March 31, 2002

A few emails

Way to go liquor store! Find a niche somehow...other businesses...you paying attention here? Local business serves the community...all the gambling boat does is rip it off...with city officials on their knees, groveling at the trough, hands in your tax pockets, and drooling over the money coming in that never serves LaGrange and never will. Go for it liquor store! Could be that some people DO care for this community??? I'll pop in with ideas.

Hey Jerry what's going on? Just wanted to tip off the citizens about the La Grange P.D. not only do you have to watch them when you are in town, now you have to be alert out of the city limits!
Friday 3/29/02 I was coming into town at 12:34 a.m. my daughter was with me. Before you get to Richter's farm, (I was going apprx. 55 mph) all of a sudden this car in front of me slams on the brakes & I mean slam on the brakes! My daughter said "Oh my God what's this idiot doing?!!" I had to slow down quickly & fast because I didn't know what happened to this driver ahead, I told my daughter it was probably some dumb ass drunk going to that stupid-ass casino. 
Much to our surprise it was a La Grange Police Car!!!!!! He stopped all traffic when he stopped in the road, no turn signals, no emergency lights, no 4-way flashers, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!! Remind you he is NOT in the city limits) So, he then proceeds slowly (after he comes to a dead halt) to the shoulder of the road, I am slowing down going around him to see what the hell he is doing, as I pass him he shines his damn spotlight in my eyes! He blinded me to oncoming traffic!!! What a freaking dumb ass. Do we actually pay these idiots and for what??? What the hell are they doing burning city gas out of the city limits?
And then shining spot-lights in someone's face! I was so upset when I got home I was going to call the Police Dept. then I thought what the hell for... I hope I see the day when the boat
is closed, then there will not be a need for 10 officers in a town of less than 1000 people. Because all it has brought to this town is misery. We have untrained officers that don't know where their boundaries are, nor do they know what they are doing. We have business' closing & closed due to the boat and business slow-down due to the boat. I don't see any great improvements to this town since it opened just a bunch of empty promises.
I know the facts, that a lot of people I know who have blown their pay checks at the Casino & came out empty handed. But of course it is making the Casino richer & the city prosper. So I guess that makes everyone happy.

Thanks for suggestion for a lawyer however I can not afford to pursue a lengthy court battle at this time. I have read your comments about the LAPD and they really hit home as I have had similar experiences with them. .Among other things I was the victim of a crime. After reporting the crime I became the suspect. They wanted me to change my truthful statements into lies. I would not. The person who committed the crime is free to do it again. I cant begin to tell you all their lies. I am
speaking of two new officers. One lies with no conscience, he is afraid to do an honest investigation because someone he has to talk to has recent information about him that would embarrass him and cast doubt about him as a trusted law enforcement officer. At least the other officer lies and then apologies. I really don't know who is worse the LAPD or the criminals. I will never report another crime to them again and if I was ever to get shot I will crawl to another town to report it. I could go on
all day but you already seem to grasp the idea that the new police officers are power hungry and the bill of rights is something they believe was created to make their lives harder. 

Just a sample of emails I get.

However, in regards to the events of the weekend, The La Grange Youth Center Bake sale was very good and Betty wants to thank everyone who helped and came by. I didn't get to attend the Lions Club Fish Fry this time, but I was told that the fish was as excellent as ever. Contrary to the Mayor and City Council and Chamber of Commerce and the Casino, the PEOPLE of La Grange do their very best to support their town. They always have and always will. I have received several emails from out of towners who used to live here and have family here and they are all worried and concerned about the possibility of the restaurants closing and the Foundry closing. 

March 29, 2002

Hi Jerry, this is Missy at the liquor store, could you please let everyone
aware of the fact that we are NOT closing down, nor are we up for sale, we
are just redoing the store, sales have been slow since the boat got
here, as every business in town is aware of, and so we are trying to redo
the store to make it into something this town needs, a grocery/general
store, we are getting rid of all the alcohol and will no longer carry
it, the liquor that's in the store now is all that's left and once its gone
its gone, we will not be ordering it in anymore, we will be getting rid of
some of the coolers to make more room in the store for more types of
groceries, movie, rentals, we will be carrying DVD's soon also, we are open
to any suggestions of things ppl would like us to put in the store, e
wont handle any meat type items unless its already to cook, like frozen
pizzas, sausage links, things like that, but plz let the town know that
everyone is welcome to come in and give us suggestions on things they
run out of that they don't want to run all the way to canton for or to
q-city, everyone is welcome to come in, but plz be patient with us while
we are rearranging things, We are trying to keep our store going, as is
every other business in town, thanxs, Riverfront

Well, it is official. The Friday Nite Fights in Canton are done. It looks like the Missouri Athletic Club pulled the plug. Probably by complaints by the Canton City Mothers. The old politician saying is, if you can't screw the business community one way, keep trying. Way to go Canton, maybe you can work your way to having every business in town for sale like La Grange.

Don't forget the Lions Club fish fry Friday night. You better hurry, maybe the La Grange city mothers might find it illegal to have clean fish in a building. After all, it isn't the Casino putting it on.

March 28,2002

Whenever I get busy and can't update this page in a short period of time, I get several emails asking why. More than three days and you get nasty. Well, here is what I have.

It seems the Canton Council is upset about the fight nites. But, I have a copy of the Canton Ordinances and I don't see one that will stick. In fact, there was a mention about the State Liquor Inspector doing something about it and a search of the Missouri Statutes doesn't come up with anything either. These cannot be considered a professional boxing match, these are just a couple of guys or gals having fun. Maybe a couple of the ladies showed a little more front than the City mothers morals would like, but they could go to church two more times and maybe stay a little longer. And if they don't like to see it, STAY HOME. 

I can still remember all the crap the City mothers of La Grange pulled on my dad when he had the Boat House. They fought him on his beer 3.2 beer license, his 5% license, his liquor by the drink license, dancing, even by teenagers after school. The City refused to acknowledge any street responsibility from the back of the bank to the river. Yet, when the Casino came to town, ALL those ordinances the used against my dad were instantly gone. The mother morals against the blacks gambling in the alley instantly disappeared. My how City mothers can be so two-faced, when they plan to benefit.

In, La Grange it seems that Councilman Rossiter is the only one trying to get some of the Casino benefits to the people. Those 184 voters Mayor, who they are tickled to death with, keeps screwing them over and the just love it. Come next election those 184 voters will vote him in again, even if he doesn't run.

The only thing the Mayor and Councilman Powers want is MORE POLICE action, more police training, more fireman training, more City Clerk training. Especially if they can go to Tan-Tara for a week, all expenses paid. Then the Council sold an old fire truck to a guy in town for $300 when another person out of town bid $400. Go figure that one.  The new cadets from the academy come to La Grange, the City hires them, the City pays for more training, clothes, guns, ect., and then they go somewhere else to work.

You have until April 5th to sign up as a write-in for Councilman in the North and South Ward. So far these two Councilmen have voted against the people of La Grange and we need someone to vote for us. Just last Council meeting, the Council voted down the little $35.00 connection fee to hook up water to a new service. It seems all the mayor and Council want to do is screw everyone. 

March 24, 2002

The Easter Bunny came to town on the La Grange Fire Truck and laid some eggs. CLICK HERE.  There were a whole lot of kids waiting to see the Easter Bunny. CLICK HERE. Then around 3pm there was a surprise ?? birthday party for Alma Painter. CLICK HERE. And, the final community effort of the day was the La Grange Community Youth Center's first teen dance. 

Over the weekend I received several interesting emails. One had to deal with the Fight Night in Canton. It went on  about how they were doing their best to have a wholesome family affair for everyone to enjoy. It seems they weren't too happy about the police and city officials showing up last Friday night, but I guess they didn't find anything wrong as no complaint seemed to be made. The email went on to say that another is slated for next Friday night and they want everyone to come.

Another email was from a friend of an officer who offered the chance to resign or be fired. He said his friend was fired for being in the National Guard and the City wrongly fired him for that. I Just replied to him with my disagreement with his charges against the City.

Another email was from someone seeking a lawyer for some reason about the police department,

I received another email from an officer that recently quit the department. He wanted to thank all the people in town made him feel welcome. Complained about the lack of respect of the law from the people. ( I referred him to a past chief that caused that). He complained about the people not appreciating him (risking his life) to work here and how (underpaid) he was for riding around town. And evidently, he really liked "the girls" downstairs as he wanted to say hi to them. 

As there are many officers coming and going in the LAPD, it makes one wonder just what kind of cock and bull story the police committee is feeding these applicants. Are they telling these guys that City has 5 times more police officers than needed? Are they telling them that it is a dead end job? Are they telling them that there is no chance of advancement? Are they telling them that the people in town have all been shot at and are now gunshy, so catching one to arrest like the old days are gone? Are they telling them, there will be no appreciable raises forever? Are they telling them the circle they will patrol gets smaller by the day? NO, according to his email, he said (I moved to LaGrange and relocated my whole family, with the idea that the casino and the money from it would force the town to change for the better. I was excited to see what a small town like LaGrange would do to improve their community, a true life rags to riches story.............wow, that would be something.). It sure would and everyone in town is still waiting.

March 23, 2002

If you didn't get down to the Lions Hall and have some of the Green Chapel Church fish fry, you missed some good eating. No where else could you get steaked carp and slab carp and catfish. 

Today is a big day in La Grange, there is a lot going on around town. Rumor has it that a real  nice lady will have a surprise birthday party too. I forgot to report that three old codgers in town celebrated their wedding anniversaries together. Ted Sturhaun, Bobby Cottrell and Jim Cottrell. I think Ted said he was married to a wonderful woman 66 beautiful years, or something like that.

March 21, 2002

Remember, you heard it here first. Rumor has it that the Casino will have an Elvis Impersonator CLICK HERE and a Roy Oberson impersonator CLICK HERE appear at the Casino on April 2nd from 7pm to 9pm. The tickets will be only $7.00. It looks like the Casino will use the Restaurant part for the show by removing all the tables and setting up a stage. Rumor has it that these guys are good.

March 20, 2002

In reading the Press News Journal, one can surmise that nothing happened in La Grange last week, except this week Wayne Maples truck burned up. And, according the the PNJ, nothing is going to happen next week either.

But, the Gossip page has a lot coming up this weekend. Green Chapel Fish Fry Friday evening at the Lions Hall. The youth Center is having its Spring Dance Saturday Evening and the Chamber of Commerce is having its Easter egg hunt at 1pm Saturday afternoon. Then next Friday, the Lions will have its last fish fry and the Youth Center will have a bake food sale that Saturday. If you like fish, these are the last two of the year.

Rumor has it that an officer of the law of La Grange is resigning from the force. Another rumor is that another officer was seen with a local lady down by the river. naughty naughty. 

March 19, 2002

It was an exciting day in downtown La Grange Monday. Wayne Maples stopped at the cafe to eat dinner and his truck that was in the parking lot caught on fire. Today, we get the real skinny on the issue. Rumor has it that it took the fire department 15 minutes to get there. Once there, they took their time looking at the fire, couldn't get the hose off the truck, didn't know how to get the pump to work, and according to onlookers, they really didn't know what they were doing. Then, the other rumor is that a police officer came out from behind City Hall and down the hill at a high rate of speed, rounded the corner at the stop light on two wheels and parked right in front of the truck on fire. Many observers were talking about the City having some sort of emergency response procedure that will assure the safety of everyone while the fire and police go to the scene. Many were discussing as to the reason the officer felt he needed to endanger other peoples lives to go two blocks. They wanted to know why the officer put the police car in jeopardy by parking the car so close to the fire. 

I received a purchased copy of a video tape of the fight nights at the Hat Rack in Canton. After very carefully viewing the tape and some scenes frame by frame, I can't see any reason to condemn this as pornography. The woman who took off her jeans looked like she had on a skimpy bathing suit under them, just like on Hog Back. Now, in regards to the front views, here again, if you go to Club Med in the Caribbean, there are more women without tops on than those that have them on. So what is the big deal? 

Did he City Council make a good deal in buying the LRO building? Rumor has it that the roof leaks, and flooring is coming off the floor. Everyone knows that the wood siding will need yearly maintenance. What about the heating and air conditioning costs? Now, the City wants to hire a jack-of-all-trades employee to keep from paying prevailing wage to hire a contractor to remodel the building to suit the City's needs. They may want to keep one on hand from now on just for building maintenance.

This is a warning to the people of La Grange. For some unknown reason, the Mayor is still planning to stick you with a new sewer treatment plant that will cost YOU money. The letter from the City to people around town is a lie. There is no compelling reason to build a new sewer treatment plant. There may be a reason for a new manager.

One other item, the rumor is the City Street Super has been quietly taking time off, hours off, afternoons off, days off and the Mayor doesn't have a clue, maybe because of all the time at the Casino. If the Mayor can't manage ONE city employee, how can he manage the Casino money?

March 17, 2002

Rumor has it that the extreme fight nite last Friday was another success. Videos of the last nude fight were shown over again. Rumor has it that a lot of gamblers decided not to gamble to go to the fights. Rumor also has that if you didn't get there early, you didn't get any Kangaroo Loin at the BirdNest Restaurant. 

Does anyone know who was arrested at 2 am this morning for dwi?? 

Did you get your letter from the MAYOR and Council last week? Stories change when the heat is on. Now, instead of raising the sewer rates as the engineers in Quincy want to do, the Mayor and Council now say there will not be any increase in the sewer or water bills. But, whenever a city or school district are ready to spend millions of dollars and say "it won't cost you any money", hold on to your a--.

Now, they want to look at the property near the Wyaconda River again. It is for sale for a small sum of $200,000.00. Property that floods first, well a little after the Casino parking lot goes under. This over the cost of $1,500,000.00 to move the sewer plant. Somehow, the City COUNCIL and Mayor have decided that the more business we lose, the more homes we lose, losing the school, and maybe the Foundry, the more sewerage we have. Somewhere, the Mayor has found that the sewer plant was over used a couple of times, breached, is what he called it. Maybe, if the City would stop taking the leachate from BFI, there wouldn't be another breach.

April 5th is coming on fast and no one has signed up as a write-in for the North or South wards. Someone needs to sign up that is not AFRAID. 

CANTON MISSOURI

I heard a couple of rumors regarding some stuff going on in Canton. Today, I got the real SKINNY. The rumor has it that the business in Canton that has EXTREME fighting on Friday nights is allowing more than fighting. The rumor has it that some of the women (and men) participants are putting on a better show than fighting. If you are interested in nude boxing, you are in for a treat. The big question in La Grange is?????  Is the Casino now going to have nude boxing or nude wrestling to go into competition with the business in Canton?? Friday night will be another bout, will you be there?? Or gambling at the Casino?

March 14, 2002

According to the Press News Journal Council meeting minutes, the City Council FEARFULLY repealed the franchise fees YOU pay on your electric, gas, phone, and cable bills. But, they only did it for six months. Reason? The Council has this fear that the Gaming Commission might take away the City's money or the Casino might move some where else, or the world might end, or people will quit gambling. DUH, if the Gaming Commission changes its mind and take away that income, the City can impose another fee or tax on the Casino like they do You and Me. And as far as the Casino closing or moving?? Would you close a place that is sucking a half a million dollars a week in your pocket?? I don't think so. The Council is also FEARFUL, that if they did away with the real and personal taxes and the (casino moved) or closed, that You the Taxpayer wouldn't vote to reinstate the tax again. You, the people of La Grange cannot be trusted to be good honest citizens like the Councilmen. The Council is also Fearful that if they repeal the Sales tax, and (God forbid) the Casino moves or falls in a hole in the ground, YOU, the taxpayer cannot be trusted to be honest and good and vote it back in again. 

Then the Council is FEARFUL, that if they go along with the E911, that MAYBE, just MAYBE, somewhere down the road, the E911 might want the City to pay for dispatching. DUH, will it cost as much as the $60,000, they are paying now?? HELLO? is anyone home??

The Council discussed a person living outside the (district) wanting to be a fireman. Ron Powers didn't think so, but it is OK to violate the Charter and allow the Fire Chief live outside the City. (go figure).

Based on the FEARS and ACTIONS of the City Council, they are the only smart people in La Grange, They are the only ones that can be trusted to do right by the City, and they are the only Honest people in town. the rest of us are scum.

I see that in the Canton and LaBelle papers, all the public entities are publishing their financial Statements. Did anyone see one from the City of La Grange? How about the La Grange Revitalization Organization? Or even one from Project Brighter Future? Nor did I see one from the Lewis County Industrial Development Association. What about one from the 1993 Flood Relief Money, mayor? 

March 13, 2002

A couple of emails for the day

PLEASE ADD TO THE GOSSIP PAGE...THANK YOU

This town needs answers and needs them NOW!!

Since August, 2001 La Grange has raked in approximately $1 million dollars as its share of profits from the Gambling Boat. What has happened to this money? What is it being spent on to improve the quality of life and services in the community? Why are town officials "sitting" on this fund?

La Grange is in desperate need, amongst other things, of new water pipes, new sidewalks and promotion of local businesses for the town’s benefit. Why aren’t the profits from the Boat being used to upgrade these community services?

On the main street, out of 12 businesses 6 are up for sale and others are hurting because the Boat is constantly sucking money from the pockets of citizens. Given this, why aren’t town officials plowing the profits they get back into the community and promoting and servicing the greater interests of La Grange?

At the present rate town policy will shut so many businesses down and force so many people to go elsewhere to live and work that only the Boat will be left. Maybe that’s the whole idea?????

Its time for some answers and some REAL changes.

ANOTHER

You would think that whoever is on the police committee would see that hiring the young officers right out of the academy has been the wrong thing to do. They have to know that these new hot shots have made the city a laughing stock of the tri-state area with all their numerous harassing stops. And, they are killing the local businesses.

Why don't they hire older officers, much older officers who are not out to make a name for themselves. Any idiot can see that by hiring these young cops will create nothing but turnover after turnover as they will all end up quitting or getting fired. 

March 11, 2002

Another Council Meeting tonight. This will be the 16th Council meeting since the opening of the Casino. Since that day, the City has received $1,000,000.00. That's ONE MILLION DOLLARS, plus/minus. Yet, In review of all the Council meetings, here is what you haven't seen or heard. You have not heard one Councilman/woman or Mayor make a motion to refund last years taxes to the people. You have not heard anyone make a motion to repeal the City property taxes. You have not heard any one motion to repeal the secondary tax on the people of La Grange, the franchise fees imposed on your electric bill, your gas bill, your phone bill, and you cable bill. The elimination of the property taxes equals to maybe a week or so of the income from the Casino. The same goes for the franchise fees.

It is beginning to look like the Mayor has no continuity to his meetings at all. He brings up about the New City Administrator at a meeting and for the next three or four meetings he forgets about it. He brings up about the law about redrawing the wards and then it is forgotten. 

The Mayor was pushing hard to move the sewer plant for the Casino. Sneaking around trying to find land to put it. First, he tried shutting of the air to the sewer plant to cause it to smell so the public would complain. When that was found out, the pump seemed to then have a problem and the Council ordered it fixed. Now, it works like it supposed to do. Then, somehow the engineers tried to make it out that since the plant was thirty years old, it was obsolete, but it has been well taken care of and works as good today as it did when it was new. It is too bad for this Mayor, a previous Mayor and Council had the foresight to build a sewer plant that would handle all the water the City can pump and large enough to handle growth for years to come.    

The City is dying and the Mayor could care less. And, the Council refuses to do anything. 

March 10, 2002

Out side of police officers quitting the force right and left, nothing much is happening around town. It has been too cold to go outside and do anything till today. The Lions Club will hold another fish fry March 15th. The Fire Department had a soup supper last evening. I wonder if they will give that to the Boy Scouts, since they held a free meal the night the Boy Scouts had their annual soup supper. One thing about, there is always some place to go go to eat every week end in La Grange besides the Casino. The only problem is that they quit all these weekend meals the first of April. 

March 7, 2002

Some idiot driving down the highway saw (A FIRE!!!), called the Canton Police on their cell phone to report (A FIRE!!!), 5 or six miles South of Canton on 61. Canton called La Grange and La Grange sent out trucks on both 61 and Route B looking for this (FIRE!!!). When all was said and done, it was just the road crew was burning brush out on the new highway. One good thing about the run around is that the fire trucks were gassed up at the MFA station instead of Caseys. Now, if the police chief would get a police car or two to use the MFA, it would be a good community relations. Yes, I know the Mayor will object.

Enquiring minds are wanting to know why the County Officials are meeting with the Casino. There is no sense asking the Mayor. He hasn't a clue what day it is.

ONE MILLION DOLLARS in the bank and NOT ONE COUNCILMAN has raised his hand at any council meeting and said, "I make the motion to return the taxes paid by property owners". NOT ONE COUNCILMAN has said, "I make a motion to repeal the property taxes for this year". NOT ONE COUNCILMAN has said, "I make the motion to do away with the franchise Fees imposed on the people of La Grange".

Will someone run as a write in, in the North and South Wards that will work for the people of La Grange instead of themselves??? 184 people have to be so proud that their Mayor is keeping the money from them. They have to be tickled to death that their Mayor is screwing them over. Pave my drive free and no prayer here and duh, trained their mayor well. Just like Project Brighter Future, do it to our friends and neighbors.

March 5, 2002

I have received many emails about the Street Super these past few days. Every one was a compliment and a pat on the back for the street super in getting out and knocking the snow Saturday. I even noticed that he was out early Saturday and was doing an excellent job. It is too bad the Mayor will see this. It seems that whenever the Street Super or Water Dept does something good, the Mayor calls them in and cusses them out. Sorry boys.

As good as the Street Super is on the City Streets, the word is that the Special Road board members forgot about their roads. My sisters road has been snowed in since Saturday and they haven't been able to get out since then. Maybe the sun will melt it for her to get out. In talking to a board member and equipment operator. It seems the equipment they paid a hefty price for from a contractor that left the Country, is nothing but junk. Then the board members compound the problem by being cheap and trying to patch the equipment with used or rebuilt stuff that also breaks down. 

March 3, 2002

Rumor has it that maybe ANOTHER police officer is quitting the La Grange Police force. If that is true, that will make 2 now. Remember what I said? I said that only the laziest, dumbest person on earth would take a dead end job of being a police officer in La Grange. The same dull routine, the same wage, no chance of ever getting an advancement, and having a Mayor as dumb as the one he has to work for tell him what to do. Plus with all the other officers, you will never, ever get any overtime to make any money.  But, every once in awhile you might get the big call, maybe like last night, when there was reported that someone shot a gun 10 times at Ramsey Jones trailer park. And you get to speed down there 90 miles an hour, with lights blazing and siren wailing, only to find nothing.

And now an email from an out of towner....  Hi Jerry, Just a note to let you know what a fine job I think you're doing with the web page. Since my departure from La Grange (I left Oct. 2001), I find reading your web page a means of staying in touch with the daily activities of many friends and acquaintances. Keep up the good work! 

Rumor has it that the La Grange Lions Club fish fry Friday evening was a great success. I must have been there at the wrong hour or so as I didn't get to see the Mayor or any Councilman make a show. But, MS 45years was there, and Ms LRO was there.