October 31, 2002

Are You Planning to Vote Tuesday?

Amendment 1. St. Louis Home Rule. I would vote YES on this as I think St. Louis should take care of their own problems.

Amendment 2. Collective Bargaining. I would vote NO on this as I could foresee that someday Our Fire Chief would use this against us.

Amendment 3. Partial Legislative Terms. I would vote NO on this as I believe that anyone who runs for office should take the rules as they are and live by them.

Amendment 4. Municipal Power Plants. I would vote YES on this as the more power plants we can get going the lower the electric rates will be for me.

Constitutional Convention. YES, so they can get all those laws they passes the last twenty years put in order. The City needs to do this with their Ordinances.

Cigarette Tax increase. YES, I think that if the smokers will create medical expenses, then they should pay the costs.

In the local elections I would write in Pat Wheeler for Judge. Write in Dennis Smith for Prosecuting Attorney William Smith for Collector. Robert Veatch for Clerk of the Court. Kim Porter for County Clerk. Sharon Schlager for Treasurer. Just to make it interesting.

October 30, 2002

LA GRANGE OFFICIALS CONSIDER BAN ON BURNING CERTAIN ITEMS

Page 7B of the Quincy Rag. Ed Husar ( the Casino spokesperson) got an entirely different view of what was discussed at the Council meeting Monday  evening. In fact, I didn't even see him there, so I must surmise that he got all the crap he put in the paper tonight from our two faced City Administrator.

"We've had numerous complaints about burning".  Bull Shit. The only complaints were from the Fire Chief and Officer Alexander Dixon. Only another way to harass the people of La Grange. "the new Ordinance will pretty much conform with DNR standards", The DNR standards said nothing about stopping people from using burn barrels, Only Councilman White had that problem. With two faced comments by the New City Administrator, we might as well kept Mayor Lagoon in charge. The Fire Chief loves the new one. He will get to check you out and charge for the nothing work. The Police Lieutenant loves the new one as he will get the new law to harass and arrest you for. The City Council votes DUH!. 

THEN, the article went on about the sewer plant. The new City Administrator parroted the buzz words he learned at the DNR School he went to and was told to say. "the plant was designed for 25 years and now it is 33 years old therefore it must be replaced. Ten years ago the DNR was bitching about too much water from the foundry and infiltration that was hindering the sewer plant from working efficiently. NOW, the DNR says there isn't enough water to treat the sewerage efficiently. If they can't force the people into debt one way, they try another. the new one says, "it's not my money, spend it all".

So hold onto your ass people. First the new one will screw you over with his new burning ordinance and then bend you over again for a new sewer plant for the Casino.

Are you planning to get a flu shot???

Each year the flu vaccine is newly redesigned, using several strains from different types of flu that were common the season before. So basically you're getting a vaccine that is, in theory, ideal for protecting you from last year's primary flu types. Meanwhile, vaccine developers cross their fingers and hope that whatever new flu mutation comes our way this season is not much different than last year's flu.

But that shot at your doctor's office contains much more than just flu strains. The vaccine is prepared with chicken embryo fluid, inoculated with the living flu strains. The fluid is then treated with formaldehyde to inactivate the virus. Thimerosal, a mercury derivative, is injected to help preserve the mixture. Ethylene glycol (better known as antifreeze) and another chemical called phenol are added to disinfect. And because animal cells are used for this process, animal viruses are sometimes introduced into the vaccine, undetected. This has happened as recently as 1995.

Now ask yourself: If you were intending to purchase a dietary supplement, and the label offered this warning: "May contain traces of formaldehyde, thimerosal, phenol, ethylene glycol, and animal cells," would you buy it?

October 29, 2002

The La Grange City Council met last evening. It got off to a rousing start when Ronnie Powers (RIGHTLY) complained about the terrible spelling and atrocious grammar used in the minutes of the meetings. A motion was made to have the new City Administrator proof read the minutes. The new one balked and said he didn't have the 10 minutes per month needed for this chore. So the Council voted to have the minute writers proof read their own minutes like before. Maybe they should have asked Mayor Lagoon to proof read the minutes. hehehe

Then there was the question as to the purchase by the water department to go all the way to Quincy to County market for a bottle of distilled water.

The Council then voted to send a warning letter to the Cramsey's regarding having so many horses in a small confined space near the property line of a neighbor. If there wasn't a favorable response then the City attorney would be called in. 

Then the council voted to send someone to weed spray school.

And then the Council debated over changing the term limits of the elected officials. One suggestion was to have the Council serve three year terms and the Mayor a four year term. 

I don't understand why anyone who runs for the Office of Mayor and or Council cannot comprehend what a City Charter is. I am beginning to believe that anyone running for the Office of Mayor or Council be required to take a simple test of the difference in an Article of the Charter and an Ordinance. I think that because of the new Code book that does not distinguish the laws of the Articles of the Charter from a common Ordinance that these people think that all the laws of the City are fair game.

They don't have any idea what it takes to change the Charter and believe that they can circumvent State Law at will. More on this later.

They voted sell 5 radios to Florence Mo. (Robert Roscher's new home) for $250. Then voted buy new radios for over $4,000 for the water and street department. Money to burn.

Speaking of burning. the New City Administrator gave the Council a rough draft of a NEW burning Ordinance. It didn't take the Fire Chief and Police Lieutenant long to screw over the people to get this in the works. 

The New One said it would be against the law to cut down a small dwarf cherry tree and burn it, but you can cut a 20 inch limb 30 feet long off an old hickory tree and burn it within the law.

Elaine White said no one in town needs to have a burn barrel, and all burn barrels need to be made illegal and to use one to be a criminal act.

The Fire Chief loved all the action, in fact he wanted it to be inserted the he be paid to inspect any large brush fires. He needs the money..

The Council made several comments and recommendations and some didn't even understand what was being said.

Then the Council turned to the new City hall. It was found that whoever wired the LRO building had all the wiring screwed up. Bob Richter's meter had other wiring and air-conditioning on his bill and some of the Library was on the LRO, now City connections. The Local electrician said it was going to cost big bucks to correct his mistakes. And they finally agreed to let the library get the rent lowered to $70.00. $9.00 more than needed.

In the bids for the new radios after they sold the old radios, it was found that whoever installed the tower at the fire station did it incorrectly by not grounding it properly by electrical codes. The local electrician said he would fix his mistake for a small fee. 

October 26, 2002

Chamber Dinner CLICK HERE

The Chamber of Commerce had its dinner meeting tonight at the Lions Hall. There were quite a few people there to eat spaghetti. Chamber President Don Sherwood brought the meeting to order and gave thanks to Betty Solter membership chair person, and Cheryl Lowe for al her back ground work and Richard & Wilma for preparing the spaghetti dinner. The Chamber President wanted to try to get a Farmers Market going this year. He said the Casino has graciously allowed the Chamber to use the parking lot across the hiway from the Casino. It was suggested that to have a contest for someone to come up with a slogan for the City. There was no explanation as to what was wrong with the one that the city already has. 

As usual, no matter what meeting, whether the Chamber Dinner or a Youth Center ceremony, you NEVER see the Mayor and even at the Chamber dinner with the New City Administrator giving the speech, NOT ONE Councilman showed up. And you thought Elaine White was one of you.

The New City Administrator was the scheduled speaker at the meeting. He said he didn't prepare anything to say so kind of asked questions. He was asked about any plans the City has and out came the NEW LAGOON. Well, he did talk about new roads and attracting new businesses. Then he talked about new lights on main street.

Mrs 45 years tried again to cover the larger part of her with some comments, but we all know what she meant. Everyone, including me were very courteous and kept the hard questions held back. I wanted to ask that if the City did get a new business, would the new one still purchase what ever item they sell somewhere else. He has several times had the opportunity to show his stuff and has failed every time. Why go to the trouble to attract a new business to town and then refuse to do business with it.  

In relation to this, I asked a Councilman about when the City was going to redraw the wards for the next election and was told that the New One looked at it and said that the Wards were fine like they are. Twice as many in the North Ward than in the South Ward.  Of course, the Council accepted a bunch of deposit slips as the real ones too.

The one and only question I asked was in relation to the 5 or 10 year planning for the City if the New One and City would involve the people of La Grange and was told they done that some time ago. So I suppose that your opinion doesn't count anymore??

Spaghetti for a dinner meeting??

October 24, 2002

The Press News Journal reported the La Grange Municipal Court dispositions. Lots and lots of excessive speeders. One assault and lots of excessive speeders. Two dogs at large and lots of excessive speeders.

A large dark red dog like a retriever came by yesterday. He wouldn't come to me so I tried to catch him and darn near got bit. Anyone know someone with such a dog?

The Youth Center had to postpone their rummage sale as there are too many other activities planned to take time for it.

Don't forget the Chamber of Commerce's lavish Spaghetti supper Saturday night. Make sure to wear you best clothes and try not to make a fool of yourself trying to eat your Spaghetti.

October 23, 2002

We are now up to two emails for and 22 against the LAPD.

The first emailer said that the people of La Grange should be happy that we have so many police officers, but that emailer lives in a big city, La Grange has 1000 only. That emailer lives in a city where there is one officer to 1000 people, La Grange has one officer to 100 people.

In answer to the 2nd emailer as to why I am so hard on the LAPD. Up until two years ago, it was rare that any person living in La Grange would commit any driving offenses. In the past two years, it seems that everyone in La Grange has decided to all be criminals. In the past two years it seems that everyone can't drive correctly, can't burn correctly, or do anything correctly and the LAPD wants to rule the town with a Gestapo fist.

Who would have thought that there would be 100's of people arrested, 1000's warned by driving infractions in little ole La Grange. Stops and arrests are up 100 % over last year, last year was 100% over the year before, it keeps getting worse.

Why can't the police officers accept the fact that they were hired because of the Gaming Commissions requirement to have them and that they were not hired because of an instant crime wave in La Grange. Just leave the people alone and just be available if they are ever needed.

The City crew paved the foundry hill. And, for the conditions the street super had to work under, it looks like a very good job. Not everyone can lay hot asphalt that had turned cold and get it to stick. 

The cost of police protection for the Casino CLICK HERE

October 22, 2002

Since I have several people interested in how much it cost to PROTECT THE CASINO, I will print up a web page showing al the costs for a month, including all employees employed in the law enforcement part of the city, gas, and other expenses.

The Chamber of Commerce is conducting a membership drive by mail. The Chamber is having its dinner meeting Saturday evening at 7pm at the Lions Club. They will be serving Spaghetti. Nothing is too good for the members of the LACOFC.

If you are out riding around doing nothing, drive by City Hall. The new one had the sidewalk replaced. I'll bet you have driven by it several times these past few days and didn't even notice it, did you.

I can tell you why you didn't notice it. The new one put the same hump in the new walk just like the old one. And, he made sure the new sidewalk slanted to the ditch jus like the old one. Talk about nostalgia.

New drainage tubes are being put in down by the new City Hall. And they will make the building in back handicap accessible. Then the building will be handicap accessible in both front and back.

I got several emails regarding our scared police and one from stormy making excuses on how dangerous it is. Stormy talks about the sniper in Washington DC, the Boston Strangler, and all the dangerous criminals on the loose. Yeah, like they will visit La Grange. Give me a break. Tell it like it is. The police officers of the City of La Grange Missouri are afraid to work alone.

In fact they can't even party at senior housing alone. Rumor has it that a big one happened the other day and a car with several ladies showed up to party too. Rumor has it that neighbors at the center are not too happy with all this partying. Emailer is wondering why the chief wasn't invited.

October 20, 2002

As usual I get emails laughing about the LAPD. They laugh about hearing a scared one going out of the City limits to make a stop and had two backups code 3 to help. They laugh at the City Council and Mayor who allow such stupidity in the police department.

Everyone should contact Mayor Lagoon and Ralph (pave my drive free) Martin and Fred (no prayer here) Wiewel for choosing Dean Phillips over Catfish Bend.

Dean agreed to $50,000 more or less in NAP tax grants for ten years. That was null and void 4 years later after the LRO got something.

Catfish Bend offered $100,000 cash every year for ten years.

Dean agreed to give the City a $50,000 promissory note that he would make application for a gaming license. He made the application and took back his note and the City didn't even get the interest.

Catfish Bend offered a $100,000 check.

Catfish Bend gave Des Moines County $673.666
Mark Twain Casino gave Lewis County ???

Catfish Bend gave Lee County $603,000
Mark Twain Casino gave Lewis County ???

Catfish bend gave donations to various organizations over $100,000
Mark Twain Casino gave donations to various organizations $3,000

Everyone should call the Mayor and Ralph and Fred and tell them how much they appreciate all they have done for the people of La Grange and Lewis County.

Do you want to know how much it cost you to have a police department to harass you?? Email me?

October 18, 2002

A week ago Friday evening, we went to the Bird's Nest and ate supper. We had the large catfish. The Bird Nest is one of the few places that serve catfish with the old style breading and it was just like dad use to have at the Boat House. Excellent!   

Tonight, we went back and tried the Bird's Nest again. This time we chose the House Steak. For $6.95 we got an excellent steak with great flavor and exceptionally tender.

The last place (and it wasn't the Bird's Nest) where I ordered a steak (prime rib), it came out well done. 

You can get a half order of biscuits and gravy and a continuous cup of coffee for $2.15 at Wilma's every morning. Some people use to get free coffee at another place, now they have to wait till 8 am and pay twice as much as what they can get coffee for at Wilma's. go figure. Well, two people go there for the waitresses only. Money is no object.

Any class of  '62 interested in the emails of Donna Jacobs or Chuck Coddington, email me.  

October 17, 2002

If you saw the Quincy news on TV tonight, you would have noticed that Quincy is planning to build a new $300,000 to $800,000 building for fire and police training. One line that caught my attention was the one hat said that it will be rented to area wide fire departments and police departments for their training too. I wonder how much that will cost the City of La Grange? You know the fire chief can't get in enough training dollars. The same goes with some high ranking police officers.

If you are planning to vote November 5th, be prepared for a hassle. The Lewis County Clerk that you will now have to have identification to vote. But, if two of the judges now you, that will be ok too. BUT, As with a previous election, one of the people working there  

October 15, 2002

Festival of Sharing

This year, upon recommendation from the United Methodist Church conference, the LaGrange United Methodist Church kept their Festival of Sharing close to home.  It was the churches decision to give all donated items and monies to the LaGrange Youth Center.   The Festival began with a kick off on September 22.  A fellowship meal was enjoyed in the evening in the church fellowship hall at which time sheets were handed out for the first week (September 29) for donations.  That list included paper products…bathroom tissue, Kleenex, paper towels, etc.  The week of October 6 brought donations of cleaning supplies.  The third week of donations was devoted to school supplies.  The final week (October 13) donations of soda, bottled water, candy and gum were given.  In addition to all of the donated items the final Sunday was also topped off with money donations of $165.19.  On Sunday, October 13, all of the donations were delivered to the Youth Center.  The children’s Sunday school department assisted in delivering the items.  A new pool cue along with ping pong balls was on the wish list also—both of which were donated. 

To see what the children of La Grange can do -  CLICK HERE

Now to City business:

Rumor has it that a Councilman brought my name up at the Council meeting last night, not once but twice. Maybe if the Councilman tended to Council business and City business as he should, he wouldn't have to malign my name for prodding him.

Just take for instance. He was duly notified that the Treasurers report was several thousand dollars off and he dismissed it like Clinton and the stain on her dress. Like, who cares if City money is missing. Why did he just take a couple of made up deposit slips as the right ones? Did the bank certify those as being the same ones that were missing? I think Sam Henderson should try to do a little better at making sure the City finances are in order. Everyone seems to be ok with the spending of Several thousand dollars for new playground equipment but there seems to be some reluctance on putting the new bathrooms where the people will be eating, EVEN THOUGH they will face the other way. Maybe Councilman Henderson might want to ask others for their opinions.

WHAT IS WITH the street paving? Why can't even the new one figure out how to make the paver go around a corner? If you get a chance, drive to Wyaconda street from 3rd to 4th. (Between Gillisepies and Ensors.) The corners that are not paved now will be potholes tomorrow. This is SUPPOSED to be what every street in town will eventually look like. Let's see now, it took three weeks to do one block and there are about 200 blocks so it will be the year 2025 when the last street will be done. Maybe the new one might want to rethink the idea of removing the old street completely before putting in a new one. Or maybe this is job security. One thing for sure, the new one has the HANDS OFF attitude with the police department.

What is it with the police department wanting MORE OFFICERS? Good heavens, everyone in town knows know we have twice as many as we need now. We could do with less officers, not more.

October 14, 2002

Whereas, the city has been slow lately, here is some trivia. Did you know that the chlorine that is in your water can be hazardous to your health by taking a shower? Especially on the weekends when the chlorine amount is turned up. Did you know that you can get ripped off buying coffee? Some coffee has as much as 610 primary defects in 13 ounces. A defect is bugs, unripened beans, fermented beans, black beans, sticks, rocks, ect., and as much as 10% water. Kind of like ham in a plastic bag.

If you look at your computer under system information and find out which serial port your modem is and find the number 16550, you should set your modem to the speed of 115,000. If it is a 16650, you can set it higher. Even if you have a 56k modem, data compression can increase the speed 10 times as much. This may help your internet surfing.

October 12, 2002

Rumor has it that there are many little skirmishes between the new one and city employees. And Mayor Lagoon can be seen sitting in the ice cream shop laughing. A couple of emails are wondering why the new one has complete control and decision making on all the street and water crews, BUT, has no control what so ever on the LAPD. They wonder why??

At last months council meeting, a representative spoke to the council. She was so elated to inform the council that your electric bills  would be receiving a credit out of the goodness of AmrenUE's heart. And then I read in the paper a huge ad paid for at our expense telling us how good AmerenUE is by giving us a credit on our electric bills. No where did it say that AmerenUE fought with public service commission for months trying to keep from paying us our money back they were overcharging us.

If you have a yahoo account beware of the 809 phone scam.

Ed Husar of the Quincy rag and unknown promoter of the Casino had another glowing article about how much money the Casino is raking in. Last year the Casino was sucking up $1.4 MILLION DOLLARS and this last month it sucked up over $1.7 MILLION DOLLARS. go to HTTP://www.mgc.state.mo.us.

I wonder if any council person noticed that the City has been taking in this money, showing it as received on the treasurer's report and then showing it as being invested. Yet, the investments are the same as the month before. Wouldn't the investment amount increase by the same amount as transferred to the investments?

I had a person contact me about a piece of property here in La Grange. This person wants to give away this property. It has a river view and is located close to town. There is another piece next to it that I believe will also be available for "free" too. The only catch is that there is back taxes on the property you will have to catch up to get the property.

October 9, 2002

According to the Casino's promoter, aka Ed Husar of the Quincy Rag, the La Grange Mineral Well is being completely redrilled and redone. Let's hope the new one contacts the areas historical, garden club, and ask other interested people to talk about the finished product.

Can someone explain why there isn't one of the LAPD that isn't afraid to work alone? Wednesday evening sounded like there were three cars running the streets. It is amazing that anyone in town still has a drivers license from being stopped so much.

If you get a chance, drive down 4th street to Ed Ensors place and take a look at the new street work. Rumor has it that all streets in town will be redone to match this street. 

October 8, 2002

The Youth Center::

There will be a meeting, this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the youth center for those that have express a interest in becoming volunteer supervisors. Any questions call 573-655-4587. Thank-you Betty

It seems some people who live in La Grange just can't quit trying to do the town in. Rumor has it that the other half of "Pave My Drive Free" is on the committee to get a new school out at Ewing. Why don't these people just move to Ewing?

EMAILS:

Response to Sept. 30 gossip page. I don't know where contractors are but if you need city police try looking behind old grocery store. Don't speed around hairpin curve on Rt C.

Did you know that the police are now hiding amongst the used vans for sale on the North end of town? Who are they going to arrest when the foundry closes? Each other? HA!

October 7, 2002

Rumor has it that if you missed the auction yesterday, you missed a circus. Rumor has it that bids started at $50,000 and ran all the way to $111,000, but the $110,000 bidder didn't bid again and whoever bid up to $110,000 disappeared. Then, the property was put up for bid again and no one wanted to bid. It seems someone bid $60K and then he bid against himself and bid $62,500 and then bid against himself again $64K. The final sell price. Now this is just the rumors around town this morning, but everyone is wondering what happened to the mysterious bidder that ran it up to $110K.

The Chamber of Commerce now has new officers. Donald Sherwood (a businessman) is now President. Richard Loomis (a businessman) is Vice President.  Natallie Dixon is Secretary. Pam Novinger is Treasurer.

Rumor has it that the City Marshall has taken a vacation this week and has gone to California. No, he didn't go alone either. I can't say who the lucky lady is, but rumor has it that they have been around the block together before. Have fun Delbert Murphy!

The street in front of Ed Ensor's house used to be called Wyaconda Street. Rumor has it that it will be called the one and only La Grange wide boulevard. Goes to show you how being friends with the new one helps.

Ed Husar@whig.com of the Quincy rag did his puff piece for the Casino again Sunday. But, I am not sure that the new Manager will be happy to see that Ed reported the embarrassing, piddling, cheap, shameful, stingy amount the Casino "DONATED" to charities in the area. Let's see now, the Casino is sucking up a HALF A MILLION DOLLARS a WEEK, and in a total year of being in business the Casino donated this little bitty amount of $3,000.00. WOW, talk about a Bill Gates benefactor. How lucky can we get? 

The City took in over one and a half $MILLION dollars and the people of La Grange just received their tax bills. Mayor Lagoon and the City Council have to be so proud of themselves. 

Also according to the Quincy rag, several community organizations have received several thousand dollars worth of Neighborhood Assistance Tax grants. You know, this is the same thing that Dean Phillips promised all the civic Not-for-profit organizations in La Grange about $50,000.00 per year when Pave my drive free and no prayer here donated the casino franchise to Dean. Where oh where is the money at now fellows?? Has the Chamber received any money? Has the Youth Center received any money? Has the Ball Park Association received any money? Has the Scouts received any money? 

Maybe someone should ask Ralph Martin and Fred Wiewel and Jenny Murphy Reid and Dean Phillips what happened to all those tax grants.

October 5, 2002

It seems that the new City Administrator has been doing a good job pissing off all the City employees. Rumor has it the Water Super has already received a verbal reprimand and now has received a written reprimand. Another employee was given a written reprimand for refusing to take an old truck out on the high way he thought was dangerous.

But, most of all the new City Administrator has fallen with the dumb mind set of Mayor Lagoon. The new City Administrator sees no reason for him to support any business in the City. He feels he can save the City a few dollars by buying a chain saw at the Hannibal Wal-Mart. Way to go new one, that really helped out a local business. Or how about buying a new tree trimmer without even asking a local business for a bid. And best of all. The City buys new tires and graciously allows a local business to fix the flat tires and refuse to buy gas there. Or how about buying new computer stuff and never even looked locally.

The City is raking in MILLIONS of dollars and needs to save a few cents on gas and not support a local business. Many thanks to the new City Administrator and Mayor Lagoon. Maybe between Mayor Lagoon and the New One they can close more businesses. Rumor has it Mayor Lagoon is rooting for another business or two to close to help his own.

And you know what the really bad part about this is? The City Council. Six people who sit on the Council that allow the screwing over of the local businesses in town. Refusing to do away with the property taxes so their friends, relatives and neighbors can benefit from the casino. All they want to do is spend flash money.  

In the above reference to fixing flat tires. Rumor has it that the officer who took the car to get the flat tires fixed, called for backup to give him a ride one block to the police office.

I also noticed that curly girl was hiding on the foundry parking lot running radar again tonight. Rumor has it from another officer is that is all she knows how to do. 

October 3, 2002

I have been so busy lately, I haven't had a lot of time to keep up with the emails. I got an interesting one the other day about the LAPD. One of the questions was why is there two officers on all the time. The answer to that one is easy. There are twice as many officers as there are hours in the week

Well, then, the second question is. Why did the chief ask for overtime for himself and the other officers? Now that is a tough one because if the first one is true then why??

Well, then, the third questions is. Why is there always two or three officers on duty at a time? The emailer said that the County usually has only one on duty at a time. La Belle only has one on duty at a time. Even Canton which is twice as large as La Grange only has one on at a time. The answer to this one is easy. The officers in La Grange are afraid.

Another emailer asked questions about the new City Administrator. One of the questions was.. Why does he do business out of town rather than with the businesses in town. The answer to that one is easy too. Mayor Lagoon tells him to.

The LAPD buys their tires for the police cars from a State seller and ALLOWS the local service station to fix the flats. The LAPD buys all their gas at Casey's, and ALLOWS the local service station to fix the flats.