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The Renaud / Hennessy administration exposed.
Dan Haney O'Fallon Ward 3 Councilmen with his wife
Kathleen and daughter Karis.
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From their Mouth
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A message to first time candidates.

Three  years ago my family, friends, supporters and I embarked on a successful  political campaign for public office. In hindsight that
three years seems  like a lifetime ago.  It required a lot of hard work not only on my part but  also on the part of my family, friends and
my newly found political  supporters. My goal was a simple one and that was to reverse the trend in  O'Fallon where the best interest of
a select group of builders and developers were being put before the best interest of the citizens of O'Fallon. The reversal began in
2004 and I  hoped to continue the reversal. Many of the problems our city is struggling with today stem from the decisions made during
the Renaud  administration.

In O'Fallon a successful candidate needs to work very hard and have a good message or have a lot of money. Unfortunately in  
O'Fallon the average citizen does not donate to campaigns. So the candidates who receive the most money are those who will accept
it from special interests. Those special interests give their money to candidates who will put the special interest needs before the
citizen's. Don't underestimate that.

In O'Fallon, the special interest  that has invested the most money in our elections have been members of the  Home Builders
Association and/or executives from the companies that are members. Not only do they give directly to candidates but they also give to
Political Action Committees. Committee's like Citizens For Responsible Community                                           and Citizens for Truth In
Government                                             . These committees in turn invest in these favored candidates. Another prominent special
interest  group has been Adolphus Busch and his wealthy clan of duck hunters.

Beware new successful candidates. Just because you have you're constituents and the city's best interest at heart doesn't
mean all of your supporters feel the same way.  Some of them will want to gain personally from supporting you. If you don't  deliver
what they want they may work to destroy you. At the very least they will turn against you. In others words don't be fooled into taking the
money  from a special interest group even if they tell you they support the same  things you do.

That's the mistake I made when I took campaign money from  Citizens For Responsible Community. At that time most of the money for
the 2005 election CFRC received came from Adolphus Busch's duck hunters group.  Since then CFRC has taken a lot of money from
various Homebuilders / Developers. In fact, some O'Fallon candidates received checks in 2005 from Carl Maus with the name Hyland
Green LLC. To the best of my knowledge no one, including myself, cashed the checks after learning that Hyland Green was tied to
development/building in O'Fallon. In hindsight one can see what  a good decision that was in light of the problems O'Fallon now has for
issuing building permits for homes built in Hyland Green on top of a public road.
                    As well Carl Maus is now the Mayors assistant at city hall.                

One  of the red flags to look for is someone who takes credit for getting you or others elected. Unless they have donated tens of
thousands of dollars to your campaign they are full of hot air. If you were the financial underdog in a successful campaign you got
elected because of your hard work and  because of your position on the issues. Some are a little more subtle and  try to convince by
advising / lobbying you as if you're their best friend. Hyping you as a candidate or attacks on your opposition in their insignificant
publications has very little effect on your success also. I can list many, many candidates who they supported that didn't get elected and
many candidates they attacked that got re-elected. The one thing that has always troubled me is the large number of people who
involve themselves in O'Fallon's election who don't live in O'Fallon.

If you refuse the special interest money you will never be considered a part of the team. Despite the so-called camaraderie your fellow  
council members exhibit with you. They will always feel uncomfortable with  you and will work to eventually replace you with someone
like themselves.  Someone who has accepted the money. Someone they can trust.

In closing. Take the path less traveled and you won't be sorry. Be alert and stay on your toes. Go with your gut feeling regardless of
what someone with so-called more experience or a so called political science degree tries to  tell you. Understand the role ethics play.
Be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Raise the ethical bar for yourself and enjoy the experience. You will come in contact
with some of the best and some of the worst people you will ever meet in your life.

Good Luck!

Terry Busken
Former  O'Fallon Ward 2  Alderman                    
Former special counsel Rick
Fischer speaks to back room
deals at the 6-14-2007
council meeting.
Former Board President
addresses the Council
concerning Bob Lowery at the
6-14-2007 council meeting.
Former city attorney Mary
Creamer gives the Council a
law lesson  at the 6-14-2007
council meeting.
Come on Bill and
spit the words
out. You sound
like you have
your tongue stuck
in a tequila bottle.
Councilmen Yelich
gives insight how
business is routinely
conducted at city
hall. No wonder so
few people vote.
January 2007
• Sewer plant pump failure to cost more that $100.000.00.
• Second sewer plant pump fails.
• Third sewer plant pump fails.
• Sewer plant needs 1.5 million in repairs.
• Former O'Fallon court administrator who admitted stealing city money ordered to pay back
almost $300,000.
• Sewell report say Public Safety Director position is not needed.
• Council creates Public Safety Directors Position.

February 2007
• Still no progress at O’Fallon Station for almost 2 months.
• Council considers $800.000.00 payment to developers for illegally vacated road.

March 2007
•  Davis Street Land Co. files a lawsuit against O’Fallon for failing to provide sewer service.
•  $600,000.00 sales tax shortfall has city leaders concerned.
•  Council cancels League of Women’s Voters candidate forum.
•  Citizens for Responsible Community (CFRC) contributes to O’Fallon political campaigns.
Co-founded by Morrow’s assistant Carl Maus.

April 2007
•  Morrow supporter sues O’Fallon and 2 police officers.
•  $800.000.00 payment to developers fails due to public outcry.
• O’Fallon ordered to pay $1 million to landowner for failing to provide sewer service.
•  Morrow supporter files lawsuit against city.

May 2007
• Council prepares to approve $35,000.00 payment to developer with no record of elected
officials formally approving the agreement.

June 2007
• O’Fallon plans to annex Busch Wildlife.
• O’Fallon drop plans to annex Busch Wildlife.
•Most Council members kept in the dark about annexation plans
• Morrow says Lowery and Hennessy violated the rules of protocol, courtesy and structure of
the government in their actions with the annexation.
• Morrow says “I have not had any private words with Mr. Lowery because I have learned that
working in a possibly hostile environment, you have to make sure you have your T’s crossed
and I’s dotted,”

July 2007
• Sewer hookup freeze still plague O’Fallon and affecting new businesses.
• Council approves $35,000.00 payment to developer with no record of elected officials
formally approving the agreement.• O'Fallon Station still not completed.
• O'Fallon ordered by Judge to hand over employee records in lawsuit by Morrow supporter.

August 2007
• City's planned shopping center comparable to Chesterfield Mall is scrapped.
• City officials prepare for an estimated $650,000 budget shortfall.
• Local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union sharply criticized city officials for
releasing  the Social Security numbers of workers. O'Fallon officials broke the federal Privacy
Act by releasing the numbers in response to a public information request.
• Still no progress at O’Fallon Station.
February 2006
• Morrow abandons former allies to join Cantwell & Hennessy alliance.
•  Lyn Schipper resigns from office.

March 2006
•  Newly appointed city staff attorney Mary Creamer put on
administrative leave.
•  Morrow appoints former Renaud Admin. attorney Mark Piontek
Hudson, Busken & Mitchell walk out of meeting in protest.
•  Hudson & Busken resign along with Special Counsel Rick Fischer
•  Morrow's appoints attorneys from Clayton law firm. Despite state  
auditors recommendation of savings from having a staff attorney .
•  Morrow administration seeks over $17,000.00 in fees for public  
information

May 2006
•  Morrow faces ethic compliant about supporter paying her health  
insurance.
•  St. Paul Travelers fails to renew liability coverage for employees and
elected officials who are  sued regarding city business.
•  Newly appointed city staff attorney Mary Creamer terminated.
•  Todd Criswell, Director of Community Development terminated by
Bob Lowery
•  Charles Mobley, Director of Public Works terminated by Bob Lowery
•  Monte Ellis, the city's program manager allegedly resigns in protest.

July 2006
•  City Council gives approval to sell city property to a developer at a
bargain price.
•  Council unanimously reprimands Morrow for "less than complete
and less than precise" accounts of her actions and accuses Morrow of
"unchecked executive power."

August 2006
Council spends $44,000 to come up with core values and mission
statement.

October 2006
•  Council considers $120,000.00 in water & sewer tap fee waivers in
annexation agreements.
•  Morrow veto’s change in stair step geometry.
•  Council overrides Morrow’s veto and deviates stair step geometry
from International building code requirements for safe stairways.

November 2006
•  Morrow assistant resigns claims intimidating remarks by Council
President Peter Cantwell made her job unbearable.
•  Former employees Todd Criswell & Charles Mobley sue city
claiming they were fired for calling attention to unfair code enforcement
and other city dealings that favored certain developers.
• Jim Sewell, friend of Bob Lowery paid to conduct a study of the police
department.
• Morrow hires campaign supporter Carl Maus as new aid.
• O’Fallon notifies P.W.S.D.# 2 that sewer plant is at capacity and
would accept no new developments.

December 2006
• City seeks to sell water and sewer system.
• O’Fallon’s legal fees approach $600,000.00 for 2006.
Former Alderman Busken giving
behind the scene look at city hall
Click on the  image to
play the video.
The saga continues...........
Another special election nomination meeting screwup/coverup ?

To those who care about open, honest government;


Brandy Peterson called me today to tell me about how the local Republican party, chaired by Jon Bennett,  screwed things up again.  Apparently
they held the recent special election nomination meeting for Carl Bearden's old seat outside of that district which violates state election law.

Then, apparently Rich Chrismer, the county election director, didn't certify the nomination and told them to rehold the meeting. Apparently he
finally got around to reading the election statutes after he improperly certified  last year's county council special election nomination. Maybe I did
accomplish something with my suit, Rich Chrismer is now upholding the election laws.  

But when the Republican party sent out a letter informing the committee members of the second meeting, they announced it as just a
technicality needed to confirm the previous nominee (an aide to Gov. Blunt)  and mentioned him by name.  It seems that they are more
interested in pushing Governor Blunt's man than holding legal meetings.

I respect Brandy's political courage but I feel she may rightfully be a bit apprehensive about reporting this in the media.  I think in the past she
never got the support she should have gotten from all of us.  Too many times it was Brandy standing up, often alone,  speaking for openness,
honesty, and doing the right thing in local government.

Pass this on to others, the word needs to get out.  Maybe we can get Republican leaders who act more like Lincoln, FDR and Reagan instead of
Tricky Dick Nixon.  Ultimately, that's the only hope for the Republican party.


Joe Cronin
From our Readers
Jon Bennett responds

The letter submitted by Joe Cronin was as chock full of errors as his campaign for County Council.

First of all, the 16th District Republican Legislative Committee is the committee that held the nomination meeting, not the entire Republican
Central Committee.  This committee is not chaired by me.

Secondly, the meeting was held in the county seat, which court precedent has proven can be considered as being "in the area," although  
a party staffer from Jefferson City advised the committee afterward to re-affirm the vote that had previously been taken by the same
members of the committee,  but to have it in the district to assure there could be no court challenge.  While we were convinced that we
could win any court challenge, it made no sense to invite one, so the chairman of the committee called for a second meeting.  Little did we
realize that the only people that would be stirring up nonsense for the Republican Party would be those who claim to be involved with it.

Third, Rich Chrismer, as the county election authority, has no authority over certifying state candidates.  He had no role in this process
whatsoever, despite Cronin's rambling email that he sent to the Post Dispatch.  When I contacted Mr. Chrismer about Mr. Cronin's claims
that he had refused to certify the nomination, he laughed.

Fourth, Mark Parkinson served as an aide to Senator Kit Bond, having never worked for Governor Matt Blunt.  By the way, the second
meeting had Parkinson emerge as the candidate, as well.

And fifth, had Ms. Pedersen bothered to communicate with the chairman, Fred Henke, about the process of the meeting instead of running
to the media crying foul, she would have found that her concerns were already addressed by the chairman prior to the media being
contacted.

This looks to me like a few people simply have an axe to grind, and choose to do so instead of merely picking up the phone and
communicating internally with those with whom they work.

My advice to you, Mr. Cronin, is to get your facts straight before you attack me, the hard-working people on the committee on which I serve
and the party that gave you over $3,000 to try to boost your county council campaign.

How was the fishing in Alaska right before the election, by the way?

Jon Bennett, Chairman
St. Charles County Republican Central Committee
Click on the logo to go the Fish &  Ships page and listen to all of the shows
Welcome back to Watchdog Chit Chat. Sorry for the delay but I've been  reading Mayor Donna Morrow's 20 volumes of
books which require O'Fallon to  violate the law.

Speaking of Morrow, I hope everyone got to see her on You  Paid For It last week. Morrow was defending O'Fallon's actions in
issuing  building permits to McBride & Sons to build houses on a public road (Koch  Road.)  Morrow had originally instructed
staff to inform McBride that  building permits would not be issued until Koch Road was vacated but she later  changed her mind (as
well as her direction, her friends, her assistant and her  hair style) and allowed Bob Lowery and staff to violate the law. Morrow's  
explanation? "Because we had the authority to."  

Mark Perkins is running against Dan Christoff for a seat  on the O'Fallon council. While Christoff has still not figured out who he is  
representing he has made some progress and he is a much better candidate than  Perkins. Perkins served on the board during the
corrupt tenure of Paul Renaud  and Perkins was a loyal Renaud soldier. Perkins was booted from office by a  convincing margin
when he lost to Bob Patek and voters in Ward 1 need to remind  themselves why Perkins needed to go.

St. Peters is doing all it can to take the spotlight off  O'Fallon. Elliott Davis and You Paid For It have done several stories on  
wasteful spending in St. Peters and the city has not done itself any favors  either as it continues to attempt to keep its residents from
hearing dissenting  view points. Here is a partial list of St. Peters actions; limiting citizen comments, moving comments to the
end of meetings, restrictive seating so that  critics won't be seen on TV, removal of KFAV from its cable access because it  
carries a radio show, Fish & Ships which has been critical of the city's  actions, refusal to air the findings of Missouri State Auditor
Susan Montee's  audit and repeated attempts to misrepresent facts to its residents. St. Peters  and its former mayor Tom
Brown, also were found by a Federal jury to have  punished an area business in retaliation for the business owner speaking
out  against the city.

Rumor has it:
*   Bob Lowery has been looking for a new job  
*   The following people are considering running for O'Fallon mayor in 2009;
Vickie Schneider, Cynthia Davis, Bill Gardner, Peter Cantwell, Donna Morrow  and Pierce Conley.
*   First Capitol News will start covering O'Fallon
*   A new paper may start covering O'Fallon  
*   More lawsuits are coming O'Fallon's way

Dog Bites:
*   Do the Suburban Journals and the Post-Dispatch call it hush money or advertising dollars?
*   Susan Montee just finished her investigation into Jeffrey Dahmer and  declared him a good guy.  And a vegetarian.
*   Where has Peter Cantwell gone?  
*   Why is the "great" former police chief Steve Talbott still just a  patrolman?  
*   Who looked worse, Donna "we have the authority" Morrow or Len "deer in the  headlights" Pagano?
*   Steve Ehlmann has announced that there are job openings in County  government. All interested current and former St.Charles
County elected  officials are asked to apply directly to Ehlmann.  
*   Whatever happened to that school in Hyland Green? Please direct all  inquiries to Carl Maus  (e-mail Carl Maus)
*   When is the Governor going to fill the vacancy of St. Charles County  Prosecuting Attorney?
*   Does Mark Perkins want to get elected to build his resume for a job with  Paul McKee?

The Dog House:

It was a tough decision on who to put in the dog house so we decided  to send Donna Morrow and Len Pagano in together. Both
have turned on those who  supported them and both abandoned their campaign promises. In addition, both of  them have become
an embarrassment to their respective cities. Of course, the  real reason we are putting them in the dog house is because we have
the  authority to, because we have the authority to.

*   St. Peters Press release: The City of St. Peters is  pleased to  announce Mayor Len Pagano has been invited to join the
prestigious  "Dog House" by the O'Fallon Watchdog. The Watchdog cited Pagano on his  ability to change
direction when needed and noted his willingness to take a  stance, even if means
disagreeing with his supporters. Pagano stated "I am  proud of this award and
take special satisfaction in the recognition of my  appearance on You Paid For
It, where the Watchdog noted my ability to look at  an issue head on without
blinking." St. Peters residents are reminded not to  visit the Watchdog web
site directly for information but instead all  information will be made
available by our PR(avda) department.
Cronin responds to Bennett

While I am encouraged that Jon Bennett reads the Watchdog,  it's unfortunate that he still just doesn't get it.  As head of the County
Republican Central Committee he is expected to assume a leadership role and ensure that the party's affairs in St. Charles County go
smoothly.  It's fair to say that not many Republican nomination meetings in this county of late have gone smoothly.

Both Jon and Rich Chrismer need to spend some time reading Chapter 115 of the Missouri Statutes.  The meeting in question consisted of
an nomination vote (election) for a party nominee in a upcoming general election. As County Election Authority, Rich Chrismer is certainly
responsible that elections in the county are done in a fair and legal manner.

And I think it's sad that Rich Chrismer would "laugh" at a legitimate concern about a vote at a county nomination meeting for a statewide
office.  I know I'm not laughing at the $2.7 million the County paid for his new offices when the County Assessor's stated "Market Value" of
the property was only $1.7 million.  And why does the Election Authority need 41,000 sq. feet of office space on 4.3 acres of ground at a
time when the election authority is shrinking the number of polling places?  Maybe Elliott Davis needs to ask him.

I am sorry that Mr. Bennett took my email as an "attack" on him and the party.  And I did personally thank the Republican Central Committee
for contributing to my campaign.  That contribution was the only one I accepted in 5 races for public office.  Long ago I promised that I would
not take contributions from special interests and maybe that makes me a lousy politician.  But I did win 3 of the 5 elections and did a llot of
things to improve the community I served.    

Lastly, Jon you asked about the fishing in Alaska?  Sorry, I was mountain goat hunting on peaks of Kodiak Island home of one of the world's
most dangerous omnivores, the Kodiak Brown Bear.  I have had many up close and personal encounters with them in my 6 trips to Alaska.  
Strangely though, I find them more amicable than you and some in the local Republican party.


Joe Cronin
Bennett's final response

Mr. Cronin, it is awfully sad that you, as a former public official, have to point fingers at everyone but yourself when it comes to the operation
of a political party.

You, sir, are the one that doesn't get it.

I submit to you that Rich Chrismer is the COUNTY director of elections.  He has no authority whatsoever when it comes to state candidates.  
He is merely advised by the secretary of state's office that an election is to be held, and he is responsible for manning the polls and counting
the votes.  When it comes to certifying a STATE candidate's authenticity, it is the secretary of state's office that performs this duty, not the
county election authority.  This is why Mr. Chrismer and many others found your rant particularly amusing when you stated that he had
refused to certify Parkinson's nomination for state representative.

Meanwhile, seeing as you haven't bothered to attend any meetings of the Central Committee, I find it particularly difficult to put up with your
perception of leadership being provided.  Your county central committee has been working hard to provide resources to candidates and
office holders that have never been provided in the past.  Soon we will roll out a new website, organize workers for the Feb. 5th presidential
primary, host the annual Lincoln Days dinner in late February, conduct a campaign school for candidates and interested campaign workers,
raise money and help candidates organize for the 2008 elections, complete with a fully furnished campaign headquarters, as well as many
other projects.

As for your hunting trip, I hope you were successful.  My apologies for mixing up the message that you had gone fishing in Alaska, rather
than hunting on Kodiak Island a week or two before your own election.

I'm a bit jealous, actually, because it's a trip that many would love to take.  But are you prepared to justify the timing of it, especially after
being given $3,000 in which to run what we were assured was an "effective campaign," in which you were working hard to be elected to the
county council?

Just curious.

Jon Bennett, Chairman
St. Charles County Republican Central Committee
Pederson responds to Bennett

This is my response to the comments made by Mr. Bennett about me in the watchdog. The proper contacts were made by me and addressed
before media was called.  My only concern was to be sure the Missouri Statute’s were followed properly. That is what I was elected to do. A
committee member should not have to chase leadership around for answers. In fact it would have been helpful to have something in writing
prior to the final vote.

Respectfully


Brandy Pedersen
“I have not had any private words with Mr. Lowery because I have learned that working in a possibly hostile environment, you have
to make sure you have your T’s crossed and I’s dotted,” Morrow said in a one-on-one exclusive interview with MRN. “I have been
betrayed and I don’t know how I’m going to deal with that.”
Source:
Morrow Flexes Muscle - Could It Be, ‘The Pipeline Lady Is Back?’
By: Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
MidRivers Newsmagazine

O'Fallon Watchdog response: Haven't these claims against Mr Lowery been made before? Maybe a good place to check would be former
aldermen resignation letters  (check here)  and haven't some former employee's made that claim? Gee! Mayor when someone else was the victim
what did you do protect the city? After all, you are the Mayor and in charge.
“I have an oath of office, and what disturbs me is Bob Lowery (before the annexation controversy) sent an email to all elected
officials after meeting with Councilman Bill) Hennessy. It was also sent to media outlets, and Hennessy spoke with five other
members of the council. Why wasn’t I spoken with?” Morrow said. “Mr. Lowery is not following state statues in terms of council
president pro tem, and is not respecting that five council members need to be informed and make a decision.”
Source:
Morrow Flexes Muscle - Could It Be, ‘The Pipeline Lady Is Back?’
By: Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
MidRivers Newsmagazine

O'Fallon Watchdog response: Mayor Morrow, Bob Lowery was your appointment. Now why do you think you were so disrespected and what are
you going to do about it? After all, as before you are the Mayor and in charge. We would love to hear from you and so would all of our readers.
Morrow said the city is in a serious financial situation because O’Fallon helped fuel
the housing boom with special concessions
Source:
Morrow Flexes Muscle - Could It Be, ‘The Pipeline Lady Is Back?’
By: Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
MidRivers Newsmagazine
O'Fallon Watchdog response: Mayor Morrow based on your comment above the Watchdog is a little puzzled why you would support a 40 million
dollar bond issue? Especially for items like ice arenas and fine arts centers when you and the council have ignored important problems with our
water and sewer plant. If your wanting a bronze plaque on a building with your name on it to leave as your legacy. We could have bronze plaques
made with your name on it for all the Outhouse and Well's that this city is going to have to build for it's residents for a lot less that 40 million.
O'Fallon residents continue to pay cost of corruption
From:  Wake Up Call Missouri
January 25, 2008

The widespread corruption that plagued the City of O'Fallon during the administration of former Mayor Paul Renaud
(and current Council President Bill Hennessy, pictured to the right) continues to cost the taxpayers of O'Fallon.
In a story which appeared in the Post-Dispatch today it was reported that:

In a ruling handed down last week, Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider said that under a June 2004 agreement between the city and Public Water
Supply District No. 2, the water district exclusively controls new sanitary sewer users. Barring a reversal on appeal, the ruling means city
officials won't be able to stop sewage from several customers, including the Meadows at Lake Saint Louis, a shopping center scheduled to
open its first phase in August.

O'Fallon City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. placed a freeze on hookups into the sewer system last fall because officials said the city's aging
wastewater treatment plant on the north side of town was operating at capacity. Its discharge risked exceeding environmental standards,
officials said.

The Meadows isn't the only new customer affected by the ruling. ­Schneider ordered the city to immediately take all measures necessary to
ensure that its treatment facility has adequate capacity to receive and treat all wastewater transferred to it by the water district's users, present
and future.

The end result of this will be that the taxpayers will be forced to pay the costs of upgrading the system to increase the capacity. How is this
related to corruption? During Renaud's tenure the city gave away tap ons to our water and sewer systems to the preferred developers and
builders. One of the builders who benefited from this was Renaud's employer McBride & Sons. The bill for these illegal giveaways has now
come due.

When paying their taxes the residents of O'Fallon should be sure to remember to send Renaud a thank you note and while you're at it don't
forget to include a note to Hennessy and former alderman (and current council candidate) Mark Perkins who supported giving your money to
the developers. This is but one example of many "favors" Renaud/Hennessy/Perkins provided to developers/builders and we will be paying for
this for years to come.

Watchdog Response:  Isn't amazing Bill Hennessey continues to get re-elected despite the damage he has done to our city by looking after
the interest of his buddies and campaign contributors? He is currently trying to put the old team back together with Perkins running for office
in ward 1 and the Charter commission. His wife is even running for the Charter commission. Apparently he doesn't have enough support to
bring his buddy former police chief Steve Talbott back. I guess Christoff is one of the folks standing in the way. Must be why the Water and
Sewer plant is in such a mess and nothing is still being done about it. I guess its because fixing them wouldn't benefit Bill's buddies or
campaign contributors.
Madam Mayor (flip) flops on You Paid For It
From:  Wake Up Call Missouri
February 1, 2008.



Elliott Davis and the You Paid For It crew paid a visit to O'Fallon Mayor Donna Morrow last week to discuss the city's role in the ongoing Koch
Road scandal. I will be posting a copy of the story once it becomes available on the Fox 2 St. Louis web site. In the mean time I have set out
below (as best I could since Morrow constantly interrupted Davis) the questions asked by Davis and Morrow's answers, but first let me provide
some back ground:

Four families bought homes (estimated at $300,00) from McBride & Sons that were built on a public easement upon which a public road, Koch
Road, ran. St. Charles County had voted to vacate the road under certain conditions (conditions which have not been met) and a group of
residents filed suit to stop the county's action since it was in violation of the law. McBride and the developer, Hyland Green, illegally tore out
Koch Road while the lawsuit was pending. McBride did not have any rights to the easement at that time but they wanted the land to build
houses so they simply ignored the law and proceeded. The homeowners allege they were not told by McBride that their houses sat on a public
easement and now their homes are all but worthless since they cannot sell or refinance them. In addition, the Judge ruled that St. Charles
County's attempt to eventually vacate the road was unlawful since Koch Road was still useful to the residents.

At the direction of Mayor Morrow, city staff had originally followed the law and refused to issue building permits to McBride (flip.) (I know this
would seem obvious but when the favored builders/developers ask for something in St. Charles County the law is rarely an impediment.)
However, after the appointment of Bob Lowery as City Administrator, Morrow and the city changed their position and issued McBride building
permits to construct homes on a public road (flop.) Davis' story focused on this decision. Here are Davis' questions and Morrow's answer with
my comments in red:

Davis: Why did you issue (building) permits when this land was still tied up in litigation?

Morrow: First of all we issued the permits before the Judge made her ruling so it was not tied up in litigation. (Wrong. The case was tied
up in litigation as Davis points out in his follow up question.)

Davis: But it was still the subject of a court case.

Morrow: Elliott we're a political subdivision of the state just like the county is. (Interrupting Davis) So we have certain, there's a whole
(pointing), there's 20 volumes of what we have to do according to the state. (Um...Well yea...OK...I'll bet there wasn't 20 volumes) So the
county and the city have done their duty. (The county went out of its way to give land to a developer and violated the law in the
process. The city went out of its way to allow the builder to illegally construct homes and violated the law in the process.
However, maybe Morrow believes it is her duty to help out her political friends.)

Davis: Madam mayor I'm trying to ask some key questions here, my key question is why did the city issue building permits to... ?

Morrow: (interrupting) Because we had the authority to, because we had the authority to. (Wrong, Wrong. Of course, the law does not
give O'Fallon the authority to issue building permits on a county road and doing so is actually in direct violation of the law.
Caveat; I have not read the special set of 20 volumes of things O'Fallon has to do which Morrow keeps in her office. I can only
say that those "20 volumes" do not apply anywhere outside her office.)

Davis: Was that a mistake?

Morrow: No it was not a mistake. (Well, in Morrow's defense, Davis did not ask a mistake in whose mind. I'm sure it was not a
mistake to McBride, or Hyland Green, or Morrow's assistant, campaign supporter and friend of the developer, Carl Maus.
However, if he meant a mistake in the eyes of the citizens and the law Morrow was absolutely wrong.) (interrupting Davis)
According to the state statutes we had the full authority to issue it, whether or not it was pending in litigation or not. (OK Madam Mayor, now
you are starting to bore me. Everyone repeat after me...WRONG.)

For those interested in the full story on Koch Road I have linked all of my posts about it on the right. As for you Madam Mayor, I want you to
think about a suggestion I made to you shortly after you appointed me. Now would be a good time to follow my advice.

Watchdog Response:  What more could the Watchdog add to Mr. Fischer's commentary other than Mayor Morrow's is like the weather is
St.Louis. Just wait long enough and it will surely change or in Morrow's case FLIP - FLOP.  I guess thats the advantage of having a political
science degree?
WARNING: THE JOURNAL HAS BEEN FOUND TO REPORT FALSE INFORMATION
From:  Wake Up Call Missouri
February 10, 2008.



If papers were required to warn their readers of the dangers of their product as other products are, the Suburban Journal would be required to
place in big bold letters the following; WARNING: THE JOURNAL HAS BEEN FOUND TO REPORT FALSE INFORMATION. As I have reported in
detail (Does the O'Fallon Journal have a credibility problem?) the O'Fallon Journal has not only failed to report on the actions of one of its biggest
advertisers, McBride & Sons, in illegally destroying a  public road but the Journal has actually reported false information on this story. Despite
having been fully informed of the truth, the Journal continues in its attempt to protect the guilty parties.


In an article dated February 9, 2008 entitled Koch Road Case Continues, the writer, Elizabeth Perry reports,
Last year, St. Charles County Circuit Judge Lucy Rauch determined St. Charles County was wrong in deeming the road "useless," a decision that
led to the destruction of that portion of road and homes being built on the property.
A reader unfamiliar with the facts (i.e. readers of the Journal and Post-Dispatch) are led to believe that St. Charles County's finding that Koch
Road was "useless," allowed McBride & Sons (and the developer Hyland Green) to tear out the road. This is absolutely false and Ms. Perry and
her editor Erin Schultz are aware this is false. However, by reporting the story in a false light the Journal is able to protect McBride & Sons from
further exposure of its illegal actions.

The Journal promotes itself as providing "the most comprehensive coverage" of the St. Louis area. Journal readers should be warned that the
Journal's "coverage" is limited to news, whether true or not, it wants to report.

Watchdog Response:  As you will read in the introduction on the Headline page. One of the reasons the O'Fallon Watchdog was created was to
get you the information that area publications leave out. Whether done purposely or because of sloppy journalism we feel it's important that you
know the truth. Click on the Wake Up Call Missouri link above and you will see Mr. Fischer has had an on-going battle with the Journal and their
style of journalism.  Or  Click Here to Read another Questionable Story.
Click on the  Morrow's image
to play the  Elliot Davis video.
Dear Watchdog:

Thanks for putting something on your Website:

Debbie Cook- Candidate for City Council Ward 4- O'Fallon,
MO

My goal is to Restore Pride to Our Community.  I am
committed to Representing the Citizens of O'Fallon,
Attracting New Businesses to Our City, Keeping O'Fallon
Safe for All Citizens, and Ending Wasteful City Spending.  

I have lived in O'Fallon for almost 4 years with my husband
and 5 sons.  Recently I was endorsed by Tri-County Labor
Club and the AFL-CIO Cope.  If elected I plan to work very
hard for the residents and make decisions based on what is
best for the citizens and the City of O'Fallon.  I want to make
sure O'Fallon continues to be a safe community to raise a
family and make our government accountable and effective
once again.

Debbie Cook
dcook1964@hotmail.com


Watchdog Response: The O'Fallon Watchdog received this  
e-mail on March 2nd, 2008 from Mrs. Cook. We have also
included Mrs. Cooks campaign flier that the watchdog was
able to obtain. Thank You Mrs. Cook for stepping up to the
plate and running for office in O'Fallon.
E-Mail from Ward 4 Candidate Debbie Cook.
Has Post-Dispatch resorted to bullying widows to make news?
From :   Wake Up Call Missouri
March 05, 2008



My story yesterday, Post-Dispatch platform is a fraud, has drawn more interest than anything I have posted before. And it should. The
post was about a story written by Paul Hampel, who apparently had a bad day and decided to take it out on citizens who dare to question
their local governments. Actually, after speaking with one of the people Hampel attacked, it appears it wasn't simply a bad day on Hampel's
part, but rather a planned attack.

Sandy Waters is a 64 year old widow who has lived in St. Peters for over 34 years. She has been a trustee in her subdivision for over 20
years, a job that comes with no pay but a lot of headaches. She managed her son's baseball team when he was younger because no else
wanted to do it. Sandy did all this while working part time in between being a mother and wife full time.

While she followed local politics, Sandy had never spoken at a St. Peters council meeting until 2005. What made her take the time to get
involved? Sandy was watching a city workshop one night at home when Alderman Jerry Hollingsworth mentioned an idea in which St. Peters
citizens could help out the community by paying for a street sign which read, "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25". Sandy thought it was a good idea
and that night went up to the council meeting and publicly volunteered to pay for such a sign. Her alderman, Patrick Barclay then followed
Sandy's lead and also pledged to pay for a sign. Since then Sandy has been a semi regular at the meetings, sometimes praising the city for
its actions, sometimes criticizing St. Peters but always caring about her city.

If you read the Post-Dispatch's Platform,  you would expect them to celebrate and encourage citizens like Sandy rather than compare
them to a murderer, but that is exactly what Paul Hampel and the Post did. Hampel called Sandy about ten days ago and left a message
that he was with the paper and would like to talk to her. At first Sandy was hesitant since she had no idea who Hampel was or why a reporter
would want to talk to her, but after talking with a friend she decided to call him back.
Tow company owner pleads guilty in tax case
By Robert Patrick
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/18/2008

A Wentzville tow company owner pleaded guilty to two federal tax charges Wednesday and admitted failing to report about $418,000 of
income from his towing business.

Budget Towing owner Rodney E. Sherman, 53, has or had contracts with various local governments and police departments, such as the
cities of O'Fallon, Foristell, Lake Saint Louis and Wentzville. The company then charged the vehicle owners to retrieve them. A large part of
the business was done in cash.

At Sherman's sentencing later this year, prosecutors will argue that Sherman failed to pay taxes of $30,000 to $80,000 on that income.
Sherman's lawyers will argue that it was less than $30,000. The higher amount could earn him 10 to 16 months in prison, and the lower
amount could mean six to 12 months, Sherman's lawyer Gil Sison said outside the courtroom.

Sherman appeared in court in his short-sleeved, blue-striped Budget Towing shirt, with his name on a patch on the right side.

The case began with allegations from a former employee that Sherman had been billing insurance companies for work that the company had
not done, shredding cash receipts and selling cars without titles to a salvage yard, but federal prosecutors declined to file charges related to
the other claims.

Prosecutors and Sison said there are no other ongoing investigations into Sherman's business practices.

Sherman is still challenging a search warrant that played a role in the investigation, and Sison said that if the challenge is successful,
Sherman could retract his guilty plea.

Federal and local authorities raided Budget Towing in 2005 and seized computers, file cabinets and other items.

The allegations led to a shakeup in the O'Fallon Police Department.

Chief Steve Talbott was fired in 2005 after city officials said Talbott showed favoritism to Sherman and in a drug-overdose investigation, and
other alleged matters. Talbott's firing set off a cascade of political squabbling and accusations. A major close to Talbott was placed on leave
and later retired.

Talbott denied the accusations and sued the city that year, eventually settling for $250,000.

Talbott told the Post-Dispatch at the time that Maj. Mark Henke was targeted because he was a supporter and Henke's lawyer said he was
placed on leave because he alerted the city administrator about allegedly improper actions by other officials.

Henke, who now works in private security, declined to comment Wednesday on Sherman's plea.

Talbott is now a patrol officer with the Lake Saint Louis Police Department and said Sherman "always did a good job towing for O'Fallon while I
was there. We never had any problems. We had minimal complaints on him."

Joel Currier of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Oh! Oh!!! Watch Jeff Schwentker's
plan to bring Budget Towing Back.

Click-On Jeff's Head to watch
video of him and news reports
from the 2005 raid on Budget
Towing
Woman gets 8 years for role in drug overdose
By Valerie Schremp Hahn
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/11/2006

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

Kacie Kissell, the daughter of a former state representative, was sentenced to eight years in prison on Monday for her role in the cocaine and
heroin overdose death of a St. Charles man - a case that helped prompt the ouster of O'Fallon Police Chief Steve Talbott.

Joshua Dodson, 20, died after being found unconscious near a backyard pool at the O'Fallon home of Kissell's parents on July 1, 2005.

Kissell, 24, appeared in St. Charles County Court on Monday. She pleaded guilty to drug possession and submitted an Alford plea to
involuntary manslaughter. An Alford plea means she does not admit guilt but concedes that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict her
at a trial.


Kissell's father, Don Kissell, runs a lobbying firm whose clients include the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and the city of St. Charles.

O'Fallon Mayor Donna Morrow cited delays in investigating the Kissell case as one of the reasons for firing the longtime chief. The ouster
touched off an emotional outcry in the community and later a lawsuit by Talbott. Morrow said she believed Talbott delayed investigating
because he was a board member of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and had ties to Don Kissell. Talbott denied the accusation, saying
he investigated the death as he would any similar case.

After Monday's hearing, St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas said that because the investigation had not been started soon
enough, authorities did not have valuable evidence such as the syringes or immediate follow-up with victims or medical workers at the hospital.
The lack of such evidence would have made going to trial difficult, he said.

Police should have known they were not dealing with an ordinary overdose case because it involved Kacie Kissell, a past drug offender,
Banas said.

O'Fallon police declined to respond Monday to Banas' comments.

Dodson's parents, Kelly and Craig Dodson, spoke in front of Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider at the hearing Monday. Kelly Dodson spoke
tearfully about her son, saying that he had had problems but had been trying to get his life back on track. He had a wonderful sense of humor
and was a talented artist who specifically loved to draw roses, she said.

Craig Dodson was more stoic, turning frequently to address Kissell directly and criticizing her behavior as well as the O'Fallon police
department for not opening a full investigation immediately after the death.

"This is the type of person all children should fear and be told about by parents talking to their children about drugs," he said. "Perhaps the
Missouri Police Chiefs Association can ask their lobbyist for stronger drug penalties to keep people like this off the streets."

Members of Kissell's family felt it was best not to appear at the hearing, said her attorney, Scott Rosenblum. Don Kissell could not be reached
for comment Monday.

Prosecutors dropped five other charges related to the case as part of a plea agreement. Since Kacie Kissell's arrest, she has been in prison
on a parole violation from a conviction for injecting heroin into the mouth and nose of a 16-year-old girl. Kissell could be eligible for parole in
the most recent case in about two or three years.

Prosecutor Philip Groenweghe said at Monday's hearing that Kissell's parents were out of town on June 30 when she decided to throw a party.
She prepared some heroin, two male friends came over, and she injected them and herself with the drug, he said. Two others showed up at
the house to drop off more heroin, he said. Kissell and the male friends then left because she had to give a ride to a friend who was living at a
halfway house, Groenweghe said.

The group eventually returned, and the male friends brought Dodson with them. Kissell prepared heroin for all of them, injecting herself and
her guests with the drug, Groenweghe said. She injected herself and the others repeatedly, eventually mixing the heroin with cocaine,
increasing the dosages each time, he said. This continued until early the next morning.

Police were called to the home after Dodson and one of the other men were found unconscious by the pool. Dodson died later that morning.
The other man, 21, of St. Charles, recovered.

Banas said he wished Kissell had learned from her previous conviction for injecting someone with drugs.

"This person has twice bit at the apple and doesn't seem to get it," Banas said of Kacie Kissell. "Because of her actions, another person lost
their life."
Watchdog Response: The Watchdog feels this isn't the last we hear of
the events that surrounded former police chiefs Steve Talbott's
dismissal. Let's not forget the story below from 2006 about Kacie Kissell
submitting an Alford plea in the death of a St. Charles man.  Rumor has
it that if Bill Hennesey is elected Mayor he will bring Steve Talbott back
to O'Fallon. Rumor also has it that in turn for former councilmen Peter
Cantwell to stay out of the Mayor's race Bill Hennesey will reward Peter
with Bob Lowery's current position of city administrator. Keep that in
mind next year when you go to the polls.
O'Fallon Police Officer awarded  Distinguished Service Award by U.S. Attorneys Office
By The O'Fallon Watchdog

In a rare and unusual move O'Fallon Police Officer Dave Buehrle received a honor usually reserved for federal agents.  On  
October 16th, 2008 Officer Buehrle received this honor along with  U.S. Postal Inspector Bruce Follmer and Special Agent  
Shannon Vernieuw for their work in the  Budget Towing investigation.  Rodney Sherman the tow company  owner pleaded
guilty to two federal tax charges and admitted failing to report about $418,000 of income from his towing business.

Congratulations Officer Buehrle for bringing this distinguished honor to the O'Fallon Police Department. A honor never
before received by an Officer of the O'Fallon Police Department. Your a credit to all those that wear the uniform
Councilman Dan Haney running for Mayor
By The O'Fallon Watchdog

Councilmen Dan Haney is apparently running for Mayor in O'Fallon in 2009. So far Pierce Conley and Bill Hennesey have also
announced their intentions to run .The O'Fallon Watchdog is excited that someone with Mr. Haney's commitment to the citizens
and not to special interest might be running. It's a shame that it can't be said for Mr. Hennesey and Conley.




If you have reached this page you are one of the few that either knew, or now knows, that I have started considering running for
Mayor of O'Fallon for the 2009 election. As they say on the Federal level "I have opened an exploratory committee". Over the past
few months I have received several calls to offset the current choices, as well as rumored choices, for this Mayoral race. The
requests have all had one common theme... someone is needed to represent the people of O'Fallon. I am glad that my work for the
Citizens of O'Fallon has been noticed by so many people.

As for my decision to run for Mayor; it will be based solely on my determination that I can put that time needed into the position
once elected. I want to make sure I can continue to be an important part in families lives as well as hold down my current job. I know
I could do an outstanding job for the city, I simply want to make sure I am fair to those that would be voting for me.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my site and if I decide to run for Mayor this page will be replaced with an entirely new website.
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help send me an email.

Councilman Dan Haney
Information taken from Mr. Haney's web-site
Burkemper's Family Restaurant
512 Sonderen St
Dos Primos Mexican Restaurant
608 N Main St
Hollys North Side Salon
148 Ofallon Plaza
Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill
215 Ofallon Plaza
Randy's Jewelry
309 S Main
Stefanina's
8645 Veterans Memorial Pkwy
The O'Fallon Observer can also be found at the following O'Fallon businesses list below.
01.26.2009 6:00 pm
UPDATE: O’Fallon city administrator says role with partnership is unpaid
By Joel Currier
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

O’Fallon City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. says he has never been paid for his participation in the Virginia-based company
Global Training Partnership. The company’s website lists him as a founder and trainer helping law enforcement with investigations of
missing persons and unidentified bodies.

“This has been conceptual since September,” Lowery said, adding that he is honored to be a part of the company and plans to
maintain his role as a trainer as Global Training Partnership LLC evolves.

“I intend to without any compensation,” he said in a telephone interview as he awaited a flight home to St. Louis from Miami.
“Frankly, I’m surprised folks would try to find something ugly in all of this.”He said that if the partnership does become a for-profit
venture in the future, he would petition the city council for a waiver allowing him to hold secondary employment. Current city
ordinances bar the city administrator from being employed outside his officials duties.

He said he was in Florida this weekend for a meeting with the International Homicide Investigators Association, of which he is a
member. Lowery missed last Thursday’s workshop and City Council meeting, and he was on vacation Friday. Asked whether the City
Council had placed him on paid administrative leave, Lowery declined comment.

Lowery lashed out at critics who have accused him of violating city ordinances by having a second job on top of his duties as city
administrator.“This is very ugly politics in the city of O’Fallon,” Lowery said.Also, Lowery said he has no desire to be police chief in O’
Fallon. The city appointed Maj. Bill Seibert as interim chief after former chief Jerry Schulte announced his retirement last month. The
city says it is conducting a national search for a new chief. Seibert said he has not decided whether to apply for the job.

EARLIER POST:
Ben J. Ermini, the only registered owner of a Virginia-based company for which O’Fallon City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. is listed
as a trainer, says no one, including Lowery, has been paid for their involvement with the company.
“There’re a number of people I’ve talked to that are willing to provide training,” Ermini told the Post-Dispatch today. “Bob is one of
them, and if Bob participates, he would participate as a pro-bono instructor.”Robert Lowery Jr.

Global Training Partnership LLC, registered in Virginia on Sept. 23, describes itself on its website as “a training organization to
assist law enforcement investigators in conducting successful investigations in the area of missing persons and the identification of
unidentified deceased.”

The O’Fallon City Council held a closed meeting Saturday amid growing speculation about the status of Lowery’s job. Lowery has
not yet spoken publicly on the matter or his ties to Global Training Partnership. Ermini said the company and has not yet held any
training sessions. He hopes it will eventually become a profitable business. Ermini stressed that Lowery would not be paid for his
participation. “I’m not in a position to be paying people to help me,” Ermini said. “Nobody’s been paid anything for this organization.”

Ermini is the former executive director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Va. Ermini and Lowery
know each other from Lowery’s work with the organization before he became O’Fallon’s city administrator.
Ermini said he has spoken to Lowery about possibly becoming a trainer for the partnership, but so far, “Bob is not involved in this at
all.”The company’s website, http://globaltrainingpartnership.net , remains under construction.

Watchdog Response:
If you notice Robert Lowery Jr. is admitting that this is employment outside of the city because he is stating He said “that if the
partnership does become a for-profit venture in the future, he would petition the city council for a waiver allowing him to hold
secondary employment”. First off the ordinance doesn’t qualify if the outside employment is for profit or not.

There’s not a waiver process set in the ordinance and outside employment is outside employment. One of the reasons the city doesn’
t allow outside employment is because being a city administrator for a city O’Fallon’s size is a 24 hour / 7 days a week job. The city is
paying Robert Lowery Jr. around $145,000 a year and deserves his undivided attention.  He’s even listed as a founder of this LLC. If
you read the comments made by Robert Lowery Jr., Ben Ermini and what has been posted on the Global Training Partnership L.L.
C. website it all seems to contradict itself.

The ordinance reads:
SECTION 115.070: QUALIFICATIONS
The person appointed to the office of City Administrator shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, and shall be a resident of the
City of O’Fallon while serving in such capacity; further, such person shall be a graduate of an accredited university or college,
having majored in Public Administration, Engineering, Municipal Administration, Financial Administration or Public Relations fields,
and/or the equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The
Administrator shall be a full-time employee and not engage in any other employment. (Ord. No. 1961 §3, 8-21-91)


The links below will display the web pages that existed at www.globaltrainingpartnership.net before this story broke. They have been
since been taken down.




The Global Training Partnership L.L.C. link shows that Global Training Partnership L.L.C. is a private partnership. It list the
principles in the partnership as Robert Lowery Jr., Ben J. Ermini and William “Bill” Hagmaier. It states they provide the following
services “training, case management consulting, cold case review, analysis and evaluation”. Also if you Google the address listed it
appears to be an apartment complex.




The About Us v1 link shows that Global Training Partnership L.L.C was founded by Ben Ermini and Robert Lowery and lists Robert
Lowery Jr. as a trainer.




The About Us v2 link shows that Global Training Partnership L.L.C was founded by Ben Ermini, Robert Lowery and William
Hagmaier and lists Robert Lowery Jr. as a trainer.




The Bob the Trainer link details Robert Lowery Jr’s biography
Some Humor & Satire submitted by  one of our gifted readers. Which is your favorite?
NEW: O’Fallon Mayor Morrow shuts door on ‘four years of hell’
By: Mary Ann O’Toole Holley
Newsmagazine Network

O’Fallon Mayor Donna Morrow will leave office this week, taking with her memories she describes as “four years of hell.”
Watchdog response: Yeah, Four years of hell that I think SHE inflicted on this city, elected officials and city employees. There is a long
list of casualties. Todd Galbierz, Sandy Stokes, Cash Sweiven, Dan McAteer, Tim Vanetta Steve Talbott, Mark Henke, Cindy Berry, Lyn
Schipper, Tom Otten, Dave Goewert, Art Genasi, Mary Creamer, Terry Busken, Randy Hudson, Rick Fischer, Todd Criswell, Charlie
Mobley, Pat Sobelman, Monte Ellis, Jerry Schulte, Rich Morrel, Tom Harris. Who did I miss? I bet you can think of a few.

As with all good intentions, Morrow’s dreams of taking O’Fallon to the top in a Dudley DoRight movement never quite panned out.
“I don’t want to sound sour grapes, but we had it all going,” said Morrow, recalling the dream team that came into office with her in April
2005. “We could have made all these changes.”

For a while they did.
Watchdog response:  At least until Bob Lowery arrived on the scene. Interesting how his name isn’t even mentioned in this story.
Especially since Morrow had this love, hate relationship with Lowery for the last 3 years. Before Bob Lowery’s presence the board was able
to end eminent domain abuse, pass a moratorium on floodplain development until a new floodplain ordinance could be passed, new
planned development ordinance, new roadway construction standards and new building codes, stopped unlawful annexation agreements,
creation of the Parks Board, personal property tax reduction, hired more inspectors and most importantly set the wheels in motion so        
O’Fallon voters had the opportunity to vote to become a third class city.

Morrow and a predominantly new City Council came into office at a time when City Hall needed a major cleanup. A 2003 State Audit had
found numerous acts of malfeasance by the Renaud Administration (prior to Morrow’s arrival). She and a new slate of aldermen started
with the best of intentions of cleaning it all up. When Morrow took office, she promised an “open door” policy.

Under Morrow’s direction the Board of Aldermen passed a new street ordinance requiring improved street quality that was seemingly
overlooked by the prior administration. A core-sampling machine allowed O’Fallon’s Public Works Department to take samples from streets
and found certain thickness requirements had not been met.  The streets were ordered to be rebuilt by the developers and future street
projects were required to use the increased thickness.

Morrow and the alderman fought against developer giveaways and worked to stop substandard work in the city. Morrow was instrumental
in resolving the issue of illegal immigrants working at the O’Fallon Lakes and Southernside affordable housing projects — a move that led
to state laws disallowing undocumented workers on tax-funded projects.
Watchdog response:  During Morrow’s campaign her moniker was the pipeline lady. In four years what did she do to improve protection of
our families from high pressure pipelines? She had her dream team in the beginning. Why didn’t she fulfill her campaign promise to the
citizens?

Then, in early 2006, just about a year into Morrow’s term as mayor, aldermen Lyn Schipper, Terry Busken and Randy Hudson resigned
claiming the mayor had sided with their adversaries Alderman Peter Cantwell and Bill Hennessy in hiring former Renaud Administration
Attorney Mark Piontek. Former City Attorney Rick Fischer joined in the protest, submitting his resignation.

“When those guys all walked off, that was a huge disruption,” Morrow said. “Instead of working in a process that could change it, they left.
The people elected them to do a job and they left. It has been difficult for me to figure it out. Again, I’m not a quitter.”
Watchdog response: Over time this website outlined precisely why Donna Morrow was abandoned by her once allies. In the end Morrow’s
former allies began to have doubts about her and Bob Lowery’s leadership. Bob’s position was in jeopardy with members of the board.
Morrow took a gamble and ran to her enemies to preserve Bob Lowery’s position. In the end Morrow and her remaining supporters Jane
Voss, Bob Lowery, Carl Maus and Adolphus Busch had their hat handed to them by Morrow’s former allies. In this case the city may have
benefited immensely if Morrow would have been the one to quit. How ironic.

In the coming months, Morrow answered an ethic complaint that a supporter had paid her health insurance; the city’s insurance carrier
refused to renew liability coverage for city staff and elected officials being sued over city business; two city department directors were fired
and another resigned in protest. They later filed lawsuits for unfair termination and later received settlements from the city.
In July 2006, the council, including a cast of new members, issued a formal reprimand to Morrow for "less than complete and less than
precise" accounts of her actions and accused Morrow of "unchecked executive power."
Watchdog response: Lets not forget two of these council members (Lucas and Gardner) were hand picked by Morrow to replace Busken
and Hudson. Apparently they too had concerns about Morrow’s behavior being they were party to her reprimand.

Morrow, along with other city officials have “pre-annexation agreements” hanging over their heads. Prior to Morrow’s arrival, the Renaud
Administration had promised $1.8 million in compensation for 1,183 existing and future sewer connection fees on individual properties. The
agreements were offered as part of the city's aggressive campaign to annex farms and other properties into its southwestern flank to make
way for major single family subdivisions and apartment complexes.
The issues of sewer tap-on fees continue to plague the city. Property owners are claiming breach of contract for refusing to honor the
agreements made in 2001.

“You can only do what you can do,” Morrow said. “I went to the authorities, but I can’t make them make a case. Rick Fischer didn’t know
how to make a case. It’s just real funny. There are still sewer tap issues out there, people want the sewer taps that were promised, and
some will sue.”

In November 2006, Morrow’s assistant resigned claiming intimidating remarks by former Council President Peter Cantwell made her job
unbearable. Shortly after that, the city’s wastewater treatment plant began faltering and the council agreed that the sewer plant was at
capacity and could accept no new developments. The sewer plant pump failure cost the city more that $100,000, then a second and third
sewer pump failed.

In March 2007, Davis Street Land Co. filed a lawsuit against O’Fallon for failing to provide sewer service for The Meadows shopping
development in Lake Saint Louis. Significant improvements are currently being made to O’Fallon’s sewer system to meet the needs of
businesses and residents. The new system not only replaces the UV train that failed structurally last year, providing a more efficient and
dependable system. It is now operated and maintained in-house.

Morrow said she did her best to clean up the messes, but one can only do so much. Morrow listens calmly as she hears Mayor-elect Bill
Hennessy promise “a new era of harmony” in O’Fallon city government. She remembers well her own promise of “open and honest
government,” and thinks she did well, at least for her part.
Watchdog response:  I think under Morrow’s leadership a person can claim violations of the Sunshine Law took place. Case in point is
wanting to charge $17,000.00 for public records. Don’t you think that was an attempt to withhold information?

“I think it’s possible to have a new era of harmony, but it may be contradictory with regard to the separation of power of the government
branches,” Morrow said. “In other words, Hennessy said he wanted more communication, but the mayor and the council are two separate
parts of government. My past experience is that the council didn’t always let the residents know. I wish Bill the best of luck with the
communication that he thinks he can get.”
Watchdog response:  Donna Morrow the council conducts it business in the council chambers for all of the public to see. Where were you
conducting city business? If there is this separation of city government that you keep claiming then why do you preside over the council
meetings?

She adds, “The whole thing is… It will be interesting because as much as people were against the old (Renaud) regime, it’s interesting how
they turned around. It will be interesting to see how things will be handled. It’s going to be different.”
Morrow said she doesn’t believe she ever dodged questions residents had, nor did she ever lie.
Watchdog response: I honestly believe she thinks that last statement is true.

“The council, if they came to my office, had their questions answered,” Morrow said. “It’s a two-way street. I certainly always had an open
door with the council, but I never told them they should vote this way or that way. Bill Hennessy was a councilman when that was defined.”
As for the future, Morrow said she is exploring different opportunities. Late last year she lost her job as a flight attendant, and has been job
hunting since then.

“I got the resume out, but it’s all different from the way things used to be,” Morrow said. “Right now I’m looking into knocking out some
courses.”

Late last year, Morrow thought perhaps she would move to Mississippi to be closer to her daughter who was affected by Hurricane Katrina,
but because she lives with her aging mother, she said she doesn’t think the time is right to make such a big change.
“Right now, with my mother, I think it would be too confusing for her to move to Mississippi, so I’ll take it here and there, and maybe a year
from now, I’ll be out there.”
Watchdog response: Best Wishes Donna Morrow. I wouldn’t trade spots with you for all of the money in the world.