Exposing Corruption, Injustices and the Truth.
| O'Fallon Watchdog |
| Watchdog Headlines ! |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| O'Fallon Watchdog |
Exposing Corruption, Injustices and the Truth.
ELECTION 2007
By the O’Fallon Watchdog
On April 3, 2007 municipal elections will be held throughout the state. While the turnout for these municipal elections is
generally low the decisions we make in these elections impact our daily life and pocket book more than the more
publicized state and national elections. With that in mind we will look at the choices presented to the voters in the two
contested races for council in O'Fallon. Ward 3 pits incumbent Peter Cantwell against political newcomer Jeff Yelich
while in Ward 4 incumbent Bill Hennessy is being challenged by JC Caudle.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Do you think these local elections don't matter? Do you think your City council doesn't have any power? Think again. A
city the size of O'Fallon brings in and spends a lot of money. Remember, for the most part this is your money and you
elect a councilman to decide how your money will be spent. The fact is our representatives have been horrible stewards
of our money. Did you know O'Fallon's debt rose from approximately 20 million in 1996 to over 150 million by 2003 with
much of this debt being accrued without a vote by the public. This is not normal. The State Auditor compared O'Fallon
with other cities of similar size in Missouri and our debt level per person was by far the worst. For example, St. Peters
had a debt per resident of $1,119.00 while O'Fallon's is $2,313.00 per person. Even worse the Renaud administration
repeatedly lied about the amount of debt to the citizens. Our council members control millions of dollars and help set the
policy of the City. Decisions on zoning, taxes, contracts, street maintenance, building codes and the size of the Police
department are just an example of the matters our council deals with. Knowing where a candidates priorities lie is
essential prior to voting. How do you find out? Spend a few minutes following the money.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
At election time every candidate will speak in generalities about how they want to best serve the residents but the fact is
some of them could not care less about the residents. How do you know? It's really not that hard to figure out...follow the
money. Peter Cantwell has received over $44,000.00 to run for office with almost of all of it coming from
builders/developers while Bill Hennessy has amassed over $36,000.00. They use this money to send you post cards
telling you why they will best serve your interest. Wake up people! Anyone who checks their records will see where their
priorities are.
Just ask the folks in Winghaven who were told by Cantwell that he stood with them in their fight to block a group home.
However, when the matter came up for a vote he voted with the interests of the developer of Winghaven (Paul
McKee/Paric/McEagle) who wanted the group home. Oh, and by the way McKee, his relatives and companies have
donated thousands of dollars to Cantwell. Or ask Bill Hennessy how that Sister City program is coming he used as an
excuse to use our money to take his wife to Ireland. Don't waste your time because after the trip the City never held on
discussion about a Sister City program and none exists. But you might still ask Hennessy why to this day the all
of the money from the trip has not been accounted for. Mike Casserly and his company Futura Financial both recently
gave money to Cantwell. Mr. Casserly was quite involved in O'Fallon during Renaud's tenure and by involved we mean
he made money off the taxpayers. In fact, Casserly was paid a real estate commission once despite the fact O'Fallon's
contract with the buyer was put together before he became involved and the contract said no commission would be
paid.
Casserly also stood to profit when the City attempted to use Eminent Domain to destroy long standing businesses and
homes in the Old Town section of O'Fallon. We won't go into the shady land deals involving Casserly. Why do you think
attorneys Keith Hazelwood and Brad Goss contribute to both Cantwell and Hennessy? Chances are if a
developer/builder is making a request from O'Fallon and the request is opposed by local residents, Hazelwood or
Goss will representing the builder/developer. By the way, Hazelwood just recently requested O'Fallon to give one of his
clients $800,000.00 for a road the developer agreed to pay for himself. McBride & Sons and its related companies have
also given large sums of money to Cantwell and Hennessy. This is the same company that hired Renaud, a former
drywall installer, into an executive position making six figures after Renaud was elected Mayor. Did you know employees
were told not enforce ordinances against McBride companies and McKee's companies when Renaud was in office?
And that Vantage Homes. A McBride company, was illegally paid $120,00.00 by O'Fallon while their employee was the
Mayor?
Did you know that the builders/developers who are throwing all kinds of money at Cantwell and Hennessy "convinced"
O'Fallon to lower it's codes below the generally accepted limits or that the City has repeatedly refused to enforce
its codes against builders/developers. As an example, when the City checked McBride's work on the streets in the
Thornbury subdivision it found the streets were concrete was poured far less then what is required by ordinance.
Pouring concrete less than is required can save a developer millions of dollars and if the city fails to enforce the
ordinance and accepts the streets the cost of repair becomes the taxpayers. After McBride was caught, the former
council which included Lyn Schipper, Terry Busken, Randy Hudson and Jeff Kuehn (none of whom received money
from builders/developers) wanted McBride to compensate the city for the inevitable cost. After they left office Cantwell
and Hennessy voted to accept the streets without requiring compliance with the law. Did you also know Hennessy and
Cantwell have supported giving away tap fees to the developers to allow them free access to our sewer system. This has
costs the City millions of dollars and does nothing to benefit the residents. With this election approaching Cantwell
publicly questioned for the first time these giveaways. Cantwell's action highlights the his lack of respect for the
residents but also shows that Cantwell knows his prior support for these giveaways to his contributors is wrong.
WAKE UP PEOPLE
We don't have enough time or space to show you the many ways Cantwell and Hennessy have turned their back on the
residents to help out their campaign contributors but if you take the time it's easy to find. The builders/developers
aren't giving money to Cantwell and Hennessy because of Cantwell's "traffic commission" or Hennessy's work with the
Youth Council. So next time you see Cantwell's and Hennessy's sign on an empty lot rest assured the owner of that
lot will be asking the City for something and if it becomes a battle between the residents and the lot owner you know
where Cantwell and Hennessy stand. Of course, we know most of the voters will only see the phony post cards and
empty promises of Hennessy and Cantwell and if money is able to buy them into office we here at the Watchdog have
one request...let's all chip in and send them back to Ireland. Only this time it's only a one way ticket.
By the O’Fallon Watchdog
On April 3, 2007 municipal elections will be held throughout the state. While the turnout for these municipal elections is
generally low the decisions we make in these elections impact our daily life and pocket book more than the more
publicized state and national elections. With that in mind we will look at the choices presented to the voters in the two
contested races for council in O'Fallon. Ward 3 pits incumbent Peter Cantwell against political newcomer Jeff Yelich
while in Ward 4 incumbent Bill Hennessy is being challenged by JC Caudle.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Do you think these local elections don't matter? Do you think your City council doesn't have any power? Think again. A
city the size of O'Fallon brings in and spends a lot of money. Remember, for the most part this is your money and you
elect a councilman to decide how your money will be spent. The fact is our representatives have been horrible stewards
of our money. Did you know O'Fallon's debt rose from approximately 20 million in 1996 to over 150 million by 2003 with
much of this debt being accrued without a vote by the public. This is not normal. The State Auditor compared O'Fallon
with other cities of similar size in Missouri and our debt level per person was by far the worst. For example, St. Peters
had a debt per resident of $1,119.00 while O'Fallon's is $2,313.00 per person. Even worse the Renaud administration
repeatedly lied about the amount of debt to the citizens. Our council members control millions of dollars and help set the
policy of the City. Decisions on zoning, taxes, contracts, street maintenance, building codes and the size of the Police
department are just an example of the matters our council deals with. Knowing where a candidates priorities lie is
essential prior to voting. How do you find out? Spend a few minutes following the money.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
At election time every candidate will speak in generalities about how they want to best serve the residents but the fact is
some of them could not care less about the residents. How do you know? It's really not that hard to figure out...follow the
money. Peter Cantwell has received over $44,000.00 to run for office with almost of all of it coming from
builders/developers while Bill Hennessy has amassed over $36,000.00. They use this money to send you post cards
telling you why they will best serve your interest. Wake up people! Anyone who checks their records will see where their
priorities are.
Just ask the folks in Winghaven who were told by Cantwell that he stood with them in their fight to block a group home.
However, when the matter came up for a vote he voted with the interests of the developer of Winghaven (Paul
McKee/Paric/McEagle) who wanted the group home. Oh, and by the way McKee, his relatives and companies have
donated thousands of dollars to Cantwell. Or ask Bill Hennessy how that Sister City program is coming he used as an
excuse to use our money to take his wife to Ireland. Don't waste your time because after the trip the City never held on
discussion about a Sister City program and none exists. But you might still ask Hennessy why to this day the all
of the money from the trip has not been accounted for. Mike Casserly and his company Futura Financial both recently
gave money to Cantwell. Mr. Casserly was quite involved in O'Fallon during Renaud's tenure and by involved we mean
he made money off the taxpayers. In fact, Casserly was paid a real estate commission once despite the fact O'Fallon's
contract with the buyer was put together before he became involved and the contract said no commission would be
paid.
Casserly also stood to profit when the City attempted to use Eminent Domain to destroy long standing businesses and
homes in the Old Town section of O'Fallon. We won't go into the shady land deals involving Casserly. Why do you think
attorneys Keith Hazelwood and Brad Goss contribute to both Cantwell and Hennessy? Chances are if a
developer/builder is making a request from O'Fallon and the request is opposed by local residents, Hazelwood or
Goss will representing the builder/developer. By the way, Hazelwood just recently requested O'Fallon to give one of his
clients $800,000.00 for a road the developer agreed to pay for himself. McBride & Sons and its related companies have
also given large sums of money to Cantwell and Hennessy. This is the same company that hired Renaud, a former
drywall installer, into an executive position making six figures after Renaud was elected Mayor. Did you know employees
were told not enforce ordinances against McBride companies and McKee's companies when Renaud was in office?
And that Vantage Homes. A McBride company, was illegally paid $120,00.00 by O'Fallon while their employee was the
Mayor?
Did you know that the builders/developers who are throwing all kinds of money at Cantwell and Hennessy "convinced"
O'Fallon to lower it's codes below the generally accepted limits or that the City has repeatedly refused to enforce
its codes against builders/developers. As an example, when the City checked McBride's work on the streets in the
Thornbury subdivision it found the streets were concrete was poured far less then what is required by ordinance.
Pouring concrete less than is required can save a developer millions of dollars and if the city fails to enforce the
ordinance and accepts the streets the cost of repair becomes the taxpayers. After McBride was caught, the former
council which included Lyn Schipper, Terry Busken, Randy Hudson and Jeff Kuehn (none of whom received money
from builders/developers) wanted McBride to compensate the city for the inevitable cost. After they left office Cantwell
and Hennessy voted to accept the streets without requiring compliance with the law. Did you also know Hennessy and
Cantwell have supported giving away tap fees to the developers to allow them free access to our sewer system. This has
costs the City millions of dollars and does nothing to benefit the residents. With this election approaching Cantwell
publicly questioned for the first time these giveaways. Cantwell's action highlights the his lack of respect for the
residents but also shows that Cantwell knows his prior support for these giveaways to his contributors is wrong.
WAKE UP PEOPLE
We don't have enough time or space to show you the many ways Cantwell and Hennessy have turned their back on the
residents to help out their campaign contributors but if you take the time it's easy to find. The builders/developers
aren't giving money to Cantwell and Hennessy because of Cantwell's "traffic commission" or Hennessy's work with the
Youth Council. So next time you see Cantwell's and Hennessy's sign on an empty lot rest assured the owner of that
lot will be asking the City for something and if it becomes a battle between the residents and the lot owner you know
where Cantwell and Hennessy stand. Of course, we know most of the voters will only see the phony post cards and
empty promises of Hennessy and Cantwell and if money is able to buy them into office we here at the Watchdog have
one request...let's all chip in and send them back to Ireland. Only this time it's only a one way ticket.