A Spot of Truth in South County

If anyone has a copy the MCTA's article about Dr. Knost, would you please forward it here?

2011-11-02T08:45:00.000-05:00

Why the MCTA hates Halloween...

2011-10-31T16:26:00.002-05:00

This is too easy: Halloween is about kids, and they are looking for a handout. Richard "Dick" Franz has to be channeling his inner Glen Beck.

Open Forum about all things Mehlville

2011-10-10T09:28:00.001-05:00

Feel free to comment on all things Mehlville

Rich Franz Logic and Man On Man Fantasies

2011-09-06T21:20:00.007-05:00

To borrow a line from Rich Franz: I don't hate people with cancer...

We don't hate old people who think they can take it with 'em. Watching Ken Meyer shake his way through an impassioned plea not to give the blue collar workers of the Mehlville School District a pittance of a raise, was a thing of beauty. He stammered his way through an example of budget cutting at a private school that would have had the Harvard debate club in awe. We realize Ken Meyer is a simple man, some even say ignorant beyond his years. We don't know why Ken is so fixated on this. Did he retire too early? Did he involuntarily retire? Was he downsized? Who knows?

Ken needs to realize that he can't take it with him, stop thinking of himself, and that there is a future without him.

One last thing... we don't hate old selfish white men with nothing better to do with their lives. Thanks for the disclaimer, Rich!

P.S. We will be there to support you!

Next on the agenda...
One of our favorite blogs, The MCTA, had a homo-erotic fantasy play out a week or so ago. The author of the blog paints a very sexy picture of our boy Aaron Hilmer. It went like this:

"Since we know Aaron Hilmer and have seen him after he comes home from work caked with mud from his physically exhausting work as a plumber, we know how hard he works at his job." Man on Man love at its best.

Yes, we went low brow, but its not any different than what they are doing. Dehumanization on any level is still dehumanization.

Hilmer Has Bigger Things to Worry About

2011-06-29T11:11:00.003-05:00

Quick Thoughts:

Since Aaron Hilmer hired Tim White because they had the same vision for a premier fire district, will Aaron admit he was wrong?

How many other fire districts will now fire their chief in order to hire Tim White?

Just a couple of weeks ago, Hilmer said that the fire district pretty much runs itself and that is the reason he could become a school board member. Should the premier fire district in the world be actively searching for a new leader? Shouldn't Aaron be spearheading these efforts?

Aaron get your own house in order before you destroy another.

The Case Against Aaron Hilmer for Mehlville School Board

2011-06-14T00:10:00.008-05:00

The Spot of Truth has never taken itself that seriously. We realize that facts and arithmetic with a dash of humor ruffles a few feathers, but to our 7 readers, we aim to please.

It is with a heavy heart that we must take a serious look at the danger of Aaron Hilmer becoming a member of the Mehlville School Board.

In the history of the world, there has only been one perfect Person who has walked the earth. The Oakville Call would have you believe there are two: Aaron Hilmer. In his time as the Chairman of the Mehlville Fire Board, he has not made one mistake...Not politically, professionally, and certainly not personally. He is so good that, to quote Aaron, "“The fire district doesn’t take much of my time anymore, I’d be able to devote a lot of time to the school district. I just maintain with the fire district.” God Complex?

Nowhere, in any published materials, has Hilmer ever mentioned children as a motivation for running for the school board. That is not entirely his fault. Aaron has nothing running around his home to remind him of the challenges of public education. Even if he did, they would be private school darlings. That does not necessarily make him unqualified for the post. (Hell, a childless single man in his mid-40's is the president of the school board.)Was Aaron inspired by his own public education? No. He was an elitist private school boy. One has to wonder what Aaron's true motivation is. Is he bored? Does he not work very hard at his job, so he has all of the time in the world? Or is he motivated by spite? Spite is the prevailing theory. He is part of the angry white man alliance known as the MCTA, a splinter group of the TEA Baggers, founded partly by a man with a generous tax-payer retirement package( See Rich Franz). They should really be called the angry OLD white man alliance, but Aaron is only semi-retired.

If the current school board wants a circus, bad blood, issues that will distract from the education of our Mehlville School District students; they will appoint Aaron Hilmer. If they want a selfish, vindictive person who could care less about anyone other than his own press clippings and radio show appearances, pick Aaron Hilmer.
One of his biggest moves as president of the fire district was to appoint Tim White as the chief. If Aaron's chief-appointing-strategy was applied to the Mehlville School District, here is how it would go down:
Aaron finds a mediocre teacher with 15+ years experience, convinces him or her to give up their membership in the MNEA and promote them to principal of a middle school. Four months later, after an exhaustive national search for the best superintendent Mehlville can find, Aaron appoints that same person the superintendent. From mediocre classroom teacher to superintendent of one of the largest school districts in Missouri in less than 4 months. That is the Tim White story. Its kind of scary when its broken down like that.

Finally....

Aaron,
Please stay away from the children of South County. If you were any kind of a man, you would withdraw your application for the Mehlville School Board. Your arrogance and unwillingness for compromise are horrible examples for students. Children need role models, and you are not one. You can continue to rule the fire district from on high like the god you are.

Sincerely,
A Spot of Truth

Short-Sided Stupidity

2011-05-14T22:32:00.003-05:00

Do South County small business owners trust what the MCTA is doing? One of the MCTA's top priorities is to gut the Mehlville School District. Why would anyone want to move to South County that has school-aged children or planning on having children? Business owners need customers/consumers. No new residents...no new customers.

Refute This!

2011-04-25T22:01:00.002-05:00

Captain Thesaurus is alive and well on the MCTA blog site. Good to see you are using your old cut and paste tactics.You know, the Oakville Call has a website; it may not be necessary to post every one of their articles.

It does quench the thirst of the old South County Truth Spot though. Void filled.

Hilmer's Narrow Margin of Victory...Informed Voters? Hmmmm? Maybe.

The Klund Candidacy received well over $90k from union backers. True.

Hilmer(Vanilla Ice)spent like $5 dollars on signs because he is all grassy-rootsy. Math is fuzzy.

If you added up all of the pro-Hilmer articles in the Call, his radio time on KMOX, and The Hotlines leading up to the election; how much would that have cost his campaign? Just the way Aaron (Ice Ice Baby)Hilmer likes it...something for nothing.

Maybe the reason it was close is because the public was informed, by Klund's camp. If they hadn't been informed, Aaron(Cold as Ice)Hilmer would have won:

Hilmer: 1 million
Klund: -4.

On to the courageous Rich Franz. Could there be a bigger walking contradiction than this guy?

Check out his bio from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

What is your highest level of education?

A.A

That is not Alcoholics Anonymous, that is an Associate's degree. But he does pay taxes so that makes him an expert in the field of education. That is kind of like one of those guys who thinks they know what's best for the local pro team because they are season ticket holder.

What are your qualifications for the office you seek?

> 27-plus year law enforcement career Did you ever make it past patrolman?

> Five years police supervisor of what?

> Administrator of P.D. DARE. program Administrator sounds like a big deal

> Six years - DARE instructor for elementary, middle school and high school curricula

> Adjunct instructor at M.S.H.P. DARE academy
> Past president - Mo. D.A.R.E. Officers Assoc.
> Past member - Kirkwood Professional Police Assoc.

> Past member - Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15

Did he mention this to his MCTA buddies? Does Rich know what the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15 stands for?
Here is an excerpt from a letter written by the president of that LOCAL association:

"We’ve waited 60 plus years for the right to bargain collectively and that time has finally
arrived. Lodge 15 has dedicated much of its resources toward that goal, and we are seeing successes
throughout the region as a result. We will continue to do so."

Rich, you were a dues paying member of an association that spent its money over the last couple of decades fighting for collective bargaining. How will you be towards the teacher's association that wants to do the same thing?

Is Rich a double-dipper, too?
He has a SUBSTANTIAL pension that he has earned, not from his hard work in law enforcement, but from the hard-working tax-payers who gave it to him. But that is not good enough for Rich. He also is working for Monsanto in corporate America. Rich, you should give your pension back to the taxpayers since you are still working. Help take the burden away and give the taxpayers of Kirkwood their money back.

Finally, Rich mentioned something like this before he was elected to the Mehlville Board of Education...Franz wants to involve community members in the current peer performance review process. How do you think the boys in blue would respond to this or have you forgotten from whence you came?

No Worries in Mehlville/Oakville

2011-04-05T23:17:00.003-05:00

After tonight's election results, all of the residents of Mehlville/Oakville can breath a collective sigh of relief. Your taxes will never go up. Your property values will never go up either.

There will never be the threat of our area being voted one of best places to live in the St. Louis area.

We will reap the benefits of our thrifty ways. As soon as we figure them out, will let you know what they are.

Kudos to all of the firefighters and their organization for a tremendous fight during this election season. You guys almost defeated "god". We all know Aaron will look at the numbers and declare it a landslide. He is a little fuzzy on math.

Teachers, on the other hand, should be ashamed of their effort. You will get what you deserve for the laziness displayed in helping elect pro-education board candidates. It seems the students' apathy has worn off on you.

Hello? Is Anybody Out There? Election Endorsements

2011-04-03T21:46:00.005-05:00

Been a way so long I hardly knew the place, gee it's good to be back home...

Reason 1: I was incarcerated and just got out?
Reason 2: I got many jobs at various gas stations and quick shops across the street from fire houses and dreamt of the day I would become chief of a fire district?
Reason 3: I am a lazy public sector employee who steals the taxpayers money and provides nothing to show for it? Either way.... sorry.

The Mehlville Mafia

This is all speculation, but doesn't this sound a little like the way Las Vegas was built.

Real Mafia: Rob a pension fund and build new casinos.

The Mehlville Mafia: Change (rob) the pension fund and build new firehouses that may or may not have been needed.

Observations about the election that is less than 48 hours away:

If you are a retired police officer running for school board and have a taxpayer funded retirement account, should you use any of your own money in your campaign? Hipocryte!

School board members can't raise your taxes without an election(the voters decide that), but they can hurt a school district by running it out of malice and spite. Neither Stoner or Franz emphasize kids first; they emphasize taxpayers first in an area where we pay some of the lowest, if not lowest in all of the county. That mission is already accomplished. Electing Stoner and Franz would be like ironing a shirt after you just got it back from the dry cleaners. Not necessary.

Spot of Truth endorses: Powers and Roland for Mehlville School Board

Fire District business: Has there ever been anyone who can self-fellate better than the current board president. Please, we get it. You have tricked everyone into believing that you have lowered everyones ACTUAL taxes. You have mislead the public by calling for new firehouses to be built in a time when all Americans have been struggling. Where is the MORALITY? The current board president is the kind of guy who would go out and buy a brand new car the day his next door neighbor just got laid off from work... then go over to his house to show it off. Does the fire district need someone of questionable morals running our district?

Spot of Truth endorses: Klund for Mehlville Fire District.

Bias?

2010-05-12T18:09:00.002-05:00

"The inadvertent disclosure of Mehlville Fire Protection District employees’ personal information..." Oakville Call May 12, 2010.

How would this sentence sound without a BIASED adjective?

"The disclosure of Mehlville Fire Protection District employees’ personal information..."

One word can make all the difference. The first sentence could have been taken straight from an opinion/editorial piece; however, it was not. It came straight from a "news" story.

A "disclosure" definitely sounds worse than an "inadvertent disclosure".

What many people have failed to notice, including our local newspaper, is this:
Maybe the fire district did not "intentionally" post the social security numbers.

But did they "intentionally" make sure information like that would not be compromised?
Could it be argued that the fire board's rush to get salaries on the website directly affected the security of the document?
Was there a "premier" webmaster in charge?

One last thing about the Thursday, May 13, 2010 issue of the Call.
For those of you who do not believe the Call is working in lockstep with the Mehlville Fire Protection Board, try this one on:
Two firefighters were injured fighting a fire last week. Could have been worse, but luckily it was not. Front page news, right? Two firefighters risked their own lives to save someone's house...Page 5!
Apparently stories about a phone survey regarding taxes, a middle school improvement meeting, hospital rezoning request and Valery Starr's filing for a council seat were all more important stories.
Wait a minute... there was one more story on the front page. It was about a data breach of employees social security numbers. Seems it was difficult to have one story marginalizing firefighters and one story praising them.

A Few Answers...

2010-05-11T21:44:00.002-05:00

The pledge is: "No Comments" Kind of makes you sad for the days of the South County Truth Spot.

Here are a few answers to comments that have been sent, but not posted:

The Chairman of the Fire board is the one at the bottom.

"Common Sense" as stated on earlyamerica.com: "Published anonymously by Thomas Paine in January of 1776, Common Sense was an instant best-seller, both in the colonies and in Europe. It went through several editions in Philadelphia, and was republished in all parts of United America. Because of it, Paine became internationally famous...by far the most influential tract of the American Revolution"

The irrelevant Drudge Report Blog is said to have broken the Monica Lewinski scandal.

Yes. It is the 21st Century. Try telling that to Mike Anthony.

Finally, A Spot of Truth in South County has heeded the call by The Call. No more comments!
A Spot of Truth in South County has two requests for you. On your online site, will you please remove "voter comments" off of your Ipoll voter results section. We wouldn't want anyone to think they can comment.
Two, if you want to be a 20th Century newspaper, act like it and investigate. You don't need be an extension of the public relations department for the Mehlville Fire Protection District.

As Cold as Ice

2010-05-10T00:46:00.004-05:00

It was quite humorous to see the chairman of the Mehlville Fire Protection District on TV the other day. Glad to see he is representin' the 'Canes of the University of Miami at a district board meeting. Classy!
Does the Chairman and Vanilla Ice have more in common than just their affinity for the Universtiy of Miami?
One pretended to be something he was not and got himself way in over his head to the point where he was exposed as a fraud. The other stole the song, "Under Pressure".

Mike Anthony is Our Hero!

2010-05-09T23:45:00.003-05:00

Mr. Anthony,
Your opinion has been taken under advisement. A Spot of Truth in South County will no longer publish comments. Your words cut to the core:

"We've made no secret of our disdain for weblogs, or blogs as they're more commonly called. As we've said before, blogs are hardly relevant..." Mike Anthony

The two examples in the May 5, 2010 editorial was the "overwhelming" evidence for an immediate halt to all comments listed.

Regarding the statement "...blogs are hardly relevant...", here are two that may challenge your cutting edge 20th Century mindset.

The Drudge Report
The Huffington Post

One may not agree with the content of these "blogs", but they are hardly irrelevant.

A few more things, Mike. You need to stop reading the ticker and put down your printing blocks to hear this.

Anonymity helped shape this country. It's "Common Sense".

Finally, if blogs are so irrelevant, stop reading ours!

Stop the Presses!

2010-05-02T23:05:00.002-05:00

We have just received an advanced copy of a weekly South County Newspaper! Here is the story they are running about the leaked social security numbers of Mehville Fire Protection District Employees:

"Computer Glitch at Fire District"

There was a minor computer glitch discovered at the premiere fire district in all the land recently. Board Chairman stated, "I don't pay attention to these kind of issues...its related to the personal, financial well-being of our employees. Most importantly is that we are building a new firehouse and paying for it with cash." The chief weighed in on the insignificant issue. "Let me talk with the board chairman to see what I need to say... I mean...everything is under control. I was a captain for less than two months before I became chief and my vast experience has taught me one thing... always check with the chairman before I speak."

Disclaimer: Nothing was leaked to A Spot of Truth in South County.

Anything Going On in South County Lately?

2010-04-07T21:47:00.003-05:00

Had a dinner meeting over at First Watch the other day. Many of our readers asked when the next post would be. The time is now.

One of the great things about A Spot of Truth in South County is that there are no insiders on staff. Reading the various media outlets give plenty of information from which to quote and to predict. The Oakville Call has provided most of our quotes. The Post helps too. But tragic events have occurred recently. The inspiration, the muse, the wind beneath our wings (The South County Truth Spot) has been silenced. There is a collective sadness at the Spot of Truth. In remembrance of The South County Truth Spot, the Spot of Truth will always keep them as part of the Blog list on our site. One day the phoenix may rise and it will be written, "The South County Truth Spot 2 hours ago..."

"Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more"

What else....

School District news:
Mehlville gives Superintendent a raise.

Great letters to the Editor of today's call. Here are some highlights.

"Can someone explain in exact written detail just why this position deserves all this compensation and still needs six assistant administrators?"

Greg Frigerio south county

Here goes: Market value. As much as people in South County don't like to admit it, we are cheap. We like to get as much as possible for the least amount of money. That will only take you so far.

To explain the need for "six assistant administrators" one must look at the Mehlville Fire Protection District and the words of one Aaron Hilmer: From the call dated April 7 2010: "We have seven firehouses. Are we to believe that a deputy chief who can't even make it to every firehouse every day can somehow manage seven firehouses?"
There are 18 schools in the Mehlville School District. Do the math.

Concerned taxpayer Jim Stonebraker uses great talking points:

"overtaxed residents" ...Stonebraker
this is easy to say because no one likes to pay taxes, but as reported here on Feb. 26, 2009:
"no it does not have the lowest tax rate in the county, but it does have the 5th lowest out of 24 school districts in residential rates. And it is barely 2 pennies away from being the third. What two districts would they be behind if they were third? Ladue and Brentwood, two very affordable communities in which to live." Overtaxed is a relative thing.

"I ask, can another big raise for the rest of the employees be on the horizon?"...Stonebraker

"Another big raise"? here are the facts... reported here on June 24th 2009:

"here is where the district stands compared to the rest of St. Louis County. (These numbers are based on all county districts receiving no increase from '08-'09 to '09-'10)."

Starting teacher salary moves from 21 out of 24 to 21 out of 24 in the county.

BA on step 5 goes from 22 out of 24 to 22 out of 24.

Master's on step 5 moves from 19 out of 24 to 19 out of 24.

Master's on step 10 moves from 20 out of 24 to 20 out of 24.

"Didn't the district inform us recently that the financial picture in the future was not promising?" ...Stonebraker

Mr. Stonebraker, is that a rhetorical question? Yes, they have said that...along with every other school district and municipal government in the country.

How can they afford to spend more on employee salaries and benefits? Is this responsible governance of our school district?" ...Stonebraker

They can't afford it , but can they afford not to do it?

Might it be suggested for Mr. Stonebraker or any other South County resident to see what happened in and around St. Louis County on election day, April 6, 2010?

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article by Jessica Bock:
"In the Webster Groves and Maplewood Richmond Heights school districts, voters approved increases in their operating tax rates"
"Both Clayton and Ladue school districts passed bond issues that had organized opposition to the measures."
"Elsewhere, bond measures also passed in the Rockwood, Valley Park, Meramec Valley, Wright City and Lonedell school districts"

How is it that TAXPAYERS in these school districts were able to pass tax increases during these economic times?

Enough School Stuff...

Back to the fire district.

It is hard to believe what comes out of Aaron Hilmer's mouth, and that the Oakville Call actually publishes it. Try this on for size:

"Quite frankly, I don't pay much attention to that."
"Quite frankly, I've become accustomed to it, so I don't pay attention to it.''

Both quotes come from Mr. Hilmer and appear about 3 lines from one another in the article published in the Oakville Call.

One could ask the question: Is Aaron Hilmer's "attention" to detail the reason we still have a cloudy issue regarding the "historic" tax decrease? Also, don't the TAXPAYERS deserve better than this?

Finally, about testing...

The Spot of Truth in South County has gotten a copy of the test Chief Tim White completed to become Chief. See how well you do.

1. When ironing a shirt, what is the proper amount of time to let starch set in before applying the iron?

2. Name 3 things that burn?

3. How often should you remind those in your charge that you are the boss?

4. If, in a given year, there is no money in the budget; what should be cut?

5. A structure fire occurs, and because your crew is out of the first-due area you add an additional four minutes to your response time as the second-due engine. You put the on-scene firefighters in an unsafe position because they had to wait for your arrival to back them up. Four minutes may not seem like a long time, but in the fire service it can mean the difference between life and death.

While you as the chief officer may feel your personnel will benefit by allowing the time off, would your peers (the other shift chief officers) also allow this to happen?

(Disclaimer: this is a fictional test and has never been administered to Chief White.)

Really?

2010-02-25T21:13:00.002-06:00

Dear MFPD Board,

You just had a chief retire after decades of service in fire protection. You take out a full page "ad" in the Welcome Call. No congratulatory message... no "good luck in retirement".

Classy.

Also, many pics of firefighters, none of which had distinguishable faces.

There is only one thing clear in this ad.

Aaron Hilmer is in charge.

Does this count as the latest issue of the Hotline?

"The Smartest Guy in the Room" and other thoughts

2010-01-31T20:17:00.003-06:00

Hilmer called the controversy "much ado about nothing,"...

ARROGANCE or INCOMPETENCE?

This should remind everyone of the 2005 documentary "The Smartest Guys in the Room". It was about the downfall of the Enron Corp.

Greed destroys.

Was it really necessary to put to a vote to permanently lower the tax ceiling of the Mehlville Fire Protection?

Tax Levy 101 lesson #1: The board could set the levy as low as they wanted.

Tax Levy 101 lesson #2: Do your homework on all the laws and codes.

The hope is that people will eventually realize that all of these "changes" had nothing to do with taxpayers (did you get a tax decrease this year from the fire district?)
This is all personal... someone wanted to make a point. That someone is Aaron Hilmer. His ARROGANCE OR INCOMPETENCE is slowly eroding the confidence of the taxpayers.

Aaron got greedy.

Instead of being satisfied with all of the cuts made in his first couple of years on the board, he had to have more... historical tax decrease. How could a tax decrease lose in a time of economic crisis. Voters overwhelmingly voted for the tax decrease. Because they thought it would lower their tax...........ceiling?
No one ever thought it would actually lower their taxes. Right! (Dr. Evil voice)

So here we sit, as taxpayers, of the Mehlville Fire Protection District wondering what is going to happen. No reassurance or recognition of this issue by the board is a bit "alarming."

Almost forgot... Hilmer said he could run the district for one whole year without collecting any tax. That would have been historic and heroic.

But we are left with...
Arrogance, Incompetence, or Greed?

Extras...

Shouldn't the #1 story of the Call for 2009 been about how the "historic" tax decrease really didn't lower anyone's taxes?

Do you think the Call will look into how the Fire District pays for paramedics to go the firefighter academy, but will not pay for current firefighters to become cross trained as paramedics?

Do you think the Call will investigate, yes investigate, how many "Firemedics" have left after getting certified as firefighters all on the taxpayers dime?

Do you think the Call will look into how many uniforms were destroyed because of patches on them? Taxpayers paid for the new ones.

Hey...Call, its ok to be journalists; there won't be another Hotline. That revenue stream is dried up.

Is it funny because it is true?

2010-01-10T00:55:00.003-06:00

Who is more frightening? The pundits or the people who listen to them?

Thoughts, Predictions, Reflections, and Nonsense

2010-01-01T21:27:00.002-06:00

Thanks to all of those who check the Spot of Truth in South County Blog on a regular basis. (all 4 of you) It has almost been a year since the blog was created, and we have had a lot of fun bringing it to you.

What an historic election we had in the spring of 2009. South County re-elected Bonnie Stegman as the treasurer. With the help of the now DEFUNCT Hotline newsletter from the Mehlville Fire Protection District, we learned a great deal about Bonnie and her qualifications. We have learned even more about her in the months following the election. "Second..." She can "second" a motion with the best of 'em. Much like the Missouri Tiger offense in the Texas Bowl of '09, she has disappeared. Where have you gone, Bonnie? If the financial stability of the Mehlville Fire Protection District becomes dire, who will be the scapegoat? Just askin'...

The question has been asked before... What is a premier fire district; what does it look like?
Would it have a lame duck chief?
Would it have a chief-in-waiting that has little to no administrative experience?
Would it have a board that will not negotiate with its labor force?
Would it have employees that have had their salaries frozen for years?

Why would anyone want to work for the Mehlville Fire Protection District?
1. It is better than not having a job.
2. A high deductible insurance plan is better than a "really" high deductible insurance plan.
3. ????? Maybe our readers could fill in the rest.

Proposed slogans for the Mehlville Fire Protection District:
1. "No experience necessary... really!"
2. "A paid internship before you leave."
3. "Experience need not apply."
4. "More benefits than a volunteer fire district...so we got that goin' for us, which is nice."
5. "My name is Aaron, and yes, this is MY fire district"

One of the biggest falsities that has been perpetrated by people, like the author(s) of the South County Truth spot and chairmans of fire districts, is that South County residents are some of most taxed citizens of the world. No one likes to pay taxes but as was stated in earlier posts, South County residents enjoy some of the lowest tax rates in the entire metro area which includes Illinois. The Spot of Truth is not advocating for more taxes...no, no, no. This is informational. Just trying to bring awareness to our readers that maybe, just maybe some of the mouth pieces of South County are misleading the taxpayers. Talk to your friends that live elsewhere in the county and in the metro east. See what they pay.

Aaron Hilmer suffers from "misremembering".

In April of 2009, Aaron said "I spoke two weeks ago that I'm not going to focus on the past any more and I'm not going to focus on anything to do with the past. We're completely going toward the future."

Did Aaron forget this because...

December of 2009: "Another thing I'll point out and certainly this isn't trying to dredge up the past(even though I am), I think it's been well talked about, but the harsh reality is this situation is here because Mr. Fahs and his associates hand picked the previous members of the fire board and the administration.

Two things: Don't say stupid things like your not going to talk about the past when that is your motivation for doing what you are doing. And... Didn't the voters elect previous members of the fire board?

Also in 2009, why couldn't Aaron live up to his own arrogance?

April of 2009: "We literally could levy zero cents next year and run the district for a year on our reserves we've built up..."

Instead, he rolled up the levy. And questionable spending began (remember the entire country was hurting economically during 2009): five ellipticals at $3,520 each, for a total of up to $17,600, $3,635 plus $400 per additional camera for a total of $4,385 to purchase the Security Camera System,thermal imager camera only seven years old was replaced at a cost of $4,990, and the bid process to have a pumper repainted was initiated. Necessary?

Aaron, what would the Tea-Baggers think?

Aaron Hilmer should take credit for a few things in 2009.

It can be reported here first that he and former MNEA President Kay Kappos worked together to hold teachers salaries in the bottom 5% of St. Louis County. Even though Hilmers ally(ies) at the South County Truth spot "villianizes" Kappos, there was much discussion between the two considering they live in the same subdivision. Their concerted effort was rewarded by comparably low salaries enjoyed by Mehlville educators.
(note: this relationship may or may not be real)

So as we look back locally...
South County residents enjoy some of the lowest tax rates around.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District:
Raised their tax rate after bragging that they could survive a year without levying any tax...
Continued a contentious relationship with its labor force...
Bought new exercise equipment...
Hired a new chief without posting the opening...
Hired a new chief with minimal to no qualifications...
Hired a new chief who would not have gotten a raise on HIS new salary schedule if it was a year ago...
Paid Board Members...

The Mehlville School District:
Raised their tax rate to keep it at the level from the prior year...
Increased salaries of teachers after passing a tax transfer that promised to do so...
Superintendent and Board members met with public informally on a regular basis...
Did NOT pay their Board Members...

Predictions for 2010:
Aaron Hilmer will contradict himself.
The South County Truth Spot will allow comments.
The next issue of the HOTLINE will not mention the word "taxes".
There will not be another issue of the HOTLINE.
The Call will not question the fire district about the use of a taxpayer paid newsletter during an election cycle...any reason why they wouldn't? HA!
Mehlville teachers will remain one of the lowest paid around.
Mehlville/Oakville will secede from the Union.

Thanks for reading these ramblings(nonesense)

Remember your comments are always welcomed here.
Just try and keep it semi-clean.

South County Truth Spot Logic Part 79

2009-11-05T23:22:00.003-06:00

Straight from the South County Truth Spot dated Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.

"In Missouri, volunteer firefighters comprise the vast majority of personnel staffing fire districts across the state. Volunteers are professional and highly motivated for the simple reason that they WANT TO BE FIREFIGHTERS."

We REALLY want to play for the Yankees, but that doesn't mean we are good enough. It needs to be understood...WE REALLY WANT TO PLAY FOR THE YANKEES; WE WILL DO ANYTHING!

Sorry for the digression

It can now be confirmed that the Truth Spot's opinions come straight from a rectum.

Are they incapable of research over there? We are here to help:

From the CBS Evening News Website...

Here is the beginning of a story about volunteer firefighters:

"(CBS) Imagine a firefighter with a secret passion for setting fires, who ends up burning down his own firehouse. Sadly, it is a true story, Dan Rather first reported on Nov. 20, 2002.

Volunteer firefighter Douglas Ford’s case is certainly exceptional. But his kind of problem is not unheard of.

You’ve probably heard of firefighters being arrested for arson. It happens more than you might imagine. The vast majority of those arrests are among the ranks of volunteers."

Also, from January 2008:

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 January 2008, 21:00 CST

A probationary volunteer firefighter in Missouri who was charged with arson apparently was looking for more fires to fight.

Nicholas Hiatt of Caseyville, Mo., was arrested Monday and was being held in lieu of $20,000 bond. If found guilty, the 19-year-old State Park Place firefighter could face three to seven years in prison, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday.

He is accused of setting fire to two unoccupied Caseyville trailers. State Park Place Fire Chief Terry Guffey said he believes Hiatt just wanted to fight fires, the newspaper reported.

It could have been out of boredom, Guffey said.

Hiatt started working for the State Park Place Fire Protection District two months ago and had not passed his probationary period, Guffey said, adding he also ran a background check on Hiatt and found no negative marks on the new volunteer's record.

Source: United Press International

It took us all of 3 minutes to find these two stories about volunteer firefighters. Why research when you can invent?

We have no idea about the legal ramifications of anything that happens in the fire district. We are not on the inside. But we are capable of rational thought, and we get a kick out of watching THE Truth Spot lose it.

Finally, using The South County Truth Spot logic: If not one but two volunteer firefighters are bad, doesn't it make them all bad?

"Fit for Duty"

2009-10-15T20:44:00.002-05:00

What does "fit for duty" mean? This could be open for interpretation.

The chief's meaning of "fit for duty" seems to be all about the physical aspects involved in the job of firefighter in the Mehlville Fire Protection District. Does that mean they are a bad firefighter if they can't pass the tests? Maybe

Should the chief also take HIS "fit for duty" test?

We don't think so.

Why? He does not have to demonstrate physical skills in his day to day duty.

...But "fit for duty" could also relate to the competency of an employee.

Should the chief be required to take a series of "fit for duty" challenges in regards to his administrative responsibilities? We think so.

Also, we are trying to run a PG-13 blog, your comments may not be posted if the language goes a little too blue.

Rams To Get New Stadium?

2009-10-07T16:36:00.003-05:00

The South County Truth Spot has done it again!
With their crack staff (or staff on crack), they have copied and pasted themselves into journalistic history.
"Is the REAL TruthDetector Buying the Rams?" is a comprehensive copy and paste from the AP reporting on the interest Rush Limbaugh and Blues owner Dave Checketts have in buying the St. Louis Rams.

Using logic from the right, this could only mean one thing...New Stadium!
The dome was built with taxpayer money. Rush will surely not tolerate this.

Truth Spot,
How did you not scoop us on the new stadium?

All of our love,
Spot of Truth

"Truth Spot" To Interview Nick Fahs

2009-10-06T18:37:00.003-05:00

Straight from The South County Truth Spot dated October 3, 2009...

"Floyd appears to be represented by IAFF local 1889's attorney, Rick Barry. The South County Truth Spot would like to hear from union president Nick Fahs concerning Barry's legal representation of Floyd. Is the Local 1889 PAYING BARRY TO DEFEND FLOYD for harassing fellow union members?"

We applaud the Truth Spot for their quest in seeking an interview with the union president. We at the Spot of Truth do not have COURAGE to come out from our anonymity to be so BRAVE. Like Aaron Hilmer, the Truth Spot is looking out for the taxpayers, and we expect the interview to be honest and hard hitting. Good luck, Truth Spot. The truth is out there...

Can Anyone Translate This?

2009-09-23T21:41:00.002-05:00

We know we don't know much...So we are asking for the public's help. Please translate what Chief White said in the Call. It appears to be English, a very disoriented English. Here are some examples:

"I brought in the experts in here and had a meeting with them to determine what is fit for duty for a firefighter here at the Mehlville Fire Protection District or anywhere in St. Louis County or the United States as well." ....From the Redundancy Department of Redundancy

"It is something that you have to be very cognitive of the fact that these are men and women who want to do a good job and a lot of bad habits were learned over the years." What?

"And how could we test them fairly and how can we see what their performance is and if — if — they cannot pass this particular test that has been devised by PRORehab, what can we do to help to make sure they can pass?" This one might make some sense.

"The question is why, and obesity is a major concern among firefighters and it shows worsening trends over time." What does "it" refer to?

"Once again, the idea is here not to hurt our employees, not to hurt our firefighters and paramedics, but I think they want our help because they always want to help the community." We got nuthin'.

After a nation-wide search, our new Fire Chief is....
Nice work Mr. Hilmer...you need a plaque.

Its Been a While...Since & the most truthful video ever

2009-09-22T22:16:00.006-05:00

Hey,

South County Truth Spot,

Where has all of the inside scoop on the Mehlville Fire Protection District gone? Are you out of the loop?

We doubt it. Are you not "allowed" to publish insider/employer/employee information anymore?

What gives?

Is it because...............YOU SUCK!

Here is a great video about why we should not reform health care.

We truly are bipartisan over here.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Thoughts of the Month...

2009-09-21T20:21:00.002-05:00

Sorry we have been away for so long...we just got back from Glen Beck "Re-education" Camp!

We don't know what to think about him... sane? balanced? classy? sexy?

Health Care: PEOPLE, DON'T WORRY. THE DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE MORE TO HURT HEALTH CARE REFORM THAN THE REPUBLICANS.

Why were the Republicans so worried about health care reform anyway? If it was such a God-awful idea and passed, the GOP would be in power forever... or maybe....it was a great idea and if implemented correctly the Democrats would be in power for a long, long time.

By the way...locally speaking...

How is the latest Mehlville Fire Protection District Hotline coming along? What will the circulation dates be? Once a quarter? Twice a year? Three times during an election?
You guys suck!

Bonnie Stegman Out As Treasurer...

2009-08-27T22:06:00.003-05:00

Is Bonnie Stegman out as the treasurer of the Mehlville Fire Protection District?

In yesterday's/today's Call a story was dedicated to the tax rate and budget for the fiscal year 2010 for the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
Click here to read.

Not one time was Bonnie Stegman quoted in the article...she was mentioned once and that was to let us know that she took office in 2005 with Aaron Hilmer.

Could there be a power struggle?

Here's a quote from Hilmer: "This is the fifth budget that I've done and what I've learned is not to spend so much time on this..."

Shouldn't the treasurer be the one discussing the finances of the district? Isn't she the expert?

We wonder if there is a need for a treasurer at this point.

By the way the Mehlville Fire Protection District RAISED YOUR TAXES!

Hilmer even said it: "...The rate is a little higher than last year..."

Exclusive Video from The South County Truth Spot

2009-08-19T20:42:00.001-05:00

This is an alleged video from one of the last meetings of the executive board over at the South County Truth Spot.

Really, how far off is it?

MFPD Statistics

2009-08-01T01:11:00.002-05:00

Dear Community at Large,

Would anyone happen to have an accurate count of how many new hires(those that have never worked for he Mehlville Fire Protection District)the district has hired in the last 18 months? And finally, of those hires, how many still work for the district?

Thanks

P.S. Truth Spot, you seem to have an "in" at the district. Would you be able to help us out?
Thanks in advance

THE South County Truth Spot Melts Down and "Endorses" Segregation

2009-07-31T17:05:00.003-05:00

We see the vein popping out of your head right now.

Are you ever going to show your South County Pride?

Another application of THE South County Truth Spot logic:

In their latest blue fonted rant(Shouldn't it be red?), THE South County Truth Spot yearns for the innocent time of the 1950's when school was taught and students performed.
OH YEAH, and a little thing called SEGREGATION.
Using THE South County Truth Spot method, this means they, THE South County Truth Spot, endorses SEGREGATION!

Thanks for the logic, Truth Spot.

P.S. Count to ten...everything will be ok.

Republican Strategist "Endorses" Government Health Care

2009-07-29T20:50:00.003-05:00

Republican Strategist, Bill Kristol, admitted on Jon Stewart's, The Daily Show, that the government runs the best health care system in the United States.

Using "South County Truth Spot" logic, this means that republicans support/endorse government run health care.

We never realized how easy it was jump to conclusions like that.

Please watch the video.

"South County Truth Spot", You know you can...

2009-07-27T13:02:00.002-05:00

"South County Truth Spot", You know you can post here? We think more people would see it anyway.
By the way, thanks for keeping tabs on our site. Either you really like us or are nervous about what people are saying. We believe you could monitor what people are saying by allowing comments on your site, but...well, maybe someday, huh?

Instead of taking apart comments we allow on our site, maybe you, THE South County Truth Spot, could fill the land of the Internet with some South County Pride. Don't worry, were not talking about the "rainbow" pride that scares you so much.

Could you take the time to convince the South County citizens you really do love the taxpayers of your area?

Be the spokesperson for the region.

Convince people why they should move to South County.

We dare you to do that without one mention of how the taxes are one of the lowest in St. Louis County. Can you do it? We will give you the space in our comment section to post...as much as you need. We understand if you need to change the colors of your sentences, so if you have to do it on your site...

Open Forum: Why Mehlville?

2009-07-23T18:21:00.001-05:00

Great opportunity for public feedback:

If you had to lure a firefighter/paramedic to work for the Mehlville Fire Protection District, what would you say to convince him or her to work there?

If you had to lure a teacher to work for the Mehlville School District , what would you say to convince him or her to work there?

"South County Truth Spot" list of UNDESIRABLES

2009-07-23T17:43:00.005-05:00

In the spirit of South County's Greatest Thinker, Brad East and South County's Greatest Think Tank, The South County Truth Spot and South County's Journalistic Beacon, The Call...

We are going to talk to you like you are an idiot.

We have obtained a list of occupations and programs that "The South County Truth Spot" are actively trying to undermine. They are listed in no particular order:

1. Firefighters
2. Teachers
3. Police Officers
4. Librarians/Libraries
5. Construction Workers
6. Postal Workers
7. Marines
8. CIA Agents
9. Conservation Agents
10.Missile Defense

Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany's problems. "The South County Truth Spot" blames anything for which tax dollars pay on South County's problems.

Disclaimer: This list may or may not exist...Also, Hitler blamed other people too.

Mehlville School District Teachers Rank Where?

2009-06-24T23:32:00.002-05:00

For as long as this has been going, most of our attention has been focused on the Mehlville Fire Protection District. Since the HOTLINE will be part of regular circulation, we will wait for the next one to comment.

This entry will focus a bit more on the Mehlville School District.

This is the stuff the other "spot"does not want you to see.

Remember, South County is one of the lowest taxed areas in all of St. Louis County.

After the "ginormous" raises the teachers in the Mehlville School District received, here is where the district stands compared to the rest of St. Louis County. (These numbers are based on all county districts receiving no increase from '08-'09 to '09-'10).

Starting teacher salary moves from 21 out of 24 to 21 out of 24 in the county.

BA on step 5 goes from 22 out of 24 to 22 out of 24.

Master's on step 5 moves from 19 out of 24 to 19 out of 24.

Master's on step 10 moves from 20 out of 24 to 20 out of 24.

We at the Spot of Truth have faith in our readers to see that Mehlville School District teachers were not lavished with riches by some far off tax increase.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District brags about not raising your taxes to build a new fire station.

We believe the Mehlville School District followed in their footsteps. The school district was able to help the teachers that were frozen last year without raising our taxes.

Win/Win, Right?

Where Have We Been?

2009-06-17T01:06:00.003-05:00

Sorry for not posting in such a long time...We have been guests of the insanely rich teachers of the Mehlville School District. After their MEGA raises, a few teachers took the Spot of Truth on all expenses paid vacation to the Mediterranean. We will have new "takes" by the end of this weekend.

For fun, those of you that think President Obama is a socialist, please click on the link from The Atlantic:

http://correspondents.theatlantic.com/conor_clarke/2009/06/what_socialism_looks_like.php

The South County "Cut and Paste" Spot

2009-05-13T23:25:00.002-05:00

We at the Spot of Truth in South County love us some Truth Spot. It is so fun watching them scramble to appeal to their "bipartisan" base. One only has to look at their recent postings copied and pasted to their site. Our favorite recently was the one about President Obama laughing at a joke about Rush's kidneys failing. Remember, it was a joke. A joke. A joke!
To borrow a line from "Stripes": "Lighten up, Francis."

What should Americans be more offended by? President Obama laughing at a joke about Rush Limbaugh or the former Vice-President admitting to torture? You decide.

Is it possible that the "Republicans" who have led the party most consistently over the last 20-25 years are Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh? How is the party doing now? Please, please keep idolizing those two. It seems to be working out for everyone.

Public Schools Teach Both Republicans and Democrats

2009-05-03T22:39:00.004-05:00

In the fall of 2008, 50,188 voters in South County voted yes or no for Prop T a TAX transfer for the Mehlville School District. 31,203 voted yes...62.17%

In the spring of 2009, only 13,905 people voted for either P. J. Polizzi or Bonnie Stegman. Bonnie received 7,903 votes...56.81%.

We know we are comparing apples to oranges, and we do know that there was a Presidential election in the fall.

Here is why these statistics are relevant.

People WILL do what they can for education no matter how much people, ok "The South County Truth Spot" tries to bad mouth public education.

Sarcasm alert...
We are sure that all of the teachers in the Mehville School District, when they had their salary frozen last year, were able to "get by" on all of the riches they had accumulated as teachers. Their "princely" raises that the "South County Truth Spot" reports will happen will probably go towards the purchase of a second and sometimes even third home for the teacher. No teacher would ever spend the money on things like their own education for better instruction, classroom materials, etc. REMEMBER...all teachers got into education to get rich...rich I tells ya'!

Also, don't be fooled by "The South County Truth Spot's" love for the Lindbergh teachers...The Truth Spot wants to paint them as money grabbers too. The issue was not about 2% or 3% raises; it was about the right to bargain and have it in writing. Villains!

Do we think the Mehlville School District is in any position to go for a tax increase? No
Why? Strong and Intuitive leadership.

Although, we heard they might try a secret one in the summer that only "yes" votes will be allowed to vote. Hear that our obsessed,jilted lover?

Finally,
We have compared Mr. Hilmer to W. Frankly, Aaron is a much better orator. Now we must compare The South County Truth Spot to former Governor Matt Blunt.

When Governor Blunt came to office, one of the first things he wanted to cut was the ''First Steps" program. "First Steps" is designed for children, birth to age 3, who have delayed development or diagnosed conditions that are associated with developmental disabilities.
What Blunt did not realize is not only did Democrats have children with disabilities but also Republicans. He had to back off that cut.

What the "Truth Spot" does not realize is that public schools teach both Republican and Democratic kids.

Truth Spot,
Stop scaring the public and stay away from children!

"The South County Truth Spot" is Our Obsessed, Jilted Lover!

2009-05-03T11:01:00.003-05:00

The "South County Truth Spot" just does not get it. Loyal followers of the "Truth Spot", your intelligence is insulted with almost every post from the "Truth Spot". We at the "Spot of Truth" don't expect you to change your views; but maybe, just maybe, you may start to question what the infatuation might be.

It is hard to figure out the real motivation behind the "Truth Spot". We have concluded that the "Truth Spot" believes: "ALL TAXES ARE BAD!" ...REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION.

Money for the troops?
Truth Spot: "Not with my money!"

Money for education? (Early Childhood through College)
Truth Spot: "Its mine and you can't have it!"

Medical Research?
Truth Spot: "Survival of the fittest, baby!"

People with disabilities?
Truth Spot: "Its not our fault you are like that."

First Responders?
Truth Spot: "Not on your life!"

Editor's note: "These are 'likely' answers."

We, in South County, enjoy some of the lowest tax rates in the entire Metro area.
One needs to wonder why there is such a "Sky is Falling" attitude from the "Truth Spot" at the very mention of the word tax. Do they go all "Glen Beck" and start crying? We would like to think they don't.

We are, however, starting to believe they are obsessed...like a jilted lover, when it comes to tax issues.

Everyone knows how sane an obsessed, jilted lover is.

We are just sayin'...

Why Do They Make It So Easy?

2009-04-29T23:21:00.003-05:00

Which one is the new fire chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District?

The "Truth Spot" is Back!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-28T17:22:00.002-05:00

Thank You "Truth Spot" for an original piece of writing. "MFPD Board Stands Up to Attempted Taxpayer Rip-off by IAFF Local 2665" We were nervous you had gone back to your article copying days. "The Idiot's Bible" Don't get lazy! We thrive on your wonderfully concise ramblings. We wouldn't be in existence if it weren't for the "Truth Spot's" original works.

From today's South County Truth Spot:

"Last Friday, the Mehlville FPD Board of Directors convened an emergency closed session to deal with a personnel issue that is under investigation by St. Louis County Police. We understand that an employee was suspended with pay pending the conclusion of that investigation. Before the Board voted to deliberate in closed session, a short open session was held to pass a resolution opposing a sales tax for fire districts in St. Louis County. "

WHY AND HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?

Should anyone in the public know what happened in a closed session before there is a resolution?

BUT OUR FAVORITE IS THIS:

"...the Board of Directors of the Mehlville Fire Protection District are
adamantly opposed to all efforts in the Missouri House and Senate to pursue legislation that will allow fire districts in St. Louis County to ask voters for a sales tax increase..."

We are speechless "...adamantly opposed...to ask voters..." You don't trust the voters?

AND FINALLY:

"The South County Truth Spot has learned that the proposed legislation will be killed in the Missouri Senate."

What are you so worried about then?

Remember, it is not paranoia unless someone is really out to get you.

The "South County Truth Spot" is Holding Its Paranoid Breath

2009-04-23T22:29:00.002-05:00

We take great pride in watching the South County Truth Spot work so passionately for our tax dollars. Apparently they have the time and the massive tax decrease over the last couple of years has given them the money to do such a diligent job. Only crazy people would pursue such a labor for so little reward. (unless the real goal was winning/revenge/power and not really about taxes at all)Could you imagine getting so worked up about 7-20 dollars a month?

We at The Spot of Truth like funny: both funny... ha! ha! and funny... odd

We have yet to figure out which one The South County Truth Spot is:

On one hand we have their mission statement that is plastered at the top of their blog. It is below:

"This blog has been created by a group of South County residents to refute the misinformation propagated by local bloggers, bureaucrats, public employees, elected officials, labor unions and their shills in the media. We are a bipartisan group whose only interest is to set the record straight and act in the interest of South County taxpayers."

Notice the word "Bipartisan" meaning: representing, characterized by, or including members from two parties or factions

What does it mean for The South County Truth Spot?
Angry and Really Angry?
Closeted Gay Republican and Church Republican?
Tax and Spend Democrat and Overtly Gay Democrat?

We don't know either. We know it does not mean Democrat and Republican. How? Look at what was in The South County Truth Spot's latest blog:

"THIS IS A NEW TAX AND NO REPUBLICAN SHOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT SUPPORTING IT! "

Wouldn't a bipartisan group include not only republican senators but also democratic ones? A bipartisan group would call on both parties to remove their support for the bill.

We believe their statement is funny......odd.

This brings us to the bill being bantered about in Jefferson City

FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SALES TAX (Section 321.227)The substitute allows any fire protection district in St. Louis County to impose, upon voter approval, a sales tax of up to 1% on all retail sales within the fire protection district. Revenues collected from the sales tax will be deposited into the newly created Fire Protection District Sales Tax Fund. Ninety percent of the revenue will be distributed to the fire protection district from which the sales tax was collected, and 10% will be distributed to the fire protection districts per capita based upon the population of each distressed fire protection district.Any fire protection district imposing the sales tax must reduce the district's property tax rate by an amount sufficient to decrease property tax revenues by 50% of the previous year's revenue received from the fund.

There are two things that are funny about The South County Truth Spot's response to the bill.

1. The South County Truth Spot's mission states, "act in the interest of South County taxpayers."
This bill is for all of St. Louis County. Stop worrying about everyone else. You are only here to act on the behalf of the South County taxpayers. Remember, you took care of everything earlier in the month(see historic election...all you have to do is google "historic election" and Bonnie Stegman and Prop's 1 & 2 will pop up first).

Funny...ha! ha!

2. This would only go through if the voters approve it. Did you hear that...IF THE VOTERS APPROVE IT!" Remember how the voters got is so very right in early April? (once again...see "historic election") You have nothing to fear. No one would ever vote to help fund paramedics and firefighters.

Funny...odd

We call for the immediate removal of the word "bipartisan" from South County Truth Spot mission statement. HA! HA!

J. S. or Aaron Hilmer...please explain.

2009-04-21T20:43:00.002-05:00

Dear Aaron and Jim or Jim and Aaron,

What does the "premier fire district in South County" mean? Please explain...Jim you can comment below...Aaron, you can too.

This one is for you, Aaron?

Please, Please, Please...give us some tax relief in these tough economic times. We DARE you to level zero cents next year. You said you can do it. Don't tease us...

P.S. When will the celebratory "Hotline" be coming out?

Aaron Hilmer... George W. Bush?

2009-04-19T22:49:00.004-05:00

-"With their overwhelming approval last week of two tax-rate-decrease measures, Mehlville Fire Protection District voters have mandated that the Board of Directors make Mehlville 'the premier fire district in St. Louis County,' according to board Chairman Aaron Hilmer." Oakville Call. April 16, 2008

Mandate is a strong word...especially when only 17.21% of registered voters voted in the election. Aaron Hilmer would have you believe it was an amazing turnout for an April election. "...The turnout...is going to push 20 percent, which is fairly huge for an April election for just a few board races."

We, at the Spot of Truth, don't know numbers, but 17.21% pushes closer to 15% not 20%. We will forgive you for your lack of sense when it comes to numbers....gotta broad brush it, don't ya'?

In APRIL 2005, with "just a few board races", the turnout was 18.68%. That is pushing 20%...We forgot, you aren't here to talk about the past.

Here is a walk down memory lane about someone else who felt they had a mandate...

-After his November 2004 reelection , President George W. Bush announced that the election was a strong mandate for his policies. Social Security was his largest domestic challenge...

"As we fix Social Security, we have the responsibility to make the system a better deal for younger workers, and the best way to reach that goal is through voluntary personal retirement accounts. Right now, a set portion of the money you earn is taken out of your paycheck to pay for the Social Security benefits of today’s retirees. If you are a younger worker, I believe you should be able to set aside part of that money in your own retirement account, so you can build a nest egg for your own future." 2005 State of the Union Speech Feb 2, 2005.

Imagine where all of that invested money would be now. We're just saying...

On to the exhaustive search for our new fire chief... to make Mehlville "the premier fire district in St. Louis County."

Tim White, Fire Chief Elect. Don't know the guy. Don't have to. Administrative experience is administrative experience. Does he have any? Did no one else apply? Would anyone want to apply?
Appointments are not unusual. The board did nothing illegal in appointing the guy, but did they really get the best possible fire chief available in our nation to make our fire district the premier fire district in St. Louis county?

Maybe they got the guy to be the best fire district in south St. Louis County, west of Illinois, southeast of 44, and southwest of Reavis. Who knows? I could not find the district's borders on the Mehlville Fire District Website.

Getting back to Chief-elect White. What happens when he is in charge? The day he becomes the "decider"?

I seem to remember one of W's appointments and what George thought of him:

"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." --to FEMA director Michael Brown, who resigned 10 days later amid criticism over his handling of the Hurricane Katrina debacle, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005

Will we soon hear Hilmer saying, "Whitey, you're doing a heck of a job."

Remember, one of Bush's biggest problems was appointing unqualified people to fill important roles.

Is Aaron Hilmer, George W. Bush? We're just saying....

P.S. You have all read many Bushisms over the last 8 to 9 years. Read some of Hilmer's in my "Quick One" post.

A Quick One While He Is Away...

2009-04-16T20:27:00.004-05:00

"Out of Context Theater":

These are all quotes taken from the Oakville Call, April 16, 2009, and attributed to Aaron Hilmer...

"It was obviously a stunning margin of victory. I didn't think it would be that large."
...That's what she said!!!!

"I spoke two weeks ago that I'm not going to focus on the past any more and I'm not going to focus on anything to do with the past."
...Mark McGwire's couldn't have said it any better in front of Congress.

"We're completely going toward the future. I mean the sun is rising, morning is breaking and the last shadows, they're about to flee."
...Who wants to sit next to him on a plane?

"And if they don't flee, we're going to run them out of Mehlville. And there's a new day coming and we're really excited to be able to do it."
...SPARTANS!!!!!

"We've left ourselves six cents (of the general-fund ceiling) where we could take it up.....
we might need to take a little bit more..."
...Can you say TAX INCREASE? I knew you could.

"We never claimed it would save you money on your tax bill."
....WHAT!!!!!!!...According to the Oakville Call dated Feb. 11 & 18, 2009, "Voter approval of both propositions would save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million per year, according to board Chairman Aaron Hilmer."

"Mrs. Stegman and myself were alone in the trenches together for a long time...We built a launching pad...the rocket got cut loose and we're going to take it to the stars..."
...Oakville Call or Penthouse Letters?

South County Truth Spot Knows Too Much...

2009-04-13T23:17:00.002-05:00

We at Spot of Truth in South County have loved the reaction of The South County Truth Spot in regards to last week's very local and historic(historic in that it happened last week) election.

Apparently the real fight is on now.

We wish we were "in the know" about what is going to happen at the next Mehlville Fire Board meeting.

How is it that the South County Truth Spot seems to know so much?

Should the author(s) of the Truth Spot be so privy to sensitive, confidential employee issues? Improper?

Let us hope that board members are not leaking things to The Truth Spot a la Dick Cheney.
What could be worse? Board members are writing The South County Truth Spot.

also....

Truth Spot,
Here are a few other words to describe Board Member Bonnie Stegman's win in last week's election: throttling, harpooning, skunking, dominating, shellacking, trouncing. (Editor's note: A thesaurus was not consulted in the construction of this list).
Truth Spot,
Feel free to use any of the words above in future posts in reference to Bonnie Stegman's win. As we think of more, we will post them.

By the numbers:

April 2005

Stegman: 8,767 62%

Gralike: 5,344 38%

Total Votes: 14,111

April 2009

Stegman: 7,903 57%

Polizzi: 6,002 43%

Total Votes: 13,912

Prop 1

Yes: 10,970 80%

No: 2,851 20%

Total Votes: 13,821

Prop 2

Yes: 10,518 76%

No: 3,275 24%

Total Votes: 13,793

Conclusion: "Historic" election? We find it odd that less people voted in this election than did in 2005. We predicted 90% to 10% in favor of Stegman. It was a little closer than that. In fact Stegman's victory in '05 had a 10% wider margin of victory. We wonder if Prop's 1 and 2 had not been placed on the ballot if Bonnie Stegman would have won. Also, why did the percentages of Stegman's victory not mirror that of Prop's 1 & 2?

Were just sayin'....

Look for an exclusive, some say fictional, interview with A. H. and J. S. soon.

Supporters of the Mehlville Firefighters, Post Here

2009-04-07T22:30:00.001-05:00

Feel free to vent. Keep it PG-13.

Supporters of the Mehlville Fire Protection District Board Post Here

2009-04-07T22:25:00.003-05:00

To the victors go the spoils...If you were part of the winning squad tonight, post here. Gloat, celebrate, and do whatever you need to do. This is the only place in South County to publicly comment. The South County Truth Spot will not allow you to do so. We will even let Mr. Hilmer and whomever comment anonomously here. Once again, keep it PG-13.

On Second Thought...

2009-04-05T23:35:00.003-05:00

I didn't really have a strong opinion about Prop's 1 & 2. I have saved about seven dollars a month since the reform candidates came to power. Seven dollars is seven dollars, dagnabit! Then I started thinking about it. There has to be many tax districts across the U.S. who have placed tax decreases on the ballot. Also, all of them had to have passed. Who would ever vote not to decrease their taxes?

I did what every computer nerd pundit would do...I Googled.

I was surprised at what I found or didn't find. I found exactly two articles that related to the keywords ( tax decrease passed/rejected voters).
One is from Delran, New Jersey. It did not pass. The voters rejected the tax decrease. Here is the link: http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bct/voters-reject-tax-cut-in-delran/
That's right it did not pass. No explanation was given.

The second came from Texas City, TX. There wasn't a whole lot of details with this one, but here is the link anyway: http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/009007.html
0 for 2. Two tax decrease measures up for vote and twice they were defeated.

I think I have an idea why they didn't pass. Everyone knows how hard it is to pass any kind of tax increase, especially in South County. Knowing how hard it is to pass a tax levy, people may believe that permanently reducing the levy may not be prudent. The thought is, elect fiscally sound people to your board, council, etc. When the time comes to raise the levy, if necessary, it is done incrementally. Not all at one time, as our current board would have you believe would happen if they were ever to be off the board.

I know the investigative journalists at the South County Truth Spot will be able to dismiss these two events and my theory, but could they at least show some instances where these tax decreases have passed? I know, I know wait till Tuesday.

It comes down to the future. Can we predict it? If we elect fiscally conservative members to the board, we won't ever have to worry about the levy being maxed out to the tune of 10.5 million dollars.

Remember voters, you will not see a change in your taxes if Prop's 1 & 2 pass. The rollback has already occurred. This is only a lesson that Aaron Hilmer is trying to teach the firefighters about who is the "boss".

Dear South County Truth Spot,

2009-04-05T17:25:00.001-05:00

Dear South County Truth Spot,

I have a few questions and comments for you.

Will you add me to your favorite's list on the side of your blog? I have you listed as my one and only blog on my blog list. Pretty please?

Please, for public discourse's sake, will you let people comment on your site? You know you can moderate the comments to publish only those you agree with ,or you could really allow a debate of issues by allowing all comments to be published.

Aaron Hilmer will not be able to win his seat on the Mehlville Fire Protection District board in 3 years. Why? If you look at all of the literature mailed home by the re-election bid of Bonnie Stegman and the District Newsletter published by the Board of Directors, it basically says Stegman has done everything for the district. Mr. Hillmer has not done any of it. It was all her. What will he be able to campaign on? "I helped." or "I was really the brains behind all of it, Bonnie was my puppet." Plus, the community will remember that the firefighters are really the "Good Guys".

Will you start the push for Aaron Hilmer to run for state senate now?
I think he is ready. With the potential success of the tax decreases that will be passed this coming week, his record will surely get him elected for a state office. His knowledge of how the future will be and his brazen claim that he could run the fire district without collecting any taxes next year would surely go over well in a broader election. I can see his campaign slogan now, "Ready, Fire, Aim Policies Now! Ready, Fire, Aim Policies Forever!"

You really want to know who I am, don't you?
Is it that hard for you guys to think that maybe someone you don't know may be authoring this site? Maybe someone who could eventually have more of an audience than you.

So much for now. I will continue to edit this post as questions and comments come to mind.

100% Accurate Predictions for Election Day

2009-04-05T14:05:00.005-05:00

What's going to happen on Tuesday?

Prop's 1 & 2 will pass, but by how much?

A simple majority is needed, but anything short of 100% passage could be considered a defeat. As I have read and posted the comments on this site, most in favor of the tax decrease are so boisterous that anything lest than a 100% margin of victory would be unthinkable. Heck, who wouldn't want to lower their taxes 7 to 18 dollars a month forever?

Anyone who has not followed the issue will surely vote for the tax decrease, but will be surprised next year when their taxes don't really go down. Just adding the word "potentially" to "lower your taxes by 10 million dollars" would save the board some headaches and much explaining later on, but the future does not seem to resonate with the Mehlville Fire District Board.

It is all about the past or right now. Mr. Hilmer continues to be quoted in The Call saying that this will be an "historic" election. I beg to differ. My definition of "historic" is usually reserved for great things or life changing events. This is a tax referendum. No one's life is being held in the balance because of this election. There will be no demonstrations on the streets because of the outcome. Other countries and cultures will not come to South County to study the election of '09 because of its significance. Remember, only about 9.1% of the registered voters in South County voted for Mr. Hilmer in April, 2005. You can't say anything you do is "historic" if only 18.68% of the voters even voted in the election. This is an opinion, mixed in with a fact. Readers can decide which one is which.

STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!

It will pass, no matter what, it will pass. There is only one thing life worse than a sore loser...that's a sore winner.

Stegman vs. Polizzi
Winner: Stegman, but it will be closer than expected. I say Stegman 90% Polizzi 10%.

Disclaimer: I believe much of the animosity shown by Mr. Hilmer to the firefighters is personal and not business.

This brings me to the men and women who work for the fire district. You guys are going to have to regroup after this election and prioritize what is really important. I hate to say this but firefighters used the Dick Cheney/John McCain approach to this election. You tried to scare the public into voting against the tax decrease.
While almost every argument the firefighters have publicized about the quality of service and loss of experience is 100% accurate, some finesse may have been what the doctor ordered.

Will the firefighters of the district ever have a voice on the board? I believe so. Why? They are the real heroes in this entire debate.

In the end, there will always be children with eyes wide open at the sight of a firefighter or a rush to the window of their home when they hear the fire truck or ambulance coming down the street.
AND...
When a child is asked what they want to be when they grow up, you will always hear "firefighter".
What you will never hear, "I want to be a board member of a fire district when I grow up."

As always, your comments are welcome here...please keep it PG-13...

Comments...welcome!

2009-03-31T22:10:00.002-05:00

Just to let you know (if you have not figured it out), this blog has become somewhat of a forum. I have allowed all but about 3 comments to be posted. The three that were not posted were generally filled with profanities to make this an "R" rated site. I would like to keep it "PG-13". Also, hopefully you have managed to glean (nice work with the the thesaurus, eh "Truth Spot"?) that even though I have not posted for a few days, I have published the comments.
No matter what side of any issue you are on, no matter how poor the grammar is, and no matter how far off base your assumptions about the author of this blog are...I publish your comments.
Those who show allegiance to any blog, especially those who do not allow for comments, will always have a home here.

Common Ground...
Do you think the Blues will make it to the playoffs?

Will the Cardinals pitching hold up?

Feel free to comment...even you "Truth Spot"

Ignorance is the Sincerest form of Ignorance

2009-03-27T15:50:00.004-05:00

You have found us!!!! But you have also managed to insult most of the population of South County. Below is the introduction from the South County Truth Spot:

"Imitation is the Sincerest Form Flattery
All of us here at the South County Truth Spot are flattered that we are having such a profound effect on South County politics. We recently visited an infantile local blog that is an amateurish parody of the Truth Spot.
Apparently, this site is operated by a Mehlville teacher in cooperation with Mehlville Fighter's Local 1889. How do we know? We can't say because we have been sworn to silence by our sources. It's obvious that it's not operated by Local 1889 because it is written in decent English, with only a few spelling errors and somewhat pithy in content. However, the grievance mentality of Local 1889 is clearly present."

Apparently, no one in South County is educated enough to write in decent English, unless they are a teacher...not even, say...a police officer, an accountant, a lawyer, a bus driver, lawn care professional, small business owner, grocery store checker, bank president, bank teller, a doctor, member of the clergy...you get the idea.

You also realize that you dissected a comment that was posted to this blog in the comments section. Yes, we let people comment, even opposing viewpoints.

Finally, did you mean to say "infantile" or "inferior"? Either way, you're right.

FUN WITH: "Letter From Democratic Activist Parrots Local 1889's Groundless Propaganda"

2009-03-26T20:57:00.005-05:00

THESE ARE MY COMMENTS(IN GREEN) ABOUT THE COMMENTS THAT THE SOUTH COUNTY TRUTH SPOT (IN BLUE) LEVELED AT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN THIS WEEK'S CALL. IT WAS COPIED DIRECTLY FROM THE SOUTH COUNTY TRUTH SPOT WHO TOOK THE LETTER DIRECTLY FROM THE OAKVILLE CALL.
I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE THE ONLY THING BIPARTISAN ABOUT THE TRUTH SPOT IS THE USE OF BLUE AS THEIR "TRUTH DETECTOR" FONT.

MFPD Board of Directors 'needs to do better,' letter writer contends

Truth Detector: The following letter to the Call was written by Democratic activist and former candidate for Mehlville School Board in 2006 Theresa Saunders-Kleusch. Ms. Kleusch's husband was caught on video tape vandalizing her opponent's yard signs during her 2006 school board race.
(From the South County Truth Spot Mission Statement: "We are a BIPARTISAN group whose only interest is to set the record straight and act in the interest of South County taxpayers.
March 25, 2009 - I would like to qualify my remarks by stating I have no familial ties to the Mehlville Fire Protection District employees.

(TruthDetector: Ms. Kleusch has political ties to Local 1889 through the local Democratic party organizations)

(ONCE AGAIN FROM THE TRUTH SPOT: We are a BIPARTISAN group whose only interest is to set the record straight and act in the interest of South County taxpayers.)

As most people, I appreciate efforts to eliminate the wasteful spending of tax dollars.

(TruthDetector: Then you should be very grateful to Bonnie Stegman who has cut millions of dollars of waste and fraud)

(...THANK YOU, BONNIE)

So when I received two "informational fliers" — one in the Call — authorized by the district's Board of Directors, I was bothered that the taxpayers had to pay the costs for material that looks too political.

(TruthDetector: Did we hear anything negative out of Ms. Kleusch when the former Fire Board (consisting of union-backed Democrats) spent over $161,000 on "informational" mailings that stated it was "a matter of life or death" to pass a tax increase in 2004? No, that was fine with Ms. Kleusch as long as her political allies were doing the spending)

(SOUTH COUNTY TRUTH SPOT LOGIC APPLIED HERE..."IF YOU DID IT, WE CAN DO IT!")

The fliers seemed self-serving and came out right in time to launch one board member's campaign. I believe the first flier was addressed to registered voters, not to taxpayers. Today I received another flier.

(TruthDetector: Perhaps Ms. Kleusch would like to show us her PROOF for this statement)

(SHOW US PROOF THAT THERE IS NO PROOF!)

Why is there such a need for the board to do all this self-promotion all at once?

(TruthDetector: Because the public deserves to know what the MFPD has accomplished over the last 4 years)

(IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY MAY BE A LITTLE NERVOUS?)

Needless comparison charts, captions that do not match the subject matter and an article which only features the candidate board member on the front and back pages — why would these fliers be necessary when every week the Call excellently covers the fire district?

(TruthDetector: Needless? The public is entitled to a report from MFPD officials detailing the salaries and benefits of employes who constantly complain about Stegman and Hilmer's reforms)

(IS A TAXPAYER DISTRICT SUPPOSED TO USE THEIR NEWSLETTER TO DEMONIZE THEIR EMPLOYEES? DOESN'T THE SOUTH COUNTY TRUTH SPOT DO THAT ALREADY?)

Why now, especially when there has been some reported deficit spending? I heard another flier went out to a targeted ZIP code.

(TruthDetector: "I heard"? Wow! this is really convincing)

(ATTEMPT AT SARCASM? WOW! BRILLIANT!)

I have been wondering how much this has cost us. Now I read that the price tag is at least $32,000. These fliers focus on much more than Prop 1 and 2.

(TruthDetector: Again, she never wrote a word about the former Board spending over $160,000 in mailings, community forums and videos to promote what Aaron Hilmer has correctly identified as the "biggest sham in south county history" Proposition S)

(AGAIN...IF THEY DID IT, WE CAN DO IT!)

I definitely believe in the old saying: "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, you know it's a duck." Now some people might think "much ado about nothing," but the issue for me is more than the money, it is a matter of trust. And MFPD states they are treating our money with respect?

(TruthDetector: We guess that Ms. Kleusch was OK with MFPD employees being awarded up to $740,000 in cash when they retire, 100% paid by the taxpayers. Ms. Kleusch's faulty logic implies that Stegman doesn't respect the taxpayer's money. If that is true, then HOW has Bonnie Stegman been able to cut the tax rate by 50% AND propose the FIRST TAX DECREASE in Missouri history which will slash another $10.5 million from South County residents' property taxes? Sounds like she got her talking points from Nick Fahs and Local 1889)

(BONNIE, BONNIE, BONNIE...SHE DID IT ALL! SHE WAS THE FIRST TO PROPOSE IT BECAUSE NO ONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD HAD EVER THOUGHT TO DO IT.)

My second concern pertains to experience as it relates to the quality of care. As I get older, conversations with friends are often about health care and emergency situations. Some have described a few mishaps where lack of experience may have played a role — directions, slow response.

(TruthDetector: We challenge Ms. Kleusch to provide information on ONE INCIDENT where there has been a delayed response to an emergency call due to "lack of experience". The truth is, before Bonnie Stegman DOUBLED the number of paramedics and added a fifth ambulance, an emergency medical call might be answered by an outside ambulance contractor like Abbott if no MFPD ambulances were available. Now there is a paramedic on EVERY piece of fire apparatus. Ms. Kleusch obviously has not bothered to investigate this for herself and is only parroting the propaganda of disgruntled Local 1889 militants)

(WHAT IF SHE CAME UP WITH TWO? DO YOU STILL WIN?)

New hires need to know their community. No matter how well-trained, the more hires MFPD has with minimal on-the-job experience within the district means the greater likelihood mistakes can occur.

(TruthDetector: Ms. Kleusch again is attempting to make you believe that just because a paramedic is a new hire that they are inexperienced. It takes two years of college-level study and hundreds of hours of clinicals to earn a paramedic's license in Missouri. In contrast, a new firefighter with no paramedic certification can go to work with only 12 weeks of fire academy and a high school diploma. We never heard a word out of Ms. Kleusch when her Democratic cronies on the Board in 1996 hired the Fire Chief's son who had NO qualifications and spent OUR MONEY to send him to fire academy)

(TRANSLATION: THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME YOU DID THIS, SO YOU ARE THE DEVIL...BUT IT MEANS WE CAN DO IT TOO.

What is also regrettable is the lost tax dollars on all the training for new firefighters/paramedics, only to see them quickly go to work outside our fire district. The fire board needs to do better.

(TruthDetector: Many of these new employees were HARASSED unendingly by Ms. Kleusch's political allies in Local 1889 until they quit. Ms. Kleusch obviously thinks it;s OK to berate new paramedics solely because they are new hires regardless of their qualifications. She is just echoing the talking points of Local 1889's corrupt leaders)

(YOU CAN CONNECT ANYONE WITH ANYONE, THANK YOU FORMER VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY.)

When it is my 911 call, I want the best, the brightest and an experienced paramedic.

(TruthDetector: That's what you will get thanks to Bonnie Stegman and Aaron Hilmer)

(SOUNDS A LITTLE LIKE A LOVE STORY, DOESN'T IT?)

Theresa Kleusch
Oakville

Just in case...

2009-03-26T20:48:00.003-05:00

Just in case you thought I made up the story about the photo from the March 2009 Hotline.

From left to right: Aaron Hilmer, J.S., Bonnie Stegman, and Ed Ryan. (allegedly) The Real Heroes!

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT. THE CAPTION IS PRICELESS.

HOTLINE...REALLY?

2009-03-26T00:15:00.002-05:00

We are going to go to the Bizarro world today...

Imagine the front page of the next Mehlville Messenger (the Mehlville School District newsletter). On it are the pictures of Tom Diehl and Michael Ocello(two incumbents up for re-election). Below are stories about how both of them have done great things for the district over the last couple of years, like restoring openess with the community and the press. Below the articles is this statement, " This publication is intended for informational purposes only. It is not designed to influence any person's vote on election day."
What? Huh? is that necessary? Do we need to be told that? Are they trying to make it all legal-like?

Our heroes over at the South County Truth Spot would be all over that. They would be calling for investigations. The word "ethics" would be tossed around. Most of all, the South County Truth Spot would surely say that the Mehlville School District was using tax payers money to campaign for two incumbents.

Now we return from the Bizarro world to the world of South County politics. Finally, a dose of reality.

As mentioned in earlier posts, the Hotline (Mehlville Protection District newletter) has been quite interesting(if you are totally into Bonnie Stegman).

There was this great article about how a couple of firefighters helped some people...no, there was no such article?
How about the article about the firefighters helping to rescue the puppy...oh, you couldn't find space for it?
Nothing, nada, not one word about any employees doing anything positive. I don't understand why the Board and Chief have not fired each and everyong of those "shady" firefighters.

Hold the phone...there was the photo of a burning building on the front page of last week's (March 2009 edition) Hotline and the caption said, " Mehlville Board members have proven they can maintain high standards and decrease taxes." What!!!! Really? That is the best caption to put under a photo of a burning building with firefighters working to put out the blaze?

Really? That is the ultimate insult not only to the firefighters but also to the intelligence of the community. Unless...could it be that the people in the photo are...yes it is! From left to right in the photo "Aaron Hilmer is walking up to the fire w/o his helmet, the man in the black shirt is, I believe, J.S., Bonnie Stegman is the next firefighter, and Ed Ryan appears to be the last one on the right. That is awsome!
Disclaimer: I don't see so well.

Really?
Everything else was all Bonnie front to back in the Hotline. She's is interviewed on the front page and back page. By whom? we don't know. Could it be Burke Wasson? The Spot of Truth tried to track him down at his office at McDonalds, but he had just left.
Burke, one word..."salad".

The Hotline is nothing but subsidized campaign literature for Bonnie Stegman and the Board. How else could it be described. We at the "Spot of Truth in South County" call for investigations, and possible ethics violations. We are adopting the same stance that the South County Truth Spot adopted just about a year ago . Below is taken directly from their website dated April 4, 2008(see what they said about another taxpayer newsletter):

What must be done in the Mehlville School District is clear:

Eliminate the print publication of the Mehlville Messenger.

Where is the outrage? We dare the South County Truth Spot to follow the philosophy they adopted a year ago.

We doubt they will...

South County Truth Spot Logic?

2009-03-25T23:37:00.004-05:00

I must admit I thought I would spend most of this latest blog discussing the "South County Truth Spot" logic. I just don't have the time to do that though, so here is a little of it.

Like...why is ok to for the "SCTS" to triumph the Mehlville Fire Board because the voters of South County voted for change when they elected Hilmer/Stegman to office? They were the reform candidates and made many campaign promises on which they have followed through. The "SCTS's" logic would say that the fire board is just doing what they were elected to do.

And why is the "SCTS" not ripping the Mehville Fire Protection District for having a newsletter? Is it necessary? More on that later...

Why not apply the same "SCTS" logic to issues facing the Mehlville School district... Board members were voted in...Prop T passed...the schools do more with less. But all the "SCTS" can do is say, "Get off my lawn!" (sorry) Really, all they do is demonize the teachers who may or may not get a raise even though the voters of South County voted for Prop T which promised to help attract and retain teachers.

Is it possible that The South County Truth Spot only likes South County voters sometimes?

By the way, who will The Truth Spot endorse for the Mehlville School District this time? There are two spots open. Last time they endorsed Chris Brown, Dave Bertlesen and Linda Mooy. How did that work out?

South County Truth Spot Rules!?

2009-03-16T23:26:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all that have responded. I hope that I have been getting your comments up in a timely manner. On to business...
The South County Truth Spot must reread their mission statement at the top of their blog:

"We are a bipartisan group whose only interest is to set the record straight and act in the interest of South County taxpayers."

If they were perfect in setting the record straight, I would not have felt compelled to start my own blog.
We need to get a few things straight from their post titled: "Fraternally Submitted"

The Mehlville NEA is not considered a union in the state of Missouri; its an association. I know, I know, that is a minor detail. But I continue to go back to the South County Truth Spot mission statement which states "...only interest is to set the record straight..." That is item one, Mehlville NEA is an association not a union.

Next item...
From the South County Truth Spot: "These figures are for 2008 and do not include the generous 4% across the board raises the Board of Education has granted for the upcoming school year.
This is a 100% lie. There has been no raise granted for anyone in the Mehlville School District for any upcoming school year. This is a complete fabrication! Show me in the minutes of any School Board meeting in the last 5 months where the board has voted for and granted anyone in the school district a raise.

Final item... for now:

Again from the South County Truth Spot:

The MNEA tells us that these raises are necessary to keep "qualified teachers from from seeking employment at higher paying districts". This circular logic implies that teachers must have large pay raises EVERY YEAR or they will quit.

Is that circular logic or South County Truth Spot logic? Also, when did the MNEA tell the South County Truth Spot this? Their line says "us". Did the "Truth Spot" have a sit down interview with the MNEA? Did they ask any parents in the district if they wanted to keep qualified teachers from leaving the district for higher paying districts?

Remember, the Mehlville School District is the 5th lowest taxed district in the county and only about a penny and a half from being the 3rd lowest.

So long for now... I believe I will stress the "Apples to Oranges" logic that persists at the South County Truth Spot in my next post.

Go Blues!
Common Ground?

Outrageous Predictions and Fun

2009-03-02T22:30:00.003-06:00

One of the great things about "A Spot of Truth in South County" is that I don't believe anyone will ever read it.
I can say outrageous things like: "Birds is magic!" or "All wrong thinking people are right!"
I can even make predictions that may or may not come true.

Try this one: The Oakville Call will interview a fire board member about great things the board has done.
Here's another: There will NOT be another HOTLINE newsletter in the Call after the election...at least not until the next election.

Remember...these are just predictions. They may or may not come true.

Next item:
Word on the street is that a few members of the BIPARTISAN "South County Truth Spot" were ready to investigate the timing of the HOTLINE put out by the Mehlville Fire Protection District and its value to the people since they have chastised the Mehlville School District for having any kind of public relations. When they had their last meeting at the regular spot and time, it was decided that the South County Truth Spot will hold judgement for later. Citing: "This is different."

Disclaimer: This meeting may or may not have happened.

Bonnie Stegman is Bugs Bunny

2009-02-26T22:20:00.002-06:00

"First base: Bugs Bunny, Second Base: Bugs Bunny, Left Field: Bugs Bunny..."
I have to say that after reading Hotline, the Mehlville Fire Protection District newsletter, I was reminded of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon in which Bugs Bunny played every position on the baseball field.

After reading just the front page, I saw "Bonnie Stegman: architect, Bonnie Stegman: professional nurse, Bonnie Stegman: chart and graph maker, Bonnie Stegman: reform leader, Bonnie Stegman: interviewee, Bonnie Stegman: faculty member, Bonnie Stegman: paramedic, Bonnie Stegman: heavyweight champion of the world(just checking to see if you are still reading, but I'm not finished), Bonnie Stegman: emergency department nurse, Bonnie Stegman: directory of emergency department.
Page 2 "Bonnie Stegman: Directory-Treasurer, Bonnie Stegman: construction worker.( I believe she is building the firehouse all by herself. Look at the pictures!) Bonnie Stegman: Steward of your tax money."
Those are some tremendous qualifications.
Question....
Is the Hotline trying a little too hard to tell us about Bonnie Stegman?

Her name is mentioned 7 times in the first two pages along with one full length interview and an article with quotes only from her.

Surely the other two board members are mentioned as many times and quoted equally. No...Chairman Hilmer's name is found only twice, one being where the Board of Directors are listed and the other mentioning he has been overseeing construction.
Director Ed Ryan? once.

If the professionals at the South County Truth Spot got a hold of this, they could help us over here at 'A Spot of Truth in South County" blow the lid off this.

Last thought, what would happen if a board of education member at the Mehlville School District tried to pull something like this? I'm just sayin'.

The Mehlville School District: On Target?

2009-02-26T21:45:00.005-06:00

We here at the "Spot of Truth" believe the Mehlville School District is doing the right thing. They are using a formula perfected by the Mehlville Fire Protectioin District. Less taxes means better service. How does this work you ask?

MFPD has the lowest tax rate of all fire protection districts in St. Louis County. That is a fact...you can look it up. They have increased paramedic coverage 270% without raising taxes. I'm no math person but wouldn't anyone like 270% more of anything? I hope that comes with 270% of the experience too.

Back to the school district...no it does not have the lowest tax rate in the county, but it does have the 5th lowest out of 24 school districts in residential rates. And it is barely 2 pennies away from being the third. What two districts would they be behind if they were third? Ladue and Brentwood, two very affordable communities in which to live.

Why is this relevant? Prop. T, which passed in the fall, was necessary to restore cuts that have been made over the last couple of years. Some of those cuts were in staffing. Those cuts will be restored and there was no tax increase to do this. So look at this as an increase in "educational coverage" without anybody's taxes being raised. Who knows what the percentage of new coverage will be, but it will be better and no one has to pay more...unless you move to one of the other 19 school districts in St. Louis county that have higher rates. I'm just sayin'.

Where's my 10 Million Dollars! and other thoughts.

2009-02-24T23:47:00.000-06:00

...I can't wait for the residents of the Mehlville Fire Protection District (MFPD) to vote yes on the two tax decrease issues. Think about how that $10,000,000.00 will be divided among the taxpayers. That is a lot of money.
...According to the Oakville Call dated Feb. 11 & 18, 2009, "Voter approval of both propositions would save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million per year, according to board Chairman Aaron Hilmer." If Aaron Hilmer says it, you can take that money to the bank! He is honest and would never mislead the public. It's like a stimulus package for South St. Louis county...bravo Mr. Hilmer

Speaking of stimulus packages...what happens if the President Obama's stimulus package works?
I'm just sayin'.