Charles Earl Brinkley Jan 29, 1909 - April 28, 2002

April 30, 2002

An emailer said that "You can't blame the stupidity of the business owners in town on the Casino this time".  I have to agree with that one. Wilma's - The Double G - and the Krisped Kreme all refused to pick up all those people and the Foundry workers that were cast aside by the Owner of The Driftwood Cafe, Mel Godman. Some are waiting until 8am to go to the Casino, some are driving all the way to Canton, and some are just staying home. But, the Casino could open the restaurant part at 7am and offer a limited breakfast until 8am. 

It looks like Monroe Street is getting concrete poured. Yesterday, one lane was poured and it looks like today isn't going to be a good day to do the other side. Oh, well, everyone is too busy mowing grass to care about it.

April 28, 2002

Just as I predicted last year, it has already started. The first one of the three businesses that won't be here next Christmas has closed. Another will not make it through the summer and the third by Christmas. 

And, like La Grange did several years ago with the nut that built the grocery store on Route C and promptly got out of Dodge, Canton has decided to see if it can kill off the downtown there. If the City mothers of Canton think that the moving of the grocery store out by the new highway will be of any benefit to Canton, they should have taken a lesson from La Grange. Maybe, when Lewis County C-1 takes them in, they will wake up.

Even Quincy can't learn. Take a close look at the Quincy Mall now that Wal-Mart and Home Depot moved farther away. Count how many stores are vacant in the mall today.

Because of the Mayor and Ralph (pave my drive free) Martin and Fred (no prayer here) Wiewel, the Casino is on the South edge of town and all their customers come from the South and leave the same way. 90% of the Casino customers never see the stop light. Tell me, if you had the money to open a business downtown La Grange, what would it be?, and where would you put it?, and where would you get the customers?

The above traitors to the people of  La Grange (you), they chose the banker over a cruising gambling boat. Catfish Bend had a boat ready to move to La Grange as soon as their license was ready. Figure it up, had the three traitors picked Catfish Bend, a cruising, (tourist attraction) would have been put down town La Grange and been open by the summer of 1995. Now count the $1.5 million dollars lost since 1995 to 2001. How much money is that the traitors cost (YOU) the people of La Grange? Over $9,000,000.00? Not counting the other docking fees, another million or so. And, add business and new businesses to the DOWNTOWN area. I guess those 184 voters are tickled to death about now. You can count the people on one hand who have benefited from their decision that Council meeting night of May in 1994. The decision that was already made in November 1993 in a private home in La Grange and the contract that was already drawn up before the decision Council meeting.  

April 26, 2002

Today was the last day for the Driftwood Cafe. Several customers were very sad to see it closed. Now, we have to work on the Casino to get them to open at 7am instead of 8am. The Driftwood group won't need much. We are used to waiting on ourselves, getting our own coffee, getting others coffee that are strangers, waiting a long time to order breakfast. All it would take is one waitress that can use a microwave and make coffee. Take a hint Mark Twain Casino.

Speaking of the Casino. It looks like the Casino hired the same engineers the City does. You know, the ones who got their degree off the internet, kind of like a lawyer I know who passed the limbo bar. Well, if you look at these two pictures, anyone who has lived around La Grange very long could have said this would happen on the first big rain. Take a look at these pictures. CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE. These were emailed to me by an anonymous person who wanted to make sure everyone knew. He said the water is now running under the pipes. But, on the other hand, the City crew was right on top of cleaning up main street after the storm. They did it so quick, I didn't get a chance to get down there to take any pictures.

April 24, 2002

I have heard about a couple of rumors. One is about an affair between two city employees, and the other was something about missing SWAT equipment. But, you know how rumors are in La Grange. One other rumor is that in regards to the Mayor's reelection, is that he said to someone at his place that he can always count on those 184 voters to put him in again next year.

Boy did I stir up a hornets nest. Above is a notice of an ice cream social at the Youth Center I put up for Amanda Lewis. Comments range from, they can go borrow the money like ever one else, to, it's hard to donate to a family making more money than them, to, they have been begging everyone all over the area. This has pissed off a lot of people. Not one comment was,"this is a nice thing". 

April 23, 2002

I received a call from a citizen from town. He suggested I go to the south end of town to where Roger (DUH) Sherwood bought and tore down the old Solter home. It seems that since Roger (how do want me to vote Mayor) Sherwood has been such an excellent puppet to the Mayor when he was Councilman, the Mayor decided to return the favors. CLICK HERE will show you the City truck unloading another load of dirt. It looks like the City had already hauled some river sand and several other loads for Roger (Duh) Sherwood. Then later, it was seen that a lot of the dirt had been leveled off by the City for him. Kind of looks like the old (pave my drive free) trick.

If anyone else needs any dirt on their property for flowers or landscaping or low places filled in, all you have to do is suck up to the Lagoon Mayor. The actions of this Mayor never ceases to amaze one. 

Here is a picture of the hill between Bob Solter and Don Sherwood where a contractor is removing the asphalt and will place concrete in its place. CLICK HERE. They have been hauling this debris down to Bob Richters. It is easy to tell, all you have to do is follow the debris on the road to where they dump it. Large pieces of rubble fell off near the Casino exit and were scattered all over the road.

Another citizen in town was told he couldn't burn some debris from an old house he was tearing down. He was even hinted at by City Hall that the EPA and DNR might be called. YET, this same City Hall (Lagoon Mayor) allowed Roger (DUH) Sherwood burn down the old Solter place with his blessing. One block away. I told this citizen that maybe he should eat more ice cream and praise the new sewer lagoon. Maybe bow a time or two and agree that he will be reelected.

APRIL 22, 2002

Just when a person thinks that things are getting dull in La Grange, I get three surprises in one day. The first thing this morning a La Grange police officer came into the Driftwood cafe and visited with the people. I can't say who it was as he might get into trouble for patronizing a business in town.

Next, I drove down town and see the city street super with a new grader. Well, a newer one. CLICK HERE. Anyhow, the Mayor is trying to find a way to spend all that money instead of giving you a tax break, If you look closely at the picture you see closest to the front some dug up road. This was done earlier by a $50,000 machine, actually it looks like a large garden tiller with a huge motor. It digs down about 6 to 10 inches and a path four feet wide. Two problems with that machine, it digs too deep, the streets in La Grange have only about an inch of paving. The grader comes with that V-blade on the front that just digs about an inch down and levels the stuff as it goes. The grader and the scraper are about $35,000. Anyone care to guess what they buy?? Here is a picture of the Mayor and Council looking at the grader. CLICK HERE Ronnie/Baker showed up a little late.

The third surprise! Well, the new sewer lagoon came over by me and quietly told me to quit talking about the Mayor. Whoops, The Mayor came over to me and ordered me not to say anything more about his multi-million dollar sewer lagoon anymore on the Gossip page, or he or we were going to the dirt or we were going to get dirty. I asked if he was threatening me and he said I could take it anyway I wanted. I hope what he meant by us getting dirty didn't have anything to do with sex. I guess when someone is obsessed with building a new sewer lagoon at your expense, you will never know what he meant.

And, finally, it looks a business in town is adding more product. While I was being sized up by the Mayor to get dirty, A truck and trailer pulled up to unload some real nice looking trailers for Tony's Garage. CLICK HERE

APRIL 20, 2002

Well, if you missed the La Grange Methodist Church Fish Fry, you missed some mighty fine fixins. We got there a little late but we didn't have to wait long to get our fish. We met an ole family friend from town there, Ms Margaret Kramer, was there and visited several at our table. It seems that many people from town like to get out to things like this and just visit with others. It is too bad that something like this can't happen once a month. 

APRIL 19, 2002

Just as I predicted last December. I said then on this page, that by Christmas this year, three businesses will close up. Today, at the Driftwood Cafe, everyone was told that next Friday will be the last day. What this will do, it will give another restaurant in town a chance to capture these orphaned customers. Will they do it? I doubt it. Promoting business is not an option.

Counting the Mayor and Councilmen, there are more than 20 people that derive income from the City. If you count all the many firemen, you are up to almost 40 people sucking up taxpayer money. Less than one does any business with "local" businesses in town. Casey's is not a local business. Casey's and the Clemen's Cafe are businesses in town, but not a locally owned business.

I can remember three times in the past year when the MFA gas station was selling gas LESS than Casey's. September 12th, last year. People were lined up two blocks in all directions to pay more for gas than the MFA was selling it for. For some reason, NOT ONE POLICE OFFICER has shown his face in the Driftwood Cafe for coffee. You never have seen the Police Chief visiting around any business.

Tomorrow, is large item pickup day. Now I can get rid of those 85, 8 foot lights bulbs. There are a lot of piles of stuff out there already.  

APRIL 18, 2002

Rumor has it that there was an accident in town a couple of days ago. The rumor also says the LAPD called in the County to work the accident. According to the Press News Journal the cut in the State budget may affect County groups. Here is hoping it cuts the Juvenile Officers Budget to nothing.

The E911 board has a problem building a new office. It seems the costs of the Gold door handles, the rain tree forest desks, and Italian lamps with the Persian rugs cost a little more than they expected. Of course they got the same engineers the City of La Grange got and the engineers even under estimated their own costs by almost 50%. Let's see now, these same engineers are now engineering a sewer link out Route C. Let's see now, these are the ones who put the new lift station on top of the hill. Hmmm.  Makes one wonder. E991 board member can't even estimate the cost of a prefab building. Is this Deja Vue of the City building the fire station and City shed or what?? And they are also the ones who are estimating for the Mayor for HIS new sewer Lagoon which he wants named the Mayor Harold Ludwig S--- Hole. Their first estimate is $1.5 million. Calculate to the E911 under estimate and you come up with about a $3 million lagoon. But, if it's for the Mayor, who cares how much it costs YOU. 

April 16, 2002

AND THE WINNERS ARE::: In the North ward, the winner for the North ward Councilman is........ Steve Griesbaum with 27 votes. 

In the Middle Ward, the winner for the north ward Councilman is.......  Kelly Murphy got 20 votes and Tim Rossiter got 68 votes. CONGRATULATIONS TO TIM.

In the South ward, the winner is......  Elaine White, who got 12 votes.

Boy, this was probably one of La Grange's most exciting elections ever. I want to thank the City Clerk for letting me know the results as soon as she did.

Saturday afternoon an ex La Grange police officer came back to town sporting a real nice 4 wheel drive pickup that had SHERIFF of MONROE COUNTY on the side. Mr. Duey came over and said he likes his new job as Deputy and said he came back to La Grange to say hi to a couple of his old buddies.

I received a real nice email informing of the promotion of Kevin Preston who accepted a position with the largest property for Grace Entertainment, Inc - Lakeside Casino and Resort in Osceola, Iowa. He said it has been a pleasure working and living in LaGrange, he also said he hopes that LaGrange will soon become the next Joliet, Illinois.  When he started his career with
Harrah's Casino in Joliet, you couldn't even walk downtown in Joliet - after the first year that Harrah's came - streets, sidewalks and businesses started to flourish. Now, Joliet is getting ready to bring in a baseball team and other attractions. He said LaGrange has one great thing going for them - the people! Good luck with all of your future endeavors!

Boy, I hope the new guy from Mississippi is as nice as Kevin has been. GOOD LUCK KEVIN! Come back and visit once in awhile.

April 15, 2002

Today is TAX day. Time to pay up. I have had several emails regarding the election tomorrow. Quite a few were already going to vote for Tim Rossiter, well a few were in the wrong ward. The MAYOR for some reason has been holding up the redrawing of the Wards. I looked in the PNJ last week of the Council meeting and guess what. Not one councilman made a motion to do away with your property tax. Not one Councilman made a motion to do away with the City sales tax. Not even the Mayor wants those 184 voters to benefit from the Casino money. Kick those voters in the face Mayor. make 'em pay for voting for you.

In regards to the election tomorrow for the one seat in the one ward. Some of the emails were questioning me about me supporting Tim Rossiter. Well, folks, it is like this, for years the Rossiter's and I didn't see eye to eye about anything. In fact I thought it was a joke for Tim to even run. But, I have to say this. I get a TRUE, copy of the City Council Meetings, not the fluff you see in the Canton paper. With that information, I can easily see that Tim Rossiter is working for YOU, the people of La Grange. Ronnie Powers is still working for ex chief Baker,. The others, the way the vote in Council meetings, it makes my head spin. I sometimes get a head ache trying to figure out why they vote the way they do. AND, as for Kelly Murphy, he put his name in the hat and disappeared. Who knows what for or why he did it and what he will do if he gets it. I say Vote for Tim, at least you know he is working for the people of La Grange.

April 14, 2002

Not too much has happened this week end. Kind of dull in La Grange, Well, except for the entertainment at the Casino Last night. That band had the place a-rockin'. I told you they were good. The band called MIXED COMPANY played last night. The lead guitar player was extra good. They did get Mike Williams of the old MIKE and COMPANY to sing a few songs.

Our supper that was especially good and who ever the waitress was, she did an excellent job. There were a lot of people there from La Grange eating last evening too. But, I didn't see 45 years there.

I was supposed to mention that it was the LAPD who found the stolen vehicle the other day. The newly promoted Dennis was actually the one who waded through a half mile of mud down the bottom road to check the vehicle out ad confirm it. Well, someone had to do the dirty work. The Sheriff and Highway patrol has someone with a tractor go get it while they waited on dry land.

April 11, 2002

A local citizen said he was driving to Quincy the other day. On hiway 24 almost to West Quincy the citizen said they were driving almost 70 themselves, when a white LAPD car passed them lie they were sitting still. The LAPD car then just pulled into the Amoco station and parked. Seems like old times. 

It isn't only our local pd that does these things. Today on hiway 57 south of Quincy a State Police car came over in my lane while he was fiddling with his radio. When he did finally look up, he was across the center line and I was on the side of the road. Then on Harrison st, I came up to 24th street four way stop. Luckily, I stopped about 30 feet behind the car ahead of me when tires were squeeling behind where a truck puling a trailer was sliding up to the back of my truck. I just drove forward up to the car ahead of me who was moving out of the way and that gave the guy room to get stopped. A Quincy PD was coming around the corner, looked at us all and went on down the street.

Why does the Casino have a security camera trained on Paul Tasco's place? Not only that, they keep detailed records of the time and date when he comes and goes. 

April 9, 2002

Last Monday evening it seems that an ex-chief decided to go way up to the northern part of beach here in La Grange. Then, one of our finest journeyed up there to run those pesky people off the beach and guess what, he ran off into the sand and got stuck and had to have the City backhoe come out at night and pull him out.

What I don't understand is how or why the police think they have any jurisdiction to run anyone off of private property. Granted, What was called for a 100 years "Front Street" and has mysteriously somehow been changed to "Wharf Street" runs up and down the railroad tracks, but after two railroad tracks there isn't much street left to use and even that isn't the City's anymore.. 

Once you cross the railroad tracks and start North, the first 180 feet belongs to the railroad. Then, from there on to the Foundry, the property, INCLUDING ALL THE BEACH area, belongs to Triangle Refinery. The City even gave Triangle Refinery a 100 year lease on the City street from the Railroad track East. The City does not have any claim to any of the beach property. The Police CAN NOT stop anyone from going on that property at any time for any reason. IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. The old dumbass ex-chief found out that when he tried to run off my son and arrest him for trespassing after 10pm that he made a false arrest and the City Attorney threw it out.

And, the Mayor still is going around town and putting up illegal stop signs. One up by Helen Green's place, and another over by Gillespies. And an illegal speed limit sign by the old Imperial Gas station. The question is?? Why can't the Mayor, The City Council, The Police, the City Attorney for heavens sake and the Judge, just do it right and legal?? Do they really want one of the officers to face a false arrest lawsuit? Ruin his career? It doesn't make sense.

In reading the Canton PNJ about the City Council Meetings, and in getting the actual minutes of these meetings, you wonder if they are the same meetings.

HERE is an email I received today regarding the City Administrator. 

Jerry,

Here is a copy of the ad in MML magazine for the CA position, It didn't take long to advertise again for position after someone turned them down. That sounds like a very wise person.

Call Richard Sheets at MML and see what kind of reputation that La Grange has among current and former City Administrators. 

I hope that they mayor would find someone to his liking but in a year the Mayor my be gone. So why would a CA want to work under those conditions.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR. The City of LaGrange, MO, a special charter city (1,000 pop.), is accepting resumes for the position of City Administrator. A graduate of an accredited university or college majoring in public or municipal administration. Background in municipal finance and budgeting management, water/sewer/streets, strong administration and personnel management and economic development. Salary negotiable DOQ, residency is required, plus city benefits package. Submit resume, cover letter with salary history and work related references to City Clerk, City of LaGrange, PO Box 266, LaGrange, MO 63448, 573-655-4301. Resumes will be taken until position is filled..

Keep up the good work and best of luck keeping your downtown from drying up.

April 9, 2002

Well, the gossip around today was about the fender bender near oyster branch road. Some were wondering why a City employee took out the fire truck (by himself). The guess is, that the fire chief was so busy yesterday instructing the new employee on how to be a contractor/electrician, that he forget the rules of the firemen.

Most of the gossip was regarding the high speed run through town in the rain, on slick streets, by the Missouri Highway Patrolman and the Sheriffs deputy. No one can figure why these high speed runs through town were needed for just a fender bender. Then the gossip went to the near accident with a fire truck and another fireman and why a fireman was going North when the accident was to the South. And what happened to the fire truck that broke down near the casino.

Every one is taking bets on the day of the month and the day of the week, when two emergency vehicles crash together downtown. Every one knows it will happen, but don't know the day or date.  

How many remember the Slater family that lived on the foundry hill? Can you name them all?

April 8, 2002

Well, tonight is Council meeting night. Will any Councilman have the guts to make a motion to do away with the Sales tax? NO! Will any Councilman have the guts to make a motion to do away with the City property taxes? NO! Over $1 million dollars in the bank and they continue to screw the people of La Grange.

Rumor has it that the Council met with a person to be City Administrator. The next rumor is that they hired him. The net rumor is that he called back at 2am and quit. The next question is this, did he quit before or after the Mayor called him on the phone.

April 7, 2002

My daddy used to always say, If it rains on Easter Sunday, it will rain for the next seven Sundays.  It will make for good mushroom hunting this year. Since the islands were flooded last year, they may not be the best place to hunt this year.

Now, rumor has it that the LAPD has lost another dispatcher. Rumor also has it that those 184 voters Mayor is still fighting 911 for La Grange and fighting against the City Administrator. He is hoping the Council will raise the Mayors salary to $40,000 per year and get elected from now on.

Rumor has it that the new sewer lagoon is still on the go. Makes your head spin wondering where the heads of the Council is.

April 6, 2002

A couple of emails are asking for information on a couple of things in the County that have been going on. one has to do with the Lewis County Industrial Development. The emailer wanted to know how much the IDA was taking in every year and where all the money was going. It seems there is no accounting for the IDA money. It seems that Jeff is very reluctant to reveal where all the money is going. Well, the LRO, La Grange Revitalization Organization headed by Susan Dean has had hundreds of thousands of dollars come and go and no one to be held accountable, much like the Project Brighter Future. Only a couple of families who took their Jamaican vacation know where all that money went. And only a couple of people knows where the Flood Relief money went and one of those skipped town.

Then , another email wanted to know how on earth anyone can get the cost of a 30 by 50 foot basement up to $75.000.00. I thought Hazel McDermott was a pretty sharp newspaper woman, but her reporting on the Lewis County enhanced 911 project has fallen below grade. Can you imagine Ramsey Jones selling that big double wide mobile home for $60gs and then telling the customer the basement will cost $75gs. WOW.

One building, in Lewis County with a basement for the Enhanced 911 lowest bid was $375,000.00 for a 30 by 50 foot building. These people must live in New York. Another question was, "Just what actual improvements will be to the people, when all this money is spent"? It seems the western part of the County has been sucking all the money they can from the eastern half. 

One more item, I am not going to say anything about the rumor that this one woman got stopped by the LAPD AGAIN! The last time I mentioned about this woman getting stopped, she had her cousin call me and beg me to take her name off the gossip page. I felt so sorry for the guy.

April 5th, 2002

Today is the last day to sign up for write in for Councilman of N & S Wards

A MUCH NEEDED BLOOD DRIVE TOMORROW AT THE YOUTH CENTER

YOU ARE NEEDED 

April 2, 2002

YOU JUST MISSED THE GREATEST SHOW EVER IN LA GRANGE

Only a handful of people from La Grange got to see an excellent, excellent, show put on by the two Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley impersonators at the Mark twain Casino. These two guys were great. If you couldn't see these guys and could only hear them, you would swear that Roy and Elvis were there in person. Every one there were clapping, tapping their feet and singing along. There were four very excited young ladies behind me.

Canton may have their fight nights but, Kevin at the Mark Twain Casino knows how to do it right and put on a great show. According to Kevin, they will have more of these shows and these two guys said they will be back to do another show in the future. If you missed this one, you better get your tickets earlier next time as I am sure that the people in the crowd will spread the word. I know that this is Kevin's first time at doing this, so I can cut some slack and give him some pointers. The first thing is he left a lot money in the audiences pockets. It was a little warm in there, so a lot of extra drinks could have been sold if he had hired three girls to work those aisles hustling for drinks. I would have also put those back tables at $40.00 apiece and allow them to eat while they watched the show. Maybe more for the bigger tables. The two chairs in front blocked the entertainers from working the audience as much as they wanted to. I liked the idea of the free T-shirts that said I SAW ELVIS AT THE MARK TWAIN CASINO. Here again, you could have made more by selling some T-shirts after the show.

Anyhow, thanks for a Great Show Tuesday Night. If you want to see pictures I took CLICK HERE 

April 1, 2002

La Grange has been in the Quincy herald Whig a couple of times in the past few days. Sunday had articles about the businesses down town in their Community Progress pages. Stars of the paper were Sue Downs and Mel Godman and the Driftwood Cafe. Then someone from La Grange sends the handwriting doctor a test in Mondays paper. Anyone care to guess who sent it in?

It is also getting to the time when we all quit work and go mushroom hunting. For some good information on mushrooms, goto, www.morelhaven.com.

Next is reply emails to the emails below. One really took it to task, but, 7 emails came back about the Riverfront Liquor store changing to a grocery store. And everyone had a bad reference to the owner and the ex chief. One flat out said the ex chief owes her a lot of business for payback, but said everyone knows he used her and is gone.

Boy, I hope Wayne Maples had a happy birthday today. Don't forget Elvis tomorrow night at the Casino! and Roy!