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Saturday, April 08, 2006
FIRST CAPITOL NEWS - April 8, 2006 Front Page
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David Slays Goliath - Greer Beats Recall Attempt
By Tony Brockmeyer
In the first recall election in the history of St. Charles, Councilwoman Dottie Greer, Ward 7, overcame an attempt to remove her from office.
Greer, serving her first term, defeated the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer, The St. Charles Citizens for Responsible Government headed by Ken Kielty and Glennon Jamboretz, The Citizens for Responsible Community headed by Carl Maus and Raymond Stone and the Do The Right Thing Committee headed by Ed Watkins, Kevin Kast, Mike Sellenschuetter, and TR Hughes. Combined, the groups spent an estimated $70,000 in their efforts to recall Greer and take control of the City Council and the $100 million City budget. Greer was victorious despite efforts by the Mayor and her husband, Councilmen Mike Weller, Bob Kneemiller, Larry Muench, Jerry Reese and Bob Hoepfner.
“I know how it felt when David fought Goliath and won,” Dottie Greer told the First Capitol News in an exclusive interview after the election. “My ward came together as a community and wanted me to stay in office and represent their interests, not special interests. It was wonderful coming home two days in a row and finding flowers on my porch. I spent less than $300 in the campaign. A lot of people helped me and they even bought their own signs. I received a lot of prayers and want to give the glory to God.”
Although they voted to have the City pay for legal representation for themselves, Hoepfner, Reese, Muench, Weller and Kneemiller, in executive meeting of the City Council, voted to deny Greer the same representation.
Shortly before the election Kneemiller sent a letter to voters in Greer’s Ward criticizing her. Weller, TR Hughes, Watkins, Jamboretz, the Mayor, the Mayor’s husband and associates all worked the polls trying to convince voters to recall Greer. Just a few days prior to the election Citizens for Responsible Community sent out a negative mailer ridiculing City Council President Rory Riddler, Greer and Councilman Mark Brown who they are also attempting to recall. An anonymous, mudslinging, vicious mailer full of hate, lies and misinformation, attacking this writer, City Council Special Counsel Eric Tolen and Matt McWilliams an insurance broker handling insurance for the City, was sent to voters in Greer’s Ward just days prior to the election.
Shortly before the election St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas filed felony charges against Kay Seemiller, who was employed by Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer. Meyer is the wife of a St. Charles police officer who at one time was the president of the St. Charles Police Officer’s Association. In addition to paying recall petition circulators on a per signature basis she also paid herself out of the committee funds. It is expected the prosecutor will file charges on additional individuals.
For more information on the recall efforts and individuals involved please see the First Capitol News archives at
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
ttt
In the first recall election in the history of St. Charles, Councilwoman Dottie Greer, Ward 7, overcame an attempt to remove her from office.
Greer, serving her first term, defeated the Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer, The St. Charles Citizens for Responsible Government headed by Ken Kielty and Glennon Jamboretz, The Citizens for Responsible Community headed by Carl Maus and Raymond Stone and the Do The Right Thing Committee headed by Ed Watkins, Kevin Kast, Mike Sellenschuetter, and TR Hughes. Combined, the groups spent an estimated $70,000 in their efforts to recall Greer and take control of the City Council and the $100 million City budget. Greer was victorious despite efforts by the Mayor and her husband, Councilmen Mike Weller, Bob Kneemiller, Larry Muench, Jerry Reese and Bob Hoepfner.
“I know how it felt when David fought Goliath and won,” Dottie Greer told the First Capitol News in an exclusive interview after the election. “My ward came together as a community and wanted me to stay in office and represent their interests, not special interests. It was wonderful coming home two days in a row and finding flowers on my porch. I spent less than $300 in the campaign. A lot of people helped me and they even bought their own signs. I received a lot of prayers and want to give the glory to God.”
Although they voted to have the City pay for legal representation for themselves, Hoepfner, Reese, Muench, Weller and Kneemiller, in executive meeting of the City Council, voted to deny Greer the same representation.
Shortly before the election Kneemiller sent a letter to voters in Greer’s Ward criticizing her. Weller, TR Hughes, Watkins, Jamboretz, the Mayor, the Mayor’s husband and associates all worked the polls trying to convince voters to recall Greer. Just a few days prior to the election Citizens for Responsible Community sent out a negative mailer ridiculing City Council President Rory Riddler, Greer and Councilman Mark Brown who they are also attempting to recall. An anonymous, mudslinging, vicious mailer full of hate, lies and misinformation, attacking this writer, City Council Special Counsel Eric Tolen and Matt McWilliams an insurance broker handling insurance for the City, was sent to voters in Greer’s Ward just days prior to the election.
Shortly before the election St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas filed felony charges against Kay Seemiller, who was employed by Citizens Empowerment Committee headed by Linda Meyer. Meyer is the wife of a St. Charles police officer who at one time was the president of the St. Charles Police Officer’s Association. In addition to paying recall petition circulators on a per signature basis she also paid herself out of the committee funds. It is expected the prosecutor will file charges on additional individuals.
For more information on the recall efforts and individuals involved please see the First Capitol News archives at
firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com.
ttt
Karam Joins Race To Capture 2nd Congressional District Seat
Saying he is running to help “Save The American Dream”, Charles Karam filed to seek the Democratic nomination in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.“
In his filing statement, Karam pointed out his main reasons for running. “We have gone to war with no plan on how to win and seen it used as justification for billions of dollars to be stolen or squandered by companies like Haliburton. Even the operation of our nation’s most vital ports was nearly outsourced to a foreign government corporation. A culture of greed is destroying the middle class with outlandish oil prices and excessive profits by big oil companies. Big brother is back with government interference in personal family decisions, like the Terry Schiavo case, and the wire taping and spying on United States citizens without proper court review. Karl Rove, Bill Frist, Tom DeLay and Jack Abramhoff are the poster children of a Republican Party drunk on power and addicted to special interest money.”
Karam an American citizen, born to a Christian family in Lebanon, a nation torn by civil war and religious strife, came to America when he was 20 at the urging of his family to seek a better life. He worked to put himself through school and in 1980, he met his wife Mary Jo, and moved to St. Louis. The couple have two beautiful daughters ages 5 and 8. “I will never forget what freedom has meant to me, which is why I want to save the American Dream for future generations, “ explained Karam.
The candidate holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. He also attended Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and received a diploma in management of local government. Karam served for 15 years in the City of Overland as City Engineer and Public Works Director/City Administrator. He started his own development and new homebuilding firm and is currently managing a family-owned company, R.C.W. Corporation/America Home Builders, as President and CEO.
Last year Charles Karam was appointed by St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and now serve as Vice-Chairman of the MSD Board of Trustees.
Charles Karam also used the occasion of his filing to unveil his New Agenda For America. “As a member of the next Congress, I want to promote a new agenda for the 21st Century. One that puts the needs of working people ahead of corporate greed, the lives of seniors ahead of the drug companies, the interests of taxpayers ahead of powerful lobbyists,” explained the candidate.
The main points of his plan are to:
Restore Integrity In Washington by closing the loopholes that high-priced Washington based lobbyists have driven truckloads of money through. We are trillions of dollars in debt due to run-away spending to satisfy special interests and their high priced Washington lobbyists.
Stop Bleeding America’s Middle Class At The Gas Pump - Exxon and Mobil’s excessive profit margins…the largest in history, should be taxed and put into alternative energy research and development.
Build America’s Job Base by keeping American jobs from being outsourced to foreign countries and encouraging new job growth…jobs that pay a living wage. We must secure our nation’s boarders, keep control of our ports and stop firms from hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
Make Retirement More Secure by not allowing the big drug companies to rip-off America’s Seniors. There is no reason we should pay more for the same prescription drugs than consumers in Canada.
Keep Politics Out Of Family Decisions - Congress has no right to intervene in your family’s private end of life decisions as the Republicans did with such blatant disregard in the Terry Shiavo case.
Investigate Billions Missing In Iraq - Tens of billions of dollars are missing from rebuilding programs in Iraq. Those who stole this money are the worst kind of war profiteers and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Respect The Bill Of Rights and stop the erosion of our fundamental freedoms. Restore the balance between civil liberties, privacy and security.
Encourage Smart Growth Decisions - We can protect the environment by making smarter decisions in city planning, creating housing near business centers to reduce drive time and encouraging mixed use developments to provide greens space and more recreational opportunities.
Empower People Through Education - We can empower people to change their lives and help our children to remain competitive in their future careers by putting education first.
Encourage Business Development - The St. Louis region is well positioned to take advantage of advances in bio-technology, agri-business and medical research. We should encourage, not discourage, tomorrow’s industries like stem cell research. We need to encourage entrepreneurship, new business development and protect small business from predatory competition.
In his filing statement, Karam pointed out his main reasons for running. “We have gone to war with no plan on how to win and seen it used as justification for billions of dollars to be stolen or squandered by companies like Haliburton. Even the operation of our nation’s most vital ports was nearly outsourced to a foreign government corporation. A culture of greed is destroying the middle class with outlandish oil prices and excessive profits by big oil companies. Big brother is back with government interference in personal family decisions, like the Terry Schiavo case, and the wire taping and spying on United States citizens without proper court review. Karl Rove, Bill Frist, Tom DeLay and Jack Abramhoff are the poster children of a Republican Party drunk on power and addicted to special interest money.”
Karam an American citizen, born to a Christian family in Lebanon, a nation torn by civil war and religious strife, came to America when he was 20 at the urging of his family to seek a better life. He worked to put himself through school and in 1980, he met his wife Mary Jo, and moved to St. Louis. The couple have two beautiful daughters ages 5 and 8. “I will never forget what freedom has meant to me, which is why I want to save the American Dream for future generations, “ explained Karam.
The candidate holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. He also attended Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and received a diploma in management of local government. Karam served for 15 years in the City of Overland as City Engineer and Public Works Director/City Administrator. He started his own development and new homebuilding firm and is currently managing a family-owned company, R.C.W. Corporation/America Home Builders, as President and CEO.
Last year Charles Karam was appointed by St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and now serve as Vice-Chairman of the MSD Board of Trustees.
Charles Karam also used the occasion of his filing to unveil his New Agenda For America. “As a member of the next Congress, I want to promote a new agenda for the 21st Century. One that puts the needs of working people ahead of corporate greed, the lives of seniors ahead of the drug companies, the interests of taxpayers ahead of powerful lobbyists,” explained the candidate.
The main points of his plan are to:
Restore Integrity In Washington by closing the loopholes that high-priced Washington based lobbyists have driven truckloads of money through. We are trillions of dollars in debt due to run-away spending to satisfy special interests and their high priced Washington lobbyists.
Stop Bleeding America’s Middle Class At The Gas Pump - Exxon and Mobil’s excessive profit margins…the largest in history, should be taxed and put into alternative energy research and development.
Build America’s Job Base by keeping American jobs from being outsourced to foreign countries and encouraging new job growth…jobs that pay a living wage. We must secure our nation’s boarders, keep control of our ports and stop firms from hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
Make Retirement More Secure by not allowing the big drug companies to rip-off America’s Seniors. There is no reason we should pay more for the same prescription drugs than consumers in Canada.
Keep Politics Out Of Family Decisions - Congress has no right to intervene in your family’s private end of life decisions as the Republicans did with such blatant disregard in the Terry Shiavo case.
Investigate Billions Missing In Iraq - Tens of billions of dollars are missing from rebuilding programs in Iraq. Those who stole this money are the worst kind of war profiteers and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Respect The Bill Of Rights and stop the erosion of our fundamental freedoms. Restore the balance between civil liberties, privacy and security.
Encourage Smart Growth Decisions - We can protect the environment by making smarter decisions in city planning, creating housing near business centers to reduce drive time and encouraging mixed use developments to provide greens space and more recreational opportunities.
Empower People Through Education - We can empower people to change their lives and help our children to remain competitive in their future careers by putting education first.
Encourage Business Development - The St. Louis region is well positioned to take advantage of advances in bio-technology, agri-business and medical research. We should encourage, not discourage, tomorrow’s industries like stem cell research. We need to encourage entrepreneurship, new business development and protect small business from predatory competition.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
click on image to enlarge$5 A Signature, Dead or Alive
A St. Charles police officer knocked on my door Monday morning. He was not wearing a brown shirt, was not jack booted, did not appear to be a Nazi, and did not bully me. He told me he was there because of a criminal complaint filed by Linda Meyer, the treasurer of the Citizens Empowerment Committee who is trying to recall Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown, and the wife of a St. Charles police officer who was formerly the president of the St. Charles Police Officers Association. I thought he was joking but he told me she was complaining of being harassed by a cartoon in the February 17th edition of the First Capitol News. She does not like being in cartoons in this newspaper and was upset with the words “dead or alive.” The officer said he wanted to give me an opportunity to respond to her complaint. The cartoon in question is the middle cartoon on this page. I explained to the officer the dead or alive was referring to the fraudulent signatures her committee had collected during the recall petition process and pointed out that one of the signatures was from a dead person. He told me she was insisting the complaint be filed with the office of the Prosecuting Attorney for criminal prosecution. I told the officer the cartoon was protected under the Constitution and I did not care what Linda Meyer thought.
Linda Meyer and members of her group have called and visited our advertisers, filed malicious and false complaints with the better business bureau and tried many times to hurt our newspaper. Now that's harassment!
Happy Easter
Because of the Easter Holiday next weekend our next edition will be on April 22, 2006. However, check our daily web log, firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com for daily updates seven days a week.
RED BAGS
There is a shortage of red bags in which to wrap the newspaper. Because of this there may be occasions when we just have to tie the papers and throw them without bags.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
After two ballots the election for City Council President Tuesday evening was continued until the next Council meeting. The votes were evenly split on both ballots, five for Rory Riddler and five for Bob Kneemiller. Kneemiller made a motion to continue the matter to the next meeting. Evidently he thought Dottie Greer would be recalled and a new member of the Council to be appointed by the Mayor would vote for him. More to come.
The City Desk - Rory Riddler City Council President
Maus & Stone Throw
Sticks And Stones
There is a political campaign committee that calls itself Citizens For Responsible Community (CFRC). They are one of several what I would call “conduit” committees. Their main purpose appears to be to serve as a front organization for laundering vast sums of political cash.
Like many other states, Missouri wisely adopted campaign spending limits to try to reduce the influence of special interest money in elections. In local races for the City Council, that limit is $300 per person or business.
But CFRC has received four donations of over $30,000 each from wealthy individuals seeking to gain political influence with local office holders. These individuals have given over 100 times the amount they legally could have donated to an individual candidate.
Their latest and largest donor was a homebuilder who gave $35,000 to Citizens For Responsible Community. But wait you say! Isn’t CFRC an anti-development group working to stop the unbridled growth of urban sprawl? How can they be taking money from millionaire developers?
The self-appointed co-leaders-for-life of the CFRC, Carl Maus and Raymond Stone have a unique definition of what “Responsible Growth” means. One time it can be to not build residential homes on land they say should be for commercial development. The next time, it is okay to build homes on that exact same parcel if the developer is now someone that gave the CFRC money.
They have also developed a well-deserved reputation for using the political cash they receive, not to support candidates, but to run negative attacks against their opponents. It is the old “good” cop “bad” cop ploy. The candidates they want to win get to say they had nothing to do with the nasty mudslinging pieces mailed out on their behalf by CFRC.
Recently an incumbent Alderman from O’Fallon resigned for personal and health reasons. It was too late, however, for his name to be removed from the ballot.
Carl Maus and Raymond Stone mailed out a flyer attacking this Alderman anyway. They showed his likeness with a turban on his head and chasing away “infidel” homebuilders.
This Alderman was part of the same “anti-development” slate that CFRC had helped elect previously. But CFRC then publicly “disowned” three Aldermen who refused to back-off those developers the CFRC was receiving money from.
So why spend money on a candidate that isn’t running a campaign for reelection and has publicly resigned from the board? The answer was because the Alderman was still being politically active in the community. In other words, they needed to send him a message. Sounds like an episode of the Sopranos.
Maus and Stone also tried their hand again at bending the political landscape to their will in the City of St. Charles. Neither of them live in the City of St. Charles, but they were part of an alliance of such outside special interest brokers who altogether spent a considerable amount of money trying to recall Dottie Greer.
How much money was spent trying to oust Councilwoman Greer? By my estimate, from all committees and anonymous sources, over $70,000!
Of course the CFRC couldn’t mail out literature in Dottie’s ward without using the opportunity to attack me personally. After all, they are still embarrassed that all the money they spent against me two years ago didn’t fool the voters. So I ended up on a mailer in Dottie’s ward dressed like “The Riddler” of Batman infamy. Gee, where have I heard that one before. Oh yeah…third grade.
Now a guy whose name in German literally means “Mouse” and a guy whose name is “Stone” probably had issues growing up. Kids can be cruel. But at some point you have to grow up.
Putting a turban on the likeness of an Alderman in O’Fallon and making him appear to be a terrorist, especially at a time when American servicemen and women are in harms way, was terribly…terribly cruel. It is the worst kind of mudslinging.
When asked about how such personal attacks might affect a person’s family, Maus and Stone told a local reporter that they do consider how the children of a target might feel and that is why they didn’t send the one of the Alderman dressed like a terrorist to his home.
Gee, that’s so nice of them. They mail it to all of his neighbors, the people his children go to school with, but they saved him the embarrassment of having one come to his own home.
This is the quote they gave a local newspaper about this magnanimous gesture of not sending a copy of the mailing of the man they just tried to make look like Osama Bin Laden to his home:
“We are not brutes,” Maus said. “We do have hearts.”
Could I see the X-rays again just to make sure.
CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
Mother Teresa
Tuesday night, Ward 7 of the City of St. Charles went to the polls and decided that city hall is not for sale to developers and the country club elites who believe their opinions are somehow more important than that of the rest of the citizens who work to build and sustain this community. Armed with a self-imposed restricted budget of about $250.00 (that’s two hundred and fifty dollars!), Dottie Greer rebuffed an assault of more than $50,000 (who knows what the actual amount was since much seemed to go undeclared) and the publication and distribution of what amounted to on-going campaign material in a paid advertisement ironically titled, The Citizen, but put out by a non-citizen of our town.
Furthermore, Dottie entered office with a plurality but was allowed to win a majority vote in her own right. (Congratulations Dottie on your second victory – the first in city history!) The First Capitol News stood by Councilwoman Greer’s side serving as the voice of the average citizen much to the chagrin of those who already controlled Lee Enterprises (Post & Journal) by way of advertisement dollars. Even with the Post, Journal, and “You Paid For It” on their side, the same group sought to silence and discredit the little paper in red because this one publication prints stories that often go against the grain of the self-anointed, “movers and shakers.” The most read newspaper in town was demonized for its take on things because it wasn’t in line with the “official message.”
It was ludicrous to hear some of the same movers and shakers with their bazillion dollars, army of hired guns, and attorneys step up and rant against council in one breath and then shout about how intimidated they were in the next! Their public declaration that the Council president by submitting to the chief of police, (in the City administrator’s presence), those signatures that were believed to be forgeries somehow make our town a police state is ridiculous. The police were not doing the bidding of elected officials; in fact, we had no idea what the findings would ultimately render or if the prosecuting attorney would agree to take action. I do think we were vindicated when our prosecutor filed felony charges in this matter and when he gave the opinion that the entire thing should not have been certified until the matter was settled.
In their great fear because of their supposed intimidation (what exactly that was supposed to be, no one knows) some of these movers and shakers sent out illegal campaign letters lacking any disclosure. These letters demonized people such as our insurance broker! The majority of citizens in Ward 7 saw this as a vile, cowardly step that frankly went too far.
Since the Mayor and Councilman Weller went to the polls and actually worked against Dottie, and Councilman Kneemiller reportedly sent out a letter against Dottie, I think Dottie has the right to shovel a little payback their way, but knowing Dottie, I don’t think she will have the same desire for revenge that Battling Bob had back in 2004.
I guess what I am really wondering is whether or not the movers and shakers will allow Council to work out its differences on its own instead of causing still more trouble. Let the “Other Fab Five” stand on their own and together we can reach for common goals, disagree about some things, fight about other things and in general, function like government has in our country since our nation’s birth!
To those who worry about a Council with differences, I say worry about a Council that has none!
Thank You, Ward 7, for knowing the issues and doing the right thing!
THE PEOPLE SPEAK - Letters to the editor
To Mike McMurran
First Capitol News Sports Editor
Saturday morning I went out to get the paper and found the weekly First Capitol News in our yard. Knowing that Mike McMurran’s sports column would be there, I quickly opened it and found the attached article. What a thrill it was to see that Mike had chosen to focus on “Family Tollefson” and our recent visit to Savvis for the Rage Home Opener.
I am sending this email to you three to let you know how much we appreciated the opportunity to attend the game as guests of the Rage, not to mention the wonderful hospitality we experienced during the game. My daughter and two sons thoroughly enjoyed being there. Mike really hit the nail on the head when he wrote about my youngest son, Andrew, and how much he enjoys the Rage games. Though he is a special needs child with some pretty serious physical disabilities, intellectually he is “all there” and truly loves sports, football, and going to the Rage games. Words alone will never adequately express what it meant to Andrew to be there, next to the field, receiving high fives from the players just before kick-offs, and receiving the autographed football.
Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for the joy you brought to Andrew, Peter, and Sophie. Keep up the good work — on the field and in the community!
Mike McMurran — Thanks for including us in your weekly column. It was pretty exciting to see your column and it gave us something to share with our friends and relatives. And, as always, I appreciate what you did in helping us to get tickets to the game. See you on the soccer field!
Kevin Tollefson
Dear Editor,
Until the following items are dealt with plus some others, Missouri is not qualified to pass safety laws for motorcycle riders. For the most part, we are far better riders than most people are drivers and we know, better than anyone, Missouri’s traffic laws are an hypocrisy designed by and for private interests. If Missouri actually wanted highway safety, they would:
-Defy the Missouri Transportation committees chaired by politicians with conflicting interests. Trucks are allowed to soar down our interstates at break-neck speeds in defiance of all the laws of physics while they pound our interstates into dust. It takes far longer to stop a thirty-plus ton vehicle than it does a one and a half ton vehicle. These facts are why most states pass laws to make them stay in the right lane at 55 to sixty MPH and actually write them speeding tickets if they don‘t!
-Enforce and improve the lane laws. We have them in Missouri but they are ignored by law enforcement people. The fact of someone in the passing lane holding up a string of traffic for a mile or two is disregarded right along with the victims passing on their right. The facts of accident results in these incidents go unreported by the police and the media in favor of speed estimates and seat belt usage. States that enforce their lane laws have found that removing lane hogs improves traffic flow resulting in less accidents and road rage.
-Stop cell phone usage while driving. Many states have recognized the fact that some drivers can’t walk and chew gum at the same time so they put a stop to cell phone usage while driving. Missouri often preaches “Driving is a full time job” yet they ignore egocentric drivers that blabber on cell phones causing no end of accidents and road rage. There is no way these folks could be paying attention to their driving.
-Make anyone over the age of seventy take a driver’s exam or at least a reflex test when renewing their license. Some of the elderly do not belong behind the wheel. They are a menace to themselves and others because of slow reflexes and ignoring traffic. Unfortunately, the AARP has more power than it should.
It should be considered that the vast majority of Motorcycle riders are not risk-challenged teenagers or smelly gangsters. We are older, responsible adults and almost all if us have health insurance. We do not appreciate badly-informed do-gooders, motorcycle haters and hypocritical politicians telling us how to be safe because they obviously don’t know.
Joe Morice,
Honda Riders Club of America; River Road Riders Club
First Capitol News Sports Editor
Saturday morning I went out to get the paper and found the weekly First Capitol News in our yard. Knowing that Mike McMurran’s sports column would be there, I quickly opened it and found the attached article. What a thrill it was to see that Mike had chosen to focus on “Family Tollefson” and our recent visit to Savvis for the Rage Home Opener.
I am sending this email to you three to let you know how much we appreciated the opportunity to attend the game as guests of the Rage, not to mention the wonderful hospitality we experienced during the game. My daughter and two sons thoroughly enjoyed being there. Mike really hit the nail on the head when he wrote about my youngest son, Andrew, and how much he enjoys the Rage games. Though he is a special needs child with some pretty serious physical disabilities, intellectually he is “all there” and truly loves sports, football, and going to the Rage games. Words alone will never adequately express what it meant to Andrew to be there, next to the field, receiving high fives from the players just before kick-offs, and receiving the autographed football.
Please accept my most heartfelt thanks for the joy you brought to Andrew, Peter, and Sophie. Keep up the good work — on the field and in the community!
Mike McMurran — Thanks for including us in your weekly column. It was pretty exciting to see your column and it gave us something to share with our friends and relatives. And, as always, I appreciate what you did in helping us to get tickets to the game. See you on the soccer field!
Kevin Tollefson
Dear Editor,
Until the following items are dealt with plus some others, Missouri is not qualified to pass safety laws for motorcycle riders. For the most part, we are far better riders than most people are drivers and we know, better than anyone, Missouri’s traffic laws are an hypocrisy designed by and for private interests. If Missouri actually wanted highway safety, they would:
-Defy the Missouri Transportation committees chaired by politicians with conflicting interests. Trucks are allowed to soar down our interstates at break-neck speeds in defiance of all the laws of physics while they pound our interstates into dust. It takes far longer to stop a thirty-plus ton vehicle than it does a one and a half ton vehicle. These facts are why most states pass laws to make them stay in the right lane at 55 to sixty MPH and actually write them speeding tickets if they don‘t!
-Enforce and improve the lane laws. We have them in Missouri but they are ignored by law enforcement people. The fact of someone in the passing lane holding up a string of traffic for a mile or two is disregarded right along with the victims passing on their right. The facts of accident results in these incidents go unreported by the police and the media in favor of speed estimates and seat belt usage. States that enforce their lane laws have found that removing lane hogs improves traffic flow resulting in less accidents and road rage.
-Stop cell phone usage while driving. Many states have recognized the fact that some drivers can’t walk and chew gum at the same time so they put a stop to cell phone usage while driving. Missouri often preaches “Driving is a full time job” yet they ignore egocentric drivers that blabber on cell phones causing no end of accidents and road rage. There is no way these folks could be paying attention to their driving.
-Make anyone over the age of seventy take a driver’s exam or at least a reflex test when renewing their license. Some of the elderly do not belong behind the wheel. They are a menace to themselves and others because of slow reflexes and ignoring traffic. Unfortunately, the AARP has more power than it should.
It should be considered that the vast majority of Motorcycle riders are not risk-challenged teenagers or smelly gangsters. We are older, responsible adults and almost all if us have health insurance. We do not appreciate badly-informed do-gooders, motorcycle haters and hypocritical politicians telling us how to be safe because they obviously don’t know.
Joe Morice,
Honda Riders Club of America; River Road Riders Club
COMMENTS & COMMENTARY by Charles Hill
Often times you hear the phrase you “can’t fight city hall”. This phrase is synonymous with City Hall standing in the way of progress in one way or another. This past week we saw that in reality when you say you “can’t fight City Hall” it really means you can’t fight the people of a city. After all City Hall is an extension of the people who make up a city.
The voters of Ward 7 showed that you could fight City Hall when they refused to recall Ward 7 Councilwoman Dottie Greer. Despite efforts of the Mayor, her husband, her confidants, Glennon Jamboretz, Ken Kielty. Linda Meyer, Kevin Kast, Mike Weller and Bob Kneemiller along with millionaire developer TR Hughes and Mike Sellenschuetter, Dottie retained her office
The recall of Dottie Greer wasn’t Dottie vs. wealthy developers, public relations firms, scorned police wives, Mayor York, Bob Kneemiller or Mike Weller. It was them against City Hall, a City Hall that is the people’s public house. Our City Hall is only as strong as those who serve their terms in our government. Each and every member of the council is an extension of the wards they represent.
That is where the wealthy developers, public relation firm, scorned police officers wives, Mayor York, Bob Kneemiller and Mike Weller made their mistake. They thought they were fighting Dottie alone. She had support in her ward because her ward saw her supporting them. She fought to get streets fixed, streetlights installed, tax relief for the seniors. Dottie didn’t break any laws; she broke the mold of previous council members in the ward. She said the rich and famous are not my constituents. Those who live on Park, Headland, Elmhurst, West Adams, Concordia, Westminster just to name a few, are the people who Dottie serves. Those she serves, delivered a blow to a millionaire developer and his friend the Mayor this past Tuesday. The money spent to get rid of Dottie dwarfed the amounts spent in normal City Council races. The negative, mudslinging ads against her offended even the most hardened of souls. Those who decided to pick on Dottie for recall did it because they thought she was weak.
Dottie by herself might have appeared weak but the residents of Ward 7 are not weak. They are as strong as ever. The residents of Ward 7 sent a message to the likes of Tom Hughes, Kevin Kast, Patti York, Bob Kneemiller, Mike Sellenschuetter, Linda Meyer, Ken Kielty and Mike Weller that our City Hall is not for sale. The people spoke to those who conspired in destroying our city and our way government for their own gain. As a resident of Ward 1 I say thank you to the people of Ward 7 for not allowing our City Hall to go to the highest bidder.
The voters of Ward 7 showed that you could fight City Hall when they refused to recall Ward 7 Councilwoman Dottie Greer. Despite efforts of the Mayor, her husband, her confidants, Glennon Jamboretz, Ken Kielty. Linda Meyer, Kevin Kast, Mike Weller and Bob Kneemiller along with millionaire developer TR Hughes and Mike Sellenschuetter, Dottie retained her office
The recall of Dottie Greer wasn’t Dottie vs. wealthy developers, public relations firms, scorned police wives, Mayor York, Bob Kneemiller or Mike Weller. It was them against City Hall, a City Hall that is the people’s public house. Our City Hall is only as strong as those who serve their terms in our government. Each and every member of the council is an extension of the wards they represent.
That is where the wealthy developers, public relation firm, scorned police officers wives, Mayor York, Bob Kneemiller and Mike Weller made their mistake. They thought they were fighting Dottie alone. She had support in her ward because her ward saw her supporting them. She fought to get streets fixed, streetlights installed, tax relief for the seniors. Dottie didn’t break any laws; she broke the mold of previous council members in the ward. She said the rich and famous are not my constituents. Those who live on Park, Headland, Elmhurst, West Adams, Concordia, Westminster just to name a few, are the people who Dottie serves. Those she serves, delivered a blow to a millionaire developer and his friend the Mayor this past Tuesday. The money spent to get rid of Dottie dwarfed the amounts spent in normal City Council races. The negative, mudslinging ads against her offended even the most hardened of souls. Those who decided to pick on Dottie for recall did it because they thought she was weak.
Dottie by herself might have appeared weak but the residents of Ward 7 are not weak. They are as strong as ever. The residents of Ward 7 sent a message to the likes of Tom Hughes, Kevin Kast, Patti York, Bob Kneemiller, Mike Sellenschuetter, Linda Meyer, Ken Kielty and Mike Weller that our City Hall is not for sale. The people spoke to those who conspired in destroying our city and our way government for their own gain. As a resident of Ward 1 I say thank you to the people of Ward 7 for not allowing our City Hall to go to the highest bidder.
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
Well, that was quite an election night, wasn’t it? Turnout was low, which is not surprising. St. Charles County survived the introduction of optical scan voting equipment, again not surprising. The whole process went relatively smooth, yet again not surprising. But some of the results were definitely surprising.
Let’s take a look at what happened. First the bad news: In a mildly surprising upset, former O’Fallon Alderman Cheryl Hibbeler won the special election to fill the vacancy on the County Council. I say mildly surprising for a couple reasons. It’s certainly no secret and no surprise that the Republican Party in St. Charles County is broken. The green wing whackos led by Cowboy Ray, Cowboy Carl and crazy Brandy Pedersen are tearing apart the GOP. The dispute over Darrel Lackey’s nomination was not helpful, and their amateur mouthpiece, Malcontent MacNab, has been doing his best to undermine Lackey’s candidacy. In fact, he’s still at it. This is unfortunate and the result is entirely predictable. The Democrats exerted very little effort, exploited the schism in the party and paved the way for Hibbeler’s victory. Second, the spoiler candidate from St. Paul manufactured enough headlines to earn himself a few votes that probably would have gone to Lackey. Now, the formerly 100% Republican St. Charles County Council is 2/7 Democrat. Wow. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s a frightening harbinger of things to come. I sincerely hope the Republican State Party folks are paying attention. It’s time to remind everyone that Republicans are pro-business and generally pro-growth. It’s time to send a message to crazy Brandy Pedersen and Malcontent MacNab that we don’t need or want them in the Republican party anymore. Go join the Democrats. Problem is they certainly won’t want you either. Maybe you can start your own independent party for the insane. Now, that’s an entertaining thought.
Now, the good news: Things went well for Scott Rupp. I was very pleased to see him become State Senator Rupp, and I believe he will do a fine job. Of course, the right thing for Councilman Joe Brazil to do would be to bow out of the contested primary situation he has created, but that seems unlikely. He would have to obtain a special dispensation from his sugar daddy – A.B. (that’s duckboy-in-chief Adolphus Busch to my less informed readers), to withdraw from the race and with AB’s pathetically long string of losses in court battles to stop the Lakeside 370 project in St. Peters, he really needs a State Senator of his very own to introduce crazy legislation to stop growth. Things bode well for Senator Rupp and the benefit of incumbency may be enough to help him past Brazil for the rematch with Henke. It will also be interesting to see how low Brazil will stoop to try and steal the Republican nomination. Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl are certainly talented when it comes to slinging mud and other assorted kinds of slime at opponents. I hope that Rupp does his research and seriously questions how Brazil can possibly call himself a Republican. Turnout will be much higher in November, but so will the level of effort by both parties as they attempt to win a U. S. Senate seat. It remains to be seen whether Senator Rupp will in fact remain Senator Rupp, but things look good.
The best news of all…a very special congratulations to Darling Dottie. She will happily remain on the St. Charles City Council, as she should. Perhaps, the various committees (all orchestrated, organized and funded by Glenn Jamboretz and Tom Hughes) and the Mayor will finally understand that the people are starting to get it. It’s not so easy to pull the wool over our eyes anymore and Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl are starting to lose their touch (which happens to arrogant political operatives when they try to win that one race too many). Memo to Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl: your ridiculously large signs blocked traffic at my polling place, get a clue. Memo to Jamboretz and Hughes: sometimes you can’t buy elections, bummer for you boys. Memo to Linda Meyer: get a life and a real job - your days of milking the recall efforts for lunch money are numbered. Memo to Patti York: no such luck this time - you are going to have to wait until election time to stack the council with sycophants and groupies – hey maybe John Sonderegger is interested, you might look into that.
Now for News of the Weird: O’Fallon Musical Chairs. Two more incumbents bit the dust (involuntarily) when Bob Patek and Jimmy Mitchell lost their seats on the Board of Aldermen. With the vacancies created by the resignations of Schipper, Hudson and Busken and the assorted Mayoral appointments that will be needed, the end result is 6 brand spanking new aldermen. My goodness. That’s a lot of new aldermen. Apparently the people of O’Fallon decided that they made a mistake and they managed to correct it without recalling any elected officials or seeking a do-over in court. Unfortunately, the City of O’Fallon did place a measure on the ballot turning them into a third class city, primarily so that citizens will now have the right to recall elected officials. This is an unfortunate legacy left by the cowards who resigned their aldermanic seats in some kind of kindergarten-style protest. It remains to be seen whether the good people of O’Fallon will allow themselves to be used in some sort of political witchhunt again or if its time for the City of O’Fallon to go back to being a decent place to live. I suspect that will depend in large part on whether Mayor Morrow got the message.
As a recap, Fort Zumwalt got its bond issue courtesy of an excellent campaign by Dr. DuBray. Voters said no to tax increases for the St. Charles School District and St. Charles Community College but yes to transferring funds. Francis Howell School District ends up with two new teacher’s union-approved board members. Apparently, the voters were not happy with Rhonda Brown’s inability to pick a side and stick with it or else they aren’t happy with her husband Skippy’s leadership in St. Peters. Either way, there is only one Brown holding political office now. It remains to see if Mark Lafata holds on as School Board President in the new landscape.
Another election day has come and gone. No telling yet what the final consequences of this particular election will show us, but it is certainly interesting. The fallout from this election will shape the political landscape as we move forward. Some folks woke up on Wednesday to start campaigning for the August primary election. Others are planning for their first go-around in municipal government. I guess there is always an election somewhere. It’s a wonder anyone has time to govern.
Let’s take a look at what happened. First the bad news: In a mildly surprising upset, former O’Fallon Alderman Cheryl Hibbeler won the special election to fill the vacancy on the County Council. I say mildly surprising for a couple reasons. It’s certainly no secret and no surprise that the Republican Party in St. Charles County is broken. The green wing whackos led by Cowboy Ray, Cowboy Carl and crazy Brandy Pedersen are tearing apart the GOP. The dispute over Darrel Lackey’s nomination was not helpful, and their amateur mouthpiece, Malcontent MacNab, has been doing his best to undermine Lackey’s candidacy. In fact, he’s still at it. This is unfortunate and the result is entirely predictable. The Democrats exerted very little effort, exploited the schism in the party and paved the way for Hibbeler’s victory. Second, the spoiler candidate from St. Paul manufactured enough headlines to earn himself a few votes that probably would have gone to Lackey. Now, the formerly 100% Republican St. Charles County Council is 2/7 Democrat. Wow. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s a frightening harbinger of things to come. I sincerely hope the Republican State Party folks are paying attention. It’s time to remind everyone that Republicans are pro-business and generally pro-growth. It’s time to send a message to crazy Brandy Pedersen and Malcontent MacNab that we don’t need or want them in the Republican party anymore. Go join the Democrats. Problem is they certainly won’t want you either. Maybe you can start your own independent party for the insane. Now, that’s an entertaining thought.
Now, the good news: Things went well for Scott Rupp. I was very pleased to see him become State Senator Rupp, and I believe he will do a fine job. Of course, the right thing for Councilman Joe Brazil to do would be to bow out of the contested primary situation he has created, but that seems unlikely. He would have to obtain a special dispensation from his sugar daddy – A.B. (that’s duckboy-in-chief Adolphus Busch to my less informed readers), to withdraw from the race and with AB’s pathetically long string of losses in court battles to stop the Lakeside 370 project in St. Peters, he really needs a State Senator of his very own to introduce crazy legislation to stop growth. Things bode well for Senator Rupp and the benefit of incumbency may be enough to help him past Brazil for the rematch with Henke. It will also be interesting to see how low Brazil will stoop to try and steal the Republican nomination. Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl are certainly talented when it comes to slinging mud and other assorted kinds of slime at opponents. I hope that Rupp does his research and seriously questions how Brazil can possibly call himself a Republican. Turnout will be much higher in November, but so will the level of effort by both parties as they attempt to win a U. S. Senate seat. It remains to be seen whether Senator Rupp will in fact remain Senator Rupp, but things look good.
The best news of all…a very special congratulations to Darling Dottie. She will happily remain on the St. Charles City Council, as she should. Perhaps, the various committees (all orchestrated, organized and funded by Glenn Jamboretz and Tom Hughes) and the Mayor will finally understand that the people are starting to get it. It’s not so easy to pull the wool over our eyes anymore and Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl are starting to lose their touch (which happens to arrogant political operatives when they try to win that one race too many). Memo to Cowboy Ray and Cowboy Carl: your ridiculously large signs blocked traffic at my polling place, get a clue. Memo to Jamboretz and Hughes: sometimes you can’t buy elections, bummer for you boys. Memo to Linda Meyer: get a life and a real job - your days of milking the recall efforts for lunch money are numbered. Memo to Patti York: no such luck this time - you are going to have to wait until election time to stack the council with sycophants and groupies – hey maybe John Sonderegger is interested, you might look into that.
Now for News of the Weird: O’Fallon Musical Chairs. Two more incumbents bit the dust (involuntarily) when Bob Patek and Jimmy Mitchell lost their seats on the Board of Aldermen. With the vacancies created by the resignations of Schipper, Hudson and Busken and the assorted Mayoral appointments that will be needed, the end result is 6 brand spanking new aldermen. My goodness. That’s a lot of new aldermen. Apparently the people of O’Fallon decided that they made a mistake and they managed to correct it without recalling any elected officials or seeking a do-over in court. Unfortunately, the City of O’Fallon did place a measure on the ballot turning them into a third class city, primarily so that citizens will now have the right to recall elected officials. This is an unfortunate legacy left by the cowards who resigned their aldermanic seats in some kind of kindergarten-style protest. It remains to be seen whether the good people of O’Fallon will allow themselves to be used in some sort of political witchhunt again or if its time for the City of O’Fallon to go back to being a decent place to live. I suspect that will depend in large part on whether Mayor Morrow got the message.
As a recap, Fort Zumwalt got its bond issue courtesy of an excellent campaign by Dr. DuBray. Voters said no to tax increases for the St. Charles School District and St. Charles Community College but yes to transferring funds. Francis Howell School District ends up with two new teacher’s union-approved board members. Apparently, the voters were not happy with Rhonda Brown’s inability to pick a side and stick with it or else they aren’t happy with her husband Skippy’s leadership in St. Peters. Either way, there is only one Brown holding political office now. It remains to see if Mark Lafata holds on as School Board President in the new landscape.
Another election day has come and gone. No telling yet what the final consequences of this particular election will show us, but it is certainly interesting. The fallout from this election will shape the political landscape as we move forward. Some folks woke up on Wednesday to start campaigning for the August primary election. Others are planning for their first go-around in municipal government. I guess there is always an election somewhere. It’s a wonder anyone has time to govern.
VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS by Jerry Haferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
Tuesday’s recall outcome has to be bittersweet at best. Sweet because the majority of voters turned back the onslaught against our city, but bitter when you realize that 715 voters chose to support corruption and fraud over honesty. I guess because of my advancing years I would like to have seen an overwhelming vote against the powers trying to buy City hall. I long for the days when honesty and integrity were revered in St. Charles, the days when a person was judged by the content of his character, not by the size of his wallet.
The For Sale sign has not been removed from City Hall yet. The prospective buyers are still waging war against you in the form of the recall effort aimed against Mark Brown. They won’t rest until they get a puppet council, and we shouldn’t rest until we show them again and again that they are wrong. Hopefully the Brown recall will also be unsuccessful for them, but if so they will only go after another councilman. The only ones safe from a recall drive are the ones who already dance to their tune: Weller, Kneemiller, Reese and Hoepfner. I will cut Muench a lot of slack because I really think he is independent and is pretty sick of the attacks on his fellow council members. I could be wrong, but his future actions will show whether he supports the continued assault on the citizens or not. I think that he (unlike Larry Weller, Curly Kneemiller, Moe Reese and Schlep Hoepfner) really wants what is best for his constituents.
Probably the most disheartening occurrence Tuesday was the traveling troupe of comic figures that appeared at the Ward 7 polls. Showing up to support the recall were Petty Patti, Weller, carpetbaggers Watkins, Jamboretz and others. You would think that the mayor and councilmen would have at least stayed neutral, but that isn’t what they need to do to help their friends close the deal on the purchase of City Hall. I have heard that the developer who is suing the City was there for good measure. With the help of Weller, Reese and Kneemiller, he has his eye on your tax dollars.
What Petty Patti and her handlers fail to realize is that most of the good people of St. Charles don’t want to hate. This recall was based on hate. The developers hate the word “No”. The mayor hates to be told “No”. Linda hates that Mr. Linda’s pal is no longer running the police department. They all hate the council members that won’t dance to their music. It was never about fireworks or cell towers. It was about the power that Patti’s handlers could have with just one more council seat. Therein lies the reason for the Mark Brown recall effort. We can only hope the voters in Brown’s ward send the same message back to the special interests and carpetbaggers.
I’m also going to have to cut Jack Banas a little slack. Although he has sworn depositions stating that there was conspiracy, it may be difficult to prove. The Ward 7 resident who submitted the fraudulent documents will claim she didn’t know they were phony. Banas has sworn depositions to counter that claim. It would probably be a case of “I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything”. Then again, maybe Banas should prosecute and let a jury decide.
Thank you Ward 7. You were inundated with nearly $50,000 worth propaganda, but you did “the right thing” and retained Council member Greer. (Kinda makes you wonder what makes it worth $50,000 to buy a council seat). The whole city owes you a big round of applause. Beware, Ward 2. You’re next on the hit list. Brown has worked hard for you. It’s your chance to turn back the assault on your city.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
By Jerry Haferkamp
Tuesday’s recall outcome has to be bittersweet at best. Sweet because the majority of voters turned back the onslaught against our city, but bitter when you realize that 715 voters chose to support corruption and fraud over honesty. I guess because of my advancing years I would like to have seen an overwhelming vote against the powers trying to buy City hall. I long for the days when honesty and integrity were revered in St. Charles, the days when a person was judged by the content of his character, not by the size of his wallet.
The For Sale sign has not been removed from City Hall yet. The prospective buyers are still waging war against you in the form of the recall effort aimed against Mark Brown. They won’t rest until they get a puppet council, and we shouldn’t rest until we show them again and again that they are wrong. Hopefully the Brown recall will also be unsuccessful for them, but if so they will only go after another councilman. The only ones safe from a recall drive are the ones who already dance to their tune: Weller, Kneemiller, Reese and Hoepfner. I will cut Muench a lot of slack because I really think he is independent and is pretty sick of the attacks on his fellow council members. I could be wrong, but his future actions will show whether he supports the continued assault on the citizens or not. I think that he (unlike Larry Weller, Curly Kneemiller, Moe Reese and Schlep Hoepfner) really wants what is best for his constituents.
Probably the most disheartening occurrence Tuesday was the traveling troupe of comic figures that appeared at the Ward 7 polls. Showing up to support the recall were Petty Patti, Weller, carpetbaggers Watkins, Jamboretz and others. You would think that the mayor and councilmen would have at least stayed neutral, but that isn’t what they need to do to help their friends close the deal on the purchase of City Hall. I have heard that the developer who is suing the City was there for good measure. With the help of Weller, Reese and Kneemiller, he has his eye on your tax dollars.
What Petty Patti and her handlers fail to realize is that most of the good people of St. Charles don’t want to hate. This recall was based on hate. The developers hate the word “No”. The mayor hates to be told “No”. Linda hates that Mr. Linda’s pal is no longer running the police department. They all hate the council members that won’t dance to their music. It was never about fireworks or cell towers. It was about the power that Patti’s handlers could have with just one more council seat. Therein lies the reason for the Mark Brown recall effort. We can only hope the voters in Brown’s ward send the same message back to the special interests and carpetbaggers.
I’m also going to have to cut Jack Banas a little slack. Although he has sworn depositions stating that there was conspiracy, it may be difficult to prove. The Ward 7 resident who submitted the fraudulent documents will claim she didn’t know they were phony. Banas has sworn depositions to counter that claim. It would probably be a case of “I didn’t do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can’t prove anything”. Then again, maybe Banas should prosecute and let a jury decide.
Thank you Ward 7. You were inundated with nearly $50,000 worth propaganda, but you did “the right thing” and retained Council member Greer. (Kinda makes you wonder what makes it worth $50,000 to buy a council seat). The whole city owes you a big round of applause. Beware, Ward 2. You’re next on the hit list. Brown has worked hard for you. It’s your chance to turn back the assault on your city.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
FIRSTCAPITOLNEWS - APRIL 1, 2006 - FRONT PAGE
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POSSIBLE BREAK-IN AT CITY WATER TANK
By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Around noon on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 a St. Charles City employee, while changing flags in Fox Hill Park, noticed the gate to the fence surrounding the Fox Hill water tank had been broken and that the bolts on the top of the hatch of the tank had been broken off.
According to an e-mail sent to City Council members, City Administrator Allan Williams told the council they could not tell if entry was made because some of the washers were still in place while others were not. According to Williams, the City workers immediately isolated the tank from the system, started checking the area and the water, involved the St. Charles Police Department, the FBI and Department of Natural Resources. Williams also told the Council members that the City followed the procedures set out by federal terrorism regulations. He also said they do not have any reason to believe this is an act of terrorism at this point.
Williams pointed out that the City water system functioned for years without the Fox Hill tank and he believes it will function safely now. He believes the incident to be more likely vandalism than anything more serious.
The City is testing the tank and waters supplies and will continue to do so. DNR will join in on testing Thursday. Next week the City plans a slow drain of the tank.
City Council president Rory Riddler has asked the City administration to check on the cost of installing video cameras and intrusion alarm systems at the City water system.
The Associated press reported today the water system in Blackstone, Mass. that also serves homes in North Smithfield Rhode Island, was broken into.
According to the Associated Press, someone entered the facility after cutting through barbed wire. They vandalized an electrical panel and a vent on top of a 13 million gallon storage tank. A 5-gallon container was discovered on top of the tank emitting an odor. The Associated Press reported the authorities have ruled out terrorism, and the FBI has decided not to pursue the case. There were reports of teenagers fleeing the scene.
Around noon on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 a St. Charles City employee, while changing flags in Fox Hill Park, noticed the gate to the fence surrounding the Fox Hill water tank had been broken and that the bolts on the top of the hatch of the tank had been broken off.
According to an e-mail sent to City Council members, City Administrator Allan Williams told the council they could not tell if entry was made because some of the washers were still in place while others were not. According to Williams, the City workers immediately isolated the tank from the system, started checking the area and the water, involved the St. Charles Police Department, the FBI and Department of Natural Resources. Williams also told the Council members that the City followed the procedures set out by federal terrorism regulations. He also said they do not have any reason to believe this is an act of terrorism at this point.
Williams pointed out that the City water system functioned for years without the Fox Hill tank and he believes it will function safely now. He believes the incident to be more likely vandalism than anything more serious.
The City is testing the tank and waters supplies and will continue to do so. DNR will join in on testing Thursday. Next week the City plans a slow drain of the tank.
City Council president Rory Riddler has asked the City administration to check on the cost of installing video cameras and intrusion alarm systems at the City water system.
The Associated press reported today the water system in Blackstone, Mass. that also serves homes in North Smithfield Rhode Island, was broken into.
According to the Associated Press, someone entered the facility after cutting through barbed wire. They vandalized an electrical panel and a vent on top of a 13 million gallon storage tank. A 5-gallon container was discovered on top of the tank emitting an odor. The Associated Press reported the authorities have ruled out terrorism, and the FBI has decided not to pursue the case. There were reports of teenagers fleeing the scene.
FATAL HOUSE FIRE IN ST. CHARLES
Fatal House Fire
(see photos at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com)
At approximately 3:45 pm on Thursday, March 30 St. Charles fire received a call of a mulch fire in the 2900 block of McArthur. Then the call came in that the home was in flames. Before arriving on the scene they received another call that a person was trapped..
Upon arrival they immediately found heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. They began search and rescue but could not enter from the front door because the floor had collapsed. Entry was made through the garage and they discovered the victim, a 84 year old female resident of the home, in the kitchen. As they were attempting to remove the woman, who was later pronounced dead, the floor collapsed and four firemen and the victim fell through the floor into the basement.
They were able to remove the victim through a basement window. None of the firemen reported any injuries.
The First Capitol News learned that the victim had only been living there for several months and was sharing the home with her son and his wife.
Captain Dan Casey, public information officer for the St. Charles Fire Department, told gathered reporters that mulch can start on fire from internal combustion. It has not been determined what caused the fire. It is being investigated by fire officials and St. Charles Police Investigators. It appeared that new mulch had recently been distributed throughout the area.
Firefighters from St. Charles, Cottleville, Central County and Pattonville responded.
(see photos at firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com)
At approximately 3:45 pm on Thursday, March 30 St. Charles fire received a call of a mulch fire in the 2900 block of McArthur. Then the call came in that the home was in flames. Before arriving on the scene they received another call that a person was trapped..
Upon arrival they immediately found heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. They began search and rescue but could not enter from the front door because the floor had collapsed. Entry was made through the garage and they discovered the victim, a 84 year old female resident of the home, in the kitchen. As they were attempting to remove the woman, who was later pronounced dead, the floor collapsed and four firemen and the victim fell through the floor into the basement.
They were able to remove the victim through a basement window. None of the firemen reported any injuries.
The First Capitol News learned that the victim had only been living there for several months and was sharing the home with her son and his wife.
Captain Dan Casey, public information officer for the St. Charles Fire Department, told gathered reporters that mulch can start on fire from internal combustion. It has not been determined what caused the fire. It is being investigated by fire officials and St. Charles Police Investigators. It appeared that new mulch had recently been distributed throughout the area.
Firefighters from St. Charles, Cottleville, Central County and Pattonville responded.
Awards Given For Saving Officer Stein’s Life
Awards Given For Saving Officer Stein’s Life
On January 19 Officer Paul Stein of the St. Charles Police Department, a member of the Metro West SWAT team, was running the required obstacle course when he collapsed and lost consciousness. Several team members acted quickly, determined stein was not breathing and began CPR. Moments later the officers were able to activate and use the Automatic External Defibrillator on Officer Stein, a pulse was detected and he was airlifted by ARCH to St. John’s Mercy Hospital where he successfully recovered from the incident.
On March 29th the St. Charles Police, St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Charles County Ambulance district honored, officer Jeff Haislip of the St. Charles Police Department, Detective Tim MacMann, Deputy Tim Dulin and Deputy Tom Jones of the Sheriff’s Department and Sergeant Chad Leyton of the Lake St. Louis Police Department.
Additional information and additional photographs can be found on our daily web log which can be found at
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
On January 19 Officer Paul Stein of the St. Charles Police Department, a member of the Metro West SWAT team, was running the required obstacle course when he collapsed and lost consciousness. Several team members acted quickly, determined stein was not breathing and began CPR. Moments later the officers were able to activate and use the Automatic External Defibrillator on Officer Stein, a pulse was detected and he was airlifted by ARCH to St. John’s Mercy Hospital where he successfully recovered from the incident.
On March 29th the St. Charles Police, St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Charles County Ambulance district honored, officer Jeff Haislip of the St. Charles Police Department, Detective Tim MacMann, Deputy Tim Dulin and Deputy Tom Jones of the Sheriff’s Department and Sergeant Chad Leyton of the Lake St. Louis Police Department.
Additional information and additional photographs can be found on our daily web log which can be found at
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
Former Mayor Grace Nichols Honored As 2006 Woman of Achievement
Former Mayor Grace Nichols Honored As 2006 Woman of Achievement
In honor of Women’s History Month, The St. Charles Women’s Coalition sponsored an educational seminar on Saturday, March 25, 2006. State Democratic Representatives Jane Bogotto and Rachel Storch spoke about current legislation in Jefferson City which will negatively affect women’s and children’s rights if enacted and encouraged us to make our voices heard. Stacey Newman, Director of the MO State Women’s Coalitions, presented an overview of women’s power at the polls and also encouraged us to work for women’s issues.
Following lunch, Grace Nichols, former St. Charles City Mayor, was honored as our 2006 Woman of Achievement. She was selected as the first recipient of this award because of all the many achievements she has had working in the political arena in both St. Charles and St. Louis County.
The St. Charles Women’s Coalition is a group which was formed to campaign for progressive issues at the local, state, and national level. Information on current issues is distributed using an e-mail newsletter as well as occasional forums during which current issues are addressed. For more information, contact Eleanor McCune at 947-9133 or Genie Hatch at 447-5071.
In honor of Women’s History Month, The St. Charles Women’s Coalition sponsored an educational seminar on Saturday, March 25, 2006. State Democratic Representatives Jane Bogotto and Rachel Storch spoke about current legislation in Jefferson City which will negatively affect women’s and children’s rights if enacted and encouraged us to make our voices heard. Stacey Newman, Director of the MO State Women’s Coalitions, presented an overview of women’s power at the polls and also encouraged us to work for women’s issues.
Following lunch, Grace Nichols, former St. Charles City Mayor, was honored as our 2006 Woman of Achievement. She was selected as the first recipient of this award because of all the many achievements she has had working in the political arena in both St. Charles and St. Louis County.
The St. Charles Women’s Coalition is a group which was formed to campaign for progressive issues at the local, state, and national level. Information on current issues is distributed using an e-mail newsletter as well as occasional forums during which current issues are addressed. For more information, contact Eleanor McCune at 947-9133 or Genie Hatch at 447-5071.
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR - Tony Brockmeyer
WILL JUDGE HOUSE JAIl THE COUNCIL MEMBERS?
We reported in the last edition (still found at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com) the attorney representing developer Mike Sellenschuetter had filed a motion asking the Judge to jail the members of the City Council who voted not to allow his client to hook up to the City water and sewer system. On Monday, March 27, Judge House issued an order that Rory Riddler, City Council President is hereby ordered to direct the appropriate staff members of the City to complete their ministerial duties associated with issuing and delivering the water and sewer permits to MJ Developers. He also ordered that should Riddler fail, recuse, abstain or refuse to comply with the Court order then Bob Hoepfner as Vice President of the Council shall so direct the appropriate staff members. Should Hoepfner fail, recuse, abstain or refuse to comply with the Court order then the Council as a whole shall so direct the appropriate staff members.. They were to provide documentation to the Court by 12 noon of April 7, which demonstrates full compliance with his order.
Riddler, who has done work for a sister company owned by Sellenschuetter abstained and did not issue the order. He also told the First capitol News that to make such direction to City staff would be in direct violation of the City Charter.
Council Vice President, who has done plumbing work in one of Sellenschuetter’s developments and who has refused to abstain from voting on the matter, then issued the order on March 28., in apparent violation of the City Charter. Also on March 28, City Administrator Allan Williams directed City staff to issue water and sewer connection permits to Sellenschuetter.
On March 30, attorney Chet Pleban, representing Councilmen Mark Brown, Joe Koester and Dottie Greer filed a motion with the Court to stay enforcement of and to reconsider the court’s March 10, 2006 order, judgment and writ in mandamus and the Court’s March 28, 2006 supplemental order and to recall or cancel any sewer or water connection permits issued to Sellenschuetter’s MJ Developers.
Pleban also filed a counter claim for Councilman Mark Brown who had been sued individually by Schellenschuetter in Federal Court and then in Circuit Court for more than $25,000 in damages and $1 million in punitive damages and attorney fees. The next scheduled Court hearing is Scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2006 at 9:00 am in front of Judge House, Division 1 of St. Charles County Circuit Court. For more information please go to our web log
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
Check our web log daily for updates to this and other stories
WARD 7 VOTERS
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON APRIL 7th.
VOTE NO to recall
Dorothy Dottie Greer
We reported in the last edition (still found at firstcapitolnews.blogspot.com) the attorney representing developer Mike Sellenschuetter had filed a motion asking the Judge to jail the members of the City Council who voted not to allow his client to hook up to the City water and sewer system. On Monday, March 27, Judge House issued an order that Rory Riddler, City Council President is hereby ordered to direct the appropriate staff members of the City to complete their ministerial duties associated with issuing and delivering the water and sewer permits to MJ Developers. He also ordered that should Riddler fail, recuse, abstain or refuse to comply with the Court order then Bob Hoepfner as Vice President of the Council shall so direct the appropriate staff members. Should Hoepfner fail, recuse, abstain or refuse to comply with the Court order then the Council as a whole shall so direct the appropriate staff members.. They were to provide documentation to the Court by 12 noon of April 7, which demonstrates full compliance with his order.
Riddler, who has done work for a sister company owned by Sellenschuetter abstained and did not issue the order. He also told the First capitol News that to make such direction to City staff would be in direct violation of the City Charter.
Council Vice President, who has done plumbing work in one of Sellenschuetter’s developments and who has refused to abstain from voting on the matter, then issued the order on March 28., in apparent violation of the City Charter. Also on March 28, City Administrator Allan Williams directed City staff to issue water and sewer connection permits to Sellenschuetter.
On March 30, attorney Chet Pleban, representing Councilmen Mark Brown, Joe Koester and Dottie Greer filed a motion with the Court to stay enforcement of and to reconsider the court’s March 10, 2006 order, judgment and writ in mandamus and the Court’s March 28, 2006 supplemental order and to recall or cancel any sewer or water connection permits issued to Sellenschuetter’s MJ Developers.
Pleban also filed a counter claim for Councilman Mark Brown who had been sued individually by Schellenschuetter in Federal Court and then in Circuit Court for more than $25,000 in damages and $1 million in punitive damages and attorney fees. The next scheduled Court hearing is Scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2006 at 9:00 am in front of Judge House, Division 1 of St. Charles County Circuit Court. For more information please go to our web log
firstcapitolnews-today.blogspot.com.
Check our web log daily for updates to this and other stories
WARD 7 VOTERS
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON APRIL 7th.
VOTE NO to recall
Dorothy Dottie Greer
THE CITY DESK - City Council President Rory Riddler
Candidate With Secret Identity
Slings Mud From The Shadows
There are times I think I have heard or seen it all.
Some people have imaginary friends. I get an imaginary opponent.
I’m probably the only elected official with a political opponent using a “secret identity”.
A couple of weeks ago I received phone calls from friends that a three-page letter had been sent to them with lots of the usual accusations and mudslinging. There was the standard high school attack. I would think the lack of material that forces my opponents to use thirty-four year old data, speaks volumes of the life I’ve tried to lead.
Then there was the convoluted argument that if someone else wrote a column they didn’t like in the First Capitol News and I didn’t stop writing this column, that means I “endorsed” what the other person wrote. Based on that same logic, John Sonderegger should quit writing for the Post-Dispatch, because of what Bill McClellan writes, otherwise he is just endorsing everything Bill writes….right? My brain hurts trying to think like these people.
My opponent also revealed in the letter that he was conducting polling, setting up a web site and blog. There in fact had been a survey done months before. There was also a letter sent anonymously to members of my Parish attacking me and saying I somehow wasn’t a good Catholic because of something someone else wrote. It also told people I didn’t go to Church frequently enough. I guess they forgot to ask themselves what Jesus would have done before mailing that one out.
Since the letters are all being mailed first class, thousands of dollars have been spent already, over a year before the election…all in violation of the campaign spending laws of the State of Missouri which require full disclosure and reporting of where that money is coming from.
But now comes the real punch-line. The writer of the letter, the person who wants the trust and support of voters, who spends three pages trashing my name…wants to remain anonymous. My imaginary opponent writes:
“For the time being I will identify myself only as Phoenix.”
That’s right. I have an announced opponent for my reelection in April of 2007 with a code name. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
Two weeks ago, when the Council meeting went on till after midnight, I got some good natured “ribbing” from folks at Borromeo’s fish fry Friday. Most were along the line that the Council had kept them up past their bedtime. That’s the meeting where when we returned from executive session I noticed the clock said it was 12:01 and welcomed everyone back to “day two” of the City Council meeting.
People ask me all the time how I manage to stay calm chairing the meetings when people substitute bricks for the hardballs they normally throw at us. I guess it helps to have a sense of humor and not to take yourself too seriously. A couple of weeks ago I read an article by a local columnist saying I had “gaveled down” two people. One held the opinion that we were somehow like the Ku Klux Klan, the other that our Police acted like Nazis.
Both violated the Council rule against making defamatory remarks, so as President of the Council I had to inform them they were out of order and had to forfeit the remainder of their time. I did so politely and never even picked up the gavel. I haven’t figured out how you “gavel down” two speakers without using a gavel. Someday I’ll have to ask John Sonderegger how he thinks I did that.
Most of the time people just don’t think about what they are saying till it falls out of their mouths. In this case, the references to Nazis and the Klan were meant to stir up fear…fear of the terrible “police state” we are living in.
The ten member “Do The Right Thing Committee” has been beating that drum for several weeks now. Here is how they reached the conclusion people are living in fear of the Police:
I see some things that just don’t look right with petitions circulated in the recall of Councilwoman Dottie Greer. I then ask permission of the City Administrator to turn in a complaint to the Police that I feel a crime has been committed. The Administrator arranges and sits in on the meeting to make sure I am giving no direction to the Police and simply pass on to them the facts. That is the extent of my involvement.
I feel somewhat vindicated that the Police uncovered what they felt was credible evidence of a crime and that the County prosecuting Attorney has now filed felony charges in the case. But I got to endure several weeks of attacks by this group for daring to stand up and question them.
But they terribly overplayed their hand trying to convince average law-abiding citizens that they had anything to fear from local law enforcement. Worse yet, trying to smear the reputation of the men and women of law enforcement by mentioning them in the same breath as Nazis or Klan members.
I had an uncle who helped liberate death camps. I have a life-long Jewish friend, whose family was nearly exterminated at the hands of the Nazis. I have close friends and the godfather of my son, whose families were persecuted by the Klan. I’m offended anyone with any knowledge of history or sense of decency would try to smear the reputations of our Police to try to “shift” the focus away from their own political problems.
There also seems to be no limits to the hypocrisy of this coordinated smear campaign.
It is an amazing coincidence, but my imaginary opponent, “Phoenix”, seems to agree a lot with this group…almost as if they were all one in the same. But if Phoenix isn’t a real person, then that would mean some other person or group, say one with obscene amounts of money to spend on a recall election, could be behind these smear attacks.
Could a group that claims to have a thousand “imaginary” members, or to have collected “imaginary” signatures on petitions, be the people behind my “imaginary” opponent?
You just have to laugh sometimes. Goodnight Phoenix…wherever you are.
Slings Mud From The Shadows
There are times I think I have heard or seen it all.
Some people have imaginary friends. I get an imaginary opponent.
I’m probably the only elected official with a political opponent using a “secret identity”.
A couple of weeks ago I received phone calls from friends that a three-page letter had been sent to them with lots of the usual accusations and mudslinging. There was the standard high school attack. I would think the lack of material that forces my opponents to use thirty-four year old data, speaks volumes of the life I’ve tried to lead.
Then there was the convoluted argument that if someone else wrote a column they didn’t like in the First Capitol News and I didn’t stop writing this column, that means I “endorsed” what the other person wrote. Based on that same logic, John Sonderegger should quit writing for the Post-Dispatch, because of what Bill McClellan writes, otherwise he is just endorsing everything Bill writes….right? My brain hurts trying to think like these people.
My opponent also revealed in the letter that he was conducting polling, setting up a web site and blog. There in fact had been a survey done months before. There was also a letter sent anonymously to members of my Parish attacking me and saying I somehow wasn’t a good Catholic because of something someone else wrote. It also told people I didn’t go to Church frequently enough. I guess they forgot to ask themselves what Jesus would have done before mailing that one out.
Since the letters are all being mailed first class, thousands of dollars have been spent already, over a year before the election…all in violation of the campaign spending laws of the State of Missouri which require full disclosure and reporting of where that money is coming from.
But now comes the real punch-line. The writer of the letter, the person who wants the trust and support of voters, who spends three pages trashing my name…wants to remain anonymous. My imaginary opponent writes:
“For the time being I will identify myself only as Phoenix.”
That’s right. I have an announced opponent for my reelection in April of 2007 with a code name. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
Two weeks ago, when the Council meeting went on till after midnight, I got some good natured “ribbing” from folks at Borromeo’s fish fry Friday. Most were along the line that the Council had kept them up past their bedtime. That’s the meeting where when we returned from executive session I noticed the clock said it was 12:01 and welcomed everyone back to “day two” of the City Council meeting.
People ask me all the time how I manage to stay calm chairing the meetings when people substitute bricks for the hardballs they normally throw at us. I guess it helps to have a sense of humor and not to take yourself too seriously. A couple of weeks ago I read an article by a local columnist saying I had “gaveled down” two people. One held the opinion that we were somehow like the Ku Klux Klan, the other that our Police acted like Nazis.
Both violated the Council rule against making defamatory remarks, so as President of the Council I had to inform them they were out of order and had to forfeit the remainder of their time. I did so politely and never even picked up the gavel. I haven’t figured out how you “gavel down” two speakers without using a gavel. Someday I’ll have to ask John Sonderegger how he thinks I did that.
Most of the time people just don’t think about what they are saying till it falls out of their mouths. In this case, the references to Nazis and the Klan were meant to stir up fear…fear of the terrible “police state” we are living in.
The ten member “Do The Right Thing Committee” has been beating that drum for several weeks now. Here is how they reached the conclusion people are living in fear of the Police:
I see some things that just don’t look right with petitions circulated in the recall of Councilwoman Dottie Greer. I then ask permission of the City Administrator to turn in a complaint to the Police that I feel a crime has been committed. The Administrator arranges and sits in on the meeting to make sure I am giving no direction to the Police and simply pass on to them the facts. That is the extent of my involvement.
I feel somewhat vindicated that the Police uncovered what they felt was credible evidence of a crime and that the County prosecuting Attorney has now filed felony charges in the case. But I got to endure several weeks of attacks by this group for daring to stand up and question them.
But they terribly overplayed their hand trying to convince average law-abiding citizens that they had anything to fear from local law enforcement. Worse yet, trying to smear the reputation of the men and women of law enforcement by mentioning them in the same breath as Nazis or Klan members.
I had an uncle who helped liberate death camps. I have a life-long Jewish friend, whose family was nearly exterminated at the hands of the Nazis. I have close friends and the godfather of my son, whose families were persecuted by the Klan. I’m offended anyone with any knowledge of history or sense of decency would try to smear the reputations of our Police to try to “shift” the focus away from their own political problems.
There also seems to be no limits to the hypocrisy of this coordinated smear campaign.
It is an amazing coincidence, but my imaginary opponent, “Phoenix”, seems to agree a lot with this group…almost as if they were all one in the same. But if Phoenix isn’t a real person, then that would mean some other person or group, say one with obscene amounts of money to spend on a recall election, could be behind these smear attacks.
Could a group that claims to have a thousand “imaginary” members, or to have collected “imaginary” signatures on petitions, be the people behind my “imaginary” opponent?
You just have to laugh sometimes. Goodnight Phoenix…wherever you are.
CASE IN POINT By Joe Koester, Councilman Ward 9
“Men occasionally stumble on the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”
Winston Churchill
The City of Saint Charles desperately needs retail business. We are the most populous municipality in the county, however, we are constantly passed over by retailers who have drawn their market rings on the map and we either fall on the eastern edge or western edge of that demographic circle.
Certainly, I am not alone in resisting fighting the Mid-Rivers Mall traffic to arrive at the retailers out west. Or, surely many of you too have a sense of dread at the prospect of heading down highway 94 for most any reason or crossing the river between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:00pm.
At the retailers convention I argued with several representatives of businesses that their tactic of drawing a circle around highway K in O’Fallon and expecting our town’s residents to make that journey is unrealistic and that business is lost in this way.
Perhaps I’m mistaken and it’s not a big deal to drive 30 minutes in traffic to get to a retailer out west, but I don’t know anyone from town here who shops out there with any regularity. The lack of specialty retail is frustrating; however, many of the shops we lack are not very exotic at all.
To be sure, our neighbors to the west had lots of open space to develop while our city is facing redevelopment that incurs more expense and political costs. It is important, though, for our property value and quality of life that we redevelop commercial areas in our town to generate sales tax and to reduce travel time for goods and services.
Some of the development we have gotten has been in the form of small strip centers and, I agree with Councilman Kneemiller who pointed out that the new strip mall on Zumbehl Road just north of the Walgreens was quickly filled with businesses that most townspeople will not use on any regular basis such as, TLC (Traffic Law Center).
Furthermore, those of us from St. Charles, or long-time city residents know that we have a nice town with lots of history and interesting places, but anyone entering our town from Fifth Street or First Capitol Drive wouldn’t know that by the first impression they get. The streetscape isn’t very appealing at all, and on both streets one of the first things one sees is predatory lending institutions that will cash your pay check and charge you fees that should violate state usury laws. I must believe that, sadly, most of the people who use this service are those who can least afford it.
If fuel costs continue to rise, the day of the 20 minute car ride to the giant retail may be coming to an end and maybe then the small shopkeeper will be able to compete with the behemoths of retail. In the meantime, write your favorite retailer and tell them that our city wants them here!
I wanted to write a little something on a separate topic. To mark the change, another quote, this one from W.C. Fields: “A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money.”
I have heard some press frame the recall of Dottie Greer as a way to break up the “fab-five” (their name). This act is futile because the original seven votes that the newly elected council had that sought reform ended after a short run. Once the council was split 5:5 on the big issues, any further reform ended. The council refused to use its subpoena power to bring in people in order to simply ask questions about Express Scripts. The council does not have the political will to enforce William’s contract as it was agreed to. The “Other Fab-five” might have the 6th vote it needs to push through its will if Dottie were to lose and a replacement were installed, however, throughout this period there would still be a fight to get six votes on a lot of issues. The “Other Fab-five” can already often count on Mr. Riddler’s vote without the recall. Contrary to what Lee Enterprise would have you believe, the council usually votes unanimously on most issues and we still try to defer to the councilperson from the affected ward when it is of such nature. I would like to note here that a compromise was reached and “Rudi’s Ribs” can now be enjoyed at the outdoor theater of New Town. You may have to call ahead because they have been selling out down there!
I believe that the public will reject the recall and if the public pays attention to the voting record of the “Other Fab-five” they will be angered to hear that, in spite of the strong recommendation of our city attorney, the “Other Fab-five” voted not to appeal a lawsuit leveled against the city for $3 million dollars thereby weakening our defense and jeopardizing public funds. Reportedly, that wasn’t enough and letters were sent to the judge supporting the lawsuit and thereby incriminating our town.
Surely the influence of the mighty dollar has done much damage to our political system from the top down and reform is difficult and rare - but still I hope for it.
Winston Churchill
The City of Saint Charles desperately needs retail business. We are the most populous municipality in the county, however, we are constantly passed over by retailers who have drawn their market rings on the map and we either fall on the eastern edge or western edge of that demographic circle.
Certainly, I am not alone in resisting fighting the Mid-Rivers Mall traffic to arrive at the retailers out west. Or, surely many of you too have a sense of dread at the prospect of heading down highway 94 for most any reason or crossing the river between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:00pm.
At the retailers convention I argued with several representatives of businesses that their tactic of drawing a circle around highway K in O’Fallon and expecting our town’s residents to make that journey is unrealistic and that business is lost in this way.
Perhaps I’m mistaken and it’s not a big deal to drive 30 minutes in traffic to get to a retailer out west, but I don’t know anyone from town here who shops out there with any regularity. The lack of specialty retail is frustrating; however, many of the shops we lack are not very exotic at all.
To be sure, our neighbors to the west had lots of open space to develop while our city is facing redevelopment that incurs more expense and political costs. It is important, though, for our property value and quality of life that we redevelop commercial areas in our town to generate sales tax and to reduce travel time for goods and services.
Some of the development we have gotten has been in the form of small strip centers and, I agree with Councilman Kneemiller who pointed out that the new strip mall on Zumbehl Road just north of the Walgreens was quickly filled with businesses that most townspeople will not use on any regular basis such as, TLC (Traffic Law Center).
Furthermore, those of us from St. Charles, or long-time city residents know that we have a nice town with lots of history and interesting places, but anyone entering our town from Fifth Street or First Capitol Drive wouldn’t know that by the first impression they get. The streetscape isn’t very appealing at all, and on both streets one of the first things one sees is predatory lending institutions that will cash your pay check and charge you fees that should violate state usury laws. I must believe that, sadly, most of the people who use this service are those who can least afford it.
If fuel costs continue to rise, the day of the 20 minute car ride to the giant retail may be coming to an end and maybe then the small shopkeeper will be able to compete with the behemoths of retail. In the meantime, write your favorite retailer and tell them that our city wants them here!
I wanted to write a little something on a separate topic. To mark the change, another quote, this one from W.C. Fields: “A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money.”
I have heard some press frame the recall of Dottie Greer as a way to break up the “fab-five” (their name). This act is futile because the original seven votes that the newly elected council had that sought reform ended after a short run. Once the council was split 5:5 on the big issues, any further reform ended. The council refused to use its subpoena power to bring in people in order to simply ask questions about Express Scripts. The council does not have the political will to enforce William’s contract as it was agreed to. The “Other Fab-five” might have the 6th vote it needs to push through its will if Dottie were to lose and a replacement were installed, however, throughout this period there would still be a fight to get six votes on a lot of issues. The “Other Fab-five” can already often count on Mr. Riddler’s vote without the recall. Contrary to what Lee Enterprise would have you believe, the council usually votes unanimously on most issues and we still try to defer to the councilperson from the affected ward when it is of such nature. I would like to note here that a compromise was reached and “Rudi’s Ribs” can now be enjoyed at the outdoor theater of New Town. You may have to call ahead because they have been selling out down there!
I believe that the public will reject the recall and if the public pays attention to the voting record of the “Other Fab-five” they will be angered to hear that, in spite of the strong recommendation of our city attorney, the “Other Fab-five” voted not to appeal a lawsuit leveled against the city for $3 million dollars thereby weakening our defense and jeopardizing public funds. Reportedly, that wasn’t enough and letters were sent to the judge supporting the lawsuit and thereby incriminating our town.
Surely the influence of the mighty dollar has done much damage to our political system from the top down and reform is difficult and rare - but still I hope for it.
THE CONSERVATIVE FACTOR - Alex Spencer
Well, here we are folks. Tuesday April 4th, election Day is upon us.
In the City of St. Charles, a recall election made its way onto the ballot. This paper has spent a great deal of time discussing this recall effort, the collection of signatures and the chaos that was brought upon us by a wealthy, greedy and power-hungry group of individuals. Mayor York wants to reclaim control of the City Council, so she “solicited” the help of some of her backers to do in Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Since Darling Dottie is the only one on this ballot, I’ll concentrate on her recall effort. The public face of this effort is Linda Meyer, a strange and inexplicably angry woman who has personally profited from this venture. Ms. Meyer and her cohorts paid bounty hunters/signature gatherers from everywhere except St. Charles to collect the necessary signatures. At least one of these bounty hunters had been criminally charged for forgery as of my deadline. Who knows how many more will follow. FRAUD. That’s a really unfortunate word in the world of electoral politics and I think that really sums up the state of things with this recall effort. Regardless of how you might feel about certain decisions made by Darling Dottie, a recall effort fraught with FRAUD is not the answer. The voters will be able to grade Darling Dottie, along with the rest of the council, next April. This is a power-hungry move by Mayor York, backed by her merry band of idiots. Unfortunately, they are rich idiots so it is entirely likely that they might prevail. I hope that by the time this issue is tossed on your driveway, the courts will stop this FRAUD, but again the odds are against Darling Dottie. Please remember that this is a recall election. VOTE NO on Tuesday. VOTE NO to demonstrate that St. Charles City is not for sale to the highest bidder. VOTE NO to show Mayor York that the people decide who serves on the City Council, not her and her dark nights. VOTE NO to save Darling Dottie. VOTE NO.
On the County Council, voters in District 1 have been treated to another unfortunate circus with spoiler candidate using the courts to generate headlines and increase his name I.D. He’s a bumbling idiot running as the smart growth, aka no growth, guy. Who knows how that will all shake out. As I have said before, while I respect Ms. Hibbeler and her service to the people of O’Fallon, I’m a Republican, so it’s no big secret that I support Darrel Lackey. Notwithstanding the attacks he has suffered from within our own ranks, he is the best candidate to represent the interests of this fast-growing area of the County. Show the green wing that you understand growth can be beneficial, VOTE LACKEY.
In O’Fallon, there are three vacancies (and counting) on the Board of Aldermen with a total of four vacancies in the last couple months. Just in case you don’t have your scorecard handy, four seats are up for election on April 4th but not all the vacancies will be filled by the election. Donna Morrow says she’s embarrassed and she should be. I’m not even really sure what to recommend or suggest on this one since it’s impossible to know how many more resignations will come before the election and how many will withdraw from consideration. I guess people in O’Fallon should go to the polls. Maybe if more people took part in the process, this fracas would stop. Just VOTE.
And the race getting the most statewide attention is easily the election to fill the vacancy in State Senate District 2. Some of us are still adjusting to the fact that Jon Dolan resigned. He was so very entertaining after all. The rest of us are watching our own Republican party implode. Malcontent Chuck MacNab, press secretary for Joe Brazil (RINO), is urging voters to vote for Henke, the Democrat, to teach the Republican Party a lesson about selecting nominees. He is such an idiot that he thinks this will somehow help Brazil in the long run? This is a fairly simple analysis for any reasonable conservative. VOTE RUPP. This is a make it or break it election for Republicans. A Democratic victory does not bode well for the elections in November. Scott Rupp is an excellent candidate with a proven record of accomplishment. Brazil, like his fellow Democrat Henke, has accomplished nothing. In fact, that should be his motto – I do nothing. People in District 1 should turn out and vote to counter Henke’s popularity in Lincoln County and run off the green wing of our party. VOTE RUPP.
Last but not least, it’s always worth mentioning the Mayoral race in St. Peters. Granted, the election won’t take place until April 2008, but we can always count on Alderman Len Pagano’s perennial campaign. It seems that Pagano has staffed his campaign, and I think that’s probably worthy of note. Apparently, he has tapped St. Peters craziest and most long-winded resident, Sandy Waters, as his campaign manager. He’s also using county malcontent MacNab as his press secretary and he appears to be nutty enough to use the services of St. Charles County’s Democrat in sheep’s/Republican clothing, Brandy Pedersen. He apparently needs this completely wacko group to defend him from the criticism of his colleagues. There have also been rumors that he has secured untold promises from our favorite Great White Duck Hunters. Maybe his compatriots on the Board are just tired of the way he bumbles into the headlines and breaks his word.
I mean really – anyone with half a brain can see through his game. He throws discussion items on the agenda for each meeting just to see what will stick. His goal is simple. He wants a headline before the meeting and then he stumbles/mumbles through discussion on television usually remembering, but sometimes forgetting, some prior vote or position and then somehow manages to waste so much time that he earns a second headline. The latest example is rather amusing. He places an item on the agenda suggesting that the City of St. Peters should withdraw from the Chamber of Commerce because of the Chamber’s position on a piece of legislation in Jefferson City. He gets a banner headline before the meeting. During the meeting, he’s reminded by Alderman Jerry Hollingsworth, a fairly transparent Mayoral candidate himself, that Pagano criticized former Mayor Brown for withdrawing from the Chamber over a single issue. Hollingsworth also reminded Pagano of the Chamber’s support of the City. Lo and behold – Pagano, using his doddering old fool routine, remembers that this is true and decides that maybe that was an overreaction and he likes being a member of the Chamber. Goal accomplished – another headline. Anyway, I think we’ll be dealing with Pagano press performances for the next couple years so we might as well enjoy the show.
Go VOTE on Tuesday especially if you live in St. Charles City. VOTE NO to save Darling Dottie.
In the City of St. Charles, a recall election made its way onto the ballot. This paper has spent a great deal of time discussing this recall effort, the collection of signatures and the chaos that was brought upon us by a wealthy, greedy and power-hungry group of individuals. Mayor York wants to reclaim control of the City Council, so she “solicited” the help of some of her backers to do in Councilwoman Dottie Greer and Councilman Mark Brown. Since Darling Dottie is the only one on this ballot, I’ll concentrate on her recall effort. The public face of this effort is Linda Meyer, a strange and inexplicably angry woman who has personally profited from this venture. Ms. Meyer and her cohorts paid bounty hunters/signature gatherers from everywhere except St. Charles to collect the necessary signatures. At least one of these bounty hunters had been criminally charged for forgery as of my deadline. Who knows how many more will follow. FRAUD. That’s a really unfortunate word in the world of electoral politics and I think that really sums up the state of things with this recall effort. Regardless of how you might feel about certain decisions made by Darling Dottie, a recall effort fraught with FRAUD is not the answer. The voters will be able to grade Darling Dottie, along with the rest of the council, next April. This is a power-hungry move by Mayor York, backed by her merry band of idiots. Unfortunately, they are rich idiots so it is entirely likely that they might prevail. I hope that by the time this issue is tossed on your driveway, the courts will stop this FRAUD, but again the odds are against Darling Dottie. Please remember that this is a recall election. VOTE NO on Tuesday. VOTE NO to demonstrate that St. Charles City is not for sale to the highest bidder. VOTE NO to show Mayor York that the people decide who serves on the City Council, not her and her dark nights. VOTE NO to save Darling Dottie. VOTE NO.
On the County Council, voters in District 1 have been treated to another unfortunate circus with spoiler candidate using the courts to generate headlines and increase his name I.D. He’s a bumbling idiot running as the smart growth, aka no growth, guy. Who knows how that will all shake out. As I have said before, while I respect Ms. Hibbeler and her service to the people of O’Fallon, I’m a Republican, so it’s no big secret that I support Darrel Lackey. Notwithstanding the attacks he has suffered from within our own ranks, he is the best candidate to represent the interests of this fast-growing area of the County. Show the green wing that you understand growth can be beneficial, VOTE LACKEY.
In O’Fallon, there are three vacancies (and counting) on the Board of Aldermen with a total of four vacancies in the last couple months. Just in case you don’t have your scorecard handy, four seats are up for election on April 4th but not all the vacancies will be filled by the election. Donna Morrow says she’s embarrassed and she should be. I’m not even really sure what to recommend or suggest on this one since it’s impossible to know how many more resignations will come before the election and how many will withdraw from consideration. I guess people in O’Fallon should go to the polls. Maybe if more people took part in the process, this fracas would stop. Just VOTE.
And the race getting the most statewide attention is easily the election to fill the vacancy in State Senate District 2. Some of us are still adjusting to the fact that Jon Dolan resigned. He was so very entertaining after all. The rest of us are watching our own Republican party implode. Malcontent Chuck MacNab, press secretary for Joe Brazil (RINO), is urging voters to vote for Henke, the Democrat, to teach the Republican Party a lesson about selecting nominees. He is such an idiot that he thinks this will somehow help Brazil in the long run? This is a fairly simple analysis for any reasonable conservative. VOTE RUPP. This is a make it or break it election for Republicans. A Democratic victory does not bode well for the elections in November. Scott Rupp is an excellent candidate with a proven record of accomplishment. Brazil, like his fellow Democrat Henke, has accomplished nothing. In fact, that should be his motto – I do nothing. People in District 1 should turn out and vote to counter Henke’s popularity in Lincoln County and run off the green wing of our party. VOTE RUPP.
Last but not least, it’s always worth mentioning the Mayoral race in St. Peters. Granted, the election won’t take place until April 2008, but we can always count on Alderman Len Pagano’s perennial campaign. It seems that Pagano has staffed his campaign, and I think that’s probably worthy of note. Apparently, he has tapped St. Peters craziest and most long-winded resident, Sandy Waters, as his campaign manager. He’s also using county malcontent MacNab as his press secretary and he appears to be nutty enough to use the services of St. Charles County’s Democrat in sheep’s/Republican clothing, Brandy Pedersen. He apparently needs this completely wacko group to defend him from the criticism of his colleagues. There have also been rumors that he has secured untold promises from our favorite Great White Duck Hunters. Maybe his compatriots on the Board are just tired of the way he bumbles into the headlines and breaks his word.
I mean really – anyone with half a brain can see through his game. He throws discussion items on the agenda for each meeting just to see what will stick. His goal is simple. He wants a headline before the meeting and then he stumbles/mumbles through discussion on television usually remembering, but sometimes forgetting, some prior vote or position and then somehow manages to waste so much time that he earns a second headline. The latest example is rather amusing. He places an item on the agenda suggesting that the City of St. Peters should withdraw from the Chamber of Commerce because of the Chamber’s position on a piece of legislation in Jefferson City. He gets a banner headline before the meeting. During the meeting, he’s reminded by Alderman Jerry Hollingsworth, a fairly transparent Mayoral candidate himself, that Pagano criticized former Mayor Brown for withdrawing from the Chamber over a single issue. Hollingsworth also reminded Pagano of the Chamber’s support of the City. Lo and behold – Pagano, using his doddering old fool routine, remembers that this is true and decides that maybe that was an overreaction and he likes being a member of the Chamber. Goal accomplished – another headline. Anyway, I think we’ll be dealing with Pagano press performances for the next couple years so we might as well enjoy the show.
Go VOTE on Tuesday especially if you live in St. Charles City. VOTE NO to save Darling Dottie.
THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS By Jerry Haferkamp
The View From The Cheap Seats
By Jerry Haferkamp
Hey, Stupid. Listen up! I’m trying to sell something here!
That should have been the header of Ed Watkins’ egotorial in the latest issue of the Non-Citizen. All who read it should be aware the next step in logical progression would be for him to try to sell you a bridge in Brooklyn or oceanfront lots in Arizona. Be on your guard. He obviously thinks you’re stupid.
The only sentence that isn’t arguable is his first sentence. “The 350 voters that elected Dottie Greer in 2004 got much more than they voted for.” I couldn’t agree more. After that sentence, the spin is so bad that I think I heard the tornado sirens going off.
He spins that Greer switched positions on the fireworks issue. Not true. After her attempt to ban the sale of fireworks failed she introduced legislation that restricted their use, called for increased enforcement and provided funds for that enforcement coming from the sellers of the fireworks. It worked well. The failed attempt to ban the sale and the subsequent tougher enforcement of their use were both in the best interests of our citizens’ safety
He spins that she helped lead “nasty” campaigns against two “respected” developers. Both of these “respected” developers wanted to annex into the city without adequately addressing the creek stabilization in their respective developments. One had enough influence on a State Rep to have a special law that applies only to him help force the city to hook up his sewers to our overcrowded Mississippi treatment plant. This plant now has a committed 97% of its capacity. If a developer inside our city needs to hook up, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources would have concerns and would become involved. Development inside our city was sacrificed to take care of a developer outside our city. Besides, our city is spending hundreds of thousands to stabilize creek banks already in our city. Why should we subject our taxpayers to more of this?
He spins that she voted to “kick” the mayor off the dais. (What a great mental picture, especially the “kick” part) Why didn’t he spin that the mayor thought it a good idea when she had her rubber stamp, no concern for the residents council? In the same paragraph he attacks Greer for telling the Beautification Committee that if they continue to violate the law as they apparently did in the past, she would take the appropriate action. In past egotorials, Ed claimed the committee members “resigned en masse”. Only two who apparently didn’t like to obey the law resigned. Volunteers or not, the laws should be followed.
He spins that Greer flip-flopped when she voted to have our former City Administrator Williams removed from his office after voting previously to hire him (in fact Mrs. Greer was a desenting vote). The facts are that Williams hadn’t fulfilled the provisions of his contract prior to the expiration of his contract. When he no longer had a contract with the city (and still doesn’t) he refused to vacate the offices he was using. Of course, that is when a contract was a contract and a man’s word was his bond. A judge recently ruled that contracts aren’t contracts, and seemingly Williams’ word means nothing to a man of his character, or lack thereof.
Eddie’s halo done slipped off his noggin. There are 10 commandments, not nine. He keeps forgetting the one about “Thou shalt not bear false witness”. That means don’t lie. Somebody, look it up for him.
If I had more space, I would decipher Kenny’s rant in the box above Eddie’s. I did go back and read the past two issues of the FCN and the only mention of the former mayors was praise for them in Riddler’s column and a small mention in this column. They weren’t “vilified” anywhere. In the spirit of equal time in this column, if I comment any more on Kenny today I would have to comment every time I pass a barnyard and heard a certain beast of burden bray.
The Non-Citizen should start using spell check. In big red letters on the front of the political ad rag there is an error. There is no “r” in fiend. According to sworn deposition, this same f( r )iend submitted petitions that she knew were fraudulent. Isn’t that fraud? I think that if I submitted a check to my bank that I knew was fraudulent, I would be just as responsible as the person who wrote the fraudulent check. I think Banas won’t touch those who are directly responsible for submitting fraudulent documents to help their cause.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
Will ward seven voters support our residents and Dottie Greer, or will they support fraud?
Tell the power brokers and the Non-Citizen that you aren’t stupid!
Say “NO’ to fraud and deception! Vote to retain Dottie Greer!
By Jerry Haferkamp
Hey, Stupid. Listen up! I’m trying to sell something here!
That should have been the header of Ed Watkins’ egotorial in the latest issue of the Non-Citizen. All who read it should be aware the next step in logical progression would be for him to try to sell you a bridge in Brooklyn or oceanfront lots in Arizona. Be on your guard. He obviously thinks you’re stupid.
The only sentence that isn’t arguable is his first sentence. “The 350 voters that elected Dottie Greer in 2004 got much more than they voted for.” I couldn’t agree more. After that sentence, the spin is so bad that I think I heard the tornado sirens going off.
He spins that Greer switched positions on the fireworks issue. Not true. After her attempt to ban the sale of fireworks failed she introduced legislation that restricted their use, called for increased enforcement and provided funds for that enforcement coming from the sellers of the fireworks. It worked well. The failed attempt to ban the sale and the subsequent tougher enforcement of their use were both in the best interests of our citizens’ safety
He spins that she helped lead “nasty” campaigns against two “respected” developers. Both of these “respected” developers wanted to annex into the city without adequately addressing the creek stabilization in their respective developments. One had enough influence on a State Rep to have a special law that applies only to him help force the city to hook up his sewers to our overcrowded Mississippi treatment plant. This plant now has a committed 97% of its capacity. If a developer inside our city needs to hook up, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources would have concerns and would become involved. Development inside our city was sacrificed to take care of a developer outside our city. Besides, our city is spending hundreds of thousands to stabilize creek banks already in our city. Why should we subject our taxpayers to more of this?
He spins that she voted to “kick” the mayor off the dais. (What a great mental picture, especially the “kick” part) Why didn’t he spin that the mayor thought it a good idea when she had her rubber stamp, no concern for the residents council? In the same paragraph he attacks Greer for telling the Beautification Committee that if they continue to violate the law as they apparently did in the past, she would take the appropriate action. In past egotorials, Ed claimed the committee members “resigned en masse”. Only two who apparently didn’t like to obey the law resigned. Volunteers or not, the laws should be followed.
He spins that Greer flip-flopped when she voted to have our former City Administrator Williams removed from his office after voting previously to hire him (in fact Mrs. Greer was a desenting vote). The facts are that Williams hadn’t fulfilled the provisions of his contract prior to the expiration of his contract. When he no longer had a contract with the city (and still doesn’t) he refused to vacate the offices he was using. Of course, that is when a contract was a contract and a man’s word was his bond. A judge recently ruled that contracts aren’t contracts, and seemingly Williams’ word means nothing to a man of his character, or lack thereof.
Eddie’s halo done slipped off his noggin. There are 10 commandments, not nine. He keeps forgetting the one about “Thou shalt not bear false witness”. That means don’t lie. Somebody, look it up for him.
If I had more space, I would decipher Kenny’s rant in the box above Eddie’s. I did go back and read the past two issues of the FCN and the only mention of the former mayors was praise for them in Riddler’s column and a small mention in this column. They weren’t “vilified” anywhere. In the spirit of equal time in this column, if I comment any more on Kenny today I would have to comment every time I pass a barnyard and heard a certain beast of burden bray.
The Non-Citizen should start using spell check. In big red letters on the front of the political ad rag there is an error. There is no “r” in fiend. According to sworn deposition, this same f( r )iend submitted petitions that she knew were fraudulent. Isn’t that fraud? I think that if I submitted a check to my bank that I knew was fraudulent, I would be just as responsible as the person who wrote the fraudulent check. I think Banas won’t touch those who are directly responsible for submitting fraudulent documents to help their cause.
Of course, that’s just the view from the cheap seats.
Will ward seven voters support our residents and Dottie Greer, or will they support fraud?
Tell the power brokers and the Non-Citizen that you aren’t stupid!
Say “NO’ to fraud and deception! Vote to retain Dottie Greer!
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