July 31, 2003

Rumor has it today that a big drug bust went down in town yesterday. Which brings up the news that the NEMO Drug Task Force may not get their grant money, so what happens to the Several Thousand Dollars the Mayor gave them for the matching grants?? Oh well, another LRO. The Youth Center can go suck an egg for all the City cares about the kids. Give the money away.

Some people still think that the Casino has made their property more valuable. A bank is trying to sell a $2500 building for $12,000.00. A real estate agent still thinks that the building across the street will bring $16,000.00 or more. And a big dreamer is dreaming about getting $74,000 for the building where the cafe was. And, you can bet that another bank will dream about getting its money back on another failed business in town. Boy did (Pave my drive free) and (no prayer here) really pull one over on the people of La Grange and of course we have to thank the bank people too.

Speaking of the Casino. Did you see where CATFISH BEND DONATED ANOTHER $100,000.00. Last year Catfish Bend donated $630,000 for a swimming pool for their YMCA and Mark Twain Casino donated $630.00. In the St. Louis paper a new Wal-Mart is going into a city and the City Council is going to do away with the peoples property taxes. We get a casino and our Mayor and City Administrator are going to raise our taxes and want to put the measly 5% franchise taxes back on our already high gas, phone, and electric bills. The people of La Grange gets the shaft time after time, thanks to the Mayor and City Council and City Administrator. What will they care when they leave town.

The Mayor and Council passes an Ordinance which should considered to be a law to hire a City Administrator and the Ordinance sets forth the qualifications and yet the Mayor and Council hire a person no where near the prescribed qualifications, but because no penalties (like the $1000 fine for walking in the street) were set for non-compliance we have what we got.

Then the Mayor and Council transfers the licensed water person to the street department and then hires another person at a high rate of pay to take his place and he doesn't have the qualifications needed either. And then transferred a laborer to the water department and he doesn't have the license or qualifications to do the work either.

NOW, the Mayor and Council want to HIRE ANOTHER person to be a public works foreman and make the qualifications for that person to have the license to do the work the City hired the other two people to do. There are several people in town who would make an excellent work foreman, but now require the new work foreman ( oh tell it right, an assistant to the City Administrator) to have the license and qualifications that none of the other hires have. This person will do the work of the City Administrator.

Will the new Assistant City Administrator be a work foreman or the waste water and water person? They do not absolutely make any sense at all. Maybe if the Mayor hires 50 more people, he can find someone that can actually do the work.

July 29, 2003

The Youth Center will have a huge garage sale August 23rd.

The Boy Scouts will have a big meeting August 17th

Rumor has it that Linda Meyers and Bob Sullens have been seen together. Seems like old times even here in town with Delbert and a past.

Bobby Heather was around town today looking things over. 

July 28, 2003

Breaking news over the weekend. The class of  1953 of the old La Grange High School had their reunion in Quincy. Do remember these people. They were born long long ago. 

Evelyn Jean Vaughn "Evie"
Reva Joyce Gibson "Revae"
Mary Francis Kramer "Fannie" "Edward Murohy" Jacksonville, Il.
Robert Dean Nunn "Goose"
Sarah Ann Springett "Annie Winkle"
Arnold Henry Tiemann "Henry"
Bette Joan Breuer "Joan" "Lewis Wiseman Palmyra, Mo.
Robert George Heather "Bones Chula Vista Ca
Richard Allen Kramer "Dick" Palmyra, Mo.
Donald Lewis Waterman "Pete"
Benny Russell Lay "Ben"
Helena Josephine Geery "Helinka"
Earl David Farr "Fuzzy"
Shirley Joan Brandt "Sissy" "Richard Stephens" Kinderhook, Il.
Kathleen Lillard "Kay" Stanley Wilson, Canton, Mo.
Donald Lee Sherman "Sherman" "June"
Marjorie Sue Job "Speedy"
Elaine Smith "Smitty" John White La Grange, Mo.
Warren Henry White "Monk" "Willa" Greentop, Mo.
Etra Virginia Tuley 

Two of the classmates are deceased and only four didn't make it to the reunion. We can't get ten out of 38 to a class reunion.

Does anyone in town know Robert (Bob) Havermale? Well, he has the factory where the grocery store was. He has formally announced that his daughter Melissa Ann is engaged.  

In regards to the email below, the Mayor has informed me that all this person has to do is pick up the phone and notify City Hall to pick up the brush. But, I don't think you want to be in a great hurry. The Street Super has been very busy (trying) to get some news streets paved. He has been made to jump around town doing other things that other employees could be doing instead.

July 27, 2003

Lola Ann Ludwig

March 25, 1915   -   July 27, 2003

It always happens. I take a few days off from the Gossip Page and people get pissed. Emails start to stack up. I only had one email complaint this week, so far. 

Email:

I want to know why the City Crew has not been by to collect the tree limbs that were knocked down 
by the storm a couple weeks ago? I see that Kenney used city equipment to get his done in a hurry. So what about the rest of us in town who have no way to get ride of the debris.

I also received an email from someone wanting to know who the people are in the picture of the students at the Fairview School. The picture is located on the main page. If anyone knows who all these students are, please email cheryl.amos1@usbank.com.

For those who wanted to know what is happening in La Grange, one word. Nothing. 

The Mayor is planning to bring back the Appreciation days in August that has been a problem. When the Chamber took it from Peggy Miles, it went down hill. But, now that the Mayor has picked up the baton, I think it will get back to its old days when Peggy ran it.

There were two people in town who did two things very well. Peggy Miles and the Appreciation days celebration and Pat Livingston who put on the best parades.

It looks like maybe, just maybe the city will one block of streets paved. That is 6th street in front of Councilwoman Rita Farr-Cox's house. Pretty good deal for only being on the Council 60 days. Too bad she forgot all about her mom and dad eating dust all day.

Rumor has it the next street to be paved could be Henderson Lane.

The new fire chief has an idea that I think the Mayor and Council should look at very closely. Instead of the OLD fire Chiefs idea of spending THOUSANDS of dollars for emergency warning sirens that he would make a lot of money putting in, the NEW fire chief is looking at a low power radio station.

No license needed. It would only serve La Grange and maybe a mile out of town all around. Every one has a FM radio. Whenever a storm approaches that requires the spotters, a fireman could began broadcasting on the radio to everyone in town. He would keep the microphone open so everyone can hear the talk between all the firemen who are spotters and know exactly what is going on.

What to do when there are no storms. The station could be left on, and a scanner could be left on, so everyone could listen to emergency calls. Or a weather station could be left on to rebroadcast the weather station all day. Council meetings could be broadcast so everyone can hear how their Mayor and Councilmen are doing. The Casino could lease time so people travel through town could hear all about the casino. Signs could be placed on all entrances and around down town for people to turn their radio on to 109.9 fm to hear about La Grange.

Wow, the more I think about all the options to this, if the Mayor doesn't do it. I think I might start up the radio station, and sell advertising to the listeners. I could then have a full time gossip page on the air. I'll give the Council time to do it, and if they don't, I'll do it and set it up with the NEW fire chief for his early warning.

July 22, 2003

Uday and Qusay are dead-ae  -  good-ae

Rumor has it we should all congratulate Steve Griesbaum on his new $36,000.00 per year job as assistant City manager. OOPS! Maybe we should wait until the job is offered in the paper and other applicants apply before we congratulate him.

But, we can wish Mr. Bob Bradshaw a Happy Birthday.

It seems the City Administrator has plenty of time to study the City Ordinances as he came up with the permit clause. Maybe the Mayor should ask the City Administrator to look up the Ordinance in relation to the City hiring a City Administrator. Maybe the City Administrator can find someone who has the QUALIFICATIONS as required by the City Ordinance to be City Administrator and hire him. He sure misses the qualifications by a mile, but the lady Councilman liked him.

Is the Council just going to make a position without an Ordinance to do so? Oh well, the Mayor and Council hired this City Administrator even though he fails miserably to qualify for the job, so who cares if they make it legal and proper, they will hire Steve anyhow.

Rumor has it that the Mayor may be moving out of the City some time in the future. I guess that is why he wants to spend all the money, pass all those Ordinances, refuse to allow the people get a tax break, proposing to raise the water and sewer rates, and stick the people of La Grange with a multi-million sewer lagoon. Get even with everyone before you go. Those 130 voters have to be tickled to death by now. But wait till he gets done with us.

Ever since the Council voted to RAISE their pay. OOPS, I mean add to their income by paying themselves to attend committee meetings and council meetings. Maybe you haven't noticed the big increase in all those meetings at City Hall. It looks like everyone is out to take them money. The ex-fire chief. The Water Super. And the whole City Council and Mayor. Take the money, spend the money.

My wife decided we needed a deck for the front door. She wanted a large one 8 feet by 16 feet. I went to Home Depot and said design me a deck 8 by 16 and send it over. I received two 2x8s 16 foot. OK. Seventeen 1by6 16 foot. OK. Seventeen 2by6s 8 foot. Whoa, that is spacing the stringers 10 inches apart. But, they only sent 16 hangers. So, I got 4 too many 2by6s. I got four 4by4s 14 foot for the posts which was one short. I got 16 bags of sakrete which was 10 too many. To use all those bags, I would have had to make the holes 2 feet n diameter and 3 feet deep. I got 5 pounds of large nails and only needed 1 pound. I got 5 pounds of long deck screws in case I didn't want to pound nails. Two boxes of hanger nails and only used half of one box. For some reason, I also got a 2by12, fourteen feet long and 3, 1by6's 8 foot long. But, they also sent 8 inch bolts. Now, the 4x4 and the 2by8 which is 1 and 1/2 inches thick equals 5 and one half inches. The threads on the bolts like a half inch to even get to the wood. So, if you are planning to build anything, DO NOT, let Home Depot plan it for you. They don't have a clue.

All the time I am going through building this deck, I keep thinking of the City Administrator and how he would fit in at Home Depot very well. A couple of Councilmen would work well there too.  

July 20, 2003

The New Mayor has to be proud of his POLICE FORCE. 116 has done his best on Sunday morning to get all the people going to church. Stop after stop after stop. An emailer was asking why the Mayor, the City Administrator, the police chief and the Police Lieutenant allow this harassment of the people. 

Rumor has it that last evening a neighbor a couple of blocks South of where I live decided to end it all. Rumor has it that a neighbor councilman came to the rescue. Saved the day.

Now to the good part.

If I was Mayor and had this newsletter put out for me, the person who did it would have been shot at sunrise. The spelling and grammar errors were terrible. And to allow the City Administrator put out a blatant lie was totally unacceptable. 

The Mayors page, lease instead of least. Doesn't the City Administrators $30,000.00 computer program he stuck the City and the people of La Grange with have spell check?? $30,000.00 and no spell check. Maybe the geography student should get a proof reader. The Mayor also stated that the City will be paving 15 or 20 blocks this year. Let's see now, the street in front of Mrs. Wiley's house was started on 9 weeks ago. If the City Administrator gets that one done next week.? 10 weeks a block times 15 blocks is 150 weeks. Go figure that one City Administrator. 

Then the City Administrator went on his own page and in the last paragraph presented a lie to the people of La Grange. LET ME TELL YOU THIS geography student, NO PERMIT IS NEEDED TO BUILD ANYTHING IN THE CITY OF LA GRANGE, except in the downtown area. REREAD the Ordinance again geography student. Print your retraction.

On page four, someone congratulated the City clerk for being awarded the designation of certified municipal clerks, yet she can't even photocopy 5 pages of data in 14 days. Excellent.

On page 5 the Mayor and Sam Henderson have stated that is better to build a new police station (then) to repair the old City Hall. It looks like Sam Henderson wants to do away with all the history of La Grange. Tear it all down Sam.

On page 6, ex-fire chief Heindselman is still trying to drum up more business and wanting to force the City into putting obsolete sirens around the City.

On Page 7, those of you who live or have a business in the downtown area, be on guard, the City Administrator is planning to make changes in the flood plain Ordinance. You can be sure it will not be in your best interest.

On page 8, the City is again going to harass Paul Tasco. If the Casino doesn't like Paul Tasco, then the Casino should buy him out. Oh, it is easier to sick the City, the DNR, the EPA, the FDA, the FCC and everyone else to do BILLY BOB'S dirty work. But, Billy Bob has shown he can't even make a decision to give Oyster Park back to the kids of La Grange. 

An the Mayor was wanting to get a license to be able to (shot) bigger fireworks.

The police will be getting a new police car and new heavy duty 4 wheel drive club cab police truck. And once the fire department gets their new $19,000 fire boat to put out fires on the river, the police department will get their new police boat to go after speeders on the river. Then, when the fire and police get their boats, we can get one for the street department.

There was a lengthy discussion about getting the internet to the fire station. And the fire chief was ordered to look into the cost. If the City geography student would just call Earthlink, tell them to add the two names and passwords to the city's account, then hook the fire house computer to any telephone line and presto, they have internet. Cost $0. DUH!

The closed session minutes were provided by (Councilwomen) Cox.

And the Mayor thanked and patted everyone on the back for all the good work done during the storm. Even the City Administrator got a hefty raise for all the wonderful job he has done spending all the money of the people of La Grange.

I was at the Council meeting and simply asked how the City bought the new City Hall from a dissolved Corporation that hasn't existed for a couple of years. If the corporation no longer existed, who had the power to sign the papers. The loan institution? But, the City Attorney simply stated that he was sure it was done properly, even though he doesn't know or not. I did not ask how the LRO conducted their (busy), it was conducting their business. If the LRO is not in existence anymore, where is the money the people donated, and where are the commemorative bricks the people paid for? What happened to the thousands of dollars of donations the people of la Grange gave? Where is the money for the property the LRO owned around the Casino they were collecting rent on? For some reason, City Hall is trying very hard to protect the LRO. Someday, we will find out the truth. 

Is there something wrong with the City Administrator??

First there is the rumor he had it out with the only black city employee and wrote him up for speaking his mind. Now, I hear that he is firing the only hispanic women police officer. Looks like he is trying to get the government to come into La Grange. Maybe he just doesn't like other people or anyone. Rumor has it he used the following as reasons to fire the lady cop. Rumor has it she was out of town on her day off and wasn't told to report to a random drug test, so wasn't around to take the test. And another rumor has it she was also told that she didn't fill out a damage report the city administrator didn't have for her to fill out. I guess this is kind of like trying to get someone else to pay to clean up a city ditch the city put trash in.

Does anyone know if Lannie Hentz has a computer??

July 17, 2003

Rumor has it that Lannie Hentz beat out John Stiffy in the middle ward election Tuesday. Well, let's see if he will stand up for the people of the town. Ronnie Powers so far is the only one I have seen willing to stand up for the people. Most all the rest are for making the people of La Grange pay and pay and pay. Spend the money. All the Mayor needs is one of the other four to change sides and maybe he can get something done. At each and every Council meeting the Fire Department is there demanding money for something and Sam Henderson makes sure sonny gets it.

To the Mayor. Information on the net shows that a second cell can be added to the present sewer treatment plant at a small cost to provide a second treatment that takes care of all DNR complaints. Look up Municipal sewer or subdivision sewer plants.

July 16, 2003

Well now, it seems that the City Administrator doesn't like black people voicing their opinion. The only black person working for the City voiced his opinion the other day and the City Administrator wrote him up with a written warning of dismissal if he continues to voice his opinion legalized by the first amendment. Now maybe he will keep his mouth shut.

But, that is alright, the City Clerk continues to violate the laws of the State of Missouri, "which she just recently received an award for" that states the City must provide any document a person asks for within a reasonable time and at actual cost. I asked IN WRITING as I have been forced to do since the new city administrator came along, for the minutes of the council meetings and other information on the first of the month. It is now the 16th of the month and all I got were 5 photo copied papers. I asked the Mayor at the Council meeting last Monday night and was given this bogus computer problem. It seems that he got his copies, all the council got their copies. Why not one more copy? Maybe he wants to get his Mayor's newsletter out first. 

I noticed the chairman of the Mayors Advisory committee at the last couple of council meetings. Charlie Sade. 

If you want to see what all the fuss is about in regards to dumping in a ditch, go up to Ed Heller's and then down that gravel road that is a U shape and see for yourself. All the brush, limbs and all were dumped there by the City. But, whereas, it all looks like the ditch is in the street, both 6th street and Polk streets, the City has the right to dump there. But why dump there at all? Easy, close. 

The LAPD monthly report. 267 phone calls. 110 traffic stops. 18 tickets. 5 domestic calls. 7 animal control calls. 30 resident assists. 19 motorist assists. (one cop kept stopping people to ask where he was) 6 accidents or warrants??, 21 times to the casino to protect the armored car. 42 verbal warnings. 33 written warnings. 1 ambulance. 42 helping other law officers. 5 juvenile calls, 4 to get their fireworks. 3 investigations??. 1 burglary report. 13 fireworks. 1 boat inspection??.

So far this year, the city administrator has had the city street super put a small skim of asphalt on three or four streets. So much for doing it right. Well, he is trying to buy a several thousand dollar curbing machine to put in curbs on the small skimmed asphalt streets, I guess to keep the asphalt from washing off in the rain.

July 14, 2003

emails

Hey Jerry:
Just seen the gossip page. Believe me I did NOT vote for such an idiot! Our mayor is full of lies! I am meeting with an attorney tomorrow. This harassment is going to end one way or the other. Perhaps, you will see us on TV and see what junk really is! Tim told me he didn't care how I got the junk out of that ditch, even if I had to carry it on my back. I told him how I was concerned over my health with horrible migraines and chest pains because of his letter to me, he replied "I really don't care." Tim also states that he and Drew actually went into the ditch a few days ago and went through all the ruble to try and find someone's identity to blame this on. He said he was looking for a name and address on a piece of paper to go after that party. Yeah right, you even attempt to go in that ditch and you will break your neck. I told the Mayor I will NOT clean it out and break my neck in the process, he said I will be forced to do so. He said if not I will face criminal charges! (all his threats were in a certified letter I rec'd on Friday) Well Mr. Mayor GO BACK into the ditch that you were in because there is a boat in there with IL decal # and I am sure you can trace that to the owner! Go after the people who put the crap there, not innocent people who did NOT vote for you Mr. Mayor Rossiter. Tim told me he campaigned door to door, well Tim you sure did NOT come to MY door. He said that he promised the "people" of La Grange that it would be cleaned out by the property owner. He said that ditch was brought up at every council meeting and every garden club committee meeting. After talking to the former mayor on Friday, that appears to be another lie that Tim told. Because it was never brought up at council meetings per former mayor Ludwig. Who sees this ditch? It is located on a dead end road that loops around which 3 families occupy around it and it is on a gravel rutted out road who even gives a shit! Its not like you drive pass and see it! This is just an example of harassment! Get busy Tim cause it looks like its all yours! He also told me my only way out of this was to catch the people who is doing this by taking pictures, how so? Do I fly across the ditch with my wings and take photos? Why turn these people in to you? So, that the city can tell that person who is doing the dumping that you turned them in, then you are faced with retaliation? I am not the ditch police. Yes, this "ditch" is platted on a city street, so they will have to deal with it. Mr. Mayor told me that there are signs posted "No Dumping" WHERE IS IT MR. MAYOR?? I went all through there yesterday and there is NO sign! Then he turned the story around stating that it was MY responsibility to post signs! (lies and more lies) Tim told me he had nothing against me but did NOT get along with the former mayor, it is my opinion that Tim is using this "ditch" to get revenge with the former mayor for personal reasons. Leave me the hell alone, I mow my place weekly I do not accumulate trash in fact I am the first person to go outside and clean the steep hill in front of my home after people throw trash in the street. I have mowed this hill in front of my home that is city property for 15 years now and if this nonsense isn't stopped Timmy will be mowing it. I have NEVER dumped in that ditch and I will be damned if I will let the city use intimidation to force me to clean it out! Former Mayor Ludwig stated he cleaned it out years ago (which he did) and it filled up faster than he cleaned it. Per Tim it is our responsibility to 
maintain no dumping how can you when its a street over?! I have taken more than ENOUGH of the city's harassment for too long, its time it ends. This is just another example of ONLY IN LA GRANGE CAN THESE THINGS HAPPEN! Beware citizens of La Grange because if you have ANY type of debris you will be arrested! Per the city's letter anything you have laying on the ground is in violation of their ordinance and must be elevated 18" above ground or you will face criminal prosecution. When I ended the conversation with Tim on Friday night, I told him I will be consulting with my attorney and he said "go ahead I don't care", he just laughed at me, just like Theresa Gunsauls laughed at 
me when I called her that morning after receiving the certified letter. I told him I was going to the media and he again said "I don't care what you do". Then I hung up on him. We will see who laughs last Mr. Mayor!!

I forgot to add this, that on July 08, 2003 the city crew was out there in the ditch with machinery dumping debris in it! 
They were dumping big trees and limbs etc., then on July 10, 2003 they send me a certified letter to clean this ditch or 
face criminal charges, well Mayor Rossiter you stated you wanted the responsible party who is dumping, its your 
own employees! Looks like you will be keeping your campaign promises that the person that owns the property and 
the party who is dumping in the ditch will be the one who cleans it and it looks like it comes back on you! Hope YOUR 
back is strong enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 13, 2003

Working backwards in the news around La Grange, we see on the front page of the Quincy Herald Whig a picture of a local farmer and his wife from South of Town. Ed Husar should have had Nancy stand more in front so she could be in the picture. Roger takes up too much of the page. All in all, it was a very good article on Roger and Nancy Tiemann. So I have another front page of the paper to file away and save.

Going back a couple of days, there was another article by Ed Husar regarding our casino again. He must have lost a lot of money there as the articles he been writing here lately about our casino has been mostly negative. This time, not only did he write an negative article about our casino, he wrote a good article about Catfish Bend. Where is the support for our local casino? Why does the paper pick on our casino? I don't think that is fair. If Ed can't write a good article about our casino, then he shouldn't write one at all.

The news media was all abuzz about Bill and Joanne Leeser wedding anniversary. 

It seems that voting for the Mayor doesn't get you special privileges as one previous person found by asking for a donation from the Mayor and Council and now another voter has found that the Mayor will actually come after you. It seems that people have been using a big ditch on the hill on the South side of town as a dumping place. There are four owners of property and two City Streets in this area. Polk Street running East and West and 6th Street running North and South. One of the property owners who voted for the Mayor was told by the Mayor he wanted all the dumped trash removed at the property owners expense. 

Mr. Mayor should have went to Monticello and asked for an aerial photo with a city map overlay to actually determine whose property the dumpings are on before giving out orders. It looks like most of the dumpings are on City property rather than private property. But, who cares now, the election is over for another 2 years.

July 9, 2003

An emailer wanted me to ask THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS QUESTION?

When the buildings were torn down to make room for the New City Hall, one of the buildings was previously owned by the Sam Fish family. The emailer said that in the front of the store were antique ornate pillars. The emailer said the these antique pillars were carefully removed and was supposed to be preserved. The emailer went on to say that it was noticed that these pillars were stored on the old fire station property, but when a south ward councilman was elected, they seemed to have disappeared. The question is:  What happened to those pillars??

After a drive around town this evening, it is easy to see that the new Mayor was on the ball. During the storms last night he was quick to take action and mobilize all the city crews, the fire department and the police officers to direct traffic, take care of downed lines and get all the trees and limbs out of the streets. We are sorry to hear that his block was the last one in town to get electricity. but, better him than me.

July 9, 2003

A storm came blowing through La Grange last evening. There was a time that you couldn't get up or down any hill in town because of downed trees. The City park is a total mess. At least Sam Henderson won't have to worry about taking down any trees for his $50,000 skate board park. And there are no trees in the way for the $30,000 rest rooms.

Andy Ayers old place lost a nice tree and I couldn't get to Betty Bronsteine's place.

The other night we had another bad storm that took some trees and limbs down around town, but it wasn't as bad as last night. In that storm a tree in the city street smashed a car parked in the street. Mayor, just call the insurance company and let them handle it. Rumor has it a police car received some minor damage and the officer kept on going.??

Rumor has it that a Mayor got out his electric chain saw and the extension cord and went out to cut up a tree in his yard. Oh, he forgot that he didn't have any electricity..

July 6, 2003

WELL, the GESTAPO are on the loose again. La Grange hired two new HOT JOCKS from the academy and they are out to make their name. yesterday morning at 7am, I was driving downtown and one of the GESTAPO HOT JOCKS radared me at 15 mile an hour. I guess he hasn't perfected the knack to be able to judge the speed of an oncoming car yet. He went North and I stopped and waited for him to go by to see which one it was, and when I went down by the Casino and turned around back North, I met the Gestapo Hot Jock and at 15 mile an hour, he turned on the radar again. So be careful when driving around La Grange again, the HOT JOCKS are in training. Why can't the Mayor just hire old duffers like the Chief and Lieutenant? Did you know that someone has declared (who did is a mystery) that two officers ARE MANDATED to be on duty at all times the Casino is open, but at night from 2pm to 8am when YOU need police protection, there is only one officer on. The Casino gets the protection and you get the bill. The Casino will get a new sewer lagoon and you will get the bill.

Last night was a rough night for La Grange. A terrific wind storm blew through the area around ten pm. Instead of hearing sirens go off and not knowing what for as the ex fire chief wants, my weather alert went off and I found that the main part of the storm was North of La Grange and followed the weather alert when it followed the storm cell from South of Kahoka, to South of Deer Ridge and on into our area. The weather alert radio kept track of the storm as it advanced through the area.

A drive around town this morning found that two huge old trees in the west side of the City park were down and there were many huge tree limbs that also fell around town. A lot of yards were littered with a whole lot of leaves and Kaylor's plum tree lost all its plums. Canton had about as many trees and limbs down as La Grange did.

It is going to be another hot one.

July 5, 2003

We all owe Mayor Rossiter for an excellent City 4th of July Celebration. He took on the job of making sure that our long time history of a 4th of July parade and Chicken bar-b-que was not lost because of a lazy Chamber of Commerce. Thank You Mayor Tim Rossiter.

The parade was exceptionally a long one and by viewing the pictures I took of each and every parade entry (above), you can see that the parade was the highlight of the town with hundreds of people coming to see.

The Fire department as far I am concerned and the opinions of several people I talked to did an excellent job cooking the chicken. What we got was so good that the meat just fell off the chicken. DEEElicious.

The fireworks display was widely viewed by people watching from all over the town and on the hills.

Did anyone notice how much the CASINO donated toward the 4th celebration. Well, the casino didn't either. Billy Bob was apparently just too busy to join in with the community. After all, he did donate $630.00 to the Youth Center last year. How can you ask for anything more?

Blanche Brown     (Mar 30, 1915  -  July 03, 2003)  

July 3, 2003

The US Circuit Court of Appeals did the right thing. It is too bad there is not a way to fire and get rid of Mike Waddle of the Missouri DFS. That one man has caused the heart aches of many families and millions of dollars to the State, and Lewis County and everyone in the area. So far Good has prevailed over Evil. Thank the Lord for Charlie Sharpe.

 email

Jerry...hi. You know I wonder if it's just that the Gestapo are simply suffering from sheer terminal boredom. My guess is 
that they have so very little to do that they go on these citizen harassment campaigns to simply pass the time and try to 
justify their existence. I doubt that even the Mayor is even to blame. He's so out of it I reckon he doesn't know the half of 
what goes on in LaGrange. I live in a medium sized city of about 300,000 and the cops don't harass us. Sure they go 
after idiots doing 70 mph where its posted 30 mph, and drunk drivers, etc., as they should. But harassment...no...rarely. I 
bet 99% of the people never even cross the path of the cops. We see them each day in their cruisers. They are there 
but they ain't bugging anyone. "To Serve and Protect"...I thought that was the cops motto?! Note "Serve". I can't see that 
constantly bugging citizens quietly living their lives and going about their legitimate business is serving anyone in 
LaGrange except the cops' self-interest and that of the ape-brains at City Hall.

July 01, 2003
We are picking and eating tomatoes

Some of our tomato plants are bearing red tomatoes. Should have plenty for our 4th. The grape vines and the apple trees are loaded this year. And, we are up to about 50 baby ducks with two still setting.

In the Quincy paper I noticed that Donna Collier made the Presidents bronze and Silver awards for selling a lot of real estate. And, Mark Reinebach's son got married, but there was mention in the "What's Happening" page about the 4th of July chicken bar-b-que. It must just be our little secret.

And, the poor poor casino's revenue's are not what was expected. That is the sob story given the Gaming Commission. If only the Gaming Commission would remove the loss limits, the poor poor casino could make some more money. If the New Mayor's budget is any indication, that Casino has better figure out a way to make a whole lot more money. The new Mayor has the next five years income from the Casino already spent. I guess Billy Bob is really a bitch to work for, according to the Quincy Herald Whig, turnover rate of employees is 67.2%. Only 7.7% of the original employees still work there. My dad had the same employees for years at the old Boat House. And ole Billy Bob is so proud that the Casino donated a Huge, stupendous, gigantuous, amount of $6,337.00 since it opened. Whoopie doo! Wowie! It was also reported that the casino put out a helipad on its unused parking lot. And once in awhile, the casino has donated that use for other emergencies. Wowie! whoop-te-dooo! 

For the old-timers from and around La Grange regarding Gay Miller. She said that her mother Shirl died in 1996 in her sleep at home.  Tyke died in 1982 of Cancer. Todd died in 1990 of a brain tumor, and Jock died in 1992 of aids. She has three daughters and Jock has three daughters and Todd had a son. Gay spent some time with us and visited Richard Hess and his wife for awhile. Sam Green and Carol and Norman visited with her too. She went to Plainville Saturday to visit Shirley Brandt Stephens for awhile and on Sunday she went to visit with Wayne Maples.

Jim Moon has left the City, (again).