Just because The City of Ellisville thinks they can change the rules anytime they feel like it, to fit them. We the people of Ellisville voted for these members to listen to what the residents want, and they turn around and say"well we heard you, but we don't care what you have to say, we will do what we want" and now this lawsuit, give me a break. I hope when this is all over, everyone of the board members should be kicked out of office and a new board (who will listen to the residents) will be elected. But because i am being kicked out of my home due to Walmart, I won't be voting, too bad. And because what i have seen here in this city in the past year and the way the politics are here, I have decided never to vote for anybody running for a public office again. I will only vote for an issue that will personally effect me and not a politician. The way the City of Ellisville is going and what they have planned for the future, there won't be anyone left in the city to live, shop or vote.

This is sad. I hope this guy gets turned out on his ear.

I'm fairly certain that a plan to remove hundreds of residents from their homes and build a Walmart in their place isn't considered a "day-to-day" decision. This is merely a politician trying to squash accountability. What a surprise.

Here is a quote from Matt Pirrello, taken from the Journal "An elected official shouldn't have to live in fear of reprisals from every one of those decisions — that's why there's an election process.". But it's alright for us (the residents of Clarckshester Apartments) to live in fear everyday for the last year of being homeless. That is a little more serious then you losing your spot on the board, I think. Go ahead sue me now for voicing my opinion.

From STLToday:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ellisville-councilman-sues-residents-trying-to-recall-him/article_f5f9a9f8-f166-11e1-85b8-0019bb30f31a.html

"David Stokes, a policy analyst at the Show-Me Institute, a local free-market think tank, said Pirrello’s suit seemed to fall in the category of a SLAPP suit, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. Such suits are designed to intimidate and silence critics with the threat of substantial legal fees."

Thanks for your comments, all. Patch will be tracking the story as it develops.

Good for Pirrello. I hope his lawsuit bankrupts each and every one of the five Ellisville residents named in the lawsuit. Too bad he didn't add E. Schmidt to the lawsuit as a bonus.

mike k, i can't tell if thats sarcasm, or just useless trolling.

I think mike k is confused. Missouri is an at-will work state.That means that even elected officials have no right to work. Perrillo will lose. And be paying his own lawyer. He named the city and the state as defendants. Guess who pays their salaries? My tax dollars at work.

The only reason Perrillo could have for bringing the suit is because he knows his cronies will be on the losing end of the petition and on the losing end of the recall vote. And the targets are sitting members of the council so they have no standing to bring the suit in suing themselves. So they get their pal, the ex-mayor to bring the suit.

I think the court will rule against him and I hope the defendants countersue for legal costs so that the judge can explain to him that if he, as a normal concerned citizen does not agree with any petition action, then his *only* recourse is to ... wait for it ... NOT SIGN THE PETITION AND TO VOTE AGAINST THE RECALL. You know - the same option everyone else gets.

The courts will not strike down the Amendment 9 clause or grant him 'relief' from a process that is in and of itself the only relief available to the voters. And if there is a defect in the city charter, why is it that Mayor Perrillo never did anything about it during his long tenure as Mayor when he had the chance to correct this egregious error in the city charter at any of the numerous meetings he presided over, at least if one is to believe the injustice he has told the court he is suffering from.

If anyone doesn't want the petition to succeed, don't sign it and don't vote for the recall if the petition succeeds. It really is that simple. That is democracy in action. Exactly as our fine city charter allows for.

This lawsuit makes it clear that Perrillo and the targets of the recall petition see their pink slips are coming and are desperate, looking to the court for a 'deus ex machina' to save their proverbial fat from the fire.

I see where he is coming from. just take a look at a "what if"" A9A calls for a special recall election and states the city should pay for it at a cost of $5k, $10K, $15k etc.. If they get the required signitures the special election is held. Outcome does not matter in this "what if". Two months later another group demands a recall of 1, 2, 3 etc of the council as they do not like how they voted on a revised RV/boat parking law. If the get the required signitures then the city has to foot the election cost again. Another $5k+. Two months later another group fills for a special election for recall becuse they are not happy the city approved a dog park in Bluebird Park. More expense for the city. Now, those issue are not the hotbed that Walmart is although it would only take a fairly small devoted group to get the issue pushed forward. I see how that could potential drain the city funds. The point I am making is that if a council person votes yay or nay on anythingthere will be a group of folks not happy with that decision and could demand a recall election. I always thought that is why elections were held. If the person voted in doesn't meet your needs you vote in someone else the next time.

That is why there is a minimum number of people/voters required to get the petition to have the recall. If the threshold is too low, then yes your pretend scenario could happen. But the remedy would be clear after the city actually has these costs - which will be less than the legal fees defending this nonsense from Perrillo - just raise the number of signatures required to move the petition to a vote.

However history has shown that this has never happened so to answer your what if, what if elected officials instead of being the voice of the people instead continually acted in their own self-interests and ignored the folks they swindled into voting them into office?

As I said your hypothetical costs - this is the first A9A petition in the history of the city and Perrillo is causing the city to spend real dollars right now to think about a pretend problem.

Why should the actions of one person cause our city dollars to be spent 10, 20 thousand dollars after the attorneys send in their bill.

I think we should not allow sitting council members bring any suits against themselves since they have the power to fix whatever it is that was the problem. And if your side loses after a vote, well then your option is to petition for the recall of those you feel aren't voting the will of the people. Same as everyone else that doesn't like how the city government is being run.

And let's not forget about the mandatory exclusion periods after being elected and before the end of the term and the next election. So the reality is that for A9A to actually be used, whomever is the target must have really pissed off a super majority of citizens to get them to sign the petition and then vote you out of office.

Otherwise, people just aren't that motivated to sign the petition, and then remain motivated to vote the council member out of office at the election.

The lawsuit is tilting at imaginary windmills trying to fix a non-problem if Perrillo is to be believed.
Occam's Razor tells me he is acting in a SLAPP fashion and trying to save his job by any means other than how he got it - the vote of the people.

I find it very interesting that Liz Schmidt is *not* a named defendant. Is it because she isn't in a district that A9A is circulating a petition?

And how can a concerned voter sign these petitions? My district can surely find better representation than Dawn Anglin.

The others don't have standing because they were at the meeting to amend the charter and it voted on and tabled. Perrillo was not at that meeting and he feels *his* vote was not counted and the council did not do as *he* wanted.

Hmmm. Maybe he should petition for the recall of those that voted to table his pet amendment to the charter. Oh yeah, he knows he lost the council vote and he knows he has no shot at getting his amendment on the ballot and he is going to get recalled, so he is suing. The grown up version of going to tell mommy the other kids are being mean to you when you don't get your way at a play date.

After the City Council’s attempt last week to restrict our right to recall and change the rules in the middle of the game, I’m hardly surprised by Matt Pirrello’s Petition for Injunctive Relief against his recall by Dist. 1 voters.

The irony here is that Pirrello was sitting on the City Council when the City Charter was revised in 2006. Now he’s claiming it’s in violation of the Missouri State Constitution. If Article 9, giving the people the right to recall through direct democracy was so very defective, why didn’t he move to fix it then?

After the outcry at last week’s Special City Council meeting where they tried to push through the restrictive changes to the recall process, he’s decided to use the courts.
This City Council is rapidly approaching the intersection of Bad Press Parkway and Disfunction Drive.

Last Wednesday Matt Pirrello tried to restrict the right to address the City Council for five minutes to only “recognized” groups. Last Thursday Michelle Murray demanded a citizen be ejected from the Council Chambers when he inadvertently ran over this three minute time allotment.

They are about to run vehicle of government either through the intersection or off into the ditch. I hope the right to direct democracy and the ability of the citizen’s of Ellisville to say “NO” don’t get T-boned in the process.

Mike K, (not to be confused with the other little mike k), you are 100% right and really funny. If you had a talk show, I would listen. Well done, sir!

send in the clowns, aka anti-Walmart folk

Matt has always had a horrendous reputation. This only makes things WAY worse for him. As an independent contractor, who do you think he gets his business from??? Ellisville home owners. This is what I hear from the residents: "has he lost his mind?" "he just wrote his obituary" "who in the he11 does he think he is?" "what an idiot" etc., etc., etc. Crazy. What a foolish move driven by his ginormous ego and need for control. At least he's got you baby mike k.

Kate James, you were a former council member who was selected to the TIF commission by Matt Pirrello. You voted 'yes' to this project after all but one of our residents stood up against it at the public hearing..... before I was Mayor. You are confusing me with yourself. See, I ran a strong anti-TIF campaign and you have stated this in several of your petulant comments. It would be almost sinful if I didn't fight for what I stood for during my campaign. Why do you think I am here? I won by a large majority of the votes, remember? Would you agree? Probably not because you don't know how to listen to people of Ellisville. My job is not to make friends or enemies on the council, to simply be the liaison of the people. In our form of Government, The City's staff (manager, planner, finance) have the hard jobs and represent the best interest of the City. The Councils role is quite simple, we represent the best interest of the people of the City. Think about it. I am sorry that you have such animosity towards me. I don't recall a single phone call or intellectual conversation with you. Have some respect and pick up the phone.

The TIF issue is over Mr Mayor - I do believe you were there for the votes.
Mayor Paul your memories are just so darn short. At your first meeting at the Ellisville Elementery School I walked up to you, to ask you to keep the booing down at future meetings, because it was intimidating for people who had opposing ideas, and you shouted at me "Who the F do you think you are, I am the Mayor,' (There were several wittnesses to this incredibly unprovoked attack toward me - including a city employee) Don't you EVER talk to me about civility, Your actions that night, were reprehensible and so over the top that my non-opinion of you before that meeting, turned into a VERY UNFAVORABLE opinion of you in 2 seconds flat. Do we need to have a conversation that we are on opposite sides of this issue. No Sir we do not. Should I have an issue with the city on some other matter, and I feel that you are qualified to speak to that issue, then we can have a conversation. But using foul language toward a constituant who is not on your side during a conversation is NEVER appropriate behavior for a MAYOR.
As far as your rant about having a mandate and listening, my neighbors are THRILLED for the Walmart coming to Ellisville, are you not also representing them? You were elected by a majority of anti TIF people... so now
And PLEASE quit calling me KATE... you are once again misinformed.

I recall this moment clear as day. Let me describe my side of the story. When a person who I don't know, who is much larger than me, hustles up toward the council bench after just getting sworn into office, pointing her finger 4 inches from my face screaming lord knows what, (during a highly contentious meeting with metal detectors at the door) is just plain wrong. I was truly scared that you were going to physically harm me at the time. I remember the police escorted you out, too. You forgot to add that part of the story and replaced it with me saying the F word. I would never say that word out of respect for my role. The council had to have the police escort them to their cars at the meeting as well. I never got one... This will be my last post arguing with you. I did feel it was necessary to defend myself in this situation. Good luck.

Oh Mayor... I had a purse in one hand and an ipad in another. The only one screaming was you Mayor. The officer who you so recall escorting me out, laughed at even the prospect of asking me to leave (WHICH HE DID NOT). And you did say it. Sorry your memories are diminished, but I will privately give you a list of those who overheard the converastion and were as suprised as I was to see your over the top visceral reaction. Even to the point that I was called later that evening to make sure that I was emotionally ok.

K James, I was right there in the first row that night and remember the situation you describe. Mayor Adam Paul is telling the truth on the incident. I watched it unfold. Are you calling me a liar? Again, another lie from you, a Perrello crony.....

I am likely the only one posting to the comments section that actually has any experience with recall. It is not a frivolous or easy endeavor under this or any other charter I’ve encountered…if for no other reason that it requires the ability to read.
It is not one-third, or 30% or 200 signatures or whatever numbers have been thrown around…
It is this amount:
Section 9.3. PETITIONS.

(a) NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.

>>>….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 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.<<<

And those signatures have to be certified signatures of registered voters in that district. To achieve success, a comfortable margin over and above that number should be obtained.

To imply that a group of people would undertake this kind of effort because they didn’t like the color of someone’s tie or for some other frivolous reason is patently ridiculous.

Get a real job E...I bet even Walmart may hire you after all of this...The irony.

K James, the TIF issue is not over. They still need the Cond. Use PErmit for building over 50,000 sq. foot liquor sales, building 30 ft above. Turning that down can/will stop the project. WAKE UP COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOUR LAST SHOT TO STOP THIS MESS IS TO VOTE THIS PROJECT DOWN ON SEPT 5th. PROBLEM SOLVED. ARE YOU DENSE?!?!?!? I KNOW YOU ALL READ THIS JUNK, THE MAYOR DOES. NO RECALLS, NO SUITS, NO MORE NOTHING. JUST LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE ON THIS ONE ISSUE. WHY ARE YOU SO SET ON YOUR WAYS. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ABOVE THE MASS AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE IN OUR TOWN? YOU ARE BRAINWASHED!!! QUIT LISTENING TO THE CITY AND START LISTENING TO YOUR PEOPLE, LIKE THE MAYOR DOES!!! IT IS SIMPLE.

You really don't have to type in caps Jimmy, we get that you are anti Walmart. Back to the issue at hand, Article VII, section 4 of the Missouri constitution states that elected officials can only be recalled for nepotism, crimes, misconduct, habitual drunkeness, willfull neglect of duty, corruption in office, incomptency, or any offense involving moral turpitude or oppression in office.
Fortunately this issue is going to be settled in a court of law by a real judge and not by a bunch of loons crying the sky is falling just because a Walmart is being built in an area that has been vacant for years. If Walmart is not built what is the alternative to fill that space, Just leave it vacant for another 1,5, 10 years? Your boy Mayor has put forth zero alternate ideas, just No No No to Walmart. Where is the leadership??? There is none. I say recall the Mayor because all he has done is obstruct new business in Ellisville which is desperately needed for our fine community.

>>>Fortunately this issue is going to be settled in a court of law by a real judge and not by a bunch of loons crying the sky is falling just because a Walmart is being built in an area that has been vacant for years. If Walmart is not built what is the alternative to fill that space, Just leave it vacant for another 1,5, 10 years? <<<

Vacant???

I suppose you never got to Walmart in Eureka to buy those spectacles.

There are 25 apartment buildings sitting on the site plan for the Walmart TIF with 200-250 people living in them and three small businesses.

You are perpetuating they myth that the store has been proposed for the two large vacant car dealerships...

Is the no level of disinformation to which the proponents of this project won't stoop?

Again Liz, I am calling you for lying... there are less than 150 people living in those apartments at this time. Last count I was told was 130 not 250 or even 200. If you are going to tirade. Please do so factually.
Speaking of facts Ms Liz, I have the voter registration rolls and NO WHERE in the Ellisville voter registration does your names appear. Do you use a different name or have you just never chosed to register to vote. Seems to me someone who is as vocal as you decry, would be a model citizen and not be a disenfranchised non-voter.

K James, by that logic you should be telling Mr. Akin and all the other wing-nut Republicans to STFU about abortion. They have no basis to be so vocal over something they can never have to make such a choice. If it is good for the goose, it is good for the gander, no?

How do you know that Liz isn't a caretaker for an elderly or disabled relative or a fiancee who *does* live in Ellisville? And she is concerned for her relative or friend?

Wow...60+ comments between the same 10 people, including myself, who always debate within these forums... Two big things to face here my friends; 1) less & less people care about this matter...2) We, without question, need to find something else to do...Gotta go, the new mayor is throwing a temper tantrum, and tossing pencils in the middle of Manchester Road again...Now mayor, stop doing that and get out of the street, you're going to hurt someone...These kids these days, I'm telling ya.

Here is a great and simple solution to all of this, First, why don't the 5 council board members do us all a favor and just resign. Second, drop the whole Walmart project and save us our tax dollars or just go build it on the empty car lots and save Clarckchester.

The opponents of Walmart have no solutions to developing the vacant property. They would just as soon have this eyesore stay as it is until Kingdom come. No matter what business wants to locate in Ellisville, they are against it. No ideas , no solutions, just NO, NO, NO to anything and everything.

If this development were put in a straight up or down vote, a simple referendum, does anyone here argue that it would fail!?

Mr. Roark;
Again I am going to defend the former Mayor, For 10 years Mayor Pirrello has worked for this city, because he loves this little hamlet. WHERE WERE YOU when the foundations were being laid that are just now comming to close? You sit here and pontificate about what you think you know about and smear a man who is getting nothing but grief, for years and years of hard work and dedication. You can bash me all you like, I don't give a crap. But start calling Mayor Pirrello a pariah and I will defend his honesty, his integrity and his steadfast loyality to this community to the best of my ability.
You say he doesn't listen to the people? Well, my friends and neighbors are so very THRILLED to have this development come alive. We are tired of seeing vacant buildings on that most visible corner.
I am sorry that you feel the need to bash him over doing what he felt was RIGHT. I am positive that Matt spent a long time thinking about this action before taking this action. I am positive that he feels that this is in the best interest of the city as it moves forward.
What I don't feel is in the best interest of this city is the fear mongering flyers that are being passed out anonymously to my door step with half truths and some outright lies.
What I don't feel is in the best interest of this community is Liz Schmidt pontificating her tripe across everyone's airways when she doesn't even take up her patriotic duty to vote.

"WHERE WERE YOU when the foundations were being laid that are just now comming to close? "

Paying my taxes, voting my conscience, and living my life. Like most of my neighbors. I voted for this charlatan in the past. I wish I could take it back.

"smear a man who is getting nothing but grief,"

For a reason. Smear? I'm expressing my opinion. Can I expect a SLAPP suit too?

"I am sorry that you feel the need to bash him over doing what he felt was RIGHT. "

Felt was right?! He should do what the people feel is right. We don't work for him, and we don't yield to his will. He is a public SERVANT. This seems to have been lost on him and you.

You are his friend, and your circle of friends are his friends. Of course you're thrilled. Why are you afraid of a public referendum? Why avoid it at all cost?

You're transparent.

OH Howard... I am transparent. ANYONE who knows me knows that. I can't keep a secret for the life of me and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I know that Matt is a good and honest man who has served our community with grace and loyality. Unlike you who voted for him and then turned your back. Have you even taken the time to speak to him, one on one regarding this issue? Or any other issue? Have you heard from his lips the reason he is doing what he is doing, or are you just blindly listening to others? Unlike the current mayor who throws pencils, and shouts at anyone who disagrees, at least Matt will take the time to explain his point of view to anyone while keeping a level head.
He is readily available by phone to anyone who wants to listen.

Thankfully, we have laws in place that govern the State of Missouri and Ellisville. The council members were elected by due process by the residents of Ellisville. If you don't like their vote on Walmart, that's tough for you. You can run against them during the next election cycle. You can even try to recall them, but you must adhere to the laws of Missouri. Councilman Pirrello has a legal right to file a lawsuit and if you don't like it, that's tough for you. A court of law will decide whether or not the Ellisville's recall process is legal, not you. It doesn't matter if pro Walmart advocates are afraid of a public referendum, because it is not an option under Ellisville laws, so again that's tough for you. You can whine and stomp your feet and boo at the council meetings, but we still have a democracy in Ellisville which as it turns out, is tough for you. Get over it before your head explodes.

Grow up? Your mayor stomps his feet, throws pencils and screams at anyone who dares to disagree with him. Not to mention Liz Schmidt who whines and bleats but doesn't even have the decency to stand up and vote. I look forward to the next election cycle. Maybe you could run, spend weeks and weeks working to get votes. Then 120 days later someone decides that they don't like you, and you have to start campaigning all over again. And maybe or maybe not you get elected again, but then someone else doesn't like you for some reason, guess what, 120 days later you have to do it again. Hope you don't have a full time job, because your entire life will be spent knocking on doors every three months. All for what? a few hundred dollars a month stipend the city gives you, not to mention the cost of paying for campaign signs and flyers. Yes he is challenging this part of the charter, why, because its the right thing to do for the future of this city. You don't like what he is doing, I can understand that, but think about a city counsel who gets NOTHING done because everyone is always campaigning. The A9A found this hole in the charter, Matt is only trying to do the right thing and close it, so that in the future a counsel can do its job and we have the right to change that group every three years as the charter intended.

K James, hate to tell you but Mayor Adam Paul has a 90-95% approval rating. Fact! Ask anyone in town you disgusting human being. He won't take crap from the 'good old boys' council and clearly by the clip, he is a peoples mayor. Stopping a person at 3 minutes with not letting them finish their thoughts is just wrong. Murrey was chirping in his ear for 3 minutes, that was out of order. I watched her. You can't kick the whole crowd out from clapping and he called order to stop it. I was there, too. Why? Because he listens to the people and speaks his mind. He is incredibly intelligent and is more than just a fighter of Wal-Mart. I see him at everywhere, volunteering his time, city events, etc. Even the business owners love him. He is truly a nice, honest, genuine family guy. He isn’t divorced 3 times like narcissist Perrello. Mayor Paul won't let the council intimidate him and will keep on going. Roberts rules isn't his forte yet, but it will be. Once people get recalled or not voted back into office, he will gets a council behind him. Then watch out! Change is good for anyone. Also, Howard Roark, I couldn’t agree with you more. You need to run for council in April. We need to build a good council around him. They dont even shake his hand, they think that he is the guy who started this mess. Not true. I have had retired friends that were VPs of Merrill Lynch and former elected officials from Creve Coeur say they wish they had him. He is exactly what we needed.

90-95% approval rating, based on what? Care to provide a link or is this based on another one of E. Schmidt's scientific unbiased survey? Mayor Paul hasn't done anything for Ellisville other than say no to Walmart. If the court rules against Pirrello (by the way learn to spell the man's name) , members of my gated community will immediatly began a recall effort of our boy mayor based upon his inability to lead this city. This city is too important to us to leave it in the hands of a novice who can't seem to work with anyone in City Government.

Little mike k, you would be laughed at. Go ahead, start your recall of our Mayor. The only person who gives a crap about our people. You will be laughed at. I am telling you the truth that outside of your little retirement gated community and bingo games, I haven't heard a single complaint against him other then from the two 500 lb Pirello puppets Charles Pavalack and K James (and her neighbors, she says) and you. Paul has only been in office for 4 months, he has gained even more steam because of all this. People are loving this guy. Mayor paul knows this is true, too. Great job and if I was you and could do so, I would fire all those corrupt crones.

Per the occupancy permits, 131 people live in Clarkchester. I used to live in Clarkchester and have friends who lived in Clarkchester. The apartments are not updated, the drugs were rampant and we had numerous police calls throughout the week. A few weeks ago while driving down Manchester a teenager was mooning the traffic on Manchester Road, I called the police to report this and then followed the teen to his apartment in the Clarkchester Apartments. This is not acceptable on many levels. I'm sure there are fine upstanding citizens in Clarkchester, but there are also many problems.

The hypocrisy of the A9A people and the mayor just floor me. Everyone is worried about tax dollars but even the mayor said he didn't spend all of his tax dollars in Ellisville. He spoke of shopping at Aldi. I don't recall an Aldi being in the city of Ellisville. Ex-mayor Ed O'Reilly used Office Max in Ballwin to print Adam Paul's campaign fliers. Way to go supporting Ellisville businesses.

The mayor has displayed nothing less than juvenile behavior over the past few council meetings. He went so far as to throw a pen at the last meeting during one of his temper tantrums. This past Planning and Zoning meeting, he stated an untruth to rile people up and when he was called on it by Committeemember Pavlack, he made a sheepish grin. This behavior is NOT acceptable for someone in his position to display. Again, any behavior other than above reproach is reprehensible.

Also, a constituent noted that before and during the Planning and Zoning Meeting Wednesday night, mayor Paul and ex-mayor Ed O'Reilly sat in the audience and called Mr. Pavlack "fatty" and "fatboy". Really? This is behavior of two children, not the behavior of anyone who should represent the city. Our mayor offended the constituent who overheard the conversation (and since the constituent's last name isn't Schmidt I'm sure he doesn't care), but he also shamed his office. Again, the Mayor of a city should be above reproach, not acting like a five year old.

Jimmie C, it alarms me how much the you and A9A members (including Mr. O'Reilly and Mr. Paul) feel the need to bully and think that it's okay to bully. It's not. Bullying is just a tactic for those who are jealous of others or are insecure about themselves. It's not a trait you look for in a mayor or any public servant.

Jimmy C, when logic fails, and lies are called on, you resort to name calling. Classy!!!

Overdone, congrats!! You've got me. Yes, on occasion, I visit Aldis for schnitzel and their lovely chicken salad. People may not know this but Aldi's is a German grocery store, with great German items. I am German and Ellisville doesn't have an Aldi's or I would go there. I also take my kids to Six Flags. Ellisville doesn't have a Six Flags but I will be sure to visit 'The Infield' instead. Also, (I can only speak for myself) I didn't call Mr. Pavlack ‘fat’ or ‘fat man’, not once. However, he did shout 'You are a liar' several times at me after the meeting. Add this incident to his press 'opinion letter' he released a day before the election slamming me and blessing another with his political wand, his numerous negative comments on the patch (I do read the patch... more for comic relief and the latest TIF buzz around town), and his silly comment about Ellisville government: "It's a representative republic. We elect you to guide our city, not to do our bidding". Mr. O'Reilly and Mr. Pavlack have been going back and forth for weeks now. I choose to stay out of it. I do have some respect for the man, he has a wealth of knowledge in his IT brain, but we don’t see eye to eye politically. Please take it to the next level with your attacks and this time try to include lies about my wife and children, that I buy drugs from people at Clarkchester, that I mooned everyone off Manchester. I will still sleep comfortably knowing I represent the overwhelming majority of the public

Go Mayor Paul!!! We love U!

I have met him and his wife. He is such a sweety!

K James,
You are trying to make this issue about me rather than:

The potential SLAPP Suit nature of Pirrello’s Petition;

The legal merits of the arguments in his Petition which is on-line now for everyone to read thanks to the Patch, though I believe very few have actually bothered;

[yes..let’s not forget the title of this Patch article…]

The fact that 200-250 people may be shown the street due to the Threat of Eminent Domain wielded against some of the owners in Clarkchester to give a taxpayer subsidy to millionaires and billionaires to build a TIF project that the majority of Ellisville doesn’t want, and;

[yes…you would rather split hairs over the precise number of people who live here (as a diversion) which changes from week to week or month to month depending on who is born, who dies, who moves in or who moves out…as though it makes any difference to the people who have been living here 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years and other Ellisville residents WHO HAVE A CONSCIENCE regarding how others are treated to merely further enrich millionaires and billionaires…]

The direct attack against Property Rights, the Free Market and Free Enterprise that this proposed project embodies…and the over-reach of little government in the process of picking big corporate winners and making losers out of small businesses.

Good luck with that…The vast majority of people in Ellisville are not that easily fooled as to what is really going on with this proposed TIF project.

Four days and counting to Armageddon for Walmart haters

K James,

There could be three different judges involved over time.

The Bench Judge recognized there are important Mo State Constitutional issues.

The Hearing Judge, and if a different person, the Trial Judge may feel differently about other aspects of Pirrello’s Petition including who the actual defendants are in this case.

One thing you can count on is that anything can happen and probably will.

We shall see.

Liz and Howard,
EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion. But when someone tells me how I should excercise my fundamentally democratic right to vote. The credibility issue goes into the toilet when they can't even be good enough citizens in this commmunity to cast a ballot. You and I may differ in that aspect. I have no problems voicing my opinions, and I am willing to back them up and take my action in the voting booth. You Liz Schmidt, non-voter, cannot backup your words with credible actions, you can only regurgitate information that others feed to you and sit idly by as others take responsibility for their actions
As far as the action in the article, I respect our legal system enough to know they will do what is legally correct in the end, I was only speaking to the people on this thing who keep referring to this action as a SLAPP suit. Because of ONE reference, who ONE of the Defendents, works with.

Howard anyone can get the voter rolls from the county election board. PUBLIC INFORMATION.

But to answer your question. I volunteer my time working to get people elected this November.

The voter rolls are part of ALL campaigning efforts. Why campaign to people who can't vote aka Ms Schmidt

Liz is out there TELLING ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN HOW TO VOTE.

Whether she is telling the counsel how to vote or knocking on 1100+ doors for recall votes. I harken it to the union thugs who are brought in to areas to stir up issues that unions have problems, spouting half truths and outright lies in order to fear monger people into doing what the unions want done. Then slinking out leaving chaos in their wake

Howard,

K James prefers that we live in the "Repressive Representative Republic of Ellisville" where apparently the shopping police patrol the streets to make certain you spend all of your money in Ellisville???

Of course the irony is that if the proposed Walmart TIF goes through, there will be even fewer places to shop in Ellisville.

A study of Chicago in 2009 shows that businesses within a one mile radius of a Walmart Supercenter have a 25% chance of shuttering in the first year, and a 40% chance of shuttering by the second year, when compared with stores farther than one mile from the Supercenter.

Since Ellisville is only 1 mi. x 3 mi. that puts all of Ellisville's small and non-TIF larger retailers at risk.

She's a one trick pony now trying to make it about "someone" rather than the "issue."

If she were truly observant about the voter list, she would remember that 72% of those listed voted for an anti-TIF mayoral candidate.

That fact is still lost on her...

I didn't have to look it up Howard, the list was given to me to make phone calls with. Her name wasn't on the rolls

Nor does she deny not being a registered voter.

Local businesses keep more money in the community. A 2009 study of the differential impact of locally-owned businesses and big-box stores in New Orleans shows that while big-box stores only recirculate 16% of revenues into the community, locally-owned businesses re-circulate twice as much.

So, that's even more money gone out of the community...

Liz, old information, you just keep regurgitating it back. Neither you, Mr. Roark, MIKE K, JimmyC, Mayor Paul, or Former Mayor O'Reilley give any alternatives. It just gets old Liz.

The alternative is to let the Free Market and Free Enterprise work.

Perhaps you weren't listening this past Wednesday when I said the moratorium on the lots containing and adjacent to the two largest eye-sore vacant car dealerships would be "time wasted," theorizing a potential developer could create jobs and provide sales tax without a TIF during the moratorium period.

There is someone or some business now who wants to buy, build/develop, provide jobs and sales tax all WITHOUT A TIF, The Free Market and Free Enterprise are being thwarted by the City of Ellisville.

Liz free market enterprise hasn't worked in 6 years but now you wave your magic wand and POOF??? Someone is now going to come in and build... oh yeah right someone wants to put a tiny little free standing mobile phone store on the lot.... What a waste of time that one is.

>>>...free market enterprise hasn't worked in 6 years...<<<

Perhaps you are unaware that one of the largest properties in RPA-2 was tied up in court in part due to a divorce and a death.

It had nothing to do with lack of planning (or meddling) on the part of the City of Ellisville.

It is FOR SALE (see the sign right at the corner of Manchester and Keifer Creek Rds.) as well and could be sold to someone who wants to buy and develop it NOW without a RFP or TIF.

" What is our mayor doing to replace Best Buy, Gorman's, Baskin Robbins, the long gone plant nursery on Manchester?"

All I know is that it is more than the previous mayor that drove them out if town in the first place chasing after his manager's job at walmart or consulting job at sansone.

Walmart is not and never has been a silver bullet for communities, contrary to the lies, winks and handshakes, and putting lipstick on that pig.
The facts are that Walmart hurts a community - from employment to taxpayer funded medicare/medicaid costs, to tax revenue it doesn't bring in as much as they assured the communities, to increased traffic, crime, ... You name it.
And the profits don't go to anyone in Ellisville - the shareholders get first dibs.

Why don't we have a ballpark complex on the property like CVAC?
Oh wait, we did. Progress?

Oh Mike; I know you are new to the issues at hand, and I respect your passions, so much more so than I do non-voting Liz. But if you would sit down and listen to the former Mayor Pirrello, instead of getting your information from this blog, and the union propaganda that keeps re-circulating, you might have a more balanced understanding of this situation. There are two distinct sides to this issue, both have their merits, please take the time to speak to Matt, your perspective just might change a bit. Even if you don't agree in the end, you will at least have a better understanding of the other side.

Again, Howard for President. K James, I am not pro or anti union, one thing we can agree on is that both parties are right here. I am sure you are related to someone in the union. Right? You act like union folks are from another country....union folks are fighting to protect our own, even if it has gotten out of hand in some cases. Last time I checked, this is still America! You act like Perrello is your man toy. If the shoe fits wear it. You are brain washed honey. He is a huge POS. If you think that your job in our form of government is to do anything else then listen to the people, you are delusional. This aint an ice cream social. You and Pavalak are total nuts, the world is not yours and the world ain't dennys. We have a right to order items you don't like. (in a country voice!) Be gone beast of burden! Get!

All concerned Ellisville citizens, no matter what side of the Walmart/TIF issue they fall on, should watch the documentary "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices." Netflix subscribers can stream it online but it can also be viewed online for free at the Top Documentaries site:

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/wal-mart-the-high-cost-of-low-price/

No one is denying that the Waltons "built that" and no one is denying their right to the financial rewards. I haven't seen a single post in the comments threads of the many Ellisville Walmart/TIF articles that begrudges the Waltons for their success.

What I have seen, however, are concerns about the quality of life for the people who actually live in Ellisville, as well as for the smaller businesses that have served Ellisville for years. The concerns about increased traffic, crime and noise (and the subsequently reduced property values) are well-founded (and well documented by communities who have had Walmart move in), as are the fears that there will be many more hulking empty boxes where long-time Ellisville businesses used to reside (K-Mart, Lukas Liquors, Shop n Save are just a few that will most definitely suffer because of a new Walmart).

We bought our home six years ago and selected Ellisville because of its quiet, tree-lined streets and the low crime rate. Like so many others, we bought our home right before the housing bust and as a result, despite a fairly hefty down payment, our mortgage is under water. The Walmart project will directly impact our street and the surrounding cross streets. So, mike k, with all due respect, our concerns about the project have a lot more to due with our own futures than with the "American success" story of the Waltons (for whom the profits of just another Walmart are merely a drop in the bucket).

M Deshotel;
With all respect, I think I would blame your realtor, If you have moved here in the past 30 years, that whole parcel was designated Commercial, and the apartments were part of the redevelopment for at least 10 years. They should have made you aware of that fact. Walmart or no Walmart that property was going to be redeveloped. That property will be developed, even if the Walmart wasn't going in, and because of the property being such a highly visible area, it is just too valuable a piece of property to have apartments and vacant lots there for too long. In a better economy maybe SOMEONE else would have come in and there would be proponents and opponents of that development. The property owners who own those properties have the right to sell it, and if walmart is the only one who makes an offer, then city has to make sure that the development is done to standards.

Jimmy C. You are one class act. Your personal attacks on me are pitiful. It is just a shame that when reason fails you, you resort to name calling. You are a mean spirited little man who likes to spread misinformation.

K James, I've read every article and every comment posted regarding the Walmart/TIF project. Your comments often come across as condescending. Perhaps if you sounded the least bit interested in the real concerns that many Ellisville citizens have about this project (particularly those who will be directly impacted in one way or another - and none of them good), you might actually gain some traction.

The city council is acting in direct opposition to the will of the Ellisville voters who spoke loudly and clearly by casting a majority vote for the two mayoral candidates who ran on anti-TIF/anti-Walmart platforms. It doesn't matter how vociferously you or anyone else tries to spin this, the city council has acted thus far with blatant disregard towards the majority of its constituents' wishes.

From K James, TIF Commission Member--

>>>They should have made you aware of that fact. Walmart or no Walmart that property was going to be redeveloped. That property will be developed, even if the Walmart wasn't going in, and because of the property being such a highly visible area, it is just too valuable a piece of property to have apartments and vacant lots there for too long.<<<

Could that property to which she refers be your house???

Is your house also "too valuable" to let your and your family sit there and live your lives???

So, the lessons here are-- if you live or own property close to "such a highly visible area" your property is just "too valuable" to let it sit there for your own economic or personal uses.

The city will come at you with an Request for Proposal, the Threat of Eminent Domain and a tasty TIF in their back pocket for a multi-million dollar developer.

K James will argue it only applies to C-3 commercial designated properties....

HOWEVER, with a compliant Planning and Zoning Commission and a City Council that doesn't bother to listen to property owners, residents and voters, zoning changes to properties are easily made.

How far off Manchester, Clarkson, Clayton and Kiefer Creek Rds to you live?

Big Box Stores have Big Foot Prints...sometimes 2 and 3 blocks deep...and if you live in the 4th or 5th block and think you are safe, guess again. Your property values and quality of life will surely suffer.

Tomorrow is Armageddon for the anti Walmart folk. Enjoy the day.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/ellisville-council-members-can-t-be-recalled-judge-rules/article_4bb0ab6e-f78c-11e1-be88-0019bb30f31a.html

Now hopefully we can finally get some peace and quiet

Matt Pirrello is a joke! He slaps a lawsuit on the people he is suppose to represent and gets all of his legal bills paid for by the city, and once again the citizens are an afterthought. Who in their right mind elected him for 6 years? He needs to rethink his aspirations and get out of politics!