I agree with Chet Pleban. The damage has been done to Adam Paul's reputation. Adam Paul is a young guy supporting a family. When people woke up and turned on the television after the last city meeting, 'Ellisville Mayor impeached for drinking on the job' was scrolling across the bottom of the screen most of the morning. Today, I do not see 'oh, never mind' written anywhere on television.

Other coverage here-

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ellisville-drops-some-impeachment-charges-against-mayor/article_563bc065-108e-5d79-a3b0-f684f76c50a9.html

I find it odd that both news articles failed to mention the violation of the Missouri Sunshine Law 24 Hour posting requirement for these changes/deletions/additions to the allegations.

It was not clear to anyone in that room, aside from the people sitting behind the dias, exactly what the charges are now.

Patch.com, please request and post a revised copy of the Preliminary Resolution. The version available last night at the City Council meeting is worthless.

Even with the removal of the libelous drinking and swearing allegations ?, these are still very serious charges. The people of Ellisville want to know exactly what they are.

Not only that, Last I checked, Attorney Martin was not a member of the council, and as such, I don't think he has the power to arbitrarily submit legislation for consideration by the council. I thought that only council members could submit and enter resolutions for consideration with public notice at a future meeting.

It is clear that Council member Murray had NO IDEA of what exactly it was that *she* was submitting to the council for a vote. So which is it? Was Mr. Martin directly submitting resolutions to the council "on the fly" or was Council member Murray proposing a resolution that was poorly thought out and Mayor Pro Tem Perrillo failed to control the meeting, failed to follow Robert's rules of order, and do what should have been done the moment Mr. Martin announced that he had received advice that the current amended resolution needed more changes.

I also question the "impartiality" of attorney John Maupin who was hired specifically to preside over these proceedings in an impartial manner. Consulting with the prosecuting attorney on the strategy and viability of their case is a clear and unequivocal act of bias on the part of attorney Maupin. No different than ex parte communications with a judge presiding over a case. I believe that attorney Cheung is currently facing disbarment or censure for that exact same behavior (sending a note to a judge on his case "convict this guy, I'll explain later").

Also at the meeting - City Manager Bookout signed us up for a 4-year contract with ATS (the red-light camera company) with a 50/50 "revenue share". Apparently Attorney Martin failed to inform him of the significant risk that such a program/contract may be found to be entirely invalid.

http://goo.gl/7Iv3C
The issue of red light cameras is again under consideration by the state appeals court in St. Louis. The decision on these new cases before the Eastern District Court of Appeals is expected to have state-wide implications.

An additional 4 year contract for something that could be deemed illegal (ATS red light cameras) in the much nearer future is ridiculous *unless* there is a clause for contract termination without penalty is the practice legally must end. This article talks more about the proceedings in Missouri courts: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/red-light-cameras-debated-before-missouri-appeals-court/article_a626f289-82b0-562d-b4f1-11be1dc5e6ea.html

Martin obviously didn't make sure the charges that were made were proper BEFORE they were made, or didn't believe they would be properly challenged. Either way, doesn't speak well of him.

I can only assume that since they were alleged to have occurred as far back as May of last year, that he has had ample time to research their validity prior to drafting the resolution District Council member Murray proposed last week. Or at a minimum, advised his clients (the council) as to the obvious and significant risk of passing a resolution that he had drafted in the space of three business days.

Remember, Martin didn't get the resolution for him to draft the removal resolution until the meeting on Feb 20, at the very end, not on the agenda, after they dismissed the Charter Commission claim from Katie James. He had the resolution drafted and posted on Monday evening in order to beat the 24-hr notice for getting it on the Wednesday Feb 27 meeting agenda.

If I was asked to draft something up in two business days (or for with weekend overtime), I certainly would advise my clients that they really should proceed with extreme caution with such a serious allegations and the haste with which it was drafted. But then again, I have a sense of professionalism in my work.

Some detail from last night.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/03/07/charges-lessened-against-ellisville-mayor/

Just reported.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ellisville-mayor-takes-lie-detector-to-prove-he-didn-t/article_15011324-4d07-556e-ae8b-af7383523efa.html

If Mayor Paul is looking for evidence of slander by Mr. Martin's resolution he drafted by resolution and submitted by Council member Murray, and was unanimously approved by all 5 attending district council members, all one needs to do is look at these article tags:

Related Topics: Drinking, Impeachment, adam paul, and ellisville

I've got to hand it to west news magazine - newsmagazinenetwork.com

They have been reporting many of the pesky details and getting the story "straighter" as a result.

By: Diane E. Samson

http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2013030732049/ellisville-drops-drinking-swearing-charges-against-mayor/

I feel bad for the mayor. Not only b/c of bullies but i cant help but wonder about his family life. He keeps discussing his wife and kids and how she "dropped in tears" sounds to me like shes not making his life any easier and only adds to his stress. I haven't see her speak out in any way to support him and in fact I've never seen her anywhere either in the press or at meetings. I realize they have kids but babysitters are readily available. Why doesn't she stand behind her man and fight for him. Could she be adding to his depression and maybe a divorce is in the future when all this is over? A solid family is important in elected officials. If shes upset she would support him rather than hurt his family life.

Who says she doesn't support him? Psssst. She has. You must be new here. And the Mayor doesn't seem depressed. Are you a licensed psychologist qualified to make over-the-internet diagnoses?

At least he doesn't hide his problems in a bottle of booze. He has a solid family. So you don't think gay people should hold office? Since they can't marry in Missouri. Interesting assertion you make. Could you be a bigot or a troll?

You don't get it. Mrs. Paul *has* spoken out publicly in support of her husband. It's not her prerogative to 'defend' her husband. I respect his family and their choice of privacy.

We didn't elect his wife. We elected Adam Paul to represent us, something the council has clearly lost its understanding of.

@RunningScared, you really shouldn't do meth before your first post. Project much?

Bryanna,
Should you not be neutral in this argument? Just because someone eggs you to post whatever, does not mean that you should further that view...stay neutral, my dear.

Easy there, guys. Little mikey may be a racist, bigoted, stupid little man with the personality of a dung beetle... but he has every right to express his stupidity.

Nobody takes him seriously, I assure you.

Use the inappropriate reporting button (which does not exist on the mobile version, Patch) if you feel a post is ... Inappropriate or violates the Patch terms of service.

Joe, I think you meant "little" mike k (who also goes by MIKE K). He is also a 'troll' who has nothing better to do than make the most outrageous bigoted, racist, homophobic, uninformed, and inflammatory posts he can. He thrives on negative attention. Use the inappropriate post reporting button and ignore him.

He most assuredly is not me, Mike K.

tsk tsk tsk, you of all people trying to supress free speach. Go have another donut Big E. By the way those pro Paul posters are great fodder for my fireplace.

I've spent the last 48 hours either defending myself trying to get my name off of here, so this goes against my better judgment, and contradicts my actions I realize...Admittedly I, myself, made the situation worse as I am sure my friends, whose arms I sought comfort, only made things worse in some of the ways they reported trying to help
Sir please, don't attack people personally, it is simply in poor taste. Calling someone fat. is proof that you've run out of ideas. Ms. Schmidt is a beautiful woman with a good heart.
As for the rest of humanity? Frankly I've lost faith.
Can we please stop fighting and killing each other? Its a Wal-Mart. Bottom line. Put it in, don't put it in who cares anymore. No $5 pair of jeans is worth a man's livelihood, reputation and career.
In the last 2 days I've had a small taste of what Mayor Paul has been enduring constantly since all of this started. It broke me. The man said he has thick skin yet, I'm at a loss as to how he is surviving such vicious attacks. I really wish he had the power to change the world, though he is just one man trying to do it on his own.
So please, take what's left of your heart and focus on helping those less fortunate than yourself. Each choice you make can help someone's day. There are those, whose problems far exceed the potential Wal-Mart, and its sad when you make the comparison. I pray that there are still good people somewhere in the world.

You reap what you sew...

As for me? Im done -XO

Ms Schmidt,

You see Ms Schmidt, I deal in facts, not emotion when dealing with an issue.
First, it was Alliance 9 that started the lawsuits.
Second, those lawsuits attempted to replace individuals that were freely elected.
Third, you or the people you are representing, that live in an apartment complex, are renters. Renters do not have say in property owned by another.
Fourth, an election happened and some people believed that a mandate from the voters (all 750 of them) could stop the Walmart project.
Fifth, some people believe that just because they won the mayors office, thought they had carte blanche in the council voting.
Sixth, when the vote was in the affirmative, 5-2 for the Walmart project, the lawsuits began by the anti-Walmart group.

Ms Schmidt,
Continued,
Seventh, the argument about the sales tax is erroneously reported by your side. No taxpayer money is being given to Walmart or Sansone. The TIF is to be paid (a % of the sales tax generated) by customers who will shop on that corner. If you choose not to shop there, then you will not pay the sales tax or the TIF. That is your option of boycotting...perfectly legitimate. But, you should respect my position by wanting the Walmart to be built so I can shop there.
Eighth, I have no idea if the mayor did any of the actions that he is accused of, but since the council voted 5-0 to look into the matter, should a complete record be taken?
Ninth, I am very concerned by the charge of using a recording device to record private conversations in the council meetings. That action is a breech of protocol and you, should be as outraged as I am, by the charge.
Please take your bliders off and don't be rigid in your thinking.
I proud not to hide behind any pseudonym.

Caffie,
Your boring..no depth in your thinking.

Come out from the shadows caffeinated. Identify yourself if you dare or is it because you don't want mommy to know you are using her computer while hiding in your parents basement.

Caffie, I know, your the savant in the room! I don't debate neophytes.

NOTICE OF VENUE CHANGE

The hearing on the Resolution to remove Mayor Paul will be held at Ellisville Elementary School Gym, 1425 Froesel Drive on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.