this upcoming season for both Tony Glavin and Scott Gallager. Now usually Lynn leaves the sports decisions up to me, probably because I am the Sports Editor of this fine weekly, but for some reason she stuck her nose where it didn’t belong. “Joe, who would you rather play for, Tony Glavin or Scott Gallager?,” she questioned the 8-year old. Joe thought for a while and responded, “Mom, I don’t care who I play soccer for, because as soon as dad says I can, I am going to play football.” Proud moment, heh? Not quite. My lovely wife accused me of brain washing my own son; she was serious. This could not go unchallenged by yours truly, as such was a serious charge. “I’ve never brainwashed Joe, all I’ve done is expose him to the game.” Which is true. Joe has literally been in high school football locker rooms since before he could walk. He has attended a NFL National Conference Title game (Rams vs. Eagles), in addition to more Ram’s games than I can count. This past season he began the season as the water boy for the Trinity Catholic High School Titans, working his was up to ball boy. No, brainwashed is the wrong word. Now ladies and gentlemen, if you have ever paid any degree of attention to my written words, pay extremely close attention to this: Lynn apologized! One of the few times in our 20+ relationship, maybe the only time, Lynn apologized.
I could go on to tell you how I then promised Joe he could play football this coming fall – only to find out all the teams were full. Of course I had already promised him he could play before I found out. Telling him the teams were full brought tears to his eyes – which really made me feel like whale crap. Ah but there is a happy ending. If Joe could receive clearance from his pediatric orthopedic surgeon, he could play for the O’Fallon Junior Renegades. As far as Joe knew he was just going in for his annual visit. His appointment was on a Tuesday and I had made arrangements for him to pick up his equipment on that Thursday – as long as she cleared him. She did, and I couldn’t wait to tell him the good news. As he was getting dressed in the doctor’s office I told him he would be picking up his equipment in two days. For the first time in Joe’s life he shed tears of happiness – no kidding! Its something I know I’ll never forget.
Being the fair father that I attempt to be, I have to be equal with all three kids. So a quick word about Dee – the thinker. Dee is playing baseball in the St. Peter’s Athletic Association Pee Wee league. When batting they receive five pitches from the pitching machine, if they don’t get a hit they then hit it off a tee. Dee can clobber the ball. When practicing he will hit eight of 10 from the pitching machine.
During a recent game, he missed all five pitches, leaving me to wonder what was up. His response: “Dad, it is so much easier to hit the ball off the tee, and it goes so much further.” That’s really the way he talks. “I figured if I hit it off the tee I might be able to hit the ball over the fence for a home run.” He didn’t, but you have to admire his thought process.
That’s it for this fiscal year. See ya soon, hopefully with some stories from the Spinks’ fight.
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