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You can read the main stories of the February 9 - 22, 2008 issue of the First Capitol News by scrolling down or if you want the entire edition including all the stories and ads please go to
firstcapitolnews.com
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Front Page First Capitol News February 9 - 22, 2008
(Click on image to enlarge)
You can read the main stories of the February 9 - 22, 2008 issue of the First Capitol News by scrolling down or if you want the entire edition including all the stories and ads please go to
firstcapitolnews.com
Bass Pro Must Have Trailer-Pods Removed From Lot By March 7
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
More than 80 pods (trailers sitting on the ground without wheels) must be removed by Bass Pro from their parking lot in the Mark Twain Mall by March 7, 2008.
A public hearing was held at the city council meeting Tuesday evening on a request by Bass Pro for a conditional use permit to put up a 7200 square foot temporary tent. They were requesting that they be allowed to have the tent from February 22 to March 17. It will be used in conjunction with their Spring Fishing Classic.
One of the conditions for the conditional use permit requires the storage pods to be removed by March 7, 2008.
In the November 10, 2006 edition of the First Capitol News we reported that a local business owner was complaining that the city would not allow a 2 x 3 foot banner at his business but allowed other businesses special privileges. We reported in the story, along with photographs, that there were more than 80 pods being used by Bass Pro on the parking lot. We also reported that the pods have been there for over three years.
After the story ran we asked Bruce Evans, the Director of Community Development, if the pods were illegal and why was Bass Pro being allowed to have their parking lot covered by them. Mr. Evans told us he would look into it.
The General Manager of Bass Pro told the council Bass Pro had acquired an additional 10,300 square feet of storage space and the items in the pods were being moved into that space.
He said that racking was being installed and the pods would be gone by March 7.
He said he had already began contacting the companies telling them to remove their pods
More than 80 pods (trailers sitting on the ground without wheels) must be removed by Bass Pro from their parking lot in the Mark Twain Mall by March 7, 2008.
A public hearing was held at the city council meeting Tuesday evening on a request by Bass Pro for a conditional use permit to put up a 7200 square foot temporary tent. They were requesting that they be allowed to have the tent from February 22 to March 17. It will be used in conjunction with their Spring Fishing Classic.
One of the conditions for the conditional use permit requires the storage pods to be removed by March 7, 2008.
In the November 10, 2006 edition of the First Capitol News we reported that a local business owner was complaining that the city would not allow a 2 x 3 foot banner at his business but allowed other businesses special privileges. We reported in the story, along with photographs, that there were more than 80 pods being used by Bass Pro on the parking lot. We also reported that the pods have been there for over three years.
After the story ran we asked Bruce Evans, the Director of Community Development, if the pods were illegal and why was Bass Pro being allowed to have their parking lot covered by them. Mr. Evans told us he would look into it.
The General Manager of Bass Pro told the council Bass Pro had acquired an additional 10,300 square feet of storage space and the items in the pods were being moved into that space.
He said that racking was being installed and the pods would be gone by March 7.
He said he had already began contacting the companies telling them to remove their pods
Censorship & Intolerance Still Alive In St. Charles 20 Years Later?
Pictured above is a scene from the Heart of the Beholder movie with actors and actresses reinacting the protesters who were at Ken Tipton’s Video Library store in St. Charles 20 years ago.
School Superintendent Orders Movie Company To Cease Using School Name
By Tony Brockmeyer
St. Charles Schools Superintendent Randall Charles has ordered a Hollywood Production Company that includes several graduates of St. Charles High School to cease the use of the name of the school district in a promotion that was being held to raise money for the high school drama department.
Dr. Darlene Lieblich, Exective Producer of the controversial movie, HEART of the BEHOLDER, received a e-mail from Superintendent Charles ordering her to, “immediately cease the use of the name of the City of St. Charles School District or St. Charles High School and/or any other district school. He further wrote that the district has no interest in benefiting financially or in any other way from the promotion, sale or distribution of the film.
HEART of the BEHOLDER is based on the true story of a young St. Charles couple. (Ken Tipton and his wife Carol) chasing the American Dream by risking their live savings and opening the very first videocassette movie rental business in St. Charles about 20 years ago. They lost their multi-million dollar chain of video stores, their home, and almost their lives fighting Reverend Donald Wildmon’s National Federation for Decency.
(Since 1988 it has been called People For The American Way - American Family Association over the video rental of Martin Scorsese’s controversial movie, The Last Temptation of Christ.
According to Ms. Lieblich, a veteran network television exeutive and former Daytime Emmy Chairman, “People claim our movie trashes Christians and they haven’t even seen it. It is about censorship and the abuse of power - both religious and political corruption. That’s why our second Best Feature Film award came from an all Bible Belt Christian audience in Kentucky.”
The writer/director of HEART of the BEHOLDER Ken Tipton, along with cast and crew members Avis Taylor, Larry Ruebling, and Patrick Kieman are all former St. Charles High School sutdents who got their start in the entertainment industry on the stage at SCHS. When Joseph Hosea, the St. Charles High School’s Drama Department head let it be known that their school productions, equipment, and theater were in dire need of renovation, Executive Producer Darlene Lieblich offered a promotion to raise funding using HEART of the BEHOLDER.
A free showing of the movie scheduled to be held at St. Charles Wehrenberg 18 Cine where the Executive Producer and Director were going to be available for questions was cancelled after receiving the cease order from Superintendent Charles. Other aspects of the promotion were also cancelled.
Ms. Lieblich wrote the Superintendant the following e-mail but has not received a reply:
I am deeply saddened that you so firmly maintain your opposition to the benefit screening of our film HEART of the BEHOLDER. As you have not responded to any of my questions, I still have no idea what basis you are using for your decision or if you have even seen the film yourself before taking an action which will deprive the St. Charles High School Drama Department of a potentially large donation.
I have worked as a professional network television censor for over 30 years so I am keenly aware of the political forces that rise up when it comes to material that routinely sparks debate. The core element of our movie’s story is censorship and intolerance which is a topic that I am passionately against.
Every school in your district has at some time had fundraisers for many worthy causes and used many different incentives and promotional materials. Our free screening and promotional drive has been under discussion for several weeks so your order to cease confuses me.
Have you seen our movie?
What is it about our movie that you find objectionable?
Did you live in St. Charles when the story happened?
Do you want us to cancel our February 2 screening?
Would it help if 100% of the funds generated were donated to the school?
I appreciate the opportunity to resolve these issues as soon as possible. I suggest that we postpone the screening and fundraiser until Feb. 23 when I will be in town again. I would then send you copies of the DVD so you could have adequate time to make an informed decision.
Sincerely,
Dr. Darlene Lieblich
Executive Producer
The First Capitol News was able to contact Superintendent Charles at a conference he was attending. He said, “I didn’t cancel the promotion. I advised them they were not to use the name of the district or the high school and they went ahead and cancelled the promotion on their own.”
HEART of the BEHOLDER, written and directed by 1971 SCHS graduate Ken Tipton, is based on his family’s true story of how they stood up to religious censorship, intolerance, and political corruption. The movie is currently screening on the independent film festival circuit and has won more Best Feature Film awards than any independent movie ever.
HEART of the BEHOLDER stars many well known performers such as John Dye from “Touched by an Angel”, Michael Dorn who plays Worf on “Star Trek”, Greg Germann from “Ally McBeal”, Jason Wiles from “Third Watch”, 3-time Emmy winner Sarah Brown, Matt Letscher from”Mask of Zorro” with Antonio Banderas, Anne Ramsay from “Mad About You” and “The L Word”, Tony Todd from “Platoon” and “Candyman”, Arden Myrin from “Mad TV”, Oscar nominee Patty McCormack, and Priscilla Barnes from “Three’s Company”.
Darlene Lieblich can be contacted at:
producer@Beholder.com.
THE HEART of the BEHOLDER Website is:
www.Beholder.com
RAMBLING WITH The Editor Tony Brockmeyer
The Mayor’s right hand man, in this case woman, is under fire by the St. Charles City Council. Karen McDermott, Finance Director, is the target of tirades over the finances and procurement processes in the City. Allan Williams hired McDermott during his first stay in St. Charles in the early 90’s. She has been a bone of contention by city councils for years. McDermott is considered by many as an obstructionist in city hall. Her staff has lived in fear for years and none have been empowered to take any initiative. McDermott has ruled with an iron fist around the tax money unless it was for something the Mayor or Allan Williams determined worthy. The fact is the city council and City Administrator Michael Spurgeon hasn’t a chance to unseat her. She knows where all the dead bodies are buried. She knows the scheme to pay Glennon Jamboritz for his efforts in the recall of two previous council members. She knows the truth about the Mayor using the tax coffers as her own spending account.
In the past the council had a finance and audit committee that tried to reel in her power. Mayor York and her administration rebuked those efforts. The council uncovered the fact that McDermott hadn’t paid the cleaner’s bill for cleaning police uniforms. The committee identified the fact that McDermott hadn’t paid for the fuel for the police cars and one weekend some of our finest had to pay for gas using other methods because the city’s credit had been shut off. McDermott held up payment to the parks board, and held up the police getting winter coats. Keep in mind all these expenditures had been approved by the council.
McDermott had an employee that stole from the city and was never prosecuted and the city council would have never found out if someone on the inside hadn’t told them. Each year she has paraded into the city council chambers with the Mayor praising her for an accounting award she receives. The dirty little secret there is the award is bought and paid for by the taxpayers of St. Charles. McDermott doesn’t have a problem paying her membership or for her awards but when it comes to the needs of the employees she says NO!!!
At the meeting on Tuesday evening the council was working to get credit cards for employees to help streamline work. The previous council asked for the same thing, who got credit cards? The Mayor, City Administrator and the city clerk. If you really want to see why McDermott won’t be replaced, ask to see the Mayor’s Credit Card Bill. Even the state audit called Mayor York out on her spending $400 on a dinner at a downtown St. Louis restaurant. One of the guests at one of her high priced dinners was the previous Mayor of St. Peters, Shawn Brown, who is now confined to a federal detention facility. Maybe they were trading secrets and the room was too loud and Shawn misunderstood what she told him.
Each city council has complained yet nothing ever changes. The city budget is impossible for an average resident to read and understand. The money is hidden in line items that disappear from public view, yet, McDermott knows where the money is. I used to watch and listen to York and McDermott say they found the money. Yes, they should be able to find it, they hid it in the first place.
Good luck to council in their adventure to control the finance director. If they are able to do anything in the next two years, replacing her would be a job well done.
Residents visiting Ameristar Casino over the weekend told us of an apparent celebration being hosted by developer Michael Sellenschuetter. According to our sources, it was attended by Mayor York, Council President Kneemiller and Councilman Mike Weller, among others. Wonder what they were celebrating? Perhaps the $1 million offer to settle Sellenschuetters lawsuit against the city. In executive session Tuesday evening the vote was 6 for and 4 against making an offer of settlement.
It also appears there is movement afoot to replace Councilman Bob Kneemiller as Council President.
In the past the council had a finance and audit committee that tried to reel in her power. Mayor York and her administration rebuked those efforts. The council uncovered the fact that McDermott hadn’t paid the cleaner’s bill for cleaning police uniforms. The committee identified the fact that McDermott hadn’t paid for the fuel for the police cars and one weekend some of our finest had to pay for gas using other methods because the city’s credit had been shut off. McDermott held up payment to the parks board, and held up the police getting winter coats. Keep in mind all these expenditures had been approved by the council.
McDermott had an employee that stole from the city and was never prosecuted and the city council would have never found out if someone on the inside hadn’t told them. Each year she has paraded into the city council chambers with the Mayor praising her for an accounting award she receives. The dirty little secret there is the award is bought and paid for by the taxpayers of St. Charles. McDermott doesn’t have a problem paying her membership or for her awards but when it comes to the needs of the employees she says NO!!!
At the meeting on Tuesday evening the council was working to get credit cards for employees to help streamline work. The previous council asked for the same thing, who got credit cards? The Mayor, City Administrator and the city clerk. If you really want to see why McDermott won’t be replaced, ask to see the Mayor’s Credit Card Bill. Even the state audit called Mayor York out on her spending $400 on a dinner at a downtown St. Louis restaurant. One of the guests at one of her high priced dinners was the previous Mayor of St. Peters, Shawn Brown, who is now confined to a federal detention facility. Maybe they were trading secrets and the room was too loud and Shawn misunderstood what she told him.
Each city council has complained yet nothing ever changes. The city budget is impossible for an average resident to read and understand. The money is hidden in line items that disappear from public view, yet, McDermott knows where the money is. I used to watch and listen to York and McDermott say they found the money. Yes, they should be able to find it, they hid it in the first place.
Good luck to council in their adventure to control the finance director. If they are able to do anything in the next two years, replacing her would be a job well done.
Residents visiting Ameristar Casino over the weekend told us of an apparent celebration being hosted by developer Michael Sellenschuetter. According to our sources, it was attended by Mayor York, Council President Kneemiller and Councilman Mike Weller, among others. Wonder what they were celebrating? Perhaps the $1 million offer to settle Sellenschuetters lawsuit against the city. In executive session Tuesday evening the vote was 6 for and 4 against making an offer of settlement.
It also appears there is movement afoot to replace Councilman Bob Kneemiller as Council President.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters To The Editor
To the Editor,
In a letter to a local newspaper, Stephanie Bollinger complained that the criticism of her father, St. Charles school board president Dennis Hahn, was insulting.
She called her father “a true public servant.” Many, many people wish that were true. You can’t be considered a “public servant” if you close popular neighborhood schools and lie about the reasons.
Using the district’s own information, it’s crystal clear that financial difficulties are not, and never were, the true reason for closing Benton and Blackhurst schools. Plus, busing students is costing them more and more money – as predicted. Likewise, judging by figures on the state’s website, neither was low enrollment the true reason for closing these particular schools. What, then, was the board’s motivation? Why won’t it listen to the public?
Private interests would like to have our public school buildings. Parochial school officials are being wooed with visions of tuition vouchers.
Please consider and draw your own conclusions:
Most, perhaps all, school board members and St. Charles school foundation members (past and present) have strong ties to either Lindenwood, local parochial schools or their churches, or both. In other words, there are conflicts of interest.
All the schools chosen as candidates for closing are near Lindenwood, a privately owned university. The only schools that had low enrollment were on the western side of the district, but they were not candidates for closing.
Some of Lindenwood’s “campuses” at other sites (seen on their cable access, Channel 26) are older school buildings. Homeowners near St. Charles High School have already been approached about selling their homes to Lindenwood, which is as much in the real estate business as in the business of education.
School board president Dennis Hahn is a member of Veterans for Bush. Not a single Republican official stood up for keeping Benton open. They can’t –it’s against current Republican Party policy.
How so? I believe the Bush administration’s policy is to replace public schools with charter or private schools. That’s the true agenda of the No Child Left Behind Act, which puts every public school on instant probation. Forever.
Private and parochial schools and home-schoolers are not bound by No Child Left Behind test requirements. (Not yet, anyway.)
But for public schools to get federal funds, students must pass more and more difficult tests each year.
Finally -- and this is going on in St. Louis -- schools are closed, teachers fired, and students get vouchers (paid by taxes) to attend elsewhere. Anywhere that will take them, that is.
That’s a pretty odd “repair,” isn’t it?
Has anyone asked private school parents if they want their children to attend school with kids whose beliefs and backgrounds they don’t share?
The St. Charles school board and district administrators are working against their own students by:
Closing schools. It can take months to a year to acclimate to a new school; meanwhile, students’
grades suffer.
Busing certain children clear across town. Kids lose sleep having to get up much earlier and
grades suffer. Kids wait for buses at 6:30 a.m.! Also, buses are prime sites for bullying, which
makes the ride scary for many kids. More stress! And diesel fumes are unhealthy; other districts
have converted their buses, but not St. Charles.
Sending kids to overcrowded classrooms. Grades surely suffer. (Officials said, “Oops, we
miscalculated!” But parents didn’t – they warned officials.)
Getting rid of 18 - 22 (I’ve heard different numbers) experienced high school teachers, including
many of the best and brightest.
Hiring principals who’ve developed reputations for not being able to handle unruly kids, so there’s
chaos in the classroom and police using tasers at school.
Beginning the St. Charles High School day earlier and ending it later, and requiring teachers to
crack down on tardiness. Sleepy teens have a harder time in school.
Changing or cutting gifted programs so gifted kids lose out. (In “The Genius Problem,” Time
magazine Aug. 2007, John Cloud blames the No Child Left Behind Act.)
Cutting a popular high school program, Seminar, which helped kids study and get help from
teachers; now teachers are not as available as before.
Threatening, intimidating, and failing to support teachers; it’s hard to give 100% at work if there’s
a hostile environment.
Last spring and summer, others and I circulated petitions to keep Benton open. It was fun because people from all walks of life and political persuasions were happy to sign, including those with kids and grandkids in private schools. It was surely the most popular petition ever to hit the streets of St. Charles. When a school foundation member doubted that claim, I invited him to come with me and see for himself. He declined.
Let’s come full circle to fathers. One of the most touching comments I heard came from a dad addressing the St. Charles school superintendent during the January meeting at Benton.
“I moved here so I could walk to worship, and walk my children to school,” he said. He spoke for many in the room.
It’s possible that the board members of the school district, parochial schools, city officials and Lindenwood’s board members and overseers sincerely do believe they are doing the right thing in dismantling the school district. But by keeping their agenda secret from the public and even from people in their own institutions, they’ve shown that they are not public servants or public-minded. The evidence points to conflicts of interest.
The wisest recourse for the various boards is to allow Benton and Blackhurst to re-open.
They need to do right by local children, their families and our historic neighborhoods.
Otherwise, every one of them should step down.
Their “free” service is costing us dearly.
Peggy Whetzel
To The Editor,
You did a great job of bidding farewell to Mr. Dengler and Mr. Scott, the photo cover of Mr. Dengler was a nice touch.
I would like to respond to Mr. Dakes letter by saying that his allegations regarding our meeting are absolutely false. He neglected to mention that while he was picketing, which is his right, he was honking a hand held horn directly under my residence. At the time two of my front windows were open and I was watching a football game on television and the noise from his horn honking was interfering with my enjoyment of the game. All I said to him was
, “Hey, Please knock off the horn honking I’m trying to watch a game!”. I was looking out my front window at Mr. Dake and a young lady that he was holding hands with at the time and she screamed that I should go and smoke some more drugs. “What?” I said.
Mr. Dake yelled up at me that I should “shut up and go put on some donkey ears!”
“Just stop with the horn and move along!” I said.
“You move along!” Mr. Dake said.
I returned to my recliner to finish watching the game. Just as I sat down Mr. Dake bellowed
“See,” Mr. Dake said, obviously trying to impress the girl he was holding hands with,”A real man would come down here and say that to my face!”
I went down to the street and said, “Well, I’m going to ask you again please stop with horn! What’s with that girl yelling about drugs and what not?” I said.
“Don’t worry about her she’s with me!’ Drake said.
While I was talking with him I asked him what’s his problem Councilman Veit? He said that he was upset with the City because sidewalks in his neighborhood were not accessible for people with disabilities and this was wrong and needed to be addressed. I agreed, I also appologized for yelling at him to knock off the horn blowing. We shook hands and I bid him good day. He asked for a score of the game and I told him.
That is what happened.
I have eaten at The Vine several times and it was really good. I must say that they have the only decent cheese plate in town. Thank You for taking the time to read this.
Bryan Audrey
Editor First Capitol News
Sherborn Lane was closed at the end of Hanover subdivision by John Gieseke (former Councilman). The developers promised the homebuyers that the street would be closed to thru traffic.
Immediately after being elected Mike Klinghammer reopened the street. He must have had a political debt to pay. He also got the dept of public works to waste taxpayer’s money by painting white stripes on the sides of the street, installing street narrowing signs and reflectors on the street. This was supposed to calm traffic, a complete foolish and ineffective idea.
I emailed Mike Klinghammer, the Mayor and the dept of public works director on Jan 3 and asked how much all that work cost the taxpayers. No one answered. Evidently the mayor or her supporters don’t like to be asked about how much things cost the taxpayers. The markings on the street are a total waste. The mail carriers the UPS delivery men and and others ask what they are all about. Also I have had a police car parked in front of my house since last Friday. This is also an ineffective means of controlling speeders. There is very little traffic on the street and the police car could be more effectively used in patrolling high crime or high-speed areas. Do we have an oversupply of police cars that we can let one set vacant on a street for over six days and who knows how much longer.
I think you should investigate this situation and publish it in your paper. It is the only way citizen of St Charles will know how foolish our councilman and the administration are.
Thank you
Richard Perry
EDITOR’S NOTE
THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE SHOW THE TRAFFIC CALMING MR. PERRY WRITES ABOUT ALONG WITH THE POLICE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME.
Dear Editor,
Recently at a celebration on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, Mayor York was allowed to read excerpts from Dr. King’s speech delivered in Selma. Having her read his words is with out doubt a travesty to not just the memory of Dr. King but to all those who died during the confrontations that occurred in Alabama. It is a travesty to all who really understand what the celebration of Dr. King’s life is by proclaiming a national holiday in his honor.
York hasn’t the conscious or moral capacity to comprehend the meaning of the words she read. King’s words moved a nation to understand that we are all created equal and all are God’s children. Those who organized the celebration should have done some simple homework.
York is part of an establishment that hasn’t fully grasped the idea of equal rights for all. Look at her administration’s department heads, it reminds you of one from the south in the 60’s. Her support of the purchase of housing stock in Powell Terrace by Lindenwood took needed housing away from those whose only crime was to be poor. Can York read the lines and words, yes, can she fully comprehend the meaning, not a chance.
The topper of all this is the fact that York doesn’t fully recognize the holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. York closed City Hall but the city employees all have to work. Those who participated in the celebration most likely didn’t realize the hypocrisy of their civic leader. The facts are simple and true; York hasn’t the needed intellect to fully grasp the idea of one nation. Her only dream was one of self-promotion by excepting to speak during the ceremony. In the future if we are really looking to keep King’s dream alive wouldn’t it be appropriate to have leaders who understand what the dream is, and have the humility to understand their roll.
P Johnson
To The Editor,
You did a great job of bidding farewell to Mr. Dengler and Mr. Scott, the photo cover of Mr. Dengler was a nice touch.
I would like to respond to Mr. Dakes letter by saying that his allegations regarding our meeting are absolutely false. He neglected to mention that while he was picketing, which is his right, he was honking a hand held horn directly under my residence. At the time two of my front windows were open and I was watching a football game on television and the noise from his horn honking was interfering with my enjoyment of the game. All I said to him was
, “Hey, Please knock off the horn honking I’m trying to watch a game!”. I was looking out my front window at Mr. Dake and a young lady that he was holding hands with at the time and she screamed that I should go and smoke some more drugs. “What?” I said.
Mr. Dake yelled up at me that I should “shut up and go put on some donkey ears!”
“Just stop with the horn and move along!” I said.
“You move along!” Mr. Dake said.
I returned to my recliner to finish watching the game. Just as I sat down Mr. Dake bellowed
“See,” Mr. Dake said, obviously trying to impress the girl he was holding hands with,”A real man would come down here and say that to my face!”
I went down to the street and said, “Well, I’m going to ask you again please stop with horn! What’s with that girl yelling about drugs and what not?” I said.
“Don’t worry about her she’s with me!’ Drake said.
While I was talking with him I asked him what’s his problem Councilman Veit? He said that he was upset with the City because sidewalks in his neighborhood were not accessible for people with disabilities and this was wrong and needed to be addressed. I agreed, I also apologized for yelling at him to knock off the horn blowing. We shook hands and I bid him good day. He asked for a score of the game and I told him.
That is what happened.
I have eaten at The Vine several times and it was really good. I must say that they have the only decent cheese plate in town. Thank You for taking the time to read this.
Bryan Audrey
In a letter to a local newspaper, Stephanie Bollinger complained that the criticism of her father, St. Charles school board president Dennis Hahn, was insulting.
She called her father “a true public servant.” Many, many people wish that were true. You can’t be considered a “public servant” if you close popular neighborhood schools and lie about the reasons.
Using the district’s own information, it’s crystal clear that financial difficulties are not, and never were, the true reason for closing Benton and Blackhurst schools. Plus, busing students is costing them more and more money – as predicted. Likewise, judging by figures on the state’s website, neither was low enrollment the true reason for closing these particular schools. What, then, was the board’s motivation? Why won’t it listen to the public?
Private interests would like to have our public school buildings. Parochial school officials are being wooed with visions of tuition vouchers.
Please consider and draw your own conclusions:
Most, perhaps all, school board members and St. Charles school foundation members (past and present) have strong ties to either Lindenwood, local parochial schools or their churches, or both. In other words, there are conflicts of interest.
All the schools chosen as candidates for closing are near Lindenwood, a privately owned university. The only schools that had low enrollment were on the western side of the district, but they were not candidates for closing.
Some of Lindenwood’s “campuses” at other sites (seen on their cable access, Channel 26) are older school buildings. Homeowners near St. Charles High School have already been approached about selling their homes to Lindenwood, which is as much in the real estate business as in the business of education.
School board president Dennis Hahn is a member of Veterans for Bush. Not a single Republican official stood up for keeping Benton open. They can’t –it’s against current Republican Party policy.
How so? I believe the Bush administration’s policy is to replace public schools with charter or private schools. That’s the true agenda of the No Child Left Behind Act, which puts every public school on instant probation. Forever.
Private and parochial schools and home-schoolers are not bound by No Child Left Behind test requirements. (Not yet, anyway.)
But for public schools to get federal funds, students must pass more and more difficult tests each year.
Finally -- and this is going on in St. Louis -- schools are closed, teachers fired, and students get vouchers (paid by taxes) to attend elsewhere. Anywhere that will take them, that is.
That’s a pretty odd “repair,” isn’t it?
Has anyone asked private school parents if they want their children to attend school with kids whose beliefs and backgrounds they don’t share?
The St. Charles school board and district administrators are working against their own students by:
Closing schools. It can take months to a year to acclimate to a new school; meanwhile, students’
grades suffer.
Busing certain children clear across town. Kids lose sleep having to get up much earlier and
grades suffer. Kids wait for buses at 6:30 a.m.! Also, buses are prime sites for bullying, which
makes the ride scary for many kids. More stress! And diesel fumes are unhealthy; other districts
have converted their buses, but not St. Charles.
Sending kids to overcrowded classrooms. Grades surely suffer. (Officials said, “Oops, we
miscalculated!” But parents didn’t – they warned officials.)
Getting rid of 18 - 22 (I’ve heard different numbers) experienced high school teachers, including
many of the best and brightest.
Hiring principals who’ve developed reputations for not being able to handle unruly kids, so there’s
chaos in the classroom and police using tasers at school.
Beginning the St. Charles High School day earlier and ending it later, and requiring teachers to
crack down on tardiness. Sleepy teens have a harder time in school.
Changing or cutting gifted programs so gifted kids lose out. (In “The Genius Problem,” Time
magazine Aug. 2007, John Cloud blames the No Child Left Behind Act.)
Cutting a popular high school program, Seminar, which helped kids study and get help from
teachers; now teachers are not as available as before.
Threatening, intimidating, and failing to support teachers; it’s hard to give 100% at work if there’s
a hostile environment.
Last spring and summer, others and I circulated petitions to keep Benton open. It was fun because people from all walks of life and political persuasions were happy to sign, including those with kids and grandkids in private schools. It was surely the most popular petition ever to hit the streets of St. Charles. When a school foundation member doubted that claim, I invited him to come with me and see for himself. He declined.
Let’s come full circle to fathers. One of the most touching comments I heard came from a dad addressing the St. Charles school superintendent during the January meeting at Benton.
“I moved here so I could walk to worship, and walk my children to school,” he said. He spoke for many in the room.
It’s possible that the board members of the school district, parochial schools, city officials and Lindenwood’s board members and overseers sincerely do believe they are doing the right thing in dismantling the school district. But by keeping their agenda secret from the public and even from people in their own institutions, they’ve shown that they are not public servants or public-minded. The evidence points to conflicts of interest.
The wisest recourse for the various boards is to allow Benton and Blackhurst to re-open.
They need to do right by local children, their families and our historic neighborhoods.
Otherwise, every one of them should step down.
Their “free” service is costing us dearly.
Peggy Whetzel
To The Editor,
You did a great job of bidding farewell to Mr. Dengler and Mr. Scott, the photo cover of Mr. Dengler was a nice touch.
I would like to respond to Mr. Dakes letter by saying that his allegations regarding our meeting are absolutely false. He neglected to mention that while he was picketing, which is his right, he was honking a hand held horn directly under my residence. At the time two of my front windows were open and I was watching a football game on television and the noise from his horn honking was interfering with my enjoyment of the game. All I said to him was
, “Hey, Please knock off the horn honking I’m trying to watch a game!”. I was looking out my front window at Mr. Dake and a young lady that he was holding hands with at the time and she screamed that I should go and smoke some more drugs. “What?” I said.
Mr. Dake yelled up at me that I should “shut up and go put on some donkey ears!”
“Just stop with the horn and move along!” I said.
“You move along!” Mr. Dake said.
I returned to my recliner to finish watching the game. Just as I sat down Mr. Dake bellowed
“See,” Mr. Dake said, obviously trying to impress the girl he was holding hands with,”A real man would come down here and say that to my face!”
I went down to the street and said, “Well, I’m going to ask you again please stop with horn! What’s with that girl yelling about drugs and what not?” I said.
“Don’t worry about her she’s with me!’ Drake said.
While I was talking with him I asked him what’s his problem Councilman Veit? He said that he was upset with the City because sidewalks in his neighborhood were not accessible for people with disabilities and this was wrong and needed to be addressed. I agreed, I also appologized for yelling at him to knock off the horn blowing. We shook hands and I bid him good day. He asked for a score of the game and I told him.
That is what happened.
I have eaten at The Vine several times and it was really good. I must say that they have the only decent cheese plate in town. Thank You for taking the time to read this.
Bryan Audrey
Editor First Capitol News
Sherborn Lane was closed at the end of Hanover subdivision by John Gieseke (former Councilman). The developers promised the homebuyers that the street would be closed to thru traffic.
Immediately after being elected Mike Klinghammer reopened the street. He must have had a political debt to pay. He also got the dept of public works to waste taxpayer’s money by painting white stripes on the sides of the street, installing street narrowing signs and reflectors on the street. This was supposed to calm traffic, a complete foolish and ineffective idea.
I emailed Mike Klinghammer, the Mayor and the dept of public works director on Jan 3 and asked how much all that work cost the taxpayers. No one answered. Evidently the mayor or her supporters don’t like to be asked about how much things cost the taxpayers. The markings on the street are a total waste. The mail carriers the UPS delivery men and and others ask what they are all about. Also I have had a police car parked in front of my house since last Friday. This is also an ineffective means of controlling speeders. There is very little traffic on the street and the police car could be more effectively used in patrolling high crime or high-speed areas. Do we have an oversupply of police cars that we can let one set vacant on a street for over six days and who knows how much longer.
I think you should investigate this situation and publish it in your paper. It is the only way citizen of St Charles will know how foolish our councilman and the administration are.
Thank you
Richard Perry
EDITOR’S NOTE
THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE SHOW THE TRAFFIC CALMING MR. PERRY WRITES ABOUT ALONG WITH THE POLICE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME.
Dear Editor,
Recently at a celebration on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, Mayor York was allowed to read excerpts from Dr. King’s speech delivered in Selma. Having her read his words is with out doubt a travesty to not just the memory of Dr. King but to all those who died during the confrontations that occurred in Alabama. It is a travesty to all who really understand what the celebration of Dr. King’s life is by proclaiming a national holiday in his honor.
York hasn’t the conscious or moral capacity to comprehend the meaning of the words she read. King’s words moved a nation to understand that we are all created equal and all are God’s children. Those who organized the celebration should have done some simple homework.
York is part of an establishment that hasn’t fully grasped the idea of equal rights for all. Look at her administration’s department heads, it reminds you of one from the south in the 60’s. Her support of the purchase of housing stock in Powell Terrace by Lindenwood took needed housing away from those whose only crime was to be poor. Can York read the lines and words, yes, can she fully comprehend the meaning, not a chance.
The topper of all this is the fact that York doesn’t fully recognize the holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. York closed City Hall but the city employees all have to work. Those who participated in the celebration most likely didn’t realize the hypocrisy of their civic leader. The facts are simple and true; York hasn’t the needed intellect to fully grasp the idea of one nation. Her only dream was one of self-promotion by excepting to speak during the ceremony. In the future if we are really looking to keep King’s dream alive wouldn’t it be appropriate to have leaders who understand what the dream is, and have the humility to understand their roll.
P Johnson
To The Editor,
You did a great job of bidding farewell to Mr. Dengler and Mr. Scott, the photo cover of Mr. Dengler was a nice touch.
I would like to respond to Mr. Dakes letter by saying that his allegations regarding our meeting are absolutely false. He neglected to mention that while he was picketing, which is his right, he was honking a hand held horn directly under my residence. At the time two of my front windows were open and I was watching a football game on television and the noise from his horn honking was interfering with my enjoyment of the game. All I said to him was
, “Hey, Please knock off the horn honking I’m trying to watch a game!”. I was looking out my front window at Mr. Dake and a young lady that he was holding hands with at the time and she screamed that I should go and smoke some more drugs. “What?” I said.
Mr. Dake yelled up at me that I should “shut up and go put on some donkey ears!”
“Just stop with the horn and move along!” I said.
“You move along!” Mr. Dake said.
I returned to my recliner to finish watching the game. Just as I sat down Mr. Dake bellowed
“See,” Mr. Dake said, obviously trying to impress the girl he was holding hands with,”A real man would come down here and say that to my face!”
I went down to the street and said, “Well, I’m going to ask you again please stop with horn! What’s with that girl yelling about drugs and what not?” I said.
“Don’t worry about her she’s with me!’ Drake said.
While I was talking with him I asked him what’s his problem Councilman Veit? He said that he was upset with the City because sidewalks in his neighborhood were not accessible for people with disabilities and this was wrong and needed to be addressed. I agreed, I also apologized for yelling at him to knock off the horn blowing. We shook hands and I bid him good day. He asked for a score of the game and I told him.
That is what happened.
I have eaten at The Vine several times and it was really good. I must say that they have the only decent cheese plate in town. Thank You for taking the time to read this.
Bryan Audrey
THE CITY DESK - Rory Riddler
Is This Really How
The World’s
Greatest
Democracy Picks A
President?
Super Tuesday is all over but the shouting. The Republican field for President has narrowed dramatically, all the way down to almost one, with John McCain the presumptive front-runner. Mike Hukabee takes the silver medal by holding tenaciously on to the Bible Belt. And Mitt Romney discovers that money can’t buy him love.
The Democrats, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, seem stuck between two lovers. Will Clinton or Obama get the red roses or end up with a “we’re just friends” card?
I didn’t even get to vote for my favorite candidate for President, John Edwards. He dropped out the week before. He would, I believe, have done well in Missouri. Both my wife and I had arrived at the same choice independently of each other to support Edwards.
While voting at Memorial Hall Tuesday, I had the chance to visit with Republican activist Roland Wetzel. He was bemoaning that he had to settle for his second choice also as Fred Thompson had likewise bowed out before getting to Missouri.
Likewise Giuliani backers had to be upset their main man went down in Florida the week before. He had the local endorsements of Mayor York and the Dempsey machine. But their dream candidate just wasn’t meant to be, along with whatever Presidential appointments that might have brought.
Which only goes to prove that the best laid plans of mice, men and political pundits often go awry. As the host of Project Runway is fond of saying, “One day your in and the next day (dramatic pause) you’re out.” What is true for the world of fashion is true for the world of Presidential politics. Here perception is reality and the fashionable candidate to be seen wearing their political gear, can fade as quickly on an icy Tuesday in February as last year’s Spring Collection.
So wither Fred Thompson, wither Rudy Giuliani, wither John Edwards, wither the dozen or so other smart and talented men who gave it their best shot. Like a reality survival show, in the end, there can be only one.
It seems only yesterday that a handmade sign was hung from the Fairgrounds overpass, asking the question, “Who is Ron Paul?” The signs got bigger and better, and even billboards sprang up. But he hovered around 3% and nobody seemed to much care who he was after all. But those 3% of the voters we saw waving signs were darn serious about their candidate.
So too are the Mike Huckabee supporters. I know that I’m not suppose to like the guy because of his politics, but he’s just so darn irrepressible. He tells jokes about himself. He’s the kind of person you could go bowling with. Romney, Hillary, Obama and McCain would probably throw a lot of gutter balls.
Huckabee had a good evening Tuesday, even if his victories were all in the south and the fact that he nearly tied with McCain in Missouri. He’s sitting on some rather valuable real estate today.
Romney just couldn’t catch fire. I blame the dumb red foam catcher’s “mitts”. Somebody said, hey you nickname is mitt …let’s associate you with an attention getting cheap foam product more appropriate for baseball venues.
If Mike Huckabee had employed the same marketing geniuses, they might have had him waving Huckelberry Hound puppets at rallies.
Romney was also a bit blatant about buying the election. That might impress the Real Housewive’s of Orange County, but it doesn’t play in the Heartland very well. Meanwhile, Mike Huckabee just carried around his own suitcase and didn’t need to spend much in comparison. Not that I’m completely fooled by the “aw shucks” feel of his campaign. They had a very nice commercial touting his plan to abolish the IRS. Now that’s an issue to unite people.
Hillary overcame the Kennedy endorsements of Obama, which proved to have little value. People really don’t care who else likes you. They have to like you themselves. But Obama kicked her donkey in caucus states, where enthusiasm and volunteers carried the day big for him. He also showed surprising strength among white voters in the more cosmopolitan Georgia of the New South.
I knew Obama would do well. You could hear it in the streets. I found myself eating a few days ago across from where a big Clinton rally was. All of her workers were coming into the restaurant sporting her sweatshirts, stickers and signs. But they all looked like a caricature of the Democratic Party.
Tuesday evening I was eating in the St. Louis Bread company, just down the road from where Clinton had been two days before. All of the young people behind the counter and in the kitchen were excitedly asking each other, did you vote? Did you vote for Obama today?
In the end, Obama won a razor thin victory over Hillary in Missouri, and had a good night overall. He secured the victory despite Hillary running three ads to his one, sending out two mailers to his none and (wink) making a personal call to leave a message on my home answering machine. How does she find the time?
Obama has the next generation of voters excited about politics and what happens in Washington again. They are excited about the power of his words. They believe that change is possible and that political activism means something again…like it did to my generation in the early 70’s. That’s the most hopeful news I’ve heard in a very long time.
I also like a lot of what John McCain stands for, but as I kidded a Republican friend of mine, would it really be fair to have two Democrats on the ballot in November. They didn’t find that amusing. Neither do most of the conservative talk show hosts.
So did Super Tuesday live up to the hype? Is this any way to pick a President? Probably not, but it somehow works for us. It humbles the proud, rewards the meek, empowers the student, motivates a congregation, keeps us entertained for months and is a wild ride of thunder and fury. Throw a football among the field of candidates and let’s just call it the Presidential Super Bowl.
The World’s
Greatest
Democracy Picks A
President?
Super Tuesday is all over but the shouting. The Republican field for President has narrowed dramatically, all the way down to almost one, with John McCain the presumptive front-runner. Mike Hukabee takes the silver medal by holding tenaciously on to the Bible Belt. And Mitt Romney discovers that money can’t buy him love.
The Democrats, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, seem stuck between two lovers. Will Clinton or Obama get the red roses or end up with a “we’re just friends” card?
I didn’t even get to vote for my favorite candidate for President, John Edwards. He dropped out the week before. He would, I believe, have done well in Missouri. Both my wife and I had arrived at the same choice independently of each other to support Edwards.
While voting at Memorial Hall Tuesday, I had the chance to visit with Republican activist Roland Wetzel. He was bemoaning that he had to settle for his second choice also as Fred Thompson had likewise bowed out before getting to Missouri.
Likewise Giuliani backers had to be upset their main man went down in Florida the week before. He had the local endorsements of Mayor York and the Dempsey machine. But their dream candidate just wasn’t meant to be, along with whatever Presidential appointments that might have brought.
Which only goes to prove that the best laid plans of mice, men and political pundits often go awry. As the host of Project Runway is fond of saying, “One day your in and the next day (dramatic pause) you’re out.” What is true for the world of fashion is true for the world of Presidential politics. Here perception is reality and the fashionable candidate to be seen wearing their political gear, can fade as quickly on an icy Tuesday in February as last year’s Spring Collection.
So wither Fred Thompson, wither Rudy Giuliani, wither John Edwards, wither the dozen or so other smart and talented men who gave it their best shot. Like a reality survival show, in the end, there can be only one.
It seems only yesterday that a handmade sign was hung from the Fairgrounds overpass, asking the question, “Who is Ron Paul?” The signs got bigger and better, and even billboards sprang up. But he hovered around 3% and nobody seemed to much care who he was after all. But those 3% of the voters we saw waving signs were darn serious about their candidate.
So too are the Mike Huckabee supporters. I know that I’m not suppose to like the guy because of his politics, but he’s just so darn irrepressible. He tells jokes about himself. He’s the kind of person you could go bowling with. Romney, Hillary, Obama and McCain would probably throw a lot of gutter balls.
Huckabee had a good evening Tuesday, even if his victories were all in the south and the fact that he nearly tied with McCain in Missouri. He’s sitting on some rather valuable real estate today.
Romney just couldn’t catch fire. I blame the dumb red foam catcher’s “mitts”. Somebody said, hey you nickname is mitt …let’s associate you with an attention getting cheap foam product more appropriate for baseball venues.
If Mike Huckabee had employed the same marketing geniuses, they might have had him waving Huckelberry Hound puppets at rallies.
Romney was also a bit blatant about buying the election. That might impress the Real Housewive’s of Orange County, but it doesn’t play in the Heartland very well. Meanwhile, Mike Huckabee just carried around his own suitcase and didn’t need to spend much in comparison. Not that I’m completely fooled by the “aw shucks” feel of his campaign. They had a very nice commercial touting his plan to abolish the IRS. Now that’s an issue to unite people.
Hillary overcame the Kennedy endorsements of Obama, which proved to have little value. People really don’t care who else likes you. They have to like you themselves. But Obama kicked her donkey in caucus states, where enthusiasm and volunteers carried the day big for him. He also showed surprising strength among white voters in the more cosmopolitan Georgia of the New South.
I knew Obama would do well. You could hear it in the streets. I found myself eating a few days ago across from where a big Clinton rally was. All of her workers were coming into the restaurant sporting her sweatshirts, stickers and signs. But they all looked like a caricature of the Democratic Party.
Tuesday evening I was eating in the St. Louis Bread company, just down the road from where Clinton had been two days before. All of the young people behind the counter and in the kitchen were excitedly asking each other, did you vote? Did you vote for Obama today?
In the end, Obama won a razor thin victory over Hillary in Missouri, and had a good night overall. He secured the victory despite Hillary running three ads to his one, sending out two mailers to his none and (wink) making a personal call to leave a message on my home answering machine. How does she find the time?
Obama has the next generation of voters excited about politics and what happens in Washington again. They are excited about the power of his words. They believe that change is possible and that political activism means something again…like it did to my generation in the early 70’s. That’s the most hopeful news I’ve heard in a very long time.
I also like a lot of what John McCain stands for, but as I kidded a Republican friend of mine, would it really be fair to have two Democrats on the ballot in November. They didn’t find that amusing. Neither do most of the conservative talk show hosts.
So did Super Tuesday live up to the hype? Is this any way to pick a President? Probably not, but it somehow works for us. It humbles the proud, rewards the meek, empowers the student, motivates a congregation, keeps us entertained for months and is a wild ride of thunder and fury. Throw a football among the field of candidates and let’s just call it the Presidential Super Bowl.
(Click on image to enlarge)Jeff and Terri Wilson, owners of Ozella’s Pizza located at 630 North Kingshighway in St. Charles, holding the Ozella’s frozen pizzas that they have made famous. First Capitol News Photo by Tony Brockmeyer
Story and photograph By Tony Brockmeyer
In the morning and at lunch the restaurant is known as Lady Di’s. After 4 pm it becomes Ozella’s Pizzeria.
The Wilson family has been in the pizza and pasta business since 1955, It started with grandfather Red, then Jeff’s parents, Ron and Judy Wilson with Ozella’s on Highway 67 across from the old North Drive-In and now, after selling 6,000 frozen pizzas from their home in a year and a half, they are operating a sit down-carry out restaurant at 630 North Kingshighway in St. Charles.
Terri and Jeff are proud of their products and rightfully so. All their products are made from scratch from the old family receipes that they discovered several years ago in the basement.
“We are famous for our pizza, pasta, onion rings and italian hamburgers,” said Jeff. “Our salads are very popular and we make all our salad dressings,” said Terri. “Our meatballs and vegetable beef soup is also very popular.”
“We make all our own ingredients including the pizza dough, sauce and sausage” Jeff commented. “We are especially proud of our frozen pizza. It can be found in many of the bars and markets in the area and we always have it available at the restaurant.”Ozella’s Pizza offers seven kinds of frozen pizza for carry out and offers 12 different kinds of pizza prepared for eating in or carry out.
“We offer old style north St. Louis Pizza with thin crust,” said Terri. When Jeff’s parents operated Ozella’s on Highway 67 they were also known for their fried chicken. We are now offering the family recipe fried chicken on Saturday and Sunday.
Terri and Jeff met 25 years ago when they were both working at Ponticello’s Pizza in north St. Louis County. She was a bus girl and he was a cook.
“Dianne was very kind to allow us to share her restaurant. She closes at 1:30 p.m. and it was just sitting empty,” Jeff said. Now we come in about 2:00 p.m. and start preperation for our 4:00 p.m. opening.
Ozella’s restaurant is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They are open until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Closed on Mondays.
I knew Jeff’s parents, now deceased, and dined at their restaurant in Jennings several times a week. I was never much of a pizza eater but could not get enough of their fried chicken. I had an opportunity to try one of their frozen pizzas and it was the best pizza I have ever eaten.
Terri and Jeff want to continue to increase their frozen pizza business and eventually would like to open Pizzeria Express locations.
Stop by and give them a try.
Here’s The Story About Koch Road Controversy
By Jacob Bittle
There is seldom a signal reason behind the decisions elected officials make. First there is the publicized reason which is invented to create the perception an elected officials wishes to plant in the citizen’s mind. Then there is the real reason which is usually based upon political connections, favoritism, payback and the garnering of controlled power.
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann recently appointed former County Councilman Bob Schnur as the county’s Finance Director. Why?
There are many qualified people in St. Charles County capable of performing the finance officer’s duties.
Mr. Schnurs trustworthiness and reliable responsibility for maintenance of a system which allows him to process all Accounts Payable of St. Charles County including accepting request for payment of goods or services, approving such request if they are within the guidelines of the department’s budget and issuing of payment must be questioned. One Mr. Schnur’s former duties as a St. Charles County councilman per the County Charter, Article 2, Section 2.520 was to “Take and hold property in trust and provide for the administration thereof.”
Property held in trust would include St. Charles County roads. Mr. Schnur failed to uphold his duty to protect the citizen’s property. Mr. Schnur’s political and financial supporters in the development industry received a gift from Mr. Schnur in the form of an illegally vacated road which of course financially benefited his supporters.
Here’s the story;
On May 13, 2006 residents who used (old) Koch Road, a county road in O’Fallon, woke up to find the road destroyed. Without warning and without any legal authority a builder and developer began tearing out the road beginning on a Friday evening. Those responsible for protecting the residents, St. Charles County and O’Fallon, were willing co-conspirators. Here is how it happened:
June of 2003-OFallon approves an area plan for a new subdivision called Hyland Green. The subdivision includes (old) Koch Road and the area plan shows (old) Koch as being vacated with houses where the road once ran. The plan required that (old) Koch be vacated before work began but since (old) Koch was a county road O’Fallon had no authority to vacate the road.
May 27, 2005-A group of 12 residents filed a petition in St. Charles County asking that (old) Koch Road be vacated.
May of 2005-A letter was issued by O’Fallon informing the builder that building permits would not be issued until (old) Koch was vacated.
June 13 ,2005-38 residents filed a protest against the vacation of (old) Koch Road. This is known as a remonstrance and required a hearing before the County Council.
June 20, 2005-Under the direction of O’Fallon Mayor Donna Morrow, Todd Criswell, the head of Community Development, sent a letter to Steve Groeper (Hyland Green/Foresight Development, Schnur contributor) and David Jones of McBride & Sons (the builder) informing them that the city would not issue building permits on 21 lots until (old) Koch Road was officially vacated by the County.
September 20, 2005-St. Charles County sent a letter to Foresight Development informing Foresight that it could not disturb (old) Koch Road because the vacation was still pending. It should also be noted any work on (old) Koch would be a violation of the area plan and a criminal act under Missouri law which makes it a crime to obstruct a public road.
November 21, 2005-Mayor Morrow received a fax of the proposed ordinance of St. Charles County which would vacate (old) Koch Road once two conditions were met. The most important of these was that New Koch Road be completed, inspected, approved and accepted by O’Fallon. Once this was done the County would then file a certified copy of the ordinance with the Recorder of Deeds, officially vacating Koch Road. The acceptance of New Koch was for maintenance in that the county did not want to tear up an existing road without a publicly maintained road to replace it. Remember though that this was still only a proposed ordinance.
January 19, 2006-The hearing is held before the St. Charles Council on the request to vacate (old) Koch. The law requires that the road cannot be vacated unless it is “useless”. The evidence submitted by the developer proved conclusively that (old) Koch is not useless. Prior to New Koch being built 1100 vehicles a day used (old) Koch and after New Koch was opened 850 vehicles a day used (old) Koch. These traffic counts were from the developer’s own expert.
On January 23, 2006, Mr. Schnur contacted one of his political supporters, who just happened to be invested in the Hyland Green development (Jeff and Janice Kolb of Dave Kolb Grading), via e-mail with the following statement.
Dear Jeff and Janice, the evidentiary meeting was concluded about 10:30 that evening and will not be continued. Each side has until February 20 to submit their findings and conclusions, so I expect the Council to vote on this at our February meeting. Based on the evidence presented I support the road vacation.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Bob Schnur, District 3
Note that by Schnur’s on admission all the findings and conclusions had not been submitted but he already made his decision and contacted his political support.
Schnur was also presided over this hearing.
March 27, 2006-The County Council votes to pass bill # 2715 which provides that (old) Koch Road will be vacated once certain conditions are met (again, that New Koch Road be completed, inspected, approved and accepted by O’Fallon was one of the conditions) at which time a certified copy of the ordinance was to be filed with the Recorder of Deeds. In fairness it should be noted that District 4 county councilman Joe Brazil voted against the roads vacation.
April 17, 2006-The parties opposed to the potential vacation of (old) Koch Road filed an appeal to the Circuit Court of St. Charles County challenging the County’s decision.
May 12, 2006-On a Friday night work began to illegally remove (old) Koch Road. The work was continued the next day (a Saturday) so that (old) Koch Road was no longer available for public travel. Residents who called St. Charles County about the destruction of the road were told the work was being done for utility easements and that this was only temporary. According to O’Fallon officials the road was destroyed by Foresight and McBride. Remember this happened while the issue was yet undecided in the circuit court.
April 4, 2007-Judge Lucy Rauch issues an initial order that the County’s decision to vacate Koch Road was in violation of the law.
June 18, 2007- Judge Lucy Rauch issued her final Judgment which set aside the County Ordinance vacating (old) Koch Rd. Judge Rauch also found that (old) Koch Rd was destroyed before it was vacated.
If Mr. Schnur is not capable of protecting the citizen’s property he held in trust as a councilman how can Mr. Schnur be relied upon to protect the citizen’s financial interest as St. Charles County’s Finance Director.
There is seldom a signal reason behind the decisions elected officials make. First there is the publicized reason which is invented to create the perception an elected officials wishes to plant in the citizen’s mind. Then there is the real reason which is usually based upon political connections, favoritism, payback and the garnering of controlled power.
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann recently appointed former County Councilman Bob Schnur as the county’s Finance Director. Why?
There are many qualified people in St. Charles County capable of performing the finance officer’s duties.
Mr. Schnurs trustworthiness and reliable responsibility for maintenance of a system which allows him to process all Accounts Payable of St. Charles County including accepting request for payment of goods or services, approving such request if they are within the guidelines of the department’s budget and issuing of payment must be questioned. One Mr. Schnur’s former duties as a St. Charles County councilman per the County Charter, Article 2, Section 2.520 was to “Take and hold property in trust and provide for the administration thereof.”
Property held in trust would include St. Charles County roads. Mr. Schnur failed to uphold his duty to protect the citizen’s property. Mr. Schnur’s political and financial supporters in the development industry received a gift from Mr. Schnur in the form of an illegally vacated road which of course financially benefited his supporters.
Here’s the story;
On May 13, 2006 residents who used (old) Koch Road, a county road in O’Fallon, woke up to find the road destroyed. Without warning and without any legal authority a builder and developer began tearing out the road beginning on a Friday evening. Those responsible for protecting the residents, St. Charles County and O’Fallon, were willing co-conspirators. Here is how it happened:
June of 2003-OFallon approves an area plan for a new subdivision called Hyland Green. The subdivision includes (old) Koch Road and the area plan shows (old) Koch as being vacated with houses where the road once ran. The plan required that (old) Koch be vacated before work began but since (old) Koch was a county road O’Fallon had no authority to vacate the road.
May 27, 2005-A group of 12 residents filed a petition in St. Charles County asking that (old) Koch Road be vacated.
May of 2005-A letter was issued by O’Fallon informing the builder that building permits would not be issued until (old) Koch was vacated.
June 13 ,2005-38 residents filed a protest against the vacation of (old) Koch Road. This is known as a remonstrance and required a hearing before the County Council.
June 20, 2005-Under the direction of O’Fallon Mayor Donna Morrow, Todd Criswell, the head of Community Development, sent a letter to Steve Groeper (Hyland Green/Foresight Development, Schnur contributor) and David Jones of McBride & Sons (the builder) informing them that the city would not issue building permits on 21 lots until (old) Koch Road was officially vacated by the County.
September 20, 2005-St. Charles County sent a letter to Foresight Development informing Foresight that it could not disturb (old) Koch Road because the vacation was still pending. It should also be noted any work on (old) Koch would be a violation of the area plan and a criminal act under Missouri law which makes it a crime to obstruct a public road.
November 21, 2005-Mayor Morrow received a fax of the proposed ordinance of St. Charles County which would vacate (old) Koch Road once two conditions were met. The most important of these was that New Koch Road be completed, inspected, approved and accepted by O’Fallon. Once this was done the County would then file a certified copy of the ordinance with the Recorder of Deeds, officially vacating Koch Road. The acceptance of New Koch was for maintenance in that the county did not want to tear up an existing road without a publicly maintained road to replace it. Remember though that this was still only a proposed ordinance.
January 19, 2006-The hearing is held before the St. Charles Council on the request to vacate (old) Koch. The law requires that the road cannot be vacated unless it is “useless”. The evidence submitted by the developer proved conclusively that (old) Koch is not useless. Prior to New Koch being built 1100 vehicles a day used (old) Koch and after New Koch was opened 850 vehicles a day used (old) Koch. These traffic counts were from the developer’s own expert.
On January 23, 2006, Mr. Schnur contacted one of his political supporters, who just happened to be invested in the Hyland Green development (Jeff and Janice Kolb of Dave Kolb Grading), via e-mail with the following statement.
Dear Jeff and Janice, the evidentiary meeting was concluded about 10:30 that evening and will not be continued. Each side has until February 20 to submit their findings and conclusions, so I expect the Council to vote on this at our February meeting. Based on the evidence presented I support the road vacation.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Bob Schnur, District 3
Note that by Schnur’s on admission all the findings and conclusions had not been submitted but he already made his decision and contacted his political support.
Schnur was also presided over this hearing.
March 27, 2006-The County Council votes to pass bill # 2715 which provides that (old) Koch Road will be vacated once certain conditions are met (again, that New Koch Road be completed, inspected, approved and accepted by O’Fallon was one of the conditions) at which time a certified copy of the ordinance was to be filed with the Recorder of Deeds. In fairness it should be noted that District 4 county councilman Joe Brazil voted against the roads vacation.
April 17, 2006-The parties opposed to the potential vacation of (old) Koch Road filed an appeal to the Circuit Court of St. Charles County challenging the County’s decision.
May 12, 2006-On a Friday night work began to illegally remove (old) Koch Road. The work was continued the next day (a Saturday) so that (old) Koch Road was no longer available for public travel. Residents who called St. Charles County about the destruction of the road were told the work was being done for utility easements and that this was only temporary. According to O’Fallon officials the road was destroyed by Foresight and McBride. Remember this happened while the issue was yet undecided in the circuit court.
April 4, 2007-Judge Lucy Rauch issues an initial order that the County’s decision to vacate Koch Road was in violation of the law.
June 18, 2007- Judge Lucy Rauch issued her final Judgment which set aside the County Ordinance vacating (old) Koch Rd. Judge Rauch also found that (old) Koch Rd was destroyed before it was vacated.
If Mr. Schnur is not capable of protecting the citizen’s property he held in trust as a councilman how can Mr. Schnur be relied upon to protect the citizen’s financial interest as St. Charles County’s Finance Director.
Comments & Commentary by Charles Hill
I find it interesting that a columnist from another publication is so determined to find out who I am. Recently that publication, wrote again about their columnist’s desire to know my identity. Actually it’s pretty simple, he’s talked to me before, and he just doesn’t know it. I think his real intentions are to find out what my thoughts are so he can have some great ideas for columns with substance and real world value.
Here is a mock interview that he is welcome to use:
SP: Charlie you seem unhappy with the city’s efforts in tourism!
Me: Well who can be satisfied? The money that has been spent is outrageous and we receive only limited returns. Now we are going to be the host for the Missouri Bike Race. This race took hundreds of thousands of dollars earmarked for job training out of the state budget. It was a huge expense because they didn’t come close to getting enough money from the corporate sponsors. Now the Mayor is so excited that we are getting the race again this year. This is just another example of how she and the rest of the supposed Republicans in power use taxpayer’s money. The race money is spent with companies that contribute to the campaigns of Republicans in power. In essence the party has abandoned citizens like me and now believes in welfare and taxpayer funded campaigns. This isn’t just a city. Why don’t you have one of your crack reporters’ dive into the real story here. Oh, that’s right. Your paper can’t report anything that isn’t favorable to the Mayor; you might lose the big advertising money that the city gives you.
SP: That’s not fair, I write pretty good columns. Do you ever read them?
Me: Steve, to get real news I read the First Capitol News. The First Capitol Newspaper gives a side that is truthful even if it is going to make someone angry. It’s a real news newspaper
SP: What do you see that is good about the city of St. Charles?
Me: The people of St. Charles are the best. They have to put up with the alleged corruption that is apparent in our city government. Our Main Street is a treasure that should be shared with the entire region. This happens only once a year. During Christmas Traditions the street is filled with shoppers and visitors. It amazes me that something like Christmas Traditions gives real proof that local ads work, yet the powers to be still spend advertising dollars out of the area.
SP: Why is that?
Me: The city was convinced by a museum curator that he was a marketing genius. This guy was the biggest waste of space and in my humble opinion a sham. He was caught dead to rights giving contracts to his then wife’s company and nothing happened to him for that apparent illegal act. This is part of the culture of misconduct Mayor York has promoted as politics as usual. Back to the ads. The past was full of the idea that people needed to stay in hotels for the city to make money so they started marketing further out. Look at the convention center. It is a complete failure if you look at the real intent. The intent was to get people to come to conventions and spend the night. That hasn’t happened. The hotel isn’t in the mood to discount for overnight guests because that is not a big portion of the hotels revenue. St. Charles has and will be a quaint river town not a travel destination for millions of people.
SP: Why do you say that?
Me: Having lived here my whole life I have seen the real attraction and what’s not real. Let’s take a look at the recent marketing failures and you be the judge. I already mentioned the Convention Center. It lost money and the number of rooms sold to convention goers was well below what they told the voters when it passed. They made a big deal saying it was a success because it did not loose as much money as was expected. But it lost a lot of money. The Lewis and Clark Rendezvous was a joke. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for this event and it was a bust. The million visitors a year that we were told visited here year after year, what a lie. Main Street would be bustling like Christmas Traditions every day if St. Charles drew that many visitors. The failed Goldenrod Showboat was supposed to be a regional draw for the city and Main Street. Over a million dollars later the city gave it away and we have a million and a half dollar dock that sits vacant. All a misuse of taxpayer dollars. St. Charles should be proud of what it is and stop trying to be what it’s not. That won’t happen because with each contract there is a political pay-off somewhere. Like the Mayor paying off Steve Powell for renting his Bed and Breakfast. The fact that bars were issued liquor licenses in violation of city ordinances and allowed to open in certain buildings owned by certain politicians.
SP: You are referring to the Mayor’s building that has a bar operating in the basement?
Me: Steve you are quick. I noticed your publication was very quiet about this illegal event. Once again proof that it could never be confused with a real newspaper. The fact is this city is destined to continue to waste taxpayer dollars on projects, promotional items and contracts with friends until the people wake up and realize what is really going on. That’s why I write, that’s why I remain anonymous. Mayor York is vindictive and cruel, she lies everyday and when you catch her in a lie she tells you another one. She would stop at nothing to put me out of business. Look at her efforts against the people in Mark Brown’s neighborhood, she would rather let them sit in a flood and have raw sewage back up into their basements than fix the problem that the city allowed to occur. She fired Assistant City Administrator Brent Schulz, who had been with the city for almost 30 years and moved his assistant out of the administrator’s office.
Steve, I think I have helped elevate your publications status as something other than an ad sheet enough. If you would like, I’m sure Tony or Phyllis would allow you to really write news and help you get your soul back. I don’t mind you getting your stories from the First Capitol News or me but you really should move to a paper that will let you report the real news.
Here is a mock interview that he is welcome to use:
SP: Charlie you seem unhappy with the city’s efforts in tourism!
Me: Well who can be satisfied? The money that has been spent is outrageous and we receive only limited returns. Now we are going to be the host for the Missouri Bike Race. This race took hundreds of thousands of dollars earmarked for job training out of the state budget. It was a huge expense because they didn’t come close to getting enough money from the corporate sponsors. Now the Mayor is so excited that we are getting the race again this year. This is just another example of how she and the rest of the supposed Republicans in power use taxpayer’s money. The race money is spent with companies that contribute to the campaigns of Republicans in power. In essence the party has abandoned citizens like me and now believes in welfare and taxpayer funded campaigns. This isn’t just a city. Why don’t you have one of your crack reporters’ dive into the real story here. Oh, that’s right. Your paper can’t report anything that isn’t favorable to the Mayor; you might lose the big advertising money that the city gives you.
SP: That’s not fair, I write pretty good columns. Do you ever read them?
Me: Steve, to get real news I read the First Capitol News. The First Capitol Newspaper gives a side that is truthful even if it is going to make someone angry. It’s a real news newspaper
SP: What do you see that is good about the city of St. Charles?
Me: The people of St. Charles are the best. They have to put up with the alleged corruption that is apparent in our city government. Our Main Street is a treasure that should be shared with the entire region. This happens only once a year. During Christmas Traditions the street is filled with shoppers and visitors. It amazes me that something like Christmas Traditions gives real proof that local ads work, yet the powers to be still spend advertising dollars out of the area.
SP: Why is that?
Me: The city was convinced by a museum curator that he was a marketing genius. This guy was the biggest waste of space and in my humble opinion a sham. He was caught dead to rights giving contracts to his then wife’s company and nothing happened to him for that apparent illegal act. This is part of the culture of misconduct Mayor York has promoted as politics as usual. Back to the ads. The past was full of the idea that people needed to stay in hotels for the city to make money so they started marketing further out. Look at the convention center. It is a complete failure if you look at the real intent. The intent was to get people to come to conventions and spend the night. That hasn’t happened. The hotel isn’t in the mood to discount for overnight guests because that is not a big portion of the hotels revenue. St. Charles has and will be a quaint river town not a travel destination for millions of people.
SP: Why do you say that?
Me: Having lived here my whole life I have seen the real attraction and what’s not real. Let’s take a look at the recent marketing failures and you be the judge. I already mentioned the Convention Center. It lost money and the number of rooms sold to convention goers was well below what they told the voters when it passed. They made a big deal saying it was a success because it did not loose as much money as was expected. But it lost a lot of money. The Lewis and Clark Rendezvous was a joke. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for this event and it was a bust. The million visitors a year that we were told visited here year after year, what a lie. Main Street would be bustling like Christmas Traditions every day if St. Charles drew that many visitors. The failed Goldenrod Showboat was supposed to be a regional draw for the city and Main Street. Over a million dollars later the city gave it away and we have a million and a half dollar dock that sits vacant. All a misuse of taxpayer dollars. St. Charles should be proud of what it is and stop trying to be what it’s not. That won’t happen because with each contract there is a political pay-off somewhere. Like the Mayor paying off Steve Powell for renting his Bed and Breakfast. The fact that bars were issued liquor licenses in violation of city ordinances and allowed to open in certain buildings owned by certain politicians.
SP: You are referring to the Mayor’s building that has a bar operating in the basement?
Me: Steve you are quick. I noticed your publication was very quiet about this illegal event. Once again proof that it could never be confused with a real newspaper. The fact is this city is destined to continue to waste taxpayer dollars on projects, promotional items and contracts with friends until the people wake up and realize what is really going on. That’s why I write, that’s why I remain anonymous. Mayor York is vindictive and cruel, she lies everyday and when you catch her in a lie she tells you another one. She would stop at nothing to put me out of business. Look at her efforts against the people in Mark Brown’s neighborhood, she would rather let them sit in a flood and have raw sewage back up into their basements than fix the problem that the city allowed to occur. She fired Assistant City Administrator Brent Schulz, who had been with the city for almost 30 years and moved his assistant out of the administrator’s office.
Steve, I think I have helped elevate your publications status as something other than an ad sheet enough. If you would like, I’m sure Tony or Phyllis would allow you to really write news and help you get your soul back. I don’t mind you getting your stories from the First Capitol News or me but you really should move to a paper that will let you report the real news.
Humane Society To Receive Spay Grant
LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY ONLY ANIMAL
ORGANIZATION
IN MISSOURI TO RECEIVE FUNDS FOR SPAY DAY USA
The St. Charles Humane Society was recently chosen as the only animal organization in Missouri to receive a $5,000 dollar grant to be used towards spaying and neutering pets in February.
In recognition of Spay Day USA- the Doris Day Animal Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States have allocated $5,000 in funds for one organization in each state.
Twenty pet owners who can show proof of financial need can have their dog or cat spayed or neutered during this month. Pets must have current vaccinations or the owner will need to make arrangements along with the surgery.
The free operation will include spaying or neutering, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, pain medications and any vaccinations the pet may need. A St. Charles veterinarian will perform the procedures.
Spay Day USA’s purpose is to bring awareness and to help eliminate the over population of unwanted and abandoned pets. The St. Charles Humane Society was chosen due to sponsoring a spaghetti dinner and auction in recognition of Spay Day. The fundraiser will be held on Feb. 22.
To see if you qualify, call Jennifer, the Canine Coordinator at 636/949-9918 between 11 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or leave a message.
ORGANIZATION
IN MISSOURI TO RECEIVE FUNDS FOR SPAY DAY USA
The St. Charles Humane Society was recently chosen as the only animal organization in Missouri to receive a $5,000 dollar grant to be used towards spaying and neutering pets in February.
In recognition of Spay Day USA- the Doris Day Animal Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States have allocated $5,000 in funds for one organization in each state.
Twenty pet owners who can show proof of financial need can have their dog or cat spayed or neutered during this month. Pets must have current vaccinations or the owner will need to make arrangements along with the surgery.
The free operation will include spaying or neutering, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, pain medications and any vaccinations the pet may need. A St. Charles veterinarian will perform the procedures.
Spay Day USA’s purpose is to bring awareness and to help eliminate the over population of unwanted and abandoned pets. The St. Charles Humane Society was chosen due to sponsoring a spaghetti dinner and auction in recognition of Spay Day. The fundraiser will be held on Feb. 22.
To see if you qualify, call Jennifer, the Canine Coordinator at 636/949-9918 between 11 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or leave a message.
Black History Month Exhibit At Frenchtown Heritage Museum
In honor of Black History Month, the Frenchtown Heritage Museum and Research Center announces the opening of a special exhibit on Saturday, Feb. 9. The exhibit offers visitors a look at the contributions made by many prominent African-Americans who are current or former residents of the greater Saint Charles area.
Among those featured in the exhibit are Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the founder of Chicago; Art Holliday, KSDK-TV news anchor; Curtis Brown, former star running back for the Missouri Tigers and retired NFL professional football player; and Melvin Washington, former educator and long-time principal at Franklin School, a Saint Charles school for black students during times of segregation.
Also on display is a collection of photos from the 1920s and 1930s, which features many black community members. A private donor gave the photos to the museum, and the museum is asking visitors to help identify individuals in the photos.
The special exhibit will be on display beginning Feb. 9 and will run through Feb. 29. The museum is open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. Located at 1121 N. Second St. in Saint Charles. For more information, call Dorothy Boshears at (636) 946-8682.
Among those featured in the exhibit are Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the founder of Chicago; Art Holliday, KSDK-TV news anchor; Curtis Brown, former star running back for the Missouri Tigers and retired NFL professional football player; and Melvin Washington, former educator and long-time principal at Franklin School, a Saint Charles school for black students during times of segregation.
Also on display is a collection of photos from the 1920s and 1930s, which features many black community members. A private donor gave the photos to the museum, and the museum is asking visitors to help identify individuals in the photos.
The special exhibit will be on display beginning Feb. 9 and will run through Feb. 29. The museum is open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. Located at 1121 N. Second St. in Saint Charles. For more information, call Dorothy Boshears at (636) 946-8682.
Black History Month Exhibit At Frenchtown Heritage Museum
In honor of Black History Month, the Frenchtown Heritage Museum and Research Center announces the opening of a special exhibit on Saturday, Feb. 9. The exhibit offers visitors a look at the contributions made by many prominent African-Americans who are current or former residents of the greater Saint Charles area.
Among those featured in the exhibit are Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the founder of Chicago; Art Holliday, KSDK-TV news anchor; Curtis Brown, former star running back for the Missouri Tigers and retired NFL professional football player; and Melvin Washington, former educator and long-time principal at Franklin School, a Saint Charles school for black students during times of segregation.
Also on display is a collection of photos from the 1920s and 1930s, which features many black community members. A private donor gave the photos to the museum, and the museum is asking visitors to help identify individuals in the photos.
The special exhibit will be on display beginning Feb. 9 and will run through Feb. 29. The museum is open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. Located at 1121 N. Second St. in Saint Charles. For more information, call Dorothy Boshears at (636) 946-8682.
Among those featured in the exhibit are Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, the founder of Chicago; Art Holliday, KSDK-TV news anchor; Curtis Brown, former star running back for the Missouri Tigers and retired NFL professional football player; and Melvin Washington, former educator and long-time principal at Franklin School, a Saint Charles school for black students during times of segregation.
Also on display is a collection of photos from the 1920s and 1930s, which features many black community members. A private donor gave the photos to the museum, and the museum is asking visitors to help identify individuals in the photos.
The special exhibit will be on display beginning Feb. 9 and will run through Feb. 29. The museum is open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. Located at 1121 N. Second St. in Saint Charles. For more information, call Dorothy Boshears at (636) 946-8682.
Engineers to take in-depth look at three local bridges
(Bridges identified as needing further study after preliminary plan evaluation)
Three local bridges were identified as needing further analysis after bridge engineers completed a study of Missouri’s 232 truss bridges. Truss bridges use steel beams joined together by steel gusset plates to support the structure.
The three bridges - the westbound Blanchette Bridge on I-70, the westbound Daniel Boone Bridge on Route 40, and the southbound Route 21 bridge over the Meramec River (near the border of St. Louis and Jefferson counties) - will be evaluated further. The preliminary study was to determine if loads had significantly increased since the original construction of the bridge. This further analysis will make sure there were no errors in the original design of the gusset plates. Bridge engineers in Jefferson City will go over the plans for these three bridges, as well as any improvements, to verify the designs.
“So far we’ve found no problems, and I fully expect these studies to confirm that all bridges on Missouri state highways are safe,” said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. “Now that we’ve narrowed down the list, we’ll study those bridges further to make absolutely sure there are no problems.”
The westbound Blanchette Bridge was built in 1958, and carries approximately 70,000 vehicles a day. The westbound Daniel Boone bridge was built in 1935 and carries approximately 46,000 vehicles daily. The southbound Route 21 bridge was built in 1940 and carries approximately 21,000 vehicles daily.
Three local bridges were identified as needing further analysis after bridge engineers completed a study of Missouri’s 232 truss bridges. Truss bridges use steel beams joined together by steel gusset plates to support the structure.
The three bridges - the westbound Blanchette Bridge on I-70, the westbound Daniel Boone Bridge on Route 40, and the southbound Route 21 bridge over the Meramec River (near the border of St. Louis and Jefferson counties) - will be evaluated further. The preliminary study was to determine if loads had significantly increased since the original construction of the bridge. This further analysis will make sure there were no errors in the original design of the gusset plates. Bridge engineers in Jefferson City will go over the plans for these three bridges, as well as any improvements, to verify the designs.
“So far we’ve found no problems, and I fully expect these studies to confirm that all bridges on Missouri state highways are safe,” said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. “Now that we’ve narrowed down the list, we’ll study those bridges further to make absolutely sure there are no problems.”
The westbound Blanchette Bridge was built in 1958, and carries approximately 70,000 vehicles a day. The westbound Daniel Boone bridge was built in 1935 and carries approximately 46,000 vehicles daily. The southbound Route 21 bridge was built in 1940 and carries approximately 21,000 vehicles daily.
FIRST CAPITOL COUNSELING - Dr Howard Rosenthal
Dr. Howard Rosenthal
Deceptive donations: No thanks I gave at the office parking lot!
Non-for-profit, not-for-profit, and charitable organizations are great. These agencies fight hunger, homelessness, child abuse, addiction, and hundreds of other ills that plague society.
And guess what, the impetus to keep these wonderful agencies running comes primarily from individual donors. That’s right, folks just like you and me who donate a buck here, a buck there, or perhaps an occasional $50 or $100 donation.
In addition, generous individual contributors like us give in another fashion known as gifts-in-kind (GIK), such as giving your old computer to the homeless shelter, or giving the exercise machine collecting dust in your basement to an adolescent treatment center. Simply put, a GIK is any tangible item that is not money.
Perhaps the most popular drawing card for GIK’s is the old shoes and clothes bin. The good news is that more and more of these bins are popping up across our great nation. You see them on the parking lots of grocery stores, churches, bowling centers, and even college campuses.
Victims of the charitable drive- by, they say jump we say how high!
The bad news is that many, though certainly not all of these bins (surprise, surprise, surprise), are run by for profit businesses. Hence, that cool pair of your Uncle George’s alligator dancing shoes is being sold to generate big profits in a state a thousand miles away or even overseas! Some experts now believe that this is a (gulp!) billion dollar business.
Now I know that you’re not stupid. When you pulled your car up to the bin you glanced at the message on the bin for a nanosecond and it said something about the donations they made so you falsely assumed it was legitimate. Well, duh, we all make donations. I just bought a box of Girl Scout mint cookies earlier today.
But if you read the entire copy which the firm is banking that you won’t read you could be in for a shocker. This message is often posted on the side right next to a mailbox or perhaps the side of a building to make it, well quite frankly, difficult for you to see.
For example, the newest bin in my neck of the woods says, “Donations are not for charitable organizations and will be resold for profit.”
I told a friend that I was writing this article. She was astonished and angry to discover that she had just been duped by this very bin.
Smoke, mirrors, and outright deception have no place in the business of social services. Read the complete message on the box before you make the drop.
Dr. Howard Rosenthal is Professor and Program Coordinator of Human Services at St. Louis Community College and a multi-book author. Professional counselors nationwide use his books
Deceptive donations: No thanks I gave at the office parking lot!
Non-for-profit, not-for-profit, and charitable organizations are great. These agencies fight hunger, homelessness, child abuse, addiction, and hundreds of other ills that plague society.
And guess what, the impetus to keep these wonderful agencies running comes primarily from individual donors. That’s right, folks just like you and me who donate a buck here, a buck there, or perhaps an occasional $50 or $100 donation.
In addition, generous individual contributors like us give in another fashion known as gifts-in-kind (GIK), such as giving your old computer to the homeless shelter, or giving the exercise machine collecting dust in your basement to an adolescent treatment center. Simply put, a GIK is any tangible item that is not money.
Perhaps the most popular drawing card for GIK’s is the old shoes and clothes bin. The good news is that more and more of these bins are popping up across our great nation. You see them on the parking lots of grocery stores, churches, bowling centers, and even college campuses.
Victims of the charitable drive- by, they say jump we say how high!
The bad news is that many, though certainly not all of these bins (surprise, surprise, surprise), are run by for profit businesses. Hence, that cool pair of your Uncle George’s alligator dancing shoes is being sold to generate big profits in a state a thousand miles away or even overseas! Some experts now believe that this is a (gulp!) billion dollar business.
Now I know that you’re not stupid. When you pulled your car up to the bin you glanced at the message on the bin for a nanosecond and it said something about the donations they made so you falsely assumed it was legitimate. Well, duh, we all make donations. I just bought a box of Girl Scout mint cookies earlier today.
But if you read the entire copy which the firm is banking that you won’t read you could be in for a shocker. This message is often posted on the side right next to a mailbox or perhaps the side of a building to make it, well quite frankly, difficult for you to see.
For example, the newest bin in my neck of the woods says, “Donations are not for charitable organizations and will be resold for profit.”
I told a friend that I was writing this article. She was astonished and angry to discover that she had just been duped by this very bin.
Smoke, mirrors, and outright deception have no place in the business of social services. Read the complete message on the box before you make the drop.
Dr. Howard Rosenthal is Professor and Program Coordinator of Human Services at St. Louis Community College and a multi-book author. Professional counselors nationwide use his books
KRatzer's Corner by Mel Kratzer
Rams Need a Game
Atmosphere Overhaul
Its easy to pick on a pro football team when they’re down and out, and lets face it, the Rams are low level bottom of the river where the catfish roam “down”. Besides improving on a sad 3-13 record, the team ownership needs to totally rehash what its like for a football fan to go to a St.Louis Ram’s football game at the Edward B Jones Dome in every way possible because this past year’s experience was as fun as watching paint dry.
Besides the obvious recommendation of transforming our football team from a losing one into a winning one, the Rams and St.Louis’s governments that take care of the dome, need to change the indoor football atmosphere into an outdoor one with a retractable dome roof. The majority of NFL fans want to see an autumn football contest with the sun basking on their shoulders and a pretty blue sky above them. When its seventy degrees and partly cloudy, a typical “Sunday pigskin” fan finds it less appealing to spends three hours of football watching in a dark dungeon like dreary lit dome. I’m an outside person and coming out of the dome after a Rams game makes me feel like a hungover vampire when the sunlight ambushes you.
The St.Louis Rams lease calls for renovations to be done to the dome so why not add a low cost no frills retractable dome while getting the Rams to sign an extension to their lease which expires in 2015? A retractable roof would provide a more appealing game situation to be a part for the die hard Rams fan when the the weather is glorious. And when St.Louis has one of those bitter cold snowy afternoons, the roof would be up so “Joe Fan”can watch the game without freezing his you know what off.
If you put a winning football product on the field, fans will enthusiastically come. That’s a “Mel proverb” which best describes how attending a Rams game can be more enjoyable. Bad draft picks, a rash of injuries, questionable personnel decisions, insufficient preseason game exposure, and shaky game planning were just some of the contributing reasons why the 2007-2008 Rams season turned into a catostrophic train wreck campaign. Let a seasoned pro football scout make the draft picks and other personnel decisions instead of the coach or some pencil pushing front office accountant. I think Head Coach Scott Linehan can turn this sinking Rams ship upright but he must change strategies, coaching styles, and properly delegate authority to better qualified individuals. You follow this recipe for winning and you’ll stick more people into seats at the dome with smiles on their faces.
A decade of ticket price raises has pushed the common blue collar Rams fan out of the dome attendance since he cannot afford to go anymore. His replacement is a non -die hard football fan who usually got the tickets by default from his corporate company he works for. Its no wonder these fans leave just after halftime leaving the stadium half empty. Cut ticket prices like the Kansas City chiefs have and you’ll have a fan base like theirs- rowdy exuberant common man fans who will stay to the end of the game cheering on their home team like there is no tomorrow.
Myself and many other Rams fans I have talked to, have complained that they walk out of the dome with a headache attributing it to the overloud scoreboard commercials and public announcer’s booming high volume voice. Turn down PA Jim Holder please! His bellowing game comments remind me of the Wizard of Oz barking out orders at Dorthy, the tinman , the scarecrow, and the lion. A person likes to discuss the game or other things that pop into their head in a mild toned manner They don’t have a prayer of that if game annoucements and scoreboard commercials are equivalent to hearing a full blast megaphone.
To have more festive crowds in the Edward B. Jones Dome for Rams games, our football organization needs to increase and promote “tailgating”. The tailgating I am talking about is not the process of following someone from behind riding their bumper point range with your overeager Subaru. The tailgating I’m talking about, which is extremely popular at other NFL venues like Kansas City and Green Bay is eating ,drinking, listening to bands, and playing parking lot touch football before a game starts. Tailgaters come into stadiums in uproaring good moods providing an electric charge to fans in attendance. Alot of nearby the dome stadium tailgating space has diminished thanks to the new downtown casino, and adjacent to the stadium bus parking. Turn the very close in proximity Eads Bridge into a tailgating mecca. Close off a street or two near the stadium for tailgating use only. There is a gangload of football fans who go to the game for the thrill of being in a super-charged
frenzied crowd. Tailgating gives these people a head start so lets have the Rams promote it.
One final suggestion to make a Rams game more engaging to go to is to provide a decent musical artists to sing a few songs at halftime. Have a mildly popular music guest to spice up the fifteen minute intermission of non football. A good band might fire up a crowd leading into a second half of Rams football.
Rams games need an energy boost in the worse way. Hopefully our St.Louis football organization will take heed of some of these ideas and make going to a home team NFL contest a more spirited one. St.Louis is a bonafide football town and with the right moves by its organization, it can become the best place to watch an NFL game. Help unleash the rabid St.Louis Ram fan like myself.
Atmosphere Overhaul
Its easy to pick on a pro football team when they’re down and out, and lets face it, the Rams are low level bottom of the river where the catfish roam “down”. Besides improving on a sad 3-13 record, the team ownership needs to totally rehash what its like for a football fan to go to a St.Louis Ram’s football game at the Edward B Jones Dome in every way possible because this past year’s experience was as fun as watching paint dry.
Besides the obvious recommendation of transforming our football team from a losing one into a winning one, the Rams and St.Louis’s governments that take care of the dome, need to change the indoor football atmosphere into an outdoor one with a retractable dome roof. The majority of NFL fans want to see an autumn football contest with the sun basking on their shoulders and a pretty blue sky above them. When its seventy degrees and partly cloudy, a typical “Sunday pigskin” fan finds it less appealing to spends three hours of football watching in a dark dungeon like dreary lit dome. I’m an outside person and coming out of the dome after a Rams game makes me feel like a hungover vampire when the sunlight ambushes you.
The St.Louis Rams lease calls for renovations to be done to the dome so why not add a low cost no frills retractable dome while getting the Rams to sign an extension to their lease which expires in 2015? A retractable roof would provide a more appealing game situation to be a part for the die hard Rams fan when the the weather is glorious. And when St.Louis has one of those bitter cold snowy afternoons, the roof would be up so “Joe Fan”can watch the game without freezing his you know what off.
If you put a winning football product on the field, fans will enthusiastically come. That’s a “Mel proverb” which best describes how attending a Rams game can be more enjoyable. Bad draft picks, a rash of injuries, questionable personnel decisions, insufficient preseason game exposure, and shaky game planning were just some of the contributing reasons why the 2007-2008 Rams season turned into a catostrophic train wreck campaign. Let a seasoned pro football scout make the draft picks and other personnel decisions instead of the coach or some pencil pushing front office accountant. I think Head Coach Scott Linehan can turn this sinking Rams ship upright but he must change strategies, coaching styles, and properly delegate authority to better qualified individuals. You follow this recipe for winning and you’ll stick more people into seats at the dome with smiles on their faces.
A decade of ticket price raises has pushed the common blue collar Rams fan out of the dome attendance since he cannot afford to go anymore. His replacement is a non -die hard football fan who usually got the tickets by default from his corporate company he works for. Its no wonder these fans leave just after halftime leaving the stadium half empty. Cut ticket prices like the Kansas City chiefs have and you’ll have a fan base like theirs- rowdy exuberant common man fans who will stay to the end of the game cheering on their home team like there is no tomorrow.
Myself and many other Rams fans I have talked to, have complained that they walk out of the dome with a headache attributing it to the overloud scoreboard commercials and public announcer’s booming high volume voice. Turn down PA Jim Holder please! His bellowing game comments remind me of the Wizard of Oz barking out orders at Dorthy, the tinman , the scarecrow, and the lion. A person likes to discuss the game or other things that pop into their head in a mild toned manner They don’t have a prayer of that if game annoucements and scoreboard commercials are equivalent to hearing a full blast megaphone.
To have more festive crowds in the Edward B. Jones Dome for Rams games, our football organization needs to increase and promote “tailgating”. The tailgating I am talking about is not the process of following someone from behind riding their bumper point range with your overeager Subaru. The tailgating I’m talking about, which is extremely popular at other NFL venues like Kansas City and Green Bay is eating ,drinking, listening to bands, and playing parking lot touch football before a game starts. Tailgaters come into stadiums in uproaring good moods providing an electric charge to fans in attendance. Alot of nearby the dome stadium tailgating space has diminished thanks to the new downtown casino, and adjacent to the stadium bus parking. Turn the very close in proximity Eads Bridge into a tailgating mecca. Close off a street or two near the stadium for tailgating use only. There is a gangload of football fans who go to the game for the thrill of being in a super-charged
frenzied crowd. Tailgating gives these people a head start so lets have the Rams promote it.
One final suggestion to make a Rams game more engaging to go to is to provide a decent musical artists to sing a few songs at halftime. Have a mildly popular music guest to spice up the fifteen minute intermission of non football. A good band might fire up a crowd leading into a second half of Rams football.
Rams games need an energy boost in the worse way. Hopefully our St.Louis football organization will take heed of some of these ideas and make going to a home team NFL contest a more spirited one. St.Louis is a bonafide football town and with the right moves by its organization, it can become the best place to watch an NFL game. Help unleash the rabid St.Louis Ram fan like myself.
MIKE MCMURRAN First Capitol News Sports Editor
(CLICK ON IMAGE TO ELARGE)The Academy of the Sacred Heart Sixth Grade Girls’ Basketball team poses with their individual, as well as team trophy, for capturing the Silver Division of the 2008 Assumption 6th Grade Girls Silver Tournament. Players are (front row): Sarah Heise, Brianne Bannon, Maggie McMurran and Elizabeth Francis. (back row): Paige Theby, Kayla Simon, Allison Swearingon, Isabella Tambone and Grace Schwendemann.
All is well on the home front. As I write this the “Super Tuesday” primary is in full swing. I must admit I was torn between Obama and Clinton until I talked to my dear old friend Bobby Barton. I had sent Bob an email sharing with him how I was close to jumping on the Obama bandwagon – his reply solidified my decision.
“You forget Mike, I’m a Republican. And as a Republican I’m hoping like hell Hillary wins. Ain’t nothing like a Clinton running for public office that brings the crazy Christians, in force, I might add, out to vote.” I thought about what he said, and using backdoor philosophy decided the best way to insure a Democrat in the White House come January was to vote for the Senator from Illinois. And so I did.
In reference to my most recent column, I must make a couple of adjustments. Andrew Clark, who plays baseball for the Lookouts and soccer for ASH, also suits up for Chesterfield in the football season. I really hate to overlook anyone, and in the situation that I do, fell free to contact me.
Another gentleman approached me and suggested that whenever he saw Joe McMurran playing baseball, 90% of the time he was catching. If you remember, I had his favorite position and players as third base and Scott Rolen. Well, such was true until was promoted to the Bantam League, when rather than have coaches pitch, players pitch as well as players catch. Catchers, by the way, can also throw out potential base stealers, something Joe has gotten pretty good at. His team finished poorly, probably in dead last, but they will return.
Which kind of brings me to my next piece of critical mail: “Let’s see here, you’ve coached high school football, and quit. Coached kindergarten soccer, and quit. (Referencing Dee’s soccer team). You’ve now come to the conclusion it’s time to quit coaching your son’s baseball team. Let’s face it, you’re a quitter just like everybody else with the Fish Wrap News.”
Someone is paying attention to what I write, but not close enough attention. You see, I gave up coaching high school football to be Daniels head football coach. Dee plays for the O’Fallon Junior Renegades – he just completed his first year. My plans are to stick with the boys up to the point they enter high school. With my years of high school football coaching experience that should be no problem.
I did coach Joe’s baseball team when they were in kindergarten thru third grade, but I’ve found out they boys have outgrown what I can teach them. It’s not as if I am just leaving them out there by themselves. It seems Mr. Steve Heying has been coaching his older son Cody in baseball for some eight years or so. As luck would have it, Cody is now a freshman at Mary Institute Country Day School – so Steve has a giant void in his life. Steve’s youngest son, Andrew plays on the Titans, and Steve asked if he could step up and help out. “Steve my dear buddy, not only can you step up, you can step right over me and take over the team; I’ll be happy to be your assistant.” And I am.
It’s really not fair to factor Dee’s soccer team into the equation. I volunteered to coach that team until someone, anyone would step up and take my place. I knew my knowledge of the sport was very limited, so much so I advised everyone on the team to send their sons to Tony Glavin for some real instruction. Most did, and Greg Padavan finally stepped up and took the boys over. So now I am really only Dee’s head football coach and Joe’s assistant baseball coach.
Oh yeah, except for Maggie’s basketball team. Maggie and her classmates are all in sixth grade. They started playing competitive basketball in the fourth grade. I make all of her games, but frankly would have rather been at the dentist. I was sitting next to Mark Francis and shared with him how down right terrible they were. No offense, no defense, no skills – really, no concept of the game. Being Mr. Positive, he suggested, if you can do better, you coach the girls. I think he was calling me out.
Well, as things usually work out, the old head coach was accepted to medical school, and after all of a quarter of a second debating, decided medical school outweighed coaching the Bad News Bears of Girls’ CYA Basketball. Dr. Richard Heise was the heir apparent to the title, but the idea scared him to death. “I’ve watched basketball on TV but that’s about it,” was all he could muster up to say. If someone didn’t step up, the girls would either be broken up, or worse yet, not have a team to play for at all. I did it for two reasons: (a) Dr. Richard Heise is a very, very nice person, and (b) Maggie Kurtz McMurran is my favrite daughter.
Contrary to what the St. Charles CYA Web Site says, we finish 7-3 in the regular season – quite an improvement from 2-8 the previous year. Most importantly, the girls began having fun, they began to play basketball in their free time and they began to improve.
This year I really thought we had a chance to win our division. But I forgot how the St. Charles County CYA does their factoring – with a wind chime. Even though on their very own web site we were listed 5-5, we were move up to the next division. We’re holding our own. We’ve one 1 game and lost 3, by a total of 8 points. Every game is exciting, and frankly, we are in every game to the very end.
Then “The Miracle” happened. We entered ourselves in the 2008 Assumption 6th Grade Girls Silver Division Tournament last month – AND WON THE DAMN THING! Nine girls, one with a sprained ankle, an assistant coach who watches basketball on TV. and a 53 year-old head coach who “quits everything you start,” came together for four games, and took home the Championship Trophy.
Congratulations to the girls. Please see the accompanying picture.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Censorship & Intolerance Still Alive In St. Charles 20 Years Later?
School Superintendent Orders Movie Company To Cease Using School Name
By Tony Brockmeyer
St. Charles Schools Superintendent Randall Charles has
ordered a Hollywood Production Company that includes several graduates of St. Charles High School to cease the use of the name of the school district in a promotion that was being held to raise money for the high school drama department.
Dr. Darlene Lieblich, Exective Producer of the controversial movie, HEART of the BEHOLDER, received a e-mail from Superintendent Charles ordering her to, “immediately cease the use of the name of the City of St. Charles School District or St. Charles High School and/or any other district school. He further wrote that the district has no interest in benefiting financially or in any other way from the promotion, sale or distribution of the film.
HEART of the BEHOLDER is based on the true story of a young St. Charles couple. (Ken Tipton and his wife Carol) chasing the American Dream by risking their live savings and opening the very first videocassette movie rental business in St. Charles about 20 years ago. They lost their multi-million dollar chain of video stores, their home, and almost their lives fighting Reverend Donald Wildmon’s National Federation for Decency.
(Since 1988 it has been called People For The American Way - American Family Association over the video rental of Martin Scorsese’s controversial movie, The Last Temptation of Christ.
According to Ms. Lieblich, a veteran network television exeutive and former Daytime Emmy Chairman, “People claim our movie trashes Christians and they haven’t even seen it. It is about censorship and the abuse of power - both religious and political corruption. That’s why our second Best Feature Film award came from an all Bible Belt Christian audience in Kentucky.”
The writer/director of HEART of the BEHOLDER Ken Tipton, along with cast and crew members Avis Taylor, Larry Ruebling, and Patrick Kieman are all former St. Charles High School sutdents who got their start in the entertainment industry on the stage at SCHS. When Joseph Hosea, the St. Charles High School’s Drama Department head let it be known that their school productions, equipment, and theater were in dire need of renovation, Executive Producer Darlene Lieblich offered a promotion to raise funding using HEART of the BEHOLDER.
A free showing of the movie scheduled to be held at St. Charles Wehrenberg 18 Cine where the Executive Producer and Director were going to be available for questions was cancelled after receiving the cease order from Superintendent Charles. Other aspects of the promotion were also cancelled.
Ms. Lieblich wrote the Superintendant the following e-mail but has not received a reply:
I am deeply saddened that you so firmly maintain your opposition to the benefit screening of our film HEART of the BEHOLDER. As you have not responded to any of my questions, I still have no idea what basis you are using for your decision or if you have even seen the film yourself before taking an action which will deprive the St. Charles High School Drama Department of a potentially large donation.
I have worked as a professional network television censor for over 30 years so I am keenly aware of the political forces that rise up when it comes to material that routinely sparks debate. The core element of our movie’s story is censorship and intolerance which is a topic that I am passionately against.
Every school in your district has at some time had fundraisers for many worthy causes and used many different incentives and promotional materials. Our free screening and promotional drive has been under discussion for several weeks so your order to cease confuses me.
Have you seen our movie?
What is it about our movie that you find objectionable?
Did you live in St. Charles when the story happened?
Do you want us to cancel our February 2 screening?
Would it help if 100% of the funds generated were donated to the school?
I appreciate the opportunity to resolve these issues as soon as possible. I suggest that we postpone the screening and fundraiser until Feb. 23 when I will be in town again. I would then send you copies of the DVD so you could have adequate time to make an informed decision.
Sincerely,
Dr. Darlene Lieblich
Executive Producer
The First Capitol News was able to contact Superintendent Charles at a conference he was attending. He said, “I didn’t cancel the promotion. I advised them they were not to use the name of the district or the high school and they went ahead and cancelled the promotion on their own.”
HEART of the BEHOLDER, written and directed by 1971 SCHS graduate Ken Tipton, is based on his family’s true story of how they stood up to religious censorship, intolerance, and political corruption. The movie is currently screening on the independent film festival circuit and has won more Best Feature Film awards than any independent movie ever.
HEART of the BEHOLDER stars many well known performers such as John Dye from “Touched by an Angel”, Michael Dorn who plays Worf on “Star Trek”, Greg Germann from “Ally McBeal”, Jason Wiles from “Third Watch”, 3-time Emmy winner Sarah Brown, Matt Letscher from”Mask of Zorro” with Antonio Banderas, Anne Ramsay from “Mad About You” and “The L Word”, Tony Todd from “Platoon” and “Candyman”, Arden Myrin from “Mad TV”, Oscar nominee Patty McCormack, and Priscilla Barnes from “Three’s Company”.
Darlene Lieblich can be contacted at:
producer@Beholder.com.
THE HEART of the BEHOLDER Website is:
www.Beholder.com
By Tony Brockmeyer
St. Charles Schools Superintendent Randall Charles has
ordered a Hollywood Production Company that includes several graduates of St. Charles High School to cease the use of the name of the school district in a promotion that was being held to raise money for the high school drama department.
Dr. Darlene Lieblich, Exective Producer of the controversial movie, HEART of the BEHOLDER, received a e-mail from Superintendent Charles ordering her to, “immediately cease the use of the name of the City of St. Charles School District or St. Charles High School and/or any other district school. He further wrote that the district has no interest in benefiting financially or in any other way from the promotion, sale or distribution of the film.
HEART of the BEHOLDER is based on the true story of a young St. Charles couple. (Ken Tipton and his wife Carol) chasing the American Dream by risking their live savings and opening the very first videocassette movie rental business in St. Charles about 20 years ago. They lost their multi-million dollar chain of video stores, their home, and almost their lives fighting Reverend Donald Wildmon’s National Federation for Decency.
(Since 1988 it has been called People For The American Way - American Family Association over the video rental of Martin Scorsese’s controversial movie, The Last Temptation of Christ.
According to Ms. Lieblich, a veteran network television exeutive and former Daytime Emmy Chairman, “People claim our movie trashes Christians and they haven’t even seen it. It is about censorship and the abuse of power - both religious and political corruption. That’s why our second Best Feature Film award came from an all Bible Belt Christian audience in Kentucky.”
The writer/director of HEART of the BEHOLDER Ken Tipton, along with cast and crew members Avis Taylor, Larry Ruebling, and Patrick Kieman are all former St. Charles High School sutdents who got their start in the entertainment industry on the stage at SCHS. When Joseph Hosea, the St. Charles High School’s Drama Department head let it be known that their school productions, equipment, and theater were in dire need of renovation, Executive Producer Darlene Lieblich offered a promotion to raise funding using HEART of the BEHOLDER.
A free showing of the movie scheduled to be held at St. Charles Wehrenberg 18 Cine where the Executive Producer and Director were going to be available for questions was cancelled after receiving the cease order from Superintendent Charles. Other aspects of the promotion were also cancelled.
Ms. Lieblich wrote the Superintendant the following e-mail but has not received a reply:
I am deeply saddened that you so firmly maintain your opposition to the benefit screening of our film HEART of the BEHOLDER. As you have not responded to any of my questions, I still have no idea what basis you are using for your decision or if you have even seen the film yourself before taking an action which will deprive the St. Charles High School Drama Department of a potentially large donation.
I have worked as a professional network television censor for over 30 years so I am keenly aware of the political forces that rise up when it comes to material that routinely sparks debate. The core element of our movie’s story is censorship and intolerance which is a topic that I am passionately against.
Every school in your district has at some time had fundraisers for many worthy causes and used many different incentives and promotional materials. Our free screening and promotional drive has been under discussion for several weeks so your order to cease confuses me.
Have you seen our movie?
What is it about our movie that you find objectionable?
Did you live in St. Charles when the story happened?
Do you want us to cancel our February 2 screening?
Would it help if 100% of the funds generated were donated to the school?
I appreciate the opportunity to resolve these issues as soon as possible. I suggest that we postpone the screening and fundraiser until Feb. 23 when I will be in town again. I would then send you copies of the DVD so you could have adequate time to make an informed decision.
Sincerely,
Dr. Darlene Lieblich
Executive Producer
The First Capitol News was able to contact Superintendent Charles at a conference he was attending. He said, “I didn’t cancel the promotion. I advised them they were not to use the name of the district or the high school and they went ahead and cancelled the promotion on their own.”
HEART of the BEHOLDER, written and directed by 1971 SCHS graduate Ken Tipton, is based on his family’s true story of how they stood up to religious censorship, intolerance, and political corruption. The movie is currently screening on the independent film festival circuit and has won more Best Feature Film awards than any independent movie ever.
HEART of the BEHOLDER stars many well known performers such as John Dye from “Touched by an Angel”, Michael Dorn who plays Worf on “Star Trek”, Greg Germann from “Ally McBeal”, Jason Wiles from “Third Watch”, 3-time Emmy winner Sarah Brown, Matt Letscher from”Mask of Zorro” with Antonio Banderas, Anne Ramsay from “Mad About You” and “The L Word”, Tony Todd from “Platoon” and “Candyman”, Arden Myrin from “Mad TV”, Oscar nominee Patty McCormack, and Priscilla Barnes from “Three’s Company”.
Darlene Lieblich can be contacted at:
producer@Beholder.com.
THE HEART of the BEHOLDER Website is:
www.Beholder.com
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