| Politics and Cotton Candy What is politics? Webster defines politics as "the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy." Governmental policy is set by those we elect to represent us at the state, local and federal level. In our representative form of government, elections are held so that the citizens will have the ultimate authority in setting governmental policy. Unfortunately, this idealistic view of how our system works and realty are two very different things. So what is the reality? For our system to work as it is supposed to we would have an informed citizenry voting on candidates who provide us with a clear understanding of their position on issues and the belief system which leads them to such positions. Politicians and their backers (big money) would like us to believe this is how our system works but the truth is they learned long ago that the citizens are to busy, lazy or selfish for this ideal to become reality and they succeed by exploiting these weaknesses. So what guides governmental policy? Big Money. While some issues such as capitol punishment or abortion aren't directly impacted by big money these types of issues are exploited to get big money candidates elected. These issues are easy to understand and easy to obtain polling data. So we end with candidates funded by big money arguing about whom will be tougher on gay marriage or who is more pro-choice although if elected they may never vote on anything to do with this. Of course, big money could care less about these issues but they use them to get their candidate elected while diverting attention from the law Senator Doe voted for which will benefit big money. So what's the end result? Cotton Candy. There's an old saying that laws are like sausage, its best not to see them being made. Of course, this joke implies you will like the end result. In reality laws are more like cotton candy, it may look good and taste good but when you get right down to it there's not a lot there for you. And someone else is making big money. |
| Guest Editorial |
| O'Fallon Watchdog |
Exposing Corruption, Injustices and the Truth.
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Welcome to the Guest Editorial
page. This page is a place where
our readers can have their chance
to editorialize on a subject that they
feel is important to them and
relevant to this web-site’s mission.
Many people are uncomfortable with
public speaking or can't contain
important information and facts to
less than 300 words as some of our
area papers require in their letters
to the editor. However the O’Fallon
Watchdog feels their voice is just as
important. The O’Fallon Watchdog
reserves the right refuse any Guest
Editorial submitted. Guest Editorials
that are accepted will have to wait
their turn unless it addressing a
very hot or current topic. In the
event we receive several guest
editorials concerning the same
subject we will most likely select only
one for the Guest Editorial Site. You
can also make submissions to the
“From Our Readers Page” if you
have information or experiences
that you have had with the city of O’
Fallon that you would like to share
with others. The E-Mail the O’Fallon
Watchdog link has been provided
above for submissions and please
include your name and contact
information with your submission.
page. This page is a place where
our readers can have their chance
to editorialize on a subject that they
feel is important to them and
relevant to this web-site’s mission.
Many people are uncomfortable with
public speaking or can't contain
important information and facts to
less than 300 words as some of our
area papers require in their letters
to the editor. However the O’Fallon
Watchdog feels their voice is just as
important. The O’Fallon Watchdog
reserves the right refuse any Guest
Editorial submitted. Guest Editorials
that are accepted will have to wait
their turn unless it addressing a
very hot or current topic. In the
event we receive several guest
editorials concerning the same
subject we will most likely select only
one for the Guest Editorial Site. You
can also make submissions to the
“From Our Readers Page” if you
have information or experiences
that you have had with the city of O’
Fallon that you would like to share
with others. The E-Mail the O’Fallon
Watchdog link has been provided
above for submissions and please
include your name and contact
information with your submission.
If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
JAMES MADISON, The Federalist, Feb. 6, 1788
JAMES MADISON, The Federalist, Feb. 6, 1788
Rick Fischer
In August of 2005 I was appointed Special Counsel for the city of O'Fallon, Missouri.
As part of my duties I was asked to look into allegations of corruption and waste in
O'Fallon. The allegations were serious and far reaching. When I began researching
the claims I was a skeptic. I resigned from the job with a new awareness of the
growing corruption in government and disillusioned with the institutions that are
supposed to protect us from such conduct.
As part of my duties I was asked to look into allegations of corruption and waste in
O'Fallon. The allegations were serious and far reaching. When I began researching
the claims I was a skeptic. I resigned from the job with a new awareness of the
growing corruption in government and disillusioned with the institutions that are
supposed to protect us from such conduct.
About Rick Fischer:
County Councilman Joe Brazil Speaks out:
As I read the Sunday March 3rd's Post-Dispatch article "O'Fallon's sales tax
slowdown" I was amazed how Peter Cantwell attempted to blamed former alderman for de-annexing certain parcels and not being
builder friendly for the
reduction in sales tax revenue. Mr. Cantwell needs to remember the annexations he mentions were illegal according to Missouri
state statutes. I do agree with Mr. Cantwell's statement "It's time to be concerned" It's time to be concerned about the 827,000
sq. ft. of vacant retail, office, commercial and industrial space in O'Fallon. There is no sales tax being produced from these empty
properties.
The article reports Mr. Cantwell and Mr. Hennessy think the previous board
drove developers away. The prior board refused to give away millions of
dollars worth of water and sewer tap-on's. They refused to consider paying $800,000 on an unsigned contract for a road
constructed by a developer for his own benefit. They refused to add unnecessary CID's, TDD's and other development subsidies
that divert O'Fallon sales tax dollars to the developer. The previous board only attempted to stop this hemorrhaging of tax dollars.
Councilmen Cantwell and Hennessy seemingly wants to return to the development practices that have left O'Fallon taxpayers with
a large debt, a failing sewer treatment plant, empty storefronts and all the other problems that go with unregulated and uncontrolled
growth.
Do Councilmen Cantwell and Hennessy realize that the average house in St. Charles County is valued at approximately
$270,000.00. This home generates approximately $2,500.00 per year for the school district taxes and add an average 0f 2.5
children per house. The average cost to educate each child is $7,000.00 The schools cannot keep up with the explosive growth.
(This is just one example of the mounting debt).
Does Mr. Cantwell honestly believe the construction of more empty storefronts and a return to giving developer subsidies is the
answer? The additional housing and commercial development Mr. Cantwell wants will do nothing to solve O'Fallon's current
infrastructure and sales tax revenue problems, especially if Mr. Cantwell continues to support the development philosophies and
political favoritism that contributed to the current problems in the first place. Remember not ALL members of the development
industry feel "burned" by O'Fallon, only the privileged few who had their taxpayer "tap-on" turned off by the previous board.
As I read the Sunday March 3rd's Post-Dispatch article "O'Fallon's sales tax
slowdown" I was amazed how Peter Cantwell attempted to blamed former alderman for de-annexing certain parcels and not being
builder friendly for the
reduction in sales tax revenue. Mr. Cantwell needs to remember the annexations he mentions were illegal according to Missouri
state statutes. I do agree with Mr. Cantwell's statement "It's time to be concerned" It's time to be concerned about the 827,000
sq. ft. of vacant retail, office, commercial and industrial space in O'Fallon. There is no sales tax being produced from these empty
properties.
The article reports Mr. Cantwell and Mr. Hennessy think the previous board
drove developers away. The prior board refused to give away millions of
dollars worth of water and sewer tap-on's. They refused to consider paying $800,000 on an unsigned contract for a road
constructed by a developer for his own benefit. They refused to add unnecessary CID's, TDD's and other development subsidies
that divert O'Fallon sales tax dollars to the developer. The previous board only attempted to stop this hemorrhaging of tax dollars.
Councilmen Cantwell and Hennessy seemingly wants to return to the development practices that have left O'Fallon taxpayers with
a large debt, a failing sewer treatment plant, empty storefronts and all the other problems that go with unregulated and uncontrolled
growth.
Do Councilmen Cantwell and Hennessy realize that the average house in St. Charles County is valued at approximately
$270,000.00. This home generates approximately $2,500.00 per year for the school district taxes and add an average 0f 2.5
children per house. The average cost to educate each child is $7,000.00 The schools cannot keep up with the explosive growth.
(This is just one example of the mounting debt).
Does Mr. Cantwell honestly believe the construction of more empty storefronts and a return to giving developer subsidies is the
answer? The additional housing and commercial development Mr. Cantwell wants will do nothing to solve O'Fallon's current
infrastructure and sales tax revenue problems, especially if Mr. Cantwell continues to support the development philosophies and
political favoritism that contributed to the current problems in the first place. Remember not ALL members of the development
industry feel "burned" by O'Fallon, only the privileged few who had their taxpayer "tap-on" turned off by the previous board.
DEAR MAYOR: FIRE BOB LOWERY
By The O'Fallon Watchdog
Back in March of 2006 three alderman resigned their positions in O'Fallon. Aldermen Lyn Schipper, Randy Hudson and Terry
Busken each left, in part, because they saw the city returning to the back room deals and builder friendly policies of the Renaud
era. Prior to their resignations the aldermen requested Bob Lowery's resignation because of his back room deals, unethical
practices and flat out lies.
This time there is no reason to request Lowery's resignation; instead he must be fired. Why? The reasons are to numerous to
set out here but take a look at our
series on Koch Road for a start. However, the latest fiasco involving the city's
attempt to annex Busch Wildlife may be the straw that breaks the Cowardly Lion's (Lowery) back. Lowery attempts to explain
the city's reason for this plan
in a June 7, 2007 article appearing in the Post. However, in the same article
Mayor Donna Morrow indicates this plan was put together without her knowledge or consent.
While some may disagree with the Mayor on some issues, we elected her and the council to lead the city, not Lowery. The
Mayor has every right to fire Lowery over this but Lowery is counting on her not having enough votes to get rid of him.
Lowery would not last five minutes anywhere but in working for a public body because his tactics would not be tolerated.
Ultimately, Bob you work for us, the residents of O'Fallon, and we don't want you. However, please don't resign Bob...you
deserve nothing less than a very public discussion over your actions since you came to O'Fallon. If this truly were to happen you
would be lucky if you are only fired!
By The O'Fallon Watchdog
Back in March of 2006 three alderman resigned their positions in O'Fallon. Aldermen Lyn Schipper, Randy Hudson and Terry
Busken each left, in part, because they saw the city returning to the back room deals and builder friendly policies of the Renaud
era. Prior to their resignations the aldermen requested Bob Lowery's resignation because of his back room deals, unethical
practices and flat out lies.
This time there is no reason to request Lowery's resignation; instead he must be fired. Why? The reasons are to numerous to
set out here but take a look at our
series on Koch Road for a start. However, the latest fiasco involving the city's
attempt to annex Busch Wildlife may be the straw that breaks the Cowardly Lion's (Lowery) back. Lowery attempts to explain
the city's reason for this plan
in a June 7, 2007 article appearing in the Post. However, in the same article
Mayor Donna Morrow indicates this plan was put together without her knowledge or consent.
While some may disagree with the Mayor on some issues, we elected her and the council to lead the city, not Lowery. The
Mayor has every right to fire Lowery over this but Lowery is counting on her not having enough votes to get rid of him.
Lowery would not last five minutes anywhere but in working for a public body because his tactics would not be tolerated.
Ultimately, Bob you work for us, the residents of O'Fallon, and we don't want you. However, please don't resign Bob...you
deserve nothing less than a very public discussion over your actions since you came to O'Fallon. If this truly were to happen you
would be lucky if you are only fired!
| Former O'Fallon Board President speaks out STOP! I beg all elected officials to stop racing each other to complete your own version of some sort of meaningless, unnecessary Internet harassment law. Where were all you a year ago before the death of Megan Meier's? Where was all of your concern after her death, truth be told you had no idea this happened until 6 to 8 months had past. This is a perfect example of elected officials passing feel good, resume padding legislation that is worthless. The laws I have read to this point are poorly written and lack definition. I think it will be difficult to enforce; just what we need more laws that can’t be or won’t be enforced. Government needs to stop trying to take the place of parents, it is not your job. As a matter of fact government needs to stop trying to babysit adults as well. There is an easy solution for this type of “harassment.” Stay off the computer or at least the sites that cause this grief. If someone is sending you email's that are harassing try this novel idea: Delete them. Don’t read them. If it is MySpace or Face book that is the problem, how about you not going to that site. I really don’t think most Americans need the government to help them with this. The thing that really bothers me, besides the worthless legislation, is that Republicans are first among those rushing to make more laws and get government involved in people’s lives. This is another example of our St. Charles County Republicans being nothing more than publicity seekers. Their Republican/Conservative values go out the window when they see an opportunity to promote themselves vs. what is best for their constituents. Lyn Schipper President St. Charles County Republican Club |