See our servicemen who served in WWI and WWII click Here

Picture of the first vehicle to park at the Casino click here

Curtis Farr brought in a lot of old Glass negative pictures of La Grange and the area taken in the 1800's

Click Here

Want to know how much it costs to be arrested in La Grange???   CLICK HERE

PICTURE OF THE JULY 4th Parade and BBQ click here

July 5th, 2001

Well, my email was full today, so I will have to pick out the good ones. I like the ones like this one which comes from people who are from La Grange but live away.

I just wanted to say again what a GREAT job you do with all this! The
pictures taken today were wonderful -- made me wish I had been there. I'm
sure all the food was outstanding. You do such a great service to the
community -- I'm SERIOUS! It is a way for us away to keep in touch with
HOME! It looks like you had a beautiful day -- we did here as well. We just
finished watching some of the neighborhood fireworks. We can see some of the
city's display from our deck, but for the most part the trees are too big now
(after 25 years!)

But here are some of the rumors going around town. I tried to get a picture but couldn't get the shot of my buddy, the chiefs NEW police car. Rumor has it that something ticked him off and he backed up in haste and backed into a concrete wall. CAR #4. 

Another emailer noticed that only 4 of the 6 cars were in the parade, the comment was that they were still in the crash pile.

Another emailer took notice last night after midnight with this email. 

got a bit of info for you just 10 minutes ago I spied the local Police....riding around town with his headlights OFF!!!! It was the light blue older police car.. and we saw him drive THROUGH a stop sign with out using his brakes or 
blinkers!! We were sitting at a friends house up next to LaGrange City park........... He made 2 turns with out using the turn signals and 
did not have any lights on at all!!

Another rumor is that some people are wondering how they are going to drive over those bricks at the end of Pierce Street or the old lumber yard hill. It seems that there are some streets that were not vacated to the Casino that they just took over. And the Mayor is just tickled to death.

If you got up early enough and drove around town, you could easily see where the pigs live and where they played last night. Some people think the City street is just a place to shoot their fireworks and forget the trash they leave. The City park this morning was just terrible. But, before I could get back to take a picture the Street Super, Water Super and assistant were on the job and had it mostly cleaned up. 

THAT IS TOTALLY WRONG. A GOOD MAYOR AND COUNCIL should immediately order that from now on, all fireworks should be shot off on the beach. No one should be allowed to use the City streets and the City park as a dumping ground and leave the messes that were all over town this morning. Not only would this eliminate all the trash all over town, but, it would put all the pretty fireworks where everyone can enjoy them with the Chamber fireworks. 

And finally, some at City Hall and a high ranking official Mayor may be rumored to be wondering what is on those secret tape recordings. There are guesses as to how long ago these recordings were made and who all was recorded. I could sure use a copy.

July 4th, 2001

The Chicken Bar-B-Que and the Green Chapel Church Fish Fry had to be each a huge success. People were waiting over an hour at noon for chicken and waiting in line at 6pm for fish. here are some pictures of the Chicken and Fish serving. Click Here

It looked like everyone in town was down by the river to see the fireworks display. It was very exciting and very pretty. There were several other people who brought their own and shot them off waiting for the Chamber to shoot off theirs. Some were complaining that the fireworks didn't start at 9pm and they didn't shoot of the 3 big boomers to let people on the hill know they were ready to shoot. They also didn't do the 3 big boomers at the end either. Some people were confused at to whether it was over or not. But, all in all it was a great show.

Maybe next year some changes could be made. One would be the above complaints and the other would be to put out the word to get everyone in town who were shooting in the streets to have them bring their stuff down on the beach. Maybe a Mayor's proclamation. Hope you had a great 4th.  

July 3rd, 2001

Well, happy 4th of July for al those who actually know what it stands for. According to surveys 50% of the people today do not know why we celebrate the 4th. 75% of those under 25. And more than half think the movie Pearl Harbor portrays the actual accounting. Dumbing down America.

Did you get you latest AmerenUE electric bill. Mine doubled from last month. Last year it was 6.9 cents per kw for summer use, this year it is 8.9 cents per kw. 

We go to Quincy twice a week so my wife can spend money. I go to eat out. We have eaten at every restaurant in Quincy. There is an awfully nice restaurant and bar in 17th and State that is real good, better than Elders. Jims Family Inn. We find that in order of cheapness, McDonalds is the cheapest, well with the Maid Rite West. Then Hardees. Then Burger King and Wendy's. But for fast food, the highest is a tie between Steak & Shake and and Sonic. We eat at Sprouts when we want chicken, The patio for steaks and the Plaza for lobster tail. One time we eat cheap and the next time we find a good place. There is a good place down by the river that reminds of us of  the old Pete's Boat House called the Baywatch Cafe. The Lakeview tap is also an excellent place.

And we still try to stop by the North Side Boat Club every once in awhile.

Rumor has it that there is an excellent air conditioning person in La Grange. I believe he lives right across the street from Mildred Dickerson.

July 2, 2001

Here it is the 2nd of July and there isn't much to report. The Casino is putting in another highway lane so they can have a left turn lane. I guess this is for the Bald Rabbit so he doesn't get hit again. Rumor has it that the Missouri River patrol was out in force last Saturday and hauled a couple in to jail. For some reason the La Grange police department was used for transportation.

Today is the first real start of the fireworks. The dogs in town have all gone into hiding.

Maybe I shouldn't put this on the web, but it was over 60 years ago and the principals are gone. There are two pictures to look at. One is a letter from Blessing hospital in 1940. This guy was a character, always joking around, but the hospital took him serious and sent this concerned letter to him. The next is the bill he had to pay for his wife to the hospital. I was digging around in some old boxes and found a lot of things and this was one of the funniest ones I found. look at this one first CLICK HERE. Then look here for the 2nd one CLICK HERE. If you think it was ok or wrong to post, let me know.

And what was Slats Morris wife's name?

June 29, 2001

Spectra Communications which has our local phone service has donated $1,000.00 to the new youth center. About 5 times more than the City has donated. I wonder where all those NAP grants the bank was going to be coming up with that the attorney for Dean Phillips was talking about when they were awarded the casino contract? Let's see now, I believe that Jenny-Shork-Murphy-Ried stated it was about $50,000 per year, since 1993. 

Rumor has that the bald rabbit was hiding in the bushes one the South end of town protecting the gboat when he spotted two guys outside the City limits on the levy drinking beer. So the rumor goes on that the bald rabbit was then seen hopping down the rail road tracks to catch these criminals and when he almost got there, they got into their truck and left south on the bottom road. Bald rabbit had already called backup and he was also seen hopping down the railroad tracks too. They came to the crime scene and checked the two empty cans for spiders and left empty handed. Darn the luck.

Then we read in the Quincy Herald Whig where the so called Mayor of the City of La Grange (finger in throat), gave the County Prosecutor $25,000 of money the City doesn't have for something that may not occur. Rumor has it that this is the same person who has been running around to all the garden club and ladies meetings saying the City does not need a City Administrator. 184 people have to be so proud. I'll bet they are just tickled to death. 

This is just like the idea that the Casino doesn't want the sewer plant where it is and was when they built the Casino and wants YOU the taxpayer to double you sewer rates to move the sewer plant to the North end of town near the new proposed motel. 

Doesn't anyone remember Jenny-Shork-Murphy-Reid telling everyone in the park in 1993 that the Casino was to pay for everything and it wasn't going to cost the people of La Grange nothing, in fact we were to receive millions of dollars. So far, the City is in debt so far, no streets can be worked on, no water or sewer lines replaced, only a police force to harass the people. And now, it seems YOU, the people will PAY more.

184 voters are just tickled to death.

June 28, 2001

The class of 1966 held their 35th reunion. Those attending were Larry Solter, Nancy Leeser Ellison, Linda Gaus Hutcherson, & Christine Prisner Cunningham of La Grange AND Larry Logue of Hannibal, David Fletcher of O'Fallon, Benita Wiesemann Vaughn of St. Charles, John Shumate of Ewing, Greg Childers of St. Louis & Steven Drawe of Chesterfield. Garry Rayl from Quincy Il, and Jimmy Thomas of Tigard Oregon also attended.

Rumor has it that the divorce is done and a wedding is in sight. Supposed to be Saturday at the famous gazebo. And the rumor is that jambalaya pizza will be served to friends and family.

It is too bad the writer from the Post ate the pabulum fed him by what's her name. He really should have talked to the people around town to get the story straight. 

June 27, 2001

We made the St. Louis paper again!  Click Here

This guy, Kevin Horrigan, writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch does a half way job of writing about a place he depends on someone else to tell him about. Yesterday he made mistake after mistake about La Grange and today he said that La Grange went after the prison when it was the outer County that went after the prison. By, looks of his articles it seems that he has been fed the wonderful wally world of Jenny-Shork-Murphy-Reid. and he gobbled it up. The only thing he says, which is in the last couple of lines was the word fleeting. I don't believe the figures he has given regarding wages and benefits. Some more pabulum fed to the writer. But, La Grange had its 15 minutes. Can't ask for more than that. 

The Lagrangemissouri.com web site hit he largest one day number of hits. (people bringing up the site). 12655 people went to the website in the last 48 hours. More than 12,000 stopped by the Gossip Page. Previous Months Gossip Pages and Council meeting minutes were also visited by several thousand people. We also added visitors from 8 more States. Brings the total to 36 States and 4 Countries now.

Even though the writer got a lot of the information wrong, I am sure all the visitors got it right.

Oh, by the way, the Street Super is back in town from his vacation in Canton. Now we can all watch him ride around town in La Grange again.

My Buddy, the Chief is chauffeuring around another officer in training. In regards to the bald rabbit officer who pulled out in front of Randy the other day. Rumor has it that he didn't get a ticket and he wasn't taken to the police department and given a breathalyzer test either. Rumor has that he was forgiven about pulling out in front of traffic as his field of view was obstructed by a construction truck that was parked there. 

Ok folks, let's see if that excuse will keep you from getting a ticket or run in to take the breath test by the bald rabbit officer. 

June 26, 2001

WE MADE THE ST. LOUIS PAPER AGAIN!  click here

I sent an email to the editor Kevin Horrigan correcting him on some of his mistakes. One main mistake was that Jenny-Shork-Murphy-Reid retired after 42 years - 3 months - 2 weeks - 4 days - 5 hours and 22 minutes. another was that we do have a gas station and a convenience store that sells gas and we do have a Stop-Light. One that is guarded night and day by our Gestapo police department.

BUT WAIT!  I haven't seen anywhere in any of the Council meeting minutes where the Casino is giving the City a $1.25 million dollar grant. And where did anyone talk about prostitution?? 

I also do not know where Jenny-Shork-Murphy-Reid got the idea that the outer County or any other City is Jealous. They all voted AGAINST it. But, Jenny-Shork-Murphy-Reid is right, She is the one who did all the promotion.

Again I ask? Where is the money, (pave my drive free) from the Project Brighter Future? Where is the 1993 Flood Relief Money? Where is the LRO, La Grange Revitalization Organization money? If the Casino is so good for La Grange, then where is the money? How come there isn't any money to work on the City streets and they had to hire out the street super to make money from Canton? How come Canton is getting the Motel and businesses?

If the Casino, who built the building near the sewer plant, wants it moved to the other end of town, then why does the people of La Grange have to pay higher sewer rates to pay for it? There is nothing wrong with the plant we have now, it is just near the Casino. Let them pay for the move, don't make the people pay.

June 25, 2001

I attended another one of the many Council meetings tonight. Mostly it was about closing some alleys. The one between Andy Ayers and Ayers Oil Company was one. The Mayor is renting the property in exchange for keeping the grass mowed and is opposed to the closing of the alley. So, Karl Bishoff, spokesman for Ayers Oil Company said that the closing of the alley would be detrimental to the value of the property. Let's see now, a piece of property that was used as an oil dump for how many years and now it has some value. For what? The City (lower the bar) Attorney even said that the City at any time can vote to reopen it if needed. But, he muddied that all up with talk about lawsuits, and errors with engineer surveys and son on, so the idea that the City can change their actions anytime they want was lost.

On the alley between Jim Vaughn and Martha Robinson, the council voted 5-1 to close the alley. Roger (duh) Sherwood voted NO. Then on the Ayers vs. Ayers alley the Council voted 5-1 to table it for two weeks. Roger (duh) Sherwood voted NO.

Then they went on to a NEW SEWER PLANT. Both the engineers and DNR have stated that this plant has been kept in such good shape that it has another 10 or even more years left of use. It won't be over taxed with the Casino. 

Now, they say to build a NEW sewer plant will cost $1.5 MILLION dollars and the City could get financing and it would RAISE the SEWER RATES for everyone.

Let's get this straight. The sewer plant that was sold by these engineers to the previous Mayor and Council would last for 50 years. Now, it is said that it still has many years of life left and not be over taxed. BUT, because of the Gambling Boat not wanting the sewer plant near it, the PEOPLE of La Grange are going to PAY HIGHER sewer rates.

And, they want to put the new sewer plant up next to where Jack Childers is building his new motel. It will take up most of the 20 acres of the Hendricks property. That will put it far enough away from the Casino.

So, the people of La Grange are going to have to pay $3 million to $5 million over ten years to protect the Casino and now they are expected to pay another $1.5 million to move a perfectly good sewer plant. Go figure.

La Grange hits St. Louis paper "again" CLICK HERE

The Youth Center
 is going to be presented with a check for the building fund on Thursday, June 28, at 1:00 p.m. 
at the building site.  The public is invited to attend.  Please bring lawn chairs.  
Anyone interested in making a donation to the youth center building fund, may send it to, 
La Grange Community Youth Center, P.O.  Box 381, La Grange, Missouri.  
The Youth Center can use building material donations also.

Well, let's pretend that you and another person have an accident here in town. Will the Gestapo not ticket anyone? NO, someone needs a ticket. "see the article where a car hit a guy on rte C".  Will you be asked to do the drunk test? Most definitely. Yet, the bald rabbit was not asked to take the drunk test and got away without a ticket. Never would have happened to a citizen. Cops protect Cops.

Rumor has it that the bald rabbit was being chauffeured around town Saturday for drivers training. But, today, the rabbit is out in full force. Stop here. Stop there. Stop everywhere. 

Take a look at the article that is in the St. Louis paper today. You can be sure, he didn't drive to La Grange to write that article. Someone must have called him on the phone and gave him the article. Could it be 47 years, 2 months, 1 week, 3 days, 4 hours and 22 minutes. Maybe he could have asked the LRO lady where all the money is. Or even the Project Brighter Future money, or the 1993 Flood Relief money, or who is going to pay for the new truck. 

June 24, 2001

WOW!. I did not know that there were that many people in town who had computers. I took Sat and Sun off to do yard work and here this afternoon I find my email box full. There are a lot of pissed off people who want to know how a (blank blank) police chief thinks that he can get Tim Rossiter kicked off the Council.  I don't know, but even these emailers are ready to take action against any Councilman that votes to oust Councilman Rossiter. Many want to know why the Chief just doesn't get it and leave. Some want to start a petition to get the Mayor and Council to fire the Chief. A couple wanted to start a petition to oust Roger (duh) Sherwood for wanting to vote to oust Councilman Rossiter. All I can say is these people are pissed.

You have to understand. My buddy the chief has screwed up things so bad with the police department that everyone is afraid to talk, everyone is paranoid, and no one knows what to do. He has now got everyone in town wanting him to just leave. But he can't. He has burned all his bridges. He is afraid to quit. Where will he work? There will be no place else to go. There will be no other law enforcement jobs anywhere available to him. He's stuck here and La Grange is stuck with him.  The Mayor doesn't have the guts to fire him. Some of the Council are too stupid to see the damage done to the town, so they won't take the right step. Roger (duh) Sherwood definitely won't vote to fire him as he needs the protection to get home from the Double G on Saturday afternoons. So, the people of La Grange are stuck. And as my buddy the chief says, "enough is enough", but the Mayor wants the people to endure more. 184 voters are tickled to death. 

June 23 2001

Art Junkerman died today at age 72
He will be missed at the coffee shop in the mornings

June 22, 2001

CRASH BANG CAR #3

Today around noon it seems the training wheels fell off the police cruiser driven by the Bald Rabbit. Here is a picture of the police car CLICK HERE.  I talked to Randy Holder which was who the one the Bald Rabbit pulled out in front of and he said that my buddy the chief was crying. "Why did you have to hit one of MY cars". Randy, being a good driver did an excellent job of stopping his car with such little notice that the damage was minimal to his car. CLICK HERE. 

It also seems that the Mayor in order to play more dirty pool is now holding a police committee meeting on Tuesday Afternoon, knowing that certain Councilmen have to work for a living at that time. Even though that call meetings are supposed to be for only specified items, the Mayor is trying to circumvent that law by adding the line (and any other business brought to the council). That's a nono. 

June 21, 2001

In relation to the Police Chief wanting the other Council members to remove Councilman Rossiter, (in which Roger (duh) Sherwood was ready to pounce to make the motion the other night), I have reviewed the City Charter and found that the Council needs two-thirds of the members to expel and member. That means that four of the six members need to vote to oust a member. Now, I am sure that the, lower-the-bar City Attorney will try to change that to 2/3rds of the members not being expelled, even though the exact wording is 2/3rds of THE MEMBERS of the Council. But, the worst thing about al of this is the fact that the Police Chief violated the State of Missouri no smoking law, refuses to stop taking the police car home and other problems, has seemingly ordered the Council members to oust Tim Rossiter for doing his job as Councilman by saying Rossiter is harassing him. It is hard to believe that any Council member would bow down to an employee, but stranger things has happened in La Grange. 

It seems that some of these Council members and Mayor want to selectively pick and choose which parts of the City Charter and Ordinances they want to enforce and waive away others that do not fit their agenda. I do know that if the Mayor and some Council members go through with the removal of Councilman Rossiter that the following will happen. One a lawsuit will follow immediately and Councilman Rossiter will be re-elected again. Also a petition to remove a North Ward Councilman that votes for the removal of Councilman Rossiter will be presented for his removal and if not done a lawsuit will be presented.

This Mayor and Council should not be even looking at removal of a Councilman doing what his constituents demand that he do and looking at removing the continuous problem that has brought this where it is at now. How many years has this problem been brought up. This has been a continuous problem and will always be a problem as long as the Mayor and Council REFUSE to do something about it. To waive a City Ordinance to benefit one person is stupid and not right or fair to other employees, and should not be tolerated by anyone.  Two new councilmen next year may be what it takes to remove the problem. Sooner or later, this problem will be removed.  

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL HAVE IT'S ANNUAL

4th of July Chicken BBQ.

Here is a letter from Jenny Murphy Reid to Workers and their work schedule. CLICK HERE

NOTICE!
As we all know, the new Casino will be having its grand opening in a few weeks. In order to prepare our Mayor for this grand occasion, some concerned citizens have sent emails asking me to coordinate donations to buy some new clothes, find a barber to give him a hair cut and a shave. They just don't want anymore people around the area laughing at the City.

June 18, 2001

Is the City broke? Are employees worried about their paychecks? Why doesn't the City have enough money to buy (1) load of rock or (1) load of patching? How far in debt is the City to the Gambling Boat? $100,000?  $200,000? $300,000? $400,000? More than that? You can't believe how much?

More on last nights meeting.

One of the things I missed mentioning was that my buddy the Chief came over close to me so that my digital camera could voice record what he had to say. The last time the Chief wanted to impeach the Councilman, they found overwhelming support at the meeting. Let's see if the Mayor and the Chief will let the people know this time. The last time they gave a lot of know nothings. Go ahead Mayor and Chief.  Get Roger (DUH) Sherwood to make the motion to impeach Rossiter. The middle ward will just vote him back in. I already have made 40 phone calls and am assured of 60 votes. Rossiter has just been doing what the Mayor was elected to do. Do what the people want. Because of that, Rossiter will be voted back in. let's see if the Mayor has the nerve to resign if he gets Rossiter impeached and just see if he gets back in as Mayor. 

Next, I want to bring up another item that an emailer noticed. In the letter mentioned above from Jenny Murphy to Chamber members, you will notice that she patted the back of all her pet projects and well herself, but never said one word about the organization doing the most for YOUR children. The YOUTH CENTER. There are more people happy about the success of the Youth Center than the Casino coming to town.

I attended the Council Meeting tonight to see who was going to fired and who was to be hired. But, they went into closed session and won't let it out till they inform the ex employee or the new employee. But, in the open session, the Council voted to allow the street super to be hired out to Canton to see him screw their streets up as bad as ours for $60.00 an hour. The Mayor then promptly signed his name in the wrong place and the City Clerk had to use whiteout to correct his mistake. Those 184 voters are just tickled to death. 

Once they went back to open session, the Police Chief brought the hammer down on Councilman Rossiter with accusations after accusations. Twice the Police Chief asked the Council to vote Tim Rossiter off the Council. It seems the Chief was pissed that Tim Rossiter at the last Council meeting said. "that since the chief has been on vacation, his phone hasn't been ringing off the hook by people calling to bitch about the police department." That was considered a "Personal Attack against the Chief". The Chief also wanted the talk about him living outside the City to stop and the talk about him driving the newest police car home to stop. "enough is enough" Then he asked the Council for the second time to oust Tim Rossiter as Councilman. the Chief kept stating, "enough is enough". The chief stated that no one wants to write tickets anymore because of the hassle. But, in the email from Officer Arp, the statement was made that they were just waiting till later and then burn everyone in town with a ticket. So, who do you believe, the Chief or the indian.

The Chief also accused Councilman Rossiter as threatening him and the word blackmail came out. I think that was said earlier by the Mayor and just repeated by the chief. It looked like Councilman Henderson was taking up for Councilman Rossiter, but then he was attacked also.

Poor Councilman Sherwood, he still cannot read the City Charter yet. He stated that he reflects the Chiefs views.  He still thinks it is ok for the Police Chief and the Fire Chief can live outside the City limits. First, he is backing the Chief and then in the next breath he was worried about the liability if the Chief wrecks the police car and kills someone coming to town at a high rate of speed.  Makes you wonder how he makes it to work and home again. Well, I guess someone tells him which way to go.

Then it was brought up about the smoking in a public building which is against State Law. The Mayor said that he thought it was better to allow the dispatchers to smoke instead of leaving the police radio to go outside and smoke. Sam Henderson kept repeating over and over again that it is against the law. And he said, the Council voted at an earlier Council meeting to stop smoking in City Hall. Finally, the Chief said he would stop the smoking in the police area. HAHA, I'll bet. And the City attorney sat there and nodded his head. I couldn't make out if he was nodding to yes or nodding to no.

The people of La Grange should attend some of these Council Meetings, it is as good as watching Archie Bunker.

June 17, 2001

Yesterday was a bad day for Wayne, Deb and Ronnie. I am told that he has had a terrible heart attack and is in Blessing Hospital. And then there was an ambulance call to Jim Cottrell's place yesterday afternoon. We hope that it wasn't serious.

They new La Grange Community Youth Center building is going nicely. Here is a picture of how much is done this week. I didn't get to show that most of the roof is on too.  CLICK HERE.  

The new Casino has a huge sign on the river side of the building now and the parking lots that were under water are being repaved again. CLICK HERE to see the new sign.  CLICK HERE to see the paving work.

SAY A PRAYER TODAY FOR WAYNE MAPLES SON-IN-LAW

Ronnie Meyers.

June 15, 2001

Sam Bradshaw, son of Bob and Mildred, will inflate his hot air balloon in the old school parking lot this weekend. So if you have nothing to do, stop by and see it. And the new Youth Center building is going up rather quickly. Get your donations in before it's too late.

I saw my buddy the Chief today. Looked like he was on duty too.

Looks like a huge sign is going up on the side of the new casino. 

June 14, 2001

Today, a reporter for KHQA stopped by to ask questions. According to her (Lauren Sydenstricker), the Mayor told her that the City already repealed the Ordinances regarding illegal gambling and dancing. I just showed her the Ordinances in the City Code book which she videoed and used on the 6 o'clock news. After she saw the Ordinances, she called a Kevin and asked him to repeat that the Ordinances were already repealed and the story changed that they will be repealed. Right, it should have been done 8 years ago. 

I don't know, but if I was putting in this casino, right now I would be one pissed off person. Here they are ready to open tomorrow and find out that this Mayor and Martini and Weasel had all these years to prepare the City laws and just when they are ready to open the door, they have to wait another month. Let's see now, according to these people, they are losing 12,000 people a week who would have lost to the casino an average of $60.00 each times four weeks. That comes to about $2.8 Million dollar loss. 184 people have to be so proud. I'll bet they are just tickled to death to have such an intelligent Mayor. A mayor who waits to see what is on the Gossip Page to decide what he will do next.

The Press News Journal listed in the Lewis County Court News a Bev Rockhold. Makes a person wonder why she didn't use her maiden name. I guess ten days in jail made the memory loss.

An emailer said they were coming into town the other night, on their way to Canton. It seems that they were immediately followed very closely by the bald rabbit. Instead of stopping and doing business in town, they went on to Canton. 184 people have to be so proud. I know my buddy, the chief is tickled to death.   

June 13, 2001

Rumor has it that my buddy the Chief was riding around on his cycle and stopped a person and told him "TO GET OUT OF HIS TOWN". Did La Grange change its name to Bakertown? When did my buddy move to La Grange? Does the Mayor know he lives in Bakertown? 

Rumor also has it that a person went into Wal-Mart and bought 6 batteries for his radio. An officer of the law saw the man buy ONLY 6 LITHIUM batteries and nothing else and followed the man. Once the officer had enough backup, the man was stopped "for a crack in his windshield" and was asked to search his car. They found the 6 LITHIUM batteries and also a can of ether the man bought to start his diesel bulldozer. He was then arrested for possession of drug chemicals. So folks, beware of what you buy and how much of it you do buy. You could be a drug dealer and not know it. 

The Youth Center Building is coming along nicely. It is going to be a good looking building. Here is another shot of progress today CLICK HERE.   Also, as you drive around town, you will notice that the Casino has now put up a new sign at one of the entrances. CLICK HERE.  Now, when visitors come to La Grange to se the "Gambling Boat", they won't be going down to the river.

I guess me and the group left the Council meeting too soon. Well, I was there when my buddy, the chief, got hopping mad and stormed out of the Council Meeting after hearing that Larry Penn was doing such an excellent job of acting chief. It was rumored that if the chief didn't stop spinning his tires on his personal truck, that he might get a ticket.

A good police committee should take a very close look at those tantrums. It may come to a point where they might cause the City and the Council a lot of grief and maybe a lawsuit. 

Now get this. This is the joke of the day, the week, and the month. The City Council of the City of La Grange is negotiating with the City of Canton to send the Street Super and the paver to Canton to do their streets. Hello, is anyone home in Canton? Has anyone in Canton taken a ride around La Grange? Who will they get to do the corners? Who will they get to extend the asphalt to the edge of the street? Canton does have plenty of places to get coffee and other stuff. This really has to be a joke. Isn't it?

Has anyone seen the Chamber of Commerce new Directory? Count the spelling mistakes. It looks like the Chamber is going to have a 4th of July Chicken barbque. They are looking for volunteers to help. If you are interested, call Mrs. Jerry Reid at 655-4739. They are going to raffle off a nice glider swing or a large bag of fireworks from Dave's Wholesale Fireworks in Canton. $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. there will also be a parade which will start at the Foundry and end at the Casino. And there will also be bingo games. You need to donate prize money for that too.

Finally, on June 19th, the La Grange Chamber is inviting the Canton Chamber to meet and listen to the Highway Patrol talk about the Casino.

And there is a rumor of a Twin Rivers Motel going up on the North end of town. 

More later.

June 12, 2001

Well, I went to a Council Meeting last night. The next time I will take my coffee with me to stay awake. The City Attorney looked like we was falling asleep a few times. I am not sure whether the Mayor didn't know what was going to be brought up next or was a slow reader, but he sure couldn't get the ball rolling. Jaime Shepard spoke to the Council about the unwarranted actions and accusations by Officer Arp and another officer. I agree, if anyone else, somewhere else called another person a faggot and a child molester in public the LAW would have charged the man with a hate crime. But, I will have to agree with Councilman Rossiter, the new police committee is working very well on improving the police department, (over the Chiefs whining and objections). And, the new acting Chief Larry Penn has done an excellent job of providing police protection instead of police harassment. Councilman Rossiter asked Jamie to give the new police committee till next council meeting next month to resolve the problem. 

Personally, I believe that the only solution is that the Council make three vacancies, and make Penn the Chief. That would seem to eliminate the problems in a hurry.

The Fire Department was there as usual asking for "MORE MONEY" for "MORE STUFF". A $2500 software program. Either no one will know how to work it or it took a lot of programming to make it simple. Which comes to the question of, "are all police and firemen above the law"???  CLICK HERE and see the fire chief parked in a no parking zone. Remember this if you are ever arrested. The chief and two indians saw the vehicle and no arrest was made.

I thought that the old 49 model fire truck belonged to the Rural Fire Department. Yet, last night the Fire Chief was given to ok to auction it off. To SPEND THE MONEY.

Along with the Mayor not knowing anything about anything in regards to Jamies complaint last night, the Mayor cannot understand and didn't know why the City Council of years ago made Gambling illegal and dancing where alcohol was sold illegal. He thinks those Ordinances were typos. DUH!. 184 people have to be so proud. The City Attorney was tickled to death or asleep. 

Andy Ayers came to Council to se if the Alley east of his property could be vacated. He stated he had a registered engineer survey his property and found the alley mostly on his property and whereas, Ayers Oil Company owns the other side and didn't need the access, he would like it vacated. Even though the Mayor who is renting the Ayers property would get more property, he objected. The Mayor made another grand statement. "I don't trust any surveyor's survey". "If you get two surveyors, they will come up with two different surveys". And our illustrious City Attorney woke up and agreed with the Mayor. Well. Gollie!

And, Jim Vaughn cam to the Council to see if his alley could be closed.

More Council action came later after the break, but most of us left. A few thought they were in church and had to be woke up.

June 11, 2001

Rumor has it that the group planning a big protest at City hall tonight has put it off. Seems that reason is the Chief has decided that he would be on vacation. But, as long as the second in command is in command, and things are going along quietly, I see no reason for the protest either. Let's set back and wait to see if the harassing starts all over again when the Chief gets back.

In fact, the town itself is starting to be looking pretty good again. People are out and about now that were once afraid to drive around.

June 9, 2001

Well, our morning coffee house was full of talk this week. Ole' Ed Dickerson was back in town to visit for awhile and stopped in a few mornings. And today, I got to see an old classmate Jack Johnson. He had out of State plates like Ed, so everyone with a scanner will know all about them after awhile.

The New La Grange Community Youth Center is going up very quickly. This has been a grass roots effort from the word go. Betty Bronstine has been soliciting funds, labor, material, equipment, and anything else she can get donated to make this story a success. This new building being built next to the City park is a great idea. If you have any extra change, tax refund, or anything else you could donate to the Youth Center, there is nowhere else you can donate and see the results like this. Here are a few photos of the construction.  CLICK HERE - CLICK HERE - CLICK HERE - CLICK HERE - CLICK HERE

Also, drive by the funeral home. Mr. Davis is constantly making improvements to that area. It looks like he built a new building, but actually just rehabbed that old building. It looks great.

Now, everyone thinks that the Foundry is the largest employer in town, but for the last couple of weeks, by the looks of contractors putting on new roofs, the insurance companies are the largest. At least for awhile. It looks like every other house in town is being reroofed. Some are being done professionally, and a few are - shall we say - being reroofed with some of the cheapest stuff ever sold. Some are being done completely in a couple of days, and some are taking a few weeks longer. 

Rumor has it that an elderly lady had just cashed her SS check and went into a local business and forgot and left her purse there. After she got home she realized she left her purse and went back to get it and found it in the street with all her money gone. Surprisingly, no one in the business can remember anything. 

The Chamber of Commerce sent out their new little bitty Chamber Directory. Some members were told that they had to pay Corporation dues to get their name in the directory, but we now find that citizens names are included for their little $5.00 membership fee. But, no one, outside of those members sent the directory will ever see it. I guess that is all the better, one would hate for the world to see the business members listing with all the misspelled words.

Notice, we now have repeat readers from 28 states.

June 6, 2001

Boy, are things quiet at the LAPD. No info at all coming out. Has anyone noticed that since Mr. Penn has been in charge, that there are no police cars following you around? This is GREAT! This is how the LAPD should be. Protecting the people instead of harassing them. Maybe the Chief could take an extended vacation.

If you will drive up by the City park, you will notice that the new Youth Center building is going up. The steel workers started yesterday and have some of the steel frame up.

Let's see now, It is already June and has anyone seen the street commissioner? The pot holes are still there, no streets are being prepped for a new surface. Not even ditches are being cleaned. What's the deal? Is any work ever going to be done on the streets? Is the Super on another paid to ride around vacation?

Coming soon, Mr. Curtis Farr has graciously allowed me to scan some old glass negatives from the 1800's. I am making a separate web page for them. You have got to see these.

June 4, 2001

WOW! The Mayor of La Grange made FRONT PAGE NEWS in the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Those 184 voters have to be so proud, the gambling boat group are just tickled to death. Let's see now. Here are some quotes from the article. "La Grange sees no need to share" "Lewis County voters rejected the Casino" "Many from the County made fun of la Grange" "Now they are sticking their hand out" "The Mayor is sick of it" "There won't be any crime increase" "the City will just Marion County". To put it simply, the Mayor of La Grange is just saying it plainly, "Screw you Lewis County." "Na na na na na naaa" To see the whole article CLICK HERE 

I just wonder how the Lewis County Sheriff can expect a $30,000 part of the income from the $1,800,000.00 plus $200,000 per year income when the Mayor and Council won't let their own people have a $40,000.00 per year tax relief.

WGEM news is talking about the police. 

June 1, 2001

Took a couple of days off and went to St. Louis. Found out some things. First, my U. S. Cellular, cell phone went to roam just outside of Hannibal and stayed that way all the way to St. Louis and back. Another thing interesting is that Interstate 70 will be under construction until hell freezes over. And, when a lane is being blocked, drivers from St. Louis will continue to try to merge even after they run over a bunch of those red cones. Finally, Red Lobster has a huge lobster tail called Rockzilla. Great food. Another great place for steaks is Tuckers in Sulard. As always, I pick up newspapers everywhere I go. I read two or three a day normally, but I found that even St. Louis has people upset with police practices and citizen police tensions are as high as they are here. The Mayor there is establishing a Special Citizens review/Advisory Board. Maybe the Mayor of La Grange might want to do the same to keep him from hiding in his office every time someone comes in City Hall to pay a bill.

I also received an email from a police chief and one from a supporter of the Mayor. He even had the nerve to say he voted for the Mayor. 

Rumor has it that my buddy the Chief is going on vacation for a couple of weeks. Maybe that will leave a good man as chief. I keep getting more rumors about a hot Council Meeting Monday night. Maybe the Mayor will this time allow the people to speak and hear what the people want to say. Didn't we read a mailing just before the last two Mayoral elections about how OPEN and RECEPTIVE the Mayor was??