STORM DAMAGES La GRANGE TREES click here

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

To go the Main Page CLICK HERE

STORM DAMAGES La GRANGE TREES click here

Almost no tree was spared damage

Parade Pictures click here

SAY GOOD-BYE TO THE OLD CITY HALL

The new Mayor and City Council say it can't be saved and will be demolished and a new police station built.

Is there a DOG BARKING bothering you?
No problem, just call Sam Henderson at 655-4107, anytime. Or, call Rita Farr-Cox at 655-8811, anytime.

ASK YOUR COUNCILMAN AND THE NEW MAYOR THESE QUESTIONS....

1: Why do you keep allowing BFI to dump in our sewer to screw it up?

2: When are you going to do away with the property taxes so you can benefit from the casino?

3: Where are the long term investments? What about the future Councils of La Grange after the boat is gone?

4: How can you have a $2.5 million dollar budget on a $1.5 million dollar income?

5: Why does the fire department need a $20,000 speed boat?

6: Who was the idiot that dreamed up the $1000 fine Ordinances

7: Where is the $50,000 for the non-profit groups?

8: Why do you still intend on forcing a new million dollar sewer plant on the people?

CANTON MISSOURI HIT BY A TORNADO CLICK HERE
Pictures or local area tornado damage (CLICK HERE)

NEW PICTURES OF THE MOTEL in CANTON (CLICK HERE)

For those interested in the Rutledge Flea market here is their website
RUTLEDGE FLEA MARKET

The first 20 pictures from inside the last day of the Foundry (click here)

The United Nations click here

Mark Twain Casino donated $630 to the Youth Center.
CATFISH BEND Donated $630,000.00 for a swimming pool in Iowa.
The people of La Grange should be proud of Jenny, Fred, Ralph, Mike, David.
and the Mark Twain Casino.

CANTON MISSOURI FARMER'S MARKET AND FLEA MARKET
July 26-27 August 22-23-24 September 27-28
Saturdays and Sundays 8am to 4pm
Food Concessions, Crafts, Antiques, Produce, Bingo

RIVER HERITAGE DAYS WILL BE AUGUST 22-23-24

If you Donated to the LRO or purchased a brick with your name, contact me.
You could get your money back.

EMAILS PROCLAIMING A WARNING OF A VIRUS
If you receive an email warning of a virus, Please check it out before spamming all your friends and relatives with your email warnings.
I received one today about a warning about an email about "Guts to say Jesus". It is a HOAX. This is the 5th HOAX I have received this month. So, before you pass on these bogus warnings, check it out. CLICK HERE

WARNING ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL CREDIT REPORT CLICK HERE

Mayor's Advisory Committee

North Ward committee people are Alice Fish, Duane Merrell, Jim Reynolds and Myrna Hoteling
Middle Ward committee people are Delbert Murphy, Gayla Griffin, Lisa Ganntt and Raetta Cook
South Ward committee people are Carol Heller, Tony Jacobs, Terry Weathers, and Paul Guilfoyle
others are Drew Bontrager, Patty Spindler, Sammy Henderson, Don Sherwood and Charlie Sade

June 28, 2003

EMAIL:

Jerry
What's the matter with you. Haven't you been listening to the scanner? The La Grange Gestapo POLICE FORCE are at it again. Listen to your scanner and hear all the stops. One after another after another, day after day. It sounds like every cop you have on the FORCE is out to make everyone pay one of those $1000 dollar fines. What is the matter with your new mayor? Is he a dunce or what?

June 27, 2003

We had a pleasant visitor tonight

This afternoon Gay Miller who used to live on windy hill here in La Grange stopped by to visit. She and her daughter Early visited with Richard Hess and his wife and family for awhile and then stopped her to spend the night. While she was here she and Early were visited by Sam Green and his sister Carol and her husband Norman Brumbaugh. Saturday, she is going over to see Shirley Brandt Stephens in Plainville before going on the Arizona.

June 26, 2003

ILLINOIS CASINO GIVES HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

MARK TWAIN CASINO GIVES $630.00

Catfish Bend Casino gives $630,000.00 to local organizations. Now, we see that a casino in Illinois gives hundreds of thousands to Quincy organizations and MARK TWAIN CASINO gave $630.00. MY MY, our promoters of the casino have to be so proud.

I had breakfast today at the Bird Nest in Canton. When I went in there were a lot of patrons grumbling and growling. Then I heard rumbles about a dumb council and dumb Mayor, and I thought they were talking about La Grange. But, it was about the Canton Mayor and Council. All the grumbling and complaining was about how the Mayor of Canton and the Canton Council was screwing over the city employees. It seems the City got the employees into EMC which honored seniority and sick days and vacations, but when the City kicked out EMC, it did not honor the same things that the City had EMC honor. Boy, it sounded so much like La Grange, it was like a time warp. Since Jeff Janney and Sharon Upchurch are on the Council, it to me would make an employee wonder about my job working for them. Well, maybe, they treat their own employees better than the way the treat the city employees. Who knows? There had to be a better way. But, like La Grange Council members, they use State law when it suits them, and City Charter when it suits them or make up a quick Ordinance to cover it up.

As I have been mowing around the property, I get different treats in different areas. Some places that I mow by, I get mulberrys to eat, and then there are the wild raspberrys, and then the blackberrys and around the other side I get strawberrys to eat and as summer comes on, I stop by the tomato patch and the apple trees and peach trees.

Well, this year, it looks like I will be sharing the apple trees. For two evenings now, there has been a deer in the apples right out my office window.

HOLEY MOLEY! Have you received your water and electric bills yet?? My electric bill,,, In Feb I used 1394 KWs and it cost $73.67. Apr was 1074KWs and the bill was $60.63. Today, I get my electric bill and I used 1268 and it went up to $107.36. What a shock. A 40% increase.

Then, I get my city Water BILL. WOW. My normal water bills are around $18 or $19.00. Today, my water bill is $33.94. Boy, I am sure glad we got a NEW MAYOR to use the Casino money to benefit us. Why, our water and sewer my get to $50.00 or more. Oh, that's right, at a council meeting last month, he was just discussing how we (the people of La Grange) are getting by too cheap on our water and sewer bills. We (YOU ALL) have to pay more. And you will. I'll bet those 130 voters either are sorry now or very well will be before he is done making them pay and pay and pay.

On the back of the nice enlarged water bill, there are notations that there will be a Council meeting on the 14th and 28th of July in case you want to Question you water and sewer bills. The middle ward will hold its election on July 15th to elect the last councilman so that SAM HENDERSON will be satisfied that there will be a full Council to his requirements for a vote. For over a 100 years, councils have met without a full council and Mayors have voted in a tie, but not with ole Sam on the hunt. he found a State law, that may be applied to La Grange. Kind of like Canton, if you can't find an Ordinance you can construe to fit, the look up a possible State law for some one else you might make work.

FUN AT THE LIBRARY July 9th at 2:30pm.

The Mayor will send out his excuses and side explanations and skimpy reasons for his making you pay more the week of July 15th.

It is now official. The fire department will put on the chicken bar-b-que for the 4th of July from 11am to 2pm. So you better get there early and not dilly dally around.

Fireworks on the river front at dusk.

June 24, 2003

Ed Ensor is making improvements on the holler. CLICK HERE
A picture of my first tomatoes CLICK HERE
City cleaning up brush at old library building??? Butchers? CLICK HERE
City Administrator taking care of neighbors paving drives CLICK HERE
City Administrator showing how to put a deep crown in the road
before paving so you can slide in the ditch CLICK HERE

June 23, 2003

Monday Nights Council Meeting

At the Council meeting tonight, there were two notable things. One is that the new City Administrator asked several very good questions that needed to be asked about proposed Ordinances. The other is that SAM HENDERSON AND RITA FARR wants anyone to call them personally who are pissed off because a dog is barking and keeping them awake. It doesn't matter that you call anytime, day or night.

The Council, especially Sam Henderson says the old City Hall is too bad off and needs to be torn down and a new police station being built. Because the City has not kept the area around the North and West sides of the building properly graded and drained there is water coming into the building through the floor. So instead of preventive maintenance, SPEND THE MONEY.

Mike Lowe reported that the city will spray for mosquitoes 4 times week weather permitting.

Sam Henderson discussed a new shelter house where the old police station was for a price of somewhere between $6,000 and $20,000.00. Then was praising whoever owns the old Adams house. Not one Councilman or Mayor knows who these people are. They will be surprised.

Nike Lowe reported that the firemen will do the chicken bar-b-que but not the breakfast. There will be a parade and fireworks. Double G will provide the baked beans and potato salad.

Then there came a representative from Sullivan Publishers about updating the City Ordinance book. He also presented his model Ordinance book of about what 200 pages that the city could adopt too. MORE LAWS. But, the City attorney was to look to see if the Council can pass all those new laws without publishing them in the paper for you to see. Screw the people. Sullivan wanted $4950 for the service. I thought a local college could take on the project for a lot less.

The City attorney brought up about the state wanting to up the boarding fees on the casino from $2.00 to $5.00. And, the county voting to remove the $500.00 loss limit. The Council should be very careful with this as the county may just vote in gambling too.

Sam Henderson brought up some facts. One is the city takes in only $55902.00 in real estate taxes from 566 taxpayers. Yet, Sam Henderson will not vote to do away with your property taxes so you can benefit from the casino too.

Heindselman asked the Council for MORE MONEY. Well actually he wanted to redirect budgeted funds now. He will be back later for the other money for the items the money was budgeted for. He also made remarks regarding the SIRENS he wants the city to pay thousands of dollars for. Why would he want the city to spends thousands of dollars for these sirens rather than provide every home with a weather alert radio? MONEY. He won't make any MONEY if the city adopts the weather alert radios. He will make MONEY for wiring the sirens. MONEY. he wants YOUR MONEY.

Sam Henderson warned the Mayor that the Mayor could not vote to break a tie vote of the council if there was not a full council. Take that Mayor Rossiter. But, I believe you can find several instances in the past where a Mayor broke a tie with a quorum council that was not a full council.

All in all, tonight the Mayor and City Administrator looked good. Sam and Rita looked bad. The City Attorney isn't sure. Elaine is still waiting for the meeting to start and Mike Lowe showed promise.

June 21, 2003

You wonder how someone has the guts to live in town, knowing that they took your money for a donation to a civic project and then keep the money. LRO. You wonder why a Mayor doesn't have the City attorney start a fraud investigation.

A local businessman said that he approached Billy Bob at the Casino and asked that if the Casino was going to purchase prizes to give away, why not buy them from LOCAL businesses. Billy Bob promptly went out of town and bought the prizes.

But, what can you expect, The Chamber of Commerce for years went out of town for prizes for different occasions. The City also goes out of town for purchases of services and supplies available right here in town and in some cases, the city could have saved money. Even the new mayor continues the practice. As far as the Casino, the chamber and the city, they say piss on the local businesses.

One of the lapd wives found that even though she can speed around town, she can't anywhere else. $100.00 fine.

June 20, 2003

MAYOR LAGOON II (the sequel) Responds to Gossip Page

The new mayor lagoon has sent out a city news letter in response to the gossip page. On page two, the mayor responded with the same answer as all the Councilmen. "Well, even though we made the fines a thousand dollars, there is no intention to fine you more than you would have been fined twenty years ago." So, why were the fines raised to a thousand dollars???

In regards to the NEW MILLION DOLLAR SEWER PLANT, the new mayor states that DNR and not the casino wants the new sewer plant. Let's See Now, was it or was it not the casino at that council meeting threatening the Council last year?

City Administrator put in his 2 cents worth by stating that instead of asphalting the streets correctly by putting enough asphalt down that BFI can't crush, he will put a t h i n overlay. just like he did in front of Ensors on Wyaconda street. Oh, but the City Administrator has now decided we need a new curbing machine to put in curbs on (what streets)??

Just like the Chamber of Commerce, the new Mayor puts up ads for some businesses and not others. So much for bringing the town together.

The Stapps thought that with supporting the new mayor, they would get some money for their daughter. WRONG. But a different mayor would have provided money to the local organizations that would have enough to donate to her.

It looks like now, the fire department will do the chicken for the 4th of July and Mike Lowe will be the parade.

The new mayor is real excited about spending $50,000.00 DOLLARS, for a skateboard park so a couple of kids can have fun and only $4,000.00 to fix residential streets. Did anyone, MR. HENDERSON, count the number of kids that this $50,000.00 was going to benefit??

Boy, did the new mayor sidestep the other issues he has proposed below.

June 19. 2003

Well???? Is there going to be a 4th of July Chicken Bar-B-Que or not? I hear one rumor that says no and another that says yes. If whoever is going to put it on, if they are, they had better get the news out quick or is will be a flop.

And now more of the New Mayors hits on you.

The new Antique lights for the sidewalks downtown will be delayed until next year. By the looks of things, there will be one for the Casino and one for the Bank, not to sure about Casey's.

Councilman Henderson is still on the hunt to put restrooms in the City park.

The new mayor and council did look at the riverfront.

The NEW CITY ADMINISTRATOR has decided you NEED MORE TAXES TO PAY. he wants the Council to put the franchise fees back on. he just hates to use the Casino money for YOUR BENEFIT. COUNCILMAN HENDERSON WANTS YOU TO PAY MORE TAXES.

Mayor ROSSITER and Councilman Henderson are also looking at RAISING THE WATER AND SEWER RATES.

Councilman Powers made the most stupid statement of the year. He said that if the property taxes were removed so YOU could benefit from the Casino money, that the taxes would never be gotten back. HEY DUMMY, how do you think the taxes got there in the first place, by magic? The people voted for them.

The City Administrator was talking to the council about a sound fiscal policy and yet he and the NEW MAYOR and Council voted to spend $2.5 million dollars on a $1.5 million income. Great sound fiscal policy.

The New Mayor met with the city employees and told them that if they had a problem to go to their supervisor, if they were not satisfied to then go to the City Administrator, but don't bother him until then.

The City attorney in May made a quick $1935.00. Jack Freiburg insurance $4004.00. Heindselman $690.00. City attorney made another $2533.00 in April. Heindselman April $262.00 and another $55.50. Dell Computers $2399.00.

So PEOPLE, you voted for a MAYOR that intends to make you pay more taxes, raise your water and sewer rates, AND make you PAY for a new Million dollar sewer lagoon. Those 130 voters have to be so happy.

EMAIL::

The Net is so interesting. Just saw a newsflash on Yahoo--LAGRANGE, MISSOURI PIONEERS NEW BACKHOE
TECHNIQUE FOR HARVESTING MATURE DECIDUOUS TREES. Sure enough there it was with the City using the
backhoe "push, whack, wallop, bonk, bash technique, shove, shove, c'mon you shit" method of harvesting...totally
novel, thoroughly innovative. Congratulate the one with the longest t-shirt to gain LaGrange A-1 for R&D in the
lumbering industry. Will there be pictures of t-shirt picking up all the leaves and twigs--one by one---in the park?

June 18, 2003

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTH ANN BOWMAN

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MARY AND DANNY ROSENCRANS

We will miss Mary Harris

We will all miss Mary and Bob. Whenever you went to the post office, you had to stop and say hi to them as they were always out on their porch waiting to visit with anyone.

Well, the funeral home has a totally new look. Most people didn't notice the difference when Brad had the building repainted, but everyone notices the absence of that huge tree out front that provided a lot of shade for visitors.

This is the fifth week now for the City Administrator to repave Bates street from 3rd to 4th. Now, we all know why the new Mayor says it will cost $90,000 a block to upgrade the streets in town.

On May 22nd, the Council voted to have all future elections held at City Hall. The new Mayor formed a new committee called the construction committee. They will oversee the remodeling of city Hall and the police station.

He also formed an annexation committee to look at annexing surrounding land to the city.

Then he formed an audit committee to make sure the city council follows the recommendation of the State Audit.

We all know he will NOT ask the Casino to pay the $350,000 they forgot to pay. And he will NOT ask to divert any of the docking fees to the not-for-profits.

Then he formed a sewer treatment plant committee. Rita Cox, Sam Henderson, and Elaine White will oversee the completion of THE NEW SEWER PLANT FOR YOU TO PAY FOR. Thanks to the CASINO.

The Council talked about the new Ordinances printed in the Canton Paper. ELAINE WHITE said that the Ordinances were not changed, just the fines, DUH!. $1,000 fine for walking in the street. Wake up Elaine and smell the coffee.. HELLO ELAINE. ANYONE HOME???

The Community room at City Hall is no more. THE NEW MAYOR has now decreed that this room is now the Council Chambers. The podium will now be permanent and any one or organization wanting to use the "COMMUNITY ROOM", will now only be able to use part of it. The New Mayor will have the podium carpeted to make it permanent and a new PA system installed. So much for violating the NAP Grant specifications.

Even though many communities are going to installing weather alert radios in peoples homes for storm emergencies, the NEW MAYOR is still going for obsolete sirens. Hello, was anyone in town with the last tornado?? What happened? Did the electricity go off?? The radios also are battery backed up. Sirens are not.

ON FINAL THING. The New City Administrator had the City crew prepare north 3rd street for resurfacing. You have got to see this. Drive up to the corner where Janets Flowers used to be. Look North. The City crew graded both sides of the street and prepared the street for paving. That is all of the street except the last 100 feet. that property owner was mowing the grass in the street and didn't want the city crew to tear it up. So, there is this great big jog in the street. When they get done, this will look soooo dumb. You really have got to see this.

June 15, 2003

Rumor has it that Butch Brown bought the property across the street from his parents. Yesterday afternoon a police officer of La Grange made a call to 911 to get a city employee, then another call for a different employee, then another call. the he started driving around town for help. A phone call to 911 offered that 911 should call the Mayor which was done. All the calls were because half of a large maple tree in front of the funeral home broke off and fell across the street. The Mayor got Mike Henderson to get the backhoe to move the tree out of the street. But, the tree that fell was still attached to what was left of the trunk and remaining tree. So instead of using a chainsaw and cutting it off, he used the backhoe to try to tear it off. Then drove around and pushed it until it tore off. So, instead of the Mayor ordering the huge tree section to be chained to tractor and dragged to the city shed, it was left in the city park. That will mean that instead of the city crew being able to cut up the tree at some later time, they will be have to do it Monday. Later, the remaining tree was taken down. It seemed to several spectators that there is a serious lack of communication among city employees. Here are a couple of pictures. PIC ONE PIC TWO. You can tell who the Mayor is with that extremely long t-shirt.

As I was driving around yesterday, I found a flea market at the casino parking lot. I was at Dottie Funnel Cake wagon near the road when I took the picture. And, as I was leaving I saw Wilma's Specialty Coffee Shop setting up. CLICK HERE

June 13, 2003

How much longer can it last?

I'll bet Ed Husar had tears in his eyes when he wrote Friday Night's article about the Mark Twain Casino. The winnings the casino is making jumped up to $54.01 per patron. People going to casino used to lose less money than that which means there were a lot of winners. But when the public wins, the casino loses, so the casino has changed that so that the casino is the winner. And, by the look of the graph that was shown in the Quincy Herald Whig, the Casino winnings climbed from less than 1.8 million to more than 2.3 million. BUT, the attendance has been declining faster than the stock market. From 54,000 all the way down to 40,000 something. The article Ed wrote also shows that the Casino has been taking in more money from the slot machines than ever. But, the new mayor is rumored to say that it will get better, the City is betting a million dollars on the casino getting better.

Rumor has it a new coffee shop may be opening up in La Grange.

June 12, 3002

Rumor has it that Penny White may purchase the Union Hall Building and start maybe a business like the old liquor store / grocery / snack / food or something like that.

Then there is the other rumor going around town that the foundry is either sold or rented to a company that plans to set up a barge terminal and store fertilizer in the building.

And, then there is the rumor that the casino is getting slow on attendance.

By looking at the City Council Minutes, it is assured that the new mayor has a lot in store for the people of La Grange. Brace yourself.

June 11, 2003

This is a little off topic but I wanted to share this experience. I have purchased a lot of items at K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and the Farm Store. I had one item, that after more than a year quit working that I had purchased at Wal-Mart. I took it back and without any question, it was exchanged for a new one. An Item I had purchased at Home Depot that had quit working was replaced only when I produced the receipt. (fair enough). But an item over 90 days purchased at K-Mart is done for. You are instructed to deal with the manufacturer direct.

I received copies of all the minutes of all the past council meetings and in reading the one about the election where the vote went to the Council, it was interesting to see that the New Mayor was afraid that he might lose a fair vote, so he immorally voted for himself. Just to make sure that he did everything possible to get to be Mayor. The New Mayor has continued his immoral attitude by passing Ordinances by publishing titles only and ready the titles only three times at one meeting. If you are going to disregard the Ordinance of reading them at three different meetings, why don't you go all the way and just read and pass the Ordinance one time at one Council meeting. If you are going to screw over the people of La Grange, have the guts to do it right. It is mind boggling that the new Council people are willing to go along with this scam on the people. But, once elected to the Council ----.

During the May 1 meeting Councilman Rossiter made a motion to invest the monthly money from the casino at the best possible interest, never mind whether another institution benefits the people and city or not.

The used police cars are no only worth $3300.00. So the Council voted to donate the two police cars to the County. Then Councilman Rossiter made a motion to buy a 2003 4X4 truck for $19,574 for the police department.

At this meeting the city administrator had nothing to say or report. But, the Council on May 9th did vote to HIRE another City manager and call him a public works director. Now, the City will have four different people telling the City crew what to do and how to do it. This is getting better ever day.

On the May 13th meeting the City Administrator again had nothing to report.

There is a lot more to report later.

June 9, 2003

City Council talks with Hoyes tonight about their property for an industrial park.

The new Mayor is taking my ideas and using them for his own gain. Next thing you know he will be working to annex the old Moorman property for a new subdivision.

The New Mayor announced at the Council meeting he will have a City Newsletter that will be made available to the public. That won't last long. The first time he puts anything in the newsletter that bad mouths a councilman and it will end. For instance, he wanted reports from his standing committees to put in the first newsletter.

Water Committee: Elaine White Chairperson. Elaine, what can you report? Answer by Elaine, I have no idea what they are doing.

Police Committee. Powers chairperson. Sometime we will remove the old building. Re-engineer the old city hall.

Park Committee. Sam Henderson chairperson. Still talking about the $50,000.00 for the skateboard park for the kids. Putting basketball hoops on the tennis court. Didn't mention the $20,000.00 rest rooms or the $90,000.00 for the riverfront park.

Fire Committee. Mike Lowe. No new news. Demolished some cars last weekend for training.

Police Chief reported that the overhang on the old City Hall is rotting.

Then there was a discussion on passing more new laws to make you a criminal.

Rita Farr: Brought up about the sidewalk replacement program. Now, this is a continuing program from year to year and yet, and yet, the City Administrator had no idea, even after talking with a concrete contractor, WHAT, the program was going to cost per foot or per job. Totally useless.

Oh darn, I just put everything the new mayor was going to put in his news letter.

While the Council was talking about all the rehab of the old City Hall, no one was discussing what to do with the deteriorating new City Hall. Several people had made comments about the paint/stain fading on the wooden siding, but unless you get up close, you can't see the real problems.

The wood hasn't ever been treated and now it is chalking and starting to warp. Plus, all the nails that were used to put the wooden siding on are all pulling out and rusting off. The dumb woman who dreamed up the design of this building should be totally ashamed. Maybe she can use some of that money she took for those bricks that were supposed to be placed out front with donors names on them to help pay for the replacement of the siding. Or maybe she could use some of that rental money from the Casino she has been raking in to help pay for it.

EMAILS

Mr. Brandt,
I can understand what you're going through with the barking dogs. I live in Palmyra and we have no dog catcher in town. We have the usual leash law, dog's are supposed to have dog tags, etc. It's basically impossible to have anything done concerning any type of animal here. The officers can only respond with "there's nothing they can do."

The one thing they can do is pull over a minor who has been drinking with other minors in the car and let them go with a warning. We also had a lady here in town who killed her husband who was attacking her with a hammer. They couldn't wait to arrest her and throw her in jail before asking what happened. They wouldn't even let her attend her husband's funeral!

Our council isn't much better. They tend to pick out specific individuals and complain about their yards and the way their
houses need a paint job. Most of these people would paint their homes if they could afford it!

I do have one question. How did you start your website? I am interested in starting one for Palmyra. I would appreciate any
advice you can give me. Thank you very much! You are the only one I found to e-mail to ask a question. Years ago, I visited my Aunt and Uncle, Bill and Edna Tuttle, who lived near LaGrange and shopped there regularly. Both of them are buried in the Riverview Cemetery but there doesn't appear to be any listing for them. I wonder who I could contact to ask that their names be added. My uncle, William Tuttle,
died in 1968, and my aunt, Alice Edna Tuttle died March 2, 1985 and was buried at Riverview on Tuesday, March 5, 1985. Could you help me with this? Thanks.

Oh ya if you were mayor lets see you would fire every body shame the whole
town, not get your way because changes could not be done overnite resign and
run like a dog with your tail between your legs shame the town again when you
resign. shame the town again and rerun later and now instead of working with the
man that beat you like you told every body in lewis county you were going to do
you would rather destroy him for trying so you can run against him again in two
years. ok fine have your fun you have done nothing but make a fool of yourself and
your family since you were 20 there in no need of you trying to change at 60 right
your not hurting me your just hurting your town sorry TIM

My family has now experienced the "friendly police" of LaGrange first hand. First of all, I was in the area visiting my father, and then got a call that Wyman was in critical condition here (emergency deal) and in ICU and was not expected to live (here in Fort Collins) he was fine when I left. So I had to fly back to Fort Collins - leaving my car and dogs in Missouri with
my dad --not knowing when I would be back.
Well, the 30th of May my son and his family came back to Missouri to have short visit with my dad and to pick up my car, dogs, and other belongings.
They stayed at the Days Inn in Quincy, and one evening decided to come to the La Grange Casino (quite late), left the boys at the Motel. As they were leaving to go back to Quincy they were stopped by a female cop - Jim kept asking why he was stopped -- no reason was given, they checked out his license, his insurance, to see if there were any warrants on him (there were not!) and kept saying that he had to be under the influence because his "eyes were red" -- did breathalyzer, had him "walking the line" - etc. which he all passed, and just kept harassing him, and kept asking what they were doing there, Jim finally said "visiting his Grandpa" they asked "who is that" and he told her -- then she let him go. Personally I think it was because of the Colorado license plates, a rather "sporty looking new Black Cavalier" -- God knows what. But it was an embarrassment to me to have him harassed that way. I had warned him before he left to be VERY VERY CAREFUL in LaGrange, because the police had a terrible reputation, and would stop him for any cause, real or imaginary. So I know that he was not speeding (plus he had a radar detector). He was not ticketed, or warned for anything!!! So -- that was his personal story (from his wife who was in the car). I haven't talked to him about it yet. By the way, due to the prayers of many many people, Wyman is much better, he has had a terrible pneumonia, was in intensive care two weeks, on regular floor ten days -- and will go to the nursing home tomorrow to do more recovering. It is totally a miracle that we have him.
So the new mayor isn't doing too well, huh?? That's too bad. I still can't understand either what goes on with all the money the casino gives to La Grange. I am glad you are keeping track of everything. I wanted to see you while I was back, but wasn't there long enough!

Hi Jerry,
Tell that person that has been thinking about moving to La Grange that you know
of a very quiet neighborhood, where a ranch style house, brick and siding, is for
sale for under $90,000. It has 2,065 sq. ft. of living space on the single floor. Has
a 2 1/2 car garage. Siding and roof was all new just 2 years ago. It has 4-
bedrooms , living room, family-room, dining room, 2 baths and utility room. A
beautiful fireplace to set by on those cold winter evenings in the Midwest, and
also a great river view in the summer when working in the yard or having those
family reunions on the 3+ lots. A large sun porch will be enjoyed by all. Prize
package is that all appliances come with the house. There is no greater place to
live than in La Grange, where you have small town living, but with-in just miles of
all the extras. Call Derl if interested. Bring checkbook, won't last long.
I believe I have missed my calling. Maybe I will go into the advertising business.
HA!!
See you guys this next week. I am hanging around town. How about breakfast or
lunch at the casino?? Do they still serve you there?? Hey when Linda's garden
starts producing I would like to buy vegetables from her. I want to bring them up
here in Iowa , and say this is what we have in Missouri. It seems everything is just
about 3-4 weeks behind here. 100 miles makes some difference. This way we
get to enjoy things longer.
Later

Can Sam vote on Salary's with his son working and being on the payrole ? TIM

He did not vote he abstained than Harold abstained so we are deadlocked 2 to 2
till Wed nite when Harold finds out if Sam can vote for sure or not Harold kind of
backstabed me and Ronnie it was not pretty Stiffey got all bent out of shape and
wanted to give everybody more of a raise if we lowered Larry it was a mess and
probably won't be any better Wed nite TIM

THE GOSSIP PAGE! Jerry it looks good I was never in favor of shutting down, I did want you to change
the change is good we can go so much farther with you being positive I'm working
hard on the BBQ I here TIM

It would be nice if you are going to insult people if you at least had a clue what the
hell you were talking about Sammy had nothing to do with this in fact was
somewhat against it .it was my Ideal to do this and I'm very proud of it I really
thought it was the best thing for the City Jimmy was very un happy you do not want
to pay for a new treatment plant well hopefully we have a couple people in there
that give a shit now and we move forward. you talk about my 135 people being for
same o look at your 135 voters getting the same o look at me mr negative no
matter what they do I'm against even if I was for it two months ago. you don't want
whats best for LaGrange you want whats best for Jerry read my bullshit page I'm
the king because I can talk about anybody and people like to read it . If you are for
your City than knock off the nonsense and show it. we have someone new on the
water dept. maybe he will make a difference we have a new guy on the sewer
plant maybe he will help us there and not hurt us. Damb Jerry you was so much
behind me I can not work miracles overnite but I'm working hard trying .I love my
town and will do whats best even if sometimes you do not agree Tim

June 8, 2003

There was an interesting article in the Quincy Paper from the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The interesting part is the two faced way the Missouri Gaming Commission talks out of both sides of their mouth. The slimy commissioners say that crime is so bad that La Grange needs to have TEN police officers to handle all the crime because of the Casino and then in the Quincy Paper the slimy commissioners say that it has never been reported that there is any increase in crime because of a Casino. Which is it two facers? Well, Mr. Bailey, which is it? No need for money to the County because of no increase in crime, or the need for 10 police officers in La Grange because of increase in crime or to prevent crime.

But, the Mayor of La Grange should be more helpful with the rest of the County. Why, he has it in his $2.5 million dollar budget a gift of $9,500.00 to the Hannibal Drug Enforcement. All they did was come an ask, and they received. No questions asked. If he so generous with them in Hannibal, which Hannibal with 20 times more population than La Grange gave the same amount, then why not Lewis County? Doesn't make sense. Mayor Rossiter states in the paper that the County PA didn't provide him with sufficient accounting, yet he gives the Hannibal group $9,500.00 and they told him they do not give any accounting.

It doesn't make sense that the people of La Grange have to pay for security for the Casino because the Gaming Commission "suggests it". ONE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR out of the People of La Grange's income from the Casino.

The new Mayor should stop and ask himself this question. What if the County put on a ballot to vote for legalized gambling in the County and it passed? Why doesn't the new Mayor request that the Casino pay their fair share? Billy Bob Thursby says it isn't his concern, why is the people of La Grange's concern whether the Casino gets 10 Police Officers or not? Just another case to show that the Casino does not care anything about La Grange, about the County, or about the people of La Grange. Screw them all.

June 7, 2003

A sports writer for the Quincy Herald Whig sure caused me a lot of extra work this weekend. It seems he made a comment in his article regarding the Gossip Page. First, my phone rang off the hook all night of people calling and asking if I saw the article about the Gossip Page. I don't read the sports pages, so I took a few phone calls before I got to read the article. And, how he knew, I don't know, but I did receive a lot of hate emails for my decision to end the Gossip Page.

But, the writer for the Quincy Herald Whig filled my inbox several times this weekend. He also added several thousand more hits to this page more than normal.

Well, it had to happen. The old tom cat got tired of the skunk eating his dinner. We will wash the cat in tomato juice tomorrow. but, I don't think the skunk will be back either. It was a nasty fight.

You cannot believe all the rumors going around about the last few Grand Jury indictments that were not publicized. Some are totally unbelievable. One rumor is that the PA is going after Heartland again for the same charges. Now, that one is really hard to believe.

Tonight would have been a great night for the mosquito sprayer, but as the City Administrator has to make the dreaded decision, and he doesn't work after 5pm Friday, we will have to suffer until maybe Tuesday next week. This decisions really need upper management decisions. To bad we don't have a Mayor that can make them.

June 6, 2003

There is a nasty rumor going on around town about an ex-politician and a spouse of another ex-politician having fun. I guess the old saying that when the cat's away the mice will play.

Another email: I know that BFI hauled 6 or more loads of waste and put in our sewer today !

The new Mayor needs to remember that many people are watching all the time.

Another email: Here's how you have a $2.5 million budget on a $1.5 million income...each of the 1,000 citizens of LaGrange will break, by accident or design, at least one of the $1000 fine Ordinances this year, thereby accruing fine funds for the city of at least 1000 people x $1000 = one million dollars. Council are fiscal geniuses. They have balanced the books on the projected fines they plan on collecting. They may even show a surplus to build statues in the few parks, those that are left, for themselves of course and hold Sewer Lagoon Day where everyone raises a cup of BFI slops and tosses in a penny or two for the FD speedboat raffle.

Another email: Jerry
At one time I had thought moving to LaGrange, but seeing all the unfavorable things that have happened in the past and what is still happening, it sure does not make it a primary for leaving Chicago. I have relatives living at La Belle and it would be nice to be a little closer. LaGrange seemed to be a nice peaceful place like Canton, but it really makes you wonder.

My Answer:: I see:

And you think maybe Canton or LaBelle or Palmyra would be better????
The only difference between any of the above Cities or any other City and La Grange is La Grange has the Gossip Page to air the dirty linen, so to speak. St. Charles Missouri has Charleytown.
You just don't understand.
La Grange would be a great place to move to. There is no other City you can find that has a police officer for every
hundred people. 24/7 police protection.
No other City has this much money from this wonderful casino to spend.
Now, there are no factories to pollute the air or barge refinery to pollute the water, Just a nice clean casino.
You are seven minutes from a County Market grocery store and Dollar General on a road with hardly any traffic.
You are 25 minutes from a shopping mall that is half filled in Quincy. Wal-Mart - Home Depot - Farm Store and a
hundred restaurants that have any kind of ethnic food you will ever want.
The Casino has a first class restaurant, equal to any in Quincy.
Casey's General Store has gas cheaper than anywhere else.
Tiemann's MFA gas station, pumps your gas, checks your oil, washes your windshield, and will check your tires if
you ask, for only 7 cents a gallon more than Casey's. He will also come to your home and get your car for service
and bring it back. If you car won't start in the winter he will come out to jump it. You can't service like that in Chicago and still have a car left.
We have guys in town that will mow your grass or push your snow.
La Grange is a quiet town where no one makes any noise. No hot rodders speeding about squealing tires.
AND, you show me anywhere where my taxes on 5 acres are less than $15.00 a year. License plates $35.00.
Water and sewer and trash for under $20.00.
AND, if I keep pushing, I will get the City to do away with our property taxes and personal taxes.
The only real downside to our town is that out school is 20 miles away. That hurts young people moving to La
Grange.
BUT, if you are old and retired like me, there is no place cheaper in the Country to live.
Yes, the people of La Grange keep electing dumb and dumber people to the Council. I can not for the life of me
figure it out. I have tried and tried.
You talk to a candidate that is running for office.
Yes, they agree we need to do away with the taxes until the boat is gone.
Yes, we need better streets.
Yes, we need to hold our police officers down from harassing everyone.
No, we do not need a million dollar sewer lagoon.
AND THEN:
They get elected.
And the first thing they vote for:
26 new Ordinances that make innocent things like walking in the street a $1000 fine.
Oh, we are looking at a new sewer lagoon.
Oh, maybe we can't do away with the taxes just yet.
So, we keep on changing at every election.
Like I say, I do not understand what happens to these people once they are sworn in.
Do you think I am too hard on them?
As of today, I have kept up on the police so that for the past 4 or 5 months, the police are quietly doing their job
and not harassing the people. We now have an excellent police force.
Would I ever move from La Grange? Not even if I won the lottery.
Come on down and visit.
Jerry Brandt
NOW WHAT DO YOU THINK?

If you are out looking around and trying to see where the money is being spent, trying looking on North 3rd Street near the New City Administrators house. There is a lot of work being done there. Why, the City Administrator even made a circle turn-around at the end of third street. But, it is the work of the Street Super that is getting the work done in spite of all the changes and more changes by the City Administrator.

Rumor has it that he likes the new Sewer Supervisor and the new Water Supervisor. It seems that both can't see who can get on their knees first for the City Administrator.

NEXT WEEK, a whole lot of stuff.

June 4, 2003

EMAIL: It's 10:32 A.M. and they are dumping the third load in the sewer so far today! I thought that the City was going to stop BFI from screwing up our sewer plant.

ANSWER: The New Mayor (Mayor Lagoon II the sequel), assured me that he was stopping that practice, but I guess since you have to work everyday, you can't watch everything that goes on in town. It is too bad we have a City Administrator that doesn't have a clue about anything. You would think that since Councilman Henderson is at City Hall several times a day every day taking care of sonny, that he would see the dumping. But, maybe he wants to make sure the people of La Grange has to pay for a new sewer lagoon too.

June 1, 2003

Daddy is taking care of sonny. Sonny started out as an experienced mechanic for the City and paid a handsome sum for his excellence in education and experience, only to find out that after daddy got him the job, he couldn't fix a lawn mower. The nepotism laws of Missouri and the Ethic laws of Missouri mean nothing to a Councilman wanting to see his sonny get the best. When they found out that sonny wasn't the mechanic he was paid handsomely for, daddy got Sonny promoted to Assistant Street Superintendent. Kiss any semblance of ethics good-bye. Then when they found that sonny couldn't grade a ditch, or pave a road, daddy got sonny promoted to WATER SUPERINTENDENT. The only thing sonny knows about water is how to flush a toilet. But, daddy is taking care of Sonny at all costs.

You would think that a good honest MAYOR would put a stop to this insaneness. But, when you have a Mayor in debt to someone, what else can he do but live with the stench.