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Saturday, October 21, 2006
FRONT PAGE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - October 21, 2006
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Millionaire Club Headed By Hughes Funnels $213,000 To Committees & Business Controlled By Dempsey’s Aide, Thomas Smith
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
& Tony Brockmeyer
While researching campaign-spending records with the state of Missouri for our ongoing series on the influence of big money in the campaign of State Representative Tom Dempsey, the First Capitol News uncovered new evidence of the possible corrupt influence of funds being floated through yet another front committee. The Regional St. Charles County Leadership Fund, newly formed in March of 2006 by TR Hughes and employees of his, held a massive fund raising dinner on the evening of the 7th of April at the Columns Banquet Center an establishment owned and operated by the Dempsey family.
The gala event quietly raised $213,000 that evening. Expenses for the event totaled $29,116.45 paid to the Dempsey’s Columns Banquet Center. Records with the state indicate that employees of TR Hughes control the fund. All monies collected by the fund, however, were later transferred to Committees and a business under the control of Thomas W. Smith, a state employee working for and allied with State Representative Tom Dempsey (R) 18 District.
Dempsey had previously rushed special-interest legislation into law that enabled TR Hughes to have sewer connections for homes in one of his developments. Hughes was in a bind because the private sewer company, East Central Missouri, had no valid contract with the City of St. Charles to continue to treat their sewerage. While the two parties were negotiating this dispute, the City of St. Charles told East Central Missouri that they could no longer hook up additional customers to their private sewer system and expect the City to handle the extra capacity. This meant Hughes could not hook up any more of the homes he was building in the County.
The legislation, sponsored by Dempsey, forced the City of St. Charles to have to treat the sewage of this private company despite not having a valid contract with them. Further, the legislation was written so one-sided, that the citizens of St. Charles were required to pay to maintain the private sewer line in order to keep treating the sewage even if the private line collapsed. These lines and the development by Hughes on the site of the old St. Andrews Golf Course are outside of the corporate city limits of St. Charles and outside of the 18th State Representative District, which Dempsey represents.
The legislation helped Hughes directly to be able to continue to build new homes in this development. It also placed an additional burden on City taxpayers and sewer users who will have to pay for expanding and upgrading the Mississippi River Treatment Plant to handle this and other growth. It is likely the City of St. Charles will be raising sewer rates in the near future to pay for such upgrades.
This special legislation, sponsored by Dempsey, was rushed through the legislature due to Dempsey’s leadership position as Majority Floor Leader. It was passed last year and was widely criticized by St. Charles City officials, the Mayor, and City Administrator.
The fundraiser this year appears to have been a thinly veiled attempt to disguise TR Hughes funneling money to help Tom Dempsey. Hughes was active in financing and promoting the recall attempts to have Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown removed from office. Those attempts were plagued with fraud and forgeries and in which individuals were charged with crimes and others are being investigated. Hughes, himself, donated $9,600 and was joined by numerous other developers and noteworthy individuals including:
Cole and Associates $9,600 (A company controlled by former St. Charles Councilman Kevin Riggs)
Grace Harmon, $12,000
Wm. Randolph Weber $2,400
Keith Hazelwood $3,600
Mary West $1,200 (Former St. Charles Councilwoman)
Kevin Kast $2,400 (former head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center who resigned suddenly and was active in promoting and financing the recall attempts on Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Recall attempts that were plagued with fraud and forgeries and in which individuals were charged with crimes and others are being investigated)
Missouri Health Care Association $12,000
Environmental Operations, Inc. $9,600
McBride & Son Management Co. $12,000
Enterprise Financial $5,000
Foresight Development Group $9,600
Quilogy $12,000
CSM & Associates $4,800 (A company controlled by Mike Sellenschuetter who was active in promoting and financing the recall attempts on Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Recall attempts that were plagued with fraud and forgeries and in which individuals were charged with crimes and others are being investigated)
Henry Clever $100
A complete list of the contributors can be found at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
The fundraiser, held at the Dempsey’s Columns Banquet Center, was held while the legislature was still in session. Incumbent candidates are forbidden from accepting money from lobbyists during the five months of the legislative session, which runs January through May. The April 7th fundraiser was well within the time period that other incumbent state representatives were prohibited from raising money. Hughes, Smith, and Dempsey circumvented this restriction by creating this third party committee, The Regional St. Charles County Leadership Fund. They then later channeled the money directly into the committees controlled by Dempsey’s aide, Thomas W. Smith.
Dempsey’s opponent in the November 7th election, City Councilman Joe Koester, stated previously that he was motivated to run for office because of the special interest legislation Dempsey had passed for Tom Hughes. “It made me angry that the interests of average citizens and the people he was sworn to represent, were taking a back seat to the private profit motives of a millionaire developer. I could not believe how the interests of the public had been so blatantly and willfully surrendered to special interests.”
Learning of the findings of our investigation, Councilman Koester had this to add, “I hope the public can now see that their interests were not sold cheaply but were surrendered for $213,000 from a millionaires club.”
SEE RELATED ARTICLE "CASINOS BET HEAVILY ON INFLUENCE OF DEMPSEY. Scroll down to read that story.
& Tony Brockmeyer
While researching campaign-spending records with the state of Missouri for our ongoing series on the influence of big money in the campaign of State Representative Tom Dempsey, the First Capitol News uncovered new evidence of the possible corrupt influence of funds being floated through yet another front committee. The Regional St. Charles County Leadership Fund, newly formed in March of 2006 by TR Hughes and employees of his, held a massive fund raising dinner on the evening of the 7th of April at the Columns Banquet Center an establishment owned and operated by the Dempsey family.
The gala event quietly raised $213,000 that evening. Expenses for the event totaled $29,116.45 paid to the Dempsey’s Columns Banquet Center. Records with the state indicate that employees of TR Hughes control the fund. All monies collected by the fund, however, were later transferred to Committees and a business under the control of Thomas W. Smith, a state employee working for and allied with State Representative Tom Dempsey (R) 18 District.
Dempsey had previously rushed special-interest legislation into law that enabled TR Hughes to have sewer connections for homes in one of his developments. Hughes was in a bind because the private sewer company, East Central Missouri, had no valid contract with the City of St. Charles to continue to treat their sewerage. While the two parties were negotiating this dispute, the City of St. Charles told East Central Missouri that they could no longer hook up additional customers to their private sewer system and expect the City to handle the extra capacity. This meant Hughes could not hook up any more of the homes he was building in the County.
The legislation, sponsored by Dempsey, forced the City of St. Charles to have to treat the sewage of this private company despite not having a valid contract with them. Further, the legislation was written so one-sided, that the citizens of St. Charles were required to pay to maintain the private sewer line in order to keep treating the sewage even if the private line collapsed. These lines and the development by Hughes on the site of the old St. Andrews Golf Course are outside of the corporate city limits of St. Charles and outside of the 18th State Representative District, which Dempsey represents.
The legislation helped Hughes directly to be able to continue to build new homes in this development. It also placed an additional burden on City taxpayers and sewer users who will have to pay for expanding and upgrading the Mississippi River Treatment Plant to handle this and other growth. It is likely the City of St. Charles will be raising sewer rates in the near future to pay for such upgrades.
This special legislation, sponsored by Dempsey, was rushed through the legislature due to Dempsey’s leadership position as Majority Floor Leader. It was passed last year and was widely criticized by St. Charles City officials, the Mayor, and City Administrator.
The fundraiser this year appears to have been a thinly veiled attempt to disguise TR Hughes funneling money to help Tom Dempsey. Hughes was active in financing and promoting the recall attempts to have Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown removed from office. Those attempts were plagued with fraud and forgeries and in which individuals were charged with crimes and others are being investigated. Hughes, himself, donated $9,600 and was joined by numerous other developers and noteworthy individuals including:
Cole and Associates $9,600 (A company controlled by former St. Charles Councilman Kevin Riggs)
Grace Harmon, $12,000
Wm. Randolph Weber $2,400
Keith Hazelwood $3,600
Mary West $1,200 (Former St. Charles Councilwoman)
Kevin Kast $2,400 (former head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center who resigned suddenly and was active in promoting and financing the recall attempts on Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Recall attempts that were plagued with fraud and forgeries and in which individuals were charged with crimes and others are being investigated)
Missouri Health Care Association $12,000
Environmental Operations, Inc. $9,600
McBride & Son Management Co. $12,000
Enterprise Financial $5,000
Foresight Development Group $9,600
Quilogy $12,000
CSM & Associates $4,800 (A company controlled by Mike Sellenschuetter who was active in promoting and financing the recall attempts on Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Recall attempts that were plagued with fraud and forgeries and in which individuals were charged with crimes and others are being investigated)
Henry Clever $100
A complete list of the contributors can be found at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
The fundraiser, held at the Dempsey’s Columns Banquet Center, was held while the legislature was still in session. Incumbent candidates are forbidden from accepting money from lobbyists during the five months of the legislative session, which runs January through May. The April 7th fundraiser was well within the time period that other incumbent state representatives were prohibited from raising money. Hughes, Smith, and Dempsey circumvented this restriction by creating this third party committee, The Regional St. Charles County Leadership Fund. They then later channeled the money directly into the committees controlled by Dempsey’s aide, Thomas W. Smith.
Dempsey’s opponent in the November 7th election, City Councilman Joe Koester, stated previously that he was motivated to run for office because of the special interest legislation Dempsey had passed for Tom Hughes. “It made me angry that the interests of average citizens and the people he was sworn to represent, were taking a back seat to the private profit motives of a millionaire developer. I could not believe how the interests of the public had been so blatantly and willfully surrendered to special interests.”
Learning of the findings of our investigation, Councilman Koester had this to add, “I hope the public can now see that their interests were not sold cheaply but were surrendered for $213,000 from a millionaires club.”
SEE RELATED ARTICLE "CASINOS BET HEAVILY ON INFLUENCE OF DEMPSEY. Scroll down to read that story.
THE REGIONAL ST CHARLES COUNTY LEADERSHIP FUND CONTRIBUTORS AND EXPENSES
Click on images to enlarge. The first two images are the contributors to the Regional St. Charles County Leadership Fund and the third image is the expense report. These reports were obtained from the Missouri Ethics Commission and can be found on their web site.
Dempsey’s Aide Puts Out Negative Mailing Against Tom Green
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Thomas W. Smith of 320 Monroe in St. Charles, Tom Dempsey’s aide, is apparently responsible for a negative mailing against former State Representative Tom Green. Green is attempting to regain his seat from Sally Faith who won the seat in the last election after several negative mailings, which were found to be false, were sent out by the state Republican Party.
Green has a lawsuit pending against the state Republican Party because of the negative mailings that he believes cost him the election. The suit is being heard in St. Charles County Circuit Court with a January 23rd trial date.
A motion by the Republican Party to dismiss the lawsuit was denied by Judge Cunningham who set the matter for trial.
Printing on the mailing, received by residents of the district on Wednesday, said it was paid for by the Gateway to Victory Fund, Thomas W. Smith, treasurer. Both the fund, and Dempsey’s aide Smith, were subjects of the First Capitol News Investigative series, “Money Laundering or Smart Politics, the People Have a right to Know.” (The series can be found in our archives on the internet at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com in the search area enter, Money Laundering).
In it’s most recent filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission, the Gateway Victory Fund with Smith as the treasurer and being operated from 320 Monroe Street in St. Charles listed only about $600 on hand. Filings by the Sally faith Committee listed a payment of $5,000 in September to Survey St. Louis. Survey St. Louis is a company controlled by Smith, Dempsey’s aide, with the same address, 320 Monroe. When we last checked there is no city business license for Survey St. Louis nor approval for a home occupation.
Survey St. Louis was also active in the recent recall attempts against Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer. Both recall attempts were plagued with forgeries and fraud. One subject has been charged by the Prosecuting Attorney’s office and police sources believe more individuals who participated in the recall will be charged. The recall efforts were mostly funded by developers T.R. Hughes and Michael Sellenschuetter and former head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center, Kevin Kast. Additional information in our archives at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
Sources familiar with political mailings estimate the cost of the negative mailing made by Dempsey’s aide against Tom Green at about $5,000.
Tom Green told the First Capitol News, “I can’t believe they are putting out negative mailings against me again. You would think after the last election when it was proven they put out lies they would have learned their lesson. I would not have thought my opponent would stoop to this type of dirty tricks but I guess I was wrong. I plan on campaigning on the issues and on the record. I don’t believe I should make any further comments because of the pending lawsuit.
According to Tom Green, the state Republican Party admitted the information they mailed out about him was not true.
ttt
Thomas W. Smith of 320 Monroe in St. Charles, Tom Dempsey’s aide, is apparently responsible for a negative mailing against former State Representative Tom Green. Green is attempting to regain his seat from Sally Faith who won the seat in the last election after several negative mailings, which were found to be false, were sent out by the state Republican Party.
Green has a lawsuit pending against the state Republican Party because of the negative mailings that he believes cost him the election. The suit is being heard in St. Charles County Circuit Court with a January 23rd trial date.
A motion by the Republican Party to dismiss the lawsuit was denied by Judge Cunningham who set the matter for trial.
Printing on the mailing, received by residents of the district on Wednesday, said it was paid for by the Gateway to Victory Fund, Thomas W. Smith, treasurer. Both the fund, and Dempsey’s aide Smith, were subjects of the First Capitol News Investigative series, “Money Laundering or Smart Politics, the People Have a right to Know.” (The series can be found in our archives on the internet at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com in the search area enter, Money Laundering).
In it’s most recent filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission, the Gateway Victory Fund with Smith as the treasurer and being operated from 320 Monroe Street in St. Charles listed only about $600 on hand. Filings by the Sally faith Committee listed a payment of $5,000 in September to Survey St. Louis. Survey St. Louis is a company controlled by Smith, Dempsey’s aide, with the same address, 320 Monroe. When we last checked there is no city business license for Survey St. Louis nor approval for a home occupation.
Survey St. Louis was also active in the recent recall attempts against Councilman Mark Brown and Councilwoman Dottie Greer. Both recall attempts were plagued with forgeries and fraud. One subject has been charged by the Prosecuting Attorney’s office and police sources believe more individuals who participated in the recall will be charged. The recall efforts were mostly funded by developers T.R. Hughes and Michael Sellenschuetter and former head of SSM St. Joseph Health Center, Kevin Kast. Additional information in our archives at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
Sources familiar with political mailings estimate the cost of the negative mailing made by Dempsey’s aide against Tom Green at about $5,000.
Tom Green told the First Capitol News, “I can’t believe they are putting out negative mailings against me again. You would think after the last election when it was proven they put out lies they would have learned their lesson. I would not have thought my opponent would stoop to this type of dirty tricks but I guess I was wrong. I plan on campaigning on the issues and on the record. I don’t believe I should make any further comments because of the pending lawsuit.
According to Tom Green, the state Republican Party admitted the information they mailed out about him was not true.
ttt
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
If you have been watching the City Council meetings on Channel 20 recently you might have seen the temper tantrums thrown by Councilmen Bob Hoepfner and Mike Weller. They professed their indignation about an informational brochure the administration had contracted for regarding the vote for a Community Center that will be on the November 7th ballot. They professed their dislike for a location next to Blanchette Park where the Boys and Girls Club is currently located. This location is listed on the brochure as the front-runner for the location of the Center. They professed no knowledge of this being the preferred location despite the fact that it was mentioned in the 2005 Spring City Newsletter that goes to each Council person for approval nor when it appeared often in the minutes of the Community Center Committee that were sent to them.
If the truth were known their dislike is not so much to the location but more likely their hatred for Councilman Rory Riddler who has been working on a Community Center for many years. Maybe if they would give Hoepfner the plumbing work and Weller the cabling contract they would be more receptive to a Community Center for the residents.
Weller, whom I believe holds the record for missing Council meetings, has vowed to fight the Community Center. If he spends as much time doing that as he has spent on his Council duties it should have no significant impact.
Hoepfner made several statements regarding the center that need to be corrected.
1. Bob said Community Center cost estimate didn’t include inflation. In fact inflation was taken into account in preparing the estimate.
2. Bob said Park Board opposed Community Center when in fact; they have supported the idea all along.
3. Bob said the Council didn’t have knowledge of the sites being considered. In fact he voted for the minutes approving it, and the City Council’s article in the Spring 2005 City Newsletter, which Councilman Hoepfner approved talks all about it.
4. Bob said that Lindenwood University would “give” the City free land to build a Community Center. When the City Administrator checked with Lindenwood they found out that wasn’t true.
5. Bob said the architect cost the City “over a million dollars” when in fact the bills to date are $155,000.
Gee Bob, would it hurt so much to perhaps read the material you are given every week. Someone who doesn’t know you might actually believe the things you say every week.
If the truth were known their dislike is not so much to the location but more likely their hatred for Councilman Rory Riddler who has been working on a Community Center for many years. Maybe if they would give Hoepfner the plumbing work and Weller the cabling contract they would be more receptive to a Community Center for the residents.
Weller, whom I believe holds the record for missing Council meetings, has vowed to fight the Community Center. If he spends as much time doing that as he has spent on his Council duties it should have no significant impact.
Hoepfner made several statements regarding the center that need to be corrected.
1. Bob said Community Center cost estimate didn’t include inflation. In fact inflation was taken into account in preparing the estimate.
2. Bob said Park Board opposed Community Center when in fact; they have supported the idea all along.
3. Bob said the Council didn’t have knowledge of the sites being considered. In fact he voted for the minutes approving it, and the City Council’s article in the Spring 2005 City Newsletter, which Councilman Hoepfner approved talks all about it.
4. Bob said that Lindenwood University would “give” the City free land to build a Community Center. When the City Administrator checked with Lindenwood they found out that wasn’t true.
5. Bob said the architect cost the City “over a million dollars” when in fact the bills to date are $155,000.
Gee Bob, would it hurt so much to perhaps read the material you are given every week. Someone who doesn’t know you might actually believe the things you say every week.
Editorial St. Charles Community Center: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Editorial
St. Charles Community Center:
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
The First Capitol News urges everyone to vote for Proposition A on Tuesday November 7th. Passage of this NO TAX INCREASE bond issue is critical to helping fulfill the dream, of St. Charles having a first-class Community Center.
Two separate Parks Department Surveys show that upwards of 72% of the public would like to see the City build and operate a Community Center. St. Peters has it’s Rec-Plex, O’Fallon the Spirit Center, Florissant the Eagan Center and JFK Center, Fenton, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Kirkwood and Clayton and the list goes on and on...all offer their residents the benefits of a Community Center.
Why operate a Parks & Recreation Department just six or eight months out of the year? A year-round Community Center would offer an aquatic’s center you could enjoy in the dead of winter. Exhaustive studies have shown the need for more multi-purpose gyms and surveys have shown great interest among seniors for an indoor climate controlled walking track.
Our community has also heard for years about how we need to provide something for our young people to do and teenage obesity is of growing concern. Here is an idea that addresses both issues. Aerobics areas, meeting rooms, a theater, child care area and food service area will round out the facility and insure something for everyone is always going on.
To its credit, the City Council has done its homework on this issue; now Council President Bob Kneemiller having headed up an early citizens committee before serving on the Council and Councilman Rory Riddler chairing the current Council Community Center Committee and setting aside the money in the Capital Budget Plan necessary to make this a no tax increase issue the City can finally afford.
Voting YES on PROPOSITION A, will allow the City to issue bonds at a cheaper rate of interest. The time is right to turn this dream into a reality for people of all ages.
St. Charles Community Center:
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
The First Capitol News urges everyone to vote for Proposition A on Tuesday November 7th. Passage of this NO TAX INCREASE bond issue is critical to helping fulfill the dream, of St. Charles having a first-class Community Center.
Two separate Parks Department Surveys show that upwards of 72% of the public would like to see the City build and operate a Community Center. St. Peters has it’s Rec-Plex, O’Fallon the Spirit Center, Florissant the Eagan Center and JFK Center, Fenton, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Kirkwood and Clayton and the list goes on and on...all offer their residents the benefits of a Community Center.
Why operate a Parks & Recreation Department just six or eight months out of the year? A year-round Community Center would offer an aquatic’s center you could enjoy in the dead of winter. Exhaustive studies have shown the need for more multi-purpose gyms and surveys have shown great interest among seniors for an indoor climate controlled walking track.
Our community has also heard for years about how we need to provide something for our young people to do and teenage obesity is of growing concern. Here is an idea that addresses both issues. Aerobics areas, meeting rooms, a theater, child care area and food service area will round out the facility and insure something for everyone is always going on.
To its credit, the City Council has done its homework on this issue; now Council President Bob Kneemiller having headed up an early citizens committee before serving on the Council and Councilman Rory Riddler chairing the current Council Community Center Committee and setting aside the money in the Capital Budget Plan necessary to make this a no tax increase issue the City can finally afford.
Voting YES on PROPOSITION A, will allow the City to issue bonds at a cheaper rate of interest. The time is right to turn this dream into a reality for people of all ages.
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
Fifth Street Opening Was One
Of Those Picture Perfect Days
It is a well-kept secret that Missouri does experience the occasional day when the weather is just right. Neither too hot, too cold, too windy or too wet, too humid or too hazy and with just enough clouds in the sky to make it interesting. When a few such days occur this time of year, people still call it Indian summer. I’m not sure why this deference to Native Americans, but so far no one has complained.
We aren’t allowed too many of these perfect days or else we would have nothing in common to talk about. It makes you pity the poor people forced to live in the Sun Belt. I’ve often thought that one of the most boring jobs in the world is to be a weatherman in Phoenix. That doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a nice day when it comes along, just that we find it odd.
God graced us with one of those days October 6, 2006, for the dedication of the much-anticipated North Fifth Street extension. To mark the occasion, the Public Works Department had arranged a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting held on the new overpass across 370.
Special guests for the day were Mel Wetter, his wife Bea and their extended family. The extension is designated the Mel Wetter Parkway in honor of the former Mayor. On hand to provide martial music befitting the ceremony was the Orchard Farm High School Band. Yellow and blue balloons, festooned on the decorative light poles across the overpass, bobbed in the breeze. Whether on cue, or as luck would have it, there was even a fly-by of military jets. A large crowd of neighbors, city employees and those who worked on the project were on hand to be a part of a historic moment.
Mayor York, Mel Wetter and I were asked to make some remarks and I wanted to share with you those I made:
“For more than a decade we have envisioned this connection, a way for our citizens, North and South, to commute with greater ease and efficiency. Today is a proud day for all of us, but I am particularly proud to have been here at the beginning and to have helped see this grand plan through to such an auspicious conclusion.”
“I think we can all truly agree that this is the finest road connection in our community, if not all of St. Charles County. Once known only to the railroad workers and young people who played in these woods, now some of the scenic beauty of our little hills is here for all to enjoy. That natural beauty will need to be protected through time, and whatever developments may come to adjoining property should take the preservation of these wonderful trees and woods into account.”
“I want to take just a moment to thank Kuhlman Design Group for their thoughtful approach to this project. Thanks too and a job well done to our own public Works staff headed by Mahesh Sharma and Debbie Aylsworth as well as Allan Williams who was here near the start and came back for the completion of this grand project. Thank you to the men and women who helped build this overpass and road connection ahead of schedule.”
“Thanks also to the patience of the residents of the First Ward, especially to the residents of St. Charles Heights, who put up with the normal disruption that comes from such a major construction project.”
“Heartfelt congratulations also to former Mayor Mel Wetter, for whom we have named this beautiful Parkway. A man whose family was an important part of Frenchtown and who has exemplified the words community service.”
“The Southern end of this connection, near where the Wabash Station once overlooked St. Charles and the Missouri River, will soon see a rebirth as voters hopefully approve the bonds this November 7th for a St. Charles Community Center. So too a new Boy’s and Girl’s Club will soon bring prominence to the Fifth and Olive intersection.”
“Blanchette Park,
the crown jewel and oldest park in St. Charles, will see a rebirth as citizens North of 370 will now find it close and inviting. New life will come to Bum’s Hollow, which I hope, never looses its original name. Plans for a permanent stage will return live entertainment to this natural amphitheater. And this wonderful and wide hiking and biking path will soon connect through Frenchtown to the Katy Trail and someday to New Town, to add a wonderful recreational element and pedestrian access to this scenic area.”
“Finally, the attractive bridge across 370 has already brought a new sense of pride and arrival to the North End of St. Charles. We are becoming the kind of place we all knew this could be…and, with the continued help of Providence, our future is just beginning. Thank you.”
Following our remarks and a formal ribbon cutting, dignitaries climbed aboard the St. Charles Trolley for an inaugural ride along the parkway. As we approached Bum’s Hollow a deer stepped out of the trees as we rode slowly past. Kids rode by on bicycles. People were out walking their dogs. It was a picture perfect day.
For this special occasion, my wife Sue was there and our daughter Kathleen was able to get some time away from St. Charles High. We remembered taking her and her brother (now at college) to the dedication of the Hawk’s Nest overpass when they were younger. And I carried my son Justin on my shoulders so he could see the opening of the 370 Bridge years before that.
Someone offered to take our picture with Mel Wetter. It’s a great photo, but I couldn’t help thinking it didn’t tell the whole story. Not even the cable television coverage could capture the whole story. Time stood still that day for a few hours. You could feel it in the air and see it in the clouds. It was a picture perfect day.
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Earl Wilson
Tonight was Meet-the-Candidate Night at Sts. Joachim and Ann. Most all the candidates showed up to shake a few hands. Certainly, the baseball game kept some people away. Sharon Boerding brought a radio so those interested could pop over to her table and ask the score.
I enjoyed the event – it was a chance for everyone to come together and walk around chatting informally about similarities and sometimes just about, “How things are with you.” In this setting, the candidates are face-to-face and civil. Each person even encourages one another in spite of partisan differences.
I had a few people come to my table and I enjoyed being able to talk more in depth about the issues that prompted my decision to run.
I spoke to a couple of candidates about my 2000 race against Joe Ortwerth. The race was fun, the race was civil, and the race was about some basic differences that I had with the county executive. I have no bad feelings towards Joe and believe he has no bad feelings towards me. I even attended his first open public church service.
From council, I voted for the cessation of the $300,000 payment to the county for the Family Arena since they had failed to have enough ticketed events as required by contract. Mr. Ortwerth has withheld road funds, so an agreement was met that we would pay last year’s bill, but not the current bill. Each side could walk away from the table having won a victory – it was compromise.
When ideas are discussed, when policy is the focus of a campaign, oftentimes the competition alone can bring positive change by redirecting each candidate’s focus.
It seems that recent elections have had hot-button issues included on the ballot. These issues typically create quite an emotional stir. The issues have tended to be those that bring out the conservative base but have little to do with cleaning up government or about policy that helps people.
It’s not easy to step out into the public arena and take a position on issues. I try to give honest opinions based upon my observations and reason. The last Case in Point addressed the corruption that plagues the GOP – someone was kind enough to send a letter about their disagreement but apparently he was not confident enough about his positions to actually have a return address or to sign the letter. Please, send letters if you want, but have the courage to sign the words you put onto paper. I don’t even mind if you use hotel stationary again – but a return address is appreciated so that I might have an opportunity to send a respectful response.
Tuesday night’s council meeting went rather quickly. One gentleman in the audience was there with a campaign or committee to take some photographs, surely to use in a piece of literature. I was upset that he chose that particular night because I really needed a haircut and I had come to city hall straight from running around and putting up some signs. Otherwise it was pretty quiet and the Cardinal game called for a swift meeting.
At our district, first quarter ends tomorrow and there is a lot of grading yet to do, so I will have to keep this Case In Point short.
Oh, and if you see a local politician coming to your door, give him or her a break; take a minute or two to chat and keep an open mind. Civility begets civility.
The VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS By Jerry Haferkamp
THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS
By Jerry Haferkamp
Has anyone noticed that although our Charter has been changed to make the mayor responsible for running the everyday business of the city, the requirements to run for the position haven’t changed? We no longer will have a trained professional at the helm of operations. It seems that the only requirements are that you have drawn a certain number of breaths and that you drew a certain number of them in St. Charles. Since there is no requirement that you know what you are doing, it is no wonder Patti wants the job.
When her campaign starts, I wonder if we will all receive some of those glossy mailings filled with mis-information from that group of interloping outsiders that mailed them in her last election. You see, here’s how it works. The candidate “donates” a little over $2000 to a political action group. They then do a mailing that costs a little over $2000 supporting the candidate, but bears their name as the supporter. It would read, in small print at the bottom, Paid for by Non Citizen Responsible for Stirring up Trouble and Keeping Low Income People Out of My Neighborhood. This last part is known as “smart growth” development.
While this activity of “donating” and being repaid with a like amount spent in mailings is known in most states as money laundering, it is apparently O.K. in our area. In Texas, activities like this cost Tom DeLay his congressional seat and maybe more. If the candidate here has a permanent smiley face and a soft voice, no one seems to care.
There is a void of knowledge about the proposed embryonic stem cell initiative. One faction says it opens the door to human cloning. The other side says it prohibits human cloning. What it actually does is allow research in Missouri so long as that research complies with Federal law. It then adds additional restrictions in Missouri, so our Amendment is even stricter than what is allowed in other states. It does NOT allow human cloning. It expressly forbids it with penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for anyone who attempts human cloning. It also expressly prohibits the selling of eggs for stem cell research. There is a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 fine for selling eggs. For those of you with computers, Google search “Missouri Amendment 2” to read the amendment.
I wouldn’t begin to tell you how to vote. That’s your decision, but read the amendment before you vote. You aren’t getting the truth from the ads.
And as always, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
Has anyone noticed that although our Charter has been changed to make the mayor responsible for running the everyday business of the city, the requirements to run for the position haven’t changed? We no longer will have a trained professional at the helm of operations. It seems that the only requirements are that you have drawn a certain number of breaths and that you drew a certain number of them in St. Charles. Since there is no requirement that you know what you are doing, it is no wonder Patti wants the job.
When her campaign starts, I wonder if we will all receive some of those glossy mailings filled with mis-information from that group of interloping outsiders that mailed them in her last election. You see, here’s how it works. The candidate “donates” a little over $2000 to a political action group. They then do a mailing that costs a little over $2000 supporting the candidate, but bears their name as the supporter. It would read, in small print at the bottom, Paid for by Non Citizen Responsible for Stirring up Trouble and Keeping Low Income People Out of My Neighborhood. This last part is known as “smart growth” development.
While this activity of “donating” and being repaid with a like amount spent in mailings is known in most states as money laundering, it is apparently O.K. in our area. In Texas, activities like this cost Tom DeLay his congressional seat and maybe more. If the candidate here has a permanent smiley face and a soft voice, no one seems to care.
There is a void of knowledge about the proposed embryonic stem cell initiative. One faction says it opens the door to human cloning. The other side says it prohibits human cloning. What it actually does is allow research in Missouri so long as that research complies with Federal law. It then adds additional restrictions in Missouri, so our Amendment is even stricter than what is allowed in other states. It does NOT allow human cloning. It expressly forbids it with penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for anyone who attempts human cloning. It also expressly prohibits the selling of eggs for stem cell research. There is a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 fine for selling eggs. For those of you with computers, Google search “Missouri Amendment 2” to read the amendment.
I wouldn’t begin to tell you how to vote. That’s your decision, but read the amendment before you vote. You aren’t getting the truth from the ads.
And as always, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
The Conservative Factor - Alex Spencer
I can’t believe it’s almost Halloween, and in an even numbered year, that means we are going to the polls soon. There’s quite a bit at stake as Missouri seems to be drawing a lot of national attention due to the Senate race, as well as the stem cell debate. Interestingly, it looks like the two may be linked together. Well, that is what I would recommend to those political strategists on the other side of the aisle, but hey, they seem to have some trouble with winning. It’s like they don’t even show up to try.
I find it rather amazing that the McCaskill camp has her out and about touting her issues with the War in Iraq. Will they never learn? I cannot imagine a less popular issue with the voters in Missouri. Missourians are a rather patriotic bunch, and we always support the troops. Always. The Democratic strategy of separating the war from the soldiers is a fairly transparent political ploy cooked up by a bunch of draft dodgers who can’t comprehend service to one’s country, courage and sacrifice. We cannot in good conscience send our troops to war while we dicker among ourselves about the reasons. For this reason alone, the Democrats will be in trouble come November 7th, and I for one could not be any happier.
It would seem that the Democratic Party would do so much better to make this election about stem cell research. As I have said before, I fear that stem cell research will come to affect the Republican Party the way the same sex marriage fractured the Democratic Party two short years ago. Why o why must we always draw a line in the sand when it comes to such emotionally charged social issues? I was troubled last Sunday while I was leaving mass when there were folks distributing campaign signs, bumper stickers and information encouraging me to vote against Amendment 2. Now, I’m a pro-life, God-fearing, churchgoing soul, but I was troubled. It just didn’t seem appropriate. That being said, I think that it will be interesting to see how the entire drama unfolds within our own party. The grassroots base is stacked against Amendment 2 as some sort of gateway to abortion on demand. The money folks in our party want to turn Missouri into some kind of biotech corridor. Like many of my friends, I am personally conflicted. I have a good friend afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. As most of you are aware, MS is a debilitating disease. When my friend looked me in the eye and asked me to help her pass out information supporting Amendment 2, which might lead to a cure for MS, I really didn’t know what to say.
Our own junior Senator has flip-flopped on the issue of stem cell research, and I’m not sure people are all that impressed when politicians refuse to take a principled stand, whatever that stand might be. All in all, I think Talent will be re-elected without too much trouble. I’m not sure how that plays into the national scene, but that will probably be decided in states that are east of the Mississippi.
A little bit closer to home and a little bit down ticket, the Rupp-Henke re-match is certainly becoming heated. It is worth noting that this is a “re-election” battle for Senator Rupp. Yet again, most of Rupp’s trouble is coming from within the party. You’ve still got RINO and sore loser Joe Brazil and his merry band of idiots complaining about the race. Some say they are playing footsies with Henke and the Dems in order teach the Republican establishment a lesson. Now, that is certainly not a surprise. It’s always the ones that claim to be good Republicans that are less than loyal to the cause. Malcontent MacNab and his wife may never recover from Brazil’s loss, it was their single shot at glory in the party. At this point, I’m pretty sure that if the party could toss them, they would. Problem is, even the Dems wouldn’t want them. Hey, at least we might all be spared one of MacNab’s boring and incorrect lectures on Middle Eastern politics if he stops showing up at Republican functions…bonus. All in all, Senator Rupp will probably retain his seat and continue his hard work. Go Rupp!
Then, we move on down to some fairly uninteresting races for State Representative. I’m not sure that any of the incumbents are in a whole lot of trouble, but there are a few races of note. The Sally Faith – Tom Green match will prove to be the most realistic pick-up for our Democratic brethren. Tom Green still cries foul about some last-minute mail pieces dropped into his district by none other than John Hancock and the Republican party machine in the waning days of the last campaign. You’d think they’d learn their lesson about interfering with the St. Charles County races. For goodness sake, Hancock lost a perfectly safe County Council seat to the Dems last year on the heels of his illustrious mail drop against Green. It should probably be okay and Sally Faith has done a nice job of keeping her constituents up on the happenings in Jeff City.
Joe Koester is mounting as much of a contest as possible against fundraising juggernaut Tom Dempsey. Even with his Chief of Staff in a bit of campaign finance hot water, Tom is still pretty tough to beat. It’s interesting to see that the Dems are coming up with viable candidates, though, and that may make things much more interesting in the future. Sure as I point out the viable candidacy of Joe Koester, I remember the Ed Applebaum signs I saw around St. Charles this weekend. Now, he’s a great example of why the Dems will never make any significant inroads in the County. Granted, the Republican incumbent, Carl Bearden would be awfully tough to beat, but you’d think the Democratic party elders could do better than St. Peters resident curmudgeon Ed Applebaum. Again, I’m pretty sure the State House won’t be welcoming any new Democratic members from St. Charles County.
I think I might think over some of these local races. Things are starting to get interesting. It remains to be seen how much trickle-down effect some of these issues will have on our County races. I think the Republicans will permanently lose the County Council seat currently held by Cheryl Hibbeler. Other than that, I guess we’ll find out soon enough. I suspect that it will be business as usual in beautiful St. Charles County.
Note to My Readers: Yes, by the time you read my column, Shawn Brown will have said good-bye to his career in politics. The crook will have been run out of town, and we may or may not know what the justice system chooses to do to him. Gotta say, this isn’t the best time to go down on public corruption charges. We go to press before Friday, so I’ll be sure to share my thoughts in my next column when I eulogize Shawn’s flash-in-the-pan political career. My, my, my…who’d have thunk it? Federal bribery charges. I guess the old saying is true…where there’s smoke, there must be a fire. Seems that our own County Prosecutor Jack Banas wanted to ignore the smoke, but the Feds found the fire. I guess it will be an interesting couple weeks in St. Peters, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you next time.
I find it rather amazing that the McCaskill camp has her out and about touting her issues with the War in Iraq. Will they never learn? I cannot imagine a less popular issue with the voters in Missouri. Missourians are a rather patriotic bunch, and we always support the troops. Always. The Democratic strategy of separating the war from the soldiers is a fairly transparent political ploy cooked up by a bunch of draft dodgers who can’t comprehend service to one’s country, courage and sacrifice. We cannot in good conscience send our troops to war while we dicker among ourselves about the reasons. For this reason alone, the Democrats will be in trouble come November 7th, and I for one could not be any happier.
It would seem that the Democratic Party would do so much better to make this election about stem cell research. As I have said before, I fear that stem cell research will come to affect the Republican Party the way the same sex marriage fractured the Democratic Party two short years ago. Why o why must we always draw a line in the sand when it comes to such emotionally charged social issues? I was troubled last Sunday while I was leaving mass when there were folks distributing campaign signs, bumper stickers and information encouraging me to vote against Amendment 2. Now, I’m a pro-life, God-fearing, churchgoing soul, but I was troubled. It just didn’t seem appropriate. That being said, I think that it will be interesting to see how the entire drama unfolds within our own party. The grassroots base is stacked against Amendment 2 as some sort of gateway to abortion on demand. The money folks in our party want to turn Missouri into some kind of biotech corridor. Like many of my friends, I am personally conflicted. I have a good friend afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. As most of you are aware, MS is a debilitating disease. When my friend looked me in the eye and asked me to help her pass out information supporting Amendment 2, which might lead to a cure for MS, I really didn’t know what to say.
Our own junior Senator has flip-flopped on the issue of stem cell research, and I’m not sure people are all that impressed when politicians refuse to take a principled stand, whatever that stand might be. All in all, I think Talent will be re-elected without too much trouble. I’m not sure how that plays into the national scene, but that will probably be decided in states that are east of the Mississippi.
A little bit closer to home and a little bit down ticket, the Rupp-Henke re-match is certainly becoming heated. It is worth noting that this is a “re-election” battle for Senator Rupp. Yet again, most of Rupp’s trouble is coming from within the party. You’ve still got RINO and sore loser Joe Brazil and his merry band of idiots complaining about the race. Some say they are playing footsies with Henke and the Dems in order teach the Republican establishment a lesson. Now, that is certainly not a surprise. It’s always the ones that claim to be good Republicans that are less than loyal to the cause. Malcontent MacNab and his wife may never recover from Brazil’s loss, it was their single shot at glory in the party. At this point, I’m pretty sure that if the party could toss them, they would. Problem is, even the Dems wouldn’t want them. Hey, at least we might all be spared one of MacNab’s boring and incorrect lectures on Middle Eastern politics if he stops showing up at Republican functions…bonus. All in all, Senator Rupp will probably retain his seat and continue his hard work. Go Rupp!
Then, we move on down to some fairly uninteresting races for State Representative. I’m not sure that any of the incumbents are in a whole lot of trouble, but there are a few races of note. The Sally Faith – Tom Green match will prove to be the most realistic pick-up for our Democratic brethren. Tom Green still cries foul about some last-minute mail pieces dropped into his district by none other than John Hancock and the Republican party machine in the waning days of the last campaign. You’d think they’d learn their lesson about interfering with the St. Charles County races. For goodness sake, Hancock lost a perfectly safe County Council seat to the Dems last year on the heels of his illustrious mail drop against Green. It should probably be okay and Sally Faith has done a nice job of keeping her constituents up on the happenings in Jeff City.
Joe Koester is mounting as much of a contest as possible against fundraising juggernaut Tom Dempsey. Even with his Chief of Staff in a bit of campaign finance hot water, Tom is still pretty tough to beat. It’s interesting to see that the Dems are coming up with viable candidates, though, and that may make things much more interesting in the future. Sure as I point out the viable candidacy of Joe Koester, I remember the Ed Applebaum signs I saw around St. Charles this weekend. Now, he’s a great example of why the Dems will never make any significant inroads in the County. Granted, the Republican incumbent, Carl Bearden would be awfully tough to beat, but you’d think the Democratic party elders could do better than St. Peters resident curmudgeon Ed Applebaum. Again, I’m pretty sure the State House won’t be welcoming any new Democratic members from St. Charles County.
I think I might think over some of these local races. Things are starting to get interesting. It remains to be seen how much trickle-down effect some of these issues will have on our County races. I think the Republicans will permanently lose the County Council seat currently held by Cheryl Hibbeler. Other than that, I guess we’ll find out soon enough. I suspect that it will be business as usual in beautiful St. Charles County.
Note to My Readers: Yes, by the time you read my column, Shawn Brown will have said good-bye to his career in politics. The crook will have been run out of town, and we may or may not know what the justice system chooses to do to him. Gotta say, this isn’t the best time to go down on public corruption charges. We go to press before Friday, so I’ll be sure to share my thoughts in my next column when I eulogize Shawn’s flash-in-the-pan political career. My, my, my…who’d have thunk it? Federal bribery charges. I guess the old saying is true…where there’s smoke, there must be a fire. Seems that our own County Prosecutor Jack Banas wanted to ignore the smoke, but the Feds found the fire. I guess it will be an interesting couple weeks in St. Peters, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you next time.
A “Mostly Volunteer” Position with Benefits For Thomas W. Smith
A “Mostly Volunteer” Position with Benefits
Thomas Smith, an aide to Tom Dempsey, told a local paper that his job as treasurer of more than a dozen political committees used to avoid campaign finance laws was mostly a “volunteer position” but he occasionally charged a fee if a large amount of time was spent on a matter. Besides earning $53,000 from the State, Smith also earned around $80,000 more from committee work and other payments related to various committees and unlicensed businesses run from his home at 320 Monroe Street.
Smith may have used some of his volunteer earnings to make the June 2, 2004, purchase of a 2,430 square foot home at 330 Monroe Street. Smith paid $79,417 in 2004 and thirteen months later on July 7, 2005 Smith sold the same home for $309,000.
When housing prices were hitting their peaks, Smith was very fortunate to locate a St. Charles home selling for just over $79,000, but perhaps more fortunate to sell a year later making a profit of about $230,000 according to records in the office of the St. Charles County Assessor.
Thomas Smith, an aide to Tom Dempsey, told a local paper that his job as treasurer of more than a dozen political committees used to avoid campaign finance laws was mostly a “volunteer position” but he occasionally charged a fee if a large amount of time was spent on a matter. Besides earning $53,000 from the State, Smith also earned around $80,000 more from committee work and other payments related to various committees and unlicensed businesses run from his home at 320 Monroe Street.
Smith may have used some of his volunteer earnings to make the June 2, 2004, purchase of a 2,430 square foot home at 330 Monroe Street. Smith paid $79,417 in 2004 and thirteen months later on July 7, 2005 Smith sold the same home for $309,000.
When housing prices were hitting their peaks, Smith was very fortunate to locate a St. Charles home selling for just over $79,000, but perhaps more fortunate to sell a year later making a profit of about $230,000 according to records in the office of the St. Charles County Assessor.
St Charles County Residents Should Receive Tax Bills
St Charles County Residents Should Receive Tax Bills
The St. Charles County Collector of Revenue released more than 280,000 tax bills the week of October 12, 2006. These bills call for the collection of nearly $67 million in personal property taxes and more than $362 million in real estate taxes.
Citizens are reminded that under Missouri state statute the property owner is responsible for ensuring the real estate tax bill is paid. If a homeowner escrows taxes through a bank or mortgage company, the bill may be provided directly to that company. If a homeowner receives a bill in the mail and is escrowing taxes through a bank or mortgage company, the homeowner should forward the bill to the appropriate company. Landowners who pay the tax directly to the County Collector should contact the Collector’s Office for the amount due if a bill is not received by November 1.
Anyone not receiving a personal property tax bill by November 1 that resided in St. Charles County on January 1, 2006 and owned personal property on that date should contact the County Assessor’s Office at 636-949-7420 to make sure a 2006 Personal Property Tax Declaration Form was received and processed.
All individuals and businesses should verify the accuracy of their personal property tax bills before making payment. Make sure the year, make and model of each vehicle is correctly stated. If any of the line item details are incorrect, contact the County Assessor’s office at 636-949-7420. Only the Assessor’s Office may make a correction to an assessment. The assessment data is used to calculate tax bills. Corrections should be requested as soon as possible to allow timely payment of the correct amount.
The St. Charles County Collector of Revenue is located in the County Administration Building at 201 North Second Street in St. Charles, Missouri. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. The Collector of Revenue and the County Assessor will also be open to the public on three Saturdays: December 2, 9 and 16, 2006 from 9 am until noon.
For the convenience of taxpayers, there is a drop box located along the street in front of the County Administration Building. No postage is needed when payments are submitted via the drop box. Only check or money order payments should be placed in the box. Paid receipts will be mailed to taxpayers using the drop box within 10 working days.
Taxpayers may elect to pay their property taxes by credit card via a toll free telephone number or the world-wide-web. This service is provided by Official Payments Corporation (OPC). OPC does charge a convenience fee which the company retains as payment for the service. To take advantage of this payment option, dial 1-800-2PAY-TAX (1-800-272-9829) or visit mylocalgov.com/mcca. Enter Jurisdiction Code 3513 for St. Charles County.
Taxpayers with vehicle license plates expiring in January of 2007 are strongly encouraged to pay their tax bill early to ensure timely issuance of a paid personal property tax receipt needed for renewal.
Payments must be received in the drop box before midnight on December 31, 2006 or be postmarked at a U.S. Post Office by December 31, 2006 to avoid interest and a late payment penalty. Both the Collector and the post office will be closed on December 31. Please make sure your payment is received by the Collector on or before December 31, 2006.
Call 636-949-7470 or 1-800-822-4012, ext 7470 for any additional information.
The St. Charles County Collector of Revenue released more than 280,000 tax bills the week of October 12, 2006. These bills call for the collection of nearly $67 million in personal property taxes and more than $362 million in real estate taxes.
Citizens are reminded that under Missouri state statute the property owner is responsible for ensuring the real estate tax bill is paid. If a homeowner escrows taxes through a bank or mortgage company, the bill may be provided directly to that company. If a homeowner receives a bill in the mail and is escrowing taxes through a bank or mortgage company, the homeowner should forward the bill to the appropriate company. Landowners who pay the tax directly to the County Collector should contact the Collector’s Office for the amount due if a bill is not received by November 1.
Anyone not receiving a personal property tax bill by November 1 that resided in St. Charles County on January 1, 2006 and owned personal property on that date should contact the County Assessor’s Office at 636-949-7420 to make sure a 2006 Personal Property Tax Declaration Form was received and processed.
All individuals and businesses should verify the accuracy of their personal property tax bills before making payment. Make sure the year, make and model of each vehicle is correctly stated. If any of the line item details are incorrect, contact the County Assessor’s office at 636-949-7420. Only the Assessor’s Office may make a correction to an assessment. The assessment data is used to calculate tax bills. Corrections should be requested as soon as possible to allow timely payment of the correct amount.
The St. Charles County Collector of Revenue is located in the County Administration Building at 201 North Second Street in St. Charles, Missouri. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. The Collector of Revenue and the County Assessor will also be open to the public on three Saturdays: December 2, 9 and 16, 2006 from 9 am until noon.
For the convenience of taxpayers, there is a drop box located along the street in front of the County Administration Building. No postage is needed when payments are submitted via the drop box. Only check or money order payments should be placed in the box. Paid receipts will be mailed to taxpayers using the drop box within 10 working days.
Taxpayers may elect to pay their property taxes by credit card via a toll free telephone number or the world-wide-web. This service is provided by Official Payments Corporation (OPC). OPC does charge a convenience fee which the company retains as payment for the service. To take advantage of this payment option, dial 1-800-2PAY-TAX (1-800-272-9829) or visit mylocalgov.com/mcca. Enter Jurisdiction Code 3513 for St. Charles County.
Taxpayers with vehicle license plates expiring in January of 2007 are strongly encouraged to pay their tax bill early to ensure timely issuance of a paid personal property tax receipt needed for renewal.
Payments must be received in the drop box before midnight on December 31, 2006 or be postmarked at a U.S. Post Office by December 31, 2006 to avoid interest and a late payment penalty. Both the Collector and the post office will be closed on December 31. Please make sure your payment is received by the Collector on or before December 31, 2006.
Call 636-949-7470 or 1-800-822-4012, ext 7470 for any additional information.
George Denninger The Artist
By Lynndi Lockenour
The room is dim. Among the diffused light are the piercing images of nature in George Denninger’s art gallery. Simple bulbs illuminate the works as the colors spring forth from the paper, bold and true. It is a place to think about the images surrounding everyone- the tree on the hill we pass five times a day and the “weeds” in the front yard.
Denninger opened his art gallery, located at 115 North Main Street in St. Charles, unofficially last November, though most people didn’t begin visiting until his grand opening during the art walk last April.
Denninger’s artistic revelations began to materialize some twenty years ago while attending an exhibition of living artists at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Despite his appreciation for the eminent works, he was bothered by the overall negative undertone throughout the exhibit. “I began focusing less on the pieces themselves, and more on the reactions of the people looking at them,” he said. “To me that was more interesting.”
Thus began Denninger’s fascination with the mental-visual connection. “I started thinking about how everyone’s reactions to the art might have been different if it were all positive, rather than negative,” he said.
To test this theory, Denninger began collecting art and conducted his own art show. All images included carried a positive message, though no titles or nametags accompanied the works. Denninger said he watched as people began looking at the art. The differences between the reactions he said he witnessed that night and the night at the museum were dramatic. “People were so much happier,” he said. “Nearly all of the people mentioned the word ‘God’ afterward when I spoke with them.”
It took Denninger three years to make his lifelong dream of opening a gallery into a reality. He said he wanted his gallery to illustrate a response, not just a reaction. “This gallery is my response to the world and the things I’m living,” he said.
Trained as a mechanical engineer, with a Masters Degree from Stanford University, Denninger said he has always been interested in art. After approaching his parents about wanting to pursue his dream in the art world, he was discouraged from doing so. “My parents said artists were poor,” he said, “And they wanted me to do something else.”
Denninger moved to the St. Louis area in 1982 where he landed a job designing tradeshows. In 1992, while attending one of these tradeshows, he saw an introduction on the first computers capable of rendering 3-D images. “That moment changed my life I think,” he said.
Soon after, Denninger got a job designing 3-D images for the tradeshows. “During all of this time I was making art in my free time,” he said. At one point he traveled out west to have his art appraised and see if it would actually sell. It did.
Denninger creates art through a variety of mediums, including digital paintings, art furniture and sculpture. The gallery is primarily filled with inspirational digital paintings he creates through a process of laying, using Photoshop and other such digital imaging programs. Also on display is a piano sculpture Denninger created in 1977. The piano was exhibited at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C. Three of these pianos are part of the Metropolitan’s permanent collection.
Denninger first began creating digital art some four years ago. In addition to the original creations themselves being for sell, he has created a line of note cards using the same images. “The digital aspect allows me to share things, yet keep them at the same time,” he said. “You can’t do that with an oil painting.”
Each original work is accompanied by it’s own unique, hand-painted frame, constructed specifically to accompany that particular piece. “This is not a factory just because I use a digital medium,” Denninger said. “It is just that I am now able to share my art more than I ever did when I was working with oils.”
Seeing the space more as a studio than a gallery, Denninger said he eventually wants it to be more of showroom. “I want people to see the art I’ve already created,” he said. “Then at the same time, maybe they’ll be a space of creation area for me where everything people see isn’t quit finished yet.”
Thinking, said Denninger, is what draws people to his studio. “Looking at the pictures forces people to think,” he said. “If only for a few moments.” It is this thinking process that has so inspired Denninger for years. “I wondered what makes people look at art and say it’s beautiful,” he said.
Until opening the gallery and watching others observe his work, Denninger said he, along with most other people, never really think about thinking. “Now I want to cultivate that awareness of the thought process,” he said. “What you think about translates into what you do.”
With this in mind, Denninger creates digital positive representations of nature, using flowers, trees, birds, streams, and lakes to convey a spiritual energy. “I discovered that it’s about positive imagery,” he said. “There is hope, joy and goodness in the world and all of these things need to extend beyond visual representations.”
Each work Denninger creates is designed with one overarching message. To help create this, he adds the complexity of the English language to the mix; including a small message printed on white note cards with each image. Because all the elements are there – the visual and the verbal, Denninger said it makes for a clearer, more pure experience. “I wanted to share the verbal message with the visual,” he said. “It adds something that the image alone would not encompass.”
Anticipating expansion in the future, Denninger said his art form may change, but he will always be around. “I feel as though I’m just getting started and this is the beginning of everything,” he said.
**For more information on George Denninger and his artwork, or for information about his art gallery please visit www.georgedenninger.com or call 636-256-6555.
St. Louis Has One Airport - St. Charles Has Two
Story & Photos
By Lynndi Lockenour
Airplanes have been in the news again recently after the potential terror plot to use commercial airliners as missiles and fly them into the United States. All this attention causes most Americans when considering airplanes, to think of large, commercial jets used to transport passengers long distances, often overseas. On the contrary, there is an entirely different type of airplane - and airport for that matter - operating right here in St. Charles County.
The two main airports in St. Charles County are the St. Charles County Smartt Airport, located 12 miles north of downtown near Highway 94 East and the St. Charles Flying Service, located at 3001 New Town Blvd. Between the two airports, years of service have provided the county with a unique and historical background of aviation.
The older of the two, St. Charles County Smartt Airport - also known as Smartt Field – began prior to World War II. Named after Ensign Joseph G. Smartt who died in service at Pearl Harbor, the site was previously used as a naval training base and was later converted into an airport.
Smartt Field houses several different organizations. These include the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) – chapter 32, The Commemorative Air force (CAF), Skylink Aviation and Boeing. The EEA is most known for the free airplane rides they offer for children ages 10-17. The CAF sponsors an air force museum, located in one of the original buildings dating back to the naval training days at Smartt Field. The museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults and children under 10 years of age are free.
Airplane owners can also rent one of Smartt Field’s 72 hangers to store their aircraft. At a cost of $160-$200 per hanger, per month the hangers provide beneficial protection from the weather when the planes are not in use.
Smartt Field has two runways, the primary one being 3801 feet long. Home base for more than 100 aircraft, Smartt Field averages 55,000 take-offs or landings every year. Creating 49 jobs, with a payroll of $1.3 million and generating $3.7 million in output, Smartt Field adds to the economy of the county. Airport Director Tracy Smith said the airport provides great benefits to St. Charles. “This is a wonderful facility,” he said. “St. Charles is lucky to have it.”
Offering a different type of service is the county’s second airport, St. Charles Flying Service. Organized in 1968, the airport offers many services including certified air taxi service, Sport Pilot training, Part 141 flight school, a full service maintenance shop, aircraft sales and purchasing and aerial advertising.
President and general manager Dennis Bampton said small airports like the Flying Service do a lot for the community. The airport operates seven days a week and often has flights leaving in the middle of the night.
One of the Service’s many business operations is providing transport for a laboratory testing facility known as LabCorp. Often when people visit the doctor they are required to give samples of various bodily fluids to be tested for disease. The tests are sometimes conducted states away and the results then sent back here to the St. Louis area. Airplanes provide the quick transportation needed to make this happen. “Most people don’t think about small airplanes being used for this type of work,” Bampton said. “But we have plans leaving here with samples every night.”
The Flying Service generates $1 million in business from this type of freight hauling service. “When it is critical that the freight get there in a timely manor, we are the ones to call,” he said. “After all, for many businesses, time is money.”
In addition to this type of hauling, the airport also offers charter flights to specific cities within a 400-mile radius of the St. Louis area. Bampton said businesses often use this service as opposed to the commercial airlines. He estimates that around 1000 charter flights come through the airport every year. “We can get them there and have them back the same night,” he said. “That saves time and money in the long run.”
Many people visit the airport from out-of-state hoping to acquire their airline transport rating. In order to operate a commercial airliner, a pilot must first obtain the rating by attending a series of classes. Bampton estimates that the airport gives ratings to nearly 400 pilots every year.
A newer program at the airport is the Sport Pilot Training Facility. A special license, different from a regular pilot’s license allows pilots to man and operate a sport plane. Smaller and lighter than other planes, the Sport planes are a new popular attraction among retired men. “It’s faster than getting a private pilot’s license, but it still fulfills that desire to fly,” Bampton said.
The Flying Service employs 43 people full and part-time and just like Smartt Field, it is a great asset to the community. “Our service generates a lot of money for the county,” he said. “We are happy to be here and to provide the unique services we do.”
For more information on Smartt Field contact Tracy Smith at (636) 250-3200. For questions concerning the Commemorative Air force or their aerial museum, call (636) 250-4515. To reach the St. Charles Flying Service call (636) 946-6066.
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