Sine Die

SineDie [ adjournment ]

K i m Tu t t l e the woman who fought her way into the political arena

(and proved it’s where she belongs)

- page 8 -

Jon Dalton shares why he pursued mayorship in Town & Country — and why he stayed for eight years.

Three Rivers

president advocates for community colleges across Missouri.

Five questions with Todd Richardson, John Wright and Wayne Wallingford

. A new publication by The Missouri Times . . Volume 1, Issue 1 . September 2013 . www.sinediemagazine.com

who we are publisher

Scott Faughn reporter Brittany Ruess photographer Brittany Ruess designer Brittany Ruess contributor Ashley Jost

DearReader,

[ a note from the publisher]

We really like to be different, in case you haven’t noticed. These last few months with The Missouri Times have been great, and we wanted to expand a little.

Sure, policy and the journey of legislation are both interesting subjects, but what about the people who make those things happen?

We all know it doesn’t stop at the 193 elected legislators. Far from it.

There are hundreds of people — maybe even thousands — who are behind the creation of potential laws, and they lead incredible lives.

So, I wanted to explore a new avenue. Well, an additional avenue.

This magazine will allow us the chance to feature the lives of these different individuals that make

things happen, the businesses that keep Missouri going and whatever else we find to feature.

“Sine Die” is loosely translated to mean “adjournment.” Our thought in picking the name was that this provides a chance to accomplish our goals about capturing people’s lives, with a focus on who they are after adjournment.

Let us know what you think, because this really is about the reader. This is about you, the people in this magazine and the people who have a deeper interest in the lives of those in power.

Scott Faughn, publisher and owner

Congratulations to Steve Garner Strong Garner Bauer, P.C., Springfield, Mo.

President of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys 2013-2014

[ page 3 ]

1 2 3 4

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questions with TODD RICHARDSON

Representative, R-Poplar Bluff

Sine Die: What is a typical day like for Todd Richardson at home in Poplar Bluff?

Todd Richardson: It starts with getting our five-year-old, Sawyer, ready for school and then time in my law office. Although, I spend far more time on legislative duties than I do my practice. I would say that most days I am on my phone more than I am off it. But it’s nice to be away from Jefferson City and to be able to spend more time with my family.

SD: What is your favorite restaurant in Jefferson City?

TR: I like Obie’s Pizza — it’s a kind of a hole in the wall, but it’s the best pizza in town and my kind of place.

SD: What are a couple of issues that you enjoy learning about after session?

TR: There are so many facets to state government that there are always new things to learn. The time after session is a great opportunity to reflect on what we did during session and to start thinking about what we need to focus on next year.

SD: What is the song that best sums up your life?

TR: Tough question — I could pick any number of Robert Earl Keen or Avett Brothers songs. But if you are asking for one – I’ll go with “The Good Life” by Corey Smith.

SD: How important has having your father to ask advice of been of your career in the legislature?

TR: It’s been very helpful. He just has a different perspective on things sometimes. It’s sometimes hard for us to remember what it was like for Republicans to be in the minority — he reminds me of that on a regular basis.

Rudi Keller works on second volume of “Life During Wartime”

S

ince January 2011, longtime Columbia Daily Tribune reporter Rudi Keller has written a daily column about what happened in central Missouri during that same time 150 years ago.

Keller’s articles are in the present tense, letting the reader feel what it was like to live during the chaotic Civil War in a conflicted state such as Missouri. “Life During Wartime” — which went on sale through the Columbia Daily Tribune last spring — has sold hundreds of copies, Keller said.

“It’s doing pretty well and I’ve gotten some good feedback from the public,” Keller told The Missouri Times. “People have invited me to talk about the Civil War and they say they will invite me back, so I must be doing something write.”

Keller has spoken at the New Bloomfield Area Historical Society and the State Historical Society of Missouri, to name a few, and has always been well received.

Volume one covers the entire year of 1861 and Keller is already working on compiling his 2012 columns into volume two, which will cover all of 1862. “[Volume two] really puts on display the intensifying guerilla warfare in Missouri,” Keller said. “Many of the stories will remind people I think of the time and intensity of more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it’s an interesting parrellel between what Missouri was like in those times and what soldiers are dealing with in war today.”

Keller said as long as the Columbia Daily Tribune “indulges” him, he will publish five volumes of “Life During Wartime” — covering the entire war for the state.

“The main reason for doing this is to preserve in an easy-to-use format, the historical research and information I’ve developed,” Keller said.

“We’ve sold hundreds of books and lots of them are going to libraries or locations where they’ll be available to the general public for years to come and it’s something we can give to the community.”

Keller said his ideal goal is to inspire others to use his work to do their own research, be it on their part of Missouri, their own family’s involvement in the war or anything else they might find pertinent to their lives in Keller’s own research.

“If it can provide an overview that leads to deeper stories, that would be a good legacy to leave,” Keller said.

[ page 4 ]

Q&A with Travis Brown Travis Brown, CEO and co-founder of Pelopidas, LLC. (Submitted photos)

CEO and co-founder of Pelopidas, LLC, a public affairs and advocacy firm Sine Die: Tell our readers who may not know, what is Pelopidas and what is your role there?

Travis Brown: Pelopidas, LLC (pronounced pe LOP’ uh-dus, which is Greek for “freedom-fighting”), is most often recognized as an issue advocacy firm that runs to tough state & local issues that others may often try to avoid. The professional essence of what we do across the fields of ballot initiatives, legislative affairs, media relations, events fundraising and film production, comes down to this — effective storytelling. In 2010, we empowered Missouri voters with a greater say about how local income taxes may or may not apply.

In 2012, we ended a 150-plus year civil war era reign against the local police control for the City of Saint Louis, by passing Proposition A. A core mission at Pelopidas is to recruit, build and serve as the “happy warriors” to the fundamental stories that need to be told across our region. My role is to help assemble and support the best and brightest to work on the issues of our day, like holding our schools more accountable to individualized learning, improving our state’s job climate and enhancing our urban engines.

SD: What brought you to your current work?

My work for the last 20 years has always involved the blending of issue advocacy, marketing and state and local government

affairs. My first lobbying experience was for the Associated Students of the University of Missouri, working for higher education appropriations. I also learned a lot advocating across 15 states in corporate America working for the Monsanto Company in biotechnology and agriculture.

Representing our hard-working physicians during our state tort reform battles, it reinforced to me that if you’re not at the table, you’re likely on the menu.

As an entrepreneur, I enjoy(ed) working for other big issue pioneers such as the late Lamar Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs Football Club) and now Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield. In many ways, the theater around politics acts much like the performing arts.

Telling a compelling story to sell a complex idea requires great timing, great actors, a great script and a great producer. I have chosen a career more like a producer or director than one of its actors or actresses.

With a great film producer, we all remember “Star Wars.” Without one, we are likely to get a film like “Waterworld.”

the world of wine is that the state of Missouri once saved nearly all great varietals due to the strong roots of our wild vines.

Growing up on my family farm in southeast Missouri, I was hard-wired to appreciate the fragile toils of caring for a living organism from its first day in the ground until its last day in the bottle.

SD: Tell us about your wife, Rachel.

My wife Rachel is more than just a loving, dedicated partner in every aspect of my life. She is also an equal co-founder in our business and a great mentor to many other female leaders within and beyond our firm. Under her leadership, she has worked hard to recruit, develop and expand the mentorships available to all in our work, charitable, and board life. How

SD: Tell us about your love of wine.

Galileo once aptly said “wine is sunlight suspended by water.” By sharing fine wines with friends, clients and family, one can appreciate a splendid combination of geography, time, gastronomy and emotion.

There’s also a Latin expression that rings true to me - “in vino veritas,” (in wine {there} is truth). A curious aside within

Travis Brown’s wife, Rachel

[ page 5 ] she manages our high growth fundraising and events business — across nearly a dozen national and local charitable boards — is beyond me. Thanks to her, other divisions within our network are helping charities diversify their donor and board leadership base, connecting Hall of Fame athletes to great events and causes and raising monies to address our toughest forms of childhood cancers.

SD: Why do you believe so strongly in lower taxes?

campaign trail, but do not vote for them in the legislature?

Missouri is a fiscally conservative state.

Period. Any elected official that votes a different way than their district expects

[

It’s easy — I follow the evidence. In the history of modern civilization, no society has ever taxed their way into prosperity.

In the brief history of America, no state that chose to adopt a state income tax has ever increased its share of economic growth after raising the price placed upon work. States with a lower price placed upon work, via lower or no state income taxes, grow faster, attract more people and retain more wealth, pound for pound, than states with higher taxes. We started by looking at the long-term trends over 15 to 18 years by using our How Money Walks web mapping applications. We can now provide citizens and state leaders with a much more precise understanding of income and population movements by county, city or state. Because the rest of the midwest is lowering their state income tax prices further, we believe that it is time for Missourians to expect leadership on this fundamental debate. The cost of delay or inaction is already evident in Missouri individual incomes lost to mainly three states: Kansas, Texas and Florida. If you are someone who wants or expects more public investment in education spending, then you need state tax reform more than anyone else in order to see real growth in state revenue.

details around real human experiences.

SD: What is something people should know about Rex Sinquefield?

[

“In many ways, the theater around politics acts much like the performing arts. Telling a compelling story to sell a complex idea requires great timing, great actors, a great script, and a great producer. .”

will face their district with much higher public awareness during future elections.

SD: What has been the most surprising thing you have learned on your book tour?

The most astonishing thing that I have learned while on the national tour for the “How Money Walks” book is that I meet real Americans who back up the vast amounts of Internal Revenue Service data every week. I remember the single father that pays for his kids’ higher education simply by remaining in Pensacola, Fla. with no state income tax. I think about the different lifetime earning potential of two nurses moving to two different states, trying to earn their best living after graduate school. I recall stories about young families choosing Kansas over Missouri because they understand that stronger local schools come from a broader tax base.

Our data is not a sample. It’s not a statistic.

It’s the best available full set of national income returns for all working Americans between states and it allows us to wrap

Rex and his wife Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield both love the state of Missouri in many charitable ways beyond simply trying to improve educational or economic freedoms. The only thing that either of them stand[s] to gain by engaging in important public debates is a better state for their children and grandchildren. Our farms, parks and universities are richer because of their choice to raise their families here.

Our Boy Scouts, young music composers, and future chess players will benefit from this family greatly even though they may never meet. Considering their humble roots that started with a Saint Louis area orphanage, I believe that they are making an incredible contribution to our state.

SD: From government affairs, to lobbyist, to running Pelopidas and author, whats next?

In two words: digital media. Consumer power, brought to you by our freer markets in smartphones, Internet television and diverse media channels, is dramatically-changing how our professions tell stories to voters and leaders. Our firm’s media network intends to be an important part of how content marketing is achieved in the future. Author Mark Twain once said that “if you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed.

If you do read the newspaper, you’re mis-informed.” We are excited that citizens in the future will be able to be informed based upon their own individual preferences.

SD: Will the money and effort spent on this campaign to override the veto on the tax cut bill be worth it if it is unsuccessful?

Absolutely. Most Missourians understand that today, our state economy is on the wrong track. Missourians believe that our state government still wastes much of the money that small businesses provide to it, to fund our essential public services.

They expect all Missouri leaders to lead like they campaign. If you want higher taxes, just say so. We will continue to attack wasteful state spending and to promote lower tax burdens on income.

SD: Why do you believe some Republicans seem to advocate for tax cuts not the

Travis Brown at a red wine tasting

[ page 7 ]

Community college crusader Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers Community College, is determined to better Missouri’s community colleges through leadership, lobbying and legislation.

Devin Stephenson was born and raised in Alabama. While it has a special place in his heart, so does his new home: Missouri.

The Three Rivers Community College President wears several hats, among which includes his position as chair elect for the Missouri Community College Association, a seat, which historically is for the person next in line to become the future chairman.

Between his leadership role at Three Rivers and with the MCCA, Stephenson says he’s able to continue working toward the passion he’s invested his entire life in: working for the greater good of community colleges.

“We are at the heart of what America is,” he says, adding the easy-to-mobilize resources and willingness to change as reasons he thinks community colleges are of the utmost importance. “We are a no-nonsense higher education option and I don’t apologize for that one bit.”

Stephenson believes in what he does, and he enjoys it, he says, as he has worked to make Missouri his home the last few years since his arrival.

While Three Rivers is in the 20th poorest congressional district in the country, Stephenson says he has watched the college work toward improving economic and workplace development in the area, all because of the people and their vision.

Stephenson says he knew about Three Rivers from his time at Bevill State Community College as the schools

rivaled one another in basketball. So, he had an idea of the “authentic” experience the move to Missouri was going to be, he says.

“I wasn’t sought by headhunters to come here,” he says. “I wanted to come here because of my connection to rural community colleges.”

Stephenson and his wife, Judy, have called southeast Missouri home for four

[

[

“We are a no-nonsense higher education option and I do’nt apologize for that one bit.”

years now and have stacked up a list of activities to keep themselves active while trying new things. Most recently, he says they’ve taken up cycling.

The couple rides about three times a week, he says, and are sometimes joined by people from the college who joined Stephenson’s new group “The President’s Wellness Team.”

“We have different spots around town that we ride, like local parks and a place north of town called Old Greenville,” he says about his new hobby that he started earlier this year. “I do longer rides myself and I’ve gotten up to 19 miles in so far.”

Additionally, Stephenson is a classically-trained pianist and has produced three CDs — one hymn and gospel and two Christmas — during his time at Three Rivers alone. The profit, he says, goes into a scholarship fund that is endowed in his mother’s name.

“Music is a huge part of my life,” he says. “I look at it as a frustration reliever.

Some people go into music full time, but the advice I was given was to pursue a career field

that’s different than music and use music as a frustration reliever. It’s the opportunity to be creative but also to escape.”

And of course, Stephenson has a deeply rooted passion in politics. Because of his role with the MCCA and Three Rivers, he gets to spend some time in Jefferson City discussing politics and lobbying for the issues that impact community colleges.

When he was younger, Stephenson’s aunt and uncle both held public office in Alabama. At the large rally events at the area schools, he says he remembers contributing with his sister in support of their family.

Additionally, Stephenson says he and his wife were actively involved in Democrat George Wallace’s campaign for governor of Alabama.

“From that time on as I moved on to my career, we have been active in the political process,” he says. “We believe that’s what capitalism is all about and that’s what democracy is all about. If you’re going to make change, you’re going to do it through the legislative process.”

Stephenson says since coming to Missouri, he has testified in front of House committees in favor of community colleges, “to make sure that [Three Rivers] or any other Missouri community college — or the higher [education] sector as a whole — doesn’t get overlooked.”

“It’s critical that we sing our song appropriately to the legislators,” he says.

“They’re pulled and pushed in so many ways, so we have to remind them that higher education is the key to the future of this country.”

As much as he may enjoy politics, Stephenson says he doesn’t have aspirations of running for office.

The Stephensons have been married for 39 years and have two children, JuliAnne and Jon, both who still live in Alabama. JuliAnne is a charge nurse in an intensive care unit and Jon is a career coach at a community college.

While he says leaving Alabama involved leaving behind decades worth of comfort, Stephenson says he and his wife have thoroughly enjoyed the last few years and look forward to what’s yet to come.

Stephenson and his wife, Judy. (Submitted photo)

[ page 8 ]

Kim Tuttle Rooted in relationships Story and photos by Brittany Ruess Whether she was fundraising or lobbying, Kim Tuttle’s political career has been rooted in relationships. Tuttle has worked as a registered lobbyist at John Bardgett and Associates, Inc., for 10 years now. Lobbying has given Tuttle the opportunity to gain perspective about what Missouri is as a state since she has met so many different people.

It’s also challenged her, she says, because the issues are always changing.

“Before I came here, I didn’t know what a nurse anesthetist was, but now I represent them. Now, I know a lot about them,” Tuttle says. “I always say in lobbying, you’re learning about things you didn’t even know you didn’t know.”

Tuttle’s lobbying career didn’t happen overnight. It took her years to begin working where she is now. Her husband, John Bardgett, Jr., was the start to her lobbying career but in an unexpected way — rejection.

Tuttle’s parents attended church with Jan Gregory, Bardgett’s chief operations administrator. Through that connection, Tuttle met with her future husband in 1998 to talk about a lobbying job. Tuttle was young and had no lobbying experience — she had only volunteered for campaigns in Chicago.

Bardgett offered her a job to sit in hearings and take notes when they met. However, Tuttle wasn’t interested.

“He said, ‘I don’t think you understand exactly what it is we do here. Go get a phonebook and get some contacts and then we’ll talk about you lobbying and sitting at hearings,’” Tuttle says. “I just left a great job in Chicago. Who is this guy offering me some stupid job?”

Tuttle wouldn’t start lobbying for Bardgett until six years after their first encounter. She had her share of trials before her that first interaction with Bardgett.

After graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in marketing, Tuttle pursued fashion, a passion she held onto since high school. Fashion led her first to Dallas where she worked with wholesale, specifically ten fashion lines in five states.

Then, New York City called. Tuttle earned a job for an accessories company for three years— but, the Big Apple was tough.

“It’s a grind on you. It’s one of those places where there’s so much energy and it’s so great, but it’s exhausting,” Tuttle says. “There’s a lot going on.”

At the time, Tuttle’s parents lived in St. Louis. Tuttle says life wasn’t going as planned for her and her sister. So, they joined together.

“I thought, ‘What the hell, let’s move to St. Louis,’” Tuttle says.

Tuttle worked for a mortgage brokerage company. Two years later, Tuttle and her aunt

[ page 9 ] established their own mortgage brokerage company.

“Things were going great until the feds turned up the interest rates about eight times in six months,” Tuttle says. “It was like somebody turned the faucet off. We just weren’t in there long enough to get our foot in the real estate market.”

After that, it was time to move back to Dallas. Tuttle began financing work for a company called The Associates in its heavy equipment division. The job paid well and brought her to Chicago.

“Now, I’ve come from selling scarves in Manhattan to financing front end loaders on the south side of Chicago,” Tuttle says.

Although thankful for her financing experience, Tuttle says it wasn’t her passion.

She was on the verge, whether she knew it or not, of a career in politics.

Tuttle was at a street fair in Chicago when she met Ravi Singh, a 25-year-old man running for state representative of the 42nd district of Chicago. With a long time interest in politics, Tuttle volunteered for Singh’s campaign. Singh came in third in a three-way primary after news broke he had never voted, Tuttle says. But, the experience was worth it — she had fun and networked.

“From then on, I was hooked,” Tuttle says.

Tuttle still worked full time for The Associates when she again volunteered her free time to Peter Fitzgerald’s 1998 race for U.S. Senator.

“At that time, I made the decision that I really wanted to pursue this full time,” Tuttle says. “And in order to make that happen, I couldn’t stay in my two-bedroom condo with parking on the 21st floor in downtown Chicago if I was going to make that work and try to ramp up my life in politics.”

Tuttle went where she knew where she would have support — St. Louis — where her parents still lived. With this move, she took a chance.

“When I got to St. Louis, I did not know one person in politics,” Tuttle says.

Tuttle attended township meetings, Young Republicans meetings and used her Illinois connections to make her political break. Then, in a “someone who knows someone” situation, she landed an interview with Brad Scott, the political director of Senator Kit Bond’s 1998 race.

When Tuttle met Scott, she saw someone who felt familiar. She says he chews tobacco and was wearing boots.

“I can totally relate to him. This is how I grew up. He looks like one of my cousins,” Tuttle says.

[

roll the dice. You run a campaign and win or lose that’s what happens.”

From there, Tuttle continued taking advantage opportunities at the state level as a fundraiser, raising money from PACs and lobbyists.

“I enjoyed fundraising,” Tuttle says.

“Some people would say, ‘Oh, the fundraising sounds terrible.’ But I got to talk about what I love to talk about eight, 10, 12 hours a day. It wasn’t work for me.”

These opportunities allowed her to meet the players in Jefferson City, including John Bardgett. Though she enjoyed fundraising, Tuttle says, she wanted to work with policy.

The relationships she developed as a fundraiser put her in the perfect position to become a lobbyist. In 2002, Republicans took over the House majority. With contacts and experience, Tuttle revisited John Bardgett’s office.

She was hired in 2003. The 2013 legislative term marked Tuttle’s tenth year as a lobbyist. Tuttle and Bardgett married in 2010 and recently celebrated three years of marriage. They live on the sixth hole of the Meadowbrook Estates Country Club in Ballwin and enjoy golfing together.

Tuttle’s clients include the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association and the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, as well as all of Bardgett’s clients.

[

“I always say in lobbying, you’re learning about things you didn’t even know you didn’t know.”

To Scott, Tuttle says, she came out of nowhere. He couldn’t understand why Tuttle wanted to go from a high-paying job in Chicago to one that paid less, Tuttle says.

“He totally thought I was a plant. I had to go above and beyond and tell him every conservative Republican thing I had ever heard in my whole life so he was convinced (that I wasn’t a plant),” Tuttle says. “Because, you know, people just don’t drop out of the sky like that. No one knew me. The people in Illinois who I knew, Brad Scott didn’t really know. I had nothing. But, he took a chance on me and I got the job.”

Her political career propelled further from there. In 2000, Tuttle worked on John Ashcroft’s Senate run and Jim Talent’s gubernatorial run. Both lost and Tuttle, like many others, searched for more opportunities.

“That’s just what happens,” she says. “You

Question & Answer

Q: If you had to watch one movie on a plane, what would it be?

A: “When Harry Met Sally” Q: What’s John’s favorite song?

A:“My Way” by Frank Sinatra Q: What’s something nobody knows about you?

A: My first year in college I went to Roberts University.

Q: What’s something not a lot of people know about John?

A: He was a thespian in high school. He was in musicals in high school like, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “1776.”

John Bardgett and Kim Tuttle enjoy golfing together. Photo submitted by Kim Tuttle

Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters

Born into politics

[ page 11 ]

Patrick Lynn brings experience and expertise to The Kelley Group

By Brittany Ruess

fun facts Favorite Republican: Sen. Brad Lager (worked together on DNR issues) Favorite restaurant: Elizabeth’s in Savannah, Georgia is where I have had the best meal Favorite movie: “The Man Who Would Be King” Favorite song: Tie between “Jackson”

by Johnny Cash and “I Will Follow” by U2 (Far right) Neon sign of The Kelley Group logo hanging in The Kelley Group office.

(Right) Patrick Lynn and his family enjoying a meal. Lynn and his wife, Becky (right), have two children together — nine-year-old Alex (far left) and ten-year-old Anna. Lynn joined The Kelley Group as a principal.

Photo submitted by Patrick Lynn

As an OB/GYN, Ron Paul delivered about 4,000 babies in Texas. Patrick Lynn was one of those babies.

“Ron Paul was the first man to see me naked,” Lynn says jokingly.

Lynn was born in Freeport, Texas where his father worked as a contract engineer for Dow Chemical. Lynn’s parents later moved their family to Independence, Mo., where Lynn grew up. He didn’t discover his unique birth story until 1988, when Ron Paul ran for president as a Libertarian candidate.

“My mother said, ‘That guy was my OB/ GYN. That’s who delivered you,’” Lynn says.

“I thought it was very interesting.”

As an undergraduate, Lynn was active in student government. Then, Lynn moved onto law school at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

“That’s when I really got involved in politics,” Lynn says.

During 1994, Lynn worked on Alan Wheat’s Senate campaign against John Ashcroft. He pursued politics further working part-time for Bob Holden who at the time was state treasurer. He then worked for Governor Mel Carnahan in his Washington, DC office, before returning to Missouri to work in Holden’s treasurer’s office and on his campaign for governor.

“I still think Bob Holden is the most decent man I’ve ever worked for,” Lynn says.

While working for then-Treasurer Holden, Lynn was on the team that created the MOST Program for Higher Education Savings. The program, Lynn says, is his proudest accomplishment. Other accomplishments he says he is proud of include a 2001 women’s health bill, which outlined health insurance mandates for contraceptives and Pap tests, and nursing home reform.

Lynn started work as a contract lobbyist after Holden’s term as governor, and worked with Michael Kelley, founder of The Kelley

Group, Inc. Lynn also was a campaign consultant for numerous campaigns including a gubernatorial race in Nevada, Margaret Donnelly’s attorney general race, and Clint Zweifel’s state treasurer race.

Lynn joined the administration of Gov. Jay Nixon, working in multiple departments such as Health & Senior Services, Natural Resources. Last legislative session, Lynn worked on Governor Nixon’s effort to expand Medicaid.

While working in Washington, D.C., he met his future wife, Becky, at former President Bill Clinton’s second inaugural ball. She was attending medical school at the time.

“She and three of her girlfriends, not political at all, decided since they were in (D.C.) they should go to the inaugural ball,” Lynn says.

But Becky Lynn and her friends didn’t have tickets and settled with sitting at the hotel’s bar.

“And some Texas county commissioners said, ‘Oh, we have press passes. We can bring in as many people as we want.’ So, they were in,” Lynn says.

Recently, Lynn decided to leave state government and gave Michael Kelley a call, asking to keep an eye out for job possibilities.

“It just happened to be at that time, from what he tells me, The Kelley Group was getting more work and wanting to do more and needed help with some things,” Lynn says.

“Michael said, ‘Why don’t you come here and work with us.’”

Lynn was then hired on as a principal to manage projects and staff at the public affairs firm.

Lynn is married to Dr. Becky Lynn, an OB/GYN at the University of Missouri Women’s Health Center. They have two children together, nine-year-old Adam and ten-year-old Anna. As a family, they enjoy hosting foreign exchange students and vacationing to Europe.

[ page 12 ]

about JON Jon Dalton has served as the Town & Country mayor since 2005. He first sat on the Board of Alderman and when his predecessor did not seek reelection, Dalton ran for mayor. Dalton won by about an 80 percent margin, he says. He has defeated his opponents similarly since.

Dalton is an attorney with Lewis, Rice & Fingersh and the president of the Old Warson Country Club.

“My first love is the law,” Dalton says. “I love being a lawyer. It makes me a better public official.”

Dalton graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in economics. He then pursued law school at St. Louis University. When he was in Washington D.C., Dalton worked for Sen. Tom Eagleton and Sen. Jack Danforth for 15 years.

Dalton is married to Suzanne Dalton and they raised three children together — Jay, Alexandra and Chandler. Suzanne Dalton had a career in mortgage banking before staying home to raise their children. She is currently an active volunteer at the March of Dimes and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Jay Dalton and Alexandra Dalton have both attended Dartmouth College and are planning to attend medical school. Chandler Dalton is a senior at Mary Institute and Country Day School and completed research in the STEM program.

Jon Dalton says when he has free time it is spent with family.

ONE ON ONE WITH JON DALTON

MAYOR OF TOWN & COUNTRY Photo by Brittany Ruess

[ page 13 ]

Scott Faughn, owner and publisher of Sine Die Magazine and The Missouri Times, sat down with Jon Dalton, attorney at Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, to discuss Dalton’s eight years as mayor of Town & Country. Below is how their conversation unfolded.

Scott Faughn: What made you run for mayor of Town & Country?

Jon Dalton: I suppose a saw a need that was unfulfilled. I’m a believer that public office should occur at the threeway intersection of need, preparation and planning. And there was a real need in my community for a higher level, a more substantive and sophisticated level of government. We have a community that is almost unequaled in the state of Missouri in terms of its opportunities and of its resources. It was being represented and operated in a way that frustrated or inhibited its potential. We are one of the highest per capita income cities in the state of Missouri, if not the highest over a minimum threshold, say ten thousand. There’s hundreds and hundreds of undeveloped ground and a master plan that is good. But those opportunities weren’t being capitalized upon because of a poorly performing local government. So, I saw a need. I believed I had prepared myself to serve public office and I had a plan. I was at the three-way intersection, if you will.

SF: Being so close to so many people at the highest levels of government and seeing their lives, did it make it a tougher decision or an easier one to run for mayor?

JD: On the night of my rehearsal dinner, I was told that I was moving to Washington, D.C. by my then law firm (Thompson & Mitchell) and mentor (Louis Susman). And I did. I assumed it was OK to go on the honeymoon, which it was and we did. The Monday after the Sunday we got back, we found ourselves in Washington, D.C. I was working at the federal level in the government side of law. The surprise for me (when I became mayor) was that I left the federal level, left the state and working at the local level. I had never planned [or] anticipated working at the local level.

I had looked at other opportunities. I had been asked to look at other opportunities, but I wasn’t at the three-way intersection for those opportunities. The unusual part for me was that it was at the local level but that’s OK.

really easy to say. It’s harder to do when they’re talking about you and your family, including your kids and your past and your future plans. But you have to follow the plan. It tests your mettle when you do it yourself.

SF: You’ve assisted with campaigns your whole life. When you ran yourself, did you learn something?

SF: What’s the best part of being mayor of Town & Country?

JD: There is nothing so humbling and sensitive as being the candidate. It’s very emotional. It’s like being a lawyer. I can identify issues and create solutions and present them to my client and then help him or her, or in the case of a business [or] company, advance their strategic adjectives by following my advice. And that’s the same with a political campaign.

You can see opportunities, you can create plans you can provide the candidate that advice and help him or her advice the agenda. When you are the candidate, the temperature in the room goes up. And the sensitivity to information brought forward and presented as a challenge to you becomes personal.

It makes me a better lawyer. It makes me a better lobbyist from that experience.

I’ve raised money. I’ve asked people for money for myself. It’s really easy to ask people for money when it’s something you believe in that cause. But when you’re asking for yourself, it changes things.

What you have to do is be able to follow your own advice. As a lawyer, I give advice and I always conclude with this is what I would do if I were in your shoes.

I’m not giving this advice because it’s easy. I’m giving this advice for any reason other than because it’s what I would do if I were you. You have to do the same thing in a campaign. When you tell someone you’re helping in a campaign “do not become distracted by these tangential issues. Follow the plan,” it’s

JD: I guess it sounds maybe colloquial, maybe trite, but making it a better place.

The thing about local government is I’m dealing in neighborhoods, backyards and barking dogs. And, those are issues that are on people’s minds everyday. We are addressing international trade or the Syria question. The phone call that I’m answering is to solve someone’s problem this afternoon and I mean solve it. If you like helping people, you can help [through] local government. The impact factor is as good as it gets.

SF: What’s the most frustrating thing about being mayor?

JD: Nothing. If you find frustration in the job, then get out of the job. I love every aspect of it. I love it from the procedural point, procedure/process to the substantive side of things, finding productive solutions to difficult challenges. And, working with people of all different perspectives. It’s probably that last element that makes working government service so important and if you are not willing to recognize, understand and consider multiple perspectives including potentially irreconcilable perspectives then you’re in the wrong business. It’s facilitating those conversations that’s an important role of government and I love playing it.

SF: Would you run for a different position in government in the future?

JD: If I find myself at that three-way intersection again, I would.

[ page 14 ]

How they got here (in their words)

A few things you should know about two Missouri legislators Rep. John Wright, D- Rocheport Sine Die: Given your background, what interested you in politics?

John Wright: I was taught early in life, by my grandparents, that we are defined not by what we are able to take from the world, but rather by what we are able to put back into it. They were part of a generation of Missourians – and Americans – who grew up with very little during the Depression and who gave a great deal of themselves to our country during World War II and the post-war years. There are many different ways to contribute over the course of a career, including service through our churches, community organizations and philanthropies.

SD: What was your worst moment on the campaign?

My team and I knocked on 10,000 doors over the course of the 2012 campaign and, whenever you knock on that many doors, you find some highs and some lows. It’s hard to say which day was the toughest. One of our team members took a pretty good dog bite one afternoon, which we were concerned about.

I found myself staring down the barrel of a pistol at one door, which was a pretty low moment (though subsequently converted into a high moment when its owner offered to host a yard sign for us ten minutes later). One of my constituents’ dogs snuck over and ate her dinner from the dinner table while she was visiting with us at her door – we did not end up with a yard sign offer that time!

SD: Best moment from last session?

One of the highlights from my first session was when two of my more senior Republican colleagues, both of whom I admire a great deal, agreed to cosponsor a bipartisan bill that we ultimately filed together on early childhood education.

SD: What do you draw from in your past successes the most to help you succeed in public office?

I have been fortunate enough in my career to have enriching experiences in three different fields: business, law, and education. State government sits at the nexus of all of those disciplines, and I find myself constantly drawing upon lessons and perspectives from different periods in my career.

SD: What person in your life goes through your mind the most when you are sitting at your desk on the floor?

I have been blessed with a number of great mentors in my life, from family members to teachers to work colleagues to friends. I think of all of them, at different times, in the course of our work. I sometimes think about my own father, David Wright, who passed away when I was a kid. He had grown up in Mexico, Mo., and then Columbia, Mo., (my hometown) before having an opportunity to attend law school in the 1970s at the same school and time as President and Secretary Clinton, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Sam Alito (in fact, he and Justice Alito worked on Moot Court together).

Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R- Cape Girardeau Sine Die: With your background what interested you in politics?

Back in Cape Girardeau, there was an opening on city council a few years back and I thought I would look into it. And when I was having those conversations, someone overheard me and told me that someone with my resume should maybe look a little higher, so I started to look at the House of Representatives. I felt like my background as a professor and a pilot in the Air Force, along with my degree in healthcare administration, I have a deep background that doesn’t come around all that often. So I ran for my House seat and I had a primary but no general and it was the same in the Senate.

SD: What was the worst moment of your campaign?

I don’t know that there was one moment, but I don’t like campaigning for dollars. I sit on numerous boards and committees for non-profits and I know how much money is needed out there for them. I don’t like going down there and saying “give some money to Wayne to run for office,” instead of giving to those causes. Unfortunately, it’s a necessary part of the process.

SD: What was your best moment from last session?

Two bills that I had originally worked on in the House got through the House and Senate this year and the governor signed them both. Sahara’s Law and Jonathan’s Law. Jonathan’s Law is a law that basically allows for a juvenile to remain in our system a little bit longer without being forced into adult corrections simply because he turns 17.

SD: What do you draw from in your past success the most to help you succeed in this public office?

Two things. One is my Christian background. I live my life by Christian morals and principles — I approach all legislation as a Christian first. The second thing is that after 25 years in the Air Force, I moved around every few years with companies and taking different jobs. That forces you to adapt quickly, you learn to become an expert in something fast and identify the experts that you need to help you. It teaches you to work with other people and I’ve been very pleased to co-sponsor many bills with my Democratic colleagues in the House. I want to work with people instead of against them, because that’s what my constituents want — they hate gridlock. We’re all up here for the same reasons, so learning to adapt and work with new people, that’s a very important skill.

SD: What person in your life goes through your mind the most when you are sitting at your desk on the floor?

Being a very religious person, I try to follow the example of my savior, Jesus Christ. He’s been put in many unusual and different circumstances and I try to learn from his example and in my mind he was a great success. He came under attack, but he put together a good team and worked toward the betterment of individuals. I try to use that same approach.

*In the interest of space, several of Wright and Wallingford’s responses have been shortened.

5

the top

places in your district

1

with Kevin Austin R-Springfield

Glendale and Kickapoo High Schools Rep. Kevin Austin said his number one spots in his district are at two great high schools — Glendale and Kickapoo. Austin said he enjoys watching the youth grow and learn in his community. In 1983, Austin graduated from Glendale High School.

His sons, Alex and Nick, are students at Glendale High — Austin’s alma mater.

When he visits the school to watch his sons play football, Austin said “it just feels natural in a way.” From where he stands at football games, Austin adds that he can photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, easily see his sons play the game.

House photographer “I see them play that close and I watch them grow up before my eyes,” Austin said.

During the spring season, Austin is the announcer at the baseball games for the Falcons. The most exciting game he has announced was the 2013 championship game. His son, Alex, was a relief pitcher to help the team come back from a deficit and win the championship.

2

Springfield Lake When the weather warrants it, Austin and his family will visit Austin’s second favorite place in his district — Springfield Lake. The Austin family enjoys hiking on the nature trail, a responsibility of the Missouri Department of Conservation. He said his family tries to go about once every two weeks. In addition to hiking, Austin enjoys grilling on the lake grounds. His favorite meat to grill is smoked ribs.

3 4 5

Battlefield Mall Austin said he likes to spend his time at Battlefield Mall because of the vast amount of shops and because it’s a “great source of tax revenue” for the community. Although Austin said he likes shopping at many of the stores, the one he finds himself in the most is MC Sports.

Avanzare Italian Dining and Nicola’s Ristorante As a self-proclaimed big fan of Italian food, Austin enjoys dining at Avanzare and Nichola’s Italian restaurants. His favorite dishes at each are named after the restaurants’ chefs.

Hammons Field, Springfield Cardinals Baseball Some of Austin’s favorite memories were created at Hammons Field, home of the Springfield Cardinals. When his sons were young, Austin held Springfield Cardinals season tickets at the first base line. His family would sometimes go home with game balls.

The Springfield Cardinals are the AA-affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Austin said he’s very proud of the Springfield players and has enjoyed watching them go from Springfield Cardinals to St. Louis Cardinals, such as St. Louis center fielder Jon Jay. “It’s one of those, ‘I knew him when he was a kid’ kind of a thing,” Austin said.

[ page 15 ]

stl downtown DINING with

Melissa Kelley Senior director of communication and community development Partnership for Downtown St. Louis

By Brittany Ruess Lunch break. Dinner date. Drink during the big game.

These are just a few of the reasons Melissa Kelley ventures to Alumni St. Louis, a St. Louis-themed restaurant on 200 North 13th. The restaurant opened during March and since then, Kelley has been drawn to its food and atmosphere.

“You get a taste of the city and what makes it special,” Kelley said at Alumni St. Louis, only moments before biting into her favorite dish — the Portobello Philly sandwich. Kelley, a vegetarian, orders the sandwich nearly every time she dines at Alumni St. Louis — and for good reason.

A hoagie roll hosts the perfect amount of roasted peppers and caramelized onions. A four-cheese sauce is spread over the veggies to ensure the delicious cheesy taste with every bite. The sandwich would make the most carnivorous of carnivores hungry for more.

As a 35-year St. Louis resident, Kelley appreciates not only the restaurants city centric dishes but also its attention to St. Louis culture. Pictures of celebrities who were raised or have lived and performed in the Gateway to the West hang on the walls.

“There’s a sense of community, rich tradition and history but it goes far beyond that,” Kelley says.

On the back of waiter’s uniforms reads the classic St. Louis question: “Where’d ya go to high school?”

Kelley, who grew up in St. Charles, says there’s an important reason why St. Louisians ask the question.

“They want someway to connect with you,” Kelley says.

Alumni St. Louis is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

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