This statement was made at the City Council meeting as well:

Because many voters in Ellisville have expressed their anger, disgust and dismay with this City Council’s 5 to 2 vote on the Sansone Wal-Mart TIF on May 2nd , the Ellisville Article 9 Alliance has decided to pursue the recall option provided under Article 9 of the City Charter.

None of the upcoming regularly scheduled elections give the petitioners’ committees ballot access and the November 6th general election falls within the last 180 days of term protection for the two Council members we are seeking to recall.

To fulfill your duties as a City Council and allow the voters of Ellisville their rights under Article 9 to exercise the recall option, this Council will need to an ordinance introduced for a special election and funding for that election. The information regarding cost can be determined by consulting with the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners.

As you are aware our City Charter provide for special elections in
Section 8.1. CITY ELECTIONS.

(b) SPECIAL ELECTIONS. The Council may by ordinance
order special elections, fix the time for such elections, and provide
for holding such elections.

It clearly states the City Council has the authority to set a special election.

cont'd

cont'd

Just to be certain that there was no St. Louis County statute, code or ordinance that might conflict with the Council’s ability to call a special election for a municipal purpose, I spoke with Darold Crotzer, legal counsel for the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners who assured me that if the Ellisville City Charter allows for special election for a municipal issue, [as it does] the City Council could call for a special election municipal purposes outside of the established schedule. The County does not dictate when a municipality can call a special election for a municipal purpose.

So, as soon as possible the two petitioners’ committees will file the necessary paperwork with the clerk and send a letter to the Mayor and City Council requesting an ordinance be introduced for a special recall election for Troy Pieper District 2 and Dawn Anglin District 1 whose terms are now within the window of recall opportunity. We will obtain a sponsor to introduce the ordinance. We expect all of the Council members to vote “Yes” as well as approve funding to allow the voice of the voters’ to be heard.

We have chosen a date that will allow the petitioners’ committees ballot access and give them as close to the full 90 days they are allowed by law to collect signatures and not violate the two electeds period of protection.

Expect filings and correspondence on the recall matter soon.

Does the percentage of signitures you need to collect based on just each district or for the city as a whole? Wasn't sure from reading the charter.

It’s clear. It’s right there. One need only bother to read it.

http://www.ellisville.mo.us/vertical/sites/%7B33CED3E0-6A3F-4820-B73B-819111695B3A%7D/uploads/%7BC857AE0A-6AC7-4BCB-8ECF-A06318187378%7D.PDF

Section 9.3. PETITIONS.

(a) NUMBER OF SIGNATURES. An initiative petition or
referendum petition shall be signed by a number of Ellisville
registered voters equal to at least ten percent of the total number of
persons registered to vote at the last regular City election. A petition
for recall of the Mayor shall be signed by a number of Ellisville
registered voters equal to at least fifteen percent of the total number
of persons registered to vote at the last regular City election; a
petition for recall of a Council Member shall be signed by a number

26

of Ellisville registered voters equal to at least fifteen percent of the
total number of persons registered to vote at the last regular City
election in that Council Member's electoral district.

what does this have to do with the story at hand Liz? Aren't the comments on this story supposed to relate to the street issues? I have been nailed for being off the mark on stories, yet here you are doing just what you called me names for doing several days ago.

K James

I thought Chaste Castle missed my statement. He might have been out of the City Council chamber when I made it, maybe he hadn't come in yet or was interviewing someone from Weiss Ave. regarding how the proposed Wal-Mart TIF will increase traffic cutting through their neighborhood to avoid the intersection at Clarkson and Clayton Rds. I spoke early in the public comments section.

Perhaps you don't think requesting a special election to recall two elected officials and the money to fund it is news.

Other people do think it is news.

Chase can't be everywhere talking to everybody and taking notes at the same time. He's probably never been busier given there was a recent election and the Sansone Wal-Mart TIF controversy is still ongoing.

Liz;
I don't care where Chase was during your comments, makes no difference to me, but as I have been told by YOU in other stories, STAY ON TOPIC. YOUR comments are not about the story above that is all.

Ok, I give, Chase is not going to remove your inappropriate posts. So I will engage:

You know what I really want to know? Well, here it is....what is the PRIMARY reason for the recall? Is is because the council members in question are guilty of taking bribes? Did they do something illegal? Were laws broken?....or is it because they just don't agree with the vote and (utilizing a poorly written section of the charter)they can, no matter the cost? What's to stop the next person who's not happy with the way a vote went from wanting to recall whoever voted for/against something? Regardless of the outcome, I think it's in the best interest of the council to NOT approve a special election due to the fact that these members will be out in 6 months anyway.

This so called 'movement' is going to keep good people with the best interests of the ENTIRE city at heart from even running for office. I am sad that the charter was written with that loophole, it is sad, people should have a voice, and those individuals who currently sit on the council have worked hard and tirelessly to try to make this city as a whole a better place to live for everyone in this city. I have met every single member of this current council, and there are 6 people on that council that I trust and believe are doing their best to provide for the entirety of this city and I am just sick and tired of the bad behavior used by some people on this blog who refuse to see that this was a gut wrenching decision made by people who are working with very little financial compensation and have to be continually abused. We elected these people, for a three year term, cherry picking who you do or don't like based on one issue is not only short sighted but in my opinion indefensible for the long term survivability of this community. NOT ONE OF THOSE 5 BROKE ANY LAWS or voted they way they did for ANY financial gain to themselves, they weighted the outcomes, and based on the future of this community they voted for what they believed to be right. It stinks sometimes to have to make hard decisions, but it was made, its over. It's time to think about the long term future of this community and our viability moving forward.

K James--

This all goes back to political tone-deafness and that a majority of Ellisville voters (or even a near super-majority) feel they are not being listened to at all...not matter how many times they say it or how many different ways they say it.

We've covered this territory many, many times.

Simply don't become involved if you don't agree.

Oh Liz; I am fully involved. I disagree 100% and will work tirelessly retain the current council members

Hey Liz...

Only you and about ten others still care about this...Walmart's coming, you're moving, and the City of Ellisville is better because of it...BEEP, BEEP, BEEP...With the exception of the new kid Mayor, this Council has my entire support...I bet when you were a kid, you held your breath alot while in the corner...The game is over and your team lost, now give the ball back to the ref, and leave the arena...PLEASE.

Liz I get it that we have covered this territory many many times, we have different opinions. I believe that the council made the correct decision and you believe they did not. I believe that anyone reading the patch knows we have a difference of opinion. I also believe that anyone who reads the patch knows that you work tirelessly to intimidate anyone who does not share your opinion. The politics of personal destruction, it just gets old. I respect your opinion, i don't agree, you however continue to work with the name calling to anyone who opposes your point of view. It really is time to grow up Liz, make your points, respect the opinions of others.
and I am sorry that Tired is making light of your situation, I do not feel that is called for either.

K James and or Tired--

Go here and have some fun:

http://ballwin-ellisville.patch.com/articles/ellisville-to-prepare-for-zombie-apocalypse

Chase, I spit coffee on my keyboard and almost started crying. This is hysterical. Good job.

(You don’t have to wait until masses of drooling, stumbling zombies show up at your door)..........Sounds like an A9A meeting...BEEP...BEEP...BEEP.

Tired, you do manage to be so much more quick witted than I am. I think that you and Liz should start a road show.

and I think that ES and C Sloan should go on a date, they do seem to enjoy eachother's company so much

I enjoy the company of all kinds of people, K James. Why don't you join us, and you can tell us how excited you are about starting 5th grade in the fall.

C Sloan
I would love that, but three is a crowd and you two have so very much in common.

C Sloan, I am not a mean girl, but you two speak the same language. And your correct, I don't look too much past the surface some of the time, Life is tough enough trying to be a single mom to three. I hold no malice to anyone on here, we all have our opinions, mine are just different from yours. But it is clear from watching the banter between the two of you that you have much in common.

C Sloan
I don't find people who work at any retail establishment as second class, my children's father has been in retail for 30 years. I just don't look at retail as a 'destination' job, for me it is a place to work when young, or supplementing. The hours stink, your feel always hurt and you have to deal with mean people all day long. I spent some time in retail both during high school, college and again shortly after college while I was looking for another job. I am not slighting ANYONE who works EVER. The pay is garbage, in ALL retail (my child support checks can attest to that fact).
As far as renters in Clarkchester go, I have stated SEVERAL times while blogging on this thing that IT SUCKS for them to have to move. I have great sympathy for them, but the sad truth of the matter is, their owners sold them out. I don't look down my nose or consider ANYONE a 'second class' citizen. I treat all people the same regardless of what they do or who they are. I have not a single predjuiced bone in my body. I do resent that accusation on your part.
I have my opinions on this subject, and I voice them because I do feel that ALL opinions matter, not just the ones that I agree with.

C Sloan

Just pop on over to EllisvilleA9A@yahoo.com and introduce yourself.

I have found that it is extremely difficult to have any kind of discussion with people who won't read anything or fact check. Some of them get nasty when they are proved wrong, get called out and/or challenged.

Best not to engage when it degenerates like this...and I think we have reached a new low.

Liz; it is just hard for you to be nice isn't it. I was being nice in thinking that you and C sloan should be friends.
and can anyone join your EllisvilleA9A group?

my oh my... I hope you ALL got a chance to read the 'bio' on Mayor Paul. in the West News Magazine. In the article near the end, Mayor Paul is quoted saying "Also, we need to gentrify our city." For those of you who don't know the definition, from Websters dictionary - and I quote word for word: Gentrify::: the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents. Your Mayor is a true piece of work. Wants to get rid of the poor people, his quote not mine, I think we should all live in peace together. Aparently the new mayor has different ideas.

Michael
I think that his poorly chosen words just go to his inexperience. He should remember that as a mayor in a charter city, he is one of seven, his vote is one, without the support of the other six, he has zero ability to get anything accomplished. So to have no respect for anyone else on the council, he is going to be pretty ineffective. A mayor in a charter city has to build consensus, not be a petty petulent man/child. He has passion to fight on a single issue, but does he have the maturity to guide this city? 'painting curbs' wow, that IS a plan.

Michael Rhodes--

>>>although they may not have an issue with the Sansone TIF vote?<<<

The group is focused on the recall effort related to the Sansone Walmart TIF and not related to other votes or issues from the past.

Kate James, I copied this ladies response to your comment on West county magazine's article. You are a terrible person and this lady took the words right out of my mouth. I was there when you were on the TIF commission. I copied and pasted her response
cont.

"Kate James- You and Charles Pavlack are former council members and everything that is wrong with Ellisville today. You were the biggest joke of any council members we have ever had. You joined because your kid scraped a foot on the bottom of a pool? YOU are pathetic. Both of you were on the TIF Commission four months ago, selected by Pirrello, and listened to 20 people who were against this project to 1 who approved of it. YOU still tried to pass the ‘positive recommendation’ for this TIF and didn’t care to represent the people. WHY? Because you were hand selected by MAYOR PIRRELLO! You dislike Mayor Paul because he does the ‘right thing’!!! Unlike you! He broke up your clan of morons. You and Pirrello should be investigated for corruption and payouts. THAT IS A FACT! I WATCHED THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, THEY WONT EVEN SHAKE THE NEW MAYORS HAND. THAT IS PATHETIC! HE WILL NEVER HAVE RESPECT BY THE 5 ON THAT COUNCIL! HE BEAT 2 OF THEM IN THE ELECTION. HE IS RIGHT, SEATS WILL HAVE TO CHANGE AND WE CAN WAIT 1 YEAR!!! Your actually the one O.K. with, not ‘often’, kicking people out of town. You are hurting our town Kate with your ‘smear’ comments on various websites, not Mr. Paul. You are a joke and a former council member should show respect for our mayor, just like the others! Wake up!

Kate James- with your bashing online comments, Charles Pavlaks letter to the editor right before the election, Dawn Anglin's (Current Council Member) husband disrespectful comments) and the board of alderman treating our newly elected mayor with disrespect is not enough.... you and Charles are former council members? What is wrong with the both of you? Is that professional? No, it isn't. I would be upset if I was Mayor Paul, too. He has to put up with you children. Nobody seems to listens to the people but Mayor Paul and Murrey and they are the bad ones? You are a disgrace. Go do something with your life. Oh and by the way, gentrify was used 100% correctly and if you really don't understand the meaning of the word and have to look it up and post the definition... I feel sorry for you.That is an intelligent and perfectly good word to describe what our city needs to do.

Jimmy C, weren't you the one that posted those awful photos of Walmart shoppers on another thread? That was in really bad taste. Now with your little rant above, you really need to seek out a psychologist to help you deal with your anger management issues.

>>>Walmart shoppers are not a protected class. Seems some people are taking it personally.<<<

I spit coffee on my keyboard.

Yeah and you're right about the "dislocated" citizens.

Throwing old ladies out on the street with $1,000 in their pocket and a five year waiting list for subsidized senior housing hardly rates a peep or protest in the comments section...but gawd forbid we should malign Wal-Mart shoppers...now, that's an insult!

Yep, I sure did. I do appologize for degrading Walmart shoppers but the fact of the matter is..... Walmart brings tons of arrests and problems to a community, ie shop lifters, thieves fellons, and riff raff no matter what age, race, gender. That is a fact jack. Traffic Impact
•An average size Walmart Supercenter will generate nearly 10,000 car trips per day. (1)(2)
•A Walmart Supercenter often has between seven and nine tractor-trailer deliveries daily, as well as one or two smaller trucks delivering products from vendors. (3)
Crime Statistics
•In 2004, there were a reported 148, 331 police calls across 514 Walmart stores analyzed.
That equates to an average of 269 calls per store. (4)

◦In Texas, there were 21,741 police incidents reported at 69 stores studied. (4)
◦The Houston store located at 2727 Dunvale reported 1,123 police incidents, placing it in the Top 10 stores nationwide.(4)
•Between 2003 – 2006, there were:
◦16 alleged murders committed at Walmart stores and parking lots, including 2 alleged
◦murders in the Houston area (Katy and Spring).(4)
◦16 alleged rapes and sexual assaults at Walmart stores and parking lots, including 1 in the Houston area.(4)
◦11 alleged sex crimes against children at Walmart stores and parking lots, including 1 in the Houston area.(4)
•Nationally, Walmart stores cost taxpayers an estimated $77 million annually in increased police costs.(4)
Tax Information

•There have been at least 29 subsidy deals in Texas benefitting Walmart worth a total of about $90.8 million.(5)
◦The Baytown and New Braunfels developments alone were granted $39 million in tax subsidies.(6)
•Since the mid-1980s, Walmart has obtained at least $1.2 billion in reported subsidies nationwide.(5)
•By its own admission, Walmart disclosed that they did not pay $2.85 billion in taxes for fiscal year 2009, which they would likely have to pay if audited.(6)(7)
Job Statistics
•Walmart store openings reduce retail employment in a county by 2.7%.(8)
•Walmart’s entry into a metro area eliminates similar jobs that pay about 18% more than Walmart.(9)
•The presence of big box stores, such as Walmart, causes “a substantial reduction in net employment growth at smaller retailers, which is mostly accounted for by an increase in job destruction from store exit.”(10)
•An average of two local supermarkets are forced out of business by every Walmart Supercenter.(10)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvxNgdFeWqM
People like attention. How do you know I am not admiring them Michael. I find it humorous looking at men that dress like women and skin tight wrestling suits on overweight people. Who doesnt? When has it become illegal to laugh a little? If you crapped yourself with thong underwear on with your rear showing at walmart, I would laugh a little. It doesn't mean I hate you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=ghrDIQ-K8mg

>>>Can you provide comparable statistics for Target and Kmart (Sears)?<<<

Can you provide them? Do some homework for us,

And when you do we will all see that Wal-Mart is the Welfare Queen of taxpayer subsidies. In fact, their phenomenal growth and success is built on taxpayer TIF subsidy and credits and taxpayers picking up the Medicaid bill for the health cares costs of their employees and the employees kids.

The High Cost of Low Prices.

MR--

With muni-debt of the TIF kind, usually only two things happen:

1. The bondholders suck the taxpayers dry and failing to do thay by law

2. The bonds get restructured as needed.

Rarely do TIF bonds default. (Check any muni-bond debt tracker service.)

I think the question is: Why is Wal-Mart only in for 2 MILLION?

Think about that for a minute.

Michael Rhodes,

>>>You take issue about Walmart holding $2m of the bonds…<<<

Well yes, of course. I don’t think Wal-Mart should get to earn tax free interest on the bonds issued at taxpayer financed expense to build their store for them BECAUSE TIF IS A SHAM.

>>>… and then question further why they only are taking on $2m of the bonds…<<<

Well yes, of course. Since this is unfortunately allowed by law and this is the way these conniving thieves operate, why aren’t the grabbing more of this debt with both hands??? That’s the real question….

I think 2 MILLION is a small amount for Wal-Mart to hold on this particular deal.

Wal-Mart is usually quite piggish when it comes to slurping up tax free interest on the muni bonds issued to build their stores.

Of course the 2 MILLION on this deal may just be the “appetizer” to calm/con the City Council into believing they have a commitment to the store and will clear the pad...and then they go in for a “full meal deal” on the bonds later through the secondary market at below par.

Of course the 2 MILLION on this deal is perhaps ALL they ever care to risk on this project. If that is really all the bonds they are ever going to buy on their own store, it could signal a plain lack of faith.

If you don't get, it that's OK. Bonds are complicated stuff.

And I know you don’t live in Ellisville, so your interest is more in the nature of a debating exercise.