John Hoffmann -- News From Snoburbia

NEW! POSTED 5-18-19

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 381 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 326

May 19, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

DEER REPORT: Read the Chesterfield and Town and Country reports on deer vs vehicle incidents for April and for 2019. Pages 1-4

SEE WHAT IS REPLACING RANCH HOUSES IN THE CENTER OF TOWN AND COUNTRY: Pages 4-8

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW TOWN AND COUNTRY ALDERPERSONS AND DEFENDANTS IN A FEDERAL LAW SUIT: Pages 8-11

MEMPHIS HOT CHICKEN NOT HOME TO ROOST IN TOWN AND COUNTRY: Page 11

CITY WANTS TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON MASON ROAD SIDEWALK-TO-NOWHERE DEBACLE: Pages 12-15

ALDERPERSONS DECIDE TO SPEND $10,000 MORE GOING BEYOND THE CONTRACT CAP: Pages 15 & 16

FRAUTSCHI ELECTED TO PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: Pages 16 & 17

GOD NO! DALTON WANTS TO BRING BACK THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMISSION: Page 17

TRASH HAULERS, NEW CONTRACTS BEING ISSUED, BUT TO HELL WITH DEADLINE FOR FILING, THIS IS TOWN AND COUNTRY WHERE MOST THINGS ARE NOT ENFORCED. REPUBLIC WASTE DID NOT APPLY: Pages 17-20

FELONY SHOPLIFTER WITH TWO STAYS IN THE MISSOURI PRISON SYSTEM PICKS TOWN AND COUNTY’S TARGET FOR HIS NEXT HEIST WITHOUT SUCCESS: Pages 20 & 21

THEY DOUBLE CHECKED THIS PROCLAMATION FOR SPELLING ERRORS: Alice Liu, an eighth grader from Chesterfield is off to Washington, DC for the third straight year to compete in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee. Pages 21-23

CHESTERFIELD’S FINANCE DIRECTOR RESIGNING: It is the third finance director to leave in two years. Pages 23-25

SECRETARY OF STATE SENT LETTER DISMISSING THE BETTER TOGETHER COMPLAINT AGAINST CHESTERFIELD: Pages 25 & 26

MAYOR NATION HAS TOP LETTER IN POST-DISPATCH, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Read what he had to say. Pages 26 & 27

CHESTERFIELD POLICE BLOTTER: Read what crimes were happening and where. Pages 27-32

VET SUES CITY FOR DENYING REZONING FOR HIS ANIMAL CLINIC: Vet and regular on the radio, Doug Pernikoff has sued the city. Read the case. Pages 33-36

VANISHING ACT: See what vanished from the corner of Clayton Road and Baxter. Pages 36 & 37

RESTAURANT REVIEW FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER: A friend and I checked out the Down Under in Des Peres for lunch. It was not exactly like being in Sydney or Melbourne. Pages 37-39

THE BEST EARLY WATERMELON SO FAR: Read where and who the supplier is. Pages 39 & 40

BE HAPPY WHERE YOU LIVE: We take another look at real estate prices in Maryland near Washington, DC. Pages 40-43

CARTOONS: This week we took a break from the right and left wing pokes and arrows to remember a couple of people. Pages 43-48

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 380 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 325

May 12, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

REX SINQUEFIELD, BETTER TOGETHER AND UNITE ST. LOUIS EFFORTS COLLAPSE. MISSOURI SENATE CAN MAKE SURE THEY DON’T TRY IT AGAIN. Page 1

TOWN AND COUNTRY POLICE AND CRIME STATS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER: Pages 2 & 3

MOTHER CHARGED WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT HAS CHARGE DROPPED BY COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE. A FEMALE INFANT WAS LOCKED IN A CAR ON A HOT SUMMER DAY WHILE MOM SHOPPED AT TARGET. Pages 3-5

NEW HOUSES COMING TO TOWN AND COUNTRY: We looked at the plans for a number of new houses replace tear downs. We also looked at at every where we called home and they all are still standing even the 130-year-old one. Pages 5-11

FORMER CARDINAL PITCHER’S HOUSE FINALLY SELLS FOR JUST ONE MILLION UNDER ASKING PRICE: Pages 11 & 12

TOWN SQUARE UPDATE: Pages 12-14

TOWN AND COUNTY FINANCE DIRECTOR NAMED IN INDICTMENT OF STEVE STENGER AS ONE OF THE HONEST COUNTY EMPLOYEES: Pages 15-17

FBI SEARCH WARRANT ON STENGER ISSUED ON MARCH 20, 2019, PLUS CHARGES FOR TWO MORE AND ANOTHER GUILTY PLEA: The FBI search warrant for Steve Stenger’s records, phones, office and house pretty well lay out the entire case on him. Pages 17 & 18

TOWN AND COUNTRY DAYTIME BURGLARY IN WARD 4 STOPPED BY HOMEOWNER: Page 19

SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE DISMISSES COMPLAINTS AGAINST CHESTERFIELD, DES PERES AND SHREWSBURY FILED BY BETTER TOGETHER LAWYERS: Pages 19-21

CITY COUNCIL WANTS NO TRAFFIC ISSUES AT REDESIGNED MALL: The Taubman Outlet Mall on the North Forty Outer Road is about to get a makeover and a partial change in who they want to draw. Pages 21 & 22

PFIZER WANTS MORE SIGNS FOR THEIR NEW OFFICE AND RESEARCH LAB AT OLIVE AND CHESTERFIELD PARKWAY: Page 22

CHESTERFIELD POLICE BLOTTER: See what crimes were being committed and who was being arrested. Pages 22-30

NEIGHBORHOOD GAS STATION AND REPAIR SHOP IS CLOSED: Pages 30 & 31

NO MORE BITE OF CAKE; BITE OF A COLD CUT DELI SANDWICH INSTEAD: See what is moving into the old McArthur Bakery shop in Chesterfield Valley and read the menu. Pages 31 & 32

A FUN NIGHT OF MUSIC AND LAUGHS AT THE SUPERMARKET: Pages 32-34

CARTOONS: Pages 35-42

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 379 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 324

May 5, 2019 -- This week’s newsletter is full of information, but I run the risk of putting you to sleep. Try to keep up with some of our list of locals contributing to federal convicted felon Steve Stenger. We also track the money back to Rex Sinquefield in the Better Together attempt to wipe out all the cities in St. Louis County. If it gets too hard to follow or you are nodding off, the cartoons are still at the end.

WEST COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURTS STILL DISREGARDING PUBLIC SAFETY, POLICE MORALE AND DISCRIMINATING AGAINST POOR PEOPLE: The function of traffic enforcement is for local police to identify dangerous drivers. The function of the courts are to verify the police findings. But in Chesterfield and other municipal courts in West County it is clear that that prosecutors and judges refuse to do their job. Instead they are raising large sums of money by fining people hundreds of dollars for parking violations they never committed, taking care of defense attorneys and ignoring public safety. See the facts in black and white. Pages 1-11

THE STEVE STENGER SAGA: Read about our original sources on this case. Convicted federal felon and recent County Executive Steve Stenger was to be Rex Sinquefield’s first mayor of the Better Together proposed mega city. Read how much of Sinquefield’s hidden and disguised money was in Stenger’s campaign account. Also see the residents and companies from Town and Country and Chesterfield that gave over $1,000 to this crook. Pages 12-16

A BILL TO BLOCK THE STATEWIDE CITY-COUNTY MERGER VOTE WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE ON THURSDAY, BUT WILL IT GET VOTED ON IN THE SENATE? Follow House Bill 54. There is another problem involving Sinquefield money. Pages 16-18

MAN WITH SHOW-ME INSTITUTE THREATENS TO SUE CITIES THAT OFFICIALLY COME OUT AGAINST CITY-COUNTY MERGER: Rex Sinquefield’s Show Me Institute fronted for sometime by Chesterfield resident Brenda Talent (former fill in guest on Channel 9’s Donnybrook and wife of former U.S. Senator Jim Talent) has a director threatening to sue cities against the Better Together merger. Read the threats and then the counter threat by the Des Peres mayor. Pages 18-27

BETTER TOGETHER CLAIMS THAT ON ADVICE ON THEIR ATTORNEY NO ONE WILL BE ATTENDING ANY CITIZENS FORUMS ON THE MERGER ISSUE HELD BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: Read the email of Better Together refusing to attend any meetings. Pages 27 & 28

THE DES PERES FORUM VS THE CHESTERFIELD FORUM: We attended both. Here are our observations. Pages 28-30

MEANWHILE WHAT CHESTERFIELD’S TWO STATE REPS WERE UP TO AT THE STATE HOUSE: These guys took a lot of money from Rex Sinquefield groups. Read what they were doing as Dean Plocher was trying to stop the statewide vote on the merger. Page 31

CHESTERFIELD POLICE BLOTTER: This week only covers four days due to some vacation time for the officer that manages it. Still there was plenty of crime. Pages 32-36

BE HAPPY WHERE YOU LIVE: Page 36 & 37

FAVORITE OBIT PHOTOS: Pages 37 & 38

CARTOONS: Pages 38-41

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 378 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 323

April 27, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

TOWN AND COUNTRY ACTING POLICE CHIEF DELAYS RETIREMENT: Capt. Bob Arthur will be around a little longer than first thought. Pages 1 & 2

OVER 50% OF LEGAL BILL TO CITY IS HIDDEN AGAIN. REVIEW OF THE WHOLE BILL INDICATED THE SALE OF PRESERVATION PARK MIGHT BE ON AGAIN: Pages 2-6

CITY ANNOUNCES TOWN SQUARE COMPLETION DATE AND RIBBON CUTTING: Pages 6 & 7

THE COST OF THE TOWN SQUARE CONTINUES THE CLIMB TOWARD $9-MILLION. $375,000 ADDED TO THE COST LIST IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS: See the new ones and read the entire list of money spent since day one. Pages 7-10

TOWN AND COUNTRY MAN ARRESTED THE FIFTH TIME FOR DWI: See who, where they live and read the latest charges from the court file. Pages 10-13

THE SWEARING IN: It was out with the old and in with the new Monday at the Town and Country Board of Aldermen meeting. Pages 13 & 14

CHESTERFIELD’S EASTER DRUNKS: Pages 15 & 16

KMOX’S HARRY HAMM ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON AN

UNDERAGE RELATIVE: Read the charging document. Pages 16-19

CHESTERFIELD POLICE BLOTTER: Read where the crime was and who was being arrested. Pages 19-25

WHATS IN A NAME? See the name of this DWI suspect. Pages 25 & 26

24-YEAR-OLD CHESTERFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY DOMESTIC ASSAULT AFTER A DRUNKEN NIGHT OF BOWLING: Pages 26-28

ANOTHER CHESTERFIELD MAN WHO IS A FELONY DRUNK DRIVER ARRESTED ONE MONTH AFTER CONVICTION: Pages 28-31

17-YEAR-OLD CHESTERFIELD TEENAGER DECIDES TO BECOMES AN AUTO THIEF: Read about the 17-year-old who was stealing cars almost nightly. Pages 31-37

CHESTERFIELD MAYOR BOB NATION CITES MY WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER AS A REASON BEHIND CITY-COUNTY MERGER ATTEMPT: Pages 37-39

WEDNEDAY APRIL 17TH SWEARING-IN MEETING TURNS FROM A LOVEFEST TO SOMETHING ELSE: Pages 39-41

VET LOOKING TO MOVE INTO 9,000 SQ FT NEXT TO TRADER JOE’S: Pages 41-43

2019 GUSSIE CRAWFORD AWARD GOES TO THE FAMILY OF THE GREATEST FEMALE ATHLETE EVER: Page 43

CARTOONS: Pages 44-49

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 377 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 322

April 21, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

LOCAL POLITICIANS SLOW TO ACT AGAINST BETTER TOGETHER AFTER RECEIVING REX SINQUEFIELD MONEY: Read who is getting money including money from Sinquefield through bogus PACs. Two are former Chesterfield City Councilmen who after getting the Rex money are not doing much to save Chesterfield from being wiped off the map by Rex’s City-County merger. Also read who is not getting a dime from Rex. Pages 21-27

LOCALS COME OUT AGAINST BETTER TOGETHER IN TOWN HALL MEETING AT CHESTERFIELD: Read what the Better Together’s speaker said about local police and how five unelected people represent Better Together financed by billionaire Rex Sinquefield. Read Professor Terry Jones’ comments on why the City-County merger must be stopped. Then read some of the comments from the public. Pages 28-32

TOWN AND COUNTRY’S HIDDEN LEGAL BILLS: Every month Chesterfield’s city attorney lists on his bill to the city every billable hour and what it involved. Over in Town and Country, City Attorney State Garrett hides the majority of his bill so elected officials and the public don’t know what his firm did. Last month he claimed the largest part of the bill $5,250 was for “hourly services” without saying what his firm did for that $5,250. We filed a Sunshine Law request and get it. Read the latest one. Pages 1-5

DEER REPORTS: Check the latest numbers of deer vs cars in both Town and Country and Chesterfield. Pages 5-8

BALLWIN DRIVER WHO CRASHED IN A SUBDIVISION ENTRACE SIGN AND THEN SANK INTO A RETENTION POND FOUND DEAD: The driver had a long history of DWI arrests and arrests for assault and assault on a police officer. Pages 11 &12

CATCHING UP ON MY EMAIL: While I was in the hospital for 45 days I was not checking my email. I found an interesting one of a Ward 2 resident writing candidate Laura Baer about the false information in her election mailers that smeared the incumbent. This included the response from Baer. Pages 13-15

DOG PARK REPAIRS: Thanks to pressure from County Councilman Tim Fitch, see the repairs to the Queeny Park Dog and elimination of thee large area of mud. Page 33

TOWN AND COUNTRY ISSUES STOP WORK ORDER TO THE EVIL ROB REHNQUIST OVER TREES: Read the order. Pages 34 & 35

CARTOONS: Pages 35-41

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 376 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 321

April 14, 2019 -- He's back! John Hoffmann's first newsletter authored 100% by him since the February 24th edition is here and ready for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

WE ARE BACK: Read where we have been for the last six weeks and the help we had getting the newsletter out. Page 1

TOWN SQUARE MONEY PIT: Read how Brinkman is not following the contract, how the city is not making them and standard contract language that was not in the Town Square contract. Pages 1-3

CITY APPARENTLY HAS A BLIND EYE TO FORMER “WOODLAND PRESERVE” AS DEVELOPER ROB REHNQUIST CLEAR CUT MOST OF THE LOT: Pages 3-5

NEW COUNTY COUNCILMAN REPRESENTING PART OF TOWN AND COUNTY IS GETTING REPAIRS DONE AT THE QUEENY PARK DOG PARK AFTER

NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS WERE IGNORED BY THE PARKS DEPARTMENT: Pages 5-7

MAYOR DALTON INSULTS ALDERPERSON WHO WAS THE ONLY ONE TO FIND BUILDING PLANS ABOUT TO BE APPROVED WERE IN VIOLATION OF THE CITY CODE: Mayor Jon “Cigarette Lobbyist & Sports Gambling Lobbyist” Dalton insults an alderperson who found a building violation the city staff missed. Pages 7 & 8

LAURA BAER WHO LOST 71% TO 29%TO TIFFANY FRAUTSCHI DESPITE A SMEAR CAMPAIGN OF LIES HOLDS A CAMPAIGN PARTY: See some of the elected officials who attended apparently supporting blatant lies by a candidate. Pages 8 & 9

A TOUCH OF SPRING FROM 12 PEAR TREES THAT HAVE NOT SPLIT: See photo. Page 10

SECOND CAMPAIGN WHERE COUNCILMAN GETS EXTRA HELP AT THE POLES: Pages 10 & 11

CHESTERFIELD POLICE BLOTTER AND MORE: Pages

12-17

THE RICH HAVE NO RULES: Page 19

TOWN HALL MEETING AT CHESTERFIELD CITY HALL REF OTHER SIDE OF THE BETTER TOGETHER COIN: UMSL Professor Terry Jones, who has a background in urban planning, is the featured speaker at a city-sponsored Town Hall meeting at the Chesterfield City Hall on Monday. Page 20

A DEATH THAT TOO MANY NEWSPAPERS AND TV STATIONS IGNORED: For all intents and purposes a risky mission turned into an almost suicide mission. The last of Doolittle’s raiders died last week. Pages 20-21

MUSIC: The Jim Manley Jazz Trio will have a slightly different sound each week at the Clayton Sasha’s as area jazz pianists will rotate in on the keyboard. Pages 21 & 22

CARTOONS: Pages 22-29

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 375 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 320

April 6, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

UPDATE ON JOHN’S CONDITION: Page 1

FRAUTSCHI COASTS TO AN IMPRESSIVE WIN: Despite having the Mayor and two Aldermen helping her opponent, Tiffany Frautschi posted an impressive victory April 2. Pages 1-2

SIGN WARS: One candidate in Town and Country’s Ward 2 race didn’t exactly follow all the rules. Pages 2-3

SIGHTS ON ELECTION DAY: Photos from election day in Town and Country’s Ward 2. Pages 3-4

CHALLENGE TO BENIGAS COMES UP SHORT: Incumbent Jon Benigas retains his Town and Country seat by 31 votes. Pages 4-5

TOWN AND COUNTRY BY THE NUMBERS: The unofficial vote counts in Town and Country’s races from the St. Louis County Board of Elections. Page 5

KEATHLEY WINS BIG IN CHESTERFIELD’S ONLY CONTESTED RACE: The youngest and smartest member of the Chesterfield City Council was returned to office with 80% of the vote. Page 6.

CHESTERFIELD BY THE NUMBERS: The unofficial vote counts in Chesterfield’s races from the St. Louis County Board of Elections. Page 6

FLORISSANT ELECTS ANOTHER LOWERY: In the Town and Country election recap, we referenced Florissant’s long-time former Mayor, the late Robert G. Lowery. On Tuesday, Florissant voters put another Lowery in that same position. Page 7

CHESTERFIELD CRIME REPORT: Pages 7-9

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 374 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 319

April 1, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

UPDATE ON JOHN’S CONDITION: Page 1

MAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY TRUCK DRIVEN BY GIRLFRIEND FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN CHESTERFIELD PARKING LOT: A woman driving a pickup truck ran over a man in the parking lot of a Chesterfield restaurant not once, but twice. Page 6

EXPOSING THE FALSEHOODS OF THE LAURA BAER CAMPAIGN: In our last two newsletters, we discussed the heated campaign for Alderman in Town and Country’s second ward, where incumbent Tiffany Frautschi is facing challenger Laura Baer. Baer is backed by Mayor Dalton and her campaign has gone off the deep end in spreading lies and distortion about her opponent and her record. Page 1

BY THE NUMBERS: A LOOK AT THE FINANCES IN THE WARD TWO RACE: Page 2

TAX CHEATER AND MEAN-SPIRITED ALDERMAN GOES DOOR-TO-DOOR FOR LAURA BAER: Fred Meyland-Smith, who avoids paying Town & Country Sales Tax and St. Louis County personal property taxes by registering a new car to an Illinois address, is going door to door campaigning for Laura Baer. Page 2

(SOME OF) FRED’S GREATEST HITS: We’ve detailed numerous interesting and outrageous stories about Fred Meyland-Smith over the years. We could probably fill an entire newsletter if we decided to do a Fred Meyland-Smith tribute edition when he leaves the Board of Aldermen. Read about some of his greatest hits. Page 3

CIGARETTES TO GAMBLING: Everyone’s favorite sin lobbyist and Town and Country Mayor Jon Dalton now has a new sin to go to bat for. Page 3

POOL HOUSES AND SPORT COURTS: See new amenities proposed for some Town and Country properties. Pages 3-4

TOWN SQUARE COSTS: HOW HIGH WILL THEY GO AND WHEN WILL IT BE DONE? NO ONE IN TOWN AND COUNTRY SEEMS TO KNOW: The money pit just keeps getting deeper. Pages 4-5

WHICH LEADS US TO THE PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING AUDIT: Audit was already approved but now the Mayor is trying to stifle it by convincing Alderman to vote against financing it. Read who went along with the Major and who is looking out for their constituents. Page 5

CHESTERFIELD FAMILY RELATED TO

NOTORIOUS NAME IN NATIONAL NEWS: A name in the national news lived in Chesterfield and attended high school at Parkway Central. Page 7

CHESTERFIELD CRIME REPORTS: Pages 7-9

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 373 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 318

March 24, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

UPDATE ON JOHN’S CONDITION: Page 1

CHESTERFIELD GIRL WINS POST-DISPATCH SPELLING BEE: Chesterfield resident Alice Liu, age 12, won her third straight spelling bee and is headed for the national competition. Page 1

CHESTERFIELD WARD TWO ELECTION UPDATE: A look at the race for City Council in Chesterfield’s second ward. Pages 1-3

LOCAL BOYS BEHAVING BADLY: STATE REP GETS BLACK EYE IN BAR FIGHT: West County State Representative Bruce DeGroot came away with a black eye as a result of a fight with another state rep in a Jefferson City bar. This is another in a series of west county lawmakers behaving badly. Read about this incident and those that preceded it. Pages 3-4

ATTENDEES AT BETTER TOGETHER MEETING OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSED TO CITY COUNTER MERGER: The Better Together group held another public meeting March 20 to try to sell voters on their scheme to merge St. Louis City and County. The majority of attendees weren’t buying. Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY ALDERMAN FRAUTSCHI RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM FORMER POLICE CHIEF KRANZ: Retired Town and Country Chief of Police Pat Kranz has endorsed Ward Two Alderman Tiffany Frautschi for re-election. Read what he has to say. Page 5

CHESTERFIELD CRIME REPORT: Pages 5-9

MASON ROAD CRASH STATISTICS: In last week’s newsletter, we discussed the frequent accidents at the dangerous dog leg on Mason Road where some Town and Country officials and candidates want your new walking trail. This week, we provide crash statistics. Page 10

Ex-Alderman Newsletter 372 &
Unapproved Chesterfield Newsletter 317

March 18, 2019 -- John Hoffmann's latest weekly installment of News from Snoburbia is here for your reading enjoyment. In this week's edition:

UPDATE ON JOHN'S CONDITION: Page 1

KING DALTON TRYING TO STACK THE BOARD WITH LOYAL SUBJECTS: The Mayor who rules like a king is doing his best to stack the Board of Aldermen with his loyal subjects. Can't have dissent or a diversity of opinions in the Dalton Kingdom! Meanwhile, loyal subject Fred Meyland-Smith is doing his part by spreading tall tales in the Ward Two race. Pages 1-5

TOWN AND COUNTRY FEBRUARY POLICE STATS: Page 5

CHESTERFIELD CRIME REPORTS: Pages 6-14

Drunks and Thieves 2019 Part Three

March 17, 2019 -- It's time for the third Drunks and Thieves edition of 2019.

UNDERAGE DRUNK DRIVER LOOKING AT CELLPHONE MAKES A RIGHT TURN INTO UTILTY POLE: Driving distracted at 3:30 a.m. on Clayton Road while under the influence and with no proof of insurance results in a fine on one charge and probabtion on the other for 10-year-oldFr. Pages 1-3

SPEEDING DRUNK DRIVER SIGNALS LEFT, TURNS RIGHT, THEN GETS NO-RECORD, NO-FINE, NO-POINTS FOR DWI IN TOWN AND COUNTRY: Ferguson woman hires an attorney and receives probation and fine in Town and Country Municipal Court. Pages 3-4

VERY DRUNK 27-YEAR-OLD HAS TO CALL MOM AND DAD TO GET HIM. DRUNK, DRIVING ON THE SHOULDER AND SPEEDING: Chesterfield resident wearing perfect Snoburbia attire hires a Clayton attorney and gets a sweet deal in Town and Country Municipal Court. Pages 4-7

DRIVING WHILE ALMOST 4 TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT ON 2 FLAT TIRES ADDS UP TO PROBATION IN CHESTERFIELD: A drunk O’Fallon man trying to make it home from Maryland Heights ends up lost in Chesterfield, doesn’t know what day it is and is drunk enough to be admitted to the hospital. Pages 7-10

DRUNK DRIVER WITH A PRIOR DWI CONVICTION IS GIVEN SECOND PROBATION AND HAS MOVING VIOLATION REDUCED TO ILLEGAL PARKING BY FORMER CHESTERFIELD CITY ATTORNEY: He smiles for his mugshot, then leaves the courtroom with another reason to smile. Pages 11-13

DRUNK SPANISH SPEAKER FROM GRANITE CITY WITH CARLOAD OF INTOXICATED PASSENGERS GETS PROBATION FOR DWI IN TOWN AND COUNTRY: Five foot five Granite City trailer park resident in a van with passengers, but not a designated driver among this crew. Pages 13-14

HARPO’S PUTS ANOTHER DRUNK DRIVER ON THE STREETS: Bridgeton man had been drinking at Harpo’s in Chesterfield, the bar that produces fights and drunk drivers at an alarming rate. He hired a lawyer and got a deal in Town and Country Municipal Court. Pages 14-15

DRUNK DRIVER WHO WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND REFUSED TO TAKE BREATH TEST, LEAVES TOWN AND COUNTRY COURTROOM ACTUALLY CONVICTED OF DWI WITH POINTS: This should happen more often. Pages 16-17

WHAT’S THE DIFF? THE LAST CASE HAD A DRUNK DRIVER REFUSE A TEST AND REFUSED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND HE WAS CONVICTED OF DWI WITH NO PROBATION: Same thing here with different results. Pages 18-20

DRUNK DRIVER HANDS OFFICER A PHOTOCOPY OF HER LICENSE, BECAUSE ACTUAL LICENSE TAKEN BY HIGHWAY PATROL DURING A DWI ARREST. SHE REFUSES TO TAKE A BREATH TEST AND STILL GETS PROBATION: Carlinville, IL woman was driving with lights off and weaving across lanes on the highway. Pages 20-21

Drunks and Thieves 2019 Part Two

March 10, 2019 -- It's time for the second Drunks and Thieves edition of 2019.

DRIVER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PRESCRIPTION AND OTC DRUGS SIDESWIPES WOMAN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT: Driving under the influence of an assortment of drugs at 5:40 in the morning, Kenneth Milligan sideswipes a car stopped at a traffic light, then hits the concrete lane divider. His driving record is littered with previous violations dating back to 2004. Pages 1-3

DRUNK DRIVES OFF I-64 AS CAR CATCHES ON FIRE: When a drunk driver admits to drinking, it’s not unusual for them to admit to less than they actually drank. So when the stated amount is seven shots of tequila and two beers, one has to question how much was actually consumed. In this case, Carmen Epting was impaired enough to drive off the roadway, hit two signs, then have his vehicle overturn several times before catching on fire. He was fortunate to escape the burning vehicle and his good fortune continued in court. Pages 3-5

CHESTERFIELD RESIDENT STOPPED ON CLAYTON ROAD FOR DWI-D: Car taking up two lanes at a stoplight, then weaves down Clayton Road, nearly striking another vehicle in the center turn lane. Unlike many cases in Snoburbia, the outcome of this one in court actually made sense. Pages 5-6

DAY AFTER NEW YEARS THEFT OF $2,618 WORTH OF JEANS FROM SAKS RESULTS IN PROBATION FOR A REPEAT OFFENDER: Shameika McClendon has a ten-plus-year record of 16 prior convictions (15 of them felonies). Apparently avoiding crime was not among her new year’s resolutions. She visits Chesterfield on January 2, where she makes off with over two thousand dollars worth of jeans from the Saks Off Fifth store. She’s been on probation four times for previous offenses. With a record like that, she couldn’t possibly get probation again, could she? Pages 7-9

DRUNK DRIVING, DRIVING OFF ROAD, IN A ONE-CAR CRASH, REFUSE TO TAKE A BREATH TEST COMBINED EARNS DRIVER AN ACTUAL DWI CONVICTION: When Jesus De Los Santos was pulled over at 3:30 a.m. in Town and Country, his Dodge Durango had fresh damage from hitting something earlier in the evening. He failed a field sobriety test, then refused a breath test. This one resulted in an actual conviction. Pages 9-12

SPEEDING, ARMED DRUNK DRIVER GET NO-FINE, NO-POINTS PROBATION: Tamichael Boyd was pulled over for speeding, failed field sobriety tests, refused to take a breath test, had a fugitive warrant from another city and had a gun in the glove compartment. All this earned him a no-fine, no-points probation in the Town and Country Municipal Court. Pages 12-13

TOWN AND COUNTRY OFFICER FOLLOWS DRUNK DRIVER FROM FRONTENAC TO DES PERES: Danny Cox of Imperial sped past a Town and Country police car on the outer road, then got on the highway and weaved from lane to lane. When pulled over, Cox told the officer he thought he was in St. Ann. After his arrest, he refused a breath test at the station. Although he was fined, he received a no-points probation. Pages 13-15

DRUNK DRIVER REFUSES TO TALK TO POLICE OR GET OUT OF THE POLICE CAR UNTIL HE KNOWS SOMEONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF HIS DOG: When Scott Toothman of Kirkwood was pulled over for reckless driving, he admitted to drinking “a couple of beers.” Things went downhill from there, as Toothman refused to identify himself or get out of the car until his ex-wife was called to take care of his dog. Toothman was not represented by a lawyer in Town and Country Municipal Court and we know what that means in Snoburbia. Pages 16-19

Listed by date, newest first

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2019, PART 3,
MARCH 17, 2019

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2019, PART 2,
MARCH 10, 2019

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2019, PART 1,
MARCH 3, 2019

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 9, DECEMBER 31, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 8, DECEMBER 26, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 7, NOVEMBER 21, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 6, NOVEMBER 1, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 5, SEPTEMBER 8, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 4, AUGUST 15, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 3, JUNE 3, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 2, MAY 27, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2018, PART 1, MAY 6, 2018

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 9, DECEMBER 30, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 8, DECEMBER 17, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 7, NOVEMBER 26, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 6, NOVEMBER 12, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 5, OCTOBER 9, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 4, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 3, JULY 31, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 2, JUNE 24, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: 2017, PART 1, APRIL 3, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: NEW YEARS 2017 EDITION, JANUARY 4, 2017

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: CHRISTMAS 2016 EDITION, DECEMBER 27, 2016

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: POST-THANKSGIVING EDITION, NOVEMBER 28, 2016

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SPRING 2016, PART 3, MAY 23, 2016

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SPRING 2016, PART 2, MAY 18, 2016

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SPRING 2016, PART 1, MAY 10, 2016

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: HOLIDAY PART 3, DECEMBER 31, 2015

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: HOLIDAY PART 2, DECEMBER 24, 2015

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: POST-THANKSGIVING 2015, DECEMBER 2, 2015

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SUMMER 2015 PART THREE, JULY 1, 2015

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SUMMER 2015 PART TWO, JUNE 25, 2015

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SUMMER 2015 PART ONE, JUNE 18, 2015

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: WINTER 2014 PART 2, DECEMBER 29, 2014

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: WINTER 2014 PART 1, DECEMBER 22, 2014

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SUMMER 2014, PART 2, JUNE 16, 2014

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: SUMMER 2014, PART 1, JUNE 9, 2014

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: WINTER 2013 PART 2, DECEMBER 31, 2013

DRUNKS AND THIEVES: WINTER 2013 PART 1, DECEMBER 24, 2013

DWI AND THIEVES: SPRING 2013, MAY 7, 2013

DWI AND THIEVES, WINTER 2012, DECEMBER 3, 2012

Vivek Agnihotri, MD and
Zinia Thomas, MD Domestic Violence and Divorce Cases

Vivek Agnihotri - Zinia Thomas Assault Case and Disposition: John's Synopsis and Analysis, November 16, 2018

Vivek Agnihotri - Zinia Thomas Divorce Petition, July 28, 2016

Vivek Agnihotri Domestic Assault
Complaint, July 4, 2016

Vivek Agnihotri - Zinia Thomas Domestic Disturbance Police Report, July 4, 2016

Des Peres Mayor Mark Becker's Letter to Secretary of State Over Better Together

Big Letter from Des Peres Mayor Mark Becker to Secretary of State John Ashcroft regarding complaint from a Better Together shill. April 16, 2019.

The Big Sports Properties Deal

Big Sports Baseball Dome Contract Expired and Terminated, June 6, 2017

Jane Cunningham and Dan Buck emails from June 5, 2017

Update: May 24, 2017

The Development Agreement (Contract) Between Big Sports and the City of Chesterfield, March 10, 2017

Update: January 21, 2017

Update: December 22, 2016

Update: December 2, 2016

Update: November 5, 2016

Update: October 28, 2016

Overview: The Big Sports Properties Deal, October 17, 2016

Executive Session Minutes Draft, October 5, 2016

Real Estate Purchase Contract, September 29, 2016

Letter of Intent, September 21, 2016

Executive Session Minutes, September 7, 2016

Executive Session Minutes, August 1,2016

Executive Session Minutes July 18, 2016

Executive Session Minutes, June 6, 2016

Catholic Supply Store Murder and Sexual Assault Case

Read the 17 felony charges against Thomas Bruce in the November 19 murder and sexual assault at the Catholic Supply Store on Manchester Rd. (November 26, 2018)

David Cerna Case

FORMER CHESTERFIELD POLICE OFFICER DAVID CERNA, COP, SEX PERVERT, VIDEO PRODUCER AND WEBSITE OWNER! NOW READ THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

October 14, 2017 – KTVI newsman Chris Hayes got a tip and broke the case that someone was video recording people urinating in the men’s bathroom on the Mobil on the Run in Chesterfield on Clarkson Road. He turned his evidence over to the Chesterfield Police.

A thorough investigation determined that Chesterfield Officer David Cerna while on duty had been hiding a camera in the bathroom recording men’s penises at the urinal. The Mobil station was a favorite place for police officers to take a bathroom break and at least seven officers were also recorded.

A search warrant of Cerna’s house in Wentzville resulted in computers being seized. There the bathroom images, along with recordings of Cerna using a glory hole at his house and performing anonymous oral sex on people responding to messages on websites were found. All these images were placed on a website run by Cerna.

More troubling were secret recordings of officers changing clothes in the Chesterfield Police locker room, people, including juvenile males wearing sweat pants or shorts being frisked by Cerna and having their pants pulled out at the waist and their genitals secretly recorded by Cerna using a small recording device.

Cerna pled guilty to:

2 counts of Felony Invasion of Privacy in St. Charles CO Sentenced to 60 days jail.

Felony Invasion of Privacy Multiple Persons St. Louis County Sentenced to 4 Years prison but placed on 5-years probation.

Misdemeanor Invasion of Privacy St. Louis County. Sentenced to 1-year jail no probation.

Felony Sexual Exploitation of a Minor St. Louis County. Sentenced to 10-years prison but placed on 5 year probation term.

Felony Invasion of Privacy Multiple Persons St. Louis County. Sentenced to 4-years prison but placed on 5-years probation.

Cerna appealed the sentence for Sexual Exploitation of Minor to the Missouri Court of Appeals of the Eastern District. His appeal was denied and the judgment and sentence was affirmed on July 25, 2017.

The final notation on the case was entered by the courts in September of 2017.

I filed a Sunshine Request to obtain the investigative report in September and received a copy of the report on October 13, 2017.

Click here to read the entire report.

David Cerna and City of
Chesterfield Lawsuit

Ryan Wille Lawsuit Against David Cerna and the City of Chesterfield Charging Sexual and Physical Abuse, July 22, 2016

Chesterfield Looses Sales Tax Lawsuit

Click here to download the full story.

Click here to download the entire judgment.

Bob Costas: John's 1980 Interview

Former Town and Country resident Bob Costas is a 2018 inductee in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Download and read John's interview with Bob from 1980 from St. Louis Magazine.

Deer Reports

Town and Country Deer Reports, May 5, 2019

White Buffalo Deer Distance Sampling Population Estimate, February 14, 2019

White Buffalo Final Report: Town & Country Deer Management Program, February 11, 2018

White Buffalo Deer Distance Sampling Population Estimate, Town & Country, February 11. 2018

White Buffalo Final Report: Town & Country Deer Management Program, January 26, 2017

White Buffalo Deer Distance Sampling Population Estimate, Town & Country, January 27, 2017

Doorack Scandal:
Special Report

Update: May 22, 2017

Update: January 21, 2017

Update:January 14, 2017

Update: January 4, 2017

Update: December 22, 2016

Boondoggle Turns Into Scandal As City Officials Break the Law and Hide Public Records, December 7, 2016

Tim Engelmeyer's Attack and Our Response

Chesterfield Prosecutor Tim Engelmeyer launches a lie-filled offensive and we fire back. (May, 2017)

The Engelmeyer Years

Read how Chesterfield Prosecutor Tim Engelmeyer has been making sure DWI defendants represented by lawyers leave the courtroom with no fines or points. Also read how Engelmeyer reduces moving violations to Illegal Parking and how he reduces crimes to “Littering” violations.

Connie Fults
Ethics Violations

Missouri Ethics Commission Versus Connie Fults Consent Order, April 26, 2016

Connie Fults Refuses to Obey Missouri Ethics Laws, March 2, 2016

Connie Fults Ethics Complaint, March 1, 2016

State Representative
Don Gosen Sex Scandal

Don Gosen Sex Scandal,
February 18, 2016

Mason Road Sidewalk Project Emails

Read emails about the Mason Rd. sidewalk project from the first quarter of 2017 to and from Town and Country city staff, elected officials, Parks Commission members and residents.

Mayor Bob Nation;
Chesterfield Censure

Chesterfield/Mayor Bob Nation, Order To Show Cause,
October 19, 2015

Chesterfield Resolution of Censure of Mayor Bob Nation, October, 2015

Chesterfield Investigation of Mayor by Special Counsel Kevin O'Keefe, September 9, 2015

Moving Violations
To Illegal Parking
(Listed by date, newest first.)

2018 Municipal Court Parking Convictions. Updated May 5, 2019

Special report on the Municipal Court system: Moving Violations to Illegal Parking, UPDATED July 29, 2017

Special report on the Municipal Court system: Moving Violations to Illegal Parking, UPDATED April 15, 2017

Special report on the Municipal Court system: Moving Violations to Illegal Parking, March 27, 2017

Monarch Fire Chief
Chuck Marsonette
Felony Charges

Charges Against Chuck Marsonette, June 30, 2017

Statement of Charges Against Marsonette, June, 2017

Probable Cause Statement
Against Monarch Fire Chief
Wayne "Chuck" Marsonette for Felony Theft from a Previous Employer, August 2, 2016.

Statement of Charges Against Marsonette.

Principia Lawsuit

Principia Lawsuit, October 16, 2015:
Part One
Part Two

Professional Firefighters of West St. Louis County Ethics Violations

Missouri Ethics Commission
Action Against Professional Firefighters of West St. Louis County,
February 8, 2016

Ronald Lee Roberts

Ronald Lee Roberts Sentencing Recommendation, Fraud Case, Filed January 15, 2015

The Fall of Steve Stenger

Read the 44-page federal indictment against former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, April 25, 2019

Steve Stenger Search Warrant. March 20, 2019

Town Square

Town Square Costs, April 24, 2019

Town Square Costs, August 17, 2018

Town Square, John's Take On The Issue, November 25, 2016

Brinkmann Town Square Proposal, October 12, 2016

Opus Town Square Proposal October 12, 2016

Trash Can Emails

Connie Fults' Comments with fact checking, June 19, 2017

Trash Can Emails, June 13, 2017

Westminster Lawsuit

Westminster vs. Town and Country Judgment, August 15, 2016

Westminster Lawsuit,
Respondent's Answer,
December 14, 2015

Westminster Lawsuit, Return to Writ of Certiorari, November 30, 2015

Westminster Lawsuit, October 14, 2015

Wolfe vs. Town and Country

February 23, 2018 – Town and Country police officer Jeffrey Wolfe has filed a lawsuit due to the department demoting him from Sergreant to Corporal over a relationship with officer Lauren Becker.

Download the lawsuit and polygraph results.

Download and read an analysis and opinion of the Wolfe lawsuit from a former Chief of Police.

Shannon Woolsey
Lawsuit

Shannon Woolsey Lawsuit, Sexual Harassment, Town & Country Police Department, 2013

Gangs of Town and Country, Updated September 19, 2018.

Listed alphabetically by last name

Brett Cervantes

DWI, 3-29-13

Domestic Disturbance, Disorderly Conduct, Assault on Police Officer, 1-25-12

DWI, 2-12-11

Jon Dalton, Jr.

DWI, 6-23-12

DWI, 1-1-12

Ted Federer, a.k.a. "T-Fed"

Bar Fight, Threatening Police Officers and their Families, Felony Possession of Drugs, 3-30-14

DWI, Driving While Suspended, Possession of Marijuana, Speeding, No Proof of Insurance, Open Alcohol in Car, 5-18-13

This download has the following three police reports in one download:

Stealing Under $500, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, 1-11-12
Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Providing False Information, 2-13-12
Destruction of Property, Stealing Under $500, 3-29-12

Katie Huggard

DWI, 7-1-11 ("I have a bulldog lawyer!" Threatened to urinate in Police car.)

Rice "Sandy" Jacobs

Volunteer Treasurer stole at least $135,868 from various band and choir accounts at Parkway central High School.

David Karney

Alderman David Karney sends threatening emails to Alderman Fred Meyland-Smith under the fictitious name Jeff Storehouse, 2010

Ryan Leeman and Christian Duvall

Chesterfield Parents Go On Vacation and 35-year old Son Invites Prostitute and Heroin Supplier to Move In

The Story

The Police Report

Dan McLaughlin

DWI, No Proof of Insurance, Leaving Scene of Accident, 9-25-11

DWI, 8-16-10 (Saturated pants.)

Alfred "Skip" Nichols

DWI, 3-17-00

DWI, 6-1-07

Richard Rognan

Patronizing Prostitution, 8-8-13

Scott Rosenblum

DWI, 4-29-14

Accident, 4-29-14

Andy Stecko

Incident at the Hangar Bar and Grill, 3-4-16

While this police report has a number of names redacted, through independent means we were able to identify four of the six people mentioned. They are:

The Suspect: Then Monarch Fire Protection District Captain Andy Stecko.

The Victim: Monarch Fire Prevention District firefighter/paramedic Donna Kessler.

Witness 1: "C" is Bob Chitwood, the owner of the hangar Grill and Pub on Long Road.

Witness 2: "F" is bartender Sarah Ferguson.