Volume 20, Number 13
2 Sections, 36 Pages
Thursday, March 30, 2017
9977 Lin Ferry Drive St. Louis, MO 63123
www.callnewspapers.com
County voters to weigh half-cent sales-tax hike for police, public safety
Bill Milligan photos
Mehlville Fire Protection District Board of Directors candidates Aaron Hilmer and Jane Kolb respond to questions about the fire district during a forum last week at Andre’s South in Oakville. Kolb is seeking to unseat Hilmer, who has served on the board since 2005, in the April 4 election.
MFPD board candidates square off at forum By GLORIA LLOYD Staff Reporter The Mehlville Fire Protection District can either stay as it is or change, Board of Directors Chairman Aaron Hilmer and his challenger in the Tuesday, April 4, election, Jane Kolb, contended at a forum last week. Hilmer told the roughly 100 voters who packed Andre’s South for March 22 forum, co-sponsored by
the League of Women Voters and the Call, that they should re-elect him for a third six-year term because the MFPD is “better than it’s ever been,” with improved services even as he made history with a voterapproved tax-rate decrease. Kolb said she would cater more to the needs of firefighters who are “running out the door” to work for (See FORUM Page 12A)
Fire departments seek tax increases in April 4 election By GLORIA LLOYD Staff Reporter Fire departments across south county and in Jefferson County are seeking tax-rate increases Tuesday, April 4, citing a need for revenue to cover shortfalls from decreasing revenues, underfunded pensions and the Fenton Chrysler plant closing, among other factors.
Voters in the Affton, Fenton and Rock Community fire protection districts will decide next week whether to raise their tax rates, with requests ranging from 25 cents in Affton to 50 cents in Rock Community, the fire district that serves parts of Arnold, Kimmswick, Imperial and Barnhart. (See INCREASES, Page 4A)
By GLORIA LLOYD Staff Reporter St. Louis County officials say a sales-tax increase set to be weighed by voters next week is the key to improving policing by the St. Louis County Police Department, while critics question how the money will be spent. In a bipartisan vote, the County Council unanimously decided in December to place Proposition P, a countywide half-cent sales tax to fund police and public safety in the county and all its cities, on the Tuesday, April 4, ballot. In a television advertisement for the tax, Chief Jon Belmar of the St. Louis County Police Department said, “Proposition P will save lives.” He hopes to add 110 more county officers if the tax is approved by voters. Prop P could raise up to $80 million a year, $46 million for the county and $34 million for cities. “In my 30 years in law enforcement, I have not experienced a more (See SAFETY, Page 16A)
Crestwood tax-rate increase faces organized opposition By MIKE ANTHONY Executive Editor A group of Crestwood residents is actively opposing a proposed 45-cent tax-rate increase that voters will consider next week. The Board of Aldermen voted in November to place the tax-rate increase, called Proposition C, before voters in the April 4 election. A simple majority is required for approval. If approved, the tax-rate increase would generate roughly $1.13 million annually for “general municipal purposes, including paying the increased costs associated with operating a local Police Department, operating a local Fire Department, building and facility (See OPPOSITION, Page 10A)
Mehlville school board candidates share their views on Mosaic Elementary, other issues By MIKE ANTHONY Executive Editor Four Mehlville Board of Education candidates shared their views last week on district issues, including the new school of innovation, redistricting and Mehlville’s strategic plan. Board Vice President Jean Pretto, board President Saman-
that drew roughly 40 people. Asked their opinion of the district’s new school of innovation, Mosaic Elementary, and its future, Pretto, Stormer and Hassler voiced their support for it. Pommer liked the idea of introducing a new form of teaching, but said it was
(See MEHLVILLE, Page 14A)
Name this tune and win a free classified ad. Details in this week’s classified section.
TIME-DATED MATERIAL
PRSRT STD Cr Rt Srt U.S. Postage PAID Louisiana, Mo. Permit No. 11
Call Publishing, Inc. 9977 Lin Ferry Drive St. Louis, Mo. 63123
tha Stormer, Peggy Hassler and Michelle Pommer are seeking three seats on the school board in the April 4 election. The seats carry three-year terms. The candidates responded to questions about the district during a March 22 forum at Andre’s South co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Call Newspapers
Inside the Call
Web exclusive
School news................ County news................ Calendar...................... Opinions...................... Letters to the editor..... Election 2017.............. Classifieds.................... Crossword puzzle........ Calendar...................... Welcome Call..............
Long Elementary School second-grader Lily Yemm is making a difficult situation more comfortable for families of children with extended hospital stays. She recently collected more than 1,700 books in one week. To read this story and view additional online content, visit www.callnewspapers.com.
Page 3A Page 4A Page 5A Page 6A Page 7A Page 14A Page 18A Page 19A Page 23A Read more on Page 3A about these Oakville stuPage 1B dents who will attend a national speech competition.
OF S)
OF S)
Page 12A Page 12A -- Call Call Publishing, Publishing, Thursday, Thursday,March March30, 30,2017 2017
• Forum
Spring Has Sprung! Customize Your Rosary Greatest selection of Hobbies, arts & crafts
you for was a tax decrease. You want an example of a destination district, you have it here in south county.” We offer classes and (Continued from Page 1A) But “shiny firehouses” do not make a can show you how! districts that treat them better. destination district, Kolb said. “I’m going to tell you right now my big“They’re not going to come into a building W e C arry : Crucifixes • Rosary Centers gest regret, and that is that in 2005 that I did to save you, they’re not going to stick an IV Beads • Findings not trademark the phrase ‘drain the swamp.’ in Grandma, they’re not going to revive your Add a name and date! Because there was no bigger bureaucratic child — the people living in the firehouses do swamp that existed to serve itself first and that for you,” she said. “I don’t feel that 147 the residents second than Mehlville Fire,” people want to work at Mehlville. I think they Any Purchase Hilmer said. “The services were subpar, the are looking for jobs. So they’ll come here, HOBBY SHOP INC. infrastructure was crumbling ... they’ll get trained, and they will move on.” of $50 or more. 11659 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63126 Expires 4/30/17. “And then they lied to you: They told you While Hilmer said electing Kolb would 314 -729-7077 Not good with other offers. they needed a 33-cent tax increase and that mark a return to when the union ran the Schaefer’s Hobby Shop www.schaeferhobby.com it was a difference between life or death. district, Kolb said she has “no plan to raise Open Mon. - Fri. 9 - 8 • Sat. 9 - 6 • Sun. 11 - 5 12,000 sq. ft. • Locally Owned & Operated • South County Residents When (board Treasurer) Bonnie (Stegman) the tax rate, at all.” She was neutral on and I ran for the board, we told you that we Hilmer’s reforms, and said, “I’m not saywould increase your services and decrease ing that MFPD did or did not need to have your taxes, and boy did we deliver the its purse strings tightened, but my oppogoods — four new firehouses, eight new nent has severed the relationship between fire trucks, 11 ambulances. We tripled the our first responders and the board in the amount of paramedics.” process. He’s effectively driven experiBut changes are needed at the district, enced firefighters to other districts.” starting at the top, Kolb said: “You can Money is not necessarily the issue, she said. Sunday, April 16th • 10am to 2pm choose if the status quo is good enough, or “As much talking as I’ve done with our first ADULTS $27.49 | SENIORS (60+) $24.40 | CHILDREN (5-10) $15.49 you can vote for me and I’ll work to bring responders, that’s not been the complaint,” (Holiday gratuity of 18% applies) life back to this district.” Kolb said. “They’re talking about working BREAKFAST Kolb, who is backed by the firefight- conditions. So I’m not going to stand up Applewood Bacon and Breakfast Sausages ers’ union and whose husband, Tim, is a here and say they’re underpaid ... Are they Buttermilk Biscuits with Country Gravy Monarch firefighter, has made turnover underpaid in other ways? I believe they are.” Live Action Omelet Station • Build-Your-Own Pancake Station her central campaign issue, claiming that Hilmer countered that 41 employees LUNCH 50 percent of employees are leaving and made $90,000 or more last year, and the Citrus Spinach Salad with Orange Balsamic Dressing that the district wastes millions of dollars “vast majority” make between $120,000 Twice Baked Potato Salad • Southern Style Baked Mac N’Cheese in turnover costs. and $150,000 in salary and benefits. Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia “I decided to run after hearing firsthand LWV moderator Louise Wilkerson asked Balsamic Grilled Beef Filets and Honey Glazed Ham Carving Stations from the brave men and women of the a question from the audience: Have they DESSERT MFPD, and I’m shocked to hear what talked to current MFPD firefighters? Chef’s Selection of Award Winning Cheesecakes Strawberry Shortcake • Gooey Butter Cake they’ve been putting up with,” Kolb said. “I “The employees that I talk to, they absoSalted Pretzel Caramel Brownies was even more stunned about the number of lutely love working there,” Hilmer said, people who are running out the door.” and much more! with only a “small minority of bitter and But in the last five years, the MFPD has disgruntled” ex-employees complaining. Holiday Inn South County Center averaged 2.6 employees leaving for other “I’m running to stand up for the silent 6921 S. Linbergh Blvd. at I-55 districts out of 130 employees, Hilmer said. majority who work at Mehlville who ... (across from South County Mall) “Let me repeat that rounding error for work hard for you every day.” Call 314.892.3600, Ext 5117 for reservations you — 2 percent,” he said. “For someone to “I have not talked to current employees make an issue out of that, much less make it about their level of happiness,” Kolb said. a centerpiece of their campaign, shows you “It is much easier to find ex-employees who how uninformed they are of district mat- are unhappy, so I’ve talked to them about it.” and ill-equipped to manage your 911 ISSUE RUN ARTIST/ PROOF FINAL ters PROOF Hilmer said he has spent much of his a $21 million-a-year budget.” time “beating back one union shill after DATE: DATE DONE: RECEIVED BY: APPROVEDservice BY/and DATE: He added, “I hear people say, ‘Well, another,” who feel disparaged when he before Hilmer came to Mehlville, no one publishes their salaries and benefits. 3/30/17 MC Proof 1: TK 3/27/17 would leave.’ Well, before HilmerFINAL came “What’s ironic is that this is the same ProofSIZE 2: TK OF 3/27/17 ISSUE RUN ARTIST/ PROOF PROOF to Mehlville, only 13 percent of the people firefighters’ union who paid to smash my AD(S) DATE: DATE DONE: thereRECEIVED BY: APPROVED BY/ DATE: were even qualified to apply at other windshield after they smashed it out of my 3/16th 3/30/17 Proof 1: MG 3/15/17fire departments. There’s a reason they car ... who told St. Anthony’s that Bonnie weren’t leaving — they couldn’t.” Stegman needs to lose her job or we’re not Hilmer oversaw the first voter-approved going to (take) patients to the ER ... whose property-tax decrease in Missouri — vice president beat a man with a bat, shot Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 totaling 40 him in the head and burned him in his pickcents per $100 of assessed value in 2009 up truck. I don’t have to disparage this group — that has saved taxpayers $109 million. of people, they take care of it themselves.” “The firefighters’ union sued to stop it. Kolb questioned MFPD’s transparency, They said it’s against the law to decrease accusing Hilmer of not taking public comyour taxes, so I went down to Jeff City and ments and “stifling” taxpayers’ voices, saywe changed that law,” Hilmer said. “And ing, “Manipulating our First Amendment for the last 11 years, you have had the low- right to avoid hearing the truth about MFPD est property taxes in St. Louis County.” is not exactly getting the public involved.” At the same time, “you’re looking at a But Hilmer said he has had public comdestination district,” with 147 applicants ments on the agenda at all 250 meetings for three jobs, he said. that he’s run. “Look at our firehouses, look at the level “If someone feels that stifled in their of care we provide,” Hilmer said, noting voice, perhaps they should attend more MFPD is now the only district in the coun- than one Board of Directors meeting ty with a critical-care paramedic program. before they run for the fire board, making “We have a totally upgraded infrastructure these kind of claims,” he said. “Anyone is that was done with no debt, and all I asked welcome — anyone.”
SCHAEFER’S
Kolb looks to unseat Hilmer in election for MFPD board
$10.00 OFF
EASTER BRUNCH
Satisfaction Guaranteed!
www.assistanceathome.com
ISSUE RUN DATE: 3/30/17
ARTIST/ DATE DONE: Proof 1: TK 3/15/17 Proof 2: MG 3/17/17 Proof 3: TK 3/17/17
PROOF RECEIVED BY:
FINAL PROOF APPROVED BY/ DATE: