May 31, 2000

There is a trackhoe at the south end of town. Is the gambling boat coming? False alarm. It is only to dig up more polluted ground at the City shed. 

Rumor has it that there will be another long delay in the starting of the building of the gambling boat. Not that any City official can confirm, but it is rumored that the bids came in too high and the bids will have to be redone. What in the world else can happen to stop the boat from getting here? Another rumor is that an official of the gambling boat was looking at some property to by here in town, but can't afford it. Even after the property owner threw in more property and lowered the price. They just don't make millionaires like they used to.

May 29, 2000

Only THREE days left to go before they start construction on the Gambling Boat. No one knows who got the bid on the construction. NO City Official attended the opening of the Bids. Where were all these people who said they could be the City Manager? If they couldn't attend this one important meeting, much less any of the Highway 61 meetings, How in the world will they be able to manage the City when the boat gets going.

Rumor has it that they have quit trying to by some property on the south end. Look out Hartley Tasco, you are the only other place. Get ready for more harassment.

How many of you went to the Cemetery to place your decoration? Did you notice anything missing? There weren't any American flags on any veteran graves. WHY? Why is that every other Cemetery in the Country had American flags on the veteran's graves except here in La Grange.

On the South side of River View Cemetery, I noticed that there were some stones knocked down and pounded in the ground by mowers. I also notice on grave site (that had a stone standing) with a pile of brush on top of it. Did you also notice that the signs are starting to really deteriorate?

Let's see now, which NEW Councilman is the Chairman for the Cemeteries?

I have come across a whole lot of old La Grange Indicators. Some of the interesting items will be posted on the pictures page. The one thing that stands out the most in the late 60's and early 70's was all the things the Chamber of Commerce was doing. Ice cream socials. Strawberry festivals. Dairy Day. To name a few. Now, all the Chamber does is have the 4th of July Barbque, then have a dinner meeting and give each other awards. Even the barbque has been taken over by the Fire Department.

Speaking of the Fire Department. The old fire truck, whish belongs to the Rural people should be put under cover and not left out in the weather. 

Question, is Tony Miles going to be sued by the boat people? 

May 28, 2000

I received a phone call from tom dean last night about 8pm. He was objecting to the congratulations of  his son being on the honor roll.  In between his objections were threats of physical violence and a few obscenities.  Hanging up the phone didn't stop him, he called again and before he could finish more threats of violence, he was hung up on again. 

All these dogooders around town have to do is this. Contact the Press News Journal and publish for the public to see where they are getting the money and where it is going.  So simple. After all, they are supposed to be representing the people of La Grange aren't they? They are a non profit organization representing La Grange aren't they? Then why not report to the people?

Wasn't the Project Brighter Future supposed to be for your kids? Weren't they supposed to keep your school here? Then what happened? What happened to all the money, several thousand dollars? Why isn't there any accounting to the people who gave their time and money?

 Why get mad about it? Show everyone that it is all above board.  It is not enough to have a Chamber Meeting and give each other an award for all your goodness.  Put it in print. Show the rest of us your books. After all you are the La Grange Revitalization Organization, a not for profit organization for the people of  La Grange, aren't you?

 The threats of physical violence is a criminal offense and is not the best way to handle the problem. But, we will wait and see.  Sooner or later the people of La Grange will find out where their money went. You people can call and threaten, but you won't be able to hide it forever.

May 27. 2000

During the storm last night, an airplane went down out on rte Z North of Maywood. It was found early Saturday morning. Rumor has it that Canton rescue was called and an ambulance was called too. The La Grange First Responders went to the site. Information was received here that the Fire Chief took off across a field with a woman in the back at a high rate of speed. Later the woman came back to the road with a neck brace on. 

Well, I guess the date for the start of the new gambling boat set by the Mayor ha come and gone. We will wait and see if June 1st is the correct date. So far, no heavy equipment has arrived to do dirt work yet. Maybe we got the year wrong again.

May 25. 2000

I noticed in the Quincy paper where Scott Dean is a honor student at Highland. Maybe he can teach his parent to do the honorable thing and publish her financial statement for the LRO.

Do you remember "Portraits of the Past?" Presented to the public in 1982 as part of the Sesquicentennial celebration?  Here is a copy of the booklet. CLICK HERE

May 24. 2000

If the hundreds of thousands of gallons of leachate that Ralph (pave my drive free) Martin and Fred (no prayer here) Wiewel allow BFI to dump into the City sewer is so clean and just water, then why doesn't BFI just dump it on it's own property? If it is so harmless, it shouldn't matter.

The Christmas edition of the La Grange Indicator of 1969 listed the following businesses with ads for happy holidays. Logsdon Bros Service - La Grange Grand Leader - The House of Carpet - Maurice G. Tonnies - Ridge Garage - Producers Creamery - Don's Food Store - Pete's Boat House - Bemis & Nixon - Bailey Funeral Home - Todd & Hartman Insurance -  F&M Bank - Brinkley's Hardware - Tiemann's Conoco - Ramsey Jones - Solter's Superette - Mac's Used Furniture - Fish's - Van's Oil Co. - Gardner Denver - Triangle Refineries - Bradshaw Feed Service - Cliff's Barber Shop - Mavis Cafe - La Grange Coal Co. - Springett Insurance Agent - Imperial Service Station - Eagle Cafe - La Grange Launderette - Janet's Flowers - Schnellbachers Dry Goods - Brill Garage - Russell Brose RE - Beilstein Truck & Coaches - J & J Sweet Shop - La Grange Indicator - Missouri Gravel - Ramona's Beauty Shop - Pat's Pin Curl - Pascoe Hardware.

Now, in November of 1964, Harold Schaeffer, Victor Gragg, George Beilstein, Martin Schaeffer, William Quinn, Wallace Westhoff, Delbert Murphy, and Paul Vaughn ran a full page touting the greatness of the Reorganization (consolidation) of the Lewis County Schools. There statements in the ad stated that more people would move to the area, more businesses would move to the area. 

Look at the list above and see how many new businesses have moved to La Grange Since 1970.

The bids were opened yesterday for the Construction of the Gambling Boat. Not one of the proposed City Managers went to it. La Grange will definitely need a Full Time City manager and they better be advertising for one now. 

In the January 1968 issue of the La grange Indicator there is an article about the Oyster family. You know, the ones who donated the land called Oyster park to be used only for park purposes. Sarah J. Oyster died at 93 on Jan 2, 1968 leaving a daughter in San Bernadino. But she also had 3 grand children and 2 great grand children. There are still heirs to the property ALIVE!

May 3, 1934. the following teachers at the La Grange school were: Miss Nelly Van Howten, Prof. Moore, Miss Alice Ellery, Mrs. Myra Gibson, Miss Helen Smith, Prof Hunt. Miss Emma Tieman and Janey Sue Pryce.

May 23. 2000

It looks like finally someone in City Hall had the guts to get the bull dozer owner back up to North 3rd street and clean up the mess he made. Now if he will do the right thing and clean up the mess he made on Mrs. Wiley's property.

Speaking of a mess. I have come across many old La Grange Indicator News papers from the middle 60's to early 70's.One article that caught my attention was about 1968 there was a downpour of rain in La Grange. There is a picture of South 2nd street that shows where the hill slid down and blocked half of the street for several feet. This about the location of where there is a house that is placed where the hillside has been dug back so the house could be placed. Will such a rainfall happen again? Will the hillside wash away again? 

There have been five new photos added to the old pictures page. One is a rare photo of La Grange that looks like it was taken from across the river. Just go back to the home page and go to old pictures.

May 22. 2000

Wow, has the emails been hot. Mostly questions that need answers. One question that has been coming up more often is this. What is the liability of the City if a volunteer firemen has an accident while driving under the influence or damage to a property owners property, or if they hurt themselves at a fire? Another question that has hit more than a few times is this. Are the volunteer firemen making anonymous phone calls to call in fires? It seems that the fire last Saturday night was such a set up. Rumor is that the owner of the property was not a happy camper. By the way, if a fireman is running to the fire truck on a fire call, why doesn't one of the firemen or fire chief pick him up instead of driving by him laughing.

Another rumor is the dispatcher was watching downtown last Saturday night while the Chief was running radar on the North end of town. You would think that the Chief would like to at least appear honest and either move the speed limit sign at the old Triangle property or have the Council pass an Ordinance making it a legal sign. Some day, some savvy attorney is going to make mince meat of our City Court over this deal.

Rumor is that the twin councilmen have put the fear in at least one new councilman. I guess I was wrong and thought he had the ----s.

If a person has a deed to a lot here in town, and they contacted City hall and are shown that they are being taxed by the City for the lot, THEN, why does the City and the gambling boat people think they own it? The person who owns the property says thanks to the City for Mowing it, but kindly keep off the property from now on.

May 21, 2000

Saturday night was a good night for the police department. They were stopping people right and left on the north end of town. That false speed limit sign is making a lot of money for the City. To bad the town doesn't have a Mayor or Councilman that will do what is right. I hope that a caller wasn't right that said the dispatcher was telling the police officer of what was seen at the four way.

I have posted the March and April Check registers for the City of La Grange. Take a look and see WHO is making all the money. $32,000+ to the Farmers & Merchants Bank. Take a look at Ensors paycheck. And don't forget the City Attorney. CLICK HERE for March.  CLICK HERE for April

May 16, 2000

The May 8th Council Meeting is now posted. It is interesting on how the new councilmen were treated. I also received a letter from someone regarding gambling and what it will do to your town. CLICK HERE

May 15, 2000

Boy if this hasn't been a dry period. The street super hasn't taken a day off. The police haven't been running their speed trap. The City Council is playing it close and quiet. But, no one can figure out who Jim Ellison was representing on the tv news the other night. The Mayor declared that as soon as construction gets going on the gambling boat, the phones at City Hall will ring off the hook. Looks like the two new Councilmen have fell in line quick. Votes were all 6-0.

If you have a relative that has died recently, you had better make sure that it doesn't end up in probate court. A persons relative died. They thought that everything was taken care of. BUT, the Public Administrator, local Judge and Prosecuting Attorney found a couple of outstanding bills. The decided to take it to the mat and do it up right. For over a month, all the could tell the relative was some money was owed. They did not know how much. So they put up the decedents real estate for auction. After they did all this unnecessary work, they came up with the estate owing $300.00. For that little amount they awarded themselves fees for service. The Prosecuting Attorney made $900.00 and the Public Administrator made $900.00. For what, no one knows. 

May 10, 2000

Front page news AGAIN. Just like clock work. Every three to four months, a new blurb comes out about the boat and the news people are dumb enough to fall for it time after time. It is almost as bad with the new wedding and the retirement, again and again and again.

I believe with the new marriage coming up that Steve Waterman is going to be one up on Ron Dickerson. It looks like they have both been trying to see who can get married and divorced more times.

Three construction crews come to town. The last of to arrive were the first ones to leave. The crew that built the city buildings were paid by the job, they came, did the work, and left. The other two crews are working by the hour. It takes a little longer to do it by the hour.

Now, that the gambling boat is coming, I have made arrangements with Isabel Reaves to rent the lot with the old trailer on it to put in a Pawn Shop. I have decided to name it Gamblers Treasures and Things. The location is good, as the new 3rd street road to out of town will turn right there. I will get those people who have lost their money on the way home.

May 7, 2000

I finally figured it out. After seeing the news release of the marriage AGAIN in the Quincy Herald Whig, I finally figured out that the marriage cannot be consummated without being published 100 times.

How did those cracks get in the new concrete floor on Route C? I guess that may be the reason concrete drives are not being poured for Casey's anymore. How much was the projected cost of the electrical work? Oh, well, it's not my money they are spending.

May 5, 2000

A Judge and prosecuting Attorney put a person in prison for having 3 batteries in their car. These 3 batteries were considered to be drug paraphernalia. While the person was in prison, the judge and prosecuting attorney had a hearing on the persons fathers estate. The person was not notified. Why, well the prosecuting attorney stated he didn't know where this person was.  Once the person was out, the judge and prosecuting attorney put up for sale the persons fathers real estate for bills owed on it that they determined at the hearing the person was not found to be able to attend. The person contacts the prosecuting attorney and asks how much is owed so it can be paid. The Prosecuting Attorney says he doesn't know, ask the Public Administrator. The PA says he doesn't know, ask the Prosecuting Attorney. They both state that they have to wait until the bids are in to determine how much is owed so this person can pay it. So the people who have made the bids, have done so under false pretenses. The Prosecuting Attorney and Public Administrator advertised for bids on the property and sent a letter to the person stating that the person can pay the amount owed and keep the property and the bids are mute. YET, the Prosecuting Attorney and Public Administrator refuse to tell the person how much is owed.

If this person didn't own property that is wanted by the gambling boat people and if it were anyone else in town, a letter would have been sent describing the amount owed and come in and pay it. But, this person has been jailed twice now because of the gambling boat.

Which brings us tot he last Council Meeting on the budget. It seems that no one knows how much the City has. So far, depending on which Councilman you talk to, it ranges from $22,000 in the BLACK, to $4,000 in the red, to $12,000 in the BLACK. Whereas, all accounts are in one account, who knows. 

May 4, 2000

If wasn't enough done a few days ago, the dozer was back today to do more. 

It is kind of  like the Cuban boy. The wedding and the retirement keep being repeated in all the papers. Is there ANYONE who doesn't know now?

If you get an EMAIL that says I LOVE YOU. Don't open it. It will wipe out your computer.

Can the City just trespass on someone's property. The seem to do it anyhow.

It has been said by the City and the LRO that those people who are asking more money than the gambling boat people want to pay are evil and terrible and hate the town, and don't want to see progress. Well, what do they call themselves not wanting to sell the Fire Station to a local person because THEY CAN GET MORE MONEY if they wait for the boat to get here?

Well, new Councilmen, by now, with all these meetings that this Mayor and Council have been holding since the election, you may be in trouble. Watch your back.

I did notice that the other City that is close to getting their gambling boat is advertising for an intelligent City Manager. But, our City Council is not going to do that. They think that Ralph (pave my drive free) Marsin and Fred (no prayer here) Wiesel are the most intelligent people La Grange has ever ever seen and they can do the job. Add up $1.5 million since 1995 and figure out how much money they have cost the City. 

May 3, 2000

Brace for your pockets to be picked this weekend. Volunteer firemen from all over will be in Hannibal for the Annual Firefighters Convention. Lots of partying. Fun and Games. AND, you get to pay. 

On the way to Quincy last Tuesday night, we were just getting on the 4 lane and getting up to 65 when a bright red corvette passed us like we were setting still. The license plates had LA-LAW. 

The other day person one complained to person two that the trees on person two's property were falling across the chain link fence owned by person one. Person one wanted permission from person two to take down the trees that were falling across his fence. Person two thought that he meant, cut the dead and possible offending trees and Person one agreed to clean up the debris.

Once person one got the permission to go, he hired a dozer and bulldozed the whole area clean. The the dozer pushed all the debris in the creek on Person two's property so Person one could not see the debris. Totally ruined a real good mushroom patch.

If you want to see the damage, just drive around behind the old Imperial Gas Station. Take a walk over to the creek. Real Sad story. A real nice guy was totally taken advantage of. I believe the dozer owner was the same one who pushed piles of debris on a 95 year old woman's property while she was in a nursing home. Nice guy huh?

I got an email relating the information that a volunteer went to a fire from a party. The email was hinting that the top dog was not up to par. I have no idea whether this is right or not as the emails come from anonymous accounts, but if it is partially true, it does leave the City open.

Well, the new buildings are coming along fine. The LRO's building is getting roofed and sided. The Fire Department building is enclosed. The City Shed is mostly enclosed and should totally be by this weekend. Dr. Neer's four apartment house is roofed and enclosed and inside work is going fast. The rental storage sheds to the North are getting concrete floors today and ready to roof. And the new Dentists are on the job.

Now, the only thing we need is a place to eat from 1:30pm to 5:pm. Of the three places to eat, none are open in the afternoon to get anything to eat. Seems La Grange would be a good place to open a restaurant.

May 1, 2000

Well, the gambling boat people are at it again. That is they are after another person, trying to make them sell their property for the gambling boat. This time they are using other people to do the calling. Rumor has it that Oyster Park is gone. If that is true, not even written contracts are valid with this Mayor and Council. Maybe, just maybe, the two new councilmen will be able to bring sanity back to our City. There are a lot of people counting on one of them. A lot of people.

What is it called when you go onto another persons property and enter their building without permission? What is it called when these same people take items from the building that didn't have authority to enter?  

Ever since we got involved with the salvaging the historical stuff from the from the Kiraly's, which has verified genealogy back to the 1060's, I was wondering what happened to all the historical stuff that the La Grange Historical Society had collected. I heard that they disbanded about the time our school was sold out back in 1964. I found a 1964 edition of the La Grange Indicator that had a full page ad that "our" school board placed extolling all the great things to come with the new centralized school. There were references where they said that our town would grow. People would move here. Businesses would come to La Grange because of this great new centralized school that would offer the children a far greater education than could be provided by the La Grange school. Can you remember the of the school board members?

Well folks, relatives and the same type of people are saying all the great things that are going to happen to your town when the gambling boat gets here.