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Monday, August 28, 2006
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - FRONT PAGE - August 28, 2006
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RESIDENTS SHUT-DOWN BY MAYOR’S VETO
By Tony Brockmeyer
In April of 2007 the government of St. Charles will change. Sevral Councilman voiced their concern that the new system will become exactly like the City of St. Louis which has been plagued with political cronyism and lacks professional expertise. “Unqualified personnel ultimately leads to unproductive workeras and higher taxes, said Councilman Mark Brown. With the charter change that become effective in April St. Charles will go from being a system where the City Administrator has the power and the Mayor is part-time, with a strong City Council government - to one that will be controlled by a strong, full-time Mayor. When this matter was placed on the ballot it passed by a slight margin. The City Council recently voted to have this matter revisited by the voters. The Council felt voters did not fully understand the matter they were voting on. The Council thinks voters believed they were voting for either a full-time Mayor or a part-time Mayor and did know the position of the City Administrator would be eliminated. A majority of the Council feel the voters should be aware of what the change would mean and be given another opportunity to vote on it. The Council approved placing the issue on the November ballot.
The Mayor has other ideas. She vetoed the ordinance and sent it back to the Council where it would have needed seven votes to be placed on the November ballot. Councilmen Riddler, Gieseke, Brown, Koester, Reese and Greer voted to override the Mayor’s veto. Councilmen Muench, Weller, Kneemiller and Hoepfner voted to sustain the Mayor’s veto. Because of their votes, the veto was not overridden and the residents of St. Charles will be unable to vote on the issue again.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “Who can honestly argue about making it clear what is being voted on and letting the people express their feelings through the ballot box? The issue could have been on the ballot at the general election in November and would not have been an expense to the taxpayers.”
In her veto message to the Council the Mayor wrote, “I ask, what percentage of a win does it take for government to listen to its people? Our nation is a democracy where each person has a vote and the majority decides. While we may not like the outcome, we listen to the people and follow their decisions through the voting process. This attempt to revote on the same issue precludes the people’s decision and says their original vote just isn’t good enough. Win, lose or draw, I respect election results and the will of the people.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “This is the same Mayor who refused to respect the election results and the will of the people when she was one of the leaders of the effort to recall myself and Councilwoman Greer. Once again she is talking out of both sides of her mouth. When she gets caught in a lie she just tells more lies. I believe she must think the people are stupid.”
Councilman Mike Weller told the Council members that since the Council did not allow a vote on fireworks he was not going to allow a vote on a City Administrator or strong Mayor type of government.
A resident in attendance at the meting remarked. “Weller has an uncanny ability to demonstrate what an idiot he really is. Our residents would be well served if he continued to stay away from Council meetings and let the City do without his input. He’s ridiculous and an embarrassment to the people who voted for him.”
Councilman Larry Muench, Ward 2, appeared to have difficulty in announcing his vote, but he did vote against allowing the residents to vote on the issue. One of our sources at City Hall told the FCN, “The Mayor was really putting pressure on him. He lets Kneemiller, Weller, Hoepfner and the Mayor push him around, but then they do nothing for him. If it wasn’t for Riddler, Muench would get nothing done in his ward.”
During the April 2004 election when this matter was first brought to the voters in Ward 2, the Ward represented by Muench, the voters voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor. The voters also voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor in Ward 1, represented by Rory Riddler, Ward 7 represented by Dottie Greer, Ward 8 represented by John Gieseke, Ward 9 represented by Joe Koester and Ward 10 represented by Bob Hoepfner. Voters in Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 approved the charter change.
The Charter change was approved with a 302-vote margin by a vote of 5,746 Yes votes and 5,444 No votes. However there were 623 under votes. People who had voted for other items on the ballot but did not vote on the charter change. Council members supporting allowing the residents to vote again believe these under votes were because people did not understand the change and therefore chose not to vote either for or against.
Councilman Gieseke said, “I am not one of the Council people who are saying this is the right thing or the wrong thing to do. I still agree with the people the way they voted. But, what I don’t agree with is the fact that just because they voted that way we are not going to ask them to vote again. I don’t think it is demeaning to them at all to ask them if that is really what they meant because the campaign was run on full time part-time. It was very misleading instead of a strong or weak Mayor system. We were just embroiled in a couple of recall elections where people were saying they didn’t respect the majority or respect the people who voted for two of my fellow Council members. I think it is disingenuous to sit here and say that asking the voters if they understood the issue is that bad when we are talking about changing our charter. I for one will be out saying that a strong Mayor system is not a bad thing but I also think that allowing the people to vote again is not in anyway demeaning. It is not in any way wrong. It is one of the times where we have a chance to ask them if we actually got it right. We sit here and say let’s put this to a vote of the people, let’s put that to a vote of the people, issues that don’t even rise to this level and we want the people to vote on it. This is a pretty important issue.”
Councilman Joe Koester said, “There were over 600 under votes in this election. That tells me that a lot of people who came out for this election didn’t know how to vote. They just didn’t know enough about the matter. This was an election that was vague and some people didn’t understand it. The Mayor mentions great debate. It was not an issue. It wasn’t debated in the community. It is not insulting to go back and say here’s the issue. If it passes then we know for sure we have a mandate.”
Councilman Rory Riddler said, “In November we should have more than double the number of the people go to the polls. Most people felt they were voting for a full-time Mayor and didn’t understand they were voting to get rid of the City Administrator. A lot of people feel our system of government is very professional because we have that layer in there. It helps to insulate the department directors and city employees form undue political pressure. I just want to make sure that the voters have all the facts and then what they decide is fine with me.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “It’s ironic about this veto and what is really almost unbelievable is this veto is coming from the same person who stated that even though the signatures were fraudulently gathered in a recall, the people should have a right to have their input. Now all of a sudden when something effects the Mayor’s office she believes people shouldn’t have a right to have input anymore because if they didn’t understand what was going on, too bad, let it be. I think this is a really important issue that is facing the City of St. Charles. This issue is asking the people, do they want a patronage system? Do they want jobs to go to the highest bidder who gets involved the most in campaigns? Right now we have a professional form of government. The politicians can’t really get involved in who gets hired. You have a professional City Administrator. They run the City and they are in charge of the employees. Now we are saying we are going like the City of St. Louis where they have so many problems, where they have so much corruption, where they have indictments and where friends get all the contracts because it becomes strictly a political system. I don’t mind having a full-time Mayor. I believe there is plenty for a Mayor to due full-time. I think we need to keep the professionalism in our government. Some of my colleagues up here during the recall attempts said the people have a right to vote. Even when I said there was fraud involved they said no, no, no the people have a right to vote but now all of a sudden they don’t want the people to vote. The people should have a right to say what they want. This is obviously something that was misconstrued. It was misinterpreted. The election had a very small percentage turn out. We should present the issue during a general election when the majority of the people vote and give the people the right to vote. My colleagues who are sitting up here right now and who will vote the opposite way are the same ones who said let the people vote on the recall but now they don’t want to allow them to vote when there is something to do with the Mayor’s office.”
In April of 2007 the government of St. Charles will change. Sevral Councilman voiced their concern that the new system will become exactly like the City of St. Louis which has been plagued with political cronyism and lacks professional expertise. “Unqualified personnel ultimately leads to unproductive workeras and higher taxes, said Councilman Mark Brown. With the charter change that become effective in April St. Charles will go from being a system where the City Administrator has the power and the Mayor is part-time, with a strong City Council government - to one that will be controlled by a strong, full-time Mayor. When this matter was placed on the ballot it passed by a slight margin. The City Council recently voted to have this matter revisited by the voters. The Council felt voters did not fully understand the matter they were voting on. The Council thinks voters believed they were voting for either a full-time Mayor or a part-time Mayor and did know the position of the City Administrator would be eliminated. A majority of the Council feel the voters should be aware of what the change would mean and be given another opportunity to vote on it. The Council approved placing the issue on the November ballot.
The Mayor has other ideas. She vetoed the ordinance and sent it back to the Council where it would have needed seven votes to be placed on the November ballot. Councilmen Riddler, Gieseke, Brown, Koester, Reese and Greer voted to override the Mayor’s veto. Councilmen Muench, Weller, Kneemiller and Hoepfner voted to sustain the Mayor’s veto. Because of their votes, the veto was not overridden and the residents of St. Charles will be unable to vote on the issue again.
Councilman John Gieseke told the First Capitol News, “Who can honestly argue about making it clear what is being voted on and letting the people express their feelings through the ballot box? The issue could have been on the ballot at the general election in November and would not have been an expense to the taxpayers.”
In her veto message to the Council the Mayor wrote, “I ask, what percentage of a win does it take for government to listen to its people? Our nation is a democracy where each person has a vote and the majority decides. While we may not like the outcome, we listen to the people and follow their decisions through the voting process. This attempt to revote on the same issue precludes the people’s decision and says their original vote just isn’t good enough. Win, lose or draw, I respect election results and the will of the people.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “This is the same Mayor who refused to respect the election results and the will of the people when she was one of the leaders of the effort to recall myself and Councilwoman Greer. Once again she is talking out of both sides of her mouth. When she gets caught in a lie she just tells more lies. I believe she must think the people are stupid.”
Councilman Mike Weller told the Council members that since the Council did not allow a vote on fireworks he was not going to allow a vote on a City Administrator or strong Mayor type of government.
A resident in attendance at the meting remarked. “Weller has an uncanny ability to demonstrate what an idiot he really is. Our residents would be well served if he continued to stay away from Council meetings and let the City do without his input. He’s ridiculous and an embarrassment to the people who voted for him.”
Councilman Larry Muench, Ward 2, appeared to have difficulty in announcing his vote, but he did vote against allowing the residents to vote on the issue. One of our sources at City Hall told the FCN, “The Mayor was really putting pressure on him. He lets Kneemiller, Weller, Hoepfner and the Mayor push him around, but then they do nothing for him. If it wasn’t for Riddler, Muench would get nothing done in his ward.”
During the April 2004 election when this matter was first brought to the voters in Ward 2, the Ward represented by Muench, the voters voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor. The voters also voted NO - not to change to a full-time, strong Mayor in Ward 1, represented by Rory Riddler, Ward 7 represented by Dottie Greer, Ward 8 represented by John Gieseke, Ward 9 represented by Joe Koester and Ward 10 represented by Bob Hoepfner. Voters in Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 approved the charter change.
The Charter change was approved with a 302-vote margin by a vote of 5,746 Yes votes and 5,444 No votes. However there were 623 under votes. People who had voted for other items on the ballot but did not vote on the charter change. Council members supporting allowing the residents to vote again believe these under votes were because people did not understand the change and therefore chose not to vote either for or against.
Councilman Gieseke said, “I am not one of the Council people who are saying this is the right thing or the wrong thing to do. I still agree with the people the way they voted. But, what I don’t agree with is the fact that just because they voted that way we are not going to ask them to vote again. I don’t think it is demeaning to them at all to ask them if that is really what they meant because the campaign was run on full time part-time. It was very misleading instead of a strong or weak Mayor system. We were just embroiled in a couple of recall elections where people were saying they didn’t respect the majority or respect the people who voted for two of my fellow Council members. I think it is disingenuous to sit here and say that asking the voters if they understood the issue is that bad when we are talking about changing our charter. I for one will be out saying that a strong Mayor system is not a bad thing but I also think that allowing the people to vote again is not in anyway demeaning. It is not in any way wrong. It is one of the times where we have a chance to ask them if we actually got it right. We sit here and say let’s put this to a vote of the people, let’s put that to a vote of the people, issues that don’t even rise to this level and we want the people to vote on it. This is a pretty important issue.”
Councilman Joe Koester said, “There were over 600 under votes in this election. That tells me that a lot of people who came out for this election didn’t know how to vote. They just didn’t know enough about the matter. This was an election that was vague and some people didn’t understand it. The Mayor mentions great debate. It was not an issue. It wasn’t debated in the community. It is not insulting to go back and say here’s the issue. If it passes then we know for sure we have a mandate.”
Councilman Rory Riddler said, “In November we should have more than double the number of the people go to the polls. Most people felt they were voting for a full-time Mayor and didn’t understand they were voting to get rid of the City Administrator. A lot of people feel our system of government is very professional because we have that layer in there. It helps to insulate the department directors and city employees form undue political pressure. I just want to make sure that the voters have all the facts and then what they decide is fine with me.”
Councilman Mark Brown said, “It’s ironic about this veto and what is really almost unbelievable is this veto is coming from the same person who stated that even though the signatures were fraudulently gathered in a recall, the people should have a right to have their input. Now all of a sudden when something effects the Mayor’s office she believes people shouldn’t have a right to have input anymore because if they didn’t understand what was going on, too bad, let it be. I think this is a really important issue that is facing the City of St. Charles. This issue is asking the people, do they want a patronage system? Do they want jobs to go to the highest bidder who gets involved the most in campaigns? Right now we have a professional form of government. The politicians can’t really get involved in who gets hired. You have a professional City Administrator. They run the City and they are in charge of the employees. Now we are saying we are going like the City of St. Louis where they have so many problems, where they have so much corruption, where they have indictments and where friends get all the contracts because it becomes strictly a political system. I don’t mind having a full-time Mayor. I believe there is plenty for a Mayor to due full-time. I think we need to keep the professionalism in our government. Some of my colleagues up here during the recall attempts said the people have a right to vote. Even when I said there was fraud involved they said no, no, no the people have a right to vote but now all of a sudden they don’t want the people to vote. The people should have a right to say what they want. This is obviously something that was misconstrued. It was misinterpreted. The election had a very small percentage turn out. We should present the issue during a general election when the majority of the people vote and give the people the right to vote. My colleagues who are sitting up here right now and who will vote the opposite way are the same ones who said let the people vote on the recall but now they don’t want to allow them to vote when there is something to do with the Mayor’s office.”
Police Learn Of City Hall Embezzlement After Story Appears In First Capitol News
By Tony Brockmeyer
In our June 17th edition we reported that a internal investigation was being conducted at CIty Hall after is was discovered that funds had apparently been embezzled by a employee in the finance department.
We were unable to get an official comment from City Administration. We were told that no police investigation was being conducted. Members of the City Council were not aware of the alleged theft.
At a recent City Council meeting a resident, Phillip Dees, spoke during Citizen Comments and mentioned the story in the FCN and wanted to know what was being done. Councilwoman Greer asked City Administrator Allan Williams for information after Dees spoke and Williams replied NO!
At a special executive meeting of the City Council held after the regular meeting, the Council directed Williams to provide information on the apparent theft.
The Council learned that shortly after the story appeared in the FCN the Administration notified the police of the theft and an investigation is being conducted.
When we first learned of the theft it was believed about $11,000 was missing. Now City Hall sources told us they believe the amount is much more.
The FCN has also learned that a supervisor in the finance department has been fired.
In our June 17th edition we reported that a internal investigation was being conducted at CIty Hall after is was discovered that funds had apparently been embezzled by a employee in the finance department.
We were unable to get an official comment from City Administration. We were told that no police investigation was being conducted. Members of the City Council were not aware of the alleged theft.
At a recent City Council meeting a resident, Phillip Dees, spoke during Citizen Comments and mentioned the story in the FCN and wanted to know what was being done. Councilwoman Greer asked City Administrator Allan Williams for information after Dees spoke and Williams replied NO!
At a special executive meeting of the City Council held after the regular meeting, the Council directed Williams to provide information on the apparent theft.
The Council learned that shortly after the story appeared in the FCN the Administration notified the police of the theft and an investigation is being conducted.
When we first learned of the theft it was believed about $11,000 was missing. Now City Hall sources told us they believe the amount is much more.
The FCN has also learned that a supervisor in the finance department has been fired.
Hoepfner & Weller Kill Bill To Appropriate Funds For Operation Of Community Center
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
As one observer put it, the good news is the citizens will have the opportunity to finally vote for a Community Center. The bad news is they won’t be given the chance to offset the operational costs with a use tax on out of state sales.
This split decision came as the Council voted last week to finally put a no tax increase issue on the ballot for a long awaited Community Center. That issue will appear on the November ballot. The vote to put the Community Center on the ballot passed nine to one with only Councilwoman Dottie Greer dissenting.
The use tax vote was held over a week because it was amended at the last Council Meeting. Individuals are exempted from paying any use tax on the first $2,700 of out of state sales, so it is mainly a form of sales tax paid by business on their out of state purchases. They would be paying sales tax if they made those purchases in-state so it is also a way to level the playing field for other local businesses and suppliers. St. Charles County passed its own use tax several years ago to fund the County Parks System.
Councilman Rory Riddler, who chairs the Council’s Community Center Committee said he was still happy the voters would be able to say yes to a Community Center, but sorry that just two Councilmen killed the use tax from going to the voters. “All the use tax did was give us the flexibility to offset the day to day operations of the center once it is open,” explained Riddler.
His reference was to Councilmen Bob Hoepfner and Mike Weller, who cast the two lone votes against the issue. Council members Riddler, Koester, Muench, Gieseke and Brown voted to place the issue on the ballot. But with the bill’s co-sponsor, Bob Kneemiller, absent for health reasons, the bill fell one vote short of passage.
Councilman Mark Brown told the FCN, “It is disheartening that Councilmen Hoepfner and eller would rather have a personal property tax which will hurt the residents rather than a use tax which will essentialy affect none of our residents.
Two separate surveys by the St. Charles Parks Board have shown that upwards of 79% of the residents of the City of St. Charles support building a Community Center. But Councilman Hoepfner stated previously he wanted the Community center built on land owned by Lindenwood University.
According to an e-mail circulated by City Administrator Allan Williams, Hoepfner claimed that the University would donate the land. However, a check by the Administrator with University officials found they had made no such claim.
Councilman Riddler challenged anyone on the council to bring forward another five acre site for consideration. The current preferred site was selected by the five member Council Community Center Committee and approved by the full council last year.
“With the $7.2 million Fifth Street extension and overpass, Blanchette Park will be easily accessible to residents in the fastest growing part of the City around New Town and the various subdivisions North of 370. It will be visible from 370 at one of the highest points of the City and take advantage of those resulting views. It would be adjacent to other park amenities in Blanchette Park, which was rated in the Parks Board surveys as the most well thought of Park in the City. It would give Blanchette Park control of essential parking now owned by the Boys and Girls Club and the purchase of the Boys and Girls Club property will help them realize their dream of building a new facility on adjacent land,” explained Riddler.
He added the site wasn’t commercial ground and would not take valuable land off the tax rolls. The site has already been appraised, surveyed and the architectural firm of Hastings and Chivetta had found the Community Center would fit on the site. “It’s easy for some on the council to take pot-shots at a site, when they don’t have an alternative to offer. There is no one perfect site that everyone can walk to. Everyone will get in their cars and drive there and if we build a quality facility, it will draw users,” said Riddler. Riddler also countered criticism that 37% of those surveyed living South of Interstate 70 said they wouldn’t use a facility North of 70 by pointing out that 20% of those same respondents said they wouldn’t use a facility South of 70 when given options of sites South of 70.
The exchange between Riddler and Hoepfner produced its lighter moments. Councilman Hoepfner said that he had received absolutely “no information” on what would be in the proposed Community Center and he “wasn’t going to vote for any facility that I don’t know what’s in it.” Councilman Riddler, who was elected to chair the meeting in the absence of Council President, asked the City Clerk to, “Please read to Mr. Hoepfner the list of amenities sent out to the Council.” The Clerk was already holding the document that had been sent out to all Council members and proceeded to read a long list of facility amenities including an indoor walking/jogging track, an indoor aquatics center, child care facilities for parents using the facility, aerobics, weight room, three gyms, refreshment area, lap pool and meeting rooms among others.
A letter by Park Board president T. J. Slattery also struck a nerve with Council members John Gieseke and Mark Brown. Slattery had his message delivered to the Council and wasn’t there in person to explain the letter which said the Park Board wouldn’t support the issue unless they could control all the funds. Councilmen Brown and Gieseke took exception to a board that does not answer to the people controlling such a large sum of money. After a lengthy exchange of views, Despite Slattery’s letter Park Board member Barb Clark told the Council that she believed the Park Board would support a Community Center.
Councilman Riddler ended his remarks asking the Council to think about what they would be doing a year from now. “Will we put up a plaque saying on this site nothing happened or will we be breaking ground for a community center like all of our surrounding communities already have?”
In the end the arguments failed to persuade the no votes of Hoepfner and Weller. Still, Riddler seemed optimistic. “If the voters approve the no tax increase for a Community Center that sends a powerful message to the Council and Mayor to finally get off the dime and make it work. Residents of St. Peters, O’Fallon, Florissant, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Clayton, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, Chesterfield and the list goes on and on, all have Community Centers they can be proud of.”
“Construction costs and land costs only go up, they don’t go down. Anyone who thinks it is too expensive is saying we can never have a Community Center because it will never be cheaper to build than it is today. We can do this. Our residents deserve leadership, not excuses,” said Riddler.
Councilman Joe Koester told the FCN, “Once again some on Council have decided to use their vote for political payback rather than for constructive benefit for our residents.
As one observer put it, the good news is the citizens will have the opportunity to finally vote for a Community Center. The bad news is they won’t be given the chance to offset the operational costs with a use tax on out of state sales.
This split decision came as the Council voted last week to finally put a no tax increase issue on the ballot for a long awaited Community Center. That issue will appear on the November ballot. The vote to put the Community Center on the ballot passed nine to one with only Councilwoman Dottie Greer dissenting.
The use tax vote was held over a week because it was amended at the last Council Meeting. Individuals are exempted from paying any use tax on the first $2,700 of out of state sales, so it is mainly a form of sales tax paid by business on their out of state purchases. They would be paying sales tax if they made those purchases in-state so it is also a way to level the playing field for other local businesses and suppliers. St. Charles County passed its own use tax several years ago to fund the County Parks System.
Councilman Rory Riddler, who chairs the Council’s Community Center Committee said he was still happy the voters would be able to say yes to a Community Center, but sorry that just two Councilmen killed the use tax from going to the voters. “All the use tax did was give us the flexibility to offset the day to day operations of the center once it is open,” explained Riddler.
His reference was to Councilmen Bob Hoepfner and Mike Weller, who cast the two lone votes against the issue. Council members Riddler, Koester, Muench, Gieseke and Brown voted to place the issue on the ballot. But with the bill’s co-sponsor, Bob Kneemiller, absent for health reasons, the bill fell one vote short of passage.
Councilman Mark Brown told the FCN, “It is disheartening that Councilmen Hoepfner and eller would rather have a personal property tax which will hurt the residents rather than a use tax which will essentialy affect none of our residents.
Two separate surveys by the St. Charles Parks Board have shown that upwards of 79% of the residents of the City of St. Charles support building a Community Center. But Councilman Hoepfner stated previously he wanted the Community center built on land owned by Lindenwood University.
According to an e-mail circulated by City Administrator Allan Williams, Hoepfner claimed that the University would donate the land. However, a check by the Administrator with University officials found they had made no such claim.
Councilman Riddler challenged anyone on the council to bring forward another five acre site for consideration. The current preferred site was selected by the five member Council Community Center Committee and approved by the full council last year.
“With the $7.2 million Fifth Street extension and overpass, Blanchette Park will be easily accessible to residents in the fastest growing part of the City around New Town and the various subdivisions North of 370. It will be visible from 370 at one of the highest points of the City and take advantage of those resulting views. It would be adjacent to other park amenities in Blanchette Park, which was rated in the Parks Board surveys as the most well thought of Park in the City. It would give Blanchette Park control of essential parking now owned by the Boys and Girls Club and the purchase of the Boys and Girls Club property will help them realize their dream of building a new facility on adjacent land,” explained Riddler.
He added the site wasn’t commercial ground and would not take valuable land off the tax rolls. The site has already been appraised, surveyed and the architectural firm of Hastings and Chivetta had found the Community Center would fit on the site. “It’s easy for some on the council to take pot-shots at a site, when they don’t have an alternative to offer. There is no one perfect site that everyone can walk to. Everyone will get in their cars and drive there and if we build a quality facility, it will draw users,” said Riddler. Riddler also countered criticism that 37% of those surveyed living South of Interstate 70 said they wouldn’t use a facility North of 70 by pointing out that 20% of those same respondents said they wouldn’t use a facility South of 70 when given options of sites South of 70.
The exchange between Riddler and Hoepfner produced its lighter moments. Councilman Hoepfner said that he had received absolutely “no information” on what would be in the proposed Community Center and he “wasn’t going to vote for any facility that I don’t know what’s in it.” Councilman Riddler, who was elected to chair the meeting in the absence of Council President, asked the City Clerk to, “Please read to Mr. Hoepfner the list of amenities sent out to the Council.” The Clerk was already holding the document that had been sent out to all Council members and proceeded to read a long list of facility amenities including an indoor walking/jogging track, an indoor aquatics center, child care facilities for parents using the facility, aerobics, weight room, three gyms, refreshment area, lap pool and meeting rooms among others.
A letter by Park Board president T. J. Slattery also struck a nerve with Council members John Gieseke and Mark Brown. Slattery had his message delivered to the Council and wasn’t there in person to explain the letter which said the Park Board wouldn’t support the issue unless they could control all the funds. Councilmen Brown and Gieseke took exception to a board that does not answer to the people controlling such a large sum of money. After a lengthy exchange of views, Despite Slattery’s letter Park Board member Barb Clark told the Council that she believed the Park Board would support a Community Center.
Councilman Riddler ended his remarks asking the Council to think about what they would be doing a year from now. “Will we put up a plaque saying on this site nothing happened or will we be breaking ground for a community center like all of our surrounding communities already have?”
In the end the arguments failed to persuade the no votes of Hoepfner and Weller. Still, Riddler seemed optimistic. “If the voters approve the no tax increase for a Community Center that sends a powerful message to the Council and Mayor to finally get off the dime and make it work. Residents of St. Peters, O’Fallon, Florissant, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Clayton, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, Chesterfield and the list goes on and on, all have Community Centers they can be proud of.”
“Construction costs and land costs only go up, they don’t go down. Anyone who thinks it is too expensive is saying we can never have a Community Center because it will never be cheaper to build than it is today. We can do this. Our residents deserve leadership, not excuses,” said Riddler.
Councilman Joe Koester told the FCN, “Once again some on Council have decided to use their vote for political payback rather than for constructive benefit for our residents.
Mayor’s Son, Arrested & Charged With BWI By Water Patrol
The Missouri State Water Patrol has verified that Adrian York, a St. Louis Police Officer and son of St. Charles Mayor Patti York has been charged with Boating While Intoxicated while boating on the river Sunday. No further information was released by the Water Patrol.
Other sources told us York was allegedly warned once by the Patrol to have someone else operate the vessel. Apparently he did not heed the warning and an hour later was stopped again by the Water Patrol and charged. He allegedly was belligerent when arrested and the arrest was video tapped. St. Louis Police Internal Affairs is investigating the arrest of York.
Other sources told us York was allegedly warned once by the Patrol to have someone else operate the vessel. Apparently he did not heed the warning and an hour later was stopped again by the Water Patrol and charged. He allegedly was belligerent when arrested and the arrest was video tapped. St. Louis Police Internal Affairs is investigating the arrest of York.
RAMBLING With The Editor - Tony Brockmeyer
Heeeees Baaaaaack
A sign in the window of a building on main street announces the “launching” soon of a new business by Monsieur Steve Powell and Mademoiselle Venetia McEntire.(the titles were indicated on the window sign)
In the business section of the August 23rd edition of the Peoria Journal Star an article by business editor Paul Gordon reports that Powell resigned Tuesday as the director of the Peoria area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The article said , Powell acknowledged he was taking heat from some bureau board members, who include several hotelier about the fact he favors a new hotel attached to the Peoria Civic Center. Still, Powell said, he was not pressured to resign.
The resignation surprised the board, if only because of several issues facing the bureau at this time. Those include the Civic Center hotel issue which Powell was recommending against the wishes of several hotelier who serve on the board as well as bureau public funding, which is pending before the Peoria City Council. Still, Cunningham said, Powell's resignation may provide the bureau an opportunity to take local tourism in a different direction. Specifically, he said, the board intends to look initially for a Peoria-area person to be its next executive director.
Powell has as much as right as anyone else to operate a business on Historic Main Street. I hope he stays away from our current Director of the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and gives him a chance to see if he can recover tourism in St. Charles.
Mayor Brown It’s Time To Go
If you have been checking our daily web log you have read that St. Peters Mayor Shawn Brown was indicted for allegedly accepting a bribe. A company trying to get the contract to install red-light cameras in St. Peters told federal officials Brown told them he would veto the bill if he did not receive the money. According to federal Law Enforcement the company sent a check for $2750 to Shawn Brown’s home.
Brown has plead not guilty and a court date will be set. He has not stepped down as Mayor of St. Peters. It was reported Brown said the money was a campaign contribution. Missouri only allows contributions of $300 in the Mayor’s election.
We all know that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty and Brown has that same right. However, he is in a position of power and trust that is not afforded to other individuals. It is incumbent upon Mayor Shawn Brown to resign or take a leave of absence until he is convicted or found innocent. He owes it to the residents of St. Peters to remove this cloud over St. Peters City Government.
Shawn it’s time to go!
A sign in the window of a building on main street announces the “launching” soon of a new business by Monsieur Steve Powell and Mademoiselle Venetia McEntire.(the titles were indicated on the window sign)
In the business section of the August 23rd edition of the Peoria Journal Star an article by business editor Paul Gordon reports that Powell resigned Tuesday as the director of the Peoria area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The article said , Powell acknowledged he was taking heat from some bureau board members, who include several hotelier about the fact he favors a new hotel attached to the Peoria Civic Center. Still, Powell said, he was not pressured to resign.
The resignation surprised the board, if only because of several issues facing the bureau at this time. Those include the Civic Center hotel issue which Powell was recommending against the wishes of several hotelier who serve on the board as well as bureau public funding, which is pending before the Peoria City Council. Still, Cunningham said, Powell's resignation may provide the bureau an opportunity to take local tourism in a different direction. Specifically, he said, the board intends to look initially for a Peoria-area person to be its next executive director.
Powell has as much as right as anyone else to operate a business on Historic Main Street. I hope he stays away from our current Director of the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and gives him a chance to see if he can recover tourism in St. Charles.
Mayor Brown It’s Time To Go
If you have been checking our daily web log you have read that St. Peters Mayor Shawn Brown was indicted for allegedly accepting a bribe. A company trying to get the contract to install red-light cameras in St. Peters told federal officials Brown told them he would veto the bill if he did not receive the money. According to federal Law Enforcement the company sent a check for $2750 to Shawn Brown’s home.
Brown has plead not guilty and a court date will be set. He has not stepped down as Mayor of St. Peters. It was reported Brown said the money was a campaign contribution. Missouri only allows contributions of $300 in the Mayor’s election.
We all know that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty and Brown has that same right. However, he is in a position of power and trust that is not afforded to other individuals. It is incumbent upon Mayor Shawn Brown to resign or take a leave of absence until he is convicted or found innocent. He owes it to the residents of St. Peters to remove this cloud over St. Peters City Government.
Shawn it’s time to go!
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
Professionalism Sacrificed To Patronage
To Satisfy Big Money Special Interests
When I began writing years ago, it was on one of those heavy black metal typewriters with ribbons that needed changed and keys that stuck. I don’t miss it very much. I’m a big fan of nostalgia, but not when it comes to the vast improvements technological innovation has brought to word processing.
But one advantage the old machines had over our current keyboards was the satisfying sound the type made hitting the platen as you pounded out a story. The madder you were the harder you hit the keys and the louder the resulting clack, clack, clack of the type. When you wrote an angry letter the whole house or office knew it.
This week’s column is a letter I wrote to the editor of the St. Charles Journal about their preference for a political patronage form of government and getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government. To fully enjoy the letter in the true spirit it was written, feel free to loudly tap a pen or pencil to approximate the sound my old typewriter would have made. Don’t forget the loud ding the bell made at the end of every line and resulting crash of the carriage return.
I’m sending my response to the Journal as well, but wanted you to have the opportunity to read an unedited version in your local newspaper of choice.
Dear Editor:
I was surprised by the Suburban Journals Editorial series against allowing voters this November to decide on a change to the City Charter. It must mean you are fairly certain a larger turnout of voters would have overturned getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government, now that they have had time to fully understand what the choice truly was.
Many voters in the low turnout 2004 April election thought they were simply voting on a full time Mayor…not to eliminate the position of City Administrator. Nor did they realize that all City employees would become in-fact, political patronage positions who could be fired on the whim of one person.
Currently the Mayor cannot fire any employees. Only the City Administrator can hire, fire or discipline. The Mayor and Council must jointly agree on the hiring by the Administrator of Department Directors, but beyond that employees are insulated from politics and are able to work in a professional atmosphere and not one of political fear.
I might also point out that these major changes to our Charter were approved by only a 300 vote margin citywide. In November of this year, over twice as many voters will go the polls as voted in that April election. It would seem preferable that such a major change to the form of government be decided by as many voters as possible, especially given the slim 1% margin it passed by to begin with.
You mentioned that this Charter change, which will take affect in April of 2007, will make City Government just like County Government. That is false. It will make City government in St. Charles the same as City government in the City of St. Louis. There Department Directors must raise campaign money for incumbent Mayors to keep their jobs. Every decision a Department Director or city employee makes after April 2007 will have to be with an eye to furthering the political agenda of one person.
What if you prominently supported the Mayor’s opponent in an election and then have to get permits approved by a City Department? Will you be treated the same as a financial supporter of the Mayor?
One glaring difference with County government that you held up as your model, is that County Government “elects” a Sheriff. We do not elect a Police Chief. Even in the City of St. Louis, the State of Missouri recognized that having a police force with that much power was not safe to place under the control of one person. They have a Board of Police Commissioners. But the Journal would take the position that one politically elected Mayor in St. Charles should have the sole authority to fire, discipline or promote the men and women of the Police Force?
Perhaps the Journal simply has a hard time believing that the current occupant of the office of Mayor, whom your newspaper supports, would punish enemies, reward friends and seek to manipulate the actions of city employees. But can you say that every past Mayor in recent memory would not have? What guarantees can you offer that future Mayors would not?
There is also a distinct difference in the quality of employees that seek to work under non-partisan professional city administrator governments and those who take jobs in political communities. I sat in on the interviews of candidates for several department head positions and I can say that it was a definite concern for many applicants. Many did not want to work in a city where the Mayor held all the reins and there were no checks on the power of the Mayor when it came to employees.
Many of the best and brightest simply will not work for a community where a Mayor can fire them on a whim. This is also a fact observed and commented on during the hiring process by our current City Administrator Allan Williams.
I also wonder if future Councils will have as much faith in what an employee testifies to at a Council meeting, knowing that the employee can be fired or disciplined for going against the wishes of the Mayor?
I should also point out that a City Administrator is hired on the basis of his or her specialized training, degrees and experience. Mayors are elected based on popularity. I am a great believer in elected representation, oversight and accountability of professionals to the people through their elected representatives. But that doesn’t mean you turn over the day to day operations of a multi-million dollar enterprise to the person who kissed the most babies.
No reporter from the Journal was at any of the Charter Review Committees to hear any of the discussion. No reporter or editor called me as Chairman of the Charter Review Committee to ask about our recommendations. I would feel better if I felt your opinion was an informed one.
I might also point out that the Journal took a similar stand against a recent proposed change to the St. Charles County Charter. That proposal cut back on the near dictatorial power of the County Executive to use the power of his office to sue municipalities without the consent of the County Council. That abuse of power has cost County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills. Fortunately, a majority of voters rejected the arguments of the Journal editorial and on August 8th passed the amendment…proof that voters sometimes change their minds given more information on a subject.
Unfortunately City voters will not be given the same opportunity as County voters as four members of the Council chose to deny them that right. The City of St. Charles will now have its form of government downgraded to a political patronage form of government starting in April of 2007. Whatever special interests feel they can spend enough to elect a Mayor can now exert absolute influence over the actions of every single department of City government. One stop shopping for special interests may be efficient, but it is not in the best interests of the citizens and taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Rory Riddler
City Councilman
Ward One
To Satisfy Big Money Special Interests
When I began writing years ago, it was on one of those heavy black metal typewriters with ribbons that needed changed and keys that stuck. I don’t miss it very much. I’m a big fan of nostalgia, but not when it comes to the vast improvements technological innovation has brought to word processing.
But one advantage the old machines had over our current keyboards was the satisfying sound the type made hitting the platen as you pounded out a story. The madder you were the harder you hit the keys and the louder the resulting clack, clack, clack of the type. When you wrote an angry letter the whole house or office knew it.
This week’s column is a letter I wrote to the editor of the St. Charles Journal about their preference for a political patronage form of government and getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government. To fully enjoy the letter in the true spirit it was written, feel free to loudly tap a pen or pencil to approximate the sound my old typewriter would have made. Don’t forget the loud ding the bell made at the end of every line and resulting crash of the carriage return.
I’m sending my response to the Journal as well, but wanted you to have the opportunity to read an unedited version in your local newspaper of choice.
Dear Editor:
I was surprised by the Suburban Journals Editorial series against allowing voters this November to decide on a change to the City Charter. It must mean you are fairly certain a larger turnout of voters would have overturned getting rid of our professional City Administrator form of government, now that they have had time to fully understand what the choice truly was.
Many voters in the low turnout 2004 April election thought they were simply voting on a full time Mayor…not to eliminate the position of City Administrator. Nor did they realize that all City employees would become in-fact, political patronage positions who could be fired on the whim of one person.
Currently the Mayor cannot fire any employees. Only the City Administrator can hire, fire or discipline. The Mayor and Council must jointly agree on the hiring by the Administrator of Department Directors, but beyond that employees are insulated from politics and are able to work in a professional atmosphere and not one of political fear.
I might also point out that these major changes to our Charter were approved by only a 300 vote margin citywide. In November of this year, over twice as many voters will go the polls as voted in that April election. It would seem preferable that such a major change to the form of government be decided by as many voters as possible, especially given the slim 1% margin it passed by to begin with.
You mentioned that this Charter change, which will take affect in April of 2007, will make City Government just like County Government. That is false. It will make City government in St. Charles the same as City government in the City of St. Louis. There Department Directors must raise campaign money for incumbent Mayors to keep their jobs. Every decision a Department Director or city employee makes after April 2007 will have to be with an eye to furthering the political agenda of one person.
What if you prominently supported the Mayor’s opponent in an election and then have to get permits approved by a City Department? Will you be treated the same as a financial supporter of the Mayor?
One glaring difference with County government that you held up as your model, is that County Government “elects” a Sheriff. We do not elect a Police Chief. Even in the City of St. Louis, the State of Missouri recognized that having a police force with that much power was not safe to place under the control of one person. They have a Board of Police Commissioners. But the Journal would take the position that one politically elected Mayor in St. Charles should have the sole authority to fire, discipline or promote the men and women of the Police Force?
Perhaps the Journal simply has a hard time believing that the current occupant of the office of Mayor, whom your newspaper supports, would punish enemies, reward friends and seek to manipulate the actions of city employees. But can you say that every past Mayor in recent memory would not have? What guarantees can you offer that future Mayors would not?
There is also a distinct difference in the quality of employees that seek to work under non-partisan professional city administrator governments and those who take jobs in political communities. I sat in on the interviews of candidates for several department head positions and I can say that it was a definite concern for many applicants. Many did not want to work in a city where the Mayor held all the reins and there were no checks on the power of the Mayor when it came to employees.
Many of the best and brightest simply will not work for a community where a Mayor can fire them on a whim. This is also a fact observed and commented on during the hiring process by our current City Administrator Allan Williams.
I also wonder if future Councils will have as much faith in what an employee testifies to at a Council meeting, knowing that the employee can be fired or disciplined for going against the wishes of the Mayor?
I should also point out that a City Administrator is hired on the basis of his or her specialized training, degrees and experience. Mayors are elected based on popularity. I am a great believer in elected representation, oversight and accountability of professionals to the people through their elected representatives. But that doesn’t mean you turn over the day to day operations of a multi-million dollar enterprise to the person who kissed the most babies.
No reporter from the Journal was at any of the Charter Review Committees to hear any of the discussion. No reporter or editor called me as Chairman of the Charter Review Committee to ask about our recommendations. I would feel better if I felt your opinion was an informed one.
I might also point out that the Journal took a similar stand against a recent proposed change to the St. Charles County Charter. That proposal cut back on the near dictatorial power of the County Executive to use the power of his office to sue municipalities without the consent of the County Council. That abuse of power has cost County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills. Fortunately, a majority of voters rejected the arguments of the Journal editorial and on August 8th passed the amendment…proof that voters sometimes change their minds given more information on a subject.
Unfortunately City voters will not be given the same opportunity as County voters as four members of the Council chose to deny them that right. The City of St. Charles will now have its form of government downgraded to a political patronage form of government starting in April of 2007. Whatever special interests feel they can spend enough to elect a Mayor can now exert absolute influence over the actions of every single department of City government. One stop shopping for special interests may be efficient, but it is not in the best interests of the citizens and taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Rory Riddler
City Councilman
Ward One
CASE IN POINT - Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
This is Democratic bedrock: we don’t let people lie in the ditch and drive past and pretend not to see them dying. Here on the frozen tundra of Minnesota, if your neighbor’s car won’t start, you put on your parka and get the jumper cables out and deliver the Sacred Spark that starts their car. Everybody knows this. The logical extension of this spirit is social welfare and the myriad government programs with long dry names all very uninteresting to you until you suddenly need one and then you turn into a Democrat. A liberal is a conservative who’s been through treatment.
-Garrison Keillor, Homegrown Democrat, 2004
The past couple of weeks certainly have provided a fount of issues to write about. One of the most egregious acts was the insurance hand-out provided by the courts which ruled that insurance companies may neglect their duty of paying for home damage in the Gulf Coast area if damage was caused by waters driven by wind rather than by floodwaters or by wind itself...? This let off the hook, once again, the insurance industry which is earning record profits in spite of recent claims from storm damage. It also reflects the depths of power the giant corporations have even over the judicial branch of government.
For years, this branch of government was immune from criticism and considered removed from corruption and undue influence by powerbrokers who we know taint the legislative and executive branches of governments. More and more, our courts too seem to be guided by powerful lobbies and are in thick with corporations rather than acting out of the interest of the people.
Next, the problems surrounding, Diebold, and other such voting machines have made some national news and has received some talk on radio. Locally, at least one outspoken group tried to bring these well-documented problems to the attention of the election authority and county council. Unfortunately, the warnings brought forward by concerned citizens fell on deaf ears and we now have the very machines that have been broadly criticized for being very simple to manipulate rendering our election process dubious at best. The voting machines that are now sweeping the country have endangered fair elections and in many instances, the results will not be able to be audited to any degree of satisfaction. That is to say, if a machine has been tampered with and gives its result as programmed, the same result will be achieved every time one asks for computation. New generation voting machines are so easily hacked, it has been shown, that a high school student could tamper with the election process with no reliable way of retrieving actual voting records.
On more local issues, some on council stripped the residents of a chance to go to the polls in November and make a far more informed decision on the matter of strong mayor vs. weak mayor form of government. The matter would have gone on the ballot in November at no additional cost to the city. If one looks at the numbers of the original vote, you would see not only a dismally low turn-out but a high number of “undervotes” on the issue. These undervotes are determined by those who went to the polls but chose not to vote for an issue either way. This is usually a very good indicator that people feel uncomfortable voting because they don’t know enough about an issue. Think about your own experience, haven’t ever decided to not vote for the retention of a Missouri Supreme Court justice because you didn’t have a clue one way or another on how to vote?
Mr. Weller and Mr. Muench were two of the councilmen who decided that the voters of St. Charles shouldn’t have the opportunity to make an informed decision about the very structure of their city government.
Recently you received a nice political piece in the mail from your state senator. It was interesting to see how his letter included praise for all of his fellow legislators who are up for election this year. What a great idea to further use tax money to fund campaigns for incumbents! Again, I would call upon the Missouri Ethics Commission to do something of value and stop one-sided public financing of elections. I support public financing of elections if it is fair and allows opposition an equal chance to have their message heard, but supplementing campaign mailers with public mailings should be one of the first things campaign reformers tackle in Jefferson City if they are claiming to want real reform.
November will offer a chance for voters to voice their disdain for a system tainted by wealthy lobbies and corporate dollars. Voting for the status quo will simply be confirmation that we as an electorate do not care that our lawmakers can funnel money to finance their campaigns or that they can abuse their incumbency for their own campaigns by mailing out what amounts to endorsements and campaign literature on the public’s dime.
Recently, two prominent Republicans have publicly criticized their own party’s dishonesty. This simply reinforces what we already know about the party’s tactics in Tommy Green’s race where they sent out blatant lies about Mr. Green’s travels. So misleading were their claims that a (Republican) judge has allowed Mr. Green’s lawsuit to proceed against the Republican Party. Does telling lies imbue the family values they so often tout around election time?
Back to a national issue: the administration recently brought up the need for social security and medicare reform (i.e. dismantling) because the two programs cannot be afforded. If it isn’t blatantly obvious to you by now that our nation can afford those things it has the will to afford, then please step back and take a look at all of the things we seem to be able to afford – things that would certainly shore up both social security and medicare for many years to come. Things such as: estate tax reduction, capital gains tax reductions, income tax reduction for the wealthiest Americans, prolonged warfare and $75 dollar cases of soda provided by subsidiaries of Halliburton, a billion-dollar war on drugs that seems to throw money into an endless pit with few promising results, construction of new airports and their expansion despite the lack of a market for such, corporate welfare, foreign aid... surely our seniors, our orphans, our most vulnerable members of society should come first IF claims of family values are to be more than political rhetoric.
In one breath, we are told that economic recovery is here, and in the next news report we hear about how public toll roads are being sold to foreign countries. That’s right, Asian interests are purchasing toll roads in Indiana and in Chicago. Our tax dollars built these roads that are now being sold off! What reason is given for their sale? These governments are cash-strapped. A story on the radio today even claimed that the federal government’s highway trust fund is nearly bankrupt.
The Right is certainly moving closer to their wish of a government that can be drowned in a bathtub, only problem is, they didn’t tell you that the replacement would be their powerful friends. Look for Interstate 70 to soon become the Halliburton Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City. Besides a gas bill of $100 to drive across state, tolls may just cost you another $50.00 to boot.
Professor Terry Jones made a great point about the proposed new two-lane highway for truck usage being funded by a ten-year statewide sales tax – this tax is regressive because all of us will pay for this construction even those of us who do not drive trucks....not to mention those in our state who have no automobile at all. Instead, increase diesel fuel taxes for trucks, increase licenses for trucks to reflect the rates of all of our neighboring states. If the highway will be solely used for truck traffic, why not make those toll roads – owned by the State of Missouri, not a private corporation.
If our voting machines are not tampered with in November, I hope that election results will send a message from coast to coast that the American people yearn for good government that has vision and works for citizens rather than corporations.
I believe there are enough of us out there that still believe that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can be much better than what we have had for the past few years...
-Garrison Keillor, Homegrown Democrat, 2004
The past couple of weeks certainly have provided a fount of issues to write about. One of the most egregious acts was the insurance hand-out provided by the courts which ruled that insurance companies may neglect their duty of paying for home damage in the Gulf Coast area if damage was caused by waters driven by wind rather than by floodwaters or by wind itself...? This let off the hook, once again, the insurance industry which is earning record profits in spite of recent claims from storm damage. It also reflects the depths of power the giant corporations have even over the judicial branch of government.
For years, this branch of government was immune from criticism and considered removed from corruption and undue influence by powerbrokers who we know taint the legislative and executive branches of governments. More and more, our courts too seem to be guided by powerful lobbies and are in thick with corporations rather than acting out of the interest of the people.
Next, the problems surrounding, Diebold, and other such voting machines have made some national news and has received some talk on radio. Locally, at least one outspoken group tried to bring these well-documented problems to the attention of the election authority and county council. Unfortunately, the warnings brought forward by concerned citizens fell on deaf ears and we now have the very machines that have been broadly criticized for being very simple to manipulate rendering our election process dubious at best. The voting machines that are now sweeping the country have endangered fair elections and in many instances, the results will not be able to be audited to any degree of satisfaction. That is to say, if a machine has been tampered with and gives its result as programmed, the same result will be achieved every time one asks for computation. New generation voting machines are so easily hacked, it has been shown, that a high school student could tamper with the election process with no reliable way of retrieving actual voting records.
On more local issues, some on council stripped the residents of a chance to go to the polls in November and make a far more informed decision on the matter of strong mayor vs. weak mayor form of government. The matter would have gone on the ballot in November at no additional cost to the city. If one looks at the numbers of the original vote, you would see not only a dismally low turn-out but a high number of “undervotes” on the issue. These undervotes are determined by those who went to the polls but chose not to vote for an issue either way. This is usually a very good indicator that people feel uncomfortable voting because they don’t know enough about an issue. Think about your own experience, haven’t ever decided to not vote for the retention of a Missouri Supreme Court justice because you didn’t have a clue one way or another on how to vote?
Mr. Weller and Mr. Muench were two of the councilmen who decided that the voters of St. Charles shouldn’t have the opportunity to make an informed decision about the very structure of their city government.
Recently you received a nice political piece in the mail from your state senator. It was interesting to see how his letter included praise for all of his fellow legislators who are up for election this year. What a great idea to further use tax money to fund campaigns for incumbents! Again, I would call upon the Missouri Ethics Commission to do something of value and stop one-sided public financing of elections. I support public financing of elections if it is fair and allows opposition an equal chance to have their message heard, but supplementing campaign mailers with public mailings should be one of the first things campaign reformers tackle in Jefferson City if they are claiming to want real reform.
November will offer a chance for voters to voice their disdain for a system tainted by wealthy lobbies and corporate dollars. Voting for the status quo will simply be confirmation that we as an electorate do not care that our lawmakers can funnel money to finance their campaigns or that they can abuse their incumbency for their own campaigns by mailing out what amounts to endorsements and campaign literature on the public’s dime.
Recently, two prominent Republicans have publicly criticized their own party’s dishonesty. This simply reinforces what we already know about the party’s tactics in Tommy Green’s race where they sent out blatant lies about Mr. Green’s travels. So misleading were their claims that a (Republican) judge has allowed Mr. Green’s lawsuit to proceed against the Republican Party. Does telling lies imbue the family values they so often tout around election time?
Back to a national issue: the administration recently brought up the need for social security and medicare reform (i.e. dismantling) because the two programs cannot be afforded. If it isn’t blatantly obvious to you by now that our nation can afford those things it has the will to afford, then please step back and take a look at all of the things we seem to be able to afford – things that would certainly shore up both social security and medicare for many years to come. Things such as: estate tax reduction, capital gains tax reductions, income tax reduction for the wealthiest Americans, prolonged warfare and $75 dollar cases of soda provided by subsidiaries of Halliburton, a billion-dollar war on drugs that seems to throw money into an endless pit with few promising results, construction of new airports and their expansion despite the lack of a market for such, corporate welfare, foreign aid... surely our seniors, our orphans, our most vulnerable members of society should come first IF claims of family values are to be more than political rhetoric.
In one breath, we are told that economic recovery is here, and in the next news report we hear about how public toll roads are being sold to foreign countries. That’s right, Asian interests are purchasing toll roads in Indiana and in Chicago. Our tax dollars built these roads that are now being sold off! What reason is given for their sale? These governments are cash-strapped. A story on the radio today even claimed that the federal government’s highway trust fund is nearly bankrupt.
The Right is certainly moving closer to their wish of a government that can be drowned in a bathtub, only problem is, they didn’t tell you that the replacement would be their powerful friends. Look for Interstate 70 to soon become the Halliburton Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City. Besides a gas bill of $100 to drive across state, tolls may just cost you another $50.00 to boot.
Professor Terry Jones made a great point about the proposed new two-lane highway for truck usage being funded by a ten-year statewide sales tax – this tax is regressive because all of us will pay for this construction even those of us who do not drive trucks....not to mention those in our state who have no automobile at all. Instead, increase diesel fuel taxes for trucks, increase licenses for trucks to reflect the rates of all of our neighboring states. If the highway will be solely used for truck traffic, why not make those toll roads – owned by the State of Missouri, not a private corporation.
If our voting machines are not tampered with in November, I hope that election results will send a message from coast to coast that the American people yearn for good government that has vision and works for citizens rather than corporations.
I believe there are enough of us out there that still believe that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can be much better than what we have had for the past few years...
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - By Alex Spencer
Well, the dust has settled on another election day, and there were a few surprises. I am sure that I will spend a couple columns going over what happened, but I think we should probably start with things that gave me pause.
The trouncing that Scott Rupp gave Joe Brazil was pretty impressive. I can’t honestly say that I was surprised, as I suspected that Rupp would carry the day. The surprise comes from the losing camp. I can’t believe what a sore loser Brazil is. I mean, what’s up with this guy? He has whined to anyone who will listen that he was somehow persecuted by the Republican Party. Okay, seriously, couldn’t his duck hunter sugar daddy protect him? His campaign staff (namely Malcontent MacNab and Pathetic Brandy Pedersen) were way out of their league and he was plain old fashioned whupped at the polls. While in the heat of battle, some things may have been a tad overblown, I’m not sure that he should be trying to “correct” the misconceptions. For example, I’m not sure stressing that the death of his best friend from high school resulted from an accident, as opposed to anything specific, was the way to go. I might have just let that issue go away quietly. Also, being specific about which women from his past may or may not have worked over in East St. Louis was probably not the way to go either. Had he simply left these issues alone, they would have gone away. Now, everyone is wondering exactly how bad this bad boy really is. Not the best result for Brazil. The Republican Party neither needs nor wants you Brazil. I might agree that perhaps the party (and the Governor by extension) maybe should not have taken such an active role, but this seat is important to us, and we can’t afford to let a whacko into the State Senate on our side of the aisle. We can see through your smart growth schtick and it’s not impressing any of us. That duck boy cash was not sufficient, and the voters saw right through you. Go away and continue to cause trouble on the County Council. Leave the governing in Jefferson City to those far more qualified. Oh, and P.S. what were you thinking putting your political future in the hands of a nutball like MacNab. You might consider more mainstream values when re-election time rolls around or you too may be done with your career in public service.
The margin of victory for Nancy Matheny was extremely impressive. She rolled right over St. Peters Alderman Patrick Barclay without even breaking a sweat. Unlike Barclay who was sporting a sunburn from pounding the pavement for several weeks. Apparently he knocked on people’s doors and they were just plain unimpressed. Either that or he failed to explain his general wishy-washiness and inability to actually case a vote, and people wanted someone to represent them who was willing to do the job. He sold his soul to the duckboys for very little money, alienated his colleagues, and got very little to show for it. His squeaky wheel gets the oil approach to governance is unimpressive and not worth much to any of his constituents. I wonder if he’ll actually go back and try to represent his constituents now and maybe cast an occasional vote or two. Might help, who knows? In any case, I suspect Barclay better get comfortable where he is. His rather impressive loss does not bode well for any higher aspirations on his part.
Now, on to even bigger surprises. Bob Schnur lost, and not by much. When the margin of victory for your opponent is right around 40 or so votes, that’s when you start banging your head against the wall. A more decisive loss (as in Barclay or Brazil’s case) is generally more desirable. It’s too bad really, I think he would have done a great job, and notwithstanding a brief dance with the duckboys, he’s been a great public servant. He may come back to us in a different role one of these days, but who knows? I guess the Collector’s race will come down to two employees of the former Collector. Certainly interesting. Maybe the voters are sending incumbent office holders some kind of message. We’ll see.
Darrel Lackey lost to Joe Cronin. This was the only victory of note for the anti-growth, green wing of the Republican Party and possibly the biggest disappointment. Talk about a significant issue of qualifications. Cronin is and was simply a spoiler. Had he gotten out of Lackey’s way, we would not have lost a seat on the County Council to the Democrats. Clearly this is a guy willing to put his pathetic, fringe personal agenda ahead of the interest of his party. That being said, it is highly unlikely that Cronin survives the race in November against Cheryl Hibbeler. She is doing and saying all the right things and that bodes well for her. Too bad really, it was good when we could say that we had an all-Republican County Council. The Democrats are in a position to pick up seats one-by-one, which gives an interesting forecast with regard to what’s happening in the County.
That probably covers the big surprises. There were some relatively predictable victories including Neer for Sheriff and Thornhill beating Gartner. RINO Rick Zerr won his race as well, so his pension will be safe after all. Considering the fortune he must have spent on the multiple mailings and television commercials, it was relatively predictable. The only surprise in his race was the number of Republican notables who were convinced by Senator Gross to throw their support behind Zerr (who used to hold the office as a Democrat), but I guess Gross is just that kind of guy.
I think I’ll save my other observations for next time. After all, sometimes you need to take a wait and see outcome regarding the results on Election Day.
The trouncing that Scott Rupp gave Joe Brazil was pretty impressive. I can’t honestly say that I was surprised, as I suspected that Rupp would carry the day. The surprise comes from the losing camp. I can’t believe what a sore loser Brazil is. I mean, what’s up with this guy? He has whined to anyone who will listen that he was somehow persecuted by the Republican Party. Okay, seriously, couldn’t his duck hunter sugar daddy protect him? His campaign staff (namely Malcontent MacNab and Pathetic Brandy Pedersen) were way out of their league and he was plain old fashioned whupped at the polls. While in the heat of battle, some things may have been a tad overblown, I’m not sure that he should be trying to “correct” the misconceptions. For example, I’m not sure stressing that the death of his best friend from high school resulted from an accident, as opposed to anything specific, was the way to go. I might have just let that issue go away quietly. Also, being specific about which women from his past may or may not have worked over in East St. Louis was probably not the way to go either. Had he simply left these issues alone, they would have gone away. Now, everyone is wondering exactly how bad this bad boy really is. Not the best result for Brazil. The Republican Party neither needs nor wants you Brazil. I might agree that perhaps the party (and the Governor by extension) maybe should not have taken such an active role, but this seat is important to us, and we can’t afford to let a whacko into the State Senate on our side of the aisle. We can see through your smart growth schtick and it’s not impressing any of us. That duck boy cash was not sufficient, and the voters saw right through you. Go away and continue to cause trouble on the County Council. Leave the governing in Jefferson City to those far more qualified. Oh, and P.S. what were you thinking putting your political future in the hands of a nutball like MacNab. You might consider more mainstream values when re-election time rolls around or you too may be done with your career in public service.
The margin of victory for Nancy Matheny was extremely impressive. She rolled right over St. Peters Alderman Patrick Barclay without even breaking a sweat. Unlike Barclay who was sporting a sunburn from pounding the pavement for several weeks. Apparently he knocked on people’s doors and they were just plain unimpressed. Either that or he failed to explain his general wishy-washiness and inability to actually case a vote, and people wanted someone to represent them who was willing to do the job. He sold his soul to the duckboys for very little money, alienated his colleagues, and got very little to show for it. His squeaky wheel gets the oil approach to governance is unimpressive and not worth much to any of his constituents. I wonder if he’ll actually go back and try to represent his constituents now and maybe cast an occasional vote or two. Might help, who knows? In any case, I suspect Barclay better get comfortable where he is. His rather impressive loss does not bode well for any higher aspirations on his part.
Now, on to even bigger surprises. Bob Schnur lost, and not by much. When the margin of victory for your opponent is right around 40 or so votes, that’s when you start banging your head against the wall. A more decisive loss (as in Barclay or Brazil’s case) is generally more desirable. It’s too bad really, I think he would have done a great job, and notwithstanding a brief dance with the duckboys, he’s been a great public servant. He may come back to us in a different role one of these days, but who knows? I guess the Collector’s race will come down to two employees of the former Collector. Certainly interesting. Maybe the voters are sending incumbent office holders some kind of message. We’ll see.
Darrel Lackey lost to Joe Cronin. This was the only victory of note for the anti-growth, green wing of the Republican Party and possibly the biggest disappointment. Talk about a significant issue of qualifications. Cronin is and was simply a spoiler. Had he gotten out of Lackey’s way, we would not have lost a seat on the County Council to the Democrats. Clearly this is a guy willing to put his pathetic, fringe personal agenda ahead of the interest of his party. That being said, it is highly unlikely that Cronin survives the race in November against Cheryl Hibbeler. She is doing and saying all the right things and that bodes well for her. Too bad really, it was good when we could say that we had an all-Republican County Council. The Democrats are in a position to pick up seats one-by-one, which gives an interesting forecast with regard to what’s happening in the County.
That probably covers the big surprises. There were some relatively predictable victories including Neer for Sheriff and Thornhill beating Gartner. RINO Rick Zerr won his race as well, so his pension will be safe after all. Considering the fortune he must have spent on the multiple mailings and television commercials, it was relatively predictable. The only surprise in his race was the number of Republican notables who were convinced by Senator Gross to throw their support behind Zerr (who used to hold the office as a Democrat), but I guess Gross is just that kind of guy.
I think I’ll save my other observations for next time. After all, sometimes you need to take a wait and see outcome regarding the results on Election Day.
The View From The Cheap Seats - By Jerry Haferkamp
For all you old timers that grew up in south St. Charles in the 40’s and 50’s, the South Town Reunion will be at Blanchette, pavilion #3 on Saturday, September 16th from 11a.m. ‘till ?
An intelligent person would think that knowing that the First Capitol News exists would coax our mayor to clean up her act. Apparently not. The Queen has vetoed the proposal to allow you to revote on whether the administration should have a “strong” or a “weak” type mayoral system. She states that you have already voted.
When we voted to approve our charter, it called for a “weak” mayoral position. Some time ago, the mayor’s friends had the council put the change to a “strong” type position on the ballot. Why didn’t she veto that proposal using the same “they already voted” mantra? Simple. It didn’t suit her agenda. Once again, she puts her agenda ahead of what should be her concern that the voters have an informed choice. With more information, the voters may turn back the previous vote, or they may approve the change by an even larger number It’s now a moot issue since there weren’t enough council members voting to override her veto. The issue would have been just one more issue on a ballot of several issues, so there was no expense involved. Consistency, Madame Mayor. If you didn’t veto the previous change, you shouldn’t have vetoed the latter. Consistency.
The mayor has told the St. Peters paper (I think she is boycotting the only local paper) that she will run for the mayor’s slot again. Once the candidates have officially filed, we will get into such topics as money laundering, campaign finance irregularities, misappropriation of city funds, unauthorized contract changes and little things like that. I may have to bring up our old friends at the Citizens Responsible for What’s Wrong in Your Community (or whatever that group of “no low income housing near me” elitist was called).
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
An intelligent person would think that knowing that the First Capitol News exists would coax our mayor to clean up her act. Apparently not. The Queen has vetoed the proposal to allow you to revote on whether the administration should have a “strong” or a “weak” type mayoral system. She states that you have already voted.
When we voted to approve our charter, it called for a “weak” mayoral position. Some time ago, the mayor’s friends had the council put the change to a “strong” type position on the ballot. Why didn’t she veto that proposal using the same “they already voted” mantra? Simple. It didn’t suit her agenda. Once again, she puts her agenda ahead of what should be her concern that the voters have an informed choice. With more information, the voters may turn back the previous vote, or they may approve the change by an even larger number It’s now a moot issue since there weren’t enough council members voting to override her veto. The issue would have been just one more issue on a ballot of several issues, so there was no expense involved. Consistency, Madame Mayor. If you didn’t veto the previous change, you shouldn’t have vetoed the latter. Consistency.
The mayor has told the St. Peters paper (I think she is boycotting the only local paper) that she will run for the mayor’s slot again. Once the candidates have officially filed, we will get into such topics as money laundering, campaign finance irregularities, misappropriation of city funds, unauthorized contract changes and little things like that. I may have to bring up our old friends at the Citizens Responsible for What’s Wrong in Your Community (or whatever that group of “no low income housing near me” elitist was called).
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
FIRST CAPITOL SPORTS - MIKE MCMURRAN Sports Editor
Never have I claimed to be a journalist, nor do I have any journalistic training or schooling. What I have is more background in grammar than the average person would ever need and a passion for high school sports – that is how this column as well as the sports section of this fine weekly got started.
It all worked out very well in that I had some spare time, the paper had received a letter or two about expanding their coverage to include sports, and probably most importantly I really do agree with most of the philosophical as well as editorial positions of the paper.
That being said, much, if not most of the correspondence I receive (yes, I do get some mail) offers support of how most everything in life is relative. Almost equally the mail, and comments, are divided between “You write too damn much about your family,” and “Never in my life have I read a sports section of a newspaper until I started reading your column. I muddle through the sports stuff just to see how Maggie, Joe and Dee are doing.” For me it has been quite a learning experience. Two people can read the exact same words yet get completely different messages.
I make mention of this because at the Rams preseason game with the Colts I took a giant ribbing from Don Oelklaus and Terry Phillips. Don is a life long resident of St. Charles, something he takes very proudly. Anyway, in between drinks of Miller-Lite, Don and Terry’s drink of preference, all I heard was “I’m sick about hearing about your kids, we want more sports.” The ironic part of the story is, during the fourth quarter, Don asked me how Joe’s football career was doing. I was thrown for a second, in that I had not seen or spoken to Don in some months – probably since Christmas. “How did you know Joe was playing football?” I quizzed him. “I read about it in the paper,” he informed me as he finished yet another Miller-Lite. Even though Don (and others) want more sports, they seem to be loyal, regular readers. Just thought I would share that with you.
Due to logistical problems this week’s sports section is pretty much limited to Louis’ interview with the new athletic administrator of St. Charles High, Julie Williams. Kudos to Louis on a great piece of journalistic work. Louis you see does in fact have a journalistic background – graduating from Lindenwood with some sort of Journalism degree. I make mention of this because Louis will pretty much be covering the high school beat for us this coming fall. With my coaching responsibilities at Trinity and the Junior Renegades I just wouldn’t be able to devout the time needed to do the job properly. Louis will be covering the “Game of the Week,” be it football, softball, volleyball, or even that God forsaken sport, football. At the same time, I will be able to continue my weekly column, whether it be about the local sports scene, a regional topic, or just my family – anything for Mr. Oelklaus.
Finally, returning in our next edition will be the First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week. If you wish to nominate someone, contact me at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net .
One more thing please. There resides in St. Charles City a gentleman by the name of Kevin Tollefson. You may recall a previous article written about Kevin and his son and the red carpet they received from the RiverCity Rage. Well, Kevin is quite the athlete for a man his age – his swimming and biking routine rival that of men 20 years younger than he. On the weekend of September 9th, Kevin will take part in the National MS Society’s annual MS Bike Tour. Kevin’s goal originally was to raise $500 to help find a cure for MS; he has already doubled that, a testimony to Kevin and his character (you have no idea how hard it is for me to say that!). Anyone who has an extra buck or so laying around can donate to Kevin’s ride by logging on to the following web address:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org//MOS/personal/default.asp?pa=50122201&pd=MOS0EMS120060909COL
I know that is one heck of an address, but I think the cause is worth the support. So, if you check in here weekly to read about Family McMurran, or if you check in here to see if by some strange chance I am writing about some sports’ related topic – I ask that you support Kevin in his effort to find a cure for MS.
JULIE WILLIAMS New Activities Director Very Familiar With SCHS
By Louis J. Launer
It is like the next generation has taken over at St. Charles High School. Twenty-four years ago, a head football coach named Jim Williams took his 1982-83 football team to Kansas City to participate in the Show-Me Bowl at Arrowhead Stadium. They returned to St. Charles with a state trophy. This year, Jim Williams’ daughter takes over as activities director at St. Charles High School. Julie Williams is the first female activities director in the school district’s history.
“I am in charge of all of the athletics at St. Charles High,” she said. “I also work with the other after school clubs and with the band director, drama department and school choir. So there is more responsibilities that an activities director has to do than just athletics.”
Julie has a double degree in communications and education from the University of Iowa and has recently received her masters degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.
“The role [as activities director] today is more all encompassing compared to what it was back when my father was at High,” Julie said.
She takes over a St. Charles High School that is in better shape today compared to when her father was head football coach.
“We have a new field surface for football this year, including a better irrigation system,” she said. Also, the track has been completely replaced and is a better one than what we had before. We want to make our facilities better for not just our students, but those who attended St. Charles High School years ago.”
Not only does Jim Rash Stadium have more improvements, the gymnasiums are now better.
“The girls volleyball team is very popular here,” she said. “Many students attend those games. We also have a following for cross-country. Those sports are just as important to the school as varsity football.”
With coordination of the school band, Julie will be involved in most of the game activities that take place at St. Charles High School, right down to the half-time festivities.
“We need to coordinate dates as to when the band will be available,” she said. “They have a lot of concerts, parades and contests they are preparing. Everyone wants to see the band perform at the home football games. But the band also has their own schedule and I have to make sure that there are no conflicts.”
The students of St. Charles High, which started classes this past Monday, will be encouraged to participate in at least one school activity this school year.
“We have a great set of kids at SCHS,” she said. “We just started practices for this year’s fall sports and all have gone very well. There is a lot of tradition here and we hope that the students will keep that tradition going. We also hope that a lot of alumni attend many of the school functions to see what we have done. The students work very hard here.”
Most of the fall sports activities will be held on the SCHS campus. Some will be off-campus. Girls’ softball will be held at Jaycee Park. Cross-country events that are considered “home” are to be held at McNair Park. Girls golf will be held at Bogey Hills Country Club. Girls tennis is scheduled for Blanchette Park.
Julie is at a St. Charles High School where today, the school’s complete rebuilding in 1995 is much different than the SCHS of the early 1980s. The interior gives the look of a more modern school, well kept, with no peeling paint or leaky ceilings. There are two gymnasiums instead of one. There are more sports in every season during the school year compared to just the traditional sports alumni has been familiar with in the past. Jim Rash Stadium has seen a second complete renovation, although the original stadium (known to older St. Charles residents as Municipal Stadium) still retains the character of the WPA project of 1936.
A St. Charles High School graduate herself, Julie Williams will continue the traditions that SCHS has done in the past. Today, more than ever, high school students are involved in more high school activities and projects compared to what was done 20 years ago. Students, alumni and St. Charles residents are welcome to attend events at the school, whether it is a football game, volleyball match, tennis match, band contest/concert or musical/play. Julie will be busy keeping all of the events in line and help promote the events for not just the student body, but for the public as well. If St. Charles High brings home another state championship in any activity this year, Julie does know from her family experience what it takes to achieve an accomplishment.
It all worked out very well in that I had some spare time, the paper had received a letter or two about expanding their coverage to include sports, and probably most importantly I really do agree with most of the philosophical as well as editorial positions of the paper.
That being said, much, if not most of the correspondence I receive (yes, I do get some mail) offers support of how most everything in life is relative. Almost equally the mail, and comments, are divided between “You write too damn much about your family,” and “Never in my life have I read a sports section of a newspaper until I started reading your column. I muddle through the sports stuff just to see how Maggie, Joe and Dee are doing.” For me it has been quite a learning experience. Two people can read the exact same words yet get completely different messages.
I make mention of this because at the Rams preseason game with the Colts I took a giant ribbing from Don Oelklaus and Terry Phillips. Don is a life long resident of St. Charles, something he takes very proudly. Anyway, in between drinks of Miller-Lite, Don and Terry’s drink of preference, all I heard was “I’m sick about hearing about your kids, we want more sports.” The ironic part of the story is, during the fourth quarter, Don asked me how Joe’s football career was doing. I was thrown for a second, in that I had not seen or spoken to Don in some months – probably since Christmas. “How did you know Joe was playing football?” I quizzed him. “I read about it in the paper,” he informed me as he finished yet another Miller-Lite. Even though Don (and others) want more sports, they seem to be loyal, regular readers. Just thought I would share that with you.
Due to logistical problems this week’s sports section is pretty much limited to Louis’ interview with the new athletic administrator of St. Charles High, Julie Williams. Kudos to Louis on a great piece of journalistic work. Louis you see does in fact have a journalistic background – graduating from Lindenwood with some sort of Journalism degree. I make mention of this because Louis will pretty much be covering the high school beat for us this coming fall. With my coaching responsibilities at Trinity and the Junior Renegades I just wouldn’t be able to devout the time needed to do the job properly. Louis will be covering the “Game of the Week,” be it football, softball, volleyball, or even that God forsaken sport, football. At the same time, I will be able to continue my weekly column, whether it be about the local sports scene, a regional topic, or just my family – anything for Mr. Oelklaus.
Finally, returning in our next edition will be the First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week. If you wish to nominate someone, contact me at 314.280.9189 or mcmurran@charter.net .
One more thing please. There resides in St. Charles City a gentleman by the name of Kevin Tollefson. You may recall a previous article written about Kevin and his son and the red carpet they received from the RiverCity Rage. Well, Kevin is quite the athlete for a man his age – his swimming and biking routine rival that of men 20 years younger than he. On the weekend of September 9th, Kevin will take part in the National MS Society’s annual MS Bike Tour. Kevin’s goal originally was to raise $500 to help find a cure for MS; he has already doubled that, a testimony to Kevin and his character (you have no idea how hard it is for me to say that!). Anyone who has an extra buck or so laying around can donate to Kevin’s ride by logging on to the following web address:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org//MOS/personal/default.asp?pa=50122201&pd=MOS0EMS120060909COL
I know that is one heck of an address, but I think the cause is worth the support. So, if you check in here weekly to read about Family McMurran, or if you check in here to see if by some strange chance I am writing about some sports’ related topic – I ask that you support Kevin in his effort to find a cure for MS.
JULIE WILLIAMS New Activities Director Very Familiar With SCHS
By Louis J. Launer
It is like the next generation has taken over at St. Charles High School. Twenty-four years ago, a head football coach named Jim Williams took his 1982-83 football team to Kansas City to participate in the Show-Me Bowl at Arrowhead Stadium. They returned to St. Charles with a state trophy. This year, Jim Williams’ daughter takes over as activities director at St. Charles High School. Julie Williams is the first female activities director in the school district’s history.
“I am in charge of all of the athletics at St. Charles High,” she said. “I also work with the other after school clubs and with the band director, drama department and school choir. So there is more responsibilities that an activities director has to do than just athletics.”
Julie has a double degree in communications and education from the University of Iowa and has recently received her masters degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.
“The role [as activities director] today is more all encompassing compared to what it was back when my father was at High,” Julie said.
She takes over a St. Charles High School that is in better shape today compared to when her father was head football coach.
“We have a new field surface for football this year, including a better irrigation system,” she said. Also, the track has been completely replaced and is a better one than what we had before. We want to make our facilities better for not just our students, but those who attended St. Charles High School years ago.”
Not only does Jim Rash Stadium have more improvements, the gymnasiums are now better.
“The girls volleyball team is very popular here,” she said. “Many students attend those games. We also have a following for cross-country. Those sports are just as important to the school as varsity football.”
With coordination of the school band, Julie will be involved in most of the game activities that take place at St. Charles High School, right down to the half-time festivities.
“We need to coordinate dates as to when the band will be available,” she said. “They have a lot of concerts, parades and contests they are preparing. Everyone wants to see the band perform at the home football games. But the band also has their own schedule and I have to make sure that there are no conflicts.”
The students of St. Charles High, which started classes this past Monday, will be encouraged to participate in at least one school activity this school year.
“We have a great set of kids at SCHS,” she said. “We just started practices for this year’s fall sports and all have gone very well. There is a lot of tradition here and we hope that the students will keep that tradition going. We also hope that a lot of alumni attend many of the school functions to see what we have done. The students work very hard here.”
Most of the fall sports activities will be held on the SCHS campus. Some will be off-campus. Girls’ softball will be held at Jaycee Park. Cross-country events that are considered “home” are to be held at McNair Park. Girls golf will be held at Bogey Hills Country Club. Girls tennis is scheduled for Blanchette Park.
Julie is at a St. Charles High School where today, the school’s complete rebuilding in 1995 is much different than the SCHS of the early 1980s. The interior gives the look of a more modern school, well kept, with no peeling paint or leaky ceilings. There are two gymnasiums instead of one. There are more sports in every season during the school year compared to just the traditional sports alumni has been familiar with in the past. Jim Rash Stadium has seen a second complete renovation, although the original stadium (known to older St. Charles residents as Municipal Stadium) still retains the character of the WPA project of 1936.
A St. Charles High School graduate herself, Julie Williams will continue the traditions that SCHS has done in the past. Today, more than ever, high school students are involved in more high school activities and projects compared to what was done 20 years ago. Students, alumni and St. Charles residents are welcome to attend events at the school, whether it is a football game, volleyball match, tennis match, band contest/concert or musical/play. Julie will be busy keeping all of the events in line and help promote the events for not just the student body, but for the public as well. If St. Charles High brings home another state championship in any activity this year, Julie does know from her family experience what it takes to achieve an accomplishment.
WHITTAKER HOMES OPENS A NEW SALES CENTER AT THE NEW TOWN AT ST. CHARLES
Whittaker Homes has opened a new sales center at The New Town at St. Charles, a new urbanism development off Hwy. 370 and New Town Blvd. The new sales office is located at 3312 Rue Royale in the heart of the neighborhood center next to Marsala’s Market.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
WHITTAKER HOMES OPENS A NEW SALES CENTER AT THE NEW TOWN AT ST. CHARLES
Whittaker Homes has opened a new sales center at The New Town at St. Charles, a new urbanism development off Hwy. 370 and New Town Blvd. The new sales office is located at 3312 Rue Royale in the heart of the neighborhood center next to Marsala’s Market.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
New Town’s first neighborhood center is the hub of activity with an outdoor amphitheater, Town Hall, Mail Room, Marsala’s Market, Prancing Pony Books & Café, Rudy’s Ribs, Torta Della’s Pizza and neighborhood stores. The first of over 40 sold live work units are expected to be completed this Fall/Winter.
“While we have five row houses and five single-family homes on display, we thought that the sales and information center should be moved to the heart of the development. People typically buy here because they are ready to drive less and walk more with their daily needs in a true town setting. Our first neighborhood center represents this quality of life – families can be seen walking to and from Marsala’s Market while friends enjoy a glass of wine in the Jazz Courtyard at the Prancing Pony. Now interested buyers can see and experience this firsthand with the new location of our sales center,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes.
Ultimately, New Town, a $1.5 billion project, will be a thriving town with approximately 5,700 residences in ten phases, with a carefully planned mix of homes in addition to a proposed large town center and four neighborhood centers.
To reach The New Town at St. Charles, take Hwy. 370 to north on New Town Blvd., 1 ? miles to New Town on the right. Follow the signs to the new sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 636-949-2700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles.com.
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