NOVEMBER 30, 1999
Boy, has this been a dull weekend. The only thing that has happened around town is the street commissioner riding around and the police chief riding around the cemetery. Even the Clerks are getting tired of playing solitaire. Rumor has it that the chief may try to run for Lewis County Sheriff. Boy, will we have fun with that one. An incident happened today that a lot of people who heard it thought was disgusting, but I was asked not to print who or where it happened. But the two who were involved know what they did. There is another place, you know fellas.
Every once in awhile I receive an "anonymous" letter. Today, I got one with a newspaper clipping. I need the sender to do it again and check off which part I need to read.
NOVEMBER 27, 1999
Stopped to see ELMER LOGAN today at Blessing Hospital. Should be home by Monday. Stopped to see Bob Bradshaw too and he seems to be getting along pretty good. At least we got him to argue some.
Two things today. One is a prediction. It is a prediction that neither I nor anyone in town hopes to see happen. But, the way the fireman go to a fire call, it is almost a certain that it will happen. It is only a matter of when, not if, there will a drastic accident. We can only hope it does not involve a child going to or coming from school. The problem is, the speed they drive to even a brush or grass fire, they drive like even those are life and death. They also "ASSUME" that everyone knows they are fireman and also that they can break any driving law they want to get to a fire. THIS IS WRONG.
The MAYOR of the City of La Grange needs to sit down with these guys and explain that they not only NEED to obey traffic laws, but to take extreme care that they do. The State of California has proven that more emergency personal have been injured or killed by disobeying traffic laws going to an emergency, than those they obeyed the laws. In fact there was a teleconference on satellite tv by the State of California TO ALL State, County, City and municipal emergency people to warn them of the consequences of NOT abiding by traffic laws, NOT stopping at stop lights, and NOT traveling with safety in mind instead of speeding to the scene. It is now illegal for any emergency person to put speed before safety.
The other thing is that the La Grange police department handled the theft last night as it should be done. The La Grange police department took the call, reported it to the highway patrol instead of entering into a high speed chase, and took care of the business here in town. It was handled correctly and professionally and the crooks were caught.
November 24, 1999
Do you remember old movies where they had a Chinese fire drill? Well, you should have seen our volunteer fire department today. It seems that someone (possibly a volunteer fireman) saw SMOKE!!!!!. YIKES!!! Called in a fire!!! And they all came running. Some went on past on towards Canton. Some drove all over Robert Farr's field. They were everywhere, going every which way. Finally they ended up at the fire. A little old fire at Richard Hess's. It was almost out by the time the firemen got there. The person tending and watching the little fire was verbally abused about the NO BURNING BAN. Now, everywhere else, since the rain, has called off the no burning ban. BUT NOT OUR FIRE CHIEF. We will have to have freezing rain and a foot of snow before he calls off the NO BURNING BAN. He has just got to protect you from yourself no matter what. But most of all he wants the POWER, the power to tell someone, anyone, not to do something, even if it means to be absurd about it.
The ground is wet. The leaves are wet. The grass is green again. Mr. Fire Chief, THE TIME TO CALL THE NO BURNING BAN OFF IS NOW. Get over it.
November 23, 1999
This deal with the gambling boat being HELD UP AGAIN has a person wondering who is running this insane boat. Really, would you be crazy enough to go into the worst section of town, the part that is the lowest part and quickest to flood and pay ridiculous high prices for sub standard property? The executive vice president of the local bank KNEW that there were several lots in the area they plan to build the boat that were government buyout properties. How did she think the boat was going to be able to buy flood buyout property? But, in all reality, with the City attorney the City of La Grange has, it will be waived some how. Right or wrong, legal or shady, it will be figured out. Nothing else that has been morally or ethically wrong has stopped them.
Have you ever wondered why the boat people just didn't buy Moormans 1000 acres for less money than they are spending on all those lots one by one? Even though the amount of money would be almost the same, the problem is, they would have had to spend THEIR money.
The City meetings have changed from City Hall to the Driftwood cafe. I wonder what happened to Wilma's? Now, the police chief, the street commissioner and a councilman come in and have coffee and talk about the days work. I think that is a nice idea. I think the City clerk should join in too. The only thing is, after the coffee, the poor people trying to get to work to make a living to pay bills have to watch out for that RADAR GUN. But, as we all know, without all those arrests, there will be no money to pay wages. SO ARREST ARREST ARREST those law breakers police chief.
November 22, 1999
ANOTHER WARNING
Today, I received information on the computer access the Mayor and City Council has allowed the POLICE DEPARTMENT to have. Here is the information that can be accessed by this computer system. REMEMBER, this is YOUR information they can get. State driving records, conviction histories, dealer information, registration data on all vehicles, marine and trucking. They can get the status of a corporation, the agents name, address, charter type, number, principal address. ALSO they can UCC debtor filings to get lien data and information on loans. Court case and docket information to both civil and criminal cases. Wanted person and vehicles files and outstanding warrants and stolen vehicles. Missouri criminal history records on felony convictions and misdemeanor arrests. Plus Equifax ( a credit reporting service) to get a persons name, address, previous address, phone number AND MORE in this database. ALL TO BE TRUSTED BY A PERSON NOT SWORN TO SECRECY, A PART TIME EMPLOYEE THAT LIVES IN A TRAILER PARK. WITH NO RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT SHE CAN TELL ANYONE ABOUT YOUR PRIVATE LIFE. ALL MADE AVAILABLE BY YOUR COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR.
Late note, a caller just called tonight and said that the La Grange Police Department had finger printed all the kids from La Grange at school WITHOUT notifying the parents.
The Question Now is, WHO HAS THE FINGER PRINTS of those kids and what are they going to do with them and why?
November 21, 1999
I received an email, first complaining I didn't have a place to email me, they had to look around for it, so I put it up at the top. The second complaint was that they didn't have a place to have their say. They most certainly do. They can set up a website just as I did or anyone else can do. No one is stopping them. The next was phone numbers. The emailer was pissed because of the second police phone number is placed above. So, with the help of a Councilman, I have more needed phone numbers at the bottom of this page. Arrow down to see the new added numbers.
Did you read in the Sunday Quincy paper where the City is trying to sell government property to the gambling boat? Now, will the Mayor and City Council try to sell the Oyster Park Property that was donated to the City for PARK PURPOSES ONLY and that if the City decides that the City does not want it as a park anymore that the property reverts back to the Oyster estate. Oh well, This Mayor and Council will just waive away that agreement too. So much for honor and integrity.
I had a neighbor call and ask why the police car was riding around the Marks Cemetery last Thursday night with its red lights flashing. I guess the police car made several circles around the Cemetery with the lights on. Makes one wonder which one of those people staying there was driving home drunk.
November 17, 1999
Well, it looks like the La Grange Revitalization Organization is at it again. The next time you drive through town, take a real close look at the survey stakes across from Wilma's Specialty Coffee Shop. Those stakes look like to me that they are at least two feet onto Mr. Nichols property. Will not SUSAN DEAN AND HER BUNCH know when to leave someone else alone. The wall that is still left of the buildings IS THE PROPERTY LINE. 100 years of those old buildings set precedent. MOVE THE STAKES BACK WHERE THEY BELONG SUSAN DEAN. You have enough room to build your Main Street MEMORIAL Building. Use it. Leave Nichols alone. Or buy him out. Or do you like harassing people like him and Hartley and others?
If you notice that when Sam Green is left alone, WORK GETS DONE. Things seem to get done better and faster when the Street Commissioner and the Police Chief ride around together. Speaking of the police chief, he was in the restaurant this morning. We are not sure whether he was there to protect the councilman or to line up the days ride with the street commissioner. The people of La Grange has great police protection during the day when it is not needed and none at night when it is needed. Maybe when we get the other seven, someone will HAVE to work a night. None of the officers have figured out how to get out of the car and check a business door yet. All they know how to do is ride ride ride, like the street commissioner. Only the 187 voters' mayor would allow this to happen, man they have to be so proud. You guys are, aren't you Fred (no prayer here) and Ralph (pave my drive free).
Hats off to the police officer last night who saw fit to give out WARNING tickets.
November 16, 1999
Rumor has it that last Sunday one your tax paid for police officers was seen at Caseys, buying your tax paid for gas to put in a your tax paid for police car. The officer informed a person that they were OFF DUTY. Then the officer promptly got into the police car and left town heading West. It seems the officer went out west to participate in a traffic stop to search for loaded guns and check deer at your tax paid expense. This was why there wasn't any officer in town when the incident regarding a juvenile shooting a bb gun at another juvenile. Councilmen Fred and Ralph and "your" Mayor believes that "your" City tax money should be used to assist the County and State. I guess we should allow the Chief to patrol all the way to Jefferson City. Oh, Wait, the police chief and the City tax paid with city tax paid gas was seen doing speeding near Jeff City earlier this year. I guess Fred and Ralph believe that "you" the tax payer should provide police protection for the trailer park, the County and all the way to Jeff City. How many guns and how much drugs are stored in City Hall now? Since there is no one in charge, how will they know if any of it is missing?
Someone mentioned that a high ranking official of a local bank might retire next year for a new position with the gambling boat. I am sure it is nothing but talk. I still would like to know what happened to all that project brighter future money. Maybe the person in charge of all that money might want to send me a financial statement.
Is it true that the City doesn't maintain alleys? If so, then why is it when a property owner puts rock in his alley the street commissioner comes up the alley and scoops it up?
November 15, 1999
It seems that the street commissioner is having Sam ride around with him now. I guess he wants to make sure that if he isn't working, Sam won't be able to work either. Why doesn't the street commissioner just chauffer the water department girl around while she reads meters instead of her using her own car? We all know how he refuses to help the water department.
How low can the Mayor get? Now he has the poor police chief riding around in that old old white chevy today. The poor chief tried to set up radar on the north end and south end and found no one speeding. Since everyone in town is wise to his tricks, we pity the poor out of Towner's. Since they both like to ride around town all day, why don't the chief and the street commissioner just ride around together? Oh, that's right, that's what they do in the afternoons.
It also seems that a councilman is running the show anymore. In the mornings, he is seen giving orders, err maybe just chit chatting with the street commissioner and police chief. I would think that if a councilman or mayor wanted to discuss City business with an employee, he would do it on City time rather than take up the employees personal breakfast time. But, everyday?
November 14, 1999
Another congrats to the fire department for a job well done Saturday night.
Rumor says there was a juvenile with a BB gun shooting at other kids in a neighborhood. The mother calls the police department, answering machine. She calls the Sheriffs department. She calls the Mayor. It took two hours before a police officer arrived to take care of the matter.
But, when someone parks in the alley behind the Martin bun tanner, the police are called and answer immediately even though they nor their customer uses the alley.
Did anyone watch Noah and the Ark a few weeks ago presented by NBC. Well NBC has done it again with Mary mother of Jesus tonight. If any child or person who has not gone to church or read the bible watches this interpretation of the bible, they will thoroughly be screwed up. The notice at the beginning of these two shows actually stated that NBC took a great license with the truth. I believe that NBC tried to make the truth into a joke. NBC does not seem to realize that there are too many people who do not believe in God or want his name mentioned. Right Fred?
Where did all the Project Brighter Future money go? Ralph?
YOUR PRIVACY MAY BE VIOLATED
If you have your Social Security Number as your drivers license number and the Police Dispatcher runs you through their NEW computer, she, the dispatcher and the police chief, will have all the info to find out everything they need to know about you and your credit and financial status. With that information, anyone can delve in your privacy and know everything about you. In fact, it is information like that that the Government keeps warning you about. Just remember this. The dispatcher lives in a trailer park. She also is not sworn to secrecy. There is nothing to stop her from telling anyone or even selling what she knows about you to someone else who could use that information against you. Those 187 people voters and those who voted for Ralph and Fred should love this idea. They made the motions and voted for this equipment to invade your privacy and the Mayor and the other Councilmen voted right along with them. It is hard to believe that so many people are willing to give up their privacy to someone who is not a citizen of La Grange and not sworn to secrecy. It is hard to believe that people of La Grange are willing to allow these people have access to their credit and financial information. Can you imagine what they will do when the gambling boat gets here?
November 10, 1999
I had heard rumors about the Council meeting, but I wanted to wait to see if what I heard was true would be in the Canton paper. It was. So, are those 187 voters still here? You people have to be so proud. You have your Mayor and Council put the city sheds up for sale and sold them. I believe the original bid was the buildings had to removed in 30 days.
Where are they going to put all the City equipment? In the Mayors garage? Oh!, that's right, he doesn't have a garage. I know, the Council can put some in each of their garages and leave their vehicles out side all winter.
Then, what else do we see in the paper? Well, the 187 peoples Mayor and Council put a an ad for bids for a new building. Where is the money coming from? But, most of all, they put the bids as the bidders can bid on the building AND concrete work or WITHOUT concrete work. But, there was no bid asked for concrete work separate. I guess they may or may not need a concrete floor. Where are they going to run their sewerage? Oh well, I guess Jimmy Cottrell won't mind, after all the City is planning to run their water on him, why not the sewer too? I tell you, these guys are so swift, it is hard to just keep up with them.
I heard that the police chief was in town the other day in his OWN vehicle and with his wife. The speculation was that he was probably looking for another high speed chase. I had a customer stop by today and he asked why the police officer was riding around town with a scowl on his face. The customer waved at the officer, but the officer would not even acknowledge the man. Great public relations. Those gamblers are going to love an officer like that. All we need is seven more. I guess they get that from the Mayor and Councilman Sherwood. One person said she tried to wave at Sherwood and he wouldn't look at her and another tried to wave at the Mayor as he was driving by and he wouldn't look at them.
And now the kicker. It seems the POLICE CHIEF and the dispatcher can't run license plates fast enough, so the dumb City Council voted to spend another $75.00 a month for a computer that is hooked up directly with the State so the dispatcher can run license checks faster.
AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT THE COUNCIL heard, and no one on the Council asked WHY? Well boys, the real reason is that the La Grange Police department wants a complete dossier of every man woman and child in La Grange and they cannot do it by using the police radio so people with scanners can hear them collecting information on every one in town. Now the police department can secretly get all YOUR information direct from the States computer.
AND YOUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL voted to allow this to happen. When will the people of La Grange wake up?
November 5, 1999
First off, everyone prayers should be for Mr. Legg injured at the foundry this evening. I don't know all the info, but everyone should be praying for him.
My wife and I were coming into town last evening and what we saw would have made any citizen of La Grange proud. The La Grange Fire Department and the First Responders reacted to the accident at the foundry astonishingly fast. Anyone listening to their scanner would have heard what anyone would describe as a real professional first response operation. I do not believe that Quincy could have done a better job.
Boys and girls, the people of La Grange have to take their hats off to you this time.
GREAT JOB! EXCELLENT!
Now, on to the City. Did anyone notice that the Street Commissioner took his umpteenth vacation day today. I guess it is hard to figure out when he is working or not. But, the good thing about it is that Sam Green can get some work done instead of having to ride around with Kenny all day. Take a look at all the dirt Sam hauled and spread on the new City lot. A whole week of the street commissioners work done in one day. It still makes me wonder what the 187 people were thinking of on voting day. Do they really like the idea of this Mayor just going up to City Hall each day to see this page and then go off and leave the City to go on its own.
November 3, 1999
Yes, I know there was a transit at the site. In fact it was left at the site overnight. Just proves it was there and no one knew how to make it work. [you can't get ahead of me] Can you imagine what they are going to do with all that gumbo? When they get done with that property it is going to be junk. Any contractor hired to build the new building will probably charge extra to clean up the mess.
The word is out that the City Clerk has already deemed herself capable of handling a million dollar budget. That's all right, so has the bearded one and Fred (no prayer here) and Ralph (pave my drive for free).
Come next election, you people had better find three HONEST and ABOVE BOARD candidates to run for office or we are all going to be in big big trouble. In fact, the City Council had better be searching for a City manager right now. (Which we all know will not happen because of the above paragraph.) They should be now looking for someone that is at least a graduate of an accredited university or college majoring in public or municipal administration and should have a few years of economic development, community planning, and maybe grant writing and industrial development and some investment experience. And, offer that person a damn good salary.
HELLO: Does any of the Council, or City Clerk or Mayor come close? I don't think so. And neither do you.
The problem will be to find three HONEST and ABOVE BOARD people that will be willing to fight three nincompoops and a bearded yes man. These three new people will have to put up with abuse, attacks, back stabbing, and anything else the other three will dish out to get them to resign. The only hope the three new ones will have is that maybe the one left on the north end will come to realize that he and his wife are going be left out when the time comes.
November 2, 1999
First off, we should congratulate Art Junkerman and hope he wins. Everyone at the restaurant is hoping he wins so we can all get a free breakfast.
Next, has anyone else seen two guys running around town, each with a black eye?
Then, in case anyone is interested, the new City Hall is now located on the weekends at the Starlight Terrace.
And on the note of the gambling boat, I have now purchased my two new books. I will loan them out after I have read them. The first is, "How to rob slot machines legally" and the other is "The secrets to the slots and how to constantly win".
One reader commented, "I see that you always have something to report about the police department and the street department, but never about the water department". My answer is this, SO FAR, the only information or really, complaints I have heard about the water department is when the Fire Department screws up the water system by testing their equipment. over and over and over. And speaking of the fire department, every time I go to Quincy, I seem to see one or more of the La Grange firemen in West Quincy sitting in the cab of that big ladder truck. Please boys, be patient, when that million dollar check arrives, you can buy you a new one. Just wait a little while longer. Well, what the heck, the moneys coming, have the Council go down to bank and borrow more money to buy it now. The bank can't refuse a loan like that, as the bank has promised the boat and all that money to repay the loan.
There would be a lot more gossip on these pages if I could remember to write everything down I am told.
November 1, 1999
Here we go again. Another pro gambling boat caller asked or should I say accused me again of being AGAINST the gambling boat. I say now and again. I AM NOT AGAINST THE GAMBLING BOAT. Period. My feelings are this, if a gambling boat makes the town better I AM ALL FOR IT. BUT, as I keep saying. I cannot believe that the Gaming Commission will actually grant a license for a gambling boat for La Grange with the full knowledge that this Council and Mayor not only violate the laws of the City Charter and Ordinances and State laws, but actually flaunt it. My feelings are that the Gaming Commission can see this already being done, their questions have to be, What Will This Council and Mayor do with a gambling boat license. Yes, I realize that the license is issued to Mr. Sauvage and group, BUT, the actions and attitude of the City is also a part of the licensing process.
I do have a problem with the contract the City has, how and when this contract was made, and most of all WHAT THE PEOPLE OF LA GRANGE WILL SEE OF IT. Because of this Gossip page, Mr. Sauvage and his people stated facts and figures, that I do not believe would have come out.
NOW, you have to get the MAYOR AND COUNCIL to state what their plans are. With a million dollars plus a year, will the Mayor and Council vote to eliminate your personal and property taxes? That's only $40,000 or so a year. WHY NOT? Will they vote to eliminate the 1 cent sales tax? WHY NOT? Will they vote to eliminate water and sewer fees? WHY NOT? ALL of the above total less than what? A few hundred thousand or so. WHY NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF LA GRANGE benefit? Let's see if they are generous with the people of La Grange as they are with them selves.
One more item. I thought that the LRO was going to start on the new Main Street Memorial building soon after the ground breaking.