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
The Governor of Missouri visits La Grange, Mo. CLICK HERE
HARVEST FEST AT THE YOUTH CENTER
and all the kids that came.
CLICK HERE
to see if your kid or grand kid was there. 30 pictures.
One sharp looking truck for sale CLICK HERE
SAY A PRAYER FOR HAZEL GALLIGHER
The BEST place in Quincy for fish dinner CLICK
HERE
The BEST place in the TRI-SATE area for Steak and
Seafood CLICK HERE
CITY HALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE updated 09-22-03
Virus Alert and Scam Alerts
A deluge of spoof
emails from Microsoft with a virus
is
coming fast and furious.
A
fraud spoof is being sent faking EBAY, watch out.
-----------------
Whereas the virus alerts are coming fast and furious,
I am making a separate page just for virus alerts and how to get rid of them.
Click on VIRUS ALERT above to get to the page.
The VIRUS ALERT page was updated on October 29, 2003
Real computer viruses Hoaxes & urban Legends
Internet Auction Scams Hoaxbuster site
Email hoaxes Don't spread that Hoax
dopamine seems to spura compulsion toward gambling in an unusual number of patients
some of which dug themselves into debt by as much as $60,000 or more!
November 04, 2003
I stopped by Bates street from 3rd to 4th street in front of Mrs. Wiley's house. The new working foreman and maybe new city administrator, was there. The crew was putting in curbing to eliminate the ditches on the street. From what I could see, they were doing a very good job, but I didn't see any access to Mrs. Wiley's drive. Anyhow, the new working foreman tried to explain to me how and why the City thought they had the right to turn water onto a citizens property. He did say that there was a street down the hill that the city owned, but the water had to travel over two or three separate property owners to get there. I wonder if the secretary of the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney knows what is happening to her property??
If the City can barricade a property so you cannot enjoy the full and peaceful use of a property and now turn water off the city street and drain it on your property, and even go on a property and dig the ditch, will they also do it to you? It looks like we are going from the Gestapo tactics of the LAPD to the Gestapo tactics of the City Council.
Good news in the offing from the City, it looks like a deal may be made for an industrial park.
November 03, 2003
The LAPD doesn't have a chance. Two people this weekend told me they saw the LAPD in two cars leaving Quincy the other day. One was the brand new car and the other was, I suppose the one to take the other officer over to pick up the new car.
These two cars were followed through West Quincy at speeds over 70 MPH. They were then followed at speeds up to and one person said they ran up to 100 mph and couldn't catch up to them. They even came into town at speeds over 50 mph to 60 mph.
The one person said that the LAPD are just a big a criminal as those they stop or even worse.
Brand new car was broke in at over 100 mph. Do they still have their jobs after abusing the people of La Granges assets?
La Grange's big day
Last evening the harvest fest put on by the Youth Center and La Grange Churches seemed to be a huge success. Above, you can click on Harvest fest and see over 30 pictures f the kids in costumes and all the people that were there. it kind of reminded some of us of the old carnivals we had at the old La Grange School.
Today, the Governor of Missouri came to La Grange, along with Kit Bond, Kenny Husholf, John Cauthorn, Sam, and many other dignitaries from the State, from Iowa, Canton and La Grange. I noticed that there weren't any dignitaries from Monticello though.
Small speeches were made by all those pictured on the "Governor" click here above. Mayor Tim Rossiter was one who gave a speech and unlike the others, he did not read his off a prepared note. I was impressed with what he said and how well he did. Contrary to the picking at him on this page, I still believe he has his heart in doing his best for La Grange.
This has been one Grand weekend for the people of La Grange.
Want to hear some picking? The Casino's cheap donuts sucked. Nobody wanted to eat them. Not one of the dignitaries even mentioned the Casino and never saw it. And, once all the hoopla was over, the LAPD went back to stopping people.
Average 5 stops per day (minimum) 30 days, 12 months, comes to a minimum of 1800 per. If they piss of 20% of the casino goers and they never come back, how long will it take the LAPD to close the Casino? What if the pissed off people tell 2 other people? The casino averages about 50 to 80 cars a day. Many of those are the same people coming back. Yet, no one cares.
October 31, 2003
The Youth Center Harvest Fest was a huge success
There were almost 100 kids under 12 that came for the games and treats. By 7pm, the outside was crowded with the older kids waiting to get in for the dance.
For those out of towners wanting to know what has been
happening, I am posting some pictures for you to see.
Here is a photo of the City's attempt to landscape Paul Tasco's property near
the Casino. CLICK HERE
Here is a photo of the $65,000 road to the mineral well. CLICK
HERE
Here is a photo of the work being done on another shelter house for the
mineral well. CLICK HERE
Here are three photos of the road going up behind the old Vera Bradshaw's
place. This is really a 12 foot alley that is used as a road. For some reason,
the City has decided to not only rock the road but also decided to use private
property to drain the water off the road. These three photos show clearly where
the City has dozed onto private property and and diverted water onto private
land. So far, this City administration has blockaded private property, push a
street onto private property and diverted private property and cut off another's
private property access to a street.
CLICK HERE CLICK
HERE CLICK HERE
Rumor has it that the Mayor is not having a good time trying to get property owner out route C to "Voluntarily". I tried to tell the Mayor and Council that it would be a good idea to do away with the City taxes for two years now. If there were no City taxes, there would be no opposition the outsiders could use.
October 28, 2003
I attended the Council meeting Monday evening and this is what I found. First off, it looked like either the City Administrator or the new working foreman attempted to sandbag the Mayor. There was a question of whether the city had enough money to buy some oil and where to put it. Lannie Hentze, street commissioner said he had no idea what is going on with the city streets, but he did complain that he was presented with a lot of reports as to what was going on with the street department. Water commissioner says they were very busy, but didn't know what. The fire department reported that they were going to buy a $17,000.00 air compressor in case one of the air bottles ran out of air in a fire sometime that they may use it to go into a burning building. The police commissioner says he knew of nothing to report about the police department. The park commissioner said that the Lions club members are too busy doing farm work to get the toilets finished. The finance commissioner says the casino's take for the city was only $119,000. The police department didn't get any bids out of the Canton paper for the radar guns. No one suggested using EBAY. The Council opened bids to put lights and electrical outlets in the City park. Steve Smith bid $8,750, Heindselman bid $8,964, and Wiskershen bid $7,500. It appeared by the discussion that Heindselman attempted to go behind the Mayor and put some doubt in the mush minds of a couple council people. But, Powers noted that the bidders had to post a performance bond and the working foreman would see that the work was done to specs or they don't get paid.
The Council in violation of the intent of the City Charter read the title of a proposed Ordinance 3 times at one council meeting and made it law. there was discussion of the city building a new sewer plant for you to pay for, that you don't need.
The Casino agreed to furnish the donuts and coffee at the Lions Hall Saturday morning.
Even though I have been critical of the way the Mayor has allowed the LAPD run away business from the Casino and spending too much money, I have to agree that he has his heart for the people of La Grange. He knows, like me, that if something isn't done and done quickly about extending the City limits to the new highway, La Grange will sink into the river.
The annexation of the properties west of town needs to be done and done sooner than later. IF, this isn't done as quickly as possible, then the companies looking for off ramps to build new businesses like fast food, gas stations, motels, etc, will go somewhere else. I am sorry that some people will have to pay the miniscule amount of City tax on their property by being annexed, but the future of La Grange should outweigh any small tax some people will have to pay.
Wayland is already ahead of La Grange seeking a motel and gas station and fast food places. Wayland, of all places, getting ahead of La Grange with a million dollars. The Mayor and City Council had better quit foolishly spending money of monuments to themselves. They need to pare down the police department and cut the continuous spending on the fire department. The need to be putting that money to the future of La Grange.
They need to get together and get La Grange access to the new highway and get it done yesterday.
The Mayor and Council need to hire special legal council and go after Kerr Mcgee and get that property into city hands, NOW. Time is now, NOT on the the side of the City of La Grange.
The Mayor is on the right track, he needs the people of La Grange behind him right now to get the City Council off their duff and do their jobs.
October 27, 2003
JERRY:
Just to let you know, the LAPD decided that Sunday am wasn't
enough.
They were harassing people all day long. Say "goodby casino".
At the end of each month, I make a request "IN WRITING", so far, I don't have to have it signed and notarized, for copies of the minutes of the Council Meetings. I ask for copies of the secret meetings, along with financial statements, bills, and other "PUBLIC" information the City Council doesn't want you to see.
The Mayor makes sure that I pay dearly for these copies. I pay 25 cents for each copy and I also pay the City Clerks wages for the time for her to make the copies. So, in effect, I pay three times for each copy. The 25 cents for the copy, the wages for the time to make the copy and my tax dollars to pay for her time to make the copies.
I take it as just another form of getting even with Jerry Brandt. The City has for years punished me by paying more for computer equipment and services anywhere else in the Country than from me. This Mayor just adds more to the stupidity of the City.
October 26, 2003
The Gestapo Police force were on the job Sunday Morning.
Their radar trap was up and running before 6am ready to trap unsuspecting church goers.
The radar trapping continued late into the morning. Still, the Mayor, the council, the City Administrator, and the police chief cannot see the damage they are doing. Not until they force the closing of the Casino will they realize what they are doing now.
On a lighter note, I see that Bubba Stahl is now a proud soon to be father-in-law.
Next Saturday the La Grange St. Peter Lutheran Church will host its annual Smorgasbord and bazaar. Food will be from 5 to 7:30pm and the bazaar will be from 2pm to 7pm.
October 25, 2003
Rumors and idle talk. Is it true or not. If the amount is any indication, then La Grange is in trouble. Even though there is a ban on any casino employee talking to me, some take the chance. Some that have been fired or let go for one reason or another.
Those of us on the outside could see the trend months ago. The Quincy paper tried to show it to the Mayor and Council a few months ago but, at each Council meeting they reported to themselves that everything is going well. No worries mate! Well, if the rumors are any indication of anything at all, the owner of the Casino isn't doing well and the Casino itself is not doing well. Employees are noticing that they don't see any new faces, yes the parking lot still has a lot of cars, but they are the same ones.
Whereas the Mayor and Council decided to spend every dime in the treasury as they were so sure as one of them stated "The Casino will be here for years to come". Somewhat like was said about the foundry, and our school.
Looking from the outside in and also with help from the talkers, there are two main reasons the Casino seems to be down. One is the Mayor, the City Administrator, the Council, and the police chief cannot see that for every person stopped by the LAPD, two people quit going to the casino. For some stupid reason, none of these people can not see that fact. But, if you don't get around, don't talk to people, and don't ask questions, you don't get the message. SO, the police continue to stop the Casino's customers and they continue to quit coming to the Casino. Soon, the police will have stopped themselves out of a job. But, none of the above can see that. No worries Mate!
The other reason is the management of the Casino. The management can not see that harassing and short changing the employees results in employees, especially those fired for made up reasons, in telling everyone they see about how terrible the casino is. Also, the management is looking at the bottom line of all the profit they can get today and don't worry about tomorrow. Of all the people that I have talked to all over Quincy and the area, almost everyone are unhappy about going to the casino time after time and only losing money. One person that I ran into at Wal-Mart said that he had been to the Casino over ten times over a months time and won some money only one time.
It is interesting to go to Keokuk, or Hannibal, Quincy or any other town around here and just talk to people and then ask them if they have been to the Casino or La Grange and what their experience has been. One good place to ask questions is at an auction. Too bad La Grange has so much sand for so many heads.
October 22, 2003
Let's say you owned a piece of property here in La Grange and you opened up a business. And, the property is situated against a hill and you only had one side of the four in which to get into your business. There is no back alley or side street. You have for years using the only open side of the property to get your business stuff in and out and trucks in and out.
Now, the City comes along and barricades your property and prevents all access to your property except for one driveway. In effect the City comes in and shuts down your business in favor of another business.
Then, you see that the City street was put in to drain all the water from the other businesses side of the street to your side. You can actually easily see the slope to your property. Then, when the city put up this barricade, the City also drains water from your uphill neighbor's property on your side of the barricade where it washes your property.
What would you do? Why is the mayor using the might of the City to shut down a black owned business in favor of a white owned business? Why is the Mayor putting the barricade on the black owned property and not on the white owned property? Why is the Mayor spending tax payer money to benefit a multimillion dollar business? The Casino provides the City with about $1.4 million in income a year, yet the City gives back to the Casino over half that amount for police and fire protection for the casino which doesn't leave much for improvements for the people of La Grange and now the Mayor is spending thousands for the casino business against another business.
How can these people sleep at night?
October 21, 2003
Things are starting to progress down town. The trusses are now ready to be installed on the new police station and the City is starting to work on landscaping Paul Tasco's front yard. Several readers have asking the question as to "Why are the City tax payers paying the bill to hide Tasco's junk for the Casino?" If the Casino didn't like the view, the Casino could buy the property, or the Casino could put up it's own fence or trees.
After talking to several employees, I find that they think that the need for a City Administrator has come and gone with the hiring of the Public Works foreman. Leaves little left for the administrator to do.
Rumor has it that the LAFD did not make any great impressions on the latest field fire.
October 20, 2003
For those of you who have been wondering what is going on and why I haven't been posting anything on this page about what is going on around the city, especially with the mayor and police. Well, I am here to tell you that for some reason the mayor has gotten on the right track. He now seems to be responding to the people of La Grange and doing what is right and needs to be done.
In regards to the police department. The new lady officer seems to be a good one so far. No one has been reporting that she has been a Barney yet. The rest of the officers seem to now want to be police officers instead of a police force.
The only thing that has happened this past week was that the City ordered a couple of city employees to go to Paul Tasco's to inspect a trailer as a dangerous and unsafe building. That seems to be harassment tactic to Paul as any sane person can see that the trailer they inspected could easily be seen that he has it to tear apart for the materials and not to be set up be lived in. It was ridiculous for the police to be called in. One picture from the street should have been sufficient.
On the publication of the anniversaries, A farmer to me at the gas station changing tires the other day, that it may be actual 40 years, but it seems more like 60.
Rumor has it that the Governor will be here in La Grange around the 1st for the road dedication.
Say a prayer for Jeanie Farr. Maybe give her call and visit 655-2237
October 14, 2003
The City Council meeting was last night. Air Evac was there promoting their service. They have a program where the La grange fire Department can take applications and receive a commission. They plan a massive signup at the casino on November 4th that will also benefit the fire department..
It was also reported that the La Grange fire department received a $47,000 and change grant. And, the fire department still has some smoke detectors to give away.
The police department reported to want to auction off three radar guns. That wasn't all of them they have so don't get a lead foot.
There was a report that the new police station building is on hold as the roof trusses won't be ready for another month or so.
The Council asked all the departments, police, fire, public works, to get their wish and wants list ready for the next multimillion dollar budget.
The council voted to approve an Ordinance for Sunday liquor sales. And to approve the putting of lights and electrical boxes all over the City park that hasn't been sold to the casino yet.
The council voted to buy a camper shell for $879.00 from Beilstein Camper sales for the police truck. Some were grumbling that they didn't buy a suburban instead of the truck.
The Council voted to allow Ed Ensor (on his own time) to demolish the old two story brick building on the corner of 5th and Skinner across from Jim Cottrell's old home at a cost of $3,750.00.
The council also voted to pay a company to put sealant on the NEW City Hall before it rots off.
They also discussed getting rid of the old oil tank down by the river.
There was also a discussion on the problems with the new shelter house across from the Lions Club. It seems the Council picked another loser like the one they picked to concrete Monroe St. Another mistake by the administrator.
The Council held a 15 minute meeting regarding the closing of the alley where they built the new police station in. I am not sure that the even voted on it last night or not.
Two things that need mentioning. First, the new fire chief seems to be able to run an efficient fire department. He has also been able to properly use his budgeted money from the city and parlay it into a lot of good grants. It takes good ingenuity to be able to take your money and multiply it efficiently like he has done.
Next is about the new working foreman. Until now, I have said nothing pro or con on his performance. But, now, after watching what has been going on for the past month or so, he has shown that a lot of work can be gotten out of the city employees with proper supervision. There are many streets done (and done right) in a small amount of time as well as a lot of cleaning up areas around town that needed it and also the repainting of parking spots downtown. But, I do think they used a Volkswagen for the template as the size of the parking areas are real small.
The real problem the mayor and Council will come next year. They will quickly see how much of the work is being down by the working foreman that wasn't done by the City Administrator and will see that the office of the Administrator will become useless.
Rumor has it the old bank building sold for $7,500 today.
Rumor has it that Marion Solter got to spend some time talking to the LAPD last night. Just a rumor.
October 11, 2003
The LAPD last month performed 295 traffic stops. 11 people got tickets. 16 times they were called for animal control. They had calls to the Casino 10 times.
The council voted to spend $5,000 to landscape Paul Tasco's property for him. the Council also voted to move Troy LaLond to water and sewer with a salary of $24,000 per year and voted to hire Connie Lewis Tasco for seasonal work. They also voted to hire Erin Sneed for $10.50 per hour as a police officer.
In the Sept 8th Council meeting. Lannie Henze who is the street committee chairman was asked to report. His report was that the street department was working on 8th street, but work was stopped and he didn't know why. Finance Minister Elaine White said there was no report on the City finances.
The Mayor asked about using concrete to pave 5th street for Route C to Monroe street instead of asphalt.
In spending the money last month, checks for the following were issued. Lawyer $1600. Heindselman Electric $100. Wiskerchen Electric $2350. New backhoe $57,000. A new shelter house across from the Lions Hall. $3,000.
October 8, 2003
Not much has been happening around town. Things are kind of quiet. The only thing you can see happening is the building of the new police station. Rumor has it that the Police themselves that are now rethinking this good deal. The rooms are very very small. You might get a desk and a chair in a couple of them. Well, here is a picture of this very small $150,000.00 police station. CLICK HERE
I still keep getting rumors about the Casino. Is it for sale or not. Is it making enough to stay open or not. Maybe someone in the know will tell us what is going on.
If something does happen, the New mayor will see a mountain of debt pile up fast, maybe to a point of a bankrupt city.
October 4, 2003
SAY A PRAYER FOR THE HELEN GREEN FAMILY TODAY
The La Grange police department hasn't got a chance. As soon as the officer dropped a front wheel in a ditch covered by weeds and ended up stuck, my phone started ringing. By the time they got the car out of the hole, I had no less than 7 calls to alert me to go take this picture. I have to admit that the hole is well hidden so that no one could have seen it. makes one wonder why the State hasn't taken care of this in the first place.
DID YOU GO TO THE BIG PARTY the F&M Bank put on for some reason? Well, don't feel left out, rumor has it 45 years, 6 months, two weeks, three days, four hours, 15 minutes and 6 seconds will take care of what's left over. It is nice to know that Bill and George know how to suck up.
October 2, 2003
Things around town this past week have been pretty much dead. The only reason for this update is because of the calls and emails wanting to know why I haven't posted anything.
The first thing a heard this week again is that the casino is for sale. But, that is just a rumor and no one knows for sure. If you drive by at night you will notice that it is being allowed to run down on the outside. Many lights are burned out and those that have been replaced are brighter than the original ones.
There were two pictures in the Canton Press news Journal that brought many comments. One is the ribbon cutting picture where the Mayor completely blocks a councilman. The only way you can tell anyone is behind him is the leg between his legs.
The other picture which received several comments was the one where the Mayor had the guts to have his picture taken honoring Kenny Powers for his thirty years of service.
The Council is sticking us with this new police station. Here is a picture of the start of the building. you might want to take notice of that it is in a hole underneath a hill with water standing around it from the rain a few days ago. Many people have been commenting on how small the building is with a cost of $60,000 plus without any inside work. Even a couple of the police officers are grumbling. But not too load to be heard. CLICK HERE to see the picture.
The first new residence since the Casino started is coming along nicely. Butch Browns new home is looking good. CLICK HERE.
The City crew have been out patching holes for the winter and trying to get Bates street finished before winter. The problem with Bates Street is the changing of the minds all summer. It seems the new working foreman is going to get it done before long. He has also had a couple of crews out cutting brush all over town and down around the railroad tracks. You have to believe that he really wants to fix the street in front of his house, but is afraid of the backlash for doing his own street before others that need it worse.
EMAILS
Did I just see what I thought in the City Park? Is the city crew taking down all the swings the
day before they expect the people of Lagrange to come there for LaGrange Appreciation Days?
What do they expect the kids to do for entertainment if they don't do whatever activity they have
planned. They even took the infant swings down it appears. Talk about a bone head idea. Whose
brainstorm decided this?
Hey Jerry, backhoes are built tough and rugged...by function of what
they do. How on earth could sonny have ripped the wires out the
bottom of the new one? What did he smack into to dent the rad. of the
demo? Who pays for the repairs...City insurance? Who pays hiked
insurance rates for sonny's careless...the citizens of LaGrange? Is
sonny certified as a backhoe operator by the State...taken courses in
proper, safe operation and all that good stuff? If so, maybe he needs
a refresher, or could be he kept failing. Speaking of certification,
has Mayor and Council been certified insane yet by the State? If the
Administrator is hiring non-certified/qualified operators of heavy
equipment he should be first in line for the looney bin because such
operators are menace to themselves, the public and the equipment. If
sonny is now the Street Superindent, why is he operating the backhoe?
He should be wearing a white hard hat and giving advice no-one listens
too and stay away from machines that he could break, plus hurt himself
and others.
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me." --Revelation 3:20
In La Grange, if the Police knock on your door, don't open it.
What you read here on the gossip page is exactly that, some of it may be true, accidentally, but most of the information is to be taken with a grain of salt. Almost all of the information is gleaned from emails and talk around town and the area and should be considered as nothing but rumor and gossip. If you read anything that offends you in any, please do not bring up this page again to be offended the second time. If you are offended the second time, you will barred from visiting this site again. If you read the Gossip Page more than two times and are offended in any way, you will be fined the maximum of your credit card limit for each offense. Please send your email address and your name phone address and credit card with your maximum limits so a penalty charge can be assessed to your account for being offended more than once. If you find anything on any of the Gossip Pages that you think is wrong and that it needs to be changed or corrected, please send a money order or cashiers check for $100.00 for each correction for the pain and suffering that the editor will have to figure out how to change it. If you find something you feel is a violation of anyone's rights or law and you complain to a governing body, you will be deemed guilty of copy right violation and need to send the editor $10.00 for copy right fees.
