December 3, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

MORE BIG NEWS FROM WESTERN SNOBURBIA: We start the holiday season with a Chesterfield newsletter with 18 different features. (Okay some of them were in the last Town and Country Newsletter but keep reading as there is new stuff mixed in all the way to the end.)

THE CLARKSON VALLEY SOLAR PANEL FIGHT IS OVER: See who won, who lost and see what the bill is. Pages 1 & 2

THE FIRE DISTRICT NEGOTIATIONS: I was wearing a striped shirt and sitting at center court for two college basketball games but the latest Monarch Fire District labor contract negotiations was covered for the newsletter by Jean Whitney. It might be some of the last reporting by Jean on Chesterfield stuff as she is moving out West. (I still hope to get an outlet mall comparison article from Jean.) Read about the new demands and counter demands. Also see what 1960's top-40 hit we thought of as a theme developed. Pages 2-9

THE UNION AND THE MEDIA'S MISREPORTING OF REALITY: Fire District Board member and former Missouri State Senator is learning quickly that the fire union is not as gracious as the opposition party. She needs to be careful of what she says as the union has suckered two TV stations into misreporting. Pages 9-11

THE CITY COUNCIL HOLDS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2014 BUDGET BUT FORGETS TO ASK THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE: Read the big numbers from the 2014 Chesterfield City Budget. Pages 11-to-13

THE CARPENTERS: Two proclamations to two Carpenters for two completely different things. One of them seemed to be kind of unnecessary and the other was really important. Plus I got to post another photo of a Top-40 hit maker. Pages 13-15

REMEMBER WHO IS PAYING FOR FOOTBALL GAMES FOR LEGISLATORS WHEN YOU GET YOUR ELECTRIC BILL THIS SUMMER: Page 15

MEDIA WATCH: Some observations on the local media (which originally ran in the last T&C Newsletter) Pages 16-19

OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD OF THE SEASON: Again this is a repeat from the T&C newsletter Pages 20 & 21

FOOD: Comments about local food and how a Chesterfield local joint is much better than a national chain. Pages 21 & 22

THANKSGIVING DAY MIRACLE: This about food and trying to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving and staying one step ahead of the Six-Sisters of the Apocalypse. Pages 22-24

OFF WE GO INTO THE WILD BLUE LOGAN COLLEGE: Don't forget the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America will be at Logan at 7pm on Wednesday December 11. It is a free holiday show.

REST OF THE MUSIC: See who was jamming Thanksgiving Eve and we check in on our buddy Anita Rosamond. Pages 25 & 26

CARTOONS: Often the best part of the newsletter! Pages 27-33

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 52.

November 27, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

THE DALTON TWO STEP: Sure you remember Charles Durning as the Texas Governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas singing and performing The Texas Two Step. Now Mayor/Cigarette Lobbyist Jon Dalton has developed his own "Dalton 2-Step." Pages 1 & 2

THE MARYVILLE REZONING: If you are interested in the latest news of the rezoning of residential property for athletic fields and maintenance buildings, read on and see how the Board of Aldermen with one exception left the local residents without much representation. Read how one former alderman insulted a longtime T&C family and was taken to task. Read what some of the residents had to say and the small compromised offered by Maryville. We even bring up a saint. Pages 2-16

If you are sick to death about the issue, just skip to page 16.

STATE REP GETS $163 IN FOOTBALL TICKETS AND FOOD: If you think your electric bill is too high this might be one of the reasons. Pages 16 & 17

WE UPDATE LOCAL CRIMINALS: She what's up with two local murder suspects and one embezzler. Page 17

WE LOOK FOR MORE MISSOURI DOGS FOR THE ARTS COMMISSION STATUE: Yes newsletter readers and I look at some possible dogs from Missouri to use for a proposed Harry Weber Horse and Dog statue. Pages 18-20

A DARWIN AWARD NOMINATION: Pages 20 & 21

MEDIA WATCH: We look back to when radio stations threw free parties for listeners and forward to how KMOX wants you to pay $15-to-$50. Pages 21 & 22

We Say Goodbye to the local news obit: Page 22 & 23

HOW MUCH RE WE PAYING? For a merger of an online newspaper and a public radio newsroom. Pages 22 & 23

One St. Louis sports Talk Show ranked in the US Top 100. See which one! Page 24

FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD OF THE YEAR AND WHAT I ASKED AT A CERTAIN STORE: Pages 25 & 26

AN INTERESTING BUMPER STICKER WE HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE: Page 26

FOOD: The better chicken tenders! Pages 27 & 27

Surprises at Costco! Page 27

FREE TICKETS FOR GREAT CHRISTMAS CONCERT: See how to get free tickets for a great Christmas concert or where to go without tickets and see it for free. Pages 27-29

CARTOONS: Pages 29-34

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 106.

November 21, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

WARNING! WARNING! This is a really long newsletter.  The Monarch Fire Board meetings and a contract negotiation session were longer than a trans-continental flight, with plenty of bickering, so this took some time to put together.

If you find any minor typos or spelling mishaps….please be forgiving…I only proofed this twice instead of the usual four times, that normally results in some mistakes.

CRIME ALONG SCHOETTLER ROAD:  Well at least recently charged Chesterfield residents with crimes.  Read who, what and where. Pages 1-3

SECRET MEETING:  Read which important meeting the Chesterfield Staff choose not to post on the city’s website.  Page 3 &

COUNCIL FLIP-FLOP ON THE ARBORS:   Read about the latest vote as the new home development appears to be back on despite resident’s protests.  Pages 4 & 5

THE CRITIQUE:  Read an e-mail exchange between myself and a local government official. I leaving his name out of this to encourage more feedback.  Pages 5 & 6

MONARCH FIRE MEETINGS…NOW WELL CHOREOGRAPHED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE…Last Monday was like attending an entertaining, but bad play: Pages 6-21

ONE THE PICKET LINE:  Photos and info!  Pages 6-8

PLAN TO REDUCE CAPTAINS ON DUTY FROM SEVEN TO SIX:  The Union presented why the district should keep the current supervisory staffing.  There was a point-counter point back and forth at one point.  Pages 8 & 9

THE REGULAR MEETING:  The first of the regular bi-monthly meeting was amusing with some give and take, but nothing out of the unusual, with Jane Cunningham looking to save more money on professional fees. . Pages 10-13

JANE VS SANTA CLAUS:  However Jane Cunningham may have gone too far questioning expending funds for sending Santa through neighborhoods on a pre-Christmas visit.  Pages 13 & 14

PERHAPS THE VIPER PIT NEEDS A NEW NAME:  There is something alive in Fire Station 1 and it isn’t snakes. Page 14

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS:  THIS IS THE GOOD PART! There are big changes in demands since the first negotiation session!  Work hours are now an issue.  Union want to hide a pay raise.  Sparks fly over the union dues deduction issue. Pages 15-21

HIGH ANXIETY!  It was like being in a Mel Brooks movie, when a spectator as if on cue stood up and shout she had high anxiety!  Pages 17 & 18

UNION DEMANDS RIGHT TO ATTEND UNION MEETING ON DUTY OR BEING GIVING TIME OFF:  This one appeared to be a loser for the union. Page 19

SHENANIGANS! Someone called shenanigans and I’m not sure who.  The back and forth made for an entertaining close to the night’s show.  Pages 21

REAL AMERICA:  Read an interesting portrayal of the American populous, that offended Post-dispatch editorial writer Kevin Horrigan enough to make fun of.  Pages 21-25

THE REASON FOR EDITORS:  Find the oops in a recent edition of the Ladue News.  Page 25 & 26

MUSIC UP COMING AND PAST: This Sunday it is big band sounds in Kirkwood. Page 26

Find out how to get free tickets to one of the top Christmas concerts in the region. Pages 27 & 28

See what was happening for the last 10 days:  Pages 28-31

CARTOONS Pages 32-35

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 51.

November 18, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

IT’S BACK AND IT DOESN’T SEEM TO HAVE CHANGED!  Of course we are talking about plans for rezoning of the old Highway Patrol property at Mason Road and I-64, that was bought by Barnes-Jewish-Children Hospitals. Plans for building a pediatric surgical center went down to a stunning defeat in July when before the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Now there are “new” plans that look a lot like the old plans that have been submitted to the city in late October. Pages 1-4

ART COMMISSION APPEARS READY TO BATTLE MAYOR:  The mayor and several alderpersons expressed a dislike for the sculpture design without any humans  chosen by the Arts Commission and sent the matter back for further consideration.  The Arts Commission reconsidered things then voted by secret ballot…very much a violation of the Missouri Open Meeting Laws…to stick with the choice and keep humans out.  Pages 4-6

IMPRESSIONS OF TOWN AND COUNTRY:  See two of the top paintings from this year’s contest and see what the Arts Commission wants to do with them. Pages 6 & 7

THE STALKING OF A TROVA MAY BE OVER:  Alderpersons who ignore me and claim to never read what I have to say apparently want to take away one of my favorite gags. See which one…Page 8

NOT OUT OF THE MOLD:  We found one new house design that was recently approved that is something completely different. Page 9

DEER-CAR CRASHES SOAR AS THE RUT BEGINS:  Read how many deer-car accidents there were in October and why we think there will be more in November and December. Pages 9 & 10

RIGHT: This Toyota Corolla was totalled after a deer-car crash on a local highway. The owner was shaken, but fortunately not injured.

RIVER CRUISE BOAT WORRIED ABOUT STOPPING IN ST. LOUIS:  Read what cruise line is concerned about crime on the riverfront.  Pages 10 & 11

THE REAL AMERICA:  Post-Dispatch editorial writer Keven Horrigan, made fun of it, but I enjoyed it.  See what author and researcher Colin Woodward claims is the “Real America.”  Pages 11-15

THE MEDIA WATCH:  We start out by comparing our birthday list to that of the Post-Dispatch and wonder if there is someone picking their list who doesn’t like sports, Petula Clark or Prince Charles.   Pages 15 & 16

We then check out another example of BAD EDITING. Pages 16 & 17

MUSIC: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday we were out on the music scene…seeing some our regular favorites.  Pages 17-20

CARTOONS:  It was slim pickings of cartoons that made me laugh this week. Pages 21 & 22.

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 105.

November 13, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY FILLS THE ROOM ... ANOTHER OVERFLOW CROWD FOR THE MARYVILLE REZONING. Monday was the public hearing before the Board of Aldermen on the Maryville University rezoning request. This time Maryville was not caught flatfooted like when no one spoke in favor of the project before the Planning and Zoning Commission. The room was full of people who worked at Maryville and did not live in town, students and local residents who are associated with Maryville. Pages 1-3

MARYVILLE SPOKESMAN DODGES THE TRUTH WITH A SPIN JOB: The truth apparently wasn't all that important in the presentation by George Stock. Pages 3-6

MAYOR DALTON AVOIDS UPSET RESIDENTS: Suddenly after years of having clear and obvious conflicts of interest, Dalton finally removed himself from an issue so he would not have to face angry residents. Read why: Pages 7 & 8

LYNN WRIGHTS WASTES TIME TALKING ABOUT WASTING TIME: With Dalton gone, a 3-hour public hearing was chaired by Alderwoman Lynn Wright. Page 8

ALD. FRED MEYLAND-SMITH WANTS A MAINTENANCE YARD IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD: At least that is what he wrote a resident who lives near the proposed Maryville rezoning area. Pages 8-10

ANOTHER YEAR & ANOTHER DEFICIT BUDGET: Mayor Dalton once again wants to spend more money than the city is taking in. Read the details. Pages 10 & 11.

TRAFFIC TICKETS STILL AN IMPORTANT REVENUE STREAM: Page 11

DALTON PLAYS POLITICAN AND SUDDENLY REMEMBERS VETS: Several years after Mayor Dalton cancelled Veterans' Day as a city holiday, he marks Veterans' Day. Page 11

CITY GOING TO GET SOLAR PANELS: The legislation is sped through before the local utility cancels its solar panel rebate program. Pages 11 & 12

A HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS STAR HAS US LOOK AT TUITION RATES: Guess what? The Clayton School District non-resident tuition is higher than some West County private schools. Pages 12 & 13

ARE YOU GETTING YOUR MAIL LATE? Read why! Pages 13 & 14.

MAPS OF THE WORLD: We looked at two maps showing conditions and policies of various countries. The information provided in one is a bit amazing and questionable. Do you feel like vacationing in Mali or Yemen? Pages 15-17

FOOD: We review a couple new places. Pages 17-18

MUSIC: One big upcoming event: 19 & 20

CARTOONS: The best part of the newsletter! Pages 20-25.

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 104.

November 14, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING COMMITTEE: It was a stretch to find much to write about at the recent PW and Planning meeting. See how we did. Pages 1 & 2

COURT ORDERS MONARCH TO STICK TO PROMOTION ONE MORE TIME: A published report claims a circuit court judge has ordered the fire District not to stray from the current promotion list for the next promotion. However the computer case files does not show an action yet. Pages 2 & 3

CUNNINGHAM UPSET WITH WEST MAGAZINE COVERAGE AND MAKES A WEBSITE COMMENT: Fire District Director did not think a recent article posted on the West Magazine website accurately portrayed the events that cause a disciplinary action against Assistant Fire Chief John Borgmann. Read both side of the issue. Pages 3-6

SHOPPING WITH FIRE TRUCKS: Taking $500,000 to $750,000 vehicles to the supermarket appeared to have sparked the debate between Borgmann and Cunningham. Read our take on it, including how firefighters in busy intercity urban areas don&rsquot do grocery shopping on duty for two reasons. They are too busy answering calls and there are no supermarkets anywhere near the firehouse. Pages 6 & 7

WEST MAGAZINE COVERAGE: Cunningham appears to be unhappy with the coverage given by West Magazine. We show some other questionable issues we have had with West Magazine. Pages 7 & 8

PUBLIC SCHOOL TUITION VS PRIVATE SCHOOLS: A sports article in the Post-dispatch caused us to check some tuition rates at West Countyprivate and public schools. See what we found. Pages 8 & 9

MARYVILLE STEPS UP THE PRESSURE IN REZONING BATTLE: The request by Maryville University to rezone property on Conway Road got heated up last week. Read what happen at the latest public hearing in Town and Country. Pages 9-16

MAPS OF THE WORLD:  We looked at two maps showing conditions and policies of various countries.  The information provided in one is a bit amazing and questionable.  Do you feel like vacationing in Mali or Yemen?   Pages 17 & 18

FOOD : We review three area eateries. Pages 19-21

MUSIC: Upcoming events including one from Anita Rosamond fans and another to take your middle school or high school band member to for a taste of some excellent music from some of St. Louis&rsquo top musicians. Pages 22 & 23

CARTOONS : Pages 23-29

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 50.

November 7, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

SON OF LEGENDARY ST. LOUIS MAYOR GETS SEVEN YEARS FOR FELONY DRUNK DRIVING IN TOWN AND COUNTRY AND CHESTERFIELD: Brett Cervantes has a serious drinking problem that in the last two years the police have had to deal with on the streets and at the home of Cervantes’ 88-year-old mother. This story would almost be a comedy about a rich person from a privileged background if it didn’t affect other people. Read the details on Pages 1-6 and click on copies of the police reports below.

CERVANTES POLICE REPORT 1
CERVANTES POLICE REPORT 2
CERVANTES POLICE REPORT 3

T-FED FACING NEW CHARGES: Yes Theodore Federer is back in the dock, this time in St. Charles. Read the latest charge. Pages 6-9

POST HALLOWEEN ACTION…COUNCILMAN PULLS DEAD BILL FROM GRAVE: Councilman Mike Casey resurrected the Arbors subdivision rezoning issue. After
voting against the plan two weeks earlier, Casey brought the bill back to life much to the chagrin of the other two councilmen who voted against it. Pages 9 & 10

DROP THAT PEANUT…IT IS NOW AGAINST THE LAW TO FEED A SQUIRREL: The bill making it against the law to feed any wild animal except small birds passed 8-0.

Now exactly how do they intend to enforce this? Page 10

CHESTERFIELD PARKWAY OVER 40 TO BE CLOSED IN 2014 FOR NEW BRIDGE: No not the one before Olive…the one after Olive. Page 11

NEW RESIDENT TO BE NAMED TO POLICE PERSONNEL BOARD: Read who and the intense questioning he underwent. Pages 11 & 12

FORMER ROCKWOOD SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT HIT WITH $10,000 FINE: The story of Steve Smith and his conflicts of interest with the Rockwood School Board may finally be coming to an end. Pages 13 & 14

ELLISVILLE NEWS: It’s not really news…it is a compelling soap opera. Read the latest twist and turns including an unfortunate ruling against someone who just wanted help clean up a mess at city hall. Pages 14-16

RESIDENTS OPPOSE REZONING ACROSS FROM ST. LUKE’S: Town and Country residents are getting hot over the Board of Aldermen’s indifference to their opposition to rezoning empty residential land to allow Maryville University to move their Maintenance complex and trucks onto Conway Road. Pages 16-18

MUSIC…reviews including my escape from the Sheldon and upcoming events. Pages 18-21

CARTOONS: Pages 21-27

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 49.

November 7, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

RESIDENTS MOBILIZE AGAINST REZOINING FOR MARYVILLE MAINTENANCE GARAGE AND SHORTAGE AREAS…FOR WHAT GOOD IT WILL DO:  We take a look just days before the public hearing in front of the Board of Aldermen on rezoning residential property along Conway Road so Maryville University can move its trucks plus salt, gravel and trash storage areas off campus…for what little good it will do.  It appears as if most aldermen have their minds made up and it isn’t going to be in the homeowners’ favor. Pages 1 & 2

$600 FOR CITY TO CUT DRUG DEALER’S LAWN: If you were curious what it costs to cut down 3 acres of 7-foot high grass and weeds…we have the answer. Page 2

SON OF LEGENDARY ST. LOUIS MAYOR GETS SEVEN YEARS FOR FELONY DRUNK DRIVING IN TOWN AND COUNTRY AND CHESTERFIELD: Brett Cervantes has a serious drinking problem that in the last two years the police have had to deal with on the streets and at the home of Cervantes’ 88-year-old mother. This story would almost be a comedy about a rich person from a privileged background if it didn’t affect other people. Read the details on Pages 3-9 and click on copies of the police reports below.

CERVANTES POLICE REPORT 1
CERVANTES POLICE REPORT 2
CERVANTES POLICE REPORT 3

MAX THE DOG MOVES OUT OF STATE…BUT ONLY AT NIGHT:  Max the Dog has a new home. At night he is living out of state, but during the day he is still off of Ballas Road in trendy West County. Page  9

A DALTON STYLE MOVE IN SEATTLE: A regular reader of this newsletter send us a story from Seattle and said it reminded him of T&C mayor Jon Dalton.  Pages 10 & 11

MUSIC …reviews including my escape from the Sheldon and upcoming events, plus upcoming sounds.  Pages 11-14

CARTOONS:  Pages 14-20

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 103.

October 31, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

WELBY APPEARS TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR THE TAXPAYER, BUT THEN DOES A SUDDEN ABOUT FACE:  Aldermen Tim Welby and Chuck Lenz were the only ones willing to hold Skip Mange to his promise of not spending any city funds for his silly expansion of log cabins in Drace Park.  They were the only no votes to Mange’s proposal to spend $4,550 to apply for a Parks Commission grant.  However 10 minutes later they both voted to spend $80,000 in unbudgeted money for branch chipping. So much for a $6,000,000 budget deficit!  Pages 1-3

SKIP MANGE HAS LEFT REALITY IF HE THINKS HE CAN TURN DRACE PARK  BACK TO 1850:  Skip Mange has a dream.  Like most dreams it is not based in reality. Unlike most dreams it is going to cost money.  Pages 3 & 4

UPCOMING…WE PREDICT MANGE VS THE GARDEN CLUB:  Read why. Pages 4 & 5.

CHICKEN SAFETY…The chicken issue is currently dead after the October 14th vote against allowing chicken coops…but two readers sent up a photo of what to look for if chicken lovers try and put free-range chickens in town. Page 5

ITS ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES YOUR OUT AT THE OLD ALDERMANIC MEETING:  Our take on the city cancelling instead of postponing the October 28 Board of Aldermen meeting so elected officials could go see the Cardinals lose is on page 5.

THE COUNTER IS CLINKING AND STATE REP. JOHN DIEHL HAS NOW COLLECTED $1,324,896 TO RUN AGAINST NO ONE:  Read what special interests far from Diehl’s district continue to funnel cash to the future speaker of the house and what Diehl is doing with the money.  Pages 12-14

CATCHING UP ON OUR READING:  After being out of town for a couple of weeks we caught up on our reading and comment on three stories:  Pages 14 & 15

MUSIC:  Just because we were out of town doesn’t mean we weren’t listening to live music.  See who was playing and where.  Pages 15-17

VACATION SNAPS:  We share a few photos from our vacation that were our favorites. Pages 17-19.

CARTOONS:  We included a couple of very funny ones from the Kansas City Star’s Lee Judge.  Pages 20-23

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 102.

THIS IS THE FIREHOUSE AND CASH SPIGOT SPECIAL with extra coverage of the Monarch fire Protection District AND COVERAGE OF THE VAST AMOUNTS OF MONEY State Rep. John Diehl continues to take in as campaign contributions despite the fact he has never run against anyone.

FIREFIGHTERS PICKET BOARD MEETING: What Now? They are some of the highest paid firefighters in the State of Missouri, why are they so unhappy? It turns out they still consider the recently promoted command staff to be one of their own. Read the details. Pages 1-3

LABOR NEGOTIATIONS: We review the last two negotiation sessions between wealthy firefighters and the fire board. Pages 3-6

MORE ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING? Board member Jane Cunningham wants more alcohol and drug testing of firefighters. She her proposal and the union's push back. Pages 5 & 6

WE FIND AN INTERESTING CHOICE FOR CUNNINGHAM'S LIST OF PROMOTION EVALUATORS: The Fire Board wants new promotion lists; the union wants the current list to stay in place. Jane Cunningham has a list of people to sit as evaluators for the next promotion list. We found some very qualified people on the list and one who was on the front pages recently for sending out emails under a phony name. Pages 7 & 8

BEST DRESSED LIST! See which Monarch fire captain who we are nominating for our best dressed list. Pages 8 & 9

MORE COPS AT MEETINGS: The fire district has doubled down on police protection at the District Meeting. Pages 9 & 10

YOU THINK YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE HIGH! The Fire Board bought new insurance to protect members against being named as an individuals in lawsuits and then bought some more. Read for how much. Page 10

SNAKES ON THE FIRE TRUCK: Yes, not Snakes on a Plane, but either in the firehouse or maybe in the neighborhood around the firehouse. Firefighters consider Firehouse 1 "The VIPER PIT." They even have shirts saying so. Read more Page 10 & 11.

THE COUNTER IS CLINKING AND STATE REP. JOHN DIEHL HAS NOW COLLECTED $1,324,896 TO RUN AGAINST NO ONE: Read what special interests far from Diehl's district continue to funnel cash to the future speaker of the house and what Diehl is doing with the money. Pages 12-14

CATCHING UP ON OUR READING: After being out of town for a couple of weeks we caught up on our reading and comment on three stories: Pages 14 & 15

MUSIC: Just because we were out of town doesn&rsquot mean we weren't listening to live music. See who was playing and where. Pages 15-17

VACATION SNAPS: We share a few photos from our vacation that were our favorites. Pages 17-19.

CARTOONS: We included a couple of very ones from the Kansas City Star's Lee Judge. Pages 20-23.

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 48.

October 15, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

LET THE DEER & BMW HARVEST BEGIN:  We updated the current car-deer accident rate and show how over the last four years that number doubled in the final three months of the year. Pages 1 & 2

A THIRD SCULPTURE IS NOW IN THE RUNNING OR CANTERING FOR THE ART COMMISSION’S SELECTION:  They didn’t listen to me and did not try to get InBev to pay for a Clydesdale and a Dalmatian for the city first commissioned sculpture to be placed at Clayton Road and Mason Road.  Instead the city’s Arts Commission went back to the artist for a third time after they had already chosen an earlier work as the winner. This time the new piece includes a new addition. Pages 2 & 3

CITY WINS TWO ABSTRACT ART SCULPTURES FROM ST. LOUIS COUNTY:  Well actually they are on loan for 25 years.  In a year where we had a $6,000,000 deficit budget this is just what the city needs. One is still scheduled to be installed in Drace Park to give it that authentic 1840’s frontier Americana look and that 1960 Paris Left Bank look all in the same area. Pages 3 & 4

ART COMMISSION’S FIRST GALLERY ARTIST HAS OUTDOOR AND INDOOR WILDLIFE: The first gallery exhibit at the Longview Farmhouse will be works by St. Louis area artist Allen Kriegshauser. The Arts commission claims Kriegshauser is a plein air painter (outdoor impressionistic) but checking his website we foiund some indoor wildlife also.  Pages 4 & 5

CHICKEN BATTLE AT THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN: A resolution was made and placed on the agenda Monday to accept the Planning and Zoning Recommendation and keep a ban on chicken coops in town.  Immediately there was a counter resolution on the agenda to disregard the vote of Planning and Zoning Commission and allow chicken coops. Pages 5 & 6

USING THE MEYLAND-SMITH DOCTRINE OF SIGNS BEING DANAGEROUS TO DRIVERS A READER SUBMITS PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS OF THEM ALL: It is moving mobile LED sign!  Read what it says and where it was seen! Pages 6 & 7

COPS COME TO SCHOOL:  A teacher was removed from an area private school classroom by the police.  Read where. Page 7

NAME CHANGE!  IT’S THE NAME GAME:  The Missouri legislature stripped the name off a bridge that honored a former St. Louis mayor and replaced it with the name of a living former congressman.  If they are going to do this…we have a few suggestions. Pages 7-10

BEWARE OF THE YELLOW TRAP: MODOT created a dangerous situation at Manchester Road and Mason in 2009, before correcting it.  We observed the same dangerous situation return last week.  Read about the traffic light settings that cause accidents.   Pages 10 & 11

WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY OUR SPECIAL 7,500 MILES BREAKFAST:  Read where and what. Pages 11 & 12

OFF THE AIR:  Something wasn’t on the area radio waves last week.  We it is too bad. Read whose voice is gone. Pages 12 & 13

PERRY MASON FANS…WONDERING WHERE HAMILTON BERGER WENT FOR SEVEN EPISODES:  If you watch the Perry Mason reruns on ME-TV at 10:30 you might have noticed a number of episodes where the losingest DA in history, Hamilton Berger was not on the show.  Read why he was absent from part of the 1960 season of Perry Mason. Pages 13-15

POST DISPATCH DELETES NEGATIVE ONLINE COMMENTS:  Read how the area’s largest beacon of free speech deleted a couple of innocuous comments about a former PD editor losing his job at patch.com.  Page 16 & 17

MUSIC:  Don’t miss a big and inexpensive music event on a baseball off-night. Read where. Pages 17 & 18

CARTOONS: The creators of one of our favorite cartoons in the last four years has come out with a new take.  See the latest and our favorite, the original. Pages 19-22

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 101.

CHESTERFIELD APPLYING FOR $275,000 PARKS GRANTS:  They want to build a fishing dock, gazebo and trails for the Rivers Edge Park and 17-acre lake behind the Taubman Outlet Stores. Page 1

CHESTERFIELD A LEADER IN GETTING PARKS GRANTS BUT IS NEAR THE BOTTOM PER CAPITA:  If the city gets the latest parks grant it will man they have received more than $1.8 million is grant money.  But when you break that down to money per resident they are near the bottom of the list.  Pages  1 & 2

MAYOR HAS A FISH STORY:  Mayor Bob Nation showed the public and the City Council exactly how big the fish are in the lake at the River’s Edge Park site. Pages 2 & 3

ARBORS AT KEHRS MILL REZONING VOTE PUSHED BACK: McBride and Sons Homes wanted to reopen talks with the Pacland Place subdivision before the Council voted to rezone to allow under 1-acre home lots.  Read the possible back story. Page 3

BAD HEADLINE:  Did the Firefighters Local 2665 shop steward suggest they kill Board member Jane Cunningham?  No he didn’t but you weren’t so sure if you just looked at the headline on their website. Pages 3 & 4

RENAMING THE BENARD F. DICKMAN BRIDGE…MAYBE THEIR SHOULD BE MORE RENAMING:  It seemed when you named something after someone it was top remember them and their legacy. The State of Missouri made me think otherwise when they stripped the name Bernard Dickman off the I-70 Mississippi River Bridge.  I decided I need to start thinking like a legislator and I have some suggestions for renaming a few  places around town and even the town!  Pages 4-7

I’M A MEMBER OF THE 7,500 MILE BREAKFAST CLUB: Read how I made sure my cholesterol medicine is working when my car needs an oil change or minor repair work. Pages 7 & 8.

AFTER 40 YEARS A LEGENDARY SOUND LEAVES THE ST. LOUIS AIRWAVES: Read what sound has left the airwaves and why I’ll miss it. Pages 8 & 9

PERRY MASON FANS…WONDERING WHERE HAMILTON BERGER WENT FOR SEVEN EPISODES:  If you watch the Perry Mason reruns on ME-TV at 10:30 you might have noticed a number of episodes where the losingest DA in history, Hamilton Berger was not on the show.  Read why he was absent from part of the 1960 season of Perry Mason.   Pages 9, 10 & 11

GET YOUR LIQUOR QUICKER ON SUNDAY MORNINGS:  Chesterfield has made booze buying easier for early birds on Sundays. Page 12

TEACHER REMOVED FROM CLASSROOM BY COPS DURING A TEST AT EXCLUSIVE WEST COUNTY ALL GIRLS SCHOOL:  For the few details we have go to page 12.

MUSIC:  UPCOMING BIG BAND CONCERT ON A NON-BASEBALL NIGHT AND MORE. Page 13

CARTOONS: Pages 13-26

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 47.

October 1, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY REZONING: Pages 1-3 Either an alderman was badly mistaken or he lied about receiving a number of emails in favor of the rezoning of residential property on Conway Road.  We filed a records request with the city and found at least 33 nearby residents have told Alderman Phil Behnen they are against the proposal. None were found in favor of it.

RIGHT: This is what $30 will buy you on a records request with the City of Town and Country on the Maryville rezoning issue.

Lynn Wright has a hard time visualizing how close the next subdivision east of the property is.

Maryville requested rezoning vote be rescheduled from October 14 to November 11.

FRED MEYLAND-SMITH HAS BEEN WORRIED ABOUT THE DANGEROUS LED SIGNS THAT DISTRACT DRIVERS AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS: We went to some nearby areas with LED sign trying to find the resulting accidents.  Read where and see the signs:  Pages 3-8

HERE COMES THE SHOWBOAT:  That is what Meyland-Smith accused me of being when I tried to make it illegal to use a cell phone while driving a car in T&C.  Now the cops over the entire State of Maryland are handing out citations for driving while using a cell phone. Pages 8 & 9

CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT LOVES SIGNS THAT COST MONEY BUT YOU CAN’T READ:  See the latest example of money wasted. Pages 9 & 10.

AS PRAIRIE GRASS GETS CHOKED OUT BY WEEDS, THE SIGN GOES MISSING:  Photos tell the story.  Pages 10 & 11

PARKS DID TAME SOME BUSHES: The photos tell the story Park II.  Page 11

THE GUY WHO PROMISED TO LOOK AFTER YOUR WELFARE REPRESENTS GUY YOU RIPPED OFF 18 PEROPLE TO A TUNE OF $4.4 MILLION:  Yes, Mayor Jon Dalton who claims to be the city’s top law enforcement official, represented a Chesterfield resident who was found to be cheating people in securities transactions. Pages 11

MAYOR OF ELLISVILLE SAYS WALMART WANTS LEWIS-RICE ATTORNEY OFF THE SANSONE DEAL…LAWYER SAYS HE WANTS MAYOR NOT TO VOTE: Last week Ellisville Mayor Adam Paul (right) announced the reason a public hearing over revoking the Conditional Use Permit for the Walmart development was that Walmart wanted the developers to unload Lewis-Rice lawyer John Hessel. Hessel is now quoted that he wants to unload Mayor Adam Paul. Apparently Hessel was been living under a rock…getting rid of the populist mayor isn’t going to happen. Read more Pages 12-16

FOLOW JANE CUNNINGHAM’S LATEST ADVENTURES WITH THE MONARCH FIRE DISTRICT: The new member of the fire board (left) is now trying to rein in the bloated union contact. Pages 16-25

MUSIC:  Photos tell the story. Pages 25 & 26

CARTOONS:  pages 26-35

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 100.

WELCOME TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTERS IN RECENT MEMORY: We start with news from the Monarch Fire Protection District. If you want to keep up on the pink T-shirt controversy we lead with that. However the big story follows the t-shirts and it deals with the Fire Board wanting to negotiate the new labor agreement in public. The firefighters’ union doesn’t like that one bit.

THE CASE OF THE PINK T-SHIRTS: The Media firestorm over the Breast cancer Pink T-Shirts is really a story about the new Fire Board telling the firefighters’ Union they have to follow the rules. We have a novel suggestion on how the firefighters can raise money for breast cancer research. Pages 1-7

THE REAL MONARCH NEWS THAT AFFECTS TAXPAYERS ONLY THIS NEWSLETTER BOTHERED TO COVER: All he regular media fled the fire district headquarters on Tuesday to file their pink t-shirt stories, but we stuck around and were treated to the first open public contract negotiations between the board and the union. The union didn’t want the public to know what was going on. The union attorney also demanded that the Fire Board president declare if he was carrying a gun. Finally we got to look at the union demands for the 2013 contract. They include free hot chocolate, two phone lines at every station for only firefighters’ personal calls and much more. Pages 7-15

CHESTERFIELD POLICE CHIEF CAUGHT IN A CROSSFIRE FROM COUNCILMEN, ONE OF THE RIGHT AND THE OTHER ON THE LEFT: The recent Public Health and Safety Committee meeting started out nicely and ended in turmoil. It was as if Ray Johnson was accused of being the NSA from one side and Bull Connors, with a camera and license plate reader instead of police dogs and fire hoses, from the other side. Read the issue. Pages 16-19

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS NO MORE SQUIREL FEEDING OR ANY OTHER BUFFETS FOR FURRY ANIMALS. The Public Safety Committee wants to expand the ban of feeding deer and geese to include almost everything else other than small birds. Pages 19 & 20

ELLISVILLE SAGA MOVES TO FAKE SUBPOENAS, FIRED LAWYERS AND DELAYED PUBLIC HEARINGS: The latest from Ellisville is how the Sansone Group (the same Sansone involved in the County Police lab construction scandal) attorney had issued phony subpoenas trying to get the mayor to give statements over the Wal-Mart development deal. First Wal-Mart pulled out of the development deal and then 20 days later they are back in. Now they are apparently out unless Sansone changes lawyers. Read our Part 1 and Part 2 Ellisville reports and look at the fake subpoenas. Pages 20-28

PATH.COM IN ST LOUIS IS NOT ONLY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS…THEY ARE GETTING SUED TOO: Patch.com is down to its final days in St. Louis, plus the regional editor, a chesterfield resident is getting sued. Pages 29 & 30

WHO IS ROOTING FOR CARDINALS AND WHO ISN’T: Read the other side of the coin when the Cardinals played deep into October. Pages 20 & 21

MUSIC: We were at our regular Wednesday night spot and saw someone who had flown in from Toronto for a weekend with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Also we heard some piano jazz in Chesterfield Valley from one of our regular buddies. Pages 31 & 32.

CARTOONS: We led off with a cartoon from a university student newspaper that made us laugh the loudest. Pages 32-34

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 46.

October 1, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

CHICKENS ARE DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT PLANNING AND ZONING: We were the only reporter who attended the Planning and Zoning Meeting last week. The big issue was chickens. Two people from out of town spoke in favor of chickens. One resident spoke of having fresh eggs for breakfast.

Skip Mange told the commissioners that allowing chickens was keeping with the city’s name of Town and COUNTRY. Using Skip’s logic it is high time for mobile homes, septic and propane tanks plus a couple of rusted out cars in the yard. Pages 1-6

MCRIB IS SAVED: McDonald’s got approval from P&Z to tear down their restaurant on Woods Mill Road and replace it with a larger building. Luckily for lovers of the tasteless pressed pork sandwich with the yummy sauce and onions it will happen in March and the November limited return of the McRib will not be affected. We just can’t figure out why Alderman Skip Mange doesn’t want to save the old McDonald’s building and have it added to his log cabins at Drace Park. Pages 6 & 7

RESIDENT WANTS TO CONTACT HER ATTORNEY TO APPROVE WHAT SHE WANTS TO SAY ABOUT NEW SUBDIVISION BUILDER: Rehnquist Homes got approval for a four house subdivision, but one residents wants to tell the city why they should be suspicious of Rehnquist, but wants to get her remarks approved by her lawyer, saying she is afraid Rehnquist will sue her. Read why. Pages 7-10

DALTON’S LAW FIRM IS BACK AT MAKING PEOPLE’E LIVES MISERABLE…THIS TIME IN ELLISVILLE. LAW FIRM ISSUES FAKE SUBPEONAS: First T&C Mayor Jon Dalton snatched a 60-year-old family business and property along South Broadway and sued a Catholic Church Saint using eminent domain for a nightclub district to that Dalton and his partners never had enough money to build. Now Dalton’s law firm is threatening elected officials in Ellisville and making 200 residents fearful of being forced to move 20 days after Walmart announced they were pulling out of the project. They even used FAKE subpoenas. It is another example of West County GREED. Pages 10-14

LOCAL PATCH.COM OFFICIALS GETTING SUED: They have already laid-off most of their employees in the St. Louis area. They will be shutting down in the next two weeks. Now they are getting sued by a former employee. Pages 15 & 16

MONARCH FIRE BOARD TAKES BACK MORE CONTROL OF THE FIRE DISTRICT: The latest controversy in the media about the Monarch Fire Board being against breast cancer awareness is stupid and the media fell for the fire union trying to embarrass elected officials. Read the common sense behind making public safety employees wear the same uniform all year round, how the uniform decision are not made by the union and how it is unfair for public safety employees to choose and pick specific charities to help while on duty. Pages 17 & 18

IT IS THE BEST OF TIMES AND THE WORST OF TIMES: Read why musicians and restaurant owners root for the Cardinals in October depending on geography. Page 18

MUSIC: Big crowd and big night at the Touhill. Pages 19 & 20

CARTOONS: Pages 20-23

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 99.

September 26, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

CITY COUNCIL: For this issue we lead off with Jean Whitney’s coverage of this week’s City Council meeting where there was continued citizen discontent over the planned Arbors at Kehr’s Mill subdivision. From all the rancor by citizens at the meeting I’m pretty sure McBride and Son wants to build tenements. The councilpersons in that Ward appear to have split over the issue. Read the latest before the final vote on the matter at the October 7th Meeting. Pages 1-5

Jean also reports how the city’s coffers for parks are still full as the Council is ready to spend $500,000 on a new project. Page 6

Also the development by the Premium Outlet Mall is not apparently over despite there being no plans on file with the city yet. Read why. Page 5

THE INTERNATIONAL CITY OF CHESTERFIELD: The part of the homepage of City of Chesterfield website has gone international. Is the city getting a lot of inquiries from Japan, Germany, Spain and Russia? Pages 6 & 7

ARTISTS’ GUILD DEPARTURE FROM CLAYTON PARK IS DELAYED THREE MONTHS: Read the new date for the St. Louis Artists’ Guild to be kicked out of their digs in Oak Knoll Park and where the group is looking to move. Pages 7 & 8

A REZONING ISSUE HEATS UP JUST EAST OF THE CHESTERFIELD BORDER: Maryville University appears to be trying to pull a fast one with a rezoning request. Read what Maryville wants to do along Conway Road that has the area residents upset. Pages 8-13

TV STATION AGAIN PICKS NON –ST. LOUISIANS FOR ON-AIR JOB: KSDK is back to hiring outside of the local area. Their prior new hire was a St. Louisan, but they left the area again for their latest. It appears at least with two of the local TV stations actually knowing your way around town is not that big of a deal. Page 13

IT’S LIKE I’M IN THE WAYBACK MACHINE: Grocery shopping is getting to be a lot like it was in 1960. Page 14 & 15

MUSIC: We spotlight where some of the town’s good music and jazz has been played recently. Pages 15-18

CARTOONS: Page 19-23

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 45.

September 24, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

FIRE AND ICE TO BE MOVED: With the new tenements ($480,000 to $800,000 new homes) being built on the latest site for the city’s Fire and Ice fireworks show it must be moved. See where the new site is proposed. Pages 1 & 2

FRONTIER MAN SKIP MANGE AND THE LOG CABINS OF THE EARLY 1800’S MEET MODERN ART: Alderman Skip Mange wants to drain more tax money to his vision of building a town of log cabins. This is in two parts. The first part begins on Page 2. The update starts in the Board of Aldermen meeting section that begins on Page 15. Pages 2-4 and Pages 15-17

HOME DEPOT EXPECTING LOSS IN REVENUE FOR A WHILE WHEN MENARDS OPENS: A city official has said that Home Depot expects to lose 20% of their business when Menard’s opens less than a mile from the T&C Home Depot store. See for how long. Pages 4 & 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY SALES TAX REVENUE MATCHES LOW FOR RECESSION: The 2012 sales tax figures matched the worst year in the last 13. See the chart. Pages 5 & 6

OLD LINEN AND THINGS STORE LEASED…TO A BUSINESS THAT WILL NOT GENERATE ANY SALES TAX: See who is moving in and how it will not help the bottom line. Pages 6 & 7

TOWN AND COUNTRY DOG PARK TASK FORCE BURIED LIKE A BONE…Read the reason the Dog Park Task Force has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Page 7

SPECIAL MEETING WITH MARYVILLE UNIVIERSITY, RESIDENTS ALONG CONWAY ROAD AND TWO ALDERMEN DOES NOT GO WELL: Residents claim Maryville is trying to pull a fast one and two aldermen who showed up are being less than open-minded and playing fast and loose with the facts. The $1,000,000 road raised questions…plus a scrum questions some of Maryville’s earlier claims. Pages 7-11

POLICE DEPARTMENT FINALLY ADDS A SECOND WOMAN OFFICER: After transferring an experienced female officer from patrol to administration the department this month is hiring it’s second female officer…a raw rookie straight from the academy. But still it is a step in the right direction. Pages 11-13

FIRE STATION ON NEW POLICE BADGE: Read and see what the new Town and Country Police badges will look like. They will look a little bit like a LAPD badge but instead of a city hall in the center it will be a firehouse and some woods. Pages 13 & 14

BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING ALL ABOUT THE LOG CABINS AND FAKING PEOPLE OUT ON HISTORY: Skip Mange had the floor for the first 50 minutes of the agenda meeting, pitching to fellow alderpersons why he needed money from the city, which he had promised earlier in the year he would never ask for. Skip wants to expand the 1840’s frontier town he wants to build at Drace Park. Read about the changes in his plans and the borderline lies he was telling and how many alderman were not buying what he was selling. Pages 15-21

NEW RESTAURANT GETS LARGE SIGN VARIANCE: While Fred Meyland-Smith may be against churches getting new signs and flagpoles he is all for a new business in his ward getting a sign variance. Read all about it. Pages 21 & 22

BRANCH CHIPPING WILL BE CITY WIDE: See how much it might cost…Page 22

MAYOR FOR A DAY: See who sat in for the absent wheeler-dealer mayor on Monday. Pages 22 & 23

ART GUILD GETS EXTENSION ON EVICTION: The Art Guild was given a short extension on the time they need to vacate their current home in a Clayton park. Page 23

NEW TV ANCHOR/REPORTER HIRE BRINGS UP OLD QUESTION: Sometimes apparently being a St. Louisian is not helpful. Page 24

BACK TO THE FUTURE: A recent trip to Walmart put me on the road to the good old days of shopping. Page 25

MUSIC: We were in Clayton, Kirkwood twice and Webster Groves this week for music. See who we heard and where. Pages 26 & 27

CARTOONS Page 28-31

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 98.

September 17, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

There is a correction to lead things off as we enlarge the number of councilpersons refusing to accept term life insurance policies.

FULLY TRAINED DOG READY FOR A NEW HOME: Max a shepherd/mix is one-year-old and is fully trained and house broken. He is looking for a new home in West County. If you need to walk more, you are in luck…here is a guy who loves to walk. See more Page 11

PROTESTS DO LITTLE GOOD AS REZONING FOR SUBDIVISION MOVES ON TO FULL COUNCIL: Jean Whitney covered the recent Planning and Public Works Committee meeting that was moved from a back conference room to the council chambers to handle a large crowd of people protesting a planned new subdivision. McBride and Sons wants to build a new subdivision with smaller lots and cheaper houses. Nearby residents in Chesterfield and Wildwood are not happy about it. Pages 1-7

POLICE OFFICER SUIT IS SETTLED: The lawsuit filed by a Chesterfield police officer over being laid off while assigned to light duty due to an on duty injured has been settled out of court. Page 7

FREE FLU SHOTS: You will have to drive a little bit East on Clayton Road. Read where and when they will be given and how to sign up. Pages 7 & 8.

THE FOUR MONTHS OF CHRISTMAS: We award the Early Santa Award to a local retailer. Page 8

ANOTHER FRIENDLY WELCOME TO A PUBLIC MEETING: Chesterfield officials once again have thrown out the welcome mat for those wishing to attend the Finance Committee meeting. Page 9

THE TALE OF TWO CITIES: Read how the editors of Town and Style Magazine apparently can’t tell two communities apart. Pages 9 & 10

MOST EXPENSIVE APPLES IN THE WORLD or Dierbergs has misleading sign. Page 12

FORMER CHESTERFIELD WAITER BACK AT SERVING SCAMS WITH FOOD: Richard Quick was pulling a credit card fraud scam when he was a waiter at Yia Yias in 2011. He was back at it two years later this time at the Yellowstone Café. Pages 12-14

OH MY GOD! WILL THERE BE MCRIBS THIS YEAR AT MCDONALDS ON CHESTERFIELD’S EAST SIDE? The McDonalds on Woods Mill Road is actually in Town and County but serves food to lots of east side Chesterfield residents. Plans call for it to be torn down and rebuilt with a larger kitchen. How will this affect the McRib? Page 14

CARTOONS: Pages 15-17

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 44.

September 16, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

FULLY TRAINED LOCAL DOG LOOKING FOR A WEST COUNTY HOME! See who needs a home. Do you need a dog? Page 17

DEER CAR ACCIDENTS UP: But they were only up by one in August of 2013 versus 2012. The overall deer-vehicle accident continues to be ahead of last years. There are plans for another deer harvest this coming winter, but for budgetary reasons it will happen after the New Years. Page 1

STILL NO ARRESTS IN SUMMER HOUSE BREAK-INS: So far the leads are dwindling in the series of house burglaries off Topping Road. Page 2

TAXPAYERS WILL BE DOING LAWN MAINTENANCE AT EX-CON’S HOUSE: The weeds have grown to six and seven feet high at the vacant house at 1761 Topping Road still owned by ex-con drug dealer Brain Marchant-Calsyn. Now after the first High Grass/Weeds hearing of 2013 it appears as if the rest of the citizens of Town and Country will be paying to cut his yard. Pages 1-4

TOWN AND COUNTRY MCDONALD’S TO BE TORN DOWN. WHAT ABOUT THE RETURN OF THE MCRIB? Don’t worry it will be rebuilt with a larger kitchen. See the story. Page 5

DIEHL IS FINALLY OFF THE ARB. The million dollar state rep, who has raised over $1.2m while never running against anyone has finally been removed from the city’s Architecture Review Board after making just one meeting in two years. Page 5

DIEHL RECEIVING BIG MONEY TO HELP TAKE A CERTAIN PERSON OFF THE SEX OFFENDERS LIST: State Rep. John Diehl made the pages of the Washington Post after accepting a lot of money to change the sex offender law and get the rapist of a 12-year-old off the list. Pages 6 & 7

ART COMMISSION DEBATES OVER STATUES OF STANDING OR RUNNING HORSE. Read the current debate at the Art Commission and my excellent suggestions, including my suggestion for a statue or a logo that dates back to 2009! Pages 7-12

HURRY UP FREE FLU SHOTS SLOTS FILLING UP FAST: Missouri Baptist Hospital is giving out free flu shots again this year to the rich, almost rich and formerly rich people of Town and Country. The event is supposed to be announced in the city’s Town and Country Times newsletter, but the slots are already filling up. Read where to call to make a reservation. Page 12

WILL HEARTLAND BANK SALE HAVE AN AFFECT ON THE ALLEGRO PROJECT: Allegro Senior Living and Love Development owned by Heartland Bank withdrew their current request for a zoning change before the Board of Aldermen. Will the sale of Heartland put a final end to the proposal? Pages 12 & 13

COSTCO IS OUR UNOFFICIAL WINNER: See why! Page 13

TOWN AND STYLE MAGAZINE NEEDS A LOCAL MAP OR SOMEONE IN LAYOUT WHO CAN READ: Read the error that Town and Style Magazine makes week after week. Pages 14 & 15

LOCAL RESTAURANT DOESN’T DO A BASIC BACKGROUND CHECK…WAITER STEALS CUSTOMER’S CREDIT CARD: Read what restaurant hired a waiter with a lengthy criminal record only to have him arrested for stealing a customer’s credit card! It was a crime he committed in Chesterfield too and was on probation for when he was hired. Pages 16 & 17

THE MOST EXPENSIVE APPLES EVER! See the sign that really got our attention at Dierbergs! Page 17

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT…WELL AT LEAST IT WAS DARK. We spent over $130,000 to add parking spaces and improve lighting at the Longview parking and it is still dark. Read the sad excuse. Pages 18 &19

CHICKENS HEADED TO PLANNING AND ZONING: Chickens will be all dress up and going to the next Planning and Zoning meeting. Read when and why. Page 19

NEW BANK: Page 20

CARTOONS: Pages 20-22

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 97.

September 11, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

CHESTERFIELD POLICE LIEUTENANT CLAIMS NOT TO KNOW HOW MANY OFFICERS: That sounds pretty strange doesn’t it? Well it was the response to a simple question I asked for this latest newsletter. Do I think he police commander really doesn’t know the authorized strength of the police department? No…I think he knows. Do I think he was being a jerk and yanking my chain…YES! See how I found the answer without the help of the police lieutenant. Page 1

OUTLET MALLS PUTTING A STRESS ON POLICE DEPARTMENT…CHIEF WANTS MORE COPS: Read what Chief Ray Johnson reported to the Finance and Administration Committee on why he needs more officers. In 2010 they "right-sized" the department downward! Now they need they back. Page 2

CHIEF WANTS TO USE PARK SALES TAX REVENUE TO HELP PAY FOR NEW COPS: Read the reasons why Chief Johnson wants to funnel off some park funds to pay for cops. Then read my warning about overseeing it. Page 3

FREE TERM LIFE INSURANCE TO CONTINUE FOR COUNCIL AND MAYOR, PLUS JUDGE AND PA: The taxpayers are giving free life insurance to most of the council and the mayor, plus Judge Rick "Let’em Loose" Brunk and city prosecutor Tim "Deal Away" Engelmeyer. The reason for the free insurance is a good one if only the city administrator’s dates made sense. Pages 3 & 4

MAYOR WANTS PAY RAISES: See how much and why it wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. Pages 4 & 5

DEBATE ABOUT VETERANS MEMORIAL INTERESTING: The debate among members of the finance and Administration Committee on the idea to pony up $500,000 to match a veterans’ group for a memorial was interesting. Read some of the comments. Page s 5 & 6

JEAN WHITNEY’S CITY COUNCIL REPORT INCLUDES CITIZEN PROTEST AND TRUCK BAN: Jean reports on the latest city council meeting, including residents’ protest of a new residential development, the ban on trucks in subdivisions passes but does not go into effect until April, so if you were hoping a neighbor’s ugly work truck would be gone by Christmas you are out of luck. Read the details, including the mayor breaking a tie on the truck issue. Pages 6-10

JOHN DIEHL GETS SOME PRESS IN WASHINGTON DC. An AP story on the money behind the Missouri Republicans wanting to keep certain people off the Sex Offender list got play in Washington DC. Just what Diehl needs… more money! He has $1.2 million racked up to run against no one from all kinds of special interest groups, now add parents of statutory rapists of 12-year-olds to the list. Page 11 & 12

CHESTERFIELD’S T-FED’S PLEA DEAL GET LOCAL PROSECUTOR FIRED: It was going to happen anyway, but the Ellisville City Council voted to fire their city prosecuting attorney after he agreed to a plea deal that gave probation to Theodore Federer for DWI while he was already on probation for DWI. Read the details. Pages 12 & 13

THE ELLISVILLE SOAP OPERA MIGHT BE COMING TO AN END: The what happened at the last Ellisville city Council meeting that might put an end to all the dramatics in Ellisville. Pages 13-16

THE CURRENT ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE BOARD SCANDAL ISN’T THE FIRST POLICE SCANDAL FOR ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS: We goes back 33 years to another local police scandal and wonders how anyone let a certain person on a police board to begin with. He also looks at something the rest of media missed…ILLEGAL MEETINGS! Pages 16-18

A LOCAL RICH PEOPLE MAG COVER RAISES A QUESTION: Read what about. Page 19

THE POST-DISPATCH MOVES SOME MAJOR BUILDINGS AND MAKES AN INTERESTING CHOICE OF SOMEONE TO GIVE FREE SPACE TO: The Post-Dispatch transportation writer doesn’t seem to know where some major buildings are. According to him, congratulations are in order for Chesterfield getting three major buildings…ah…wait a minute…never mind! Also see what the Post-Dispatch editorial board has called someone they just gave space above the fold on the op-ed page. Pages 19-22

AT&T SETS A NEW MARK IN CUSTOMER SERVICE: Yes they knocked out my phone service and then took three days to fix it and demanded that I be home for 12-hours for them to repair something at a junction box two blocks away from my house. Read why I’m thinking about selling our AT&T stock. Pages 22-24

MUSIC: Read what Grammy nominated jazz singer played to an empty house and see what historical photo I saw in the basement of a local estate sale. Pages 25 & 26

CARTOONS: I only found four new ones that made me laugh since last week. Pages 26-28

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 43.

September 10, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

ALDERMAN FRED MEYLAND-SMITH CONTINUES ON HIS QUEST TO TRY AND DENY RELIGIOUS GROUPS THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS: Fred has tried to keep the Destiny Church and the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox church from enjoying their rights provided in the Bill of Rights. On Monday night he included Catholics in his evil web. The Sisters of Visitation were replacing their activities sign in front of the school with an LED sign. Fred wanted to restrict the religious girl’s school to regulations more restrictive than in place for his own Lutheran Church. Pages 1-5

MEYLAND-SMITH ALSO WANTED TO CHANGE LEGISLATION ALLOWING A MEDICAL GROUP HOME FOR YOUNG WOMEN WITH EATING DISORDERS. The alderman who won’t shut up apparently wanted to tell institutions involving girls and young women to do it Fred’s way. He was not successful. Pages 5 & 6

BRANCH CHIPPING FOR ALL…MONEY BE DAMNED! At least that was the message put out by Mayor/Cigarette Lobbyist Jon Dalton. Page 6 & 7

WHAT UP WITH THE POST-DISPATCH? The last daily printed news source in the area has made some interesting editorial decisions and one reporter doesn’t know where city limits are. Pages 7-10

ALLEGRO SENIOR LIVING CENTER ZONING REQUEST PULLED FROM ALDERMANIC CALENDAR: It was announced in August that the owners of the Mason Village shopping centers have pulled their rezoning request to build a massive senior assisted living center near Clayton Road and Mason. Page 10

THE EXCELLENT SERVICE (NOT!) OF AT&T! Read what we recently experienced at the hands of AT&T. They caused an outrage, but then weren’t in a hurry to repair it. Pages 11-13

A PLAYER IN THE LATEST THE COUNTY POLICE BOARD SCANDAL WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER POLICE SCANDAL 33 YEARS AGO: Read our take on the current problems at the County Police headquarters. The police board defends taxpayer lunches but no one notices the lunches violated Missouri Open Meeting laws. Also the police board member who resigned at the suggestion of the FBI was at the heart of another police scandal three decades ago. Page 13-15

THE ELLISVILLE SOAP OPERA MAY BE COMING TO AN END: We recently attended the Ellisville City Council meeting, where this newsletter was used to fire the city prosecutor (They would have eventually fired him anyway). The city manager got a surprise when the council voted to fire him too. Also apparently a vote, for the new city attorney, to look at development agreements and if they had expired for the new Wal-Mart store, got someone’s attention in Bentonville, Arkansas. Pages 16-20

CITIZEN DEMANDS A HOOTERS: Yes, you can’t make this stuff up! Page 20

MUSIC: A national Grammy nominated jazz vocalist plays to an empty room. Pages 21-22.

A historic photo seen in an area basement!. Pages 22 & 23.

PATCH.COM LAST DAY FOR ST. LOUIS AREA SITES…is October 15. Page 23

A FEW OF OUR VACATION PHOTOS: This is a repeat from our last Chesterfield newsletter posted last week. Pages 24-27

CARTOONS: Three weeks worth of cartoons that made me laugh! Pages 27-34

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 96.

September 3, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

THE CHESTERFIELD CITY PROSECUTOR’S CONFLICTS CONTINUE: See how Chesterfield City Prosecutor (left) defended a very drunk driver who was actually arrested in Chesterfield, but by the County Police. As a prosecutor, a judge or a defense attorney drunk drivers continue to get off without a mark on their public driving record. Pages 1-9

THE CONVICTIONS AND PROBATIONS KEEP COMING FOR ONE CHESTERFIELD FAMILY: Read the latest on the judicial scorecard at the home of T-Fed and his younger brother J-Fed (right). Pages 9 & 10

PATCH.COM FIRES CHESTERFIELD EDITOR AND HAS A SHUTDOWN DATE: Through no fault of his own, Chesterfield Patch editor Frank Johnson was one of five fired in August. The rest of the St. Louis staff will be out of a job in October as the cyber local sites are shut down. Pages 10 & 11

CITY COUNCIL NEWS: Trucks and commercial or at least vehicles with commercials to be banned in subdivisions, Park Bonds to be sold to KC group without normal two meeting wait, Solar Panel legislation considered despite adverse court rulings and local resident gets zoning approved to move lawn care company. While we were out of town, Jean Whitney, former Patch editor, long time journalist and local resident was nice enough to cover the city council meeting. See her report! Pages 11-17

CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE STUDENT DESERVES AN AWARD: Everyone is quick to handout awards for local residents winning awards or being on TV. We think that Blythe Grupe (right) deserves a big award for having the guts to attack the college she attends after she was nearly killed. Pages 17 & 18

VACATION PHOTOS: This year’s second of three vacations included a boat ride from England to Norway, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. We picked 12 photos to share along with some commentary. Pages 19-22

CARTOONS: Here are some of the cartoons that made me laugh. Pages 22-27

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 42.

PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CONTROVERSIAL PROJECTS ALL CONTINUED: They have been heard at the Planning and Zoning but even if they were defeated the proposals to rezone property have a second life before the Board of Aldermen. All the hot-button issue rezoning cases have been continued with most being scheduled into the fall. See the new dates. Pages 1 & 2

DEER- CAR CRASHES STILL ABOVE LAST YEAR’S NUMBERS: See the latest on deer-car crashes. Page 2

ONLY MISSED IT BY THIS MUCH! In the words of Maxwell Smart…I was close. I predicted earlier this year that local Patch.com sites would be shut down by July 1. On August 8 it was announced that in the next week AOL would announce the closing for 300 or more Patch.com sites. We are waiting to see which ones, but I’m guessing St. Louis area sites will be on the list. Pages 3 & 4

CLAYTON ROAD IMPROVEMENT CREATES VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS The city is taking it’s time but is finally acting to avoid killing someone at Clayton Road and Bopp and especially at Clayton Road and Cedar Valley Drive. Read what happened. Pages 4, 5, 6 & 7

DRACE PARK GATES STILL REMAIN CLOSED WHEN COPS FORGET: We got an email from a resident about how Drace Park gates were closed at 10am on a Monday morning. The police apparently have given up making sure a day-shift officer gets to unlock the gates between 6 and 7am and have added a sign on the gates. Pages 7 & 8

THE JUNGLES OF MASON RIDGE: See photos of the new growth choking out the signs along Mason Ridge Road. Pages 8 & 9

MAYOR DALTON HAS A NEW LOBBYING CLIENT AND A NEW CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Read what new company is paying Dalton to lobbying for it and how that could affect his votes on a recent issue. Pages 9 &10

DALTON CONTINUES TO VIOLATE MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION RULES: He has not been complying with one clear rule of the Ethic Commission since 2005. Read what rule and see who the campaign contributors have been over the years. Pages 10, 11 & 12

DOWNLOAD THE LIST OF DALTON CONTRIBUTORS MENTIONED IN THE NEWSLETTER:
Dalton Contributors Part One
Dalton Contributors Part Two

CITY’S TOP GARDNERS HAVE MOVED…HOUSE AND YARD ARE FOR SALE: Joe and Janet Williamson have moved and their house and lot are for sale. Page 12 & 13

INVISIBLE CONTRUCTION STILL UNDERWAY AT RAINTREE SCHOOL SITE: The Post-Dispatch, Patch.com reported and Alderman Tim Welby said so…so it must be true. See our latest photos of the construction at the Raintree School site. Pages 13 & 14

BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING…SOLAR PANELS ARE BACK SORT OF: The bill regulating solar panels was back on the agenda and continued for the fifth time. Read why and why it may be premature as it was continued for a sixth time. Page 14 & 15

BRANCH CHIPPING IS BACK DEPENDING WHERE YOU LIVE: The Board of Aldermen are considering bringing back the trucks and chippers this fall, but only if you live in a certain part of town. Read where and why and why Lynn Wright’s good idea isn’t so good. Page 16

NEW URGENT CARE BUSINESS GETS BIG SIGNS WHILE ALDERMAN RECUSES SELF WITHOUT SAYING WHY: Just what the area was in desperate need of…another urgent care medical facility. Read where and how quickly a guy with the title of "Doctor" in front of his name can get a sign variance compared to anyone with the title of "Reverend" in from of their name. One alderman sat out of the action. Pages 17 & 18

ART CHANGE PROMISED: Read what the chair of the city Art Commission told fellow alderpersons about the new work of art maybe isn’t the new work of art for the city. Page 18 & 19

HAVE SOME FUN…KILL SOME TIME…CHECK OUT OUR FUN TV LINK FOR A GREAT SONG FROM THREE WELL KNOWN SINGERS. Page 19

MUSIC AND FUN AROUND TOWN: See what we saw last week…now get out and hear it…Pages 19, 20 & 21

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 95.

August 7, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS: But the city administrator did not linger on the bad news for long…Read what it was. Page 1

TAX RATE REMAINS UNCHANGED: The Council voted to leave the property tax rate at 3-cents on the $100 assessed valuation. There was talk that could remain until 2015 when the city property tax could disappear. But I would not hold your breath, since Chesterfield is not a "point-of-sale" city in the world of sales taxes, it is always prudent to keep a property tax in place, even if it is just one-cent. It is easier to raise an existing property tax than try and put one back on the books. Page 2

COUNCILMAN GIVES REAGAN LIKE RANT OVER A GAS STATION: The gas station and convenience store in the planning stages for Long and Edison Roads marched ahead with three councilpersons voting to uphold building requirements and five going the other way, including one who made it a "Free market" issue. Read and laugh at the debate. Pages 2 & 3

MAKE YOUR OWN BEER BUSINESS: J2 Brewing on Long Road will allow you to make from scratch your own beer. The question is will you like your own beer more than the commercial stuff. Read when you get your chance to be a brew master. Pages 3 & 4

HERO GETS AWARD AND SPECIAL DAY ALONG WITH OTHERS: A young grade school student received a special award after she helped save the life of a drowning boy at the city’s pool. Of course being a curmudgeon, I took a slightly off-view of four of the other five awards handed out. Pages 4 & 5

INSURANCE AGAINST ELECTED OFFICIALS SAYING SOMETHING STUPID: Yes a councilperson or staffer can say something really dumb and get away with it by not having a member of public immediately point it out. Read about the rule. Page 5

DUMB CRIMINAL 1…STEAL NO WINE BEFORE IT’S TIME: Read about Chesterfield resident Doug Timke (left) and all the rules for criminals to follow he broke in a recent local crime wave. Page 6

DUMB CRIMINAL 2…WRONG TIME OF DAY FOR HOLDUPS ON OLIVE BLVD: Chesterfield resident John Barbera (right) broke even more rules in his recent bank robbery. Read the details. Pages 7 & 8

DUMB BUT PROLIFIC CRIMINAL …Our favorite Chesterfield resident (left) who at time is a one-person crime wave is about to get an all expense paid trip to the Lake of the Ozarks. There has been a motion to revoke his probation in the Camden County Court. Pages 8 & 9

EMAILS FROM ACROSS THE POND: Speaking of our one-person crime wave, we got a note from a reader on the other side of the Atlantic Pages 9 & 10

SIGN ALONG THE ROAD OF LIFE…WITH A TACO: I received one of the life’s milepost moments the other day. Read what it was. Page 10

HIGH COST OF SOLAR PANELS: This maybe the best item in this newsletter about government wasting money. Read how much it has cost the City of Clarkson Valley fight a court ruling allowing a resident to put up solar panels. Then try and see what the fuss is about. Originally in our last T&C Newsletter! Pages 11 & 12

NEIGHBORLY LOVE…at least if you are a politician who is going back on his word! See the signs in one Ellisville neighborhood. Pages 12 & 13

MUSIC AND FOOD:

FREE CONCERT THIS SATURDAY…IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…THERE IS A FREE BIG BAND CONCERT THIS SATURDAY. Read where. Page 13

ANOTHER WEST COUNTY EATERY BITES THE DUST: This one lasted less than six months. Read where. Pages 13 &14

GO WITH US AND CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE GROUPS: See who is drop in, what group played at a new spot and who will be performing at the second outlet mall opening. Pages 14 & 15

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 41.

MR. PHELPS THE MISSION IF YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT IS: Write about two public hearings before a planning and zoning commission that took five hours and make it interesting and funny. Now that is an almost impossible mission.

Here is our attempt to complete the mission:

THE BOY GOVERNOR HAS BEEN GONE FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS…BUT HIS BLUNDERS ARE STILL AROUND: Young Boy-Governor Matt Blount gets a lot of blame for making a mess of things at the intersection of Mason Road and I-64, but the hospital leaders of BJC share some of the blame too…they bought the old highway patrol property, which is zoned "residential" for a lot of money and didn’t see any problems.

JUST WHAT THE AREA NEEDED: Yes the area has four major hospitals within four miles of each other. It has probably over 1,000,000 square feet of doctor office space, some of it for rent. All four of the hospitals have active pediatric facilities…so what does BJC want to do? They want to build a pediatric outpatient building with 1,600 parking spaces and a four-story garage on land that is surrounded on two sides by subdivisions and is zoned for residential housing only. Read if the BJC bigwigs could sell the idea.

RESIDENTS HAD THEIR OWN IDEAS: Read which residents were countering each move made by the BJC officials. Also read one of the stupidest comments I have heard in a long time at a public hearing. THE VOTE ON THIS REZONING WAS NOT CLOSE!

WE UNCOVERED THE SIDEBARS OF THE STORY: There were some interesting side notes from the BJC fight.

COURT REPORTER: See the woman who has gone through hell documenting the stupid of West County in 2013.

SIGNS: A change in yard signs for each rezoning hearing…read where I think they should be next.

A SURPRISE VISITOR: Someone who used to go by Jeff Storehouse showed up for the public hearing. We think he did it to scare Fred Meyland-Smith. Read who!

WE THINK MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY IS TRYING TO PULL A FAST ONE: Maryville University needs more room on the main campus. They are using softball, apple pie, even soccer and America to get there. Keep in mind, back in the 1950 and 1960 St. Louis was the top soccer city in America. The Parade magazine top all-star high school soccer players consisted of almost entirely of kids who went to Catholic high school in St. Louis. Those days of dominance on the pitch are long gone, but soccer still has a local soft spot in St. Louis.

Maryville wants to get rid of something from the main campus and I think they are using sports to do it. Read and see if you agree.

THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE GANGS OF TOWN AND COUNTRY PICKS UP ANOTHER ARREST: Read what the local burglar did this time.

SOLAR PANELS CAN COST A LOT: Especially if you happen to live in Clarkson Valley. Read how much some solar panels that you cannot see are costing the 2,600 people of Clarkson Valley.

THE MAILBAG: We get some reaction from overseas.

FOOD AND MUSIC: See what West County restaurant did not make it a year…heck it didn’t make it six months.

Some St. Louis legends stopped by and sat in at our favorite Wednesday night stop. See who!

Anita Rosamond will be performing for the opening of the other outlet malls.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 94.

THE LONG, LONG NIGHT AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING: It took 3 hours and 20 minutes and they just finished the first agenda item but finish it they did…as the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to turn down all rezoning requests by Love Companies for a senior living complex on Clayton Road near Mason Road. Page 1-to-14

THE FALSE CLAIM OF A REAL NEED: The spokesman for this project, Richard Miller, had a long night starting out how he spun facts to show a great public need to the city to wipe out One-Acre residential zone housing for a new combination of commercial and special housing zoning. Miller was fast and loose with the facts. Pages 1 & 2

WHAT ONE-ACRE ZONING? Miller tried to show how there really isn’t one-acre zoning in the area. Page 2

COUNTING TO FOUR THE LOVE COMPANIES’ WAY: Miller showed an architectural rending of the main building that showed four floors…however Miller told us it was only three floors. Pages 2 & 3

THIS IS ALL YOU GET OF A 20-YEAR SALES TAX? Miller showed drawings of planned improvements to the existing shopping area at Clayton Road and Mason Road. It doesn’t look like they are getting their $800,000 worth. Pages 3 & 4

FLAWED TRAFFIC PLAN WITH MORE SPIN THAN A TOP: Read how the developers’ statements about their traffic engineering study did not hold up to review. Page 4

THE ROAR OF THE CROWD: The public got their say for two hours and 15 minutes. Pages 5-10

$300,000 IS APPARENTLY CHUMP CHANGE TO THESE GUYS: Read how much the Love Companies and Allegro Senior Living had spent prior to last Monday’s meeting. Page 10

ALDERMAN NEEDS TO DECIDE…HANG OUT WITH DEVELOPERS OR BE ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: Read how the lone alderman on the Planning and Zoning Commission was seen meeting with the developers of this project five months ago. Pages 10 & 11

POST-DISPATCH EDITORIAL PAGE NOT HAPPY WITH T&C RESIDENTS: Kevin Horrigan blasted local residents for not liking old people or deer. Read our reaction and the misinformation in play. Pages 13-15

ANOTHER NEW MEMBER OF THE GANGS OF TOWN AND COUNTRY: The third member in two weeks. Can Jessica Fletcher come out of retirement and move from Cabot Cove? Page 15 & 16

ART COMMISSION CHOICE FOR A SCULPTURE LEAVES MAYOR, ADLERMAN AND POSSBILEY CAT LOVERS UNHAPPY: A life size bronze of a horse and dog aren’t getting it with the mayor. Pages 16 & 17

CORRECTIONS ARE NOT COMING FAST FOR INCORRECT STORIES: Read more goofs from the Post-Dispatch and Patch.com. Don’t hold your breath of anyone to say they were wrong.

NEIGHBORLY LOVE: A West County politician’s neighbors are nice enough to communicate with him on a daily basis on his way in and out of the subdivision. See how! Pages 21 & 22

OUT OF CONTROL WEST COUNTY MAN IS PUT ON PROBATION FOR DWI WHILE ON PROBTION FOR DWI. Are our local municipal court systems out of control? Read the facts. Pages 22-28

MUSIC AND FOOD: We look at an odd night at Mineo’s, a great fun night in Alton at Jazz on Broadway and we juggle lunch in Chesterfield.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 93.

July 26, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

HE’S BACK WITH MORE ARRESTS AND MORE PLEA DEALS THAT LEAVE THE PUBLIC AS UNSAFE AS EVER: Yep, the Chesterfield rich kid, known on the party scene as T-Fed has his name back on the police booking sheet. Last year it was Chesterfield city prosecutor Tim Engelmeyer that made sure robberies and thefts resulted in littering violations. Now in 2013 it is the Ellisville prosecutor, Paul Martin (the guy who was fired as city attorney for impeaching the mayor and having it overturned is still the prosecutor…maybe they forgot to fire him from that job too).

After T-Fed’s arrest for DWI, speeding, suspended driver’s license, possession of open beer and possession of marijuana Martin (left) only stuck him with public convictions for illegal parking. He gave a person currently on probation for DWI another probation sentence for a DWI and never notified the other court of the new probation violation. Isn’t American justice great!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND READ THE T-FED DWI POLICE REPORT AND PLEA DEAL.

CHECKING THE SEX REGISTRY: We went through the Missouri Highway Patrol Sex Registry and found 10 living in Chesterfield. Read who, what they did and where they did it.

MONARCH UPDATE FOR THE ULTIMATE INSIDER: We missed the last Monarch fire Board meeting, but we got an interesting recap with an interesting comment from a board member.

WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR INFORMATION? We looked at two recent mistakes we found in the local paper and on the internet. Geography challenged in the land of the rich was the first one and the second involved invisible construction.

WE JUGGLED LUNCH…and I mean juggled…see where.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 40.

DEVELOPER WANTS SPECIAL SALES TAX AT CLAYTON AND MASON ROADS: The developer that wants to buy the Wirth property already owns the Mason Woods Village Shopping Center at Clayton and Mason Roads. In a presentation to the public over plans to build a 150-unit retirement center, the save for last how they want a special one-percent CID tax for 20-years to help their development costs…claiming it will be for remodeling the shopping center. Pages 1-2

ALLEGRO SENIOR LIVING EXPECTS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE: The developers of the proposed retirement center think they deserve a better deal than long time Town and Country businesses. Page 2-4

DELAY OF GAME: See who was up to his old tricks of talking endlessly and using up residents’ time to grill the developer. It almost seemed as if he was part of the developer’s Punch and Judy Show. Pages 3-4

SECRET WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGES: Some residents have started a website and a Facebook page on the zoning issue which are right on the money. However as with past controversial zoning issues, the people putting up the social media sites are afraid to put their names on them. Page 4-5

DEVELOPER WILL PAY FOR INCREASE FIRE/EMS SERVICE BUT NOT POLICE SERVICE: The Love Companies claim they will pay annually the Fire District for the increased calls for fire and ambulance services. However they have ignored the increase services from the police. Page 5

DEVELOPERS TRAFFIC STUDY IS HIGHLY SUSPECT: Read why I don’t trust the traffic engineering done so far on the proposal. Pages 5 and 6

ALDERMAN MAKES UP A LAW THAT DOESN’T EXIST TO AVOID ANSWERING A RESIDENT’S QUESTION: Page 6

CHANGES FOR THE UPCOMING PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING: Due to the anticipated crowd on the Wirth Property re-zoning issue there will be a special meeting on July 30 to hear the proposals by BJC for the Highway Patrol property and a proposal by Maryville University for a softball field and a maintenance storage facility on Conway Road. Page 6

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE GANGS OF TOWN AND COUNTRY: Yes, more crooks are joining the list…plus and new honorary member with a wonderful mug shot (right). We also post the updated list of gang members. Pages 6-12

UNDER NEW TRUTH IN GOVERNMENT LAWS, CITY’S LARGEST PARK TO BE RENAMED: Longview Park will have its name changed to either No View Park or Honeysuckle Park. See the photos. Pages 13-14

COPS MUST BE TOO BUSY FOR SAFETY ISSUES: Let’s see which department is suppose to drive on every street in town several times a day? See the photos! Page 14-15

DRACE PARK WHERE THE VINES AND INVASIVE PLANTS ARE IGNORED: Should we really be building more log cabins, if we can’t maintain the ones we have and now can’t or won’t do normal land management at Drace Park? Pages 15-16

BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING: Most of the action at the BOA on Monday we will cover in our next newsletter. But of four people who were there, see who Mayor/Cigarette Lobbyist Dalton recognized and led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Page

MUSIC: Past and present. See photos of what you missed last week and what’s coming this week and next month. Pages 17-19

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS! Pages 20-25

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 92.

July 19, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

Restaurant News First…Instead of boring local politics here is something everyone wants to talk about…places that sell you food. (Page 1.)

STAFF AND SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS CHANGE GAME ON THE TWO WHO LIKE TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON TAX MONEY: There was a subtle but very noticeable difference in a resolution after it left committee and went before the full Council. Read how not the rules changed, but the whole game changed. (Page 2.)

CITY ADMINSTRATOR DOESN’T LIKE COUNCILMAN MAKING A MOTION: City Administrator Mike Herring (left) made a snide comment after a councilman made a motion at last Monday’s meeting. Read what it was about. (Page 3 & 4.)

ALLOWING DISCUSSION: More councilpersons should take a page from Barry Flachsbart, who encourages even positions he opposes to be discussed and voted on. (Page 4.)

LADUE ROAD AND GREENTRAILS ROAD PROJECTS GREENLIGHTED FOR 2014: The council voted on these projects that will bring both roads up to city standards. (Page 4.)

FOLLOW THE MONEY…AREA STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAS NOW COLLECTED OVER $1.2 MILLION TO RUN AGAINST NO ONE: See how State Rep. John Diehl is spending the money. Boy do the Republicans Caucus members like to eat and drink! (Pages 5-9.)

LOBBYIST HANDOUTS: We look at how much local state reps took from lobbyists so far this year. One state rep took nothing. Read who. (Pages 9-11.)

YOU CAN’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ: See the latest untrue articles that appeared in the Post-Dispatch and on patch.com. (Pages 11 & 12.)

PLANNING AND ZONING NOMINEE GETS GRILLED…SORT OF: We were present for the interview of Merrell Hansen, a member of the Chesterfield Arts Foundation and a communications consultant for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. We had to laugh at how one councilperson made the nominee with a background in communications speechless for a moment. (Pages 11 &12.)

ANOTHER NEW MEDICAL BUILDING: See where the next new medical building is likely to go up. (Pages 12 & 13.)

A CONFLICT BETWEEN A YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON AND SPACE-TIME TRAVEL: The owner of a landscaping company needs for room for his business meets a councilman who in concerned about life in 2033. (Pages 14 & 15.)

ANOTHER DEVELOPER WANTS A TAX BREAK IN WEST COUNTY: A developer who wants to build a 150 unit senior living complex on Clayton Road doesn’t think shoppers at Straubs are paying enough for their groceries. Read how a development company wants shoppers to pay for their venture. (Pages 16 & 17.)

MUSIC: All that jazz! (Page 18.)

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 39.

RASH OF BURGLARIES PLAGUE HOMES OFF OF TOPPING ROAD: Four house break-ins in three weeks, on all dead end streets off of Topping Road. See where and when these break-ins are happening. I take a stab at suspect profiling. (Pages 1, 2 & 3)

POLICE DOG TAKES OFFICERS DIRECTLY TO TEENAGERS: A police dog called to the latest crime scene on Tuesday July 16 led officer right to two suspects. Unfortunately they were not involved in the home break-in. Read what they were arrested for. (Page 3)

THERE WAS ANOTHER CRIME ON TOPPING ROAD THIS WEEK: This time there was some evidence left at the scene. Read and see what it was and see if you might know the suspect. (Page 3 & 4)

BURGLARIES FOR FIRST TWO QUARTERS ARE DOWN…SO ARE DWI ARRESTS: Check the stats compared with those in 2011 and 2012. (Page 4)

CITY’S LONE FEMALE OFFICERS CELEBRATES TWO YEARS WITH T&C…IS NOW OFF STREET IN COMMUNITY SERVICE POSITION: Meet Katie Exline, who is still the only female officer on a 31-officer department. (Pages 4 & 5)

DEER ACCIDENTS CONTINUE TO CLIMB: Killing over 400 deer in the last two years doesn’t seem to have had any effect on the car-deer accident rate. Read the stats for June and check the year-to-date numbers compared with 2012. (Pages 5 & 6)

TWO TREES NEED TO BE CUT DOWN BEFORE THEY KILL SOMEONE…WILL IT HAPPEN See where two dead trees in Alderman Fred Meyland-Smith’s scared area of trees are in a prime position to cause problems. (Pages 6 & 7)

POTHOLES GALORE! Beside homes being broken into the private street of Post Oak Road is ready to break some tie rods, wheels and axels. Check out this year’s crop of potholes on the street to multi-million dollar homes. (Page 7, 8 & 9)

SEE WHAT THREE GUYS HAVE IN COMMON BESIDES LAW DEGREES: The piece we posted on the last Chesterfield newsletter discusses how local municipal judges have no problem defending felony DWI suspect. (Pages 9 & 10)

CATCH THE LATEST COMPLAINT THAT FELONY DRUNK DRIVER KATIE HUGGARD HAS WITH THIS WEBSITE: 24-year-old Katie is unhappy again. This time she doesn’t like the way we described her DWI arrest in Wildwood in 2011 where she threatened to pee in the police car if she didn’t have her way. (Pages 11 & 12)

We are posting the full police report along with the dispatch report on her latest arrest so you can judge for yourself. DOWNLOAD IT HERE NOW.

MoDOT KEEPS ADVERTISING SERVICE IT DOESN’T HAVE: The signs are still up on I-64 for motorists to call 5-1-1 for traffic information. Unfortunately there hasn’t been anyone to answer the phone for two months. (Page 12)

THE CITY IS EXPECTING A LARGE CROWD TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING: There is an expected overflow crowd coming to the Wednesday July 24 Planning and Zoning meeting. Read why. (Pages 12 & 13)

MILLION DOLLAR JOHN DIEHL COLLECTS ANOTHER $106,000 IN HIS RUN AGAINST NO ONE: But he is eating well…John wants his buddies in the Missouri House to like him enough to make him Speaker of the House in 2015. See what he is spending on them. Gee these guys like to eat well! (Pages 14, 15, 16 & 17)

DON'T FORGET THE CARTOONS: Pages 18-23

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 91.

July 11, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

LOCAL JUDGES JUMP SIDES. THEY STOP LOOKING AFTER THE PUBLIC WELFARE AND TRY TO GET CHRONIC DRUNK DRIVERS OFF: The last three West County residents charged with felony Persistent DWI all have two things in common. They like to drive drunk and they hire West County muni judges to defend them. Pages 1 & 2.

These three have two things in common. See what they are.

IS CHESTERFIELD DOING ITS BEST TO KEEP THE PUBLIC FROM PUBLIC MEETINGS? Maybe not intentionally, but not so subtle signs say they are. Page 3.

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ARE TDD FUNDING AND THE 3 STOOGES To spend or not to spend was the question before the Finance Committee. Should the city use the budget reserve to fund projects the TDD taxes are suppose to cover, but will not generate the funds until 2015. Plus there was a brief appearance by some screen legends. Pages 3-6.

WE LOOK AT THE HOUSES OF THE CHESERFIELD PEOPLE INVOVLED IN A REPORTED $600-MILLION PONZI SCHEME. WE WEREN’T IMPRESSED…THE MONEY MUST HAVE GONE INTO VACATION PROPERTIES: Two Chesterfield residents just pled guilty to being part of a Ponzi Scheme that reportedly bilked funeral homes out of hundreds of millions of dollars. A third West County defendant will go on trial this fall. We went out to see what kind of digs these guys had. Pages 6-9.

A THIRD DWI RESULTS IN A FELONY FOR A WEST COUNTY WOMAN: Read about the second DWI arrest of Katie Huggard in Wildwood, when she threatened to pee in a County Police car. Then while still on probation she was picked up for DWI in Ellisville. Pages 9-11.

WE ALSO HAVE KATIE’S LATEST EMAIL: In Katie’s latest email to us at least she doesn’t threaten to pee in our car. Read the email and why it came at a good time. Pages 11-14.

TODD AKIN FAMILY FARM BULLDOZED: It was in Town and Country but it bordered the Chesterfield City Limits, the Akin Family farm is no more. See photos. Page 14.

DEAN WOLFE CRIES WOLF! The local developer keeps telling the press about his next big Chesterfield development but forgets to tell the city. Page 14 & 15.

AN INTERESTING LETTER TO THE EDITOR ABOUT A PARADE: In case you missed it…there was a letter to the editor in the Post-Dispatch taking the city to task for having a Gay Pride parade. The writer claimed there were obscene activities going on in the parade. We checked all the online photos we could find…nothing obscene, but it reminded us of a special vehicle three years ago that was at times obscene. Pages 15 & 16.

ANOTHER LAWYER FIRED IN ELLISVILLE: The new City Council and the reinstated mayor are trying to save the city money by firing lawyers. Pages 17 & 18.

A NEW WEST COUNTY RESTAURANT CLOSES UP: We predicted it. See which place in out of business. Page 18.

READ WHICH TOWN AND COUNTRY ALDERMAN IS LABELING A RESIDENT AS A SELF-APPOINTED SENSATIONALIST: Alderman Fred Meyland-Smith has had his problems with the First Amendment and the press. Fred is now having problems in the new era of news on websites. The first rule is to try not to insult the people writing about you.

MUSIC: Lots of musicians show up on Wednesday night in Clayton, plus a Chesterfield singer now a regular at the Chase.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 38.

FRED MEYLAND-SMITH ATTACKS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: For the last four years Fred has tried his damndest to stomp out free speech. He tried in 2009 to legislate against this newsletter. He then called out Bill McClellan for accurately quoting Mayor Dalton while making Dalton look like a rich scrooge. Now he is attacking the Post-Dispatch for running a front page story on the St. Nicholas flagpole issue. He added by anointing me as a "shameless self-appointed reporter attempting to sensationalize" the refusal of the Aldermen to pass a variance for a flagpole. Page 10,11 & 12.

WELBY STAYS THE COURSE AND IGNORES THE FIRST AMENDMENT: At least the only member of the board of aldermen to be found guilty of ethics violations by the Missouri Ethics Commission is consistent. He doesn’t believe in following state laws or those set out in the Bill of Rights. Read how Tim Welby again voted against a church wanting a flagpole. Pages 12 and 13.

GROUP HOME PLANNED ON CONWAY ROAD: Read where and what group will be using the single story contemporary home. There is a side benefit of this house and land being purchased by a local doctor and her treatment firm. It means one more place is no longer available for Alderman Skip Mange to try and buy and turn it into a park while the city’s cash reserves dwindle. Page 1.

RETIREMENT CENTER ON WIRTH PROPERTY ON JULY PLANNING AND ZONING AGENDA: The huge retirement apartment complex planned on Clayton Road just east of Mason Road will be one of two major projects before the P&Z Board in July. Page 2.

BJC UNVIELS PLANS FOR OLD HIGHWAY PATROL BUILDING: Also see what BJC plans to do on the property at I-64 and Mason Road that used to be home to the Highway Patrol. Page 2.

FORMER ALDERWOMAN’S HOUSE SALE DEAL DEAD: Read more about patty Wiggins’ house being back on the market. Page 3.

CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST: More adventures of Chicken Man in search of coops in residential areas. Pages 3, 4 & 5.

GREENIE UPSET WITH TAKING CHICKEN COOPS TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD: Our favorite Greenie was upset all during the chicken meeting. Read what the last thing of the night he was mad about. Page 6.

ALDERMAN WANTS TO CHOP DOWN HEALTHY TREE FOR MORE SUN ON LOG CABIN: At the same Conservation Commission meeting dealing with chickens, the chairman gave a report on why he wants to kill a healthy tree. The Commission also took a couple of votes dealing with log cabins. Pages 6 and 7.

THREE MORE CLASSIC T&C HOUSES SLATED FOR TEAR DOWN: Three more houses along Mason Road are not long for this world. Page 8.

TELLING TIME ON THE WELBY CALENDAR Checkout how things are going on the new school building that Aldermen Welby was telling residents in April would be open for business in August. Page 8.

MISSING MINUTES: No we are not talking out the sand through the hour glass and what we should have done with the days of our lives…we are talking about the minutes of city commissions. The minutes for the Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission have not been posted for the last year on the city’s website. It’s been eight months since the Park Commission minutes have been filed. Read why we think the minutes are missing and follow our email exchange. Pages 9 and 10.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN SLIGHT TO CHURCH HITS THE FRONT PAGE: In case you missed it, Town and Country Aldermen while violating the first amendment rights of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church managed to get on the front page of the Post-Dispatch, even if it was below the fold. Page 10.

THE COST OF WALLS ALONG CLAYTON ROAD: Several people noticed that someone was getting a different kind of wall along Clayton Road. When we asked about the costs new questions popped up. See photos of the walls and read the email exchange as we look for the best deal or in this case Diehl. Pages 13-19.

AKIN FAMILY FARM BULLDOZED: See what is happening on the former Akin family property on Conway Hill Road. Page 19.

ELLISVILLE CITY COUINCIL FIRES SECOND ATTORNEY CONNECTED TO IMPEACHMENT: In a closed door meeting the City Council voted to fire the second attorney connected with the impeachment of Mayor Adam Paul. Read who is gone. Page 19 and 20.

WE ARE LEADING THE LEAGUE IN WEST COUNTY PREDICTIONS: Yes we are hitting a solid .667 with predictions of outcomes in recent news items in West County.

We hit a home run in our prediction about the Ellisville mayoral impeachment being overturned in Circuit Court. The first judge to get the case put permanently put the mayor back on the job. Pages 21-24.

We hit a long foul ball with our prediction of the local Patch.com sites going out of business. They are still up but are barely running. We included a link to a website where patch.com site editors have been posting how the end is near. Page 24.

Within five days of our prediction that a West county restaurant would be out of business, they locked the doors. Page 25.

WEST COUNTY WOMAN GETS THIRD DWI ARREST: The 24-year-old Wildwood woman who has been a big critic of this newsletter is now facing a felony DWI after her third DWI arrest recently in Ellisville. Page 25.

WEST COUNTY WOMAN WITH THREE DWI ARRESTS SENDS ANOTHER MISSIVE CRITICIAL OF ME AND THIS NEWLETTER: Read the latest long email we have received from Katie Huggard. If you don’t have time to read the whole thing we break down everything she accuses us of being at the end. Pages 26-28.

ENTERTAINMENT: Checkout some of our trips to see our regular favorites, which included at a new restaurant. Pages 28-30.

CARTOONS: See our favorite cartoons of the last 10 days. Pages 31-35.

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 90.

June 27, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

A GANG OF CHESTERFIELD SIGN THIEVES INVADE WARSON WOODS: See the common mistakes made by a group of West County teens intent of stealing a couple of street signs in Warson Woods.

THE THEATER OF THE MONARCH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MEETINGS: We received our playbill by email a few hours before the opening curtain. There was plenty of action and drama, but the production went a little long. Also read how the new Board of Directors continues to march ahead making changes at every meeting.

THE LADY DRUNK DRIVER TAKES TO THE PHONE: In our last Chesterfield newsletter we ran an email from Katie Huggard who was not happy with our position on the lack of prosecution of drunk drivers. She also apparently didn’t like me mentioning her arrest record. She really didn’t like readers of this newsletter emailing her and telling her what they thought of her email. However she did like calling me repeatedly between 2:20 and 2:45 in the morning to demand I removed that newsletter from our website. Read the latest, including her Facebook posting and her tweet.

A FORMER CHESTERFIELD LAWYER FINDS A SECLUED SPOT AFTER SERVING TIME AS A SEX OFFENDER: See who the lawyer is and where he is living now. His mug shot and the entrance to his new residence puts me in mind of a Stephen King novel.

THE WORM TURNS IN ELLISVILLE: Read a recap of what happened Wednesday at the special Ellisville City Council meeting. Someone is out of a job…again and it is not a big surprise. Implied threats get Wal-Mart the vote they wanted.

MUSIC: See what internationally known group is coming to Chesterfield to perform before heading to Asia and Europe on tour.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 37.

June 25, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

SIX ALDERMAN VOTE TO DELAY A CHURCH FLYING THE AMERICAN FLAG: Once again the Board of Aldermen have decided to ignore the First Amendment of the Constitution. Despite reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before every meeting a number of alderpersons cannot grasp the idea of "freedom of religion." Read why Old Glory will not be flying in front of St. Nicholas Greek Church this Fourth of July.

THE RETURN OF CHICKEN MAN: The Green Team Commission has almost no members who show up for meetings. But last week one of the four members wanted chickens in the worse way. Read about the 30-minute squabble. Also see what lefties will be giving one-side talks on issues this summer as part of a city sponsored event.

SOLAR PANELS: Read what alderman is interested in the city becoming part of the loan industry for solar panels.

TOWN AND COUNTRY PATCH.COM, POST-DISPATCH AND THE FBI ARE GIVING TOWN AND COUNTRY EXTRA CRIMINALS: We point out the bad geography in local news reports about a recently indicted crook. Hey we have enough crooks with getting stuck with one who live somewhere else!

CHECK OUT THE NEW AND OLD FIRE TRUCKS: Guess how much narrower the new truck is. Forget bringing a tape measure, a half of a ruler is all you need.

DO YOU KNOW THIS BUNNY? It is living in one of our parks. How long can a domestic pet rabbit survive in the suburban wild?

FORMER LONGTIME ALDERWOMEN IS MOVING: See where Patty Wiggins is moving to now that her house on Mason Road sold.

A REPEAT DRUNK DRIVER DOESN’T LIKE MY STAND ON THE LACK OF DRUNK DRIVING PROSECUTIONS: She also doesn’t like me posting her email to me complaining about my position. She also doesn’t like me mentioning her arrest record. She also doesn’t like our readers emailing her. However she does like to call me repeatedly between 2:20 and 2:45 in the morning.

A SEX OFFENDER HAS FOUND A NEW RESIDENCE IN TOWN AND COUNTRY: See who he is, what he did, how long his sentence was, where he lives and how close it is to a school.

WE GO BACK 50 YEARS AND POINT OUT WHERE THE REPUBLICANS USED TO LIVE: I was at a memorial service for one of the few elected Republicans in St. Louis County back in the 1960s. Read and see how things have changed. I think I liked the members of the GOP then better than the ones now.

SEE WHO HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF WORK SINCE BEING FIRED: We wrote about a local reporter who lost her in May when the Journal Newspapers folder. Now she is busier than ever. If she could just get some health care coverage.

SENATOR CLAIRE MCCASKILL APPEARS TO BE TAKING ONE FROM THE TODD AKIN PLAYBOOK: Apparently Claire is having some short term memory issues and doesn’t remember what happens to politicians who do and say stupid things.

WE PREDICT REP. JOHN DIEHL WILL TRY AND BUY HIS ELECTION AS SPEAKER OF THE MISSOURI HOUSE: We expect to see Diehl start giving out chucks from his campaign war chest (he has never actually had a living and breathing person run against him) that he collected from special interest groups to other state reps hoping to get them to vote for him as speaker of the house in 2015.

MUSIC AND FOOD: Say goodbye to most live music at a local West County restaurant and bar. Anita is standing on the furniture at Smitty’s and the Route 66 Jazz Big Band’s 2012-13 season comes to an end at a packed Kirkwood Station Brewery.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 89.

June 18, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FIELDS TO GET GLASS SOLAR PANEL BLEACHER COVERS…FIRST IN THE NATION: Read the questions that were raised at last City Council meeting over solar panels being installed on top bleachers at the rec-complex.

WHEN YOU CAN’T CONTINUE A BILL AND THEN SUDDENLY CAN CONTINUE A BILL: The gas station and convenience store plans for Long Road and Edison go before the Council. At 6:20 Councilwoman Fults said the bill could not be continued. At 7:15 she voted to continue it. Read what happened.

THANKS TO A COUNCIL MEMBER I HAS ABLE TO BRIEFLY RETURN TO THE THIRD GRADE: Read how showing up early and saving yourself a chair doesn’t work at City Council agenda meetings.

READ WHAT A YOUNG LADY WITH THE DRUNKEN PARTY SCENE FROM BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE THINKS OF MY CRITICISM OF DWI PROSECUTIONS IN MUNICIPAL COURTS: I got an interesting complaint last week from someone who thinks I’m a jerk in my position on DWI prosecution. Then read about her background.

FROM THE FOURTH ESTATE: See how much part time work a good reporter can get when she is fired.

REMEMBERING WHEN THE REPUBLICAN HOTBED WAS NOT IN WEST COUNTY AND THE VERY FEW ELECTED OFFICALS FROM THE GOP: It took the death of a former state representative to remind me how much things have changed and not necessarily for the best.

CLAIRE TAKES ONE FROM THE AKIN PLAYBOOK: Apparently Claire McCaskill (left) didn’t learn a lot from the 2012 election that kept her in the senate.

FINALLY DIEHL IS RUNNING AGAINST SOMEONE: It is just in a race that voters will not be able to decide but lots of money will. Read this new situation facing State Rep. Diehl (right).

LAST MINUE CANCELLATION OF A BAND: Could it mean the end is near for a West County eatery? Read where and why. The last second of a popular chesterfield performer…does it sound the beginning to the end? .

WE RETURNED TO THE ELLISVILLE ZONE: Our feature that first appeared in the Ex-Alderman Town and Country newsletter tells the latest happening in the land of very odd local politics and what I did to be sure not and show up for their latest meeting.

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 36.

June 12, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

FORMER POLICE CHIEF/CITY MANAGER IGNORED STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION IN SEX HARRASMENT CASE: John Copeland (left) ignored and severely reduced the punishment recommended by his staff against a Town and Country Police Sergeant found to have been sexually harassing a female subordinate.

SERGEANT IN SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH EMPLOYEE: We have also learned that the same police supervisor was involved in a sexual relationship for an extended period of time with a subordinate. All I can say is that it is a good thing for the political leaders and top staff at Town and Country that Senator Claire McCaskill doesn’t have any oversight control.

HELP! I RETURNED TO THE ELLISVILLE ZONE! I must have got sucked into a vortex or a whirlpool and ended up back in Ellisville at a City Council meeting. I swore I wasn’t going back, but on Tuesday there I was. Read the latest in the crazy story of the citizens wanting their mayor back and the three council people trying to keep him out.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND READ THE COURT ORDER REINSTATING ADAM PAUL.

RIGHT: Ellisville Mayor Adam Paul is back in office for now, but still trapped in the Ellisville Zone.

LOST IN THE GREEN OVERGROWN FOREST: Take a trip into the Longview Park forest where your visibility is cut down and it is unsafe to go into the woods. It is because of the city after clearing out honeysuckle has now refused to abate the invasive plant. It is now back as bad as ever.

DEER CRASH STATS NOW UP AND GREATER THAN IN 2012 AND 2011…KILLING OVER 400 DEER HASN’T SLOWED THE CAR-DEER ACCIDENT RATE: The deer-car accident numbers continue to go up. The deer population in T&C keeps going up and up.

TWO FROM TOWN AND COUNTRY CITED FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING AT A PARKWAY TEACHER’S HOUSE: Chesterfield police responded to a loud party with reported underage drinking. They cited three found drinking and under the influence and one homeowner, who is a Parkway School District teacher.

SKIP’S LOG CABIN NIGHT: I think the highlight of the night was when Alderman Skip Mange (right) swore at me. Read the latest about Skip’s collection of log cabins.

PRAIRIE GRASS TOO LABOR INTENSIVE: I thought for 364 days a year you can just leave it alone and one day you have to cut it down and burn it. That is apparently too labor intensive.

MONDAY IS NOT A TRASH DAY IN THE PARKS APPARENTLY: Check out our photos of Monday evening in the park.

SMITTY’S WAITRESS UPDATE: We have been permitted to show the photos of the popular waitress who was assaulted and slashed at Smitty’s on Clayton Road after she refused to serve an intoxicated person.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE NEWSPAPER PHOTOS: After a conversation with the Post-Dispatch photographer at the latest Ellisville meeting I took a photo of a news clip of a photo that appeared in the Post-Dispatch 40 years ago. It has been on the wall in one of my house for the last 40 years. It is a real slice of life on the streets for cops back in the 1970s.

MUSIC AND FOOD: Lots of places to go in the next couple of weeks and great music to hear…read where.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 88.

June 10, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

We lead off with parties, beer, underage drinking and fake IDs. Read what Parkway teacher was cited for allowing underage drinking at his house. Also we check in with our favorite fun loving family in the west end of Chesterfield and see who was most recently charged.

INJURY UPDATE: We got permission from longtime popular Smitty’s waitress Nancy Seaman to post the photos of her face five weeks after she was attacked with a broken glass for refusing to serve an intoxicated person. We also took two recent photos that show some cosmetic improvement but Nancy has a long way to go for recovery after the January 28 attack.

PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING SHOWS SPLIT: We attended the recent Public Works and Planning committee meeting. The split between two factions on the City Council was quite clear. Two councilpersons wanted to give a local developer whatever he wanted and two actually wanted the developer to follow the law. Read what happened.

MONSANTO EXPANSION: The first peak at the expansion of the Monsanto Research Center was a little bit of a let-down! The only plans submitted so far are for the parking the lot for the new buildings.

RUMORSVILLE…We picked up a rumor of a possible Ward One city Council race for the April elections. Read what it is.

FOOD AND MUSIC: See who is playing where and when. Of course we don’t recommend heavy metal or hip-hop…instead music with arrangements and a melody even if some jazz musicians occasionally misplace it for a little while.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 35.

June 6, 2013 -- The latest edition of John Hoffmann's Ex-Alderman Newsletter is now ready to download for your reading enjoyment. Among the stories in this edition:

CHICKEN NIGHT OR COMEDY NIGHT: We weren’t sure when we attended the city Conservation Commission meeting last Monday. It turned out to be a laugh riot especially when Alderman Skip Mange tried to use the tactics of the Communist Party when taking a vote. Read about the laughs and a chick, chick here and a chick, chick there.

LOG CABIN MANIA: Comrade Mange next unveiled his plan to upgrade an existing log cabin in Drace Park. Read how he wants to put in new plumbing and a kitchen at taxpayer expense and then give the city building to a private organization he belongs to.

PRAIRIE GRASS REPLACED BY PRAIRIE WEEDS: See our photo on how the weeds are choking out the Prairie Grass at Drace Park.

WE GIVE A TIP OF THE FIRE HELMET TO THE NEW COMMAND STAFF AT WCEMS&FPD: Read how some thinking firefighters gave some extra effort on a false alarm call to keep a lot of people from getting sick and showing a complete disregard for public health by a local restaurant owner. We also go into our past issues with the fire district and how the change at the top is bringing a new breath of fresh air.

POLICE TRAFFIC STOPS WEST COUNTY STYLE: Read the data and see which department along I-64 is most likely to stop you if you are Black, White or drunk. We once again reveal that the city with the most racially unbalanced traffic stop statistics isn’t even in West County. We also show data for a city with a sizable Black population and no Interstate Highway, that has the reputation as a speed trap. The city is 30 times smaller than Chesterfield and made 61% as many traffic stops.

MUSIC AND FOOD: Popular singer has her first gig at Mineo’s cancelled. The summer brings no more sit ins by jazz musicians on DeMun as we show who sat in at Sasha’s on Wednesday for the last time.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S EX-ALDERMAN NEWSLETTER 87.

June 4, 2013 -- Another edition of John Hoffmann's Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter is now available for you to download and enjoy. Among the topics in this edition:

POLICE TRAFFIC STOPS WEST COUNTY STYLE: Read the data and see which department along I-64 is most likely to stop you if you are Black, White or drunk. We once again reveal that the city with the most racially unbalanced traffic stop statistics isn’t even in West County. We also show data for a city with a sizable Black population and no Interstate Highway, that has the reputation as a speed trap. The city is 30 times smaller than Chesterfield and made 61% as many traffic stops.

FOUR PARKWAY WEST STUDENTS ARRESTED FOR CAR BREAK-INS: Longhorns are corralled by police with the goods. Read who and where. One tried to dash into Chesterfield only to be caught.

CHESTERFIELD TOP LOCAL BROADCASTER REMINDS ME OF A GREAT MOVIE…ONLY WHEN HE WEARS A CERTAIN SUIT. Chesterfield resident Steve Savard is no longer a jock turned sportscaster, but a top news anchor in town. However every time the former linebacker wears his pinstripe suit I’m reminded of the Boss Hijack sketch from the movie, My Favorite Year.

STATE REP DIEHL’S BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR NOW BELONGS THE COMMUNISTS: The floor majority leader has taken thousands of dollars plus nice Christmas gifts from one company that used Diehl’s vote and muscle to restrict Missouri property owners’ right to sue. We wonder if a company from an atheist country will still have their lobbyist send Christmas gifts.

CITY COUNCIL PRACTICES GOOD GOVERNMENT: See why for one night we award the Chesterfield City Council the Ronald Reagan Good Government Award.

DON’T FORGET THE CARTOONS!

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN JOHN HOFFMANN'S
UNAPPROVED CHESTERFIELD NEWSLETTER 34.