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Saturday, May 05, 2007
FRONT PAGE FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - May 5, 2007 - Volume 7 Number 12
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CHIEF ACCEPTS BUYOUT OF CONTRACT
BY TONY BROCKMEYER
The First Capitol News has learned as we were going to press that St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope has accepted the offer from the Mayor to buyout his contact.
The First Capitol News was unable to obtain comments from the city administration or from Chief Swope. However, city hall sources told us that Swope signed the agreement late Thursday afternoon. His severance agreement, presented to him by Deputy Mayor Ernie Rhodes, provides for one years salary payable in twelve monthly installments plus health care benefits until the end of the year. The agreement apparently prohibits Swope from making any derogatory comments about the city for 365 days.
We reported in earlier editions that at a meeting of the police officers association prior to the April 3rd election the officers in attendance had been told by a police association board member that Mayor York had met with the board and promised them if they supported her in her reelection bid she would remove Swope and relace him to someone of their liking. We also reported that she would also remove Assistant Chief, Major Bob Boerding, Captain Gary Pollard and the Chief’s secretary.
After our paper hit the streets, York called a press conference denying the allegations. She presented a letter from the president of the police association denying she had made such a promise.
The First Capitol News stood by our story which was confirmed by several police officers who had been in attendance at the police association meeting.
Shortly after being sworn in for her third term as Mayor, York went to police headquarters commandeered a office and started meeting with individual employees. She allegedly told the police employees she was to be considered the Police Chief and that she would be running the department.
Sources in the department told the FCN the Mayor’s actions made it extremely difficult for Swope to stay in command of the police officers as he was being undermined by York on a daily basis. To use their words, the Mayor acting as Police Chief was causing a crisis in the department because some employees were ignoring directions that were being given by Chief Swope.
Evidently, seeing the handwriting on the wall and unable to properly command the police department without interference from the Mayor, Swope asked for a buyout of his contract.
Swope has been St. Charles Chief of Police since March 8, 2005. There were three years remaining on his contract. Prior to that he was the St. Charles County Sheriff.
The FCN was also told that police Captain Dennis Corley had recently contacted the police association and had asked for their support for his possible appointment as Chief of Police. Corely was allegedly told by the association that they would not support him as they were committed to supporting a candidate supported by ex-police Sergeant Tommy Mayer. Mayer, the former head of the state Fraternal Order of Police, was fired by Swope after he placed former City Administrator Alan Williams on the ground in the parking lot of police headquarters by gunpoint. Mayer is a friend of the Mayor who has called him, Missouri’s “Top Cop.”
A bill passed by the City Council Tuesday evening gives the Mayor authority to hire interim department directors for any period of time and she can set their salary for any amount from $40,000 to $120,000, all without any input from the city council. She can also appoint them for any period of time and there is nothing the council can do about it.
Under the last city council, the office of Chief of Police stayed vacant for over a year because the council would not approve any of the candidates the Mayor wanted. This is no longer a problem for her. She can now appoint an interim police chief, set any salary she wants up to $120,000 all without approval from the city council.
Information on any of our past stories regarding this matter can be found in our archives at
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
The First Capitol News has learned as we were going to press that St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope has accepted the offer from the Mayor to buyout his contact.
The First Capitol News was unable to obtain comments from the city administration or from Chief Swope. However, city hall sources told us that Swope signed the agreement late Thursday afternoon. His severance agreement, presented to him by Deputy Mayor Ernie Rhodes, provides for one years salary payable in twelve monthly installments plus health care benefits until the end of the year. The agreement apparently prohibits Swope from making any derogatory comments about the city for 365 days.
We reported in earlier editions that at a meeting of the police officers association prior to the April 3rd election the officers in attendance had been told by a police association board member that Mayor York had met with the board and promised them if they supported her in her reelection bid she would remove Swope and relace him to someone of their liking. We also reported that she would also remove Assistant Chief, Major Bob Boerding, Captain Gary Pollard and the Chief’s secretary.
After our paper hit the streets, York called a press conference denying the allegations. She presented a letter from the president of the police association denying she had made such a promise.
The First Capitol News stood by our story which was confirmed by several police officers who had been in attendance at the police association meeting.
Shortly after being sworn in for her third term as Mayor, York went to police headquarters commandeered a office and started meeting with individual employees. She allegedly told the police employees she was to be considered the Police Chief and that she would be running the department.
Sources in the department told the FCN the Mayor’s actions made it extremely difficult for Swope to stay in command of the police officers as he was being undermined by York on a daily basis. To use their words, the Mayor acting as Police Chief was causing a crisis in the department because some employees were ignoring directions that were being given by Chief Swope.
Evidently, seeing the handwriting on the wall and unable to properly command the police department without interference from the Mayor, Swope asked for a buyout of his contract.
Swope has been St. Charles Chief of Police since March 8, 2005. There were three years remaining on his contract. Prior to that he was the St. Charles County Sheriff.
The FCN was also told that police Captain Dennis Corley had recently contacted the police association and had asked for their support for his possible appointment as Chief of Police. Corely was allegedly told by the association that they would not support him as they were committed to supporting a candidate supported by ex-police Sergeant Tommy Mayer. Mayer, the former head of the state Fraternal Order of Police, was fired by Swope after he placed former City Administrator Alan Williams on the ground in the parking lot of police headquarters by gunpoint. Mayer is a friend of the Mayor who has called him, Missouri’s “Top Cop.”
A bill passed by the City Council Tuesday evening gives the Mayor authority to hire interim department directors for any period of time and she can set their salary for any amount from $40,000 to $120,000, all without any input from the city council. She can also appoint them for any period of time and there is nothing the council can do about it.
Under the last city council, the office of Chief of Police stayed vacant for over a year because the council would not approve any of the candidates the Mayor wanted. This is no longer a problem for her. She can now appoint an interim police chief, set any salary she wants up to $120,000 all without approval from the city council.
Information on any of our past stories regarding this matter can be found in our archives at
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
POLICE CHIEF GIVEN 48 HOURS TO ACCEPT SEVERANCE PACKAGE
By Tony Brockmeyer
The First Capitol News has learned that St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope was given 48 hours to accept a severance package Wednesday morning.
In a closed executive session of the City Council Tuesday morning the Council approved a severance package that would remove Swope from the office as Chief of Police but would pay him as a consultant for a year. His health benefits would be continued until the end of this year.
Tim Swope was appointed St. Charles Police Chief on March 8, 2005. He was appointed by former city administrator Alan Williams and his appointment was approved by the Mayor and the City Council. Prior to being appointed Chief of Police, Swope was the St. Charles County Sheriff. He was elected to that office in November of 2002 and was sworn into office in January of 2003.
Tim Swope has three children. Sheriff Swope is a 1984 graduate of St. Charles High School and attended college at Central Missouri State University – Warrensburg on a baseball scholarship. He played peewee football at J.F.L. and the Boy’s Club. In 1982-83 he was a member of the St. Charles High School Pirates who won the State Championship in football. He also played baseball and coached for American Legion Post 312 in St. Charles.
The First Capitol News also learned that in a closed executive session of the city council held on April 24 the city council rejected a proposal to offer Chief Swope a 15 month severance package. We were told a faction of the council lead by Councilwoman Feldman remarked that the Chief could leave but he would leave with nothing. The severance proposal was tabled at that meeting. It was revisited after the regular council meeting Tuesday evening and approved by the council. Swope was to be told he had to accept the offer within 48 hours or it would be taken off the table. Our sources told us they believe Swope would accept the offer.
In the March 31, 2007 edition of the First Capitol News we reported......
Sources at police headquarters have told the First Capitol News, that despite the denials by the Mayor and the police association president, she pledged to fire Police Chief Tim Swope if she is re-elected and they stand by their claim that the statement was made. Asking that their identities be withheld because of fear of their jobs and physical harm, they told the First Capitol News that at a general membership meeting of the police association with more than 25 members present, a member of the executive board told the assembled officers that York pledged to fire the Chief and his staff if she is re-elected. The story was the cover story in our last edition.
Mayor Patti York called a press conference March 26, 2007 to address our story. In the council chambers at City Hall with City Administrator Allan Williams at her side and in a press release distributed by Williams, York claimed, “This press conference was in response to an article written in the First Capitol News last week where it was reported York intended to fire Chief of Police, Tim Swope. The Mayor in the press release said, “I am calling this press conference today to address the unfounded and spurious claims by a local community newspaper that I have pledged to fire our Police Chief, Tim Swope.” She went on to say “I find this disquieting and purposely inflammatory, all in the guise of news, when in reality, it is nothing short of mudslinging at best and politicking at its worst by this local paper. York presented a letter from St. Charles Police Association President, Mark Grothe, it states, “Regarding Mayor York’s pledge to fire Police Chief Tim Swope, the First Capitol News has again been misinformed by their sources.” Both these statements are in direct conflict with sources who attended the police associations meeting on March 8th.
One of our sources told us that if anyone in the association knew who they were it could create issues on the street. The sources told us that an Executive Board member stood up and announced that Mayor Patti York told them during the interview that she would fire Chief of Police, Tim Swope, Major Boerding, Captain Pollard, and the Chiefs secretary Tammy O’Laughlin, it is a package deal.
This is isn’t the first time the Mayor has adversely affected our public safety. For over a year she allowed the City to go without a permanent chief. During this period Major Bob Lowery was presented to the Mayor and Council for approval. York refused to appoint saying Lowery, “Wasn’t a good fit.” Some speculated that she refused to appoint Lowery because the St. Charles Police Association was against him. The Police Association is used to getting it’s way in St. Charles; it worked to remove Chief of Police Dave King, Paul Corbin and now is working against Chief Tim Swope.
The rift between Swope and York began when Swope refused to hand over the investigation into the Dottie Greer recall to the Mayor . The day after Swope turned over the investigation to St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas, York began to require Swope to turn over a weekly activity report letting her know who he spoke to and where he went every day. Members of the Association have family directly involved with the recall. Linda Meyer, wife of Association member Dean Meyer, headed up the recall efforts of Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Both recalls were unsuccessful after the investigations turned up forged signatures and widespread fraud.
York was displeased when Swope fired Tommy Mayer, who was president of the state Fraternal Order of Police and who she called her top cop. Mayer was dismissed after an incident in which he ordered City Administrator Williams from his car at gun point and had him drop to the ground.
York was also upset that Swope re-opened an investigation into the alleged cashing of forged checks by her daughter.
“I think this is a lot like baseball, when George Steinbrenner would stand next to Billy Martin and say he would be our manager for the rest of the season, you knew Billy would be gone by the end of the week.” Councilman Mark Brown.
Relating to the use of public facilities for political campaigns, former attorney general Bill Webster went to prison for using a state fax machine during a political campaign. The mayor has used the council chambers and city employees for her campaign.
The First Capitol News has learned that St. Charles Police Chief Tim Swope was given 48 hours to accept a severance package Wednesday morning.
In a closed executive session of the City Council Tuesday morning the Council approved a severance package that would remove Swope from the office as Chief of Police but would pay him as a consultant for a year. His health benefits would be continued until the end of this year.
Tim Swope was appointed St. Charles Police Chief on March 8, 2005. He was appointed by former city administrator Alan Williams and his appointment was approved by the Mayor and the City Council. Prior to being appointed Chief of Police, Swope was the St. Charles County Sheriff. He was elected to that office in November of 2002 and was sworn into office in January of 2003.
Tim Swope has three children. Sheriff Swope is a 1984 graduate of St. Charles High School and attended college at Central Missouri State University – Warrensburg on a baseball scholarship. He played peewee football at J.F.L. and the Boy’s Club. In 1982-83 he was a member of the St. Charles High School Pirates who won the State Championship in football. He also played baseball and coached for American Legion Post 312 in St. Charles.
The First Capitol News also learned that in a closed executive session of the city council held on April 24 the city council rejected a proposal to offer Chief Swope a 15 month severance package. We were told a faction of the council lead by Councilwoman Feldman remarked that the Chief could leave but he would leave with nothing. The severance proposal was tabled at that meeting. It was revisited after the regular council meeting Tuesday evening and approved by the council. Swope was to be told he had to accept the offer within 48 hours or it would be taken off the table. Our sources told us they believe Swope would accept the offer.
In the March 31, 2007 edition of the First Capitol News we reported......
Sources at police headquarters have told the First Capitol News, that despite the denials by the Mayor and the police association president, she pledged to fire Police Chief Tim Swope if she is re-elected and they stand by their claim that the statement was made. Asking that their identities be withheld because of fear of their jobs and physical harm, they told the First Capitol News that at a general membership meeting of the police association with more than 25 members present, a member of the executive board told the assembled officers that York pledged to fire the Chief and his staff if she is re-elected. The story was the cover story in our last edition.
Mayor Patti York called a press conference March 26, 2007 to address our story. In the council chambers at City Hall with City Administrator Allan Williams at her side and in a press release distributed by Williams, York claimed, “This press conference was in response to an article written in the First Capitol News last week where it was reported York intended to fire Chief of Police, Tim Swope. The Mayor in the press release said, “I am calling this press conference today to address the unfounded and spurious claims by a local community newspaper that I have pledged to fire our Police Chief, Tim Swope.” She went on to say “I find this disquieting and purposely inflammatory, all in the guise of news, when in reality, it is nothing short of mudslinging at best and politicking at its worst by this local paper. York presented a letter from St. Charles Police Association President, Mark Grothe, it states, “Regarding Mayor York’s pledge to fire Police Chief Tim Swope, the First Capitol News has again been misinformed by their sources.” Both these statements are in direct conflict with sources who attended the police associations meeting on March 8th.
One of our sources told us that if anyone in the association knew who they were it could create issues on the street. The sources told us that an Executive Board member stood up and announced that Mayor Patti York told them during the interview that she would fire Chief of Police, Tim Swope, Major Boerding, Captain Pollard, and the Chiefs secretary Tammy O’Laughlin, it is a package deal.
This is isn’t the first time the Mayor has adversely affected our public safety. For over a year she allowed the City to go without a permanent chief. During this period Major Bob Lowery was presented to the Mayor and Council for approval. York refused to appoint saying Lowery, “Wasn’t a good fit.” Some speculated that she refused to appoint Lowery because the St. Charles Police Association was against him. The Police Association is used to getting it’s way in St. Charles; it worked to remove Chief of Police Dave King, Paul Corbin and now is working against Chief Tim Swope.
The rift between Swope and York began when Swope refused to hand over the investigation into the Dottie Greer recall to the Mayor . The day after Swope turned over the investigation to St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas, York began to require Swope to turn over a weekly activity report letting her know who he spoke to and where he went every day. Members of the Association have family directly involved with the recall. Linda Meyer, wife of Association member Dean Meyer, headed up the recall efforts of Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Both recalls were unsuccessful after the investigations turned up forged signatures and widespread fraud.
York was displeased when Swope fired Tommy Mayer, who was president of the state Fraternal Order of Police and who she called her top cop. Mayer was dismissed after an incident in which he ordered City Administrator Williams from his car at gun point and had him drop to the ground.
York was also upset that Swope re-opened an investigation into the alleged cashing of forged checks by her daughter.
“I think this is a lot like baseball, when George Steinbrenner would stand next to Billy Martin and say he would be our manager for the rest of the season, you knew Billy would be gone by the end of the week.” Councilman Mark Brown.
Relating to the use of public facilities for political campaigns, former attorney general Bill Webster went to prison for using a state fax machine during a political campaign. The mayor has used the council chambers and city employees for her campaign.
RAMBLING With The Editor Tony Brockmeyer
In elections you really have to take a leap of faith and trust that the person running is telling you the truth. I think those of you who truly believed it when the Mayor said she intends to keep all the department heads for a least a year might be feeling violated right now. Maybe violated is too soft of a term. You should be feeling betrayed, lied to might be a better description. Since being reelected, the Mayor has fired Brent Schultz a 37-year tenured employee who was the assistant city administrator. She told him there wasn’t a job available for him or his $85,000 salary. Now she has created not one but three new positions to take his place and do his job. The positions were unanimously approved by the city council Tuesday evening. She will have a transitional director, a post she appointed former City Administrator Alan Williams to at a salary of $112,000 per year, considerably less than he was being paid as City Administrator. Word around city hall is that she gave the position to Williams so that he could continue his health insurance for several months making him eligible for health insurance for life with the cost being born by the taxpayers. She was given the authority to make the police community relations specialist into a citywide public relations person and she was also given the authority to hire a governmental liaison. That liaison will represent the Mayor with the council and the public. She is apparently too busy to worry about dealing with or interacting with the council or the taxpayers.
The day after the election the Human Resource Director resigned. This past week the Public Works director tendered his resignation. Now the Mayor and the city council have offered to buy out the contract of the Chief of Police and as of press time we have been told he has accepted.
I’m sure you remember the heart felt press conference when York told us all how she wouldn’t let anyone go for at least a year. The first action she took as Mayor was to take over as Chief of Police and set up an office in the police department. She apparently was looking for cause to get rid of the Chief; she interviewed all the female staff trying to dig up any type of harassment. She failed to find anything other than a well-run police department, something we haven’t had in a long time. The Mayor needed to find a way to get rid of the Chief to fulfill her promise to the St. Charles Police Association to fire him.
Chief Swope, the City of St. Charles truly appreciated your efforts and leadership. You did something the Mayor hasn’t been able to do, provide leadership. York is handing the reigns of our public safety back to the police association; the same people who said that they were mentally stressed over comments made in this paper by former Councilman Bob Hoepfner. Makes you wonder what is being held over her head.
Got any inside information on what the Mayor is up to. Call us at 636 724-1955. We guarantee confidentiality. You do not even need to identify yourself. Just provide the information and we will check it out and report.
The day after the election the Human Resource Director resigned. This past week the Public Works director tendered his resignation. Now the Mayor and the city council have offered to buy out the contract of the Chief of Police and as of press time we have been told he has accepted.
I’m sure you remember the heart felt press conference when York told us all how she wouldn’t let anyone go for at least a year. The first action she took as Mayor was to take over as Chief of Police and set up an office in the police department. She apparently was looking for cause to get rid of the Chief; she interviewed all the female staff trying to dig up any type of harassment. She failed to find anything other than a well-run police department, something we haven’t had in a long time. The Mayor needed to find a way to get rid of the Chief to fulfill her promise to the St. Charles Police Association to fire him.
Chief Swope, the City of St. Charles truly appreciated your efforts and leadership. You did something the Mayor hasn’t been able to do, provide leadership. York is handing the reigns of our public safety back to the police association; the same people who said that they were mentally stressed over comments made in this paper by former Councilman Bob Hoepfner. Makes you wonder what is being held over her head.
Got any inside information on what the Mayor is up to. Call us at 636 724-1955. We guarantee confidentiality. You do not even need to identify yourself. Just provide the information and we will check it out and report.
EDITORIAL
GUEST EDITORIAL
TRY MANAGING THAT!
By David Cox, Managing Editor
The South Missourian News, Thayer
Even though public officials attend workshops entitled “How to Manage the Media,” or more innocuously, “Media Relations,” the surest way for a public official to get on the wrong side of the press is to see the press as something to manage. As if it could be.
It’s called the “free press” for a reason. The press is sometimes too intrusive, occasionally irresponsible and always unpredictable. But while it sometimes abuses its freedom, the press remains a free nation’s best safeguard against tyranny.
That’s not true in other countries. In Russia the state does indeed manage the press; in fact, the state owns the press. Since President Vladimir Putin took control, the Kremlin has managed to drive the free press out of business and seized all the major media outlets.
The good news for Putin is he gets only good press. The bad news is the Russian people, who briefly tasted freedom in the 1990s, don’t believe Putin or the press he controls. They’re comfortable with that, strange as it sounds to our ears. Russians expect their leaders to lie to them and are amused that we naive Americans expect the truth from our leaders (there is a ray of hope;
Internet bloggers are an active force in Russia and, to a limited degree, expose the media’s most blatant whoppers, just as they do in the United States).
The First Amendment to the Constitution grants freedom of the press. Freedom of the press is, in reality, freedom of access for every American. When the independent, privately held press acts, it acts on behalf of the people. It may be a reporter who files a Freedom of Information complaint to gain access to an illegally closed meeting or to see illegally withheld public records, but every citizen has the same right of access as the press.
We do speak on behalf of the people when we demand access under the law. And when access is denied, we are compelled (not by law, but by principle) to expose the official who denied it.
A tip for public officials, especially those who have just taken office: The most effective formula for getting good press is to do good work.
We can hear the groans from veteran politicians who read this and are ready to retort with a story about how the press “done me wrong.” We would be dishonest to deny that many in this profession sully their credibility by unfairly attacking public officials. But for every innocent elected official (no, that’s really not an oxymoron) harmed by an overly aggressive press, a dozen politicians get away with abusing the public trust because of a too-timid press.
The Missouri Sunshine Law is among the strongest sunshine laws in the country. This has helped not only the press but every citizen gain access to meetings and records. Now it’s a new year and a new crop of officials has been sworn in.
We in the press are always uneasy when we see all the new faces, knowing from experience that most of them don’t know what the Freedom of Information Act requires. So, Mr. or Ms. Public Servant, here it is, in a nutshell: You are a public servant, and therefore whatever you say and whatever you do when it comes to the public’s business must be done in public.
There are a few specific, narrowly defined exceptions, but whenever there is a question over whether or not something is public, state law falls on the side of openness. We urge you to take time to familiarize yourself with state law governing freedom of information so you know exactly what is demanded. And if you, for whatever reason, try to conceal public information or conduct
public business in private, we will assume the worst — that whatever you’re up to does not serve the public good. You can count on us and our reckless colleagues to hound you — publicly — until you obey the law.
Try managing that.
TRY MANAGING THAT!
By David Cox, Managing Editor
The South Missourian News, Thayer
Even though public officials attend workshops entitled “How to Manage the Media,” or more innocuously, “Media Relations,” the surest way for a public official to get on the wrong side of the press is to see the press as something to manage. As if it could be.
It’s called the “free press” for a reason. The press is sometimes too intrusive, occasionally irresponsible and always unpredictable. But while it sometimes abuses its freedom, the press remains a free nation’s best safeguard against tyranny.
That’s not true in other countries. In Russia the state does indeed manage the press; in fact, the state owns the press. Since President Vladimir Putin took control, the Kremlin has managed to drive the free press out of business and seized all the major media outlets.
The good news for Putin is he gets only good press. The bad news is the Russian people, who briefly tasted freedom in the 1990s, don’t believe Putin or the press he controls. They’re comfortable with that, strange as it sounds to our ears. Russians expect their leaders to lie to them and are amused that we naive Americans expect the truth from our leaders (there is a ray of hope;
Internet bloggers are an active force in Russia and, to a limited degree, expose the media’s most blatant whoppers, just as they do in the United States).
The First Amendment to the Constitution grants freedom of the press. Freedom of the press is, in reality, freedom of access for every American. When the independent, privately held press acts, it acts on behalf of the people. It may be a reporter who files a Freedom of Information complaint to gain access to an illegally closed meeting or to see illegally withheld public records, but every citizen has the same right of access as the press.
We do speak on behalf of the people when we demand access under the law. And when access is denied, we are compelled (not by law, but by principle) to expose the official who denied it.
A tip for public officials, especially those who have just taken office: The most effective formula for getting good press is to do good work.
We can hear the groans from veteran politicians who read this and are ready to retort with a story about how the press “done me wrong.” We would be dishonest to deny that many in this profession sully their credibility by unfairly attacking public officials. But for every innocent elected official (no, that’s really not an oxymoron) harmed by an overly aggressive press, a dozen politicians get away with abusing the public trust because of a too-timid press.
The Missouri Sunshine Law is among the strongest sunshine laws in the country. This has helped not only the press but every citizen gain access to meetings and records. Now it’s a new year and a new crop of officials has been sworn in.
We in the press are always uneasy when we see all the new faces, knowing from experience that most of them don’t know what the Freedom of Information Act requires. So, Mr. or Ms. Public Servant, here it is, in a nutshell: You are a public servant, and therefore whatever you say and whatever you do when it comes to the public’s business must be done in public.
There are a few specific, narrowly defined exceptions, but whenever there is a question over whether or not something is public, state law falls on the side of openness. We urge you to take time to familiarize yourself with state law governing freedom of information so you know exactly what is demanded. And if you, for whatever reason, try to conceal public information or conduct
public business in private, we will assume the worst — that whatever you’re up to does not serve the public good. You can count on us and our reckless colleagues to hound you — publicly — until you obey the law.
Try managing that.
Lawsuit For New Ward 9 Election Goes to Franklin County Judge - Stivison’s Attorney May Have a Conflict Of Interest
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
A lawsuit calling for a new election or a recount of the election results in the Ward 9 City Council race has been assigned to Franklin County Associate Circuit Judge Stanley Williams.
Incumbent Councilman Joe Koester was defeated by challenger Ron Stivison in the April 3rd election by six votes. It was then discovered that voters from Ward 10 had been given Ward 9 ballots.
Upon discovering the error, St. Charles County Director of Elections Rich Chrismer filed a petition in St. Charles County Court asking for a new election to be held. Later that evening he changed his mind and amended his petition to call only for a recount, not a recall. Sources at the County Government Center told us Chrismer had received a great amount of pressure to drop his request for a new election from local politicians and developers. Later that evening Chrismer withdrew his new election request and asked only for a recount.
The assignment of Judge Williams was made by the Missouri Supreme Court after four St. Charles County Judges recused themselves from hearing the case. A request was then made to the Supreme Court for an assignment of the case. They assigned it to Associate Circuit Judge T. Bennett Burkemper of Lincoln County. A lawyer representing Stivison, Dan Barklage (who is also the elected municipal judge for St. Charles) filed a motion disqualifying the Lincoln County Judge. Each party is entitled to one disqualification of a judge.
A date for the hearing has not yet been set by Judge Williams.
Area lawyers have told the First Capitol News they believe a conflict of interest exists with Barklage representing Stivison. They pointed out that it is in violation of the separation of powers. The Judiciary should not be involved in representing the legislative branch of government. Barklage as St. Charles Municipal Judge is part of the judiciary and he is representing Stivison a member of the legislative branch of government against Joe Koester who was a member of the legislative branch and may well be once again depending upon the outcome of the lawsuit.
The Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 2 states. ‘A Judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in his official activities. Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct by judges. A judge must void all impropriety and appearance of impropriety in his official activities.’ Our sources tell us that even though Barklage is acting in his capacity as a lawyer they believe it is a conflict of interest for him to represent a member of the legislative branch of government in which he serves as an elected judge.
Joe Koester was a member of the St. Charles City Council the council cut the budget for the Municipal Court headed by Judge Dan Barklage because of what they believed was an excessive amount of overtime and what they considered a failure by Judge Dan Barklage to properly administer his staff.
Barklage then filed suit against the city council to have his court budget reinstated.
Our sources also pointed out Canon 1 of the Missouri Bar and Judiciary rules that says, “A judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the Judiciary. An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. A judge should participate in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing, and should himself observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved.The provisions of this Code should be construed and applied to further that objective.”
Our sources believe that if a complaint was brought before the bar association Barklage may be found to have a conflict of interest by involving himself in this lawsuit.
An earlier charge of conflict of interest was leveled against Barklage several years ago by then Councilman Bob Hoepfner, Ward 10 who believed there was a conflict when Barklage was serving as the elected Municipal Judge for the City of St. Charles while also serving as an elected member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Charles Community College. Hoepfner thought Barklage should resign one of the positions.
See our June 11, 2005 edition at ...
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
A lawsuit calling for a new election or a recount of the election results in the Ward 9 City Council race has been assigned to Franklin County Associate Circuit Judge Stanley Williams.
Incumbent Councilman Joe Koester was defeated by challenger Ron Stivison in the April 3rd election by six votes. It was then discovered that voters from Ward 10 had been given Ward 9 ballots.
Upon discovering the error, St. Charles County Director of Elections Rich Chrismer filed a petition in St. Charles County Court asking for a new election to be held. Later that evening he changed his mind and amended his petition to call only for a recount, not a recall. Sources at the County Government Center told us Chrismer had received a great amount of pressure to drop his request for a new election from local politicians and developers. Later that evening Chrismer withdrew his new election request and asked only for a recount.
The assignment of Judge Williams was made by the Missouri Supreme Court after four St. Charles County Judges recused themselves from hearing the case. A request was then made to the Supreme Court for an assignment of the case. They assigned it to Associate Circuit Judge T. Bennett Burkemper of Lincoln County. A lawyer representing Stivison, Dan Barklage (who is also the elected municipal judge for St. Charles) filed a motion disqualifying the Lincoln County Judge. Each party is entitled to one disqualification of a judge.
A date for the hearing has not yet been set by Judge Williams.
Area lawyers have told the First Capitol News they believe a conflict of interest exists with Barklage representing Stivison. They pointed out that it is in violation of the separation of powers. The Judiciary should not be involved in representing the legislative branch of government. Barklage as St. Charles Municipal Judge is part of the judiciary and he is representing Stivison a member of the legislative branch of government against Joe Koester who was a member of the legislative branch and may well be once again depending upon the outcome of the lawsuit.
The Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 2 states. ‘A Judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in his official activities. Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct by judges. A judge must void all impropriety and appearance of impropriety in his official activities.’ Our sources tell us that even though Barklage is acting in his capacity as a lawyer they believe it is a conflict of interest for him to represent a member of the legislative branch of government in which he serves as an elected judge.
Joe Koester was a member of the St. Charles City Council the council cut the budget for the Municipal Court headed by Judge Dan Barklage because of what they believed was an excessive amount of overtime and what they considered a failure by Judge Dan Barklage to properly administer his staff.
Barklage then filed suit against the city council to have his court budget reinstated.
Our sources also pointed out Canon 1 of the Missouri Bar and Judiciary rules that says, “A judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the Judiciary. An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. A judge should participate in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing, and should himself observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved.The provisions of this Code should be construed and applied to further that objective.”
Our sources believe that if a complaint was brought before the bar association Barklage may be found to have a conflict of interest by involving himself in this lawsuit.
An earlier charge of conflict of interest was leveled against Barklage several years ago by then Councilman Bob Hoepfner, Ward 10 who believed there was a conflict when Barklage was serving as the elected Municipal Judge for the City of St. Charles while also serving as an elected member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Charles Community College. Hoepfner thought Barklage should resign one of the positions.
See our June 11, 2005 edition at ...
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com
UMB Bank Robbed In O’Fallon
Photo showing police vehicles at the UMB Bank in the Monticello Plaza Shopping Center in O'Fallon that was robbed Tuesday morning.
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS PHOTO BY TONY BROCKMEYER
Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the UMB Bank in the Monticello Plaza Shopping Center on O'Fallon Road at Highway K in O'Fallon, Missouri was held-up.
Police are looking for a white, male, 25 to 30 years of age, 6 foot, slender build wearing a long sleeve olive shirt with a white T shirt underneath.
The subject handed the teller a note and left with approximately $2,000 in 50s and 100s in a black bag. He left the center in a white late 90's Mustang with a black convertible top. He was last seen going East on O'Fallon Road.
This story was reported Tuesday on our daily web log
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS PHOTO BY TONY BROCKMEYER
Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the UMB Bank in the Monticello Plaza Shopping Center on O'Fallon Road at Highway K in O'Fallon, Missouri was held-up.
Police are looking for a white, male, 25 to 30 years of age, 6 foot, slender build wearing a long sleeve olive shirt with a white T shirt underneath.
The subject handed the teller a note and left with approximately $2,000 in 50s and 100s in a black bag. He left the center in a white late 90's Mustang with a black convertible top. He was last seen going East on O'Fallon Road.
This story was reported Tuesday on our daily web log
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com
The View From The Cheap Seats by Jerry Hafferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
The other day, I was asked how I liked the city election. My reply probably wasn’t what the questioner expected. I liked the election just fine. The people were given the chance to voice their choices, and they did. Should I be happy with the results? My answer would be “some yes and some no”, but you can’t always win.
Should we be happy with the way the campaigns went? That’s an emphatic “no”. While I had hoped the ‘For Sale’ sign would be removed from the mayor’s office, I wanted it to be removed because it was not for sale. Quite the opposite occurred. The sign came down because the purchase was completed. It was replaced with a “Sold” sign. One would have to wonder what benefits would be coming to Mayor York’s supporter that was willing to spend fifty eight thousand dollars to get control of this office and the majority on the City Council.
There also has to be some concern when wrong ballots were given to voters. Even worse was that some lifelong residents were turned away and told they couldn’t vote because they didn’t live in the city. This wasn’t an isolated individual. Several city residents received this treatment, even though they presented valid voter cards and an I.D. proving city residence. I don’t know how this happened, but I’m sure steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of the problem. In elections that were decided with fewer than ten votes (in some cases), these votes could have made a change in the outcome.
Then there are also the problems caused by such “groups” as Citizens for Responsible Government, which wasn’t really a citizen, and certainly not a group, but an individual infusing money into a campaign under this name to keep the real purchaser of the election at least partially hidden. When these distortions and lies were mailed, wouldn’t it have been more intellectually honest to say “Paid for by One Man Wanting to buy The Mayor and The Council”? Then again, expecting honesty from the faction that mailed this garbage is like expecting a blind man to see.
There is one particular falsehood that the mayor perpetrated on the voters that needs to be corrected. She claimed credit for the “successful” Convention Center. It must be the “new math”, but a venture that loses $200,000 annually is not a success in my book. They claim success because it loses less than they projected it would. Now that’s spin if I have ever heard it. She also failed to mention that the Convention Center is failing miserably in attracting tourism, one of the big selling points used to get voters to approve its construction.
If the old chide “Liar. Liar. Pants on fire “ is true, it is no wonder Patti wants the Fire Chief to be close by.
That’s the view from the cheap seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
The other day, I was asked how I liked the city election. My reply probably wasn’t what the questioner expected. I liked the election just fine. The people were given the chance to voice their choices, and they did. Should I be happy with the results? My answer would be “some yes and some no”, but you can’t always win.
Should we be happy with the way the campaigns went? That’s an emphatic “no”. While I had hoped the ‘For Sale’ sign would be removed from the mayor’s office, I wanted it to be removed because it was not for sale. Quite the opposite occurred. The sign came down because the purchase was completed. It was replaced with a “Sold” sign. One would have to wonder what benefits would be coming to Mayor York’s supporter that was willing to spend fifty eight thousand dollars to get control of this office and the majority on the City Council.
There also has to be some concern when wrong ballots were given to voters. Even worse was that some lifelong residents were turned away and told they couldn’t vote because they didn’t live in the city. This wasn’t an isolated individual. Several city residents received this treatment, even though they presented valid voter cards and an I.D. proving city residence. I don’t know how this happened, but I’m sure steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of the problem. In elections that were decided with fewer than ten votes (in some cases), these votes could have made a change in the outcome.
Then there are also the problems caused by such “groups” as Citizens for Responsible Government, which wasn’t really a citizen, and certainly not a group, but an individual infusing money into a campaign under this name to keep the real purchaser of the election at least partially hidden. When these distortions and lies were mailed, wouldn’t it have been more intellectually honest to say “Paid for by One Man Wanting to buy The Mayor and The Council”? Then again, expecting honesty from the faction that mailed this garbage is like expecting a blind man to see.
There is one particular falsehood that the mayor perpetrated on the voters that needs to be corrected. She claimed credit for the “successful” Convention Center. It must be the “new math”, but a venture that loses $200,000 annually is not a success in my book. They claim success because it loses less than they projected it would. Now that’s spin if I have ever heard it. She also failed to mention that the Convention Center is failing miserably in attracting tourism, one of the big selling points used to get voters to approve its construction.
If the old chide “Liar. Liar. Pants on fire “ is true, it is no wonder Patti wants the Fire Chief to be close by.
That’s the view from the cheap seats
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler
Getting The Best From Students
Starts With Teachers Who Care
Wednesday evening was the All-District Orchestra Concert at St. Charles High School. It was also a very moving surprise tribute to long-time orchestra teacher Mrs. Margaret Bush who is retiring at the end of this school year.
Approximately three-hundred parents were on hand for the musical performances of the combined grade school, Hardin, Jefferson, West and St. Charles High Orchestra members. From the plucked staccato strains of familiar tunes by the grade school virtuosos, to the higher brow sampling of classical renditions by the more finely tuned and confident upper classmen, it was a delightful and entertaining concert by some of the best and brightest of our St. Charles School District.
Just before the last number by the High School Orchestra, Hardin’s musical director Mrs. Veil announced that the students had something special to present to Mrs. Bush. At the appointed signal, forty-one orchestra members sprang from their seats and music stands to dash across the gym floor to each retrieve a single red rose.
They lined up in single file to present their tokens of appreciation to Mrs. Bush. Tied to each rose was a slip of paper on which they had written ways that Mrs. Bush had helped them to improve. Each rose was received with a warm hug from their teary eyed teacher, a heart-felt show of public affection not every teenage boy was wholly prepared for. The crowd was visibly moved as well by this demonstration by her students of their appreciation and gratitude for her years of service.
Mrs. Bush was ending her teaching career on a high note at several levels. The High School Orchestra this year received a one in regional competition and they walked away with a one at a music festival they attended in San Antonio, Texas. For those who may not know, a one is a high mark of distinction in such music competitions – the equivalent of making it to the State Basketball championships, but without the cheerleaders and the whole school getting out to watch you play.
Earlier this school year, with the help of a major fundraising efforts of many orchestra parents and members, Mrs. Bush brought famous instrumentalist Mark Wood to St. Charles High School to perform with the students. Mark Wood is one of the founding members and plays with the world famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
He has invented his own “electric” violins and brings a powerful sound, stage presence and showmanship to his upbeat performances. One of his missions in life is to make himself available to high school orchestra’s across the country for one day seminars, where he works all day with the local students and then puts on a first-class demonstration of all they’ve learned in the evening.
Mark Wood knew how to put fun into learning and the performance featured sounds and lights, comedy and choreography that are normally foreign to more staid or conservative orchestra performances. The end product was every bit as good as a top flight Las Vegas or New York revue, using high school students he had just one day to practice with.
Through Mrs. Bush’s efforts, the orchestra bought two of these electric violins and they were featured during the final number at the All-District Orchestra concert. They played Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles. Not exactly what you expect to hear out of a high school orchestra.
In case you’ve forgotten a few of the words over the years:
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from ?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong ?
Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near.
Look at him working. Darning his socks in the night when there’s nobody there
What does he care?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
The gym erupted in thunderous applause to the stirring tempo and gave the orchestra and Mrs. Bush a sustained standing ovation. No lonely or forgotten people, but a celebration of a life where children and music mattered.
ttt
Starts With Teachers Who Care
Wednesday evening was the All-District Orchestra Concert at St. Charles High School. It was also a very moving surprise tribute to long-time orchestra teacher Mrs. Margaret Bush who is retiring at the end of this school year.
Approximately three-hundred parents were on hand for the musical performances of the combined grade school, Hardin, Jefferson, West and St. Charles High Orchestra members. From the plucked staccato strains of familiar tunes by the grade school virtuosos, to the higher brow sampling of classical renditions by the more finely tuned and confident upper classmen, it was a delightful and entertaining concert by some of the best and brightest of our St. Charles School District.
Just before the last number by the High School Orchestra, Hardin’s musical director Mrs. Veil announced that the students had something special to present to Mrs. Bush. At the appointed signal, forty-one orchestra members sprang from their seats and music stands to dash across the gym floor to each retrieve a single red rose.
They lined up in single file to present their tokens of appreciation to Mrs. Bush. Tied to each rose was a slip of paper on which they had written ways that Mrs. Bush had helped them to improve. Each rose was received with a warm hug from their teary eyed teacher, a heart-felt show of public affection not every teenage boy was wholly prepared for. The crowd was visibly moved as well by this demonstration by her students of their appreciation and gratitude for her years of service.
Mrs. Bush was ending her teaching career on a high note at several levels. The High School Orchestra this year received a one in regional competition and they walked away with a one at a music festival they attended in San Antonio, Texas. For those who may not know, a one is a high mark of distinction in such music competitions – the equivalent of making it to the State Basketball championships, but without the cheerleaders and the whole school getting out to watch you play.
Earlier this school year, with the help of a major fundraising efforts of many orchestra parents and members, Mrs. Bush brought famous instrumentalist Mark Wood to St. Charles High School to perform with the students. Mark Wood is one of the founding members and plays with the world famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
He has invented his own “electric” violins and brings a powerful sound, stage presence and showmanship to his upbeat performances. One of his missions in life is to make himself available to high school orchestra’s across the country for one day seminars, where he works all day with the local students and then puts on a first-class demonstration of all they’ve learned in the evening.
Mark Wood knew how to put fun into learning and the performance featured sounds and lights, comedy and choreography that are normally foreign to more staid or conservative orchestra performances. The end product was every bit as good as a top flight Las Vegas or New York revue, using high school students he had just one day to practice with.
Through Mrs. Bush’s efforts, the orchestra bought two of these electric violins and they were featured during the final number at the All-District Orchestra concert. They played Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles. Not exactly what you expect to hear out of a high school orchestra.
In case you’ve forgotten a few of the words over the years:
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from ?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong ?
Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near.
Look at him working. Darning his socks in the night when there’s nobody there
What does he care?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
The gym erupted in thunderous applause to the stirring tempo and gave the orchestra and Mrs. Bush a sustained standing ovation. No lonely or forgotten people, but a celebration of a life where children and music mattered.
ttt
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor
As Congress sets terms of Iraq exit, the Taliban takeover again in yet another district in Afghanistan is one more reminder to us that we are not only embroiled in a disastrous civil war in Iraq created by our current administration because this administration was so hell bent on taking out Sadam Hussein that it would go to any lengths to do it including lying to the American people to sell it to us, but that in doing so we have lost much momentum and control over the real war where we actually had a chance of winning and helping the Afghan people. We could have even captured Osama bin Laden perhaps. But then that was never what this war was about, was it? As we near the half trillion dollar mark on war spending in Iraq, our men and women are dying, their men, women and children are dying, the administration keeps telling us month after month and year after year how much things are improving and that we are winning this bloodbath and how we need to continue it on and on until God knows when while the country that really needed our help is also being lost. Two entire countries being destroyed by war, no affordable healthcare in our own country, tax cuts for the rich continue and war profiteering at an all time high. Why aren’t all Americans calling, writing and demanding that this administration stop this madness. Diplomacy! Where have all the diplomats gone?
Sandra Vago
Dear First Capitol News,
JOURNAL SHOWS POOR TASTE
I have always found it distasteful that when reporting the closures of Saint Charles’s elementary schools, the Journal feels it must include the fact “it was because the taxpayers did not pass the 50-cent tax increase.” Although I cannot argue with this sound bite, I believe it does an injustice to the taxpayers of our district and only serves to obscure those responsible.
To begin, the Saint Charles School Board did not demand just a 50-cent tax increase ($4 million/year), but also required the passage of the Tax levy transfer as well ($2.5 million/year). The School Board claimed they needed 6.5 million dollars/year to keep our schools open, even though their own “Option Plan #4” showed that closing down Benton and Blackhurst and reconfiguring the middle school only saved the district $1.59 million/year. When taxpayers tried to clarify this discrepancy the Board suddenly began claiming that it cost $2 million/year to keep each elementary school open (their first cost vs. savings misrepresentation).
Although the taxpayers provided the 2.5 million dollar/year tax levy transfer concession, the Saint Charles School Board has refused to provide anything in return. Instead they implemented every “Option” to cut expenses and even came up with more “Options” like kicking out the non-resident teacher’s children. The Saint Charles School Board demonstrated that even though the taxpayers’ survey told them we didn’t want them to shut down our schools and even though the taxpayers voted to provide extra funding for our children, this board took our money and is completely unwilling to provide anything in return. They claim they are doing this for the taxpayers when the taxpayers clearly told them otherwise.
It is, therefore, not the taxpayers that caused this tragedy, but instead a school board that has shown a complete unwillingness to listen. So, every time the Journal reports, “… because the taxpayers...” I want this community to realize we did do the right thing, and the real responsibility of this ill-conceived reorganization falls on the heads of those board members, and of course the Journal.
Jim DuMontelle
Dear Editor,
I think someone needs to look more closely into the Saint Charles school board and administration. At first it was said it would cost about $600,000 to move the administration office to Benton. Now it is my understanding that it is closer to 2 million and growing. For the fiber optics alone is about a million. Also, they have to put an elevator into Benton to make it handicap accessible. All of which they already have at their currant location. I thought the reorganization is to save money, not to spend it all so wastefully. Not only are they wasting money there, but they wish to put a road in by Monroe/ Jefferson schools on property that is owned by the city. I believe that to be $200,000 more? What disturbs me even more was to learn that Ms. Perrone on the school board works as business manager at the academy of Sacred Heart. Closing Benton and Blackhurst would help their enrollment I’m sure. I think a closer look is in order. Thanks!
Vicki DuMontelle
As Congress sets terms of Iraq exit, the Taliban takeover again in yet another district in Afghanistan is one more reminder to us that we are not only embroiled in a disastrous civil war in Iraq created by our current administration because this administration was so hell bent on taking out Sadam Hussein that it would go to any lengths to do it including lying to the American people to sell it to us, but that in doing so we have lost much momentum and control over the real war where we actually had a chance of winning and helping the Afghan people. We could have even captured Osama bin Laden perhaps. But then that was never what this war was about, was it? As we near the half trillion dollar mark on war spending in Iraq, our men and women are dying, their men, women and children are dying, the administration keeps telling us month after month and year after year how much things are improving and that we are winning this bloodbath and how we need to continue it on and on until God knows when while the country that really needed our help is also being lost. Two entire countries being destroyed by war, no affordable healthcare in our own country, tax cuts for the rich continue and war profiteering at an all time high. Why aren’t all Americans calling, writing and demanding that this administration stop this madness. Diplomacy! Where have all the diplomats gone?
Sandra Vago
Dear First Capitol News,
JOURNAL SHOWS POOR TASTE
I have always found it distasteful that when reporting the closures of Saint Charles’s elementary schools, the Journal feels it must include the fact “it was because the taxpayers did not pass the 50-cent tax increase.” Although I cannot argue with this sound bite, I believe it does an injustice to the taxpayers of our district and only serves to obscure those responsible.
To begin, the Saint Charles School Board did not demand just a 50-cent tax increase ($4 million/year), but also required the passage of the Tax levy transfer as well ($2.5 million/year). The School Board claimed they needed 6.5 million dollars/year to keep our schools open, even though their own “Option Plan #4” showed that closing down Benton and Blackhurst and reconfiguring the middle school only saved the district $1.59 million/year. When taxpayers tried to clarify this discrepancy the Board suddenly began claiming that it cost $2 million/year to keep each elementary school open (their first cost vs. savings misrepresentation).
Although the taxpayers provided the 2.5 million dollar/year tax levy transfer concession, the Saint Charles School Board has refused to provide anything in return. Instead they implemented every “Option” to cut expenses and even came up with more “Options” like kicking out the non-resident teacher’s children. The Saint Charles School Board demonstrated that even though the taxpayers’ survey told them we didn’t want them to shut down our schools and even though the taxpayers voted to provide extra funding for our children, this board took our money and is completely unwilling to provide anything in return. They claim they are doing this for the taxpayers when the taxpayers clearly told them otherwise.
It is, therefore, not the taxpayers that caused this tragedy, but instead a school board that has shown a complete unwillingness to listen. So, every time the Journal reports, “… because the taxpayers...” I want this community to realize we did do the right thing, and the real responsibility of this ill-conceived reorganization falls on the heads of those board members, and of course the Journal.
Jim DuMontelle
Dear Editor,
I think someone needs to look more closely into the Saint Charles school board and administration. At first it was said it would cost about $600,000 to move the administration office to Benton. Now it is my understanding that it is closer to 2 million and growing. For the fiber optics alone is about a million. Also, they have to put an elevator into Benton to make it handicap accessible. All of which they already have at their currant location. I thought the reorganization is to save money, not to spend it all so wastefully. Not only are they wasting money there, but they wish to put a road in by Monroe/ Jefferson schools on property that is owned by the city. I believe that to be $200,000 more? What disturbs me even more was to learn that Ms. Perrone on the school board works as business manager at the academy of Sacred Heart. Closing Benton and Blackhurst would help their enrollment I’m sure. I think a closer look is in order. Thanks!
Vicki DuMontelle
Tom Wapelhorst Small Business Person of the Year
Tom Wapelhorst
Named 2007
Small Business Person
of the Year
Tom Wapelhorst has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year award by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. Tom is the owner of Walters’ Jewelry, Inc., located at 230 North Main Street in historic St. Charles.
In earlier days, Walters’ Jewelry carried items such as gifts, crystal, china, silver, clocks and costume jewelry along with fine diamonds and gold jewelry. The store has evolved into a fine jewelry store, narrowing the focus of its business to high quality diamonds, gold and colored stones.
The jewelry business is a very competitive marketplace. More and more people are making their purchasing decisions based on the convenience of catalog and online shopping, TV advertisements and the variety of businesses located in shopping malls.
Walters’ Jewelry has prospered by providing their clientele with honesty, integrity and personal service to meet their needs.
Tom Wapelhorst is also an active participant in the St. Charles community, volunteering his time with the Parish Council of St. Peter Church and the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tom and Walters’ Jewelry have also been a member of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce since 1998.
Tom will be recognized at the May General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at The Columns Banquet and Conference Center located at 711 Veterans Memorial Parkway in St. Charles.
Reservations are requested as the Chamber expects a large turnout. Lunch is $20. For more information or to make reservations, please contact the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce at 636-946-0633 or register on the Chamber’s online calendar at www.stcharleschamber.org.
Named 2007
Small Business Person
of the Year
Tom Wapelhorst has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year award by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. Tom is the owner of Walters’ Jewelry, Inc., located at 230 North Main Street in historic St. Charles.
In earlier days, Walters’ Jewelry carried items such as gifts, crystal, china, silver, clocks and costume jewelry along with fine diamonds and gold jewelry. The store has evolved into a fine jewelry store, narrowing the focus of its business to high quality diamonds, gold and colored stones.
The jewelry business is a very competitive marketplace. More and more people are making their purchasing decisions based on the convenience of catalog and online shopping, TV advertisements and the variety of businesses located in shopping malls.
Walters’ Jewelry has prospered by providing their clientele with honesty, integrity and personal service to meet their needs.
Tom Wapelhorst is also an active participant in the St. Charles community, volunteering his time with the Parish Council of St. Peter Church and the Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tom and Walters’ Jewelry have also been a member of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce since 1998.
Tom will be recognized at the May General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at The Columns Banquet and Conference Center located at 711 Veterans Memorial Parkway in St. Charles.
Reservations are requested as the Chamber expects a large turnout. Lunch is $20. For more information or to make reservations, please contact the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce at 636-946-0633 or register on the Chamber’s online calendar at www.stcharleschamber.org
Director Of Public Works Resigns
Director Of Public Works Resigns
Maesh Sharma, the St. Charles Director of Public Works will be leaving that position on June 15. Sharma is the third director level employee to leave since the Mayor was reelected. Celeste Armstrong, the Director of Human resources, resigned and Brent Schultz, the assistant city administrator and 27 year city employee, was fired by the Mayor.
A bill to allow the Mayor to have a public relations aide and another aide to act as a liaison between her and the city council will be voted on at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. The bill would also allow the Mayor to appoint interim department directors and select a salary for them from between $40,000 to $120,000 all without approval from the council. Sources at city hall told the First Capitol News that the bill, if approved, would give the Mayor the authority to appoint interim directors for any department for a indefinite time at any salary she decides up to $120,000 and the council would have no say.
Director positions had been held open for some time during her last term because the council would not accept some of her appointments.
She has appointed former Councilman Richard Baum to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Baum lost in his last bid for re-election and was also defeated when he ran for a county council seat.
Lynn Porterfield, former city attorney and city administrator has been appointed to the park board. An attempt by the mayor to appoint Porterfield to the park board during her previous term was unsuccessful when that city council refused to approve his appointment.
This story was reported on our web log on Saturday, April 28th.
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com
Maesh Sharma, the St. Charles Director of Public Works will be leaving that position on June 15. Sharma is the third director level employee to leave since the Mayor was reelected. Celeste Armstrong, the Director of Human resources, resigned and Brent Schultz, the assistant city administrator and 27 year city employee, was fired by the Mayor.
A bill to allow the Mayor to have a public relations aide and another aide to act as a liaison between her and the city council will be voted on at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. The bill would also allow the Mayor to appoint interim department directors and select a salary for them from between $40,000 to $120,000 all without approval from the council. Sources at city hall told the First Capitol News that the bill, if approved, would give the Mayor the authority to appoint interim directors for any department for a indefinite time at any salary she decides up to $120,000 and the council would have no say.
Director positions had been held open for some time during her last term because the council would not accept some of her appointments.
She has appointed former Councilman Richard Baum to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Baum lost in his last bid for re-election and was also defeated when he ran for a county council seat.
Lynn Porterfield, former city attorney and city administrator has been appointed to the park board. An attempt by the mayor to appoint Porterfield to the park board during her previous term was unsuccessful when that city council refused to approve his appointment.
This story was reported on our web log on Saturday, April 28th.
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com
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