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Saturday, January 20, 2007
An Editorial Endorsement Gieseke Is Only Real Choice For Positive Change
Councilman John Gieseke Candidate for Mayor of St. Charles
First Capitol News Photo by Bob Barton
Once every four years the citizens of St. Charles get to select their next Mayor. They look for someone of substance, integrity and experience to guide the ship of state.
Two of the three candidates for Mayor have already had their chance to serve as Mayor. Their respective records leave much to be desired.
Former Mayor Grace Nichols helped lead St. Charles into the costly Goldenrod Showboat debacle and the long closed miniature museum fiasco. These adventures cost taxpayers millions with little to show. They stand in stark contrast to Nichol’s claims of wanting to get a handle on city finances. When she was Mayor, Nichols fought hard to defeat a bill that would have prevented people living outside of St. Charles from serving on St. Charles boards and commissions.
Incumbent Mayor York has had two terms and eight years to make a difference. But she has squandered most of her time in office in senseless fights over the hiring of a Police Chief. Her signing of a $200,000 contract with Express Scripts, without Council knowledge or authorization, is just one of several concerns voiced by Missouri’s State Auditor. A Federal Grand Jury is looking into the illegal signing of the Express Scripts contract. The Prosecuting Attorney has authorized arrests in the criminal violation and widespread forgeries in the recall efforts of Councilmen Brown and Greer. The Mayor was deeply involved in both failed recall efforts. She allegedly diverted City taxpayer funds that were ultimately used in the recall efforts. She called a special meeting to accept the lowest bid for the sale of the former police headquarters when there was a larger offer on the table. The building was sold at a price much lower than the appraised value. She is also supported by millionaire developers who are building outside of our City but want the use of our City water and sewers. One of who has a million dollar lawsuit against the City costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend. The Mayor and her friends have been quick to file lawsuits. She sued a member of the personnel board because she did not want him telling the truth. We could go on and on but suggest you go to the archives of the First Capitol News at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com for further examples of her time in office.
Which brings us to the third and best choice for Mayor. Councilman John Gieseke has not, to this point, had an opportunity to serve as Mayor of our fair community. For those looking for a new start, a new direction, John Gieseke is the logical and only choice voters will have to break with the current or past administrations.
That doesn’t mean he lacks experience. John Gieseke is a two-term member of the City Council and an active one, who isn’t afraid to speak up or break with the majority when he feels strongly about an issue.
Gieseke ruffled a few feathers at City Hall when he came out against the abuse of eminent domain. But he knew he stood with the people on the issue and didn’t give up until a strong bill, protecting the public interest, was passed.
John Gieseke has also stood strong against the undue influence of millionaire developers in decision making at City Hall. Millionaire developers spent a great deal of money trying to defeat John Gieseke for reelection, but John won reelection in his own ward with 65 percent of the vote.
John’s push for a second opinion on the sewage treatment plant expansions resulted in solutions that are millions of dollars less costly. Likewise, his push to have more competition for health care coverage has resulted in lower than expected health insurance premiums.
John Gieseke also helped sponsor increasing the utility tax rebate program for Senior Citizens.
John Gieseke has shown he is a supporter of economic development in order to lessen the tax burden on residents. He has enticed more new commercial development in his ward than all the rest of the wards. John Gieseke believes that business should be here to support the residents not the residents being asked to pay their tax dollars to support the businesses. His skills and business sense will go far to relieving the taxpayers of burdens.
John Gieseke has been a true FRIEND TO CITY TAXPAYERS.
The time is PAST for former Mayor Grace Nichols. Time’s run out for Mayor Patti York.
The time is NOW for a NEW MAYOR.
John Gieseke has been working for you as Councilman for Ward 8 and will continue working for you as Mayor of St. Charles.
The First Capitol News recommends voters support Councilman John Gieseke for Mayor in the City Primary election on Tuesday, February 6.
24 File For 10 City Council Seats
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
When filing closed on Tuesday afternoon, twenty four St. Charles residents had filed petitions to run in the April 3, 2007 City Council elections. The candidate list provided below is a draft. It will be be certified by the City Clerk January 23, 2007. The incumbent in each ward is highlighted in bold.
Ward One - Rory Riddler of 736 Adams, Peggy Whetzel of 1017 North Third, Richard Veit of 515 North Fourth
Ward Two - Larry Muench of 703 S. Riverside, Venetia R. McEntire of 1014 South Main, Larry D. Willis of 213 Pike Street.
Ward Three - Mark Brown of 476 Pearl Ridge, Laurie Feldman of 137 Southern Oak Dr., Eric Frank of 291 Montclair Tower, David Burney of 424 Blanche Dr.
Ward Four - Bob Kneemiller of 8 Doc’s Court, Mike McMurran of 2804 LaBrea Drive
Ward Five - Michael T Weller of 2804 Kettering Drive
Ward Six - Jerry E. Reese of 1638 Rosewall Dr.
Ward Seven - No incumbent, Joseph F. Kloeppel of 2905 Concordia, Dave Beckering of 3013 Westminister, Don Borgmeyer of 1801 West Adams, Zack Smithey of 2620 Park
Ward Eight - No Incumbent, Kenneth M. Kielty of 1009 Devonshire, Michael Klinghammer of 804 Indian Hills
Ward Nine - Joe Koester of 1115 Olde Saybrook, Ron Stivison of 7 Prairie Haute
Ward Ten - Bob Hoepfner of 425 Nantucket, Erv Ermeling of 3248 Principia
Dottie Greer the Councilwoman for Ward Seven has decided not to run for reelection. Greer recently overcame an attempt to recall her that was wrought with fraud and forgeries. Mayor York and Kielty, who is running for Council in Ward Eight were both deeply involved in the attempt to recall Greer and Councilman Mark Brown of Ward Three.
Michael Klinghammer and Kenneth Kielty, candidates for election as Councilman for Ward Eight have previously served terms on the City Council.
John Gieseke, the current Councilman for Ward Eight is giving up his Council seat to run for the office of Mayor.
When filing closed on Tuesday afternoon, twenty four St. Charles residents had filed petitions to run in the April 3, 2007 City Council elections. The candidate list provided below is a draft. It will be be certified by the City Clerk January 23, 2007. The incumbent in each ward is highlighted in bold.
Ward One - Rory Riddler of 736 Adams, Peggy Whetzel of 1017 North Third, Richard Veit of 515 North Fourth
Ward Two - Larry Muench of 703 S. Riverside, Venetia R. McEntire of 1014 South Main, Larry D. Willis of 213 Pike Street.
Ward Three - Mark Brown of 476 Pearl Ridge, Laurie Feldman of 137 Southern Oak Dr., Eric Frank of 291 Montclair Tower, David Burney of 424 Blanche Dr.
Ward Four - Bob Kneemiller of 8 Doc’s Court, Mike McMurran of 2804 LaBrea Drive
Ward Five - Michael T Weller of 2804 Kettering Drive
Ward Six - Jerry E. Reese of 1638 Rosewall Dr.
Ward Seven - No incumbent, Joseph F. Kloeppel of 2905 Concordia, Dave Beckering of 3013 Westminister, Don Borgmeyer of 1801 West Adams, Zack Smithey of 2620 Park
Ward Eight - No Incumbent, Kenneth M. Kielty of 1009 Devonshire, Michael Klinghammer of 804 Indian Hills
Ward Nine - Joe Koester of 1115 Olde Saybrook, Ron Stivison of 7 Prairie Haute
Ward Ten - Bob Hoepfner of 425 Nantucket, Erv Ermeling of 3248 Principia
Dottie Greer the Councilwoman for Ward Seven has decided not to run for reelection. Greer recently overcame an attempt to recall her that was wrought with fraud and forgeries. Mayor York and Kielty, who is running for Council in Ward Eight were both deeply involved in the attempt to recall Greer and Councilman Mark Brown of Ward Three.
Michael Klinghammer and Kenneth Kielty, candidates for election as Councilman for Ward Eight have previously served terms on the City Council.
John Gieseke, the current Councilman for Ward Eight is giving up his Council seat to run for the office of Mayor.
Police Present Citizen Awards
(Click on image to enlarge)Recipients of the 2006 Citizen Awards presented by the St. Charles Police Department are pictured from left to right; Sherry Ermeling, Kathy Brasher, Joseph Lisalda, St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope, Michelle McIntyre and Kara Borgsmiller, Not pictured, but receiving awards, were Joan Chehar and Jeffery Gierer.
First Capitol News Photo by Tony Brockmeyer
Story By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Last Friday Chief of Police Tim Swope and members of the St. Charles Police Department made a Citizens Award presentation to several members of the community who were responsible in helping with the arrest of several individuals and the solving of several crimes.
St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope told the First Capitol News, “We are very proud of these citizens. These people came forward and helped our department solve several crimes and apprehend the criminals who were responsible. We need the help of our citizens in fighting crime and we appreciate these outstanding people and hope that more of our residents take the time to notify us when they see any suspicious activity.”
KATHY BRASHER, SHERRY ERMELING, JOAN CHEHAR, JEFFERY GIERER
On September 29, 2006 at approximately 6:30 p.m. an armed robbery occurred at the Super 8 Motel at 3040 West Clay. A suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. After obtaining the money from the motel’s cash register and safe the suspect fled from the scene.
St. Charles Police officers responding to the armed robbery and obtained a description of the robber. They were told the suspect was wearing a distinct sweatshirt bearing the letters “ECKO”. While conducting an area canvass they spoke to Joan Chehar a clerk at the nearby Save A Lot Store. She told the officers a person matching the suspect’s description had been in the store earlier and was wearing a red sweatshirt with the “ECKO” lettering. Subsequently, the store’s surveillance system contained video of the suspect as described by Joan Chehar.
The officers contacted two employees of St. Charles Printables, Sherry Ermeling and Kathy Brasher. They identified the suspect as a local resident by the name of Mike who was employed at Lowe’s. Jeffery Gierer, manager at Lowe’s provided the officers with the complete name of the subject and his address. He also provided surveillance video of the suspect in the Lowe’s store, after the robbery, wearing he distinctive red sweatshirt with the “ECKO” logo.
Acting on this information the officers arrested the robbery suspect who was armed with a handgun and had in his possession, almost all the money stolen in the robbery.
JOSEPH LISALDA
On September 4, 2006, at approximately 6:00 a.m. Joseph Lisalda, an employee of St. Charles County Cab, was parked behind a business adjacent to the Scrubby Duck Car Wash at 1411 Regency Parkway. Lisalda heard sounds like metal on metal coming from the car wash. Lisalda decided to investigate the sounds and drove to the car wash where he observed a subject he believed looked suspicious and acting nervous. Lisalda contacted his dispatcher for the cab company asking her to have the police responds.
The subject began to walk out of the area of the car wash so Liasalda approached him and engaged in general conversation in an attempt to distract him until the police arrived.
Once the police arrived the subject ran into a nearby creek in an attempt to elude the officers but was captured. Upon checking the officers discovered the office door of the car wash had been pried open and currency was stolen from a desk. The money was recovered.
MICHELLE MCINTYRE
On October 8, 2006 a robbery occurred in Circle Drive Park. The victim was struck with a tire iron causing serious injuries.
While investigating the robbery, Detective Weissenborn of the St. Charles Police Department talked to Michelle McIntyre, the clerk on duty at the Fifth Street Moto Mart.
Michelle told the detective that a local resident, who matched the robbery suspect’s description, had just been in the store and made a purchase with a $100 bill that had blood on it. She gave the bill to the detective for evidence and also provided his address.
The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with the robbery.
KARA BORGSMILLER
On October 7, 2006 at approximately 12 a.m. a vehicle parked on the lot of Elizabeth Seaton Church was broken into and property stolen.
Kara Borgsmiller who provided the responding officers with a description of the suspect witnessed the theft.
While checking the area officers from the St. Charles Police Department located the suspect and engaged in foot pursuits with him. After a half hour the suspect was arrested and identified. The victim’s stolen property was recovered and returned.
Instructions For Disposal of Downed Tree Limbs In St. Charles City
Instructions For Disposal of Downed Tree Limbs In St. Charles City
Residents needing to dispose of downed tree limbs as a result of recent ice storms should place the limbs near the curb not blocking the sidewalk, street or parking area, if possible. The City and their private contractor will be going through neighborhoods removing and disposing of storm damaged limbs. Limb removal will begin on January 22, 2007 and conclude on February 2, 2007.
Residents having limbs to be removed should contact the Debris Removal Hotline at 636/255-6120 to be added to the removal list. Please leave your name, address and phone number on the voicemail system. Individual locations for pick up need to be called in to the Hotline and placed curbside by Monday, January 29, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
The limbs do not need to be cut into shorter lengths as they would be for yard waste pickup. The limbs will be removed regardless of length. Please remember to place the limbs curbside. City personnel and their contractor are instructed not to enter onto private property to remove limbs.
Residents needing to dispose of downed tree limbs as a result of recent ice storms should place the limbs near the curb not blocking the sidewalk, street or parking area, if possible. The City and their private contractor will be going through neighborhoods removing and disposing of storm damaged limbs. Limb removal will begin on January 22, 2007 and conclude on February 2, 2007.
Residents having limbs to be removed should contact the Debris Removal Hotline at 636/255-6120 to be added to the removal list. Please leave your name, address and phone number on the voicemail system. Individual locations for pick up need to be called in to the Hotline and placed curbside by Monday, January 29, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
The limbs do not need to be cut into shorter lengths as they would be for yard waste pickup. The limbs will be removed regardless of length. Please remember to place the limbs curbside. City personnel and their contractor are instructed not to enter onto private property to remove limbs.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
What You Will Find On Our Web Log
If you are not checking our daily daily web log, firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com you are missing your local news. We update the daily web log when breaking stories we believe will be of interest to our readers occur. Some of our recent entries have included:
*Duchesne Student Makes telephone Threat; In Police Custody charged with Felony
* Two Residents & Several Pets Escape Fire on le Chateaux Ct.
* Fire Damages Frenchtown Deli on Second Street
* Grafton Ferry Worker Killed - Hit By Car Leaving Ferry
* Dana Couch Charged In Home Invasion & Robberies
* County Executive Ehlmann Declares State of Emergency in St.Charles County
* St. Charles Emergency Operations Activated
* St. Charles County Opens Emergency Shelters
* Involuntary Manslaughter Charged in Death Of Lee Widaman
* Teacher Indicted Over $16,000 Missing Prom Money From High School
Photos also accompany the stories on the web log when they are available.In addition, you can read the entire First Capitol News on the Internet, including the ads and all stories at... firstcapitolnews.com.
Don’t forget to check our daily web blog next week at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com for some interesting stories we are in the process of preparing.
Primary Election Costs Taxpayers $110,000
St. Charles residents may want to reconsider having a primary election in February to determine who the top two candidates will be in the general election in April. It was announced at the City Council meeting Tuesday evening that the primary election costs the taxpayers about $110,000. It might be time to consider a charter change to do away with this unnecessary expense and just let all the candidates face off in the general election.
If you are not checking our daily daily web log, firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com you are missing your local news. We update the daily web log when breaking stories we believe will be of interest to our readers occur. Some of our recent entries have included:
*Duchesne Student Makes telephone Threat; In Police Custody charged with Felony
* Two Residents & Several Pets Escape Fire on le Chateaux Ct.
* Fire Damages Frenchtown Deli on Second Street
* Grafton Ferry Worker Killed - Hit By Car Leaving Ferry
* Dana Couch Charged In Home Invasion & Robberies
* County Executive Ehlmann Declares State of Emergency in St.Charles County
* St. Charles Emergency Operations Activated
* St. Charles County Opens Emergency Shelters
* Involuntary Manslaughter Charged in Death Of Lee Widaman
* Teacher Indicted Over $16,000 Missing Prom Money From High School
Photos also accompany the stories on the web log when they are available.In addition, you can read the entire First Capitol News on the Internet, including the ads and all stories at... firstcapitolnews.com.
Don’t forget to check our daily web blog next week at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com for some interesting stories we are in the process of preparing.
Primary Election Costs Taxpayers $110,000
St. Charles residents may want to reconsider having a primary election in February to determine who the top two candidates will be in the general election in April. It was announced at the City Council meeting Tuesday evening that the primary election costs the taxpayers about $110,000. It might be time to consider a charter change to do away with this unnecessary expense and just let all the candidates face off in the general election.
Case In Point By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
“In creating, the only hard thing is to begin: a grass blade’s no easier to make than an oak.”
-James Russell Lowell
Noah’s Ark Development
TIF is a legal tool intended to help blighted areas redevelop; this tool was seen as abuse when it was employed to bring development to farmland in St. Peters and other similar settings in other parts of our county. Saint Charles City has used TIF to help redevelop Mark Twain Mall. Who isn’t glad to see that site brought back to life after years of languishing as empty, undesirable storefronts? Furthermore, our own city project, the convention center has a TIF that is proportionately much higher than that sought by the developer at Noah’s Ark. No one would argue that the Noah’s Ark site isn’t blighted. The type of situation found there is not only technically compliant with the law, it is also the intended usage of TIF; namely, the redevelopment of blighted areas that would not develop on their own otherwise.
I have heard arguments against this project mainly due to philosophical differences with TIF being used at all. If you are opposed to TIF in any form, your argument should be taken up with lawmakers in Jefferson City. We in St. Charles want retail in our own town – retail that is currently moving west to green fields – many of which are using TIF to entice developers. I would agree with a statewide ban or striking down this use of public dollars even on a nationwide level. In absence of such a fundamental change in the law, it is foolish for St. Charles to believe it can compete with the green fields to the west of here without tax incentives. It is doubly foolish if you consider that even those open fields are implementing Tax Increment Financing.
Other arguments I have heard include that a better project may come along that won’t seek TIF at all. First off, this scenario is unlikely. Even a big box retailer would seek TIF and in the end, we would have a big box retailer. One store, surrounded by a sea of parking, Show-Me Aquatics, and a QT gas station would be the entirety of this development that rests at our “front door.”
Problems that are common with such big box development include finding new tenants once this singular business decides to leave. Usually, no other business is willing to move into the 120,000 or so square foot building that they leave behind (see K-mart on South Service Road). This ex-business exoskeleton can sit for years depressing property value of the community at-large. The reason for the business to leave is also a problem for towns from coast to coast – the big box retailer having enjoyed tax incentives to come to town start looking for another sweet deal that allows them another decade of incentives somewhere just down the road. Or, if they do stay, they coerce the town to cough up another tax break in lieu of their departure perpetuating the cycle that is, in fact, a part of devised corporate tactics for major retailers.
What the planned development for the Noah’s Ark site brings instead of this is, a mixed use development that has been fractionalized to a high degree and therefore, no one store has the gravity to twist the city’s arm to give it future tax deals, nor does any one store’s closing leave behind a behemoth space lacking any architectural appeal whatever. The absence of a tenant here will be better absorbed and, if need be, space usage can far more easily be redeveloped into appropriate use at a future date based upon changes that occur.
Furthermore, waiting for a “better” development when a beautiful development is on the table is mad. The developer has employed a world-renowned city planner to design this site. The developer comes to the table with a good working relationship with our town; he is part of our town and is currently committed to a long-term project within our town. This fact should not be taken lightly. A positive working history is important and it is refreshing to see someone in our community who believes that such a development will work and that we do not have to settle for another bank flanked by a gas station and fast food joint.
As a council member, we first and foremost represent the City’s interests. Currently, our city receives no taxes from Noah’s Ark. This development brings this portion of land into our corporate limits and our town goes from its current situation of essentially providing city services without any tax revenue to placing this land into our limits where codes can be enforced so that we are not left with a blighted development surrounded by our city but where we have no say. Upon entry into the City, our town immediately benefits from property taxes as well as sales taxes. It should be noted that a future development is not even guaranteed to come into our City. Indeed, we have already witnessed special interest legislation that has prevented beautiful developments from coming into our corporate limits.
This leads me into the importance of what is sometimes called, “viewshed.” Viewshed is the parts of a city that are in highly exposed areas and therefore give the entire city a feel. A good viewshed cannot change an otherwise bad city, however, good viewshed can enhance an area that is already good but needs to clean up its appearance. This is exactly what we have in St. Charles. We who live here know of the beauty of Main Street. We know how stately our homes are in Mid-Town. We appreciate good schools, libraries, hospitals and parks in our town. Ask yourself, “If I didn’t know St. Charles City and drove here for the first time what would my impression be? Things have improved at the Fifth Street entrance since the development of the corner of Boone’s Lick and Fifth and since the reinvestment in Mark Twain Mall. Two things, however, distract from this intersection – the south side of the highway where a derelict hotel rests and a gargantuan casino on the north side. I would like to come back to this in a moment. Whenever strangers exit onto First Capitol Drive headed into the heart of our town, I can only believe that they must see our town as a dumpy place with check cashing shops and empty stores and lots. The Zumbehl and Cave Springs exits are somewhat better but even these exits appear tired and in need of new investment. Also, the first impression is set at the river, not by the time someone makes it to Zumbehl Road. What the development at Noah’s Ark offers our City is a new welcoming face for passers-by and balance to the casino site. The height and higher use indicates that there is more to this town than just a casino, because frankly, whatever your opinion of the casino is, a casino’s presence outside of Vegas or Atlantic City seems to indicate a stagnant or struggling town. Simply look at casino locations across this county as an indicator.
A redeveloped, high-use Noah’s Ark site also eliminates one of the most blatantly blighted sites in St. Charles. This provides confidence for other developers to consider our City for other such redevelopments.
This redeveloped site also creates interesting space that is both an attraction to visitors as well as an enticement for those who want to live in a place that has all the comforts of a small city. This development brings in new retail that we so badly need. This point is a natural segue to another point to be made in favor of this development which is the type of retail we can attract. Whereas, a Wal-mart or a Kohl’s would certainly mean the closing of the Zumbehl or Rock Road store respectively, smaller shops will offer the space needed for specialty retailers who currently have no venue in our City. Instead of displacing dollars, this development will offer new investment that isn’t predatory on our neighboring communities.
Next, this development lies in the St. Charles City School District and our schools immediately benefit from its redevelopment because our town is more attractive to young families and because of an immediate infusion of tax dollars from the development as well as from property taxes which are not included in the TIF. An agreement was made between City Schools and the developer that they will receive around $850,000 as a one-time payment. At its current use, it would take the school district about 21 years to bring in this much revenue. To argue a theoretical development that will not require TIF, again, is unrealistic. For those who argue that this site will naturally redevelop will mean that we are again looking at a hodgepodge use that will end up pieced together along side of Show-Me Aquatics and QT.
One dumfounding statement said that the development is too “upscale” and that the City should consider providing low-income housing at the site. From the entire county, our City has by far the highest concentration of low-income housing. Instead of this, I would propose placing a large low-income housing development to the west. You would immediately hear a collective scream rise into the heavens if this were proposed. If our neighbors don’t want this kind of development, then don’t ask my town to “downscale” to provide business owners low-income housing along my town’s interstate frontage.
-James Russell Lowell
Noah’s Ark Development
TIF is a legal tool intended to help blighted areas redevelop; this tool was seen as abuse when it was employed to bring development to farmland in St. Peters and other similar settings in other parts of our county. Saint Charles City has used TIF to help redevelop Mark Twain Mall. Who isn’t glad to see that site brought back to life after years of languishing as empty, undesirable storefronts? Furthermore, our own city project, the convention center has a TIF that is proportionately much higher than that sought by the developer at Noah’s Ark. No one would argue that the Noah’s Ark site isn’t blighted. The type of situation found there is not only technically compliant with the law, it is also the intended usage of TIF; namely, the redevelopment of blighted areas that would not develop on their own otherwise.
I have heard arguments against this project mainly due to philosophical differences with TIF being used at all. If you are opposed to TIF in any form, your argument should be taken up with lawmakers in Jefferson City. We in St. Charles want retail in our own town – retail that is currently moving west to green fields – many of which are using TIF to entice developers. I would agree with a statewide ban or striking down this use of public dollars even on a nationwide level. In absence of such a fundamental change in the law, it is foolish for St. Charles to believe it can compete with the green fields to the west of here without tax incentives. It is doubly foolish if you consider that even those open fields are implementing Tax Increment Financing.
Other arguments I have heard include that a better project may come along that won’t seek TIF at all. First off, this scenario is unlikely. Even a big box retailer would seek TIF and in the end, we would have a big box retailer. One store, surrounded by a sea of parking, Show-Me Aquatics, and a QT gas station would be the entirety of this development that rests at our “front door.”
Problems that are common with such big box development include finding new tenants once this singular business decides to leave. Usually, no other business is willing to move into the 120,000 or so square foot building that they leave behind (see K-mart on South Service Road). This ex-business exoskeleton can sit for years depressing property value of the community at-large. The reason for the business to leave is also a problem for towns from coast to coast – the big box retailer having enjoyed tax incentives to come to town start looking for another sweet deal that allows them another decade of incentives somewhere just down the road. Or, if they do stay, they coerce the town to cough up another tax break in lieu of their departure perpetuating the cycle that is, in fact, a part of devised corporate tactics for major retailers.
What the planned development for the Noah’s Ark site brings instead of this is, a mixed use development that has been fractionalized to a high degree and therefore, no one store has the gravity to twist the city’s arm to give it future tax deals, nor does any one store’s closing leave behind a behemoth space lacking any architectural appeal whatever. The absence of a tenant here will be better absorbed and, if need be, space usage can far more easily be redeveloped into appropriate use at a future date based upon changes that occur.
Furthermore, waiting for a “better” development when a beautiful development is on the table is mad. The developer has employed a world-renowned city planner to design this site. The developer comes to the table with a good working relationship with our town; he is part of our town and is currently committed to a long-term project within our town. This fact should not be taken lightly. A positive working history is important and it is refreshing to see someone in our community who believes that such a development will work and that we do not have to settle for another bank flanked by a gas station and fast food joint.
As a council member, we first and foremost represent the City’s interests. Currently, our city receives no taxes from Noah’s Ark. This development brings this portion of land into our corporate limits and our town goes from its current situation of essentially providing city services without any tax revenue to placing this land into our limits where codes can be enforced so that we are not left with a blighted development surrounded by our city but where we have no say. Upon entry into the City, our town immediately benefits from property taxes as well as sales taxes. It should be noted that a future development is not even guaranteed to come into our City. Indeed, we have already witnessed special interest legislation that has prevented beautiful developments from coming into our corporate limits.
This leads me into the importance of what is sometimes called, “viewshed.” Viewshed is the parts of a city that are in highly exposed areas and therefore give the entire city a feel. A good viewshed cannot change an otherwise bad city, however, good viewshed can enhance an area that is already good but needs to clean up its appearance. This is exactly what we have in St. Charles. We who live here know of the beauty of Main Street. We know how stately our homes are in Mid-Town. We appreciate good schools, libraries, hospitals and parks in our town. Ask yourself, “If I didn’t know St. Charles City and drove here for the first time what would my impression be? Things have improved at the Fifth Street entrance since the development of the corner of Boone’s Lick and Fifth and since the reinvestment in Mark Twain Mall. Two things, however, distract from this intersection – the south side of the highway where a derelict hotel rests and a gargantuan casino on the north side. I would like to come back to this in a moment. Whenever strangers exit onto First Capitol Drive headed into the heart of our town, I can only believe that they must see our town as a dumpy place with check cashing shops and empty stores and lots. The Zumbehl and Cave Springs exits are somewhat better but even these exits appear tired and in need of new investment. Also, the first impression is set at the river, not by the time someone makes it to Zumbehl Road. What the development at Noah’s Ark offers our City is a new welcoming face for passers-by and balance to the casino site. The height and higher use indicates that there is more to this town than just a casino, because frankly, whatever your opinion of the casino is, a casino’s presence outside of Vegas or Atlantic City seems to indicate a stagnant or struggling town. Simply look at casino locations across this county as an indicator.
A redeveloped, high-use Noah’s Ark site also eliminates one of the most blatantly blighted sites in St. Charles. This provides confidence for other developers to consider our City for other such redevelopments.
This redeveloped site also creates interesting space that is both an attraction to visitors as well as an enticement for those who want to live in a place that has all the comforts of a small city. This development brings in new retail that we so badly need. This point is a natural segue to another point to be made in favor of this development which is the type of retail we can attract. Whereas, a Wal-mart or a Kohl’s would certainly mean the closing of the Zumbehl or Rock Road store respectively, smaller shops will offer the space needed for specialty retailers who currently have no venue in our City. Instead of displacing dollars, this development will offer new investment that isn’t predatory on our neighboring communities.
Next, this development lies in the St. Charles City School District and our schools immediately benefit from its redevelopment because our town is more attractive to young families and because of an immediate infusion of tax dollars from the development as well as from property taxes which are not included in the TIF. An agreement was made between City Schools and the developer that they will receive around $850,000 as a one-time payment. At its current use, it would take the school district about 21 years to bring in this much revenue. To argue a theoretical development that will not require TIF, again, is unrealistic. For those who argue that this site will naturally redevelop will mean that we are again looking at a hodgepodge use that will end up pieced together along side of Show-Me Aquatics and QT.
One dumfounding statement said that the development is too “upscale” and that the City should consider providing low-income housing at the site. From the entire county, our City has by far the highest concentration of low-income housing. Instead of this, I would propose placing a large low-income housing development to the west. You would immediately hear a collective scream rise into the heavens if this were proposed. If our neighbors don’t want this kind of development, then don’t ask my town to “downscale” to provide business owners low-income housing along my town’s interstate frontage.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor
The Fifty year Vision For Lindenwood University - How is LU doing?
The first premise of a viable institution is not to fix what is not broken. For the last 18 years, LU has grown into a proud, viable and premier institution of higher learning.
Lindenwood has now decided that their students need less attention, better ACT scores and less housing options for non-traditional students. The Dean of Campus Life was replaced by a controversial educator with no interest in student affairs and no experience. Admissions must now go to a more selective evaluation on admissions standards which will decrease the diversity of its’ population and the decision was made to build two more dorms for traditional students while tearing down the houses located south of First Capitol used for married, older adult and graduate students. These students do not want to live in a traditional dormitory.
There is talk of a reduced work load for instructors. It is rumored that there will no longer be a Success Center and students will not get the individualized education needed in today’s society. Students are now allowed to visit in the dormitory rooms removing the privacy they once had and has started with less than adequate monitoring for safety. The security force is usually limited to one staff person per shift through the night hours.
If there was ever a case for passion it would include Lindenwood University personnel under the director of an inspiring President. Today the fear of reprisal under the Acting President has left souls empty and helpless. Political gain now rules daily activities and the student does not come first. The fifty year vision is fading and the current administration should stop referring to what Dr. Dennis Spellmann left for them as their goal. It is obviously not the goal and it has become a hostile environment for anyone that really stands behind the principles masterfully created through extraordinary vision. Keep Lindenwood University Alive.
Passionate Observer
The Fifty year Vision For Lindenwood University - How is LU doing?
The first premise of a viable institution is not to fix what is not broken. For the last 18 years, LU has grown into a proud, viable and premier institution of higher learning.
Lindenwood has now decided that their students need less attention, better ACT scores and less housing options for non-traditional students. The Dean of Campus Life was replaced by a controversial educator with no interest in student affairs and no experience. Admissions must now go to a more selective evaluation on admissions standards which will decrease the diversity of its’ population and the decision was made to build two more dorms for traditional students while tearing down the houses located south of First Capitol used for married, older adult and graduate students. These students do not want to live in a traditional dormitory.
There is talk of a reduced work load for instructors. It is rumored that there will no longer be a Success Center and students will not get the individualized education needed in today’s society. Students are now allowed to visit in the dormitory rooms removing the privacy they once had and has started with less than adequate monitoring for safety. The security force is usually limited to one staff person per shift through the night hours.
If there was ever a case for passion it would include Lindenwood University personnel under the director of an inspiring President. Today the fear of reprisal under the Acting President has left souls empty and helpless. Political gain now rules daily activities and the student does not come first. The fifty year vision is fading and the current administration should stop referring to what Dr. Dennis Spellmann left for them as their goal. It is obviously not the goal and it has become a hostile environment for anyone that really stands behind the principles masterfully created through extraordinary vision. Keep Lindenwood University Alive.
Passionate Observer
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler, Councilman Ward 1
Civilization Is On The Brink…
If We Run Out Of Doughnuts
Like many families, we bundled up this past Sunday morning and headed to Church. We had a lot to be thankful for when the second ice storm in as many days failed to materialize on Saturday night. True, Friday’s storm had knocked much of St. Charles and North St. Louis County off its feet. Over 100,000 Ameran UE customers, mostly in St. Charles County, were again without power.
Who could have guessed this would happen again? Who could have anticipated that old growth trees would snap like…well twigs under the weight of ice? What kind of psychic power would it take to know that heavy falling branches hitting thin electric cables would cause those fragile electric lines to fall to the ground themselves?
Who could have foreseen all this?
Well, I guess just about anybody and for that matter, most of the five year olds we surveyed. Still, the problem eludes the top executives of our electric utility company.
The resulting lack of power, which hit our house around midnight on Friday, plunged most everyone into darkness. Thus began this week’s episode of…48 Hours…without power or heat. You could stand on our back porch and every minute or so hear the distinct loud crack of another limb falling somewhere in Midtown. When they fell close enough, like in my own backyard, there was also the dull thud the bigger limbs make as they hit the earth. You don’t want to be under one when it hits. Some of the impact holes are eight inches deep.
It took a while for the heat in the house to dissipate, but we still passed a cold night under extra blankets. About twelve hours later, we had power again for a few hours. Then it went out again as darkness fell and the cold rains set in. Either they were toying with us or whoever runs the giant hamster wheel Ameran UE uses to generate power had decided to go home for the night.
My parents and brother were huddled at our house by then. Fortunately Sue’s and my 19th Century survival skills provided us with candles and lanterns of every conceivable shape and size. Tapers lasted the longest. I’ve also scratched beeswax candles from my list of household essentials as they burn twice as fast and leave a puddle of sticky wax. We also broke into the game closet and reintroduced ourselves to the fun we use to have before the electronic revolution.
We ventured out for lunch Saturday and found refuge in Friday’s on South 94. There wasn’t much else open between us and them except for the Jack ‘N The Box on Zumbehl which had a line of cars stretching around the building. Everything else on Zumbehl was out, as were all of the restaurants along Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. But if they won’t tell people what’s in their secret sauce, I’m sure Jack ‘N The Box isn’t going to tell us how they keep their lights on.
The wait staff at Friday’s was in a good humor and making the most of the situation. There was a little less gallows humor at Quick Trip which had posted handmade signs in the windows that read: “no ice, no gas, no milk, no bread.” The signs were still up Sunday when I filled up my tank and went in to pay. I tried joking with the cashier about what I had filled my tank with if they were out of gas. The sunken eyes seemed to stare through me as he said the pumps had just come back on line. I could tell he was suffering from battle fatigue, having probably stood his post all night, brave soldier.
By late Saturday, still expecting the second storm, my wife quipped she was checking out hotels down South. I think she meant the deep South. Somewhere near Tampa. I joked back that there was an unwritten rule that a local official has to go down with the ship. She asked if that applied to the wives of local officials. I’m still checking on that.
In all seriousness, I can’t say enough about the professionalism and dedication shown by our Street crews, Police personnel, Firemen, EMS workers, dispatchers, Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes, Police Chief Tim Swope and the City Administrator. They kept us informed as best they could, worked long hours and will continue to work long hours. Ameran UE also made sure there were enough emergency crews out this time, knowing all eyes would be watching them. I know how hard their rank and file personnel worked. It didn’t look like much fun playing with high power electric lines in the rain.
While I’m on a serious note, we also have to do something to “harden” the power distribution system in this city. Too many lives are being put at risk from these kind of outages. What would have happened had a benevolent God not spared us the second storm?
To that end I will ask for cost estimates on undergrounding a few select areas, to see what the relative costs would be. If Ameran keeps the cost artificially high to discourage the conversion, then we will need the help of the Missouri General Assembly to force a change in their corporate attitude. In the meantime, I hope someone in Jefferson City took the time to read the resolution I sponsored a month ago, asking that the Public Service Commission have the authority to require Ameran to trim trees more frequently than they do on their own.
I also want to commend the Good Samaritans among us. Four different people called our family to offer us shelter in their own homes. It was much the same for others. I would estimate that over half our population found accommodations with friends and relatives to stay warm. The warming shelter at Memorial Hall was needed, but never full.
The area was so self-reliant, that I was surprised the Governor made his visit, but we can always use more tourists. It was also a bit surreal to see National Guardsmen on South Main. I don’t think anyone was close to looting for early Victorian accent pieces, but better safe than sorry. I heard on the news the Guardsmen were going door-to-door passing out information. They never got to my home, but it’s nice to know they can get to St. Charles when needed.
Getting back to Church on Sunday, the starting point of this story, attendance did seem down somewhat, but people were in good health and their spirits uplifted by the choir and Father’s sermon. He asked how many people were still without electricity and about eighty-percent of those seated in the pews raised their hands. Then he announced that the reception in the cafeteria, scheduled as having doughnuts and coffee, would be sans doughnuts. It seemed the power outages had effected IGA’s ability to provide them.
An audible groan could be heard in the Church. A Sunday morning without doughnuts? What was the world coming to? Had all our technological genius and marvels come to this? We all realized in an instant just how close our society had come to collapse.
A friend later quipped that mankind had gotten along for millions of years without electricity and that it therefore wasn’t essential to survival. I’m not so sure we could survive without electric hairdryers, cable television, surround-sound, e-mail, automatic icemakers, dishwashers, the internet and the Holy Grail of our power driven social fabric…the remote control.
That reminds me. I think I’ll go out and buy more batteries and perhaps a box of doughnuts…just in case.
If We Run Out Of Doughnuts
Like many families, we bundled up this past Sunday morning and headed to Church. We had a lot to be thankful for when the second ice storm in as many days failed to materialize on Saturday night. True, Friday’s storm had knocked much of St. Charles and North St. Louis County off its feet. Over 100,000 Ameran UE customers, mostly in St. Charles County, were again without power.
Who could have guessed this would happen again? Who could have anticipated that old growth trees would snap like…well twigs under the weight of ice? What kind of psychic power would it take to know that heavy falling branches hitting thin electric cables would cause those fragile electric lines to fall to the ground themselves?
Who could have foreseen all this?
Well, I guess just about anybody and for that matter, most of the five year olds we surveyed. Still, the problem eludes the top executives of our electric utility company.
The resulting lack of power, which hit our house around midnight on Friday, plunged most everyone into darkness. Thus began this week’s episode of…48 Hours…without power or heat. You could stand on our back porch and every minute or so hear the distinct loud crack of another limb falling somewhere in Midtown. When they fell close enough, like in my own backyard, there was also the dull thud the bigger limbs make as they hit the earth. You don’t want to be under one when it hits. Some of the impact holes are eight inches deep.
It took a while for the heat in the house to dissipate, but we still passed a cold night under extra blankets. About twelve hours later, we had power again for a few hours. Then it went out again as darkness fell and the cold rains set in. Either they were toying with us or whoever runs the giant hamster wheel Ameran UE uses to generate power had decided to go home for the night.
My parents and brother were huddled at our house by then. Fortunately Sue’s and my 19th Century survival skills provided us with candles and lanterns of every conceivable shape and size. Tapers lasted the longest. I’ve also scratched beeswax candles from my list of household essentials as they burn twice as fast and leave a puddle of sticky wax. We also broke into the game closet and reintroduced ourselves to the fun we use to have before the electronic revolution.
We ventured out for lunch Saturday and found refuge in Friday’s on South 94. There wasn’t much else open between us and them except for the Jack ‘N The Box on Zumbehl which had a line of cars stretching around the building. Everything else on Zumbehl was out, as were all of the restaurants along Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. But if they won’t tell people what’s in their secret sauce, I’m sure Jack ‘N The Box isn’t going to tell us how they keep their lights on.
The wait staff at Friday’s was in a good humor and making the most of the situation. There was a little less gallows humor at Quick Trip which had posted handmade signs in the windows that read: “no ice, no gas, no milk, no bread.” The signs were still up Sunday when I filled up my tank and went in to pay. I tried joking with the cashier about what I had filled my tank with if they were out of gas. The sunken eyes seemed to stare through me as he said the pumps had just come back on line. I could tell he was suffering from battle fatigue, having probably stood his post all night, brave soldier.
By late Saturday, still expecting the second storm, my wife quipped she was checking out hotels down South. I think she meant the deep South. Somewhere near Tampa. I joked back that there was an unwritten rule that a local official has to go down with the ship. She asked if that applied to the wives of local officials. I’m still checking on that.
In all seriousness, I can’t say enough about the professionalism and dedication shown by our Street crews, Police personnel, Firemen, EMS workers, dispatchers, Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes, Police Chief Tim Swope and the City Administrator. They kept us informed as best they could, worked long hours and will continue to work long hours. Ameran UE also made sure there were enough emergency crews out this time, knowing all eyes would be watching them. I know how hard their rank and file personnel worked. It didn’t look like much fun playing with high power electric lines in the rain.
While I’m on a serious note, we also have to do something to “harden” the power distribution system in this city. Too many lives are being put at risk from these kind of outages. What would have happened had a benevolent God not spared us the second storm?
To that end I will ask for cost estimates on undergrounding a few select areas, to see what the relative costs would be. If Ameran keeps the cost artificially high to discourage the conversion, then we will need the help of the Missouri General Assembly to force a change in their corporate attitude. In the meantime, I hope someone in Jefferson City took the time to read the resolution I sponsored a month ago, asking that the Public Service Commission have the authority to require Ameran to trim trees more frequently than they do on their own.
I also want to commend the Good Samaritans among us. Four different people called our family to offer us shelter in their own homes. It was much the same for others. I would estimate that over half our population found accommodations with friends and relatives to stay warm. The warming shelter at Memorial Hall was needed, but never full.
The area was so self-reliant, that I was surprised the Governor made his visit, but we can always use more tourists. It was also a bit surreal to see National Guardsmen on South Main. I don’t think anyone was close to looting for early Victorian accent pieces, but better safe than sorry. I heard on the news the Guardsmen were going door-to-door passing out information. They never got to my home, but it’s nice to know they can get to St. Charles when needed.
Getting back to Church on Sunday, the starting point of this story, attendance did seem down somewhat, but people were in good health and their spirits uplifted by the choir and Father’s sermon. He asked how many people were still without electricity and about eighty-percent of those seated in the pews raised their hands. Then he announced that the reception in the cafeteria, scheduled as having doughnuts and coffee, would be sans doughnuts. It seemed the power outages had effected IGA’s ability to provide them.
An audible groan could be heard in the Church. A Sunday morning without doughnuts? What was the world coming to? Had all our technological genius and marvels come to this? We all realized in an instant just how close our society had come to collapse.
A friend later quipped that mankind had gotten along for millions of years without electricity and that it therefore wasn’t essential to survival. I’m not so sure we could survive without electric hairdryers, cable television, surround-sound, e-mail, automatic icemakers, dishwashers, the internet and the Holy Grail of our power driven social fabric…the remote control.
That reminds me. I think I’ll go out and buy more batteries and perhaps a box of doughnuts…just in case.
THE View From The Cheap Seats BY Jerry Haferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
O.K., I confess. I read the St. Peters paper. Well, parts of it anyway.
I read Steve Pokin’s articles because they are interesting and sometimes very humorous. I read the editorial so I can get the mayor’s “thought of the day”.
But mostly I read the calls and letters from the public. Some are thoughtful and some make one realize that they need the filter on their gene pool replaced, but they tell you what is on the minds of the public. However, the call in section makes a good place for cowards to throw mud and then hide, since they aren’t identified. I would like to comment on a recent posting that was called in and printed.
The caller assailed John Gieseke for wanting to file suit to get two state laws that are clearly unconstitutional off the books. Although the majority of the council agreed with the suit, the caller points at Gieseke. The caller asked, “What was Gieseke thinking”?
So let me explain, mystery caller.
Laws that are unconstitutional aren’t just tossed out without cause. That cause has to be a ruling by a judge, or panel of judges that the law is invalid. This comes as a result of an aggrieved party filing what is known as a “suit”. The council voted to file this suit, and all was well. Our wonderful mayor then vetoed the action and gave her entourage on the council their marching orders, and the veto was upheld. She was fortunate that Mike Weller made one of his rare appearances at a council meeting, or her veto would have been overturned.
I haven’t spoken to Gieseke in about five months, but I imagine his thinking, along with all the other unencumbered council members who voted in favor of the suit, was to do what is best for our city. And I believe that this caller’s thinking was to discredit a councilman who is running for mayor.
These laws place an unconstitutional burden on our city. It would have cost only 50 cents to each resident to have them removed, money well spent. The mayor vetoed the action and her puppets voted to uphold the veto. Your question should have been “What were they smoking” Oops, I meant “thinking”?
Ward 2, you are going to have a choice after all. Instead of one council candidate who is tied to the mayor’s apron strings and one who is attached to the mayor at the hip, there is a candidate that is independent of the mayor. His name is Larry Willis and he has lived in your ward for about 20 years. I had to ask if his father’s name was Larry Willis also. Some of us went to St. Charles High with a Larry Willis, but the candidate isn’t related. He’ll be operating a campaign on a “shoestring” budget, so don’t expect from him any of the high dollar, glossy mailings the mayors out of town hit men use. But when he shows up at your door, invite him in and give him your thoughts. He seems to be interested in what you think.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
O.K., I confess. I read the St. Peters paper. Well, parts of it anyway.
I read Steve Pokin’s articles because they are interesting and sometimes very humorous. I read the editorial so I can get the mayor’s “thought of the day”.
But mostly I read the calls and letters from the public. Some are thoughtful and some make one realize that they need the filter on their gene pool replaced, but they tell you what is on the minds of the public. However, the call in section makes a good place for cowards to throw mud and then hide, since they aren’t identified. I would like to comment on a recent posting that was called in and printed.
The caller assailed John Gieseke for wanting to file suit to get two state laws that are clearly unconstitutional off the books. Although the majority of the council agreed with the suit, the caller points at Gieseke. The caller asked, “What was Gieseke thinking”?
So let me explain, mystery caller.
Laws that are unconstitutional aren’t just tossed out without cause. That cause has to be a ruling by a judge, or panel of judges that the law is invalid. This comes as a result of an aggrieved party filing what is known as a “suit”. The council voted to file this suit, and all was well. Our wonderful mayor then vetoed the action and gave her entourage on the council their marching orders, and the veto was upheld. She was fortunate that Mike Weller made one of his rare appearances at a council meeting, or her veto would have been overturned.
I haven’t spoken to Gieseke in about five months, but I imagine his thinking, along with all the other unencumbered council members who voted in favor of the suit, was to do what is best for our city. And I believe that this caller’s thinking was to discredit a councilman who is running for mayor.
These laws place an unconstitutional burden on our city. It would have cost only 50 cents to each resident to have them removed, money well spent. The mayor vetoed the action and her puppets voted to uphold the veto. Your question should have been “What were they smoking” Oops, I meant “thinking”?
Ward 2, you are going to have a choice after all. Instead of one council candidate who is tied to the mayor’s apron strings and one who is attached to the mayor at the hip, there is a candidate that is independent of the mayor. His name is Larry Willis and he has lived in your ward for about 20 years. I had to ask if his father’s name was Larry Willis also. Some of us went to St. Charles High with a Larry Willis, but the candidate isn’t related. He’ll be operating a campaign on a “shoestring” budget, so don’t expect from him any of the high dollar, glossy mailings the mayors out of town hit men use. But when he shows up at your door, invite him in and give him your thoughts. He seems to be interested in what you think.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
MAIN STREET FINANCIAL - Kevin Daniels, Vice President
Minors Can Have Roth IRAs!
Sometimes when I teach interns about finance I ask them this question: “What do you have that I want more of, but you cannot give me?” After some funny looks, someone will answer, “Time”. “Absolutely, yes” I say. Then I explain that time is one of the basic ingredients for a wealth generation recipe. And compounding works over time. More time, more compounding, less time, less compounding. So, the sooner we start, obviously, the more time we have… for compounding! Now make the jump with me, since the younger we are (or our children are) the more time there is for compounding and the more valuable tax free legislation becomes. A minor has a lot of time! But knowing how to capitalize on all of that time is part of the secret.
Since a Roth IRA gains are meant to be a tax free tool, anyone with time, will find these especially valuable. Minors can have Roths! It’s all about compounding over time!
So you can help your 14 year old along to becoming a millionaire if you can help him get some sort of W-2 income from a job. (The W-2 income is necessary to fund a Roth IRA.) Those who understand the tax law have no problem thinking about retirement when their children are 14 years old. I know one family that allows their son to work at the family business (within the framework of child labor laws*) mowing and cleaning in exchange for retirement income. The income can be used to fund a tax-free Roth IRA. Wow! Make sure they actually do the work, because funding a child’s Roth to dilute company profits is NOT recommended.
Remember a child can put away thousands each year and can still withdraw the principal in the future for expenses including college, a first time home purchase etc. This youngster may not be too excited about forgoing another DVD or CD, but eventually he will likely be grateful for the early compounding boost, not to mention the tax free advantages that are very friendly to long term investors.
Owning a business is a cleaver way to use family members for supplemental work but it is not a requirement. W-2 income from any source qualifies them for Roth IRAs. Know that while not every investment sponsor will accept minor Roths, but there are certainly those that will.
* Check your state’s homepage under the business or labor sections.
Kevin Daniels is securities licensed through Investacorp, Inc. A registered broker/dealer member NASD, SIPC.
Sometimes when I teach interns about finance I ask them this question: “What do you have that I want more of, but you cannot give me?” After some funny looks, someone will answer, “Time”. “Absolutely, yes” I say. Then I explain that time is one of the basic ingredients for a wealth generation recipe. And compounding works over time. More time, more compounding, less time, less compounding. So, the sooner we start, obviously, the more time we have… for compounding! Now make the jump with me, since the younger we are (or our children are) the more time there is for compounding and the more valuable tax free legislation becomes. A minor has a lot of time! But knowing how to capitalize on all of that time is part of the secret.
Since a Roth IRA gains are meant to be a tax free tool, anyone with time, will find these especially valuable. Minors can have Roths! It’s all about compounding over time!
So you can help your 14 year old along to becoming a millionaire if you can help him get some sort of W-2 income from a job. (The W-2 income is necessary to fund a Roth IRA.) Those who understand the tax law have no problem thinking about retirement when their children are 14 years old. I know one family that allows their son to work at the family business (within the framework of child labor laws*) mowing and cleaning in exchange for retirement income. The income can be used to fund a tax-free Roth IRA. Wow! Make sure they actually do the work, because funding a child’s Roth to dilute company profits is NOT recommended.
Remember a child can put away thousands each year and can still withdraw the principal in the future for expenses including college, a first time home purchase etc. This youngster may not be too excited about forgoing another DVD or CD, but eventually he will likely be grateful for the early compounding boost, not to mention the tax free advantages that are very friendly to long term investors.
Owning a business is a cleaver way to use family members for supplemental work but it is not a requirement. W-2 income from any source qualifies them for Roth IRAs. Know that while not every investment sponsor will accept minor Roths, but there are certainly those that will.
* Check your state’s homepage under the business or labor sections.
Kevin Daniels is securities licensed through Investacorp, Inc. A registered broker/dealer member NASD, SIPC.
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS SPORTS - MIKE McMurran Sports Editor
How many can remember the old television show “Family Feud?” It’s branded into our psyche that famous phrase “survey says…!” Well, as much as “survey says” is hidden somewhere inside our heads, so is the introduction “research says…” I for one am, (a) tired of hearing it, and (b) not at all convinced that just because ‘research says,’ that something is necessarily true. I hear it constantly in the field of education – primarily public education that is. I am old school education, and proud of it. That also makes me somewhat a dinosaur. I believe education is impossible without discipline, good old fashion unconditional discipline. Yes, questioning authority will come, but not until shall we say late high school or early college years. I think the Jesuits say it best: “That’s the way we’ve been doing it for almost 400 years, that’s the way that works. If you don’t like it, go to another school.”
Keeping in mind that this is a sports column I would like to address what “research says” about youth sports. Every youth sports clinic I’ve attended, and I’ve attended my fair share, says “research says keep it fun!” I agree, to an extent. In soccer practice we have relay races. Sometimes we dribble the soccer ball, sometimes we carry it, sometimes we just run – we keep it fun. In basketball practice we do the same thing. In baseball we have relays where we see which team can collectively throw the ball the furthest. Once in baseball practice I had the boys run to the foul pole and back – a distance of some 200 yards or so. One of the parents, one of these “new school” parents questioned my motive. “That’s not fun, just running for the sake of running,” he said to me, “what purpose does that achieve?” I instantly responded, “it teaches the boys to do exactly what I say, when I say it.” It may sound harsh, maybe even a little rude, but it works.
I wish I had the time to do my own research – that is, to conduct a scientific experiment to support the hypothesis that “winning is fun – a whole lot more fun than losing.” I can hear the groans already, “ah, you’re one of those coaches that believes ‘winning is everything.’” Nope, not even close. What I teach, and what I ask everyone who coaches with me to teach, are the basics – the fundamentals. Pay very close attention to the small details please. Almost always, if you pay attention to the small details, the large details have a way of working themselves out. This past summer in baseball practice, we taught our outfielders to charge the ball, every single time, and to come up throwing. Repetition, repetition, repetition. If we hit one ball to the outfielders, I bet we hit two hundred. Remember now, we are talking about 8 year-olds here. Was it fun? Hardly – but it was effective. During the course of the season we had outfielders throw out two runners at home plate – a feat unheard of at the atom I level.
I must give credit where credit is due, and the credit for having such a sound defensive outfield goes to Joe Murray. Our philosophy in baseball was to teach each youngster no more than three positions; left field, center field and right field are, and have, very different responsibilities. Joe took pride in his outfielders – a position many atom I teams place the youngsters who prefer to chase bees than fly balls. Joe worked with them, patiently, yet firmly, convincing each young man that his position was the most important on the team. On the two occasions that our outfielders threw runners out at the plate, most everyone in the park couldn’t have been more surprised if a two-headed monster flew over the park – not Joe. He knew that his work, his dedication, his repetition of rolling, then throwing, and finally hitting ground balls to his outfielders would pay off. No, Joe wasn’t surprised, rather he expected it. He had trained his boys how to perform under pressure and they did! What could be more fun than running off the field knowing that scores of parents were applauding a play that only you and your coach knew you could make?
Joe will be branching off on his own next season, fielding a new team of his own. I want to take this opportunity to first of all thank Joe for all he has done for the Titans in the past three years, and to wish him all the luck in the world in the upcoming season. I hope he remembers what I always told the boys, because the same applies to coaches: “Once a Titan, always a Titan.”
Another youth coach warrants sentence or two. After seven years of coaching girls’ youth soccer, Mark Francis is hanging up his whistle. Mark has been coaching a group of young ladies from Academy of the Sacred Heart since they were 4 years old. They are now 11 and he is ready to turn the reigns over to someone else. This past Saturday, even an ice storm couldn’t prevent the majority of his players from presenting Mark with a very special gift – a gift that brought him to tears (again). I think it was best summed up by one of his players who said, “You’re the best soccer coach I’ve ever had. Probably because you’re the only soccer coach I’ve ever had.” It’s no coincidence that same young lady hung up her soccer cleats for good at the end of the season. That young lady is my daughter. Thank you Mark for everything you’ve done for Maggie, and all the girls. I know I probably disagreed with you more than agreed – but I know my daughter is a better person for playing soccer under you for the past 7 years.
Mike McMurran can be reached at: mcmurran@charter.net/ 314.280.9189
First Capitol News Photo By Bob Barton
High School Basketball
Pirates Dominate Early
Harrellson’s Defense Give Pirates Easy Win over Fort Zumwalt West
By Louis J. Launer
The St. Charles Pirates produced a tight defense early against the Fort Zumwalt Jaguars on Tuesday night as the lights returned to St. Charles High School. The Pirates kept the Jaguars from scoring their first basket until 4:02 left in the first quarter. The entire Jaguar team could get past Pirate big man Josh Harrellson, who stood under the basket through most of the first quarter rejecting any Jaguar shot.
Harrellson started the scoring for the Pirates early when he scored an easy lay-up. Harrellson assisted later by throwing across court to teammate Rudy Harper for a “peanut butter and jam” slam-dunk. The Pirates made it look easy as they took a 13-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Pirates’ Rudy Harper took advantage of several Jaguar mistakes and scored seven points in the second quarter, which included one field goal. Josh Harrellson also scored a 3-pointer with 3:28 left and the Pirates had a commanding 27-6 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Zumwalt West came out focused. The Pirates appeared lost. The Jaguars scored five in the first two minutes, taking advantage of 3 turnovers that the Pirates easily gave up.
Sean Zimpfer finally scored the first second-half points for the Pirates with 3:40 left in the third quarter. Harrellson couldn’t buy a basket in the quarter. Zimpfer also had two 3-point baskets as the Pirates regained their momentum in the final minute of the third quarter. It was still Zumwalt West’s quarter as they had a 16-13 quarter. But the Pirates still led overall, 40-22 going into the 4th.
Rudy Harper scored 4 points on two fast breaks early in the final quarter. Zumwalt West could not catch up from the deficit that appeared before them in the first half and lost to the St. Charles Pirates, 56-39. The Pirates continue to be in the drivers seat, but still are behind to cross-town rival St. Charles West, who continue to lead in the district standings.
DUCHESNE STILL TOUGH. The Duchesne Pioneers, who are also in the same district as St. Charles and St. Charles West to gain a state playoff berth, traveled to Hannibal last week to take on the Pirates up north. The Pioneers led the first half by having a 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 31-29 lead at halftime. But Hannibal came back with 18 points in the third quarter and 18 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Duchesne Pioneers, 65-60.
Zach Plackemeier had 16 points for the Pioneers, while teammate Danny Friedel had 17, which included 6 field goals. Nick Pryor had 10 points for the Pioneers and Brandon Durk had 8. Plackemeier was 5 for 6 in free-throws, while Friedel was 2 for 2 in the same category.
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