THE GOSSIP PAGE The City of La Grange

THE GOSSIP PAGE
The City of La Grange's first Electronic News
Jerry Brandt jbrandt@gte.net editor Since "1999"

LaGrange Lions' Club
IF YOU DID NOT GET THERE EARLY!

Starting at 6 am the parking lot and street was full and didn't quit.

And the tables were full

La Grange Community Youth Center
a place for kids where people care

Dear Friends,

This year the La Grange Community Youth Center celebrates 13 years of making a difference in the lives of our young people of Lewis County and the surrounding area. We have continued to offer them safe, supervised activities, enrichment classes, drug and alcohol education, tutoring, - and so much more.

Many of you have shown a interest as to what is going to happen to the youth center, because my husband and I have moved to Washington, Iowa. Nothing is going to happen to it. It is going to survive and be just fine. We have new officers that are interested in the center and will do their very best to keep it in operation. They are; President, Deri Bowman, Vice President, Dennis Boden, Secretary, Linda Brandt, and Treasure, Theresa Gunsal. Please give them you complete help and support.

This month, the La Grange Community Youth Center begins its Annual Fund drive to raise money to pay for our annual operating expenses. To pay the electric, gas, insurance, phone, maintenance, etc., we must raise $10,000. Remember that all the supervisors and those that work at the center are volunteers. That is the reason the center can be operated on so little. The new 5000 square foot youth center building is debt free.

Won't you give to this year's Annual Fund Drive so the Youth Center can continue to provide the guidance and support that will help our kids in the area. Don't ask what are THEY going to do, ask yourself, what can I do to help. Come visit us at any time, or visit us on our web-site at http://lagrangeyouthcenter.stormpages.com.

Sincerely Yours Betty Bronestine - 573-655-4587

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE CLICK HERE Old Books for sale CLICK HERE

Do want to know more than what is being put on the gossip page. Send an email to LSC@socket.net to be put on "the list".

THE LA GRANGE COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER

OPEN HOUSE AND ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

FEBRUARY 9, from 1pm to 3pm

New viruses for January 2003 CLICK HERE

To drink or not to drink?
Pepsi has a new patriotic can coming out with pictures of the Empire State Building and the Pledge of Allegiance on them.
But Pepsi forgot two little words on the pledge, "Under God."

Pepsi said they did not want to offend anyone. If this is true then we do not want to offend anyone at the Pepsi corporate
office. If we do not buy any Pepsi products then they will not receive any of our monies. Our money, after all, does have
the words "Under God" on it.

If you agree with this policy, please pass this word to everyone you know. Pepsi doesn't have the right to rewrite the Pledge Of
Allegiance!!

Say a Prayer for Paul Guilfoyle

I HEAR THAT PAUL'S OPERATION CAME OUT PRETTY WELL TODAY Monday Feb 03rd

Say a prayer for ROBERT L. ELLISON

Loma Swearingen is in Hannibal Regional Hospital, with
congestive heart failure. Say a prayer today.

The last time the State of Missouri wanted to raise boarding fees to a casino. Mr. Grace Said
"if the State raises the rate one dime I will close all my casinos in Missouri"
Will his words ring true? Or was it a bluff?

Since I get some email from around the Country from people who used to live here asking different questions, I thought there were some here in town that need a question answered. About the City, the police, the net, viruses, computer problems, ect. So email your questions and we will post them. Also, send info on someone who is in the hospital, or in the service, or just away from here you want them to see.

Read This CLICK HERE

To see the past Gossip Pages CLICK HERE

CITY ELECTION

RUNNERS FOR MAYOR
Steven K. Griesbaum
Jerry Brandt
Timothy Rossiter

RUNNERS FOR NORTH WARD
Ronald Powers
Michael L. Lowe

RUNNERS FOR MIDDLE WARD
Richard J. Loomis
Albert A. Slater
Rita L. Farr-Cox

RUNNERS FOR SOUTH WARD
Sammy E. Henderson

CITY MARSHALL
Delbert G. Murphy

This is going to be an interesting election. First off we will see how the City Administrator picks the date of the election. Article II section 2 says that the election will be on the third Tuesday of the month of April. BUT, in 1938, the City Council changed the election date to be the FIRST Tuesday after the THIRD Monday of April. So, will the election be held by the Charter or the Ordinance. Those two days are in different weeks. Do you know which day is the right date? After this posting, I suspect that there will be several phone calls to the State to ask.

Even though I was downtown first, in the door first, completed my papers first and signed the book first. The City will put Steve Griesbaum as the first name on the ballot. It has already started. The slight of hand.

I just today found out that Andy Slater signed up to run for Middle ward Councilman. As I say, this will be an interesting election. Who are you going to vote for? Someone who votes for themselves or someone who votes for you? Do you know which one is which? Do you want to know? Send me an email and I will tell you.

Pictures of the New City Hall at the Open House today. CLICK HERE

Pictures of all the people helping at the Youth Center on Work Day Jan 26, 2003 CLICK HERE

COUNCIL MEETINGS are February 10th and Feb 24 at 7pm

City Halls new drive up box to pay water bills is open

Notice of Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the LaGrange Community Fire Association, INC, will be held at City Hall on Feb 17th at 7pm for the purpose of electing one member to the board of directors for a 2 year term. Discussions will also be held regarding the City and operations of the Fire Department and any other matters that is wanted to talk about.

The annuals DUES of $40.00 per member is payable to the City. If you can't attend you are requested to send a proxy.

The undersigned does hereby appoint JOHN SCHAFFER as and for my true and LAWFUL ATTORNEY in fact for the purpose of voting upon the election of one director for a two year term. Sign here.

The Press News Journal reports that the Lewis County Sheriff's department (and PA) are going to ask you to vote for a 1/4 cent sales tax so they can SPEND MORE MONEY.

The Lewis County C-1 is going to ask you for a bunch of taxes so they can spend four times as much money for a new building rather than upgrade the existing building. Why repair it when you can buy new every year? Throw it away.

Rumor has it that a special council meeting will be called Monday in regards to actions by the new City Administrator. Will he be given a verbal or written reprimand? From what I hear, he got irate over s small pile of snow. Less than a wheel barrow full.

Picture of a black squirrel click here

February 2, 2003

Rumor has it that some people have learned the hard way. The biscuits and gravy at Wilma's is 100% better than the Clemens. And a lot cheaper.

And now for a couple of emails I have received.

Jerry...a comment from outside LaGrange...from outside Missouri...from outside the US...a comment from
Canada. Is La Grange "typical" of small towns in the USA? I mean do most small towns convene a Council
Meeting because a City employee (City Administrator) gets pissed about a wheelbarrow-load of snow? Please
tell me this isn't true! I mean isn't there some kind of medical help available for councillors and city bureaucrats
who get stressed by little snowpiles and snowmen and little white flakes (ok, ok...Sewer Lagoon, Pave My Face
(Drive) For Free and the gang of council hangers-ons and no-minds in the police department raise the concept
of "flake" to an art form), but there must be help for the poor dears? I'm losing faith in America! At one time I
saw potential in La Grange for a prime time sitcom on life in mid-America. La Grange is a gas!!!!! But its gone
too far. No viewer would believe the bullshit now....its would be unreality TV!

Here is one from La Belle

Jerry,

I really enjoy reading your LaGrange Gossip Page. This is the first time that I've e-mailed you, but I have a little gossip of my own on the little
city of LaBelle!
On December 23, 2002 the city employees Wayne Rudd and Keith Strange installed a water meter at my new residence. They put it and turned the
water on and my husband checked the house for leaks. He also wrote down the reading on the meter, and so did the City employees.
Yesterday I received a call from our city clerk Karen Lasswell informing me of my water usage for the month. She informed me that we had used 47,400
gallons of water. She said this was quite a lot and that I must have a leak somewhere. I contacted my husband and he said we would have to find the
number he wrote down. Last night around 11:00 we finally found the paper my husband had written the reading on.
To our surprise the number my husband wrote down was not even close to what they had for the initial reading. They had 4270XX and my reading
yesterday was 474490. The number my husband wrote down was 472060. As you can tell it seems that someone has transposed the numbers. Their figure was
47400 gallons using the number they had, using the number my husband wrote down it would show we used 2,460 gallons.
He brought this to their attention and they said we would have to contact the Alderman and have them to decide who was right and who was wrong. The
city workers insist that they did not make a mistake, and they never have.
The City Clerk says we probably had a leak and fixed it. So in so many words they're calling us liars and dumb butts.
If we would have ran 47,400 gallons of water down the toilet, don't you think we would have noticed it. And if it ran on the ground, it would be
saturated. The Mayor says we have to go to the council meeting because he can't do anything. Everyone my husband and I have talked to have been in an
uproar at the obvious mistake someone made at City Hall, it's a $424 mistake that we have to pay for their neglect to keep accurate records of where
meters were pulled and what the readings were at that time.
My husband did some figures on the diameter of our water lines verses water pressure and viscosity and it averages about 3/4 to 1 gallon per
minute. If the water were to run full force through the lines at 3/4 gallons a minute it would be 32,400 and 43,200 if it ran a gallon a minute. That's
the max that could run through the small diameter pipes we have on our mobile home. Also, our pipes were frozen for four different times where we
had no water in the house. If the water was leaking so bad it would have not have froze. Oh well, we are the crazy ones that don't know anything.
So, we will be going to the City Council Meeting on February 10 at 6:00 p.m. and in the mean time telling as many people as possible and trying to
get them to attend.
P.S. Thanks for having a web page for those of us that need to blow off a little steam!

La Grange isn't the only town with people who don't care.

FEBRUARY 1, 2003

SAY A PRAYER FOR THE ASTRONAUTS

I called down to the police station to see if they had placed the flags of the City at half mast. I was told that it was up to the administration and they weren't interested.

If you didn't get your order in for sausage at the Lions Club, they sold out by 8am. By the way the people were coming in the doors all morning, I won't be surprised if they don't run out before noon.

January 30. 2003

ANOTHER SCAM:: A person here in town received a post card from a company called NPMC of Clearwater Florida. with GOOD NEWS. Their call back number is 800 745 5757. This is a fraud scam to sell magazines at many times their cost.

Rumor has it that the Street Super was written up today by the New One for a stupid matter. So far, the New One has filed verbal reprimands and written reprimands on almost all the city employees. YET, he not issued ONE verbal reprimand to any police officer. Could it be because of fantasy football?? Do we play favorites?

January 29. 2003

I put up to say a prayer for Paul Guilfoyle again as I had a chance to visit him yesterday while my wife was getting her carpal thing done on both hands. He has a long way to go to get better and really needs prayers. He was in intensive care and he was on the second floor where my wife was and while wandering around I found his room and stopped to visit.

Now, this part is to alert you to some scams going around, two are with the phone companies.

SCAMS!

If you receive a check from a company called SIMPLE.NET, DO NOT CASH it, tear it up. If you cash or deposit the check, it will cost you $16.95 per month for interest service that you can't get here. AND, it is higher than Socket.net.

If you get your local service billing from CenturyTel. WATCH OUT!. Some people and business in town have just recently discovered that on the BACK of one of the bills is billing for internet access you can't get here. The scam billing is from a company called ESBI. If you call CenturyTel to complain, they will blow you off and tell you to call the 888 number on the back of the telephone bill. That number has only one operator for ten thousand calls.

RUMORS! Can you find the salt and pepper shakers?

The rumor about the person that drives an old red truck and supposedly been collecting salt and pepper shakers at the Bird Nest in Canton has drawn several emails and calls wanting to know who it is. One unidentified customer of the Bird nest that does appraisals has been known to spread these rumors. A part time contractor and a part time grass cutter seem to be in on the rumors. If you see this red truck that runs up and down 81 in the mornings, you night stop it and ask to search for those salt and pepper shakers. The owner of the Bird Nest has indicated a small token of a reward for anyone talking the red truck driver out of one of those shakers. Remember, all of this is strictly rumor, the Bird Nest and the Gossip page will disavow anyone taking any of this seriously.

January 28, 2003

There was a council meeting last evening. The new One did not present any new business to the Council except that he found a couple of workshops and seminars for the council to pay him to go to. Even those were again poorly documented so the council could make a rational decision.

The sign up date for the election has ended and the race is on. The contestants have did a 180 in doing business at the council meetings now.

The bids were opened for the used computer and office equipment and there were two bids. One person/company bid on each item separately and one person bid on the items as a whole on behalf of the La Grange Community Youth Center. Whereas, the bid spread wasn't much and the bids themselves were very little the Council voted to take the lower bid as it would be a benefit to the community and the Youth Center.

Then the bids for the old police car, a 95 ford, that has had the wiring screwed up. They had one low bid and another bid from a police officer for $350.00. It was figured that the cost to repair the car if no computer stuff was involved to be about another $300. So, now the council decided to keep the car and see if they can get someone to fix it. I would have sold it to the police officer.

I was also informed after the council meeting that the rumor of the police chief meeting Alex at the casino is wrong. So, if the person who called wants to restate his claim, he should do so.

The council was presented with some paper work on insurance for the volunteer fireman and again the new one failed to provide all the info needed for the council to make a decision. What does the City Administrator do all month besides beating up on the city crew??

AND THEN. AND THEN!

The Lewis County Prosecutor sent a statement to the City Council regarding to the extreme increase in the county PA's work load BECAUSE of the casino. If you remember, the City gave DeCoster $25,000.00 and a police car to cover any increase in his work load. Now, here again, you can tell election date is near, as the Mayor and some council members made sure I had a lot of paperwork, including copies of the PA's letters and statement to post here.

According to the Lewis County Prosecutor, Jules (Jake) DeCoster, he has incurred these extraordinary expenses because of the Casino in the past year. Get ready now. His report showed (12), that is right. 12 cases is all he could contribute to the Casino, and even some of those are stretching it. Now, get this. Someone who broke into a soda machine at highland elementary school was stealing the quarters to use at the CASINO. A Chinese person was arrested on a California warrant and held for two weeks and the PA had to hire an interpreter because of the CASINO. A person passed some bad checks in the county because of the CASINO. And, someone committed forgery because of the CASINO. And a person was arrested in LaBelle for DUI or DWI because of the CASINO.

Now, I am no Ed HUSAR of the Quincy Rag, (champion of the Casino), but, this is getting ridiculous for the PA to try to pass normal cases off to say the Casino was the cause.

The PA showed additional expenses to be about $4,500 for the year. He was given $25,000, used $4,500 for these 12 cases and spent the other $20,500.00 on something else he wanted and now wants MORE MONEY from La Grange. How much should the City give the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney this year people?

January 26, 2003

Another great person of the City of La Grange passed away yesterday. Alice L. Hoyes. I know a lot of readers of this page across the Country will be saddened to hear this.

And then I noticed again in the Quincy Rag that Larry Ellison is still celebrating 35 years with the same woman. If you want to congratulate him or console Pat, you can do so Feb 2nd at the Notre Dame Catholic church From 1 to 3pm. Why I say again as I think I have seen the notice in every paper I read this past week. So far, I haven't seen it in the St. Louis Paper. (Just kidding Larry)

If you take the Quincy Rag, you will see that OLE Ed Husar (champion of the Casino) took his shot at me. But, anyone looking at those pictures of Tim and Steve and I will have to admit that mine looks more Mayoral like. I am glad that ole Ed didn't have a picture of me today. I like that one as I look a lot younger in it than I do now. Just take a look at those other two guys pictures, they don't look anything like a Mayor should look like. Do they?

Did you take a minute and look at the pictures of the New City Hall? It snowed again last night. At 4am I heard the Street Super getting out and by 7am, he had done all the streets in town by himself. What is going on? And then, at 6:30am the local Police car was at the old Imperial gas station trying to catch people going to church again. And on the police thing. I have had several emails from people wanting to know why so and so hasn't resigned yet from the LAPD. One emailer thought that a resignation would look a lot better on a resume than a firing and court battles. It took two years to get rid of one that battled it and now, no more police officer jobs.

Just how far does the police chief allow an officer to go in harassing someone? OK. Here is the story. A UPS driver made a mistake and delivered a package to the wrong address. The place he delivered it to was a vacant rental property. The owners of the vacant property came by later and cleaned up around the property and found an empty box with packing in it. The owner saved the box for future use. Later, a high ranking police officer came to the owners home and asked if they had found a box. They said yes and here it is.

Now, I ask you, what criminal would say "Oh yes, officer, I found this box". They gave the box to the officer who promptly said he was going to have it fingerprinted. DUH! What are going to do officer? Keep badgering these people hoping they will confess? Why have another meeting at the police station Monday at 10am? Are you ever going to read them their rights or keep on questioning them forever? UPS has insurance on their shipments for accidents like this. They have already or will pay for the small loss. It is done hundreds of times every day. What makes this one so special? Is it because of a City Employees being a sister? Do you have a thing for these people because they can't afford a lawyer? Just because one dumb City attorney got away with filing unsubstantiated charges before doesn't mean the new City Attorney is just as dumb.

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Who was that masked man? The one who cornered the City Administrator today at City hall and went off on him about the snow allover the City sidewalks.

January 25, 2003

It looks like an officer of the LAPD just will do anything to make his day. The continuous harassment of a local over a stupid dumb thing a UPS driver did is bringing absurdity to the word dumb. Trial attorneys love people like that. But,

On the other hand it seems that Canton has decided to do the same dumb things our new one does. It seems a lot of Canton residents are upset about the unneeded Ordinance regarding firewood. I guess when you are rich and have a new home and new cars and all, you have the right to order other people not as well off as you to do things your way. I thought the Canton Mayor was pretty much level headed, but his firewood Ordinance shows a little differently.

One emailer sent an email about the Lewis County school's plan to RAISE YOUR TAXES. It seems there are a few "concerned citizens" who are forming an I see 1 organization to get out the vote for MORE TAXES. Well, this emailer said that the rest of us should start and organization called "I see none" for NO MORE TAXES.

Another emailer suggested that if the Sheriff of Lewis County needed more money to go ask Mike Waddle, or better yet, go ask Charlie Sharp to donate more money. Another suggested he go to the Casino and ask for the money. But, it doesn't seem right because of his mistakes the people of the County have to pay.

Are you going to the open house of the New City Hall today??

January 24, 2003

An emailer, apparently an insider, asked several questions. One question was why does the City pay for additional training for police officers?? Were not they supposed to be trained BEFORE the City hired them?? And, what kind of training does it take to ride around town and harass someone?? Is there a special way to do it???

Another question was asked why the New City Administrator is spending some much and he means a lot of time on caring for dogs and cats caught and placed in a kennel?? He also wants to know what the New City Administrator is up to regarding a NEW ORDINANCE that will more criminals of the people of La Grange regarding his new ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE?

Rumor has it that Alex Dixon was back in town again. Rumor also has it that he and the Police Chief Larry Penn had a secret meeting at the Casino yesterday. I am posting this today and this morning I have already received several emails. I can't put them on as they might lead back to the emailers and they will be harassed. But, here are some excerpts. 3 had this line "WHY ISN'T HE IN JAIL". 2 had a line like this. "IS HE GOING TO BE ANOTHER BAKER AND CAUSE YEARS OF PROBLEMS FOR THE CITY". Another 4 had a line like this. WHY DOESN'T HE JUST GO AWAY.

MORE? "Is he just going to let to run around town to rape someone else?", "This is such bullshit! This town has become a laughing stock". I had to delete a couple of the emails and scrub the drive to remove any trace of them as they had a lot of specifics about Dixon that I didn't want them to be revealed as to who and where, just in case. I didn't received one email or call or anyone talk to me that say they want Dixon back. At least Baker had a few dummies support him for awhile.

Here is a full email about the police department. On this matter, I have received several emails, including one from a casino goer from Iowa and 1 from one from Illinois. Most of the emails were about being harassed by the NEW officer.

I had an experience with the La Grange Police Department, or at least one of it's officers, that I'd like to share.

I think this officer is new. He seems like he's straight out of the military or something, at least that's
the impression I get of him. My problem with him is he is a little "Gun Ho" for our little town of La Grange.

Apparently he thinks its in his right to try to search anyone's vehicle, no matter what the reason he is
stopping you for. About a month or so ago he followed me on my way home from downtown (I live outside of
La Grange city limits). He followed me to the outside of city limits and then turned around. The next day
came his next opportunity and he stopped me claiming I made an illegal turn, even though there was no
street posting to justify his stop. He asked for my license and I gave it to him. He went back to his car to call
my license in and then on his return to the vehicle, he asked if he could search my car. I was surprised with
this and immediately said no, as I know my rights guaranteed me under the U.S. Constitution, even though I
had absolutely nothing to hide.

He then saw a white cigarette butt on my floor that had fallen out of the ashtray, still reaching for a justified
reason to search me. I promptly showed him it and said it was a cigarette. He then asked me again if he
could search my car and again I said no. I then questioned him on what he thought he was doing and why he
was doing it. He said he does this to everybody. I was amazed. I found this hard to believe. What's he think,
we're in New York City!

He then had the nerve to ask me a third time if he could search my car. How many times does he have to be
told no before it gets through his head that I am not going to have my rights stepped on?

I had enough of this. I said, "DD you have anything else because you are detaining me from going about my
business." He said no, and said I was free to go. No ticket. No warning. No nothing. Just his little authority
power trip with his attempt at violating my constitutional rights.

I ask myself. Is this the policy of the La Grange Police Department? I surely hope not because if it is, they
are on a path to some legal troubles. Are not the police supposed to be keepers of the peace or is it there
duty to go out of there way to find trouble and hassle people, people who's taxes go to pay their salaries.
Who are they representing anyways?

I just wanted to share this experience with you and maybe you will share it with your readers. I prefer to
remain anonymous because I'm certainly not looking for further harassment from our local keepers of the
peace. Thank you for your time.

Have a Great Day!
A Concerned Citizen

To the people reading this page.

DO NOT - DO NOT - ALLOW ANY OFFICER SEARCH YOUR CAR WITHOUT A SEARCH WARRANT.

If the officer asks more than one time. Report it to the MAYOR.

The only thing I can say at this time on Dixon is momma should find him another place to play. I am sure that the President of the NAACP could find something else for him to do as she has all these years.

January 23, 2003

Well, I have two things that the people are questioning and or pissed off about that is demanding attention now!

Number 1 is the snow still on the sidewalks downtown. Even the Police chief was seen this morning walking very carefully and slowly down the snow packed sidewalk to Casey's. Many emails and talk around town say that there are a lot of pissed off people about the NEW ONES Ordinance stopping Francis Ellison from cleaning the sidewalks downtown. Older people trying to get into the restaurant over the piles of snow and snow covered sidewalks are risking life and limb. Does the City Administrator care? NO! Just let them clean their own sidewalk.

Number 2: is about the fire chief continually raising the rural fire dues. It was $10.00 for years, then when tadpole got into "power" it went to $20.00 and now "some" are paying $40.00. And the rumor is that he wants to raise the dues again. WHY? Well, I am glad you asked. He thinks that if he raises the rural rates high enough they will be dumb enough to vote in a rural fire district where he can "RAISE TAXES". Rumor has it that more and more rural homeowner are not going to pay the high fees anymore and let their insurance pay the cost of the fire department to come to the fire. Compare the amount of money La Grange has spent on fire protection with any other fire district and you will find tadpole has outspent them all, hands down.

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If you get the Quincy Herald Whig, there is an article written by Ed Husar (the champion of the Casino) about the La Grange Community Youth Center. Betty Bronestine got her picture in the paper too. It looked to me like he was trying to find a downside to Betty's stepping aside for others to run the Youth Center. But Ed shouldn't have to worry about the Youth Center, he should worry about the Casino closing. WELLLL! didn't Bill say in the paper that if the State added one dime to the fees, he would close all his casinos in Missouri???

There are some "Concerned Citizens" in the outer County forming a promotional campaign to pass MORE TAXES on us to build a new school. They close the best school in district and now they say the outer best school isn't good enough and it is CHEAPER to float a million dollar bond issue to build a NEW school rather than spend a couple hundred thousand to update the best school. There are a couple of good people running against Robert Reed boy Miller.

AND THEN, if your taxes aren't high enough, the Lewis County Sheriff's Department screwed up his budget and want you to do what?? PAY MORE TAXES for his screw up. It seems it so easy to spend other peoples money. Maybe if the Sheriff would distance himself from his buddy Waddle, his budget would be a whole lot better.

The petitioners for the AUDIT are going to have to wait a lot longer for the State to get itself together. I was told today that the Auditors won't present their modified findings until late February now.

Filing for the election has ended with. ME signing up for Mayor, the other two challengers will be Steveie Griesbaum and Timmy Rossiter. Mike Lowe is challenging Ron Powers for Councilman for the North Ward and Richard Loomis is running against Rita Cox for the middle Ward. Sammy Henderson can't find anyone to run against him. They all moved out. Delbert Murphy has signed up "again" for City marshall. Some one should check and see if has beat Matt Dillon for the longest term.

Not too many people know about a man named Jack Hendrickson. His family were here for years. Years ago. He was writing a book about the area and especially the islands and La Grange Islands and the people who used to live on them. Well, anyhow, he passed away from cancer the other day and I hear his book will be published.

I have been informed that the police going to Quincy for work being done were factory redo stuff instead of work the mechanic could do.

January 22, 2003

Good news and bad news. The good news is that Roger Tiemann is supposed to come home today. Rumor has it that he had a shunt or something like that stuck in him. The bad news is about Paul, rumor has it the operation yesterday didn't go well. And the rumor is it that Delbert is out of the hospital and is at a friends home to be carefully cared for.

It was noticed yesterday and this morning early that about a half dozen bank examiners are in town.

I keep getting hit with questions about the City Administrator. People are wanting to know why the City hired one person for big bucks to be a mechanic. Then hired another for big bucks as a mechanic. AND THEN, they want to know WHY the backhoe is being work on by Richard and the police cars are being taken to Quincy for work by a Councilman. They keep asking why the City is paying big bucks for mechanics and then have the work done somewhere else? Can't the city just hire a flunky to take equipment places to be worked on??

January 20, 2003

I keep getting on emails on two subjects. One is why the City is still paying a police officer not to work. Even other officers are concerned. The other emails are about the audit. When is the audit going to be public. Emails to the Auditors bring the response someday.

I have been getting a lot of emails about an officer in a red car that don't obey all the driving laws.

Then there is the wonder why? Why, the city has the backhoe to be worked on at Cottrells? One person wondered why they hired a councilman's son and pay him big bucks to be a mechanic and then move him to the street and pay him more than the other one who was there longer, AND then hire another person and pa him big bucks to be a mechanic to take the work to Cottrell.

I have got a lot of email complimenting the street super on plowing the snow as good as it was done and then taking it off the street. There has been some bickering because some people park their vehicles on the street and then complain because they get plowed in. Even the City Administrator left the city car in the street with the first snow and the crew had to plow around it.

If you are walking from the clinic to anywhere including the post office CLICK HERE to see what you had to walk through because of three councilpersons who didn't want the snow cleared for you for FREE. Steve Griesbaum, Elaine White, Sam Henderson.

Do you know any of these people in this picture? CLICK HERE

Notice: In regards to the Councilman who filed the assault charges against the Mayor, new information has come to light. The way I hear it is that the charges were filed around August or September LAST YEAR, and that the councilman has since then thought that the complaint that he filed was thrown out by DeCoster long ago. There is no apparent reason for the County PA to wait almost six months to now decide to do the paper work. Rumor has it the Councilman thought all was done and over and forgotten. Thanks to the County PA, old wounds have opened up again. Maybe without a complaining witness things will be dropped and all will end well.

There is the rumor going around Canton about some old man who lives out on 81 that keeps walking out of a restaurant in Canton with salt and pepper shakers in his pockets. This has been happening quite a lot lately.

January 17, 2003

Rumor has it that a certain Councilman (who is now running for Mayor) filed assault charges against the present Mayor to force him out of office. Does this sound like the antics of "pave my drive free" and "no prayer here"? Rumor has it that papers have been served and the Gossip Page can not see any reason for this action. Three months to a new election, the present Mayor has been on the good side of the Council. I guess like before, anything goes to be elected Mayor of La Grange.

Rumor has it that the City Crew decided to clean the streets yesterday afternoon instead of waiting until dark and freezing cold. It looks like they did a pretty good job, too bad the NEW ONE wasn't on the ball and had the police HELP remove cars that were in the way and have the other City employees help out. But, what do the people know? It takes a part college education to make those executive decisions.

The La Grange Community Youth Center is having its annual fund drive and open house on Sunday, February 9th from 1pm to 3pm. They really need the help this year to keep the youth center open and strong for the kids. It is now going on 13 years and has made a difference in the lives of several of the children of La Grange. It is a place that other Cities, even large ones like Quincy can dream about. The center offers yours - ours- and everyone's kids and grand-kids a SAFE, supervised place to go.

The center needs to raise about $10,000 to cover the electric - gas - insurance - phone - maintenance and other expenses. For more information about the youth center goto HTTP://lagrangeyouthcenter.stormpages.com.

For those of you who hate to cook breakfast and want to visit with other people early in the morning. Wilmas place next to Arnolds gas station has the best (excellent) biscuits and gravy every week day. The coffee is great too. They need the business. It's cheaper than the Casino! Well, that is until the Casino reads the Gossip page again and cuts their prices.

January 16, 2003

The new one has all the city\s money in short cds. Right now, banks are paying about a percent-and-a-half (1.5%) in interest. So you think you're earning money. But in reality, you're losing ground... inflation over the last 12 months has been two-and-a-quarter percent (2.25%). The money in the bank that is worth 1.5% more in a year can't buy you 1.5% more goods at the end of the year - it will actually buy you 0.75% fewer goods. How disconcerting is that?

I have to hand another to the Street Super on having the streets plowed before I got up at 5:30 this morning. And by one they had most of the streets cleared of any snow. I saw the crew cleaning snow at the new City Hall. The new one had them clean the snow to exactly the City property line on the sidewalk and quit. So the people who wanted to walk to the Library had to walk through deep snow most of the block.

Before, the Crew would start to clean a street, we had the police get the people who their cars parked on the street to move them. The new one told the crew to come back and clean the street at night when it is colder and you can't see as well. Talk about administrating a City? While the sun was shining, the police should have removed the cars and crew plow the snow out onto the bare warm concrete and pushed the bulk onto the vacant lots and haul some away. But, maybe the new one knows more about snow than everyone else.

January 14, 2003

Rumor has it today that Bob was taken to the hospital last night about chest pains. And, Paul Guilfoyle apparently fell out of a tree he was trimming and hurt his back. Ted Sturhaun is still wearing bandages from where a tree he was cutting fell on him and broke some bones near his shoulder.

January 13, 2003

The La Grange City Council Meeting. I told you so. All you have to do is go back to the past gossip pages and you will see that I was right then and now the engineers proved me right. They took a gamble that I was wrong and lost. The sewer plant is only running at 20% to 30% of its designed rating. The plant was rated for 300,000 gallons per day and no is only about 85,000 average. Just as I said it was. And the engineers also found that the aeration has been tampered with and or has been wrongly modified to cause bad readings. One other thing was that the leachate from BFI that "Pave my Drive Free" and "No Prayer Here" is one of the biggest problems with the sewer plant. The fast continuous dumpings have been screwing up the plants efficiency for a long time. AND no one on the Council, not the Mayor Pro-Tem Steve nor the New one knows what the contract says or how long it was for. One thing I didn't consider is how so much cooking grease is getting into the City sewer. The engineer said it was the highest level of concentration of grease he has seen in any sewer plant and it is really causing the plant to be more inefficient that it should be. It has caused the plant not to have any air bubbles for oxygen and no bacteria foam and is highly acid. The engineers won't say where it was coming from. Can you guess? All in all, Jeff Conte of Klingner's made an excellent video presentation of the sewer plant workings.

John Stiffey missed another Council meeting again. It seems more are missed than made. Someone needs to run in the middle ward that will attend the meetings. The Council voted to put another $100,000 in a six month CD. And, they want the City Clerk to get the best rate from 4 different banks. How much difference can you get from 2%. The new provided the Council with a report from Sullivan publications and didn't know what it was all about. He just sat there like a bump on a log. But, the New one did explain to the Council all about Arbor day and if you donate you get free little trees. Then the New One brought up about an agreement with Earthlink, but didn't have any information.

The Council voted on those two Ordinances to make you criminals tonight. Only Tim Rossiter and Ronnie Powers voted FOR the people of La Grange. Steve Griesbaum, Sam Henderson and Elaine White voted against you. And then, right after the voted to stop Frances from cleaning the sidewalks, they had a big discussion on even who was going to clean the sidewalk around the new city hall. I have a good idea. Why doesn't the new City Administrator do it? the Council didn't get any bids on some old office equipment and for the second time refused to donate it to the Youth Center.

Then there was this plastic bag with a dirty water filter in it provided by Jim Cottrell. It was said the water filtered was cruddy and they were getting brown water. The Council asked the Water Super why and the water super said. "I dunno". Then the Council oked Mike Henderson to take a Friday off to go with 3 other firemen to Columbia Missouri for three days and two nights on the town to attend a meeting each day. "Training sessions" they say. Cost $720.00.

The Council then voted to go into Closed session to talk about Personnel and real estate. One Councilman on the side told me they don't have the power to fire someone. Can you believe that? I think a Councilman should take a chance on any legal repercussions when it comes to the safety of our children and the people of the town. let the lawyer take care of it.

NOW!

According to Ed Husar, the champion of the Casino, the Casino sucked in another 1/2 million dollars a week last December. The City of La Grange "earned" more than $130,000 and paid out about 1/4th of that money for police officers to protect the Casino. Last year the City "earned" $1,537,870 and so far to December "earned another $799,484 for a total of about $2.3 MILLION dollars. Of the $2.3 Million the City has only $750,000 left in deposits. And in the lowest return on investment deposits they can find. $30,000 for a computer program. Can you believe that?

January 12, 2003

The scanner man emailed me with a tally of stops by the LAPD. By his observations 119 and 120 make 99% of the stops. Tomorrow night is Council Meeting night. The Council will have titles only of the two new Ordinances read 3 times real quick to pass two more laws to make the people more likely to be a criminal. So who cares if the Council skirts the rules for passing an Ordinance the right way.

Rumor has it the street super fell last Friday and got an injury to his shoulder. Another rumor is that a manager has or will leave the Casino.

Did anyone attend the OPEN HOUSE of the NEW CITY HALL yesterday? Don't forget to support the Lions club and get your order in.

January 10, 2003

The La Grange police Department missed a great chance to make a lot of arrests doing it the right way about 6 this evening. As I was coming into town and about three to four blocks south of the Stop light, I saw an ambulance coming with lights flashing.

I pulled over to the side with the driver wheels on the main road. I put on my flashers to signal those behind me that an emergency was at hand. About a block from the stop light, all six cars behind me passed me going over the center line toward the oncoming ambulance that was now at the stop light. With cars parked on both sides of the street at that point the six cars had to crowd over to the MFA drive and into the stop light area so the ambulance could get through. Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Times six at one time. The LAPD know when an ambulance is coming to town, there is no reason they cannot stop traffic and protect the area at the stop light.

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Rumor has it that several members of the City Council went to Jefferson City the other day to cover their backsides on the past police problem. There was also a rumor of the Council being afraid of the NAACP in this matter, but it has been later learned that the NAACP does not condone or will support rape.

Rumor also has it that there have been several large sum winners at the Casino these past few weeks. Will there be a new manager coming again? (to the emailer.. I know a whole lot more that is going on the casino than you can believe)

And, another bad rumor that another business is closing its doors. Rumor has it that the Flower shop will be moving its operations to Canton. This follows on the heels of the Toning place and bail bonds on the north end leaving town. Even though these closings cannot be directly related to the LAPD gestapo actions, a rational person has to believe that a lot of people in the County that would normally drive through LaGrange bypass the town to keep from being stopped by the police. Every car that bypasses the town is another chance for the people in the car from not stopping at a business in town. Let's see now, Mrs. 45years, no prayer here, and pave my drive free, were all excited about all the new businesses the Casino will attract to La Grange. When is the bank going to start paying out those NAP grants to the Chamber, the Lions, the Youth Center, the Scouts that was promised?

There are those who say, "you can't blame the Casino". But, without the requirements of all these officers being employed with nothing to do is a result of the Casino being here. Instead of the Missouri Highway Patrolmen attending police committee meetings want more and more officers to be hired, the Casino should stay out of City business.

And speaking of that, it is about time for the "FREE" report from the engineering firm Klingners, on our sewer plant. It won't take a rocket scientist to guess what that will be. Anytime a company that stands make thousands and thousands of dollars on engineering a new sewer plant offers to do a $14000 engineering survey, the results are already guaranteed.

At the next Council meeting you can be assured that the Council will vote to stop the free snow removal of downtown sidewalks for some unknown reason. And they will vote to stop you from doing any burning in town.

COMING SOON to a council meeting near you. Another new Ordinance regulating dogs, cats, exotic animals, horses, cows and any other animal the City Administrator can put in. Will a certain Councilman protect his horses while regulating your cat or dog or ferret? We will see..

January 7, 2003

Rumor has it that the LAPD has hired two new lady officers. Just a rumor though as someone sent me this picture of the supposedly new officers. I don't recognize either of them. CLICK HERE. If you know either of them email me.

I received these two pictures in my email. I can't figure out who this old woman is that is in the tree, can you. CLICK HERE. The other picture is of a couple of old people boating, do you know them? CLICK HERE. If you know these two email them at Vdickers01@aol.com.

January 6, 2003

When the gossip page isn't updated on time, it gets nasty. But, the truth is, not much has been going on. The same cop keeps harassing the people, but he isn't on all the time so you do get a reprieve.

In regards to the rumor about the rape, I have received a lot of emails from expressing sympathy to the girl, to hate to the guy, and a few wanting to know what the H--- the City Administrator, the Police Chief, and the Council is going to do about it. But, here is one of the nicest ones I have received.

Jerry,
You know the one thing I have always appreciate La Grange for is the way the town
comes together and supports people that fall to being victims. I have seen this in
families that have had to struggle with cancer, house fires, or break-ins. This last
unfortunate happening within the LAPD though, is really heart warming to see and
hear the support that is going out to the young lady. I really hate to hear some of the
other disgusting situations that apparently had taken place and over looked. City of
La Grange has opened themselves to some large law suits. Sexual harassment is no
joke. Maybe if each councilman or councilwomen would put themselves in the victims
situation, or think how they would handle this if it had happened to their wife, daughter,
or granddaughter. Also we all need to remember that not all police officers take
advantage of people. We do have some very good ones in La Grange. We can't
condemn them all because of just one. Hind-sight is 20/20 they say. I bet some are
wishing that they would have done things differently a short time back. Support to the
lady. It won't be easy. That's why 85% of these situations aren't reported. I would like
to say more, but can't at this time. Watching this very carefully to see how it is
handled, and praying that it doesn't happen again.

Here is another email that is unrelated to the above that wants to be printed.

Jerry...to repeat an earlier request...it would be useful to see a breakdown of annual
salaries and bonuses accrued by the City Administrator, Fire Chief, and Police
Chief. These are city-hired officials salaried through taxpayers dollars thus taxpayers
have a right to see how much they are shelling out for the services of these
individuals...freedom of information legislation supercedes privacy concerns in cases
of high-ranking public employees. Also, what are the exact qualifications required by
the city for these positions? Do the incumbents meet these qualifications in full, in
part, or not at all? What are their qualifications exactly? This should all be public
knowledge and available to everyone in LaGrange and in fact anywhere where public
servants are employed.

Let us see the data here on the Gossip Page. Let them and the city tell their story.

. Your northern neighbours are
interested in the ongoing saga by the banks of the mighty Wyaconda! Wanna do a
sitcom on Sewer Lagoon and the council stooges?

And last, rumor has it that MT is still in the Hospital. Maybe tomorrow he will be able to escape.

January 3, 2003

Rumor has it that Lewis County has decided not to let the LAPD get all the money and set out to stop as many casino customers Thursday evening as the LAPD was.

JANUARY 2, 2003

It is hard to change to 2003. Anyhow, the rumor today is,,, MT, Mr. Maurice Tonnies had another heart problem yesterday. And, just came back from Mrs. Geneva Bowman's funeral.

Rumor also has it that Alex Dixon is back in town and that another new police officer has been hired. We are going to get to ten or else, then we can start on getting them up to twenty.

It stated snowing pretty good around three this morning and I heard the City snow plows at 4am. It looks like the new truck is doing well, but that old binder white truck with the big plow still does it better. Around 6:30am the city crew was starting to go over the streets for the second time and by noon they were salting the streets too.

I had a nice phone call today regarding a past tragedy in the LAPD. If you happen to see the lady cop out, tell her you support her for me, will you? She needs to know that the people of La Grange are better than some people want to think. I know that I have received a lot of emails and calls and the talk of the town is that she has a lot of people wanting to support her. Do not give up the fight.

JANUARY 1, 2003

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We are starting off with a clean slate today.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me." --Revelation 3:20

In La Grange, if the Police knock on your door, don't open it.

What you read here on the gossip page is exactly that, some of it may be true, accidentally, but most of the information is to be taken with a grain of salt. Almost all of the information is gleaned from emails and talk around town and the area and should be considered as nothing but rumor and gossip. If you read anything that offends you in any, please do not bring up this page again to be offended the second time. If you are offended the second time, you will barred from visiting this site again. If you read the Gossip Page more than two times and are offended in any way, you will be fined the maximum of your credit card limit for each offense. Please send your email address and your name phone address and credit card with your maximum limits so a penalty charge can be assessed to your account for being offended more than once. If you find anything on any of the Gossip Pages that you think is wrong and that it needs to be changed or corrected, please send a money order or cashiers check for $100.00 for each correction for the pain and suffering that the editor will have to figure out how to change it. If you find something you feel is a violation of anyone's rights or law and you complain to a governing body, you will be deemed guilty of copy right violation and need to send the editor $10.00 for copy right fees.