Crestwood planning panel — nieder

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Mehlville retreat topicsinclude strategic plan,superintendent search

Sunset Hills mayor declinesaldermen’s request to resign

Board discussion about Mehlville buses becomes philosophical debate on spending

Lindbergh officials eye constructing ECE Annex

Citizen alleges Roby removed him from panel illegally

Volume 17, Number 42 1 Section, 20 Pages Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 callnewspapers.com9977 Lin Ferry DriveSt. Louis, MO 63123

This is a rendering of an Early Childhood Education Annex that Lindbergh Schools officials are proposing to construct behind Truman Middle School, 12225 Eddie & Park Road.

By GLORIA LLOYDStaff Reporter

Sunset Hills aldermen hoped to meet last weekend with Mayor Mark Furrer to formally request that he step down, but the mayor declined to meet with aldermen and, as of the Call’s press time, had not resigned his office.

“Having considered all recent events in which you were involved, we ask you to step down as mayor immediately,” all the city’s alder-men wrote in a letter to Furrer earlier this week, which acting board President Scott Haggerty delivered to City Hall after the mayor de-clined to meet with him in person.

Since Ward 3 Alderman Jan Hoffmann was out of the country at the time the letter was written, she attached a virtual signature to the letter.

(See DECLINES, Page 4A)


The Lindbergh Board of Education was scheduled earlier this week to consider authorizing administra-tors to move forward with plans to construct an Early Childhood Education Annex behind Truman Middle School, 12225 Eddie & Park Road.

The Board of Education was set to meet Tuesday night — after the Call went to press.

During a special meeting last week, Superintendent Jim Simpson recommended the construction of the annex to replace classrooms currently housed in Dres-sel School, which will be demolished next year to make way for a new 650-student elementary building.

“As we all are aware, Lindbergh is one of the most sought-after districts by young families, and they are moving into our school district in droves,” Simpson

(See ANNEX, Page 6A)


A discussion about the Mehlville School District’s recent bus-buying history turned into a larger debate on the dis-trict’s impending financial woes — whether board mem-bers should spend tax revenue to save taxpayers money

and whether a budget, once passed, should be set in stone.The industry average for the life of a bus is 15 years, and

out of 77 school buses, Mehlville has 20 buses that are 16 years or older — 26 percent of its entire fleet, according to statistics provided to the Board of Education by Chief Financial Officer Marshall Crutcher.

The fact that Mehlville has 20 buses older than the industry average is an indication that in the past, regular bus replacement has fallen victim to annual budget pres-sures, he said.

“How many buses do we have with a model year of 2011,(See SPENDING, Page 5A)

Read more on Page 3A about the Kiwanis Club of South County’s Outstanding Student of the Month.

School news ............... Page 2ASunset Hills news ....... Page 4AOpinions ..................... Page 6ACalendar...................... Page 7AElection 2014 ............. Page 9AObituaries ................... Page 10ASports .......................... Page 11ACrestwood news ......... Page 14AClassifieds ................... Page 15ACrossword puzzle ....... Page 16A

Inside the CallPolice officers who fired rub-

ber bullets and tear-gas can-isters two months ago in Fer-guson received training from a required state program. Visit www.callnewspapers.com to read more about the Peace Offi-cer Standards and Training program administered by the Department of Public Safety.

Web exclusive


The Mehlville Board of Education is set to conduct its first public discussions this weekend on the board’s superintendent search and on the progress of the district’s new strategic plan, a three-month process currently underway.

The discussions are part of the board’s annual retreat, which is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the library of Blades Elementary School, 5140 Patterson Road.

The board postponed its retreat, which usually takes place in August, to separate sessions in October and December this year to hear updates from Opinion Research Specialists consultant Marc Maness on how the strategic-plan process is going, and so that Super-intendent Norm Ridder could discuss his goals for the year.

(See RETREAT, Page 8A)

By MIKE ANTHONYExecutive Editor

A former Crestwood alderman alleges that he was removed ille-gally from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission by Mayor Gregg Roby.

During a period for public com-ment at a recent Board of Aldermen

meeting, former Ward 4 Alderman Steve Nieder told Roby that because Planning and Zoning Commission members serve four-year terms, Roby’s decision to remove him from the panel was illegal.

Nieder, who served as an alder-man from 2006 to 2009, was ap-pointed to the Planning and Zoning

Commission in September 2011 by former Mayor Jeff Schlink.

Aldermen voted 4-3 to approve Schlink’s appointment of Nieder to the panel, with Ward 1 Alderman Darryl Wallach, Ward 3 Alderman Paul Duchild, then-Ward 2 Alder-man Chris Pickel and then-Ward 3

(See REMOVED, Page 19A)

Nieder seeks reappointmentto Crestwood planning panel(Continued from Page 1A)Alderman Jerry Miguel in favor.

Opposed were then-Ward 1 Alderman Mimi Duncan and then-Ward 4 Aldermen Deborah Beezley and John Foote.

At the Sept. 23 Board of Aldermen meet-ing, Nieder said, “... I approach you tonight to present a problem and a solution. Several months ago, Mr. Roby, you terminated my four-year term of membership on the Plan-ning and Zoning Commission that started in September of 2011. If you recall, I objected to the method you employed. I do not want to review the details of the meth-odology again tonight as that is not why I am here tonight. What I chose not to reveal at the time is your actions were illegal ...”

Under city code, the terms of all Planning and Zoning Commission members shall be four years, and members shall serve until a successor is appointed, he said.

“After several consultations with city legal representatives and observing other illegal actions executed by this administration, I have decided to reveal this politically motivated, grievous error. I, effectively immediately, request that you reinstall me as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and for compensation of lost time of (service), extend that term of December of 2015.”

Roby said, “Thank you. I appreciate it. Is there anyone else with any questions? ...”

Nieder said, “So I’m assuming you’re go-ing to go ahead and do as I (asked), right?”

Roby said, “This is a public-comment section, sir, and if you’d like a response, I’d be happy to get back to you.”

Nieder said, “... I’m waiting.”Roby said, “We’re done. It’s public com-

ment.”After a further exchange between the

two, Roby said, “I told you I’m not pro-viding you with an answer. We’ve already been through this once before ...”

Nieder said, “No, we haven’t.”Roby said, “And we are not going to dis-

cuss it again.”Nieder said, “We have not been through

this before. You took an illegal action and eliminated me off the board ... My term is four years. It has not expired. So effec-tively, I am a member of that board.”

Roby said, “I’m sorry, sir, you no longer are a member of that board.”

Nieder said, “I’m sorry, but I am.”The mayor said, “... Would you like to

have a seat, please, sir?”Nieder said, “No, I wouldn’t.”Roby said, “We’re done. Do I have to ask

the police chief to remove you from the ...”Nieder said, “No, you don’t.”Roby continued, “Chambers, sir?”Nieder said, “No, you don’t.”The mayor said, “Well, then I’d ask you

please to sit down.”Nieder said, “I think at this particular

point, you’ve got to give me an answer, and the answer is not the one you’re supposed to give because you acted illegally.”

Roby said, “... OK, we can discuss it any time, sir.”

Nieder said, “... We are discussing it right now.”

Roby said, “No, we are not. We’re

through. We’re through.”Nieder said, “No, we’re not.”Roby said, “Sir, would you like to have a

seat? I’ll ask you one more time.”Nieder then directed his inquiry to City

Attorney Lisa Stump, who replied, “... This is a public-comment session and I support the mayor that this is public comment and for anybody currently speaking with the Board of Aldermen right now, he’s asking, you know, he’s asking you to sit down. If you all want to have a conversation, if you want me to look into the legality of it, you can — the board can direct me to do so.

“And that’s fi ne, but I agree with the mayor that this isn’t the appropriate time right now for him to give you an answer, and he’s not legally obligated to right now. This is public-comment session.”

Nieder said, “Well, he acted illegally in removing me from my term.”

Stump said, “This is public-comment session.”

Nieder said, “No, it’s not. I made a com-ment about — I told you that you acted illegally in removing me from the board.”

Stump said, “And if the Board of Alder-men wants me to look into that, I will do so, but I’m not going to give an answer right now, and the mayor’s not required — this is a public-comment session ... You are enti-tled as a citizen certainly to come up and make public comments, but the mayor’s not obligated to legally respond right now.”

Nieder later ended the exchange, saying, “Well, I’ll see you at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.”

Nieder fi rst raised the issue of his remov-al from the commission at the June 10 board meeting, after receiving a letter from Roby that thanked him for his service on the planning panel and asked him to serve on the Board of Adjustment instead.

Given his nearly 100-percent attendance at commission meetings, Nieder said he was disappointed by his dismissal.

Roby told the Call that after becoming mayor, he reviewed the membership of the city’s boards and commissions and saw “that there were a lot of positions that had people whose terms had expired as far back as 2007 ... There were, I want to say, 30-something of them between all of our boards ...”

As a result, the mayor said, “I sent this form letter out, asking everyone to please update their information with a new survey and in that letter it stated if you want to change from the board you’re currently on to another one, please let me know, and I will attempt to accommodate that. If you’re no longer interested in serving, please let me know, and if I don’t hear anything back from you, I will assume you’re not interested in serving any longer and we will replace you.”

After he did not receive a response from Nieder, Roby said he called Nieder’s house twice and left messages, but the calls were not returned.

Nieder told the Call that he did not re-ceive the form letter or the phone calls.

“So then by that time, I had to fi ll the spot on P and Z, and I did so ...,” Roby said, add-ing that he’s willing to talk to Stump about the issue, “because if I’m wrong, I’ll make it right. But at this point in time, I can’t just jump because the man comes before the board and demands that I take action.”

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Prayer to theBlessed Virgin

(never known to fail) O, most beautiful fl ower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3X) Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so I can attain my goal. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances in my life you are with me, I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confi rm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. (Must say this prayer 3 consecutive days.) After 3 days, the request will be granted. This prayer must be published after the favor is granted! Thank you!

B.M.R.

Prayer to theBlessed Virgin

(never known to fail) O, most beautiful fl ower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3X) Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so I can attain my goal. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances in my life you are with me, I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confi rm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. (Must say this prayer 3 consecutive days.) After 3 days, the request will be granted. This prayer must be published after the favor is granted! Thank you!

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Visit www.callnewspapers.com for complete high school football coverage.

Our town ..................... Page 2AMFPD news ................ Page 3AOpinions ..................... Page 4ASunset Hills news ....... Page 5ACrestwood news ......... Page 6ACalendar...................... Page 7ACrestwood news ......... Page 9ACounty news ............... Page 10AClassifieds ................... Page 11ACrossword puzzle ....... Page 12A

Inside the Call

Aldermen select legal counselto aid in impeachment process

Mehlville joins other school districtsto prepare for decision of grand jury

Visit www.callnewspapers.com for results of Tuesday’s elec-tion, which took place after the Call went to press. In addi-tion, we’ll also have a story about the Mehlville Senior High School varsity boys’ soc-cer team defeating the Oakville Tigers to win its first district title since 2007.

Web exclusive

School board picks MSBAfor superintendent searchBy GLORIA LLOYDStaff Reporter

The search for the next Mehlville super-intendent is officially underway after the Board of Education selected a former dis-trict administrator to conduct the search.

The board voted 5-2 Oct. 23 to select Missouri School Boards’ Association, or MSBA, consultant Brent Underwood for the search, with Secretary Lori Trakas and board member Samantha Stormer dissenting. The two preferred Chicago-based search firm PROACT, one of four firms the board heard presentations from over the summer.

With a search consultant in place, board President Ron Fedorchak esti-mated that Mehlville might have its new

(See SEARCH, Page 4A)

Crestwood board rejects measure to post bills to website

Aldermen postpone action to remove Nieder from planning panel

Volume 17, Number 45 1 Section, 16 Pages Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014 callnewspapers.com9977 Lin Ferry DriveSt. Louis, MO 63123


At a special Sunset Hills Board of Alder-men meeting last week that turned into a raucous free-for-all, supporters of Mayor Mark Furrer came out in force, but the board continued to move toward impeach-ing him by selecting outside legal counsel.

Aldermen set the special meeting with the intent to immediately go into closed

session and hear from law firms, but in-stead, for 90 minutes Furrer fielded speak-ers and their questions, many called out from the audience.

“You’ll be gone when your term is up,” Jane Petry told aldermen from the audience. “I would like to make the motion that each one of you apologize to our mayor. It’s quite obvious what has happened here: You

(See COUNSEL, Page 5A)

Students celebrate Red Ribbon WeekPoint Elementary School students, including Jack Kaltenbach and Isabelle

Sapp, above, recently celebrated Red Ribbon Week by experimenting with their best hair do’s and don’ts. Designed to promote the prevention of drug use and the well-being of youth, Red Ribbon Week employs awareness, advocacy and resources toward an anti-drug message. To read more and view another photo, visit www.callnewspapers.com.


Considering the civil unrest that broke out in Ferguson in the weeks follow-ing Michael Brown’s death, the expected mid-November decision of the St. Louis County grand jury in the case could have repercussions countywide.

As such, the Mehlville School District

has joined other school districts and gov-ernment agencies to prepare for what might happen.

Mehlville transfer students from the River-view Gardens School District are likely to be directly affected by protests after the announcement: Although the Ferguson-Florissant School District covers most of

(See DECISION, Page 10A)


Crestwood aldermen postponed remov-ing former Ward 4 Alderman Steve Nieder from a city panel after Nieder’s attorney contended that Mayor Gregg Roby’s effort to oust Nieder “contravenes Missouri state law and is void.”

The board’s decision to postpone consid-

eration of removing Nieder from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission came after the board voted 6-1 to appoint Robert Sweeney, who serves as Arnold city attor-ney, to the panel. Board President Mike Tsichlis of Ward 4 was opposed, and Ward 3 Alderman Paul Duchild voted “present.”

In recommending Sweeney’s appoint-ment, Roby said city code requires the

eight-member Planning and Zoning Com-mission to have an aldermanic representa-tive with no voting power, three citizen at-large members, and members of spe-cific professions, including an architect, city planner, landscape architect and an attorney.

With Sweeney’s appointment, Roby said,(See POSTPONE, Page 9A)


The Crestwood Board of Aldermen voted last week to reject on first reading an ordinance that would have required City Administrator Mark Sime to submit all of the city’s bills to the Board of Aldermen once a month and then post the bills on the city’s website for residents to view.

Aldermen opposed to the ordinance at the board’s Oct. 28 meet-ing included Ward 1 Aldermen Richard Breeding and Darryl Wal-

lach, Ward 2 Alderman Mary Stadter and Ward 4 Alderman Mike Vincent.

Voting in favor of the ordinance were board President Mike Tsichlis of Ward 4 and Ward 3 Aldermen Paul Duchild and Bill Boston. Ward 2 Alderman Tim Trueblood voted “present.”

Duchild proposed the measure at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting, and aldermen voted 5-3, with Stadter and Trueblood in favor, to have City Attorney Lisa Stump draft the ordinance.

(See REJECTS, Page 6A)

Call Publishing, Thursday, November 6, 2014 - Page 9A

Mayor’s actions contravenestate law, attorney contends(Continued from Page 1A)“... So at this present time, this committee is now in compliance with the code. We have three citizens at-large. We have an attorney, a city planner and two architects ...”

Nieder, who served as an alderman from 2006 to 2009, was appointed to a four-year term on the commission in September 2011 by former Mayor Jeff Schlink.

Roby invited Nieder to address the board.However, Nieder’s legal counsel, Ron

Kwentus Jr., spoke instead, saying, “As Your Honor just stated, the board you have compiled may be in compliance with the city ordinance, however, the city ordi-nance is in contravention of state law, and the state law supercedes city ordinance.”

Citing state law, Planning and Zoning Commission members serve four-year terms, Kwentus noted, adding, “The most important part (is): The council may remove any citizen member for cause stated in writing after public hearing.”

Though city code states appointive offi -cers may be removed by the mayor at will and without cause with the consent of a majority of aldermen, that provision “is in confl ict with the general law of the state on the same subject and (that provision) is thus void,” Kwentus said.

“The state statute prohibits removal of a member of a planning commission by a city council without cause stated in writ-ing after a public hearing,” he continued. “Moreover, the state statute places no recognized profession requirement on the citizen at-large membership of the com-mission ...”

Nieder fi rst raised the issue of his remov-al from the commission at the June 10 board meeting, after receiving a letter from Roby that thanked him for his service on the planning panel and asked him to serve on the Board of Adjustment instead.

Roby previously said that after taking offi ce, he reviewed the membership of the city’s boards and commissions and found many vacancies and that some people were

serving whose terms had expired.He said he mailed a form letter to mem-

bers of the city’s board and commissions, asking them to update their information and whether they wished to continue to serve. If he didn’t receive a response, Roby said, “I will assume you’re not interested in serving any longer and we will replace you.”

After he did not receive a response from Nieder, Roby said he called Nieder’s house twice and left messages, but the calls were not returned.

Nieder told the Call that he did not receive the form letter or the phone calls. At the Sept. 23 board meeting, Nieder alleged that Roby illegally removed him from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

In an Oct. 20 letter sent by certifi ed mail to Nieder, Roby wrote, “In light of your concerns, and to avoid continued factual disputes over receipt of the letters and calls, I discussed this issue with our city attorney and propose to formally act to remove you from the commission ...”

Citing Roby’s letter, Kwentus said, “... Basically, Your Honor, the code upon which you base your decision is in contravention of state law and is unenforceable ...”

Roby said, “... In all fairness, if you don’t mind, I’ll defer any comments regarding your legal issue here to our city attorney, (Lisa Stump). I will say that based on my oath of offi ce to this city, it states that I will enforce the ordinances of the city of Crestwood, and that’s what I intended to do. There was no — as I’ve told Mr. Nieder — this is not (a) personal issue.

“This is not personally about him. This is about the fact that Mr. Nieder had not responded and therefore I took that as a signal that he no longer wished to serve ...”

Kwentus said, “... But his four-year term is not up — is that correct?”

Roby said, “I don’t know. If he’s not legally still a member of the board, then his term is up.”

Board members then voted to postpone consideration of Nieder’s removal until Stump can review the information present-ed by Kwentus. Ward 4 Alderman Mike Vincent was opposed.

• Postpone

Vincent backs Roby’s effort to remove NiederCrestwood Ward 4 Alderman Mike Vin-

cent fully supports Mayor Gregg Roby’s efforts to remove former Ward 4 Alderman Steve Nieder from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

“... I just wanted citizens and board col-leagues to know why I continue to support our mayor’s actions,” Vincent said last week. “I think at the core of this discus-sion, in my opinion, is not our mayor’s action or his intentions, but rather Mr. Nieder’s apparent desire to serve our city.

“We would not be having this discussion if Steve had responded to either of two letters or two phone calls that he received ... At our last meeting, Mr. Nieder pointed the fi nger at our mayor and said that his actions were politically motivated.

“I point the same fi nger at Mr. Nieder. If you truly desire to serve Crestwood, Steve, I suggest that the best way to do that at this juncture is to stand down. I voted for you in the past and I applaud your past service as alderman and Planning and Zoning commit-tee member. But your belligerent and con-

stantly critical opinions and behavior at any number of recent meetings have dishonored your previous record, in my judgment.”

Nieder responded that Vincent was “in-correct on many facets.”

“... I did not receive the letters you pur-port that I received, and you would have no way of knowing that anyway. Nor did I have phone calls that he (Roby) says that I was supposed to have gotten,” he said.

Nieder acknowledged the receipt of an Oct. 20 letter Roby sent certifi ed mail to him, and noted his attorney, Ron Kwentus Jr., had responded.

“I am standing for what I know is correct, and I have a four-year term,” Nieder said. “It’s as simple as that ... and everybody here so far, except for a few people, refuse to recognize that. You have forced me to buy counsel to make it known that this is wrong, and (Roby is) moving outside of his bound-aries of power. And I think that’s pretty pitiful that a citizen has to go out and hire a lawyer to hold you guys responsible and accountable for doing the right thing ...”

Thanks for your courage and loyalty, and for reminding us that real heroes still exist.

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

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Crestwood Board of Aldermen eyes final approval of ’15 budget

Mehlville school board seeks leaderwho embodies qualities Ridder has

Sunset Hills board to consider final OKof two impeachment-related measures

Nieder to finish term on Crestwood panel Lin Ferry Drive plans preliminary,city officials assure property owner

Volume 17, Number 49 1 Section, 16 Pages Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 callnewspapers.com9977 Lin Ferry DriveSt. Louis, MO 63123

Former Ferguson Police Offi-cer Darren Wilson’s future is up in the air, but two things are cer-tain: He will not face state charg-es for killing Michael Brown — and he will not return to his house in Crestwood. To read this story by Gloria Lloyd and view other web-exclusive content, visit www.callnewspapers.com.

Web exclusiveCrestwood news ......... Page 3AOpinions ..................... Page 4ACalendar...................... Page 5AMehlville news ........... Page 6AOur town ..................... Page 7AGreen Park news ........ Page 8ACalendar...................... Page 9ACrestwood news ......... Page 10AClassifieds ................... Page 12ACrossword puzzle ....... Page 13A

Inside the Call


The Crestwood Board of Aldermen will consider final ap-proval of the city’s 2015 budget when it meets next week.

Aldermen voted last week to approve first readings of four ordinances related to the budget, which projects total

expenditures of $12,509,916 with anticipated revenues of $11,808,800 — a deficit of $701,116.

First readings of ordinances for the general fund, capital improvement fund and park and stormwater fund budgets were approved with 6-1 votes, with Ward 3 Alderman Paul Duchild opposed.

Aldermen voted unanimously to approve the first read-ing of an ordinance for the sewer lateral budget.

Final approval of the measures will be considered when the board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Government Center, 1 Detjen Drive.

(See BUDGET, Page 10A)

Bethlehem in St. Louis set this weekendCanaan Baptist Church, 5409 Baumgartner Road, will sponsor its second

annual Bethlehem in St. Louis on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. The free event, from 3 to 8 p.m. both days, features an interactive tour through an outdoor marketplace with the sights and sounds of the first century. No reservations or tickets are needed. Above, Jimmie Holland holds his son Zac at Canaan Baptist Church’s Bethlehem in St. Louis.


The Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen could approve two bills related to the potential impeachment of Mayor Mark Furrer when the board meets next week, but the city will also focus on more routine matters like next year’s budget.

The agenda for the meeting was not fi-

nalized before the Call’s press deadline. But the board is set to consider final readings for a bill that adds a process for impeach-ment into the city code and another bill that would hire Mary Schultz of Chesterfield-based Schultz & Associates as the board’s outside legal counsel for advice if it decides to proceed with impeaching Furrer.

(See FINAL, Page 4A)

Read more on Page 7A about Oakville Elementary School’s second annual Duct Tape Fashion Show.


The Mehlville Board of Education has found its perfect superintendent.

But there’s only one problem: He’s inter-im Superintendent Norm Ridder, who only plans to stay at the helm of the school dis-trict for this school year, before the district finds his permanent replacement.

When board members listed the qualities they hope to see in Mehlville’s next super-

intendent at their fall retreat, Samantha Stormer succinctly summed up their ideas.

“When I look at our next superintendent, I look at Dr. Ridder,” she said. “I want him.”

“I’ll make the motion,” board President Ron Fedorchak joked.

Among the many qualities board mem-bers listed for their rock-star superintendent candidate are: A humble “servant leader” of

(See QUALITIES, Page 6A)


Former Crestwood Ward 4 Alderman Steve Nieder will serve the remainder of his term on the city’s Plan-ning and Zoning Commission.

Nieder, who served as an alderman from 2006 to 2009, was appointed to a four-year term on the Plan-ning and Zoning Commission in September 2011 by former Mayor Jeff Schlink. Since shortly after Mayor Gregg Roby’s election in April, he had unsuccessfully sought to remove Nieder from the planning panel.

The Board of Aldermen voted 4-2 last week not to

remove Nieder from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ward 4 Alderman Mike Vincent, who has sharply criticized Nieder at the last two board meetings, made the motion to remove Nieder.

Vincent’s motion was second-ed by Ward 1 Alderman Darryl Wallach.

Voting not to remove Nieder were Ward 2 Aldermen Mary Stadter and Tim Trueblood and Ward 3 Aldermen

(See FINISH, Page 3A)


Green Park officials recently assured a Lin Ferry Drive prop-erty owner that any plans to possibly redevelop that part of the city are preliminary and would not proceed without input from the existing business community.

Carol Gapsch of Gapsch Bros. Inc., which owns buildings on Lin Ferry Drive, told the Board of Aldermen Nov. 17 that she was at-tending the meeting on behalf of Lin Ferry Drive property owners.

(See ASSURE, Page 8A)

Steve Nieder

Call Publishing, Thursday, December 4, 2014 - Page 3A

Contract for second phaseof Spellman work approved(Continued from Page 1A)Paul Duchild and Bill Boston. Ward 1 Al-derman Richard Breeding abstained. Board President Mike Tsichlis was ill and did not attend the Nov. 25 meeting.

Shortly after Roby was elected mayor in April, he sought to remove Nieder from the planning panel. Roby said he mailed a form letter to members of the city’s board and commissions, asking them to update their information and indicate whether they wished to continue to serve. After he did not receive a response from Nieder, Roby said he called Nieder’s house twice and left messages, but the calls were not returned.

Nieder repeatedly has said that he did not receive the form letter or the phone calls.

He fi rst raised the issue of his removal from the commission at the June 10 board meeting, after receiving a letter from Roby that thanked Nieder for his past service and asked Nieder to serve on the Board of Adjustment instead.

Aldermen were scheduled to consider removing Nieder from the commission at their Oct. 28 meeting, but postponed a decision after an attorney representing Nieder, Ron Kwentus Jr., told the board that Roby’s effort to oust Nieder “contra-venes Missouri state law and is void.”

Last week, Kwentus said City Attorney Lisa Stump contended the city’s Charter superseded state statute. He said Stump cited Chapter 89.330 of Missouri law, which states, “Where a zoning or planning commission exists on Oct. 13, 1963, it shall constitute the city planning commis-sion for the purposes of sections 89.300 to 89.480 in lieu of the commission provided for herein with the same offi cers, mem-bership procedures, powers and terms of offi ce as theretofore existing, unless the council otherwise provides; except in a charter city where the provisions of the charter shall govern.”

Crestwood, he noted, did not become a charter city until the mid-1990s and the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission was not established until 1989.

“So this last clause of Section 89.330.2 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri would not apply,” Kwentus said. “Admittedly, there’s no case law interpreting that and counsel can have different interpretations of that law, but I believe that (Section) 89.320, the section just preceding that in the Missouri statutes, still applies for the establishment of a planning and zoning commission by a city, and that members of those commissions, once appointed, can-not be removed except for cause.

“And it’s my understanding that His Honor has not stated any cause for the removal of Mr. Nieder. It’s just that there are too many citizen-at-large members of the commission and he has chosen to remove Mr. Nieder for that reason ...,” Kwentus said. “So it’s still our position that action by the council, the Board of Aldermen, to remove Mr. Nieder without cause is a violation of state law and the state statute supersedes the ordinances and the Charter of the city of Crestwood.”

Wallach said he would have to rely on Stump’s opinion and also apologized to

citizens for voting to appoint Nieder to the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2011, saying he did not do his due diligence because the commission had more than three citizen-at-large members at that time.

Roby said, “... Alderman Wallach, I don’t feel that any member of this board, includ-ing yourself, have any reason to take any responsibility for this. This was my deci-sion. It was a decision not taken lightly ... There was absolutely nothing political involved in this ...”

The mayor reiterated that he sent letters to all the members of the city’s boards and commissions asking them to update their information.

“... In the letter, I indicated if I didn’t hear back from you, I would assume that you were no longer interested in serving on the board ...,” he said.

Nieder told Roby, “... In response to your continued comments about having made phone calls to my house, as well as sent letters, I told you before and I continue to state I received none of those.”

He also noted that recent letters to him from Roby have been sent by both regular mail and certifi ed mail, “which elevates the importance of that letter getting there — which you didn’t do before.”

Roby said, “Correct.”Nieder said, “So your failure to com-

municate should not be my problem, and you continue to put that on me like I didn’t communicate. When I actually fi nally did receive notifi cation of what was going on, I did communicate. I think you need to put that to bed and put it away.”

Stadter later said, “... If we were to make a decision to retain Mr. Nieder on the board tonight, that would not be in fi lling a newly vacated position, a new four-year term, it would simply be completing the term that he is currently or was currently appointed to?”

Roby said that was correct.“Yes. I do have an individual whose term

has expired, who I can remove,” he said, adding he would need time to send a letter to that at-large member, whom he did not identify, thanking the person for serving.

In a separate matter, City Administrator Mark Sime said he would include the city’s monthly accounts payable, or AP, registry as an information item to the board’s agenda and post the AP registry on the city’s website as part of the agenda, as suggested by Wallach.

The board voted in October to reject on fi rst reading an ordinance that would have required Sime to submit all of the city’s bills to the board once a month and then post the bills on the city’s website.

At the board’s Oct. 28 meeting, Wallach contended an ordinance was unnecessary, and the bills should be put before the board as an agenda item.

Duchild, who pushed for the ordinance, said last week, “... So that’s all it takes is a request from Alderman Wallach?”

Roby said, “See how easy it is?”Aldermen also voted unanimously to ap-

prove a $982,729.45 contract with N.B West Contracting Co. for the second phase of the Spellman Avenue reconstruction project. The company’s bid was the lowest of three submitted. The construction esti-mate for the project was $1,231,000.

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Call Publishing, Thursday, December 4, 2014 - Page 4A

By Mike Anthony

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plete letters policy.

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Alderman gives Crestwooda black eye with his actions

Chances are good if Crestwood Ward 4 Alderman Mike Vincent dis-agrees with a public speaker at a Board of Aldermen meeting, he’ll claim the citizen is besmirching the good name of the city of Crestwood.

Vincent, who served as a Ward 4 alderman from 1990 to 1994, was appointed in April to fill the unexpired term of former Ward 4 Alderman Dan Tennessen, who resigned in February.

Since April, Vincent has distin-guished himself as a champion of City Administrator Mark Sime, City Attorney Lisa Stump and Mayor Gregg Roby. But, on occasion, his support of the administration has come at the expense of residents, even those he represents in Ward 4.

We believe citizens have a right to express their opinions without hav-ing to endure verbal abuse from their elected officials. But given Vincent’s treatment of his own constituent, for-mer Ward 4 Alderman Steve Nieder, it’s apparent that Vincent is not above berating a citizen if he believes it pro-tects the good name of the city.

Nieder, an alderman from 2006 to 2009, was appointed to a four-year term on the Planning and Zoning Commission in September 2011 by former Mayor Jeff Schlink. Roby, elected in April, unsuccessfully attempted to remove Nieder from the commission.

In October, Vincent said he fully supported Roby’s effort to remove Nieder from the panel.

“... If you truly desire to serve Crest-wood, Steve, I suggest that the best way to do that at this juncture is to stand down ...,” Vincent said. “Your belligerent and constantly critical opin-ions and behavior at any number of recent meetings have dishonored your previous record, in my judgment.”

Last week, Vincent made an unsuc-cessful motion to remove Nieder from the commission.

“... I cannot in good faith support Mr. Nieder, as his personal credibil-ity with me is totally diminished,” Vincent said. “... When I was unani-mously endorsed by this board for this role, I pledged to my colleagues that I would defend the good name of the city.

“Since April when I came on this board, I have witnessed time and time again your behaviors and your opin-ions, Mr. Nieder, that do not advance the agenda of our people nor do they lift up the spirit of Crestwood or this board’s sincere efforts ...”

By repeatedly berating his constitu-ent in a quest to protect the good name of Crestwood, we believe Vincent is the one giving the city a black eye.

Energy company could learn a lot from MFPD, letter writer saysTo the editor:This is written in response to the recent article written by Gloria

Lloyd that was headlined “MFPD rescues chutist dangling off tower.”

The article raises an interesting paradox in the Mehlville Fire Protection District. Firefighters took great risks to rescue a BASE, or Building, Antenna, Span and Earth, jumper.

It cannot be overstated the level of skill and courage that is required to perform at that high of a level and have everyone go home without serious injury.

The paradox is we don’t see that same commitment and caring from our energy company, while it also serves our community.

The difference is profound in that our energy company won’t risk profits, and yet our firefighters risk it all. We experience heart

attacks, premature death and asthma attacks due to fossil-fuel pollution.

There is an upcoming smog plan put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency that could significantly reduce these incidents in our communities by the thousands. Energy companies, includ-ing ours, across the country are lobbying to stop or weaken them.

The reality is that this is the 21st century and we don’t have to have anyone die or be harmed because of the need for energy.

Renewable energy doesn’t give off pollution and it keeps our energy rates low.

Our energy company could learn a lot from our fire department on how to conduct business and treat the community.

David FactorConcord

• Final

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Letters to the editor can be emailed to [email protected].

If you have questions about the status of your letter, please call Executive Editor Mike Anthony at (314) 843-0102.

Board of Aldermen set to consider approvalof 2015 budget; $198,000 deficit projected(Continued from Page 1A)

Although the bills the board is considering set the stage for Furrer to potentially be impeached, they do not actually impeach him.

The impeachment ordinance proposed for the city code follows state guidelines to outline a process for impeachment of a city official that includes a public hearing with witnesses.

The board will consider final approval of the impeachment-related bills when it meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at City Hall, 3939 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

At the same meeting, the board is also set to consider approval of the proposed 2015 budget, which has a deficit of $198,000. Last year’s budget had a similar deficit of $195,000.

Without grants, expenditures in 2015 are projected at $7.3 mil-lion compared to $7.2 million this year, but the city is expecting nearly $1.5 million more in grants next year, which will boost total expenditures to $9.2 million.

With the $198,000 deficit, the general fund is projected to start the year with a $6.37 million balance and end with a balance of $6.18 million.

Revenue from taxes, permits and fees is expected to fall next year by $62,000, roughly the same amount of annual taxes that the city had built into this year’s budget from New Balance, before the company’s business license was reclassified so it pays based on square feet and not on gross receipts.

Without the $1.5 million in extra grants for next year, revenue is projected to be flat compared to this year, while expenditures go

up $183,000, not considering the extra grant money.The budget has primarily been discussed by the Finance Com-

mittee rather than by the Board of Aldermen, with the exception of a discussion at the Oct. 14 board meeting where Furrer ques-tioned if the city needed to buy the Public Works Department a pickup truck to plow private streets that have entrances too small for the city’s current snow plows to enter.

The only streets currently denied city plowing are streets that have pillars or gates that keep the city’s plows out, said City Engineer and Public Works Director Bryson Baker.

“So is that something that we want to address, or do we not want to plow those people?” Furrer asked. “I’m all for fairness for the streets that are too small ... I think our trucks are too big, Bryson’s saying.”

Since aldermen were in the process of approving a nine-step process for streets to be approved for city plowing, Ward 1 Alder-man Richard Gau suggested city officials determine who actually wants plowed and what their barriers are before going to the expense of buying a new truck, since those streets may not meet the standard or may not want plowed at all.

Finance Committee Chairwoman Patricia Fribis of Ward 4 noted that the Public Works Department had not requested a smaller truck, but a larger truck, and at that time next year’s budget was already being finalized.

Bypassing Police Chief William LaGrand, who was seated on the dais as a department head, Furrer asked Lt. Greg Zweitel if the Police Department had any free money for a plow.

“Didn’t we save some money in the Police Department, Lieutenant?” the mayor asked. “Isn’t there some money there we could steal? Maybe the Police Department needs a plow?”

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Crestwood planning panel — nieder