From Show Me Progress |
| Happy December 26th ! I hope you had a lovely Christmas or at least a happy gastronomic experience !! A few weeks ago, while cleaning out old files, I came across a copy of the Post Dispatch editorial from 12/25/04. I knew right away why I must have kept it. It's a great summary of how Christmas traditions have changed over the centuries. I emailed the editor of the paper and asked him to re-run it this year. Which he did, on 12/24. |
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Merry Christmas
Monday, December 21, 2009
Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Agenda Dec. 28th, 2009
It's amazing. The Mehlville Fire Department has posted a meeting more than 48 hours ahead of time. Congratulations Mehlville Fire District! Of course, there's absolutely nothing on the agenda, so why not let people know you'll be meeting.
Mehlville Fire Protection District Agenda
Directors' Meeting December 28, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
______
Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary
______
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
Posted 12/21/2009 @ 1600
Mehlville Fire Protection District Agenda
Directors' Meeting December 28, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
______
Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary
______
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
Posted 12/21/2009 @ 1600
Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Agenda Dec. 23rd,2 009
Mehlville Fire Protection District Agenda
Directors' Meeting December 23, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
______
Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary
______
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
Wage Scales/Local 1889
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
( Posted 12/21/2009 @ 1600
Directors' Meeting December 23, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
______
Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary
______
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
Wage Scales/Local 1889
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
( Posted 12/21/2009 @ 1600
State Senator Jim Lembke (from Fired Up)
Lembke A Featured Speaker At Next Month's "National Sovereignty Symposium"
Submitted by .Sean on December 21, 2009 - 9:55am
Sharpen your pencils, Tenth Amendment scholars!
Sen. Jim Lembke is speaking next month to the Constitutional Conservative Alliance's "National Sovereignty Symposium" in Omaha. The Constitutional Conservative Alliance says it "strive[s] to advance all constitutional rights and privileges ratified by our founding fathers in 1789," and appears to be almost entirely focused on advancing their extreme understanding of the Tenth Amendment (which was actually ratified in 1791).
As I understand it, "Tenther" activists are convinced that most everything the federal government does is unconstitutional because it interferes with states' rights. Health care reform, clean energy legislation and "Cash for Clunkers" are obvious targets of their ire – but so are things like a federal minimum wage and all that New Deal garbage. I'm sure there is some variation in tenther ideology -- especially for politicians like Lembke who want to capitalize on the anger from the extreme right, but not get booted out of office by independents who tend to like things like Social Security and Medicare -- but a general fear of and hatred for the federal government seems key to the tenther worldview.
The Constitutional Conservative Alliance, the group to which Lembke is speaking, outlines its "point of view" as follows:
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of being told what is right and what is wrong by those who say Conservative Christian values are no longer relevant.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of my children being taught the religion of pagan worship of the earth, air, beasts and man by those who removed the Ten Commandments and The Lord’s Prayer from our schools.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of my children being taught natural selection in school by those who will not allow the strong to survive and the weak to perish in the business world and the job market.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of those who preach equal rights while they give preferential treatment on the basis of sex, race, or economic status.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of those who swear an oath before God and to the Constitution and proceed to trample on both in policy and practice.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of being told that my lone voice no longer matters!
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of the twisting and marginalizing of My Religion, My State, and the Constitution of The United States of America.
Just another awesome conference for your 'mainstream' Missouri Republican Party.
Submitted by .Sean on December 21, 2009 - 9:55am
Sharpen your pencils, Tenth Amendment scholars!
Sen. Jim Lembke is speaking next month to the Constitutional Conservative Alliance's "National Sovereignty Symposium" in Omaha. The Constitutional Conservative Alliance says it "strive[s] to advance all constitutional rights and privileges ratified by our founding fathers in 1789," and appears to be almost entirely focused on advancing their extreme understanding of the Tenth Amendment (which was actually ratified in 1791).
As I understand it, "Tenther" activists are convinced that most everything the federal government does is unconstitutional because it interferes with states' rights. Health care reform, clean energy legislation and "Cash for Clunkers" are obvious targets of their ire – but so are things like a federal minimum wage and all that New Deal garbage. I'm sure there is some variation in tenther ideology -- especially for politicians like Lembke who want to capitalize on the anger from the extreme right, but not get booted out of office by independents who tend to like things like Social Security and Medicare -- but a general fear of and hatred for the federal government seems key to the tenther worldview.
The Constitutional Conservative Alliance, the group to which Lembke is speaking, outlines its "point of view" as follows:
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of being told what is right and what is wrong by those who say Conservative Christian values are no longer relevant.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of my children being taught the religion of pagan worship of the earth, air, beasts and man by those who removed the Ten Commandments and The Lord’s Prayer from our schools.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of my children being taught natural selection in school by those who will not allow the strong to survive and the weak to perish in the business world and the job market.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of those who preach equal rights while they give preferential treatment on the basis of sex, race, or economic status.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of those who swear an oath before God and to the Constitution and proceed to trample on both in policy and practice.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of being told that my lone voice no longer matters!
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of the twisting and marginalizing of My Religion, My State, and the Constitution of The United States of America.
Just another awesome conference for your 'mainstream' Missouri Republican Party.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Mehlville Fire BOD Meeting Agenda Dec. 17, 2009
Mehlville Fire Protection District Agenda
Directors' Meeting December 17, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
______
Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary
______
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 22 & 29, 2009
PAYMENT OF BILLS OF DECEMBER 7, 2009
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Local 1889 Proposals
Catherine Enz Consulting Contract
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Amendment
Defined Contribution Pension Plan Amendment Number 2
Wage Scales
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal
Real Estate
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
Directors' Meeting December 17, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
______
Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary
______
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 22 & 29, 2009
PAYMENT OF BILLS OF DECEMBER 7, 2009
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Local 1889 Proposals
Catherine Enz Consulting Contract
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Amendment
Defined Contribution Pension Plan Amendment Number 2
Wage Scales
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal
Real Estate
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Another New Hire is Gone at the Mehlville Fire Department
Information received per Sunshine Law request of closed session meeting on Dec. 3, 2009:
Mike,
Closed Session Vote of December 3, 2009 A unanimous vote was taken to terminate the employment of Benjamin Vemmer, effective December 7, 2009, based on his failure to be admitted into the St. Louis County Fire Academy. All board members were present.
Carla Juelfs
Mike,
Closed Session Vote of December 3, 2009 A unanimous vote was taken to terminate the employment of Benjamin Vemmer, effective December 7, 2009, based on his failure to be admitted into the St. Louis County Fire Academy. All board members were present.
Carla Juelfs
Mehlville Fire BOD Agenda Thurs. Dec. 10th, 2009
Mehlville Fire Protection District Agenda
Directors' Meeting December 10, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
Arron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
Archimages Report
Health Insurance Renewal
Physician's Statement Requirement
NEW BUSINESS
Computer Bid
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Legal
Real Estate
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
(Individuals wishing to make comments should fill out a Speaker's Card and turn it in to the Chairman before the meeting. )
The District's Training Facility and Conference Room are handicapped accessible. If you need any special accommodations, please contact 314.894.0420, extension 1713 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Posted 12/8/2009 @ 1600
Directors' Meeting December 10, 2009
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road
Arron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
Archimages Report
Health Insurance Renewal
Physician's Statement Requirement
NEW BUSINESS
Computer Bid
PUBLIC COMMENTS
BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Legal
Real Estate
CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT
(Individuals wishing to make comments should fill out a Speaker's Card and turn it in to the Chairman before the meeting. )
The District's Training Facility and Conference Room are handicapped accessible. If you need any special accommodations, please contact 314.894.0420, extension 1713 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Posted 12/8/2009 @ 1600
Mehlville Fire Board Meeting Minutes Dec. 3, 2009
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MEHLVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ON THE
3RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009
The Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, met at the Mehlville Conference Room, 11020 Mueller Road, St. Louis County, Missouri, on the 3rd day of December, 2009.
Present at the meeting were:
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman and Director of the Board;
Bonnie C. Stegman, Treasurer and Director of the Board;
Edmond Ryan, Secretary and Director of the Board; and
Timothy J. White, Administrative Chief Fire Officer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
James J. Silvernail, Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District, was absent.
Mr. Hilmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the payment of bills of November 23, 2009 and to attach a copy to the minutes. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Ryan made a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes of September 10, 17, 24, and 30, 2009. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of October 31, 2009 and waive the reading. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the change to the Vacation Policy Regarding Paramedic School that would require employees to take vacation time in the year earned. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Battalion Chief Ed Berkel reported on the ICC annual conference he recently attended. The conference included code change hearings, business meetings and educational sessions.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion that Privates James Jameson, Darren Knight, Patrick Schumm, Eric Traylor and David Wideman be removed from probationary status. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Chief White discussed a proposed requirement for employees recovered from injury or illness to provide MFPD Administration with a Physicians’ Statement asserting their physical fitness to return to duty before coming back to work. The proposal will be voted on at a future meeting.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve Private Thomas Viviano’s request to complete three courses towards an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science at a cost of $725 each. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Greg Garner from Archimages discussed plans for House 4. He presented a completed survey as well as a preliminary floorplan that adds a mezzanine area for gear storage and expanded exercise capacity and storage at the back of the bays. He provided a breakdown of additional square footage and a cost per square foot analysis which shows an estimated $190,000 in costs over House 2. He then reviewed two site plan options. The Board members agreed they prefer the site plan that does not require the removal of a utility pole. Mr. Garner said he would forward a final contract to the Board for their review. Mr. Hilmer stated that it could be voted on at the next meeting. Mr. Hilmer asked when the building would be complete. Mr. Garner said that construction could begin in four months, and the building could be completed by next year.
Mr. Hilmer recognized Elaine Kilker of National City who discussed renewal of the District’s Health Insurance plans. Mr. Hilmer stated that his instructions had been to keep the budget for dental, vision and health insurance the same as last year. The proposal provides the same coverage to employees, but the District will make a smaller contribution to their Health Savings Account. Ms. Kilker discussed the renewals in detail. The United Healthcare renewal would show a 19% premium increase and Assurant Dental a 70% premium increase. Ms. Kilker proposes moving dental and vision coverage to United Healthcare in order to obtain a multi-line discount. The coverage is comparable. The District would be able to save $15,000 for the next year with the multi-line discount. In addition, United Healthcare would give an additional 2.5% discount if only one plan option was available to employees. Only 19 MFPD employees have opted for the Base, rather than HSA, coverage. Offering only the HSA plan would save MFPD an additional $70,000 over the next year, allowing the District to maintain current premium levels and contribute $700 to each employee’s HSA. Mr. Hilmer stated that the Board would vote on the proposal at the next Board meeting. Mrs. Stegman requested that Ms. Kilker provide her with information on the HSA and what it provides to employees.
Mr. Hilmer then made a motion that a closed meeting be held for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and real estate matters immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting. Mr. Hilmer, as part of said motion, moved that said closed meeting not be open to members of the general public under the provisions of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Act. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Stegman. A roll call vote on said motion was taken.
Director Stegman yea.
Director Ryan yea.
Director Hilmer yea.
There being no further business, Mr. Hilmer adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
________________________________________Aaron Hilmer, Chairman
OF THE MEHLVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, ON THE
3RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009
The Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, met at the Mehlville Conference Room, 11020 Mueller Road, St. Louis County, Missouri, on the 3rd day of December, 2009.
Present at the meeting were:
Aaron Hilmer, Chairman and Director of the Board;
Bonnie C. Stegman, Treasurer and Director of the Board;
Edmond Ryan, Secretary and Director of the Board; and
Timothy J. White, Administrative Chief Fire Officer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
James J. Silvernail, Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District, was absent.
Mr. Hilmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and announced the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the payment of bills of November 23, 2009 and to attach a copy to the minutes. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Ryan made a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes of September 10, 17, 24, and 30, 2009. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of October 31, 2009 and waive the reading. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve the change to the Vacation Policy Regarding Paramedic School that would require employees to take vacation time in the year earned. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Battalion Chief Ed Berkel reported on the ICC annual conference he recently attended. The conference included code change hearings, business meetings and educational sessions.
Mr. Hilmer made a motion that Privates James Jameson, Darren Knight, Patrick Schumm, Eric Traylor and David Wideman be removed from probationary status. Mrs. Stegman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Chief White discussed a proposed requirement for employees recovered from injury or illness to provide MFPD Administration with a Physicians’ Statement asserting their physical fitness to return to duty before coming back to work. The proposal will be voted on at a future meeting.
Mrs. Stegman made a motion to approve Private Thomas Viviano’s request to complete three courses towards an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science at a cost of $725 each. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Greg Garner from Archimages discussed plans for House 4. He presented a completed survey as well as a preliminary floorplan that adds a mezzanine area for gear storage and expanded exercise capacity and storage at the back of the bays. He provided a breakdown of additional square footage and a cost per square foot analysis which shows an estimated $190,000 in costs over House 2. He then reviewed two site plan options. The Board members agreed they prefer the site plan that does not require the removal of a utility pole. Mr. Garner said he would forward a final contract to the Board for their review. Mr. Hilmer stated that it could be voted on at the next meeting. Mr. Hilmer asked when the building would be complete. Mr. Garner said that construction could begin in four months, and the building could be completed by next year.
Mr. Hilmer recognized Elaine Kilker of National City who discussed renewal of the District’s Health Insurance plans. Mr. Hilmer stated that his instructions had been to keep the budget for dental, vision and health insurance the same as last year. The proposal provides the same coverage to employees, but the District will make a smaller contribution to their Health Savings Account. Ms. Kilker discussed the renewals in detail. The United Healthcare renewal would show a 19% premium increase and Assurant Dental a 70% premium increase. Ms. Kilker proposes moving dental and vision coverage to United Healthcare in order to obtain a multi-line discount. The coverage is comparable. The District would be able to save $15,000 for the next year with the multi-line discount. In addition, United Healthcare would give an additional 2.5% discount if only one plan option was available to employees. Only 19 MFPD employees have opted for the Base, rather than HSA, coverage. Offering only the HSA plan would save MFPD an additional $70,000 over the next year, allowing the District to maintain current premium levels and contribute $700 to each employee’s HSA. Mr. Hilmer stated that the Board would vote on the proposal at the next Board meeting. Mrs. Stegman requested that Ms. Kilker provide her with information on the HSA and what it provides to employees.
Mr. Hilmer then made a motion that a closed meeting be held for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and real estate matters immediately following the adjournment of the regular meeting. Mr. Hilmer, as part of said motion, moved that said closed meeting not be open to members of the general public under the provisions of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Act. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Stegman. A roll call vote on said motion was taken.
Director Stegman yea.
Director Ryan yea.
Director Hilmer yea.
There being no further business, Mr. Hilmer adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
________________________________________Aaron Hilmer, Chairman
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Breaking News: Mehlville Fire Tax Issue is Still Up in the Air
I was just told by a spokesperson for the Missouri Attorney General's office that they have made no decision regarding the Mehlville Fire Protection District's tax rate for 2010. Any comments made by the district, the Call Newspapers or the Truth Defector are obviously premature.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Lembke Can't Wait to Thwart the Will of the Voters
With the ink barely dry on the certification of the E-911 sales tax, Jim Lembke is already trying to stop what 70% of the voters just approved. What an Ass!
STL Beacon 2009 12-02 Lembke lays out reasons for seeking restrictions on E-911 tax & ending it after 5 years.htm (42.2 KB)
STL Beacon 2009 12-02 Lembke lays out reasons for seeking restrictions on E-911 tax & ending it after 5 years.htm (42.2 KB)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Taxes Are Going Up in Mehlville
I don't mind paying taxes. It hurts, but it's the price we pay to live in a civilized society.
I just paid our personal property tax. It was almost triple from last year. The primary reason for the significant increase is the newer car. But of course, it didn't help that the Mehlville Fire Department's tax rate went up over a nickel. Next year, it's going up even higher. I thought I was gonna pay lower taxes.
I just paid our personal property tax. It was almost triple from last year. The primary reason for the significant increase is the newer car. But of course, it didn't help that the Mehlville Fire Department's tax rate went up over a nickel. Next year, it's going up even higher. I thought I was gonna pay lower taxes.
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