Ex Alderman Newsletter 417 and Chesterfield Unapproved 362

EX ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 417 AND CHESTERFIELD UNAPPROVED 362

March 7, 2020

DALTON PUTS ON THE JERK MASK AS HE QUESTIONS HIS ADMIN AIDE OVER INFORMATION IN HER LIVE STREAMING REPORT: The first item on the Work Session agenda meeting prior to Monday February 24 Board of Aldermen meeting was a “Live Streaming” report on cities that live stream or record and have their meetings on their website. Morgan Kuepfert, the mayor and city administrator’s admin aide, who has a background in websites and digital web programming gave the presentation.

Morgan included a number of cities that live stream their aldermanic or council meetings. She mentioned what Independence, Missouri, the county seat of Jackson County did. This immediately cause Mayor Jon “Former cigarette and current marijuana lobbyist” Dalton to stop her presentation as he shouted, “You went to Independence to get information?”

This made me immediately think, “Doesn’t Dalton know the city staff have telephones and email they can use.” Then I remembered that Dalton as a lawyer could certainly drive round trip to Independence to ask a few questions and add 7-hours of billing for travel.

Dalton next shouted, “How did you get that and why did you choose Independence?”

This made me think that Morgan was doing a good job by not asking only neighboring cities. A city on the west side of the State might have come up with a better and cheaper way to do something and you would never know if you didn’t ask.

Again Dalton’ question of how Morgan got the information took me back to wonder if he was not aware of telephones and email. Morgan said she did a google search of Missouri cities that live streamed meeting and Independence was one of them

Frankly it appeared as if Dalton was bullying a new employee for doing her job. You could see she was somewhat taken back.

Overall it came out that startup for live streaming of meetings was between $15,000 and $100,000 depending on the quality and manpower used. That included the cost for an employee or several employees to do the work. She added that most cities that live streamed had a city IT-Department, something that Town and Country does not have.

LATER IN THE MEETING DALTON PUT ON THE TOMMY FLANAGAN LIAR MASK;

The resolution to support both the City of Frontenac and County Councilman Tim Fitch requesting the County Executive Sam Page to replace or reappoint Library Board members with expired terms was again on the agenda.

Ald. Pam Holman said, “I’m uncomfortable with this action. This is something for the House of Representatives.”

Then Dalton made a similar statement that he made two weeks earlier. “I do not tell other representatives of other governments how to do their job!”

WHAT!!!!!

That was such a huge lie. Of course Dalton tells other elected representatives how to do their jobs. HE IS A LOBBYIST AT THE STATE CAPITAL. He charges thousands of dollars to clients for doing exactly that…telling State Reps and Senators how to vote. He not only does it for businesses, he does it for other governments. Dalton has a huge conflict of interest as Mayor of Town and Country because he is a Lobbyist for the City of Hazelwood, formerly for the City of Wildwood and the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis.

The resolution failed to pass, with only Lindsey Butler, Tiffany Frautschi and Matt Reuter voting for it. The resolution took no action, it just made a statement.

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTS: This issue moved to its’ third aldermanic meeting, with more residents in attendance and speaking on the subject.

First up were the lights at the Principia North fields that abut homes along Roclare Lane. Principia first asked for lights to be used 60 nights a year. They claimed they asked for 265 nights when first presented to the P&Z Commission and then lowered it to 60 nights.

Ald. Jon Benigas expressed continued suspicion about the usage of the fields.

“”I am struggling with the light situation. The ordinance doesn’t show how we know if it is 45 days (nights) or 145. We are asking the residents to do the enforcement. I know we have ordinances that were not respected (CBC High School far exceeding the 28 nights a year for lights until residents complained in 2009. CBC is now asking to expand that to 70 nights a year.) I’m concerned we are creating more (ordinances that would be ignored).

City Administrator Bob Shelton spoke up and said residents would not enforce the ordinance, they would simply “let us know” if there were violations.

Several residents on Roclare spoke in opposition including a member of the Homeowners Association, Carla Williams.

“Do we need a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) for a revenue generating facility? (Principia leases out fields to other school and athletic associations.) I have talked to residents who live next to the fields and they all oppose the lights except one,” she said.

Attorney Jim Bass hired by another Roclare resident made several points in opposition to the lights.

“Planning and Zoning required Principia to meet with residents and that did not happen.

Principia said these fields are for girl’s field hockey and boy’s Lacrosse. They don’t have either team. They are going to use these fields to generate revenue. Make them required to have a team to play on these fields. This should not be a profit making enterprise,” he said.

“Principia is looking for a blank check to hold as many events under the lights as possible,” said Dan Dorr, who successfully led the opposition against lights on the Westminster Christian Academy football field.

Two other residents spoke in opposition while Pete Eggebrecht who lives on Clayton Road and has often spoken in favor of projects at Principia, stated residents should give Principia some slack since they have been here before the houses.

Ald. Tiffany Frautschi said the fields are currently being used for JV boys and girls soccer and middle school sports.

The bill approving the lights passed on a 5-2 vote with Jon Benigas and Ryan Mortland voting NO.

CBC FOOTBALL FIELD LIGHTS: George Stock the civil engineer and one of the spokesmen on the CBC request to allow 70 nights of a lighted field instead of the current 28 nights was out of town and the matter was continued to March 9.

MARCH 1 CAME IN LIKE A LAMB AT 71-DEGREES. LET’S SEE WHERE PEOPLE WERE GATHERING: March 1 was a wonderful day to get out of the house. It was sunny most of the day and even after clouds rolled in it was still warm.

Queeny Upper Lot Dog Park Total Longview Town Square Sun 03/01 68 42 110 75 1* * plus construction truck parked on lot for over 2 months

Town Square 3/01/20 3:10pm 1 car, one couple walking a dog 2 girls sitting in pavilion The normal crowd of geese were not present

Longview Park 03/01/20 3:15pm The only available parking spaces were 3- handicapped spots. The place was filled up with 75 cars.

Queeny Park and Queeny Dog Park 03/01/20 3:25 The Mason Road side of the park was even fuller before we arrived as there were cars parked on the grass with a few open spaces. There were 68 cars on the upper lot and 42 on the dog park lot for a total of 110. While I was at the dog park I ran into two Town and Country alderpersons.

MORE MONEY POURED INTO TOWN SQUARE: We admit that we have been rounding up the total costs of the Jon Dalton Money Pit, also known as the Town Square to the $10,000,000 mark. On February 24 the Board of Aldermen approved the purchases of benches and trash cans for the Town Square. This place opened to the public in June of 2019. You might think that trash cans and benches would have been in place on opening day. You would have been wrong.

Here is the latest:

$9,887,135 + 2,782 T. Hill Construction fence installation 12/30/19 $9,889,917 + 14,997 Purchase benches and trash cans 02/24/20 $9.904914

If you would like to see the complete list of Town Square expenses check out our website at johnhoffmann.net or newsfromsnoburbia.com

CATHOLIC BOYS SCHOOL KNOW HOW TO USE $10-MILLION FOR A GATHERING PLACE: Mayor Jon (former cigarette and current marijuana lobbyist) Dalton, along with former Alderpersons Skip Mange (chair of the Town Square Task Force) Lynn Wright, Amy Anderson and Linda (I like pretty things) Rallo actively pushed through the Town Square deal plus quiet yes votes from Gussie Crawford gave Town and Country a $10,000,000 Town Square that no one uses and whose retail space is mostly empty with no crowd drawing restaurant, pub or ice cream shop. This has been a disaster in planning and a very stupid way to spend $10-m of the residents’ money.

But over in Creve Coeur look and see what $10,000,000 will provide the Chaminade Prep School, a new 1,200 seat indoor sports facility.

WEBSTER GROVES TRYING TO TAKE AWAY SAFEST CITY IN MISSOURI TITLE FROM TOWN & COUNTRY: Last year shortly after taking command of the Town and Country Police Department new Police Chief Jim Cavins was beating the drum how Town and Country had been declared the Safest City in Missouri.

Town and Country was listed as the safest city in Missouri by backgroundchecks.org. This is from the KMOX website:

St. Louis area home to Top 12 safest cities in Missouri

A new list ranks the safest cities across the state

DEBBIE MONTERREY

AUGUST 28, 2019 - 11:38 AM

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — St. Louisans may focus on crime, but according to a new survey, the St. Louis area also has the safest cities in the entire state.

According to backgroundchecks.org, of the top 12 safest cities in Missouri, 11 are in St. Louis County, one in St. Charles County.

Based on their safety index, which combines FBI crime statistics along with law enforcement numbers, the safest cities in the state are:

1. Town and Country 2. Clayton 3. Kirkwood 4. Ballwin 5. Manchester 6. Creve Coeur 7. Eureka 8. St. Ann 9. Webster Groves 10. Lake St. Louis 11. Crestwood 12. Maryland Heights

I thought about that when I saw the following headline in the February 28, 2020 edition of the Webster-Kirkwood Times: Webster Groves Named “Safest City” In Missouri

The National Council For Home Safety and Security has determined Webster Groves to be the safest city in Missouri.

The council computed the total number of crimes reported by each city in Missouri (those with populations of over 10,000) by adding violent crimes and property crimes, then created a crime rate as the number of crimes per 1,000 population.

Viole Cri Law nt Prope Viole me Law Prope enforce Total crim rty M Populat nt rate enforce City rty ment crim es crime O ion crim per ment per crime employe es per s per e 1,00 1,000 es 1,00 1,000 0 0

1 Webst 22873 25 164 49 189 8.26 1.09 7.17 2.14 er Grove s

2 Ballwi 30151 9 245 60 254 8.42 0.30 8.13 1.99 n

3 Town 11154 2 132 30 134 12.0 0.18 11.83 2.69 and 1 Countr y

4 Eurek 10626 11 130 28 141 13.2 1.04 12.23 2.64 a 7

5 Kirkwo 27670 30 381 79 411 14.8 1.08 13.77 2.86 od 5 The thing is different ratings list different cities the safest and maybe it is not something to beat a drum about. Here are some more lists including one that considers Rock Hill the safest city in the area.

This list is by NICHE and lists the best places to live in Missouri. Clayton comes out on top in the St. Louis area.

Here are the safest cities in Missouri graded by Security Baron:

Here are the ratings by Safewise,com of the safest cities in Missouri: (They claim Rock Hill is the safest city in the St. Louis area)

#16 Manchester, #17 Glendale, #18 Ste. Genevieve, #19 Ava, #20 Bonne Terre

Here are the ratings for 2020 from Areavibes.com:

#7 Manchester, #8 Ladue, #( Webster Groves, #10 Savannah

THE 5 SAFEST CITIES IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY IN 2020 PER ALARMS.COM ARE:

#1 Webster Groves #2 Ballwin #3 Town and Country #4 Eureka #5 Kirkwood

FINALLY THE 2020 10 SAFEST CITIES IN MISSOURI ACCORDING TO HOME SNACKS:

Here are the 10 safest cities to live in Missouri for 2020:

What does all this mean? When any politic1an, mayor or police chief claims their city is the safest…TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

JANUARY TOWN AND COUNTRY LEGAL BILL: Let’s see what the folks in Town and Country got charged for by the City’s contract lawyers on the hourly rate:

Redacted section a real estate issue not covered in Sunshine Law requests.

TOWN AND COUNTRY POLICE COMMANDER SLAMS THE DOOR ON OPENESS AND TRANSPARCY: Both the Town and Country and Chesterfield Police facebook sites often post some news/crime items. They also will post stupid stuff like cops getting free cupcakes. But on Tuesday March 3, the Town and Country Facebook site had an overturned auto in the middle of eastbound I-64 before the Greek Church. There was a caption that no one was badly hurt because the passengers were seatbelts. (This only turned out to be half true. They were wearing seatbelts but all three occupants of the car were transported to Mercy Hospital by ambulance.

The grass on the embankment was brown so I thought it maybe just occurred and I would put the photo in this newsletter and on our website, but I would need the date and time of the event. Normally I could just call the woman who runs the records unit and in about 20 second I’d have the answer. But, she was out of the office until Thursday. I was told to contact Lt. Dan Wilkey. I left him a voice mail and sent him the following email, figuring I’d have the information in a few minutes. I was very wrong. 18

From: John Hoffmann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2020 2:32 PM To: Wilkey, Daniel Subject: question

Dan,

This is on the PD facebook. Did it just occur? When and where and cause. Maybe the facebook posters could remember a few Police Academy rules like Who, what, where when and how.

Thanks!

HERE IS LT. WILKEY’S RESPONSE, WHERE HE WRITES THAT HE KNOWS THE DATE AND TIME, BUT WON’T TELL ME. He told me to file a written Sunshine Open Records request. Those requests are for reports. Police activity and call information are open public records. I then sent him two emails. The first was just to him and my lawyer. The second was to a number of people. 19

From: Wilkey, Daniel [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 3:22 PM To: John Hoffmann Subject: RE: question

Mr. Hoffman:

Thank you for your inquiry. In response, I would like to explain the intent of our social media platforms, in most cases, is to provide general awareness, safety and other information we believe is beneficial to the public. While there may be situations when providing specific information such as “who, what, where, when and how” may be beneficial to release through social media to the public, this was not the case regarding the post you have inquired about. The intent of this post was to remind our followers of the importance of safe driving habits, as well as the importance of wearing a seat belt. I can tell you this image was captured during a recent event in Town and Country, but I cannot provide further detail without the proper sunshine request.

Respectfully,

Lieutenant Daniel P. Wilkey, DSN 129 Operations Commander

Town and Country Police Department 1011 Municipal Center Drive Town and Country, MO 63131 Direct: 314-587-2854 Business: 314-432-4696 West Central Dispatch: 314-737-4600 Fax: 314-432-4991 email: [email protected]

Dan Wilkey

Apparently Lt. Wilkey signed this email “respectfully” however he was anything but. He proclaimed that he knew what I wanted but he was not going to tell me, until I filed a request that according to Missouri Law I do not need to do. I’m a resident and asked a fairly innocent question and got a boat load of crap.

Here is my last reply, where I copied the City Clerk who is technically in charge of all Sunshine Requests, the City Attorney, the City Administrator, a alderperson from my ward who is the chair of the Police Commission and my lawyer.

From: John Hoffmann [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 9:11 PM To: 'Wilkey, Daniel'; 'Shelton, Bob'; 'Lindsey Butler'; [email protected]; 'Raymond Meyer'; 'McNamara, Ashley'; 'Steve Garrett' Cc: 'John Hoffmann' Subject: FW: Sunshine request

Lt. Wilkey,

The Missouri Attorney General’s opinion is that a Sunshine Request is not needed for the type of Information that I requested and you refused to provide without a Sunshine Request: This is from the AG’s website. I did not ask for a report, but basic information to verify a photo the Town and Country Police Posted.

A request for general information or stray data is not necessarily the same thing as a request for records unless that information or data is found within an existing record. Requests should be prepared carefully and precisely, and the best practice is to cite Chapter 610, RSMo., in a written request.

7) How detailed must an incident report be in describing the “immediate facts and circumstances” of the crime or 21

incident? An incident report provides the general public with only the most basic information about each incident to which the law enforcement agency is called to respond. In some cases, it may be sufficient to describe the incident as a “vehicle accident” or “domestic assault,” but in other situations more detail may be appropriate.

8) What information is available from a 911 call? The information that is generally available or open regarding a 911 call is the “incident information” – the date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances of the call. The recording is inaccessible to the public. Section 610.150, RSMo.

The following is Missouri Law:

610.200. Law enforcement agency log or record of suspected crimes, accidents or complaints, available for inspection and copying. — All law enforcement agencies that maintain a daily log or record that lists suspected crimes, accidents, or complaints shall make available the following information for inspection and copying by the public:

(1) The time, substance, and location of all complaints or requests for assistance received by the agency;

(2) The time and nature of the agency's response to all complaints or requests for assistance; and

(3) If the incident involves an alleged crime or infraction:

(a) The time, date, and location of occurrence;

(b) The name and age of any victim, unless the victim is a victim of a crime under chapter 566;

(d) A general description of any injuries, property or weapons involved.

The law says incident and dispatch records are open to review or inspection. You wrote that you know when this incident happened. Under the Missouri Law the log or call information is open for review and inspection, meaning it does not require a sunshine request. If you like I will come to the police station Wednesday and review these records. (I hope you have a computer terminal available) or you could just give me the basic information.

Your contention that Town and Country Police should not provide basic information when posting a photo of the overturn car on social media is NUTS and WRONG. It could simply say “On Feb, 28, 2020 on I-64 west of Mason Road this car was in a crash and overturned. The driver suffered no serious injuries because he was wearing a seatbelt.

To post a photo of the Lock it of Leave It Sign with no information is one thing, but to post a large photo of an event without identifying it is irresponsible.

The Missouri Highway Patrol posts all crashes it investigates online and these reports list where, when and why. They do not require a Sunshine Request. The information is open to the public 24-hours a day and includes injury info.

As someone who managed police and investigative records under the Sunshine Law and on the East Coast under Freedom of Information laws and as someone who for 10 years was the Washington Correspondent covering Congress and the DOJ for the nation’s top Police Management magazine and who also wrote over 150 feature articles 23

involving local, regional and national police agencies in the United States, England and China I found it unbelievable that you could not simply say that the photo was from several years ago used only to make a point or provide the where and when info if it was recent.

There are many news sites that are not currently making money. My news website is one of them, it costs around $10,000 a year. Part of that money is to have a lawyer on retainer. If necessary he will take action, which I’m sure would make Mr. Garrett happy because then he could increase his bill to the residents of Town and Country…or you could simply respond and say when and where this crash occurred. Your initial refusal to do so makes it appear that Town and Country is not open and transparent and the police are trying to hide clearly public information.

Over the years I have sent information on suspects and cases I discovered doing research, photos of ongoing ordinance violations and other incidents to your staff or chiefs. I have been happy to do that, however I do expect basic public information that does not require time consuming research when requested, like when and where something that was posted on your website occurred.

John Hoffmann

AND THEN: The next day by 12:37pm I still had not received an answer to the difficult and very technical question as to when the crash depicted in the photo occurred. I did receive an email from the chief of police. He did say in the future to call him if there are any problems like this one. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT PROVIDE ME THE DATE AND TIME OF THE CRASH, despite Lt. Wilkey claiming he knew when it happened.

I found that on my own. Town and Country PD was dispatched to the crash meaning there was an open record, but the investigation and report was by the MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL. Without filing a sunshine request I found the crash report online for all the public to see. The crash happened on Friday Feb. 28 at 2:35pm. Here is the MSHP public information:

DISTAINCING HERSELF: Take a look where Ald. Lindsey Butler has been sitting on the dais for aldermanic meetings in the last six months.

Prior to the resignation of Ald. Skip Mange Butler was stuck directly next to Mayor Jon Dalton, who she has accused at meetings of unethical behavior.

A month after the resignation of Mange she is still next to Dalton.

In 2020 Butler has moved into Mange’s empty seat and distanced herself from Dalton.

UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 362

OUT OF CONTROL CHESTERFIELD RESIDENT AND REPEAT DRUNK/DRUGED DRIVER, NARROWLY MISSES MOTORISTS ON CLARKSON ROAD AT NOON, THEN SLAMS INTO A VEHICLE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. HE PLED GUILTY A MONTH LATER AND GOT A NO DWI CONVICTION DEAL AND DIED THREE MONTHS AFTER THAT OF A DRUG OVERDOSE.

On Wednesday 09/04/19 before NOON, at 11:48 AM, Chesterfield Officers were dispatched to an injury car crash on Clarkson Road just north of Baxter Road at the electric signal in front of the Mobile Gas Station.

Officer Mike Clymer along with paramedics from Monarch FPD arrived first and found the driver of a 2009 white VW Jetta was unconscious behind the wheel of the heavily damaged car. The driver, Robert “Bobby” Hoyt Baker had been taken to Mercy Hospital by paramedics before Officer Greg Rupp arrived. Rupp would do the investigation.

Officer Michael Clymer Officer Greg Rupp

The driver’s airbag had deployed. A check of the car before it was towed revealed Baker’s drivers license, Progressive Insurance coverage card plus three empty airline bottles of vodka apparently that had been poured into a thermos.

Baker’s girlfriend, Alicia Bower of Chesterfield, drove by and recognized Baker’s car. She stopped and inquired what happened of Officer Clymer and then provide some information on Baker. This is from the police report.

The driver of the truck that was rear ended by Baker stated he had been in the left turn lane stopped. When the light changed to green he moved forward and stopped for oncoming traffic when Baker rear ended his truck.

A Chesterfield resident was a witness to the crash and was almost sideswiped by Baker. Holly Bishop said she was on Clarkson Road south of Baxter. This is from Officer Rupp’s report:

After the collision with Baker slumped over the wheel and air bag, the Jetta rolled backwards off the right side of the road.

Baker was a CBC High School grad.

At the Mercy ER Officer Rupp found Baker conscious and appearing to be under the influence of drugs. His eyes were dilated and his speech was slurred. He refused to provide a breath sample in a Portable Breath Tester and also refused to allow the hospital to draw blood for a police sample.

Officer Rupp issued citations for DWI-Drugs, Open Container Alcohol, Disobey Red Electric Signal, Fail to Exercise Highest Degree of Care while OMV.

Here is his prior driving record, including a DWI arrest 10 months before the Chesterfield crash.

09/04/19 DWI/Crash, Disobey Elec Sig, Inattentive Driver Chesterfield PD Open Container 11/29/18 DWI (no disposition listed,) 2-cts Moving Violation Moline Acres PD amended to Illegal Parking $193 fine and $118 fine Property Violation $193 fine

OUTCOME: On October 15, 2019 less than six weeks after the crash and being cited Baker appeared in Chesterfield Municipal Court. Despite being charged with his second DWI in 10 months, Baker was given a SIS No-fine, No-Points probation on his DWID. He was also given a No-Fine SIS probation on the Open Container charge. For disobeying a Red Light he was fined $191. The Failure to Exercise the Highest Degree of Care charge was reduced to a non-traffic Health Code violation with a $343 fine.

VERY FINAL OUTCOME: 10 weeks after pleading guilty, on January 2, 2020 Baker died. He died of a heroin overdose. Chesterfield Police officers and Monarch paramedics rushed to the family’s apartment on Westmeade Drive. They tried to administer Norcan which will often quickly combat heroin overdoses. It was unsuccessful.

The police and medical examiner’s office are currently listing the death as a drug overdose.

Baker joins Theodore Federer (T-Fed) (age 27) as the second under 30 Chesterfield resident to die from an illegal drug overdose in a six month period. Federer dies in a house in southwest St. Louis near Hampton Avenue and I-44.

EX GIRLFIREND TRIES TO FLEE FROM FORMER HIGH SCHOOL BOYFRIEND ONLY TO HAVE HIM TRY AND FORCE HER CAR OFF THE ROAD:

Shortly after the first of the year (2019) Samantha Snider, a 17-year-old student at Marquette High School broke up with Nicholas Silver, 17, who she had been dating. Clearly Silver did not take the breakup very well. 30

Both Snider and Silver drive cars to school. On Wednesday February 6, 2019 after school at about 3:35 Snider was giving a ride to two other students, her sister and a friend. Before they could leave the parking lot the first encounter with Silver occurred.

Snider said she saw Silver on the parking lot and did not want to have any contact with him and tried to leave the parking lot as quickly as possible. That didn’t work out as Silver drove his Chevy Malibu over and cut her off.

She said Silver came back to her car, began pounding on the window demanding to talk to her. She said she then pulled out and drove onto Kehrs Mill Road to Long Road and then onto Edison Road, at which time she saw in her rearview mirror that Silver was following her.

This is from the police report as to what happened next:

Snider said she had turned onto Baxter Road and then onto Chesterfield Farms Drive at which time Silver sped up and cut her off. She said as he walked back toward her car she was afraid and put her car in reverse to escape. HOWEVER, there was now a motorist stopped behind her on the two lane road and she backed into the car.

Police arrive and took Silver into custody. He made the following res gesti (spontaneous) statement:

The Marquette School Resource Police Officer obtained a statement from a witness to the confrontation between Silver and Snider at the school. She also reported that she called Snider who was in the car and found the girls were crying and afraid of what Silver was going to do as he followed them.

Nicholas Silver was arrested and booked for Domestic Assault, 2nd Degree, Felony Assault and Misdemeanor Assault. Snider, her sister and their friend were also listed as victims as they were all in fear of bodily harm.

Nicholas Silver Samantha Snider

OUTCOME: The assault charges were reduced to 2-counts of misdemeanor Harassment. On September 12, 2019 Silver pled guilty in St. Louis County Associate Circuit court and was placed on 2-years probation. Part of the probation term included no contact with any of the three girls.

New Information on earlier posting:

WINNER OF WORST CALL OF THE WEEKEND AND MAYBE WORST CALL OF 2020

Rachel Robinson

Robinson was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest in State Court and also charged in Municipal Court with Stealing and Trespassing from a March 2 incident.

Tatyana Harbert

02/29/20 Stealing, Poss of Marijuana pending Chesterfield PD 09/26/18 Tampering with Auto pending St. Louis City PD 05/08/17 Prostitution pending Hazelwood PD 11/06/16 Receiving Stolen Property Guilty probation St. Louis Co PD 09/17/16 No Valid Op, No Ins, Disobeyed Red Light warrant Woodson Terr PD 05/02/15 No Valid Op License, No Ins Guuilty 2-days jail MO Hwy Patrol

Christopher Hagenhoff of Ballwin, MO 02/28/20 DWI pending Chesterfield PD 04/03/19 Expired License Plates Guilty Ballwin PD 03/17/16 Overweight Commercial Truck Guilty MO Hwy Patrol 10/25/14 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking St. Ann PD 08/17/11 Imp Brake System on Comm Truck Guilty MO Hwy Patrol 02/07/01 Op Veh as Commercial Carrier w/o Medical Cert St. Louis City PD 07/23/95 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking MO Hwy Patrol 36

02/07/93 Misd Poss of Marijuana jury trial Guilty St. Louis County 08/18/92 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking St. Louis Co PD 03/15/92 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking St. Louis Co PD 10/23/91 Felony Possession of Marijuana Guilty 4-yrs probation Dellwood PD 09/12/91 No Headlights Guilty St. Louis Co PD 03/18/91 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking St. Louis Co PD 12/11/90 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking St. Louis Co PD 08/03/90 Moving Violation reduced to Illegal Parking St. Louis Co PD

Arrested: Lauren C. Pearson W/F 25 Blood taken at Hospital

Midnight Shift Thursday night to Friday morning 02/28/20:

Saturday night into Sunday morning 02/29/20

24-YEAR-OLD CHESTERFIELD RESIDENT CAUSED 3-CAR CRASH: John G. Ray, 24, of Chesterfield caused a 3-vehicle crash that injured two on March 3 on the North Outer Forty Road and Timberlake Parkway.

John Ray

Veh 1 Veh 2 Veh 3

ARRESTS MADE IN SET UP OF INNOCENT PERSON MADE FROM FARMINGTON, MO TO GET ARRESTED IN CHESTERFIELD WITH PLANTED DRUGS: It all came about from a child custody case. Here is the Chesterfield Police explanation from their facebook site:

On 2/18/20, Chesterfield Officers opened an investigation concerning multiple anonymous phone calls to our Department which gave us very specific information concerning a subject who was “dealing drugs” in the parking lot of one of our local businesses. 40

Officers contacted the person specifically identified in the tip and did in fact seize suspected methamphetamine packaged for sale. As Officers began looking further into this, they realized the original tipster may have had ulterior motives and may in fact had planted the suspected methamphetamine in the subject’s vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, the Officers learned the tipster and the person he called the tip on recently had a court hearing in St Francois County concerning the custody of their child. With the cooperation of the St Francois County Sheriff’s Department, video surveillance of the court parking lot revealed a subject actually placing an item in the victim’s vehicle while the victim was in court. It also showed the father of the victim’s child nearby.

Further investigation revealed a direct association between the father of victim’s child and the suspect who was observed placing an item in the victim’s vehicle. In addition, Officers learned the two acted in concert to plant the narcotics in the victim’s vehicle.

As a result, the father of victim’s child, Evan Connor 28 yrs old from Farmington, MO and his accomplice, Joshua Peery 28 yrs old from Bloomsdale, MO were arrested by our Officers this past Tuesday. (2/25/20)

The following charges were issued against both subjects by the St Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

Count 1: Delivery of Controlled Substance (Felony) Count 2: Filing a False Police report (Misdemeanor) Count 3: Filing a False Police report (Misdemeanor) Count 4: Filing a False Police report (Misdemeanor)

CHESTERFIELD CITY COUNCIL MEETING:

PARKING CHANGES AT TAUBMAN OUTLET MALL AKA: THE DISTRICT. Parking areas against the Monarch/Missouri River Levee and the Levee Trail will be moved at the west end of the Taubman Outlet Mall that is being changed into The District with entertainment venues.

Below is the current layout with the blue stripes indicating parking spaces (which are rarely used by shoppers at the under performing mall). The red is a driveway/road off the North Forty Outer Road. The driveway/road goes all the way back to the levee trail. Some people are using the outlet mall parking area instead of levee trail parking lots to access the trail.

Below is the approved change with a new entrance for the driveway/road and the moving of the far west parking spaces.

LETTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND MAYOR TO STATE LEGISLATORS A HOT TOPIC: When Mayor Bob Nation was done with the Agenda Review in the rear conference room and was ready to close the doors for a secret meeting, Councilman Tom DeCampi brought up a new subject.

It had to do with two letters sent to state representative and senators that have part of Chesterfield in their districts. The letter by City Administrator claimed the “The City of Chesterfield” was in opposition to House Bill 2182 that would reduce the amount in fees cities could charge by the foot for cable running in public easements.

DeCampi claimed the City Council never voted on this or even discussed it so saying “The City of Chesterfield” is opposed to the bill would not be true. The bill’s author Rep. Rocky Miller of the Lake of the Ozarks, claims the bill would reduce the rate paid by users.

Mayor Nation claimed there would be no reduction for consumers. The city would collect less revenue and the cable companies would pocket the money.

Tom DeCampi: “I think there are two sides to this. I’d like to hear them.”

Bob Nation: “There are not two sides.”

Here is the email from Mike Geisel:

Mayor Nation’s email wanted Chesterfield City Councilpersons to forward an email from Pleasant Valley, MO Mayor David Slater and a member of the Missouri Municipal League. Slater has been mayor of Pleasant Valley(pop 2,900) since 1987. The small city is wedged between Liberty and Claycomo Missouri.

From: Bob Nation , Mike Geisel , Chris Graville Subject: Fwd: Urgent, Cable franchise hearing Tuesday

Council Members,

Please see below and consider sending an e-mail to at least Representative DeGroot urging his opposition to any and all of these cable franchise bills. As we have been briefed, these are further intrusions and reductions to municipal revenues for no justifiable reason.

From: David Slater Date: March 1, 2020 at 4:53:54 PM CST

Subject: Urgent, Cable franchise hearing Tuesday

If you have not already please read the following update from Richard and Shannon. We have to show up in force Tuesday. I have to get clearance from my boss before I can commit but I’m going if at all possible. Below is the list of the Hose Utilities Committee. If your Representative is on the list we would appreciate you taking the time necessary to testify in front of them. At a minimum, please call them. This Bill is out of committee in the Senate and somehow had a hearing in the House without us knowing about it. I want to find out why the cable lobbyist were there and we were not. Other talking points below the committee list.

Video/Cable Franchise Fee Reduction On Tuesday afternoon, the House Utilities Committee (Representative Travis Fitzwater, Chairman) held a hearing on HB 2182, repeal of the Uniform Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act, that is set to expire January 1, 2021. The bill is sponsored by Representative Rocky Miller (Lake Ozark). There was no opposition to the bill. However, the Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association, Missouri Small Rural Telephone Group and CenturyLink testified for informational purposes. Their testimony was far from informational. They asked the committee to amend HB 2182 by adding the video franchise and linear foot fee language found in SB 526 and HB 2091. HB 2091 has not been referred to a committee by Speaker Haahr. This was an unprecedented and brazen attempt to circumvent established public comment

procedures. The Missouri Municipal League strongly opposes both SB 526 and HB 2091.

In yet another unprecedented move, House Utilities Committee Chairman Fitzwater has scheduled time during the committee’s 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, meeting to hold a “public discussion” on the video franchise and linear foot issue. We need a significant municipal turnout at the House Utilities Committee meeting. Please plan on attending the House Utilities Committee meeting to testify/comment in opposition to the municipal video (cable) franchise fee reduction language at 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, in House Hearing Room 7

Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R) Holts Summit Rep. Bill Kidd (R Buckner Rep. Tracy McCreery (D) St. Louis Rep. John Black (R) Marshfield Rep. Bob Bromley (R) Carl Junction Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R) Arnold Rep. Bruce DeGroot (R) Ellisville Rep. Rick Francis (R) Perryville Rep. Trish Gunby (D) Ballwin Rep. Mike Haffner (R) Pleasant Hill Rep. Ron Hicks (R) Dardenne Prairie Rep. Andrew McDaniel (R) Deering Rep. Rocky Miller (R) Lake Ozark Rep. Wiley Price (D) St Louis Rep. Steven Roberts (D) St. Louis Rep. Matt Sain (D) Kansas City Rep. Adam Schnelting (R) St Charles Rep. John Simmons (R) Washington

Make sure they know our rates are consistent and the fee only goes up when their prices do. Ask if a constituent asked for this? Ask what has happened to their cable bill the past few years (bet it has gone up)? Ask if they really believe that these company savings will get back to their constituents? Ask how the loss of municipal revenue will be given back to our cities? Right of way maintenance costs go up too. For me, this is 1/16 of my budget and would pay for five police officers. Stock prices for Charter Communications (the main proponent) on 2-1-10 were $30.50 and at 2-1-20 were $522.69. Nobody needs cable...they do need gas, electric, sewer and water...do you not those utilities they will be in line next? I’m not an investor in Charter so I do not have access to their Annual Report and executive compensation is eliminated from their 10K filing. If you can find these amounts it would be very helpful Raymore Mayor Kris Turnbow points out Comcast income alone last year was over $85 billion, $11 billion of that being pure profit yet they’re not willing to adjust their bill. And they are just one cable company. Ask your own questions.

Great news on finding Legislators. Bellefontaine Neighbors Mayor Tommie Pierson, Sr. says his son has filed for a promotion to the Senate. Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough has one of his Councilmen running for the Senate. The Senators termed out are Emery 31, Libla 25, Nasheed 5, Sater 29, Sifton 1, Wallingford 27 and Walsh 13. Senate seats for districts 3, 7 and 9 are open. Ladies and gentlemen if we do not use our political capital to fill these seats we have no one but ourselves to blame for the micro- managing of our cities by our legislators. Fill those House seats too.

Happy reading on Monday my friends.

David 816-686-4882

At the end of the regular meeting Mayor Nation was looking for a motion to adjourn. Instead Tom DeCampi asked that the Cable easement fee issue be place on the next City Council agenda.

Mayor Nation said the matter should go to the Finance & Administration Committee first. The next F&A was the next day, Tuesday 03/03 at 5:30pm and 21 hrs and 50 minutes away. The issue could not be placed on the agenda for the 03/03 meeting because the Sunshine Law requires agendas be set and made public 24 hours in advance. No one knows exactly when the F&A meeting would be held after 03/03/20. There is only one Council meeting in April and the State Legislature 2020 session is over the second week in May.

Then there was this email from Tom DeCampi to Rep. DeGroot:

From: Tom DeCampi Date: March 3, 2020 at 2:38:11 PM CST To: "[email protected]" Cc: "[email protected]" , "[email protected]" , City Council , Bob Nation , Mike Geisel , Chris Graville 47

Subject: Fwd: HB 2182 Representative DeGroot,

During our city council meeting last evening, HB 2182 was a topic for discussion beginning in agenda review under New Business. At the Mayor’s suggestion, I referred it to a future meeting for further evaluation.

It seems the email from Mr. Geisel on 2/26 may have been premature, and the City’s opposition overstated. There was no vote of the council nor any directive to express dissatisfaction with HB 2182 as amended, and there’s certainly no indication that our constituents oppose it. This appears to be more of an effort by the Missouri Municipal League than anything voter driven.

Your input from Jefferson City is greatly appreciated, and you will be updated promptly as this is vetted within the City of Chesterfield.

Sincerely,

Tom DeCampi

I was at the F&A Committee meeting the next night. During the meeting Councilwoman Barb McGuinness said the council had voted 8-0 to approve a proposed objective list from Mike Geisel and this was included on the list. Mayor Nation was there and called up the document on his laptop and handed it to me. This was submitted in closed secret session when the Council discussed Mike Geisel’s performance and possible pay raise. I highlighted the section on Cable Fees,

Revised Goals:

1. Monitor/Advise of City-County Reorganization Activities/Legislative Actions  Maintain awareness of Board of Freeholder activities and advise Council of any significant actions  Monitor and report on significant legislative activities affecting City: Use Tax, Video Franchise fee, SB 526, HJR 54, and others 2. Aggressively Manage City Budget  Manage budget to achieve approved level of spending in 2020  Create/present Finance 103 Workshop by May 1 providing an update on City financial position in advance of 5-year forecast

 With City sales tax litigation complete, provide a 5-year financial st forecast by July 1  With Parks, Recreation & Arts Director, develop strategy (i.e., make the case) for addressing the anticipated aquatic facility replacement/reconstruction 3. Monitor Developments in Urban Core/Chesterfield Mall  Keep Council informed/advised of major issues regarding proposals and project in Southwest quadrant of City  Develop strategy for addressing the need for citizen parking in or around Urban Core 4. Facilitate Development of a Strategic Plan for City of Chesterfield  Provide proposal for a strategic planning process for City, including vision for Chesterfield in the future, subject to Council approval  Strategic Planning process, if approved should address role of City in providing services for residents (lead vs. follow), what the character of the City should be and other topics to be determined by Council  Evaluate and develop opportunities to implement the Parks Master Plan and green spaces 5. With Chief of Police and City Prosecutor, Develop a Crime Prevention Strategy for Chesterfield  Explore ways in which Special Enforcement Unit can be more proactive with local retailers in addressing shoplifting and car thefts in City  Address inadequacies of SB 5 to reduce incidence of repeat crime offenders in City

City clerk Vicki McGownd was present. Here are her minutes regarding the vote on accepting these goals of Mr. Geisel. These are part of a closed secret meeting record that Mayor Nation is releasing.

Mayor Nation,

As requested, please find the motion and roll call vote pertaining to 2020 Goals for City Administrator:

Councilmember Hurt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember McGuinness, to approve Mr. Geisel’s Proposed Goals for 2020, as revised. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes – Monachella, Ohley, DeCampi, McGuinness, Hurt, Keathley, Moore and Mastorakos. Nays – None. Mayor Nation declared the motion passed.

LETTER/EMAIL WRITING NOT PART OF OBJECTIVES: In fairness, under #1 it says Mr. Geisel will monitor and report (to the council) on any activities on these bills and not write emails to state reps and senators for the council as a whole.

On Wednesday the mayor sent out another email on the subject. This on is to State Reps Bruce DeGroot and Rocky Miller.

From: Bob Nation Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2020 3:49 PM To: Tom DeCampi Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; City Council ; Mike Geisel ; Chris Graville Subject: Re: HB 2182

Representative DeGroot, Council Member DeCampi has misrepresented what took place at our council meeting last night. Our city is opposed to any legislation that reduces cable franchise fees to municipalities, especially if it affects our ability to provide services to our residents. Council Member does not have the authority, nor does he represent the majority opinion of our council. Further, as a specific goal of our city administrator, he is to monitor such legislation that is detrimental to our city. With this in mind, I think it only reasonable for our city administrator to communicate via e-mail, or any other form of communication the city’s position on proposed legislation, and it is not necessary for our council to meet and vote approval/disapproval of individual messages. Obviously, the council member is free to have his own individual opinion. To my knowledge, the cable franchise industry has not given any indication whatsoever that any reduction in fees would correlate to reduced costs to customers, so this is perplexing as to why any elected official would be supportive of the legislation. Thank you for your attention!

Bob Nation Mayor, City of Chesterfield

AND FINALLY: Here is an exchange between Mayor Nation and Councilman Mike Moore, the chair of the Finance Committee on Tuesday morning 03/03/20 after the regular City Council meeting:

On Mar 3, 2020, at 8:29 AM, Michael D Moore wrote:

Yes, it is his #1 goal, see attached.

This nonsense from DeCampi is similar to the nonsense stirred up by Keathley a few months back when he wanted to be advised of every phone call Mike has with attorneys at Armstrong Teasdale. In this case, Mike is doing what we have asked him to do, keep us advised of legislative actions that affect our City. I think we need to pin DeCampi down as to where he stands on SB 526; if he's truly in favor of the bill, taking away millions of $ in City revenue, then his constituents in Ward 4 should be aware of that.

Michael D. Moore [email protected] Mobile: 314-378-7142

On Mon, Mar 2, 2020 at 10:28 PM Robert Nation wrote: Mike, Did the final version of CA goals include “monitor and report on significant legislative activities affecting City (Use Tax, SB 526)” that council voted on ? SB 526 is one of the bills dealing with cable franchise fees. Thanks

I’m neutral in this as just an observer but by not putting this on the next council agenda and pushing it off to a F&A meeting for approval to go to the council it seems like this has been buried by Mayor Nation as the Missouri Legislature is over the second week in May and there is only one City Council meeting in April after the municipal election.

Cable Companies: Perhaps Charter/Spectrum is an exception to the rule, however I would find it difficult to believe a large national company that is losing business as customers cut the cable would hand customers noticeable rate decreases if municipal taxes/fees were drastically cut.

BOMBS AWAY BUT WHERE IN 2021? Clearly if you enjoy deafening fireworks and scaring horses and dogs the Chesterfield fireworks show at the Chesterfield Mall is the place to go and not Town and Country.

At the March 2, 2020 Chesterfield City Council meeting on an8-0 vote the Council agreed to hire J&M Display for $55,000 a year for 30-miunute fireworks shows. For years the shows have been at Chesterfield Mall with plenty of parking. J&M agreed not to raise the price of shows above $55,000 for three years. In Town and Country the annual late June fireworks display by J&M is $7,600 for 15 minutes of torturing and forcing dogs to hide under beds. Last year they extended the show to 30 minutes for an extra $4,000.

Councilperson Michelle Ohley asked where the shows would be held in 2021 and 2022 since construction at and around Chesterfield Mall would make it impossible to use Chesterfield Mall. City Administrator Mike Geisel said new locations have not been determined yet, adding that the launch area for the Chesterfield Mall shows would no longer be available due to construction.

REAL ESTATE: We could not help but notice that this house at 1224 30th Street NW in Washington, DC recently sold for $8.8 million. It does have 8,174 square feet. Unusual for the Georgetown section of DC, it sits on 0.68 acre lot. It has 10 bedrooms, six and half baths plus a detached garage.

However it was built in 1900. By today’s Town and Country real estate standards that would mean it would have been torn down for a new house in the 1930’s, 1960’s and 2000.

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