St. Louis County Council OKs added $29.5 million in courthouse funding

We’re not sure what’s more offensive about the current St. Louis County effort to spend $130 million in taxpayer funds to build a new St. Loui… Read more

Upgrades to digital infrastructure tacks  on unanticipated costs. Total plan now exceeds cost of original proposal rejected by voters. Read more

In wondering last Sunday whether the inflated cost of a St. Louis County Courts project — from $100 million to nearly $130 million — was due to incompetence or deceptiveness, we overlooked another possibility.

Political influence.

Consider this timeline: On May 7, Alberici Construction, a bidder on the courthouse project, made a $10,000 campaign contribution to St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. That same day the County Council chairman and vice chairman, Kathleen Kelly Burkett and Hazel Erby, signed pledges at the request of officials in Mr. Dooley’s office to be silent about the plan to spend extra public money on the project.

On May 22, Clayco Construction, which is teamed with Alberici on bidding for the project, made a $10,000 campaign contribution to Mayor Francis G. Slay. That same day, Mr. Slay’s campaign turned around and made a $10,000 campaign contribution to Mr. Dooley.

The evening before, on May 21, the County Council had approved a request from officials in Mr. Dooley’s office to spend an additional $29.5 million on the project, even though voters had approved spending only $100 million on the project a year earlier.

Spokesmen for Mssrs. Dooley and Slay assured us the donations had nothing to do with the request for more money for the project. That was reassuring, because we’d hate to think that the mayor — who doesn’t come up for re-election until 2017 — had opened a money laundromat.

“Obviously not,” said Mac Scott, a spokesman for Mr. Dooley.

“Not in any way,” said Richard Callow, a campaign spokesman for Mr. Slay.
So why did Mr. Slay contribute exactly the same amount his campaign received from Clayco Construction to Mr. Dooley on the very day he got Clayco’s donation?

“The mayor strongly believes that Charlie Dooley is good for St. Louis County,” Mr. Callow said.
Under Missouri’s current anemic campaign ethics laws, these contributions are legal. Committee-to-committee pass-throughs, done to fuzz up the source of money, happen all the time. Campaign money buys influence.

The other front-runners for the project — McCarthy Building Companies and KCI Construction Co. — do not show up on campaign reports as having made contributions to either Mr. Slay or Mr. Dooley this year.

The Clayco-Alberici team’s contributions do not guarantee that those companies will win the bid, either. Indeed, the companies may merely be showing their support for the enlightened policies of Mr. Slay and/or Mr. Dooley. But the timing is curious.

Garry Earls, the county’s chief operating officer, sought confidentiality from the parties involved in the attempt to approve an additional $29.5 million in special obligation bonds. That lack of transparency raises suspicions about other aspects, including the campaign contributions.

Voters had already rejected a more extensive $120 million project in 2008 to build a new St. Louis Family Court Building, refurbish the existing main courthouse and perform various other building projects.

When they were presented with a proposition in April 2012 to spend $100 million to build the Family Court building and do some long-delayed and necessary work on the main courthouse, voters approved it.

Last year’s proposition did not require a tax increase, which the earlier proposal would have. Mr. Earls said that if the county had sought $130 million for the project last year, it would have required a tax hike.

That is the key point. The same county officials who in 2010 said the budget was so stressed that they’d have to close parks and cut jobs, were reluctant to ask voters to approve higher taxes in 2012.
So they asked for less money than it now turns out is needed. Mr. Earls said it was an honest mistake; the work turned out to be more expensive than anticipated. On the other hand, allowing for inflation, it’s about the same as the 2008 project that voters turned down.

Read the rest of this story at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/the-platform/editorial-campaign-money-and-that-higher-cost-st-louis-county/article_14e5e748-14d7-5dae-a6b3-ca6f6d361fff.html

Compliments of Post Dispatch.

When Does Senior Center Construction in Oakville Stop?

After the recent decision by the St. Louis County Council to reconsider the zoning for the senior center complex on Telegraph Road, Oakville residents want to know: When will construction stop?

The answer? Probably not anytime soon.

National Church Residences, the Ohio-based company developing the center with Housing and Urban Development funding, is legally permitted to continue with construction unless the St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Commission re-zones the property, which could happen later this month, or unless a lawsuit forces them to stop, said county councilman Steve Stenger.

"For construction to stop, it has to happen through legal action, through an injuction," Stenger said. "That's the only thing that can stop actual construction."

 

Read the rest of the story at: http://mehlville-oakville.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/when-does-senior-center-construction-in-oakville-stop?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001&evar4=picks-1-post

Councilman Stenger to address Senior Housing Ruling Situation

St. Louis County Sixth District Councilman Steve Stenger called a meeting Friday, June 7 at the Oakville High School gym to talk about the 3-story building on Telegraph Road, and both bleachers and the floor were filled.

He opened the meeting by saying he intends to introduce a resolution of intention to the St. Louis County Council to reopen the St. Louis County Planning Commission hearing to change or amend the zoning that allowed the HUD housing, and he intends to do that at Tuesday’s county council meeting.

“I’m so glad we have such community support in this because we’re going to need it,” Stenger said after applause. Later in the meeting, the crowd was generally not so supportive.

Several touched on the issue of the notice of the original zoning hearing, and the fact that it was published in the St. Louis Countian, a paper only available in Oakville at the two public libraries, according to Mark Haefner. Haefner is the son of Rep. Marsha Haefner.

Stenger agreed that notice for hearings needs to be improved.

Stenger will introduce his resolution at the Tuesday meeting of the St. Louis County Council at 6:00 p.m. in the County Council Chambers,  1st Floor, 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton. He invited everyone at the meeting to come the the county council meeting to support the resolution.

For more information and video comments from the audience, go to:  

http://mehlville-oakville.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/councilman-stenger-to-attempt-to-overturn-hud-senior-housing-ruling?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001&evar4=picks-1-post

Some Thoughts from Forrest Miller on South County

The recent furor over the new HUD project scheduled to be built in Oakville caught my attention.  I understand the frustration of feeling helpless about a situation you have little say or control over.  What is ironic here is that, a number of years ago, twenty years to be exact, the residents of this area had the opportunity to have more control over what  happens in their community by incorporating the area into their own municipality;  It was to be called the City of Southpointe.

 

            A lot of far sighted individuals who were concerned about the future of the area, voluntarily devoted many, many hours trying to make this happen for the betterment and proper growth of the community.  Sadly, Southpointe was defeated.  The County played the same tactic twenty years ago; the issue was called scattered site housing. The County quietly bought homes in the Green Park area, and was going  to rent them as section 8 Housing. The Residents of Green Park stood up and formed their own city over that issue and they have done very well ever since; never looking back.

 

If the City of Southpointe would have been formed, this issue would have been decided and planned by local people. We all know the outcome would be much different.

 

Having served as the chairman of the effort to incorporate the area I will never understand why the effort failed.  To me, it was a no brainer.  I thought we would win as at that time every other incorporation and annexing effort in St. Louis County passed.   Those who voted against it maybe would like to vote again, but it is too late.  After the vote laws were changed that would make it almost impossible to ever incorporate the area again.  I wonder who lobbied for that !

 

Forrest Miller

Nixle offers both free and paid notification services from law enforcement, weather reports and more

Many St. Louis County residents are unaware of a very useful free service that is available to provide alerts about important information from trusted government entities and agencies, such as timely alerts about the threat of severe storms like we have recently experienced.

The service is called Nixle (www.nixle.com) and has been described as “Twitter for Government” by Neighborhood Policing Officer (N.P.O. )Yvette Summy of the St. Louis County Police.

Nixle is a private company that was organized in 2007. Its mission is to enable government agencies, small to medium size businesses and enterprise-level organizations to communicate in a secure way and exchange content over a trusted mobile platform.  

Nixle provides communities throughout the country with news and information that is both proximate and personally relevant. The system provides location-specific information to be immediately available to users, depending on their physical location at any given time. Nixle makes this information instantly available over SMS (short message service), mobile application, e-mail, and web.  

Locally, the St. Louis County Police use Nixle as a publishing system to alert residents about the threat of severe storms and other pertinent information.

How it Works
Informative messages are created by the St. Louis County Police and are assigned a priority level which ensures that important information reaches you in a timely manner. Messages are targeted to specific geographic regions, so if your address falls within the geographic area that you selected, then you will receive the message. You can also customize Nixle to add as many locations as you like from across the country, such as home, work, and other family members.

Receiving Messages

You have total control of how messages are received. Messages can be received via text message (SMS) on your mobile phone or via e-mail. You can also make changes to your account settings at any time and you can cancel at any time. Users of smart mobile phones and devices should be aware that Nixle uses the data portion of your plan so text messaging and data charges may apply, depending upon your mobile device plan.

 How to Register

For first time users, go to www.nixle.com and click sign up now. Or, you can text your zip code to 888777. Just follow the directions on the two attached documents to sign up and start using Nixle.
Nixle is an excellent service in that the messages are relevant and timely, especially considering the recent threats of severe weather that has affected the St. Louis area.

Please pass this communication on to other interested parties.

Oakville Residents in an Uproar with St. Louis County

From where he's sitting in Columbus, OH, the uproar over the National Church Residences senior living complex on Telegraph Road is surprising to say the least, says senior project manager Eric Walker.

Walker started working on this project in 2011, applying to the HUD 202 Capital Advance Program during its final round of funding before the program was eliminated in a round of federal budget cuts. The project won funding to build housing for seniors 62 years and older earning 50 percent or less here in South St. Louis County.

 According to research, the number of seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 living below 50 percent of the average income is expected to more-than-double, from 2,500 seniors in 2000 to 4,300 in 2015.

The location on Telegraph Road was particularly, with a high walkability score and access to businesses for seniors who likely don’t drive or have personal transportation.  Attendees questioned this survey pointing out there are no sidewalks in this section on Telegraph and the closest bus transportation is a mile away.

Seniors who move into the three-story, 45-unit complex will put one-third of their income toward rent, up to $550, and government subsidy will offset the balance for the next 40 years, Walker said.

The complex on Telegraph Road will house seniors only, not their families. Of National Church Residence’s 300+ homes around the country, less than 20 also house families. The typical National Church Residences resident is a 79-year-old woman.

National Church Residences was founded by a reverend and four Presbyterian churches, but the organization does not affiliate with a religion, and residents are not screened for religious preferences while applying.  

Councilman, Steve Stenger, was a no-show at a meeting of 300 residents of Oakville at St. Johns Church on May 29.  As one resident put it, "I don't think the group was really against the building, but the fact that St. Louis County did a lousy job in not properly notifying residents.

More info available at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/383252991793081/ and
http://mehlville-oakville.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/national-church-residences-surprised-at-oakville-uproar?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001&evar4=picks-2-post

Residents Protest Low Cost Housing Development for Elderly

https://www.facebook.com/groups/383252991793081/

South County residents up in arms about HUD development in Oakville. See comments from resident at the link above.

Top Restaurants Named by Riverfront Times

Two of the St. Louis area’s best steakhouses are right here in South County, according to Riverfront Times readers.

Tucker’s Place was named Favorite Steak, the publication revealed in its Restaurants 2013 guide. This should come as no surprise—the restaurant, which has locations in Mehlville, Soulard and West County, is often the winner of RFT reader polls.

Rankings were determined by reader votes, according to RFT.

The restaurant received fourth for its burgers and business lunch offerings.

“Tucker’s is an everyday kind of place for an anything-but-everyday kind of steak,” according to RFT.

Another South County spot, Sam’s Steakhouse in Affton, took second, with Citizen Kane’s, Kreis’ and Prime 1000 rounding out the guide’s top five.

Chickens in Your Subdivision?

The Webster Groves City Council this week unanimously approved changes to the city guidelines on residents keeping domestic animals and fowl in their yards.

The changes, among other things, place restrictions on the proximity in which chickens and other fowl can be kept to neighboring property lines. Structures and enclosures must now be kept at least five feet from the property line.

Although the new restriction is somewhat looser than the 12 feet that were previously required for structures, enclosures previously had no proximity restriction. Council members had discussed complaints from residents whose neighbors kept chickens that were allowed to roam up to the property line while inside pens.

Other changes established in the new ordinance are that structures for the animals must be kept at a maximum of 100 square feet, ducks are added to the list of approved fowl and the maximum number of chickens or ducks allowed per any residence has been lowered to eight from 12.

Homemade Mosquito Trap

Works on Gnats too!

Items needed:

1 cup of water
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 gram of yeast
2-liter plastic bottle

1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.
2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.
3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.
4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.
5. Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside in an area away from your normal gathering area. (Mosquitoes are drawn to the color black or white.)

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

St. Louis County Prepares for Potentially Dangerous West Nile Season

St. Louis County is calling out the troops to prevent a bumper crop of mosquitoes this spring from turning into a dangerous summer.

Last year was a banner year both for the sheer number of mosquitos and for the number carrying West Nile Virus, says Drew Hane at St. Louis County Vector Control.

This year will be worse.

“We have prime conditions out there right now. Today is a hot day and that will amplify the mosquitoes’ ability to reproduce and to mature faster in these waters,” Hane explained. “A little bit of water and hot, dry conditions really allow mosquitoes to breed and mature very quickly and it also creates an environment for the virus to replicate very quickly.”

For now the mosquitoes are largely just a nuisance since West Nile doesn’t typically appear until summertime. Hane says the spring offers a window of opportunity to knock out the mosquitoes before they become dangerous.

Hane says the area needs a large, flushing rain and people need to remove standing water from their own yards. He adds that sprayer trucks will be on the streets in about a week.

As for the disease’s virulence, some neurologists say last year’s West Nile Virus attacked the brain more aggressively and may have mutated into a nastier form. Dr. Sarah George, a St. Louis University infectious diseases specialist, says the jury is still out on that being the case this year.

Viruses such as West Nile mutate and can be full of surprises so it is difficult to predict what can happen next.

The jury is still out.

Can you imagine the world without cell phones?

It's a simple question to you all from member "anakak2013," can you imagine the world without cell phones? I know I can, as I lived a good portion of my younger life without one. I remember carrying extra change in my pocket so I could call my mom or dad from a pay phone to pick me up from the movies or wherever I was. I remember when entertainment was a Rubik's Cube or action figures -- not a smartphone or tablet in hand. And looking up a new word meant picking up the dictionary, not looking it up on my phone. My kids will probably never understand what it would be like not to have cell phones in their lives.

 Many people have negative things to say about having a cell phone and talk about wishing things were like in the good old days when not everyone or even no one had cell phones -- saying that people are less social and ruder now, absorbed in their phones, and worse drivers because of the distractions of cell phones, just to name a few. While I would have to agree with some of negatives, I think there are equally as many positives that come from cell phones. To me it is all about using them in moderation, knowing when is an appropriate time, and being considerate and respecting those around us.

However, as many great times as there were without cell phones, owning a cell phone has made my life much more convenient and it gives me a peace of mind to know that I can be reached at a moment's notice for any family emergencies. A cell phone is also an entertainment device for me as well; it's my music player, camera, and my gaming device, as well as providing Internet access for news, or whatever information I need at my disposal. Would I choose to give it up? Probably not. Could I live without one? I sure could. But if the technology is there, I'm going to embrace it and use it.

County opens first household hazardous waste disposal site

St. Louis County has opened its first permanent household hazardous waste collection facility.
This is a regional collection point in Lemay, intended only for residents in St. Louis County, Jefferson County and St. Louis city.

Located at 291 E. Hoffmeister Ave., the facility is a partnership between St. Louis County and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. It is near the Lemay Waste Water Treatment Center.
Household hazardous waste material contains chemicals that are toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive. Some residential waste can be paints, varnishes, pesticides, gas cylinders, car engine fluids or batteries.

The site will replace the county's one-day collection activities. The St. Louis County Department of Health has spent about $7 million since 1998 for these one-day events.

“The permanent facility is more cost-effective than collecting one day at a time,” said Mary Patterson, supervisor of the health department's solid waste management program. “It also is something that residents can use all year long.”

Residents must make a reservation to bring in their waste. The first 50 pounds are free; any additional weight will cost $1 per pound. One exception is latex paint, which will cost 20 cents per pound.
“Latex paint is not on the hazardous waste list, but we'll take it,” Patterson said. One reason for the cost is to encourage residents to use an alternative kind of paint.

Funding for the permanent facility comes in part from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District. The program also receives money from St. Louis County landfill surcharge fees.

St. Louis County has a contract with PSC Environmental. The firm charges the county 95 cents per pound to haul and recycle the waste.

“The fees are to offset the costs,” Patterson said. “We're not trying to to make any money off of this.”
The county has tried to build a permanent site since the 1990s. In 2006, it tried to place some collection lockers at various sites, but some communities didn't want to have the lockers, Patterson said.

Then, MSD stepped up and formed a partnership with St. Louis County. Several sites were examined before the partners decided on the Lemay site. The collection center cost $600,000 to build. MSD does not charge for the use of the land.

“There were different aspects, but one reason for the location is that the county always had success in the South County area during the one-day collections,” MSD division manager Cathy Politte said.
The sewer district has an incentive, trying to keep residents from pouring toxic materials down the drains or into the sewers.

“There is a perception out there that the sewers are a waste can,” MSD spokesperson Lance LeComb said. “Our water treatment plants do a good job of cleaning the water, but we have to put in some extra work to handle any (household waste) that might come through. That costs us more money.”
Politte emphasized the collection facility has its own entrance, is not near the water treatment plant and there is no chance of contamination.

The waste collection facility opened in late March. A grand opening is tentatively planned for May 13. However, it is open and ready for business, Patterson said.

To make a reservation, find a list of materials that will be accepted, or for any questions, go to www.hhwstl.com.

For residents without Internet access, the telephone numbers are (314) 615-8958 in St. Louis County; (314) 622-4800 in St. Louis city; and (636) 797-5043 in Jefferson County.
~ Scott Bandle sbandle@yourjournal.com

New Walmart Proposed at Tesson Ferry, Butler Hill

Get the details on the groceries-only neighborhood market Walmart wants to open in South St. Louis County.
http://mehlville-oakville.patch.com/articles/new-walmart-proposed-at-tesson-ferry-butler-hill?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

 

Walmart wants to open its first groceries-only neighborhood market in St. Louis here in South County, on Tesson Ferry Road, just south of Butler Hill Road.

Lawyers for Walmart presented their plan to the St. Louis County Planning Commission recently, saying the store combines a smaller, focused layout with the food prices customers at supercenter Walmarts expect.

Walmart's "neighborhood market" concept focuses on fixing big box ills while maintaining prices, said the retailer's attorney Keith Hazelwood. Since the stores will only sell groceries—including bakery goods, produce, seafood and pet supplies—the markets don't have the same traffic and crowding issues as the superstores (like the one six miles east on Telegraph Road here in Mehlville.)

The market would be within the Mehlville School District, and Hazelwood estimated tax revenues would go up about $50,000 if the store is built. The store would also bring about 100 jobs to the area, Hazelwood said.

For more information, visit:
http://mehlville-oakville.patch.com/articles/new-walmart-proposed-at-tesson-ferry-butler-hill?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

St. Louis County Government Coming to your Neighborhood

St. Louis County Government is coming to your neighborhood, but they don't tell you where. This is all part of their program to talk to residents about neighborhood concerns. The date is Wednesday, April 17 starting at 6:00 p.m.

 

See below for more information. Call the County Department of Planning at 314-615-2520 to get to the "secret location."

 

Click on graphic to enlarge.

What's illegal in this photo?

It represents probably the number one complaint and violation reported by subdivision residents. There are regulations written in to law in St. Louis County covering situations of this nature.  It's a shame to have county officials (and police officers) spending valuable time on this. We need our officials focusing on planning, finances, taxes, crime, employment, and tons of other areas.

Give up on the photo?

What if every resident in your subdivision parked their vehicles on the grass? Would that enhance the value of your property or take away from it? Yes, a trailer is a vehicle.

Most subdivisions have restrictions in by-laws or association rules covering this violation and present a problem for subdivision trustees. What's your thoughts about the parking of trailers, boats, recreation vehicles and other motorized vehicles? Click on Comments below and share your thoughts.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Groundbreaking Held; Quiet and Secret

While the Lemay Streetscape Project moves ahead, some residents of South County complain much of the activity appears to be a big secret - like the ground breaking ceremony held on April 4. . . but that's how politics often work.

LEMAY PLAZA

Ground Breaking was held on April 4 2013

 Quietly & Secretly Held.

OLD LEMAY CITZENS WERE NOT INFORMED.

ATTENDENCE:

Charles Dooley - Port Authority

Hancock & Notre Dame Students.

LEMAY PLAZA - LEMAY STREETSCAPE PROJECT

LEMAY PLAZA - South Broadway & East Ripa Ave.

Lucy on Life

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Gay Marriage Chronology

 

Click on Map to Enlarge

Residents Complain About County Enforcement of Regulations

A letter from a county resident to St. Louis County and their failure to enforce codes.

March 22, 2011 (Yes, the problems continue to exist today 3/2013)

County Executive Charlie A. Dooley

41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105

Subject:  County Liability Associated with Robinwood West Community Improvement District (RWCID)

Dear Mr. Dooley, et al—

My name is Stephanie Michael and I own a home in unincorporated Saint Louis County in the Robinwood West Community Improvement District—a District created by Saint Louis County Ordinance in 1999.

Please be advised, that I as a homeowner, will no longer accept liability associated with injury, illness and/or accident as a joint result of the District’s failure to comply and Saint Louis County’s failure to enforce, County codes, ordinances and permitting processes related to District real property, District swimming pools and District sponsored, endorsed and/or promoted events and activities.  This includes the sale of food associated with the Stingrays swim team and the Gateway Swimming and Diving League. 

Recently, after several District homeowners complained to the County regarding the District’s installation of an ice-maker without permit, Saint Louis County eventually found the time to have a County inspector come to the District’s Community Center for the inspection of the ice-maker.  Given the costs required to meet County codes, I can only surmise that the inspector found multiple code violations and I believe that these issues were related to plumbing only.  I shudder to think about the electrical code issues that may currently exist.  A 2006 MO State Audit disclosed that in excess of $136,000.00 was spent in renovations to the District Community Center-----I sincerely doubt that Saint Louis County has permits close to equating to the value and nature of work performed in that RWCID government public building----a building that is also available for rental by anyone willing to pay the District established rental fees. 

Homeowners have also addressed with you both in writing and by telephone, for several years, multiple concerns associated with the condition of the Robinwood West CID public seasonal swimming pools.  Many of the safety and health related concerns of the District’s public pools, including a wading pool, still remain today.  Homeowners have also contacted the County regarding the sale of food without Health permits—a routine issue with the District.

Mr. Dooley, even in these tough economic times, the public relies upon the County’s authorities to protect public users of subordinate government public amenities.  The RWCID is a subordinate government entity and as a result, Saint Louis County must acknowledge its responsibilities to protect the people. 

As a homeowner in the District, the number and degree of code violations is not surprising to me and only supports my position that the District and County have been entirely too lax in the enforcement of County codes since the County created the District in 1999, thereby endangering the public safety of all people using the District facilities.  Enough is enough Mr. Dooley-----I hereby place the County on notice that the County will now share the liability. 

Respectfully,

Stephanie Michael, Homeowner
12721 Westport Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63146
314469-1163

 

CF: 
Director of Health, Dr. Dolores J. Gunn
41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105

Director of Public Works, Ms. Sheryl L. Hodges

41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105

The Lemay Branding and Streetscape Plan

If you haven't seen this plan, you need to pay attention to what's going on in Lemay. This plan is not new as it's dated March 24, 2011.  You need to study it at: http://www.lemaynow.com/cmss_files/attachmentlibrary/Lemay%20Streetscape%20Report%20-%20sm.pdf

An update of this plan is dated March 11, 2013. You can download the 28 page document by clicking here.

http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/wrogers/LEMAY%20STREETSCAPE%20PROJECT%20-%20PHASE%201%20-%201-20-13.pdf

St. Louis County took the first step for the $3.75 million renovation of Lemay Ferry Road's streetscape by hiring an architectural firm. Meanwhile, the Lemay Development Corporation is planning a new business and residential development on the road.

The county recently hired architects Hellmuth & Bicknese Architects LLC to renovate the sidewalks on Lemay Ferry Road. The designs will include new sidewalks, ramps, furniture and signs. Street lights will be added in some places. The renovation also will put the sidewalks in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

At a meeting with residents on March 13, 2013, county and other officials got an earful of complaints, challenges and questions regarding the proposed development. Questions like "Who will be taking care of the numerous trees proposed? Trees bring birds and the mess they create. Where's the parking? Senior citizen apartments with no elevator? Some said the development will drive customers and residents away.

Suggestions made to be addressed first included tear-down or renovation of existing buildings, general cleaning up of the community and others.  Stay tuned and plan to attend any future meeting on the Lemay Streetscape project.

Sharp Rise In Distemper Among St. Louis County Raccoons

The Bi-State Wildlife Hotline is warning parents and dog owners about a serious outbreak of distemper in several St. Louis County communities. Unfortunately too many subdivision residents think they're doing the wildlife a favor by feeding them on a daily basis.

Group founder and president Angel Wintrode says that since October they’ve had to start capturing and putting down infected raccoons at an incredibly high rate.

“In a normal year it would be maybe three or four a month,” Wintrode says, “where right now we’re doing three and four a day. It’s crazy the amount that we are bringing in.”

The added emphasis on dog owners is because dogs that haven’t received their parvo-distemper shot are susceptible to the fatal neurological disease.

“This is not the standard rabies vaccine,” Wintrode explains. “This is the extra vaccine that your veterinarian asks you ‘Hey, do you want to do this extra one? It’s only fifteen bucks more’.”

Why the sudden rash of distemper cases now?Wintrode believes the weather is at least partially to blame. “We haven’t had a good, hard freeze in two years now,” she says. “We need that in Missouri. We need that to kill off the ticks. We need that to kill off the fleas. And we need that to kill off diseases in general, like parvo and distemper.”

Infected raccoons often come out during daylight hours, showing little of their natural inclination to avoid contact with humans or pets.

They might be stumbling around or falling over almost as if they were drunk, Wintrode says.
Infected raccoons have already been seen in Chesterfield, Ballwin, Ellisville, Manchester, Rock Hill, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, High Ridge and Fenton.

They’re contagious to unvaccinated dogs and if approached have the potential to injure people or pets.

In Missouri, anyone who believes they may have encountered a raccoon suffering from distemper is asked to call (636) 492-1610.

County Changes Lemay Community& Aquatic Center to Inside Jefferson Barracks

Sinkholes have sunk the original site for the Lemay Community & Aquatic Center.

Instead, the $12 million complex will be built on the western side of Jefferson Barracks County Park, next to the ballfields near the Grant Shelter. The project still is on schedule with a groundbreaking ceremony for later this spring and the opening in 2014.

A geological survey showed there were unexpected sinkhole conditions at the original park site on the corner of Kingston Drive and South Broadway.

The sinkhole was located under the proposed location of the swimming pool, said Katy Jamboretz, vice president of marketing and communications with the St. Louis County Economic Council. St. Louis County is building the recreation complex.

The survey also raised questions about storm water runoff and possible conflicts with gas pipelines in the site.

“The sinkhole also was linked with other sinkholes,” Jamboretz said. “It became a question of what it would take to build it (at the original site). Then, the county looked at other sites. We're still in the park, which is county property. This is why we took the geological survey. We wanted to be sure the site was safe.”

The new location on the park's west side was one of the sites first considered. The center's design will not have to be changed and the budget will remain the same

Residents Protest Proposed Change

A letter To: Lou.Aboussie@mail.house.gov

Mr. Lou Aboussie

Veteran's Representative
Congressman Lacey Clay's Office

Dear Lou,

 As a retired Navy Veteran and this years Camp Commander of "Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War" here in St. Louis, I'd like to express our feelings towards possible construction of a recreational complex in Jefferson Barracks Park. I

 

t is our understanding that the initial construction was planned for the area near the North entrance to the park at Kingston Road and South Broadway in Lemay. Rumor has it that because of sink holes on that site, making it not suitable for construction, the powers to be have decided to demolish the "Grant Shelter" inside the park and build there.

 

We would like you to pass our displeasure with this decision on to Congressman Clay in hopes that he might see and stop the desecration of this historic park with commercial enterprise. Once the private sector gets their foot in the door of this sacred ground it won't be long before their next project will be a golf course or some other development that will chip away at the historical integrity of this treasure trove of American  military history.

 

There are other very suitable sites in the Lemay area such as the site of the old Lemay Bank, which is now already a park and parking lot or the site of the old Defense Mapping warehouse near the entrance to the River City Casino. These locations are begging for commercial activity and would add to the overall enhancement of businesses the area.

I don't recall any public hearings about the decision to demolish Grant Shelter and move the location of the RecPlex-Water Park to this area. I can assure you, now that this information is trickling out there will be an outcry from the Veterans and the public at large. We all still have a bad taste in our mouths because of the erection of a Walmart adjacent to the Jefferson Barracks national Cemetery. It is known that the money for this RecPlex project is coming from the Port Authority which comes from the revenue from the River City Casino. Once this information is realized by the public that the casino money has a direct impact on the destruction of our cherished historic Jefferson Barracks Park, the publicity could have a negative impact on the gaming industry.

The Grant Shelter is a relatively new building and has provided utility to many functions such as wedding receptions, military swap meets, military dances and numerous other functions that are congenial to the area.

 

There is no need to tear down this perfectly functional building and build a commercial monstrosity that will devastate the serenity of the park with traffic and parking lots and disrupt the beautiful surroundings of forest, foliage, and peaceful atmosphere that the park provides.

Please ask the honorable Congressman to take a hard look at this project from a Veteran's prospective. This park holds many memories for Veterans and their families, at one time the entire park was an official military installation and was the starting point for many on their way to war.

 

The area now known as Jefferson Barracks and the surrounding Park was established in 1826 and has served Soldiers and Sailors from the early Indian Wars through the Civil War, World War I and II, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and is still providing service for the Reserve units, some of which are presently serving in Afghanistan. The Veterans were called upon to serve their country, some to die for their country, now we are asking for some small consideration, to help us preserve this hollowed ground.

Respectfully yours,

 

Noel C. Stasiak USNR Ret
6929 Sharp Ave
St. Louis, MO. 63111

St. John Coninues with Allied/Republic Trash

The St. John City Council  tentatively agreed to extend its contract for trash collection with Allied/Republic Services through March 31, 2018.

Switching to trucks powered by natural gas has resulted in savings that are being passed on to customers, Tony Lamantia of Republic told the council.

The rate for the first year will be $19.70 a month, down from the current $20.49 a month. The senior discount will go from $18.44 a month to $17.73 a month. After that, annual increases will be determined by the consumer price index, which has been running about 2.4 percent, Lamantia said.

Service will remain the same with once-a-week pick-ups each of trash, recyclables and yard waste. Residents can also dispose of up to two bulky household items per month free of charge. There will continue to be a charge to residents for disposal of remodeling waste, he said.

North County communities going down hill?

Why so many North County communities are going down hill? Many Mayors and community leaders put some of the blame on County Government. They say many North County areas have simply been ignored as far as infrastructure, school improvements, availability of shopping and business support. They also say authorities didn’t get a jump on rising crime and other problems sooner.

Investigator Elliott Davis also lives in North County. He took these concerns to St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. He says he knows there are problems but insists the County is doing what it can with the resources it has on hand.

There are some alarming crime statistics coming out of North County. According to the Highway Patrol Violent Crime rose to 10 percent from 1990 to the period form 2007-2011. More people in North County live below the poverty line. There has also been a drop in homeowners, and a huge spike in renters.

See Elliott Davis chat with Charlie Dooley about these issues at:
http://fox2now.com/2013/02/26/you-paid-for-it-north-countys-downward-slide/

Bettcha You Don't Have One of These in Your Front Yard

Military Burial for Same-Sex Spouse

Hmm, this is interesting.  A county resident writes . . . .

"I personally served 6 years in the US Army, but can’t be buried at Jefferson Barracks yet another guy can be buried there without serving any military time at all.  It’s because he’s gay and a same-sex partner with someone who did serve time."

I can’t be buried there because most of my time was served in the reserves.  I served in the army reserve program for 6 months active duty and 5 ½ year reserves.  I understand the reasoning here and accept it.

What’s hard to understand is the gay person being allowed to be buried in a military cemetery without any military service.  Now if my wife should die first and I shack up with a gay person after this, am I then eligible?

This same sex marriage thing is getting out of control. If someone can legally will money to a pet cat or dog, why can’t someone marry this pet? Depending on how much money the pet inherits, it could be the family breadwinner.

Military Burial for Same-Sex Spouse

A retired Air Force officer has been given permission to bury the ashes of her same-sex partner in a military cemetery in Oregon.

Nancy Lynchild, who died of cancer just before Christmas, will be the first homosexual military spouse to be buried in a national cemetery, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Thursday. Linda Campbell, 66, who retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves in 1994, said she and Lynchild will get what her parents did: burial in the same grave in Willamette National Cemetery.

Campbell, who enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from college in 1968, remembers having to hide her orientation during her years on active duty. Her parents rejected her when she first told them she was gay, although they later came to accept it.

"It's miraculous," Campbell said. "I never dreamed in my lifetime things would change."

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki approved the waiver in late January.

Lynchild and Campbell, who met while Campbell was working for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Portland, were married in British Columbia in 2010, several years after Lynchild was diagnosed with breast cancer. They had already registered as partners in Eugene, Ore., and as spouses in Multnomah County, during a brief period when the county legalized gay marriage.