West Newsmagazine 5-24-17

50 I NEWS I
May 24, 2017
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Creve Coeur is proud to announce our
FOURTH SUMMER OF
FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CONCERTS
Millennium Park | 2 Barnes West Drive
Pack a picnic basket or enjoy a snack from a food truck. A selection of
booths from the Creve Coeur Farmers Market will be on hand.
Boogie Chylde
Thursday,
June 8 - 6 pm
Maple Jam Band
Thursday,
July 13 - 6 pm
Abbey Road Warriors
Thursday,
August 10 - 6 pm
By JESSICA MESZAROS
In a Chesterfield City Council meeting
already notable due to the absence of
Mayor Bob Nation, with Councilmember
Dan Hurt [Ward 3] serving as president
pro tem, councilmembers examined a
plan to send 5 percent of a cash settlement
received from a class, action lawsuit
against TracFone Wireless, Inc. to the Missouri
Municipal League’s advocacy fund
to be used for litigation purposes.
The council’s Finance & Administration
[F&A] Committee voted on May 8 to
recommend the action to the council. The
league represented 295 Missouri municipalities
in a class, action lawsuit when the
prepaid wireless provider refused to pay
license taxes on its services. Chesterfield’s
settlement share was $30,847; 5 percent of
the amount would equate to about $1,542.
Some councilmembers were not in favor
of sending the money to the organization
and cited concerns about providing funds
to a lobbyist organization.
“At this point, we lose control of it,”
Councilmember Ben Keathley [Ward 2]
said. “It doesn’t go toward our residents
anymore. It goes toward a lobbyist group.
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Distribution of TracFone settlement
fund splits Chesterfield City Council
We don’t know what they would use the
money for and if that would be consistent
with what we want.
“I think it’s inappropriate that we give
taxpayer funds to a lobbyist organization to
begin with, but I think it’s even more damaging
if that money is used to the possible
detriment of our residents.”
Other councilmembers saw the contribution
as a small price to pay for the league’s
assistance, on the city’s behalf, in achieving
the class-action settlement.
“In the past, when we’ve had previous
fights about reimbursement and payment
by these telephone-related entities, this
has been the traditional way that they
have been funded,” Councilmember Barry
Flachsbart [Ward 1] said. “When the
money is recovered, a small percentage of
it goes back to the lobbying effort that the
Missouri Municipal League does. I believe
that this is an appropriate thing and that we
should indeed pay our share.”
The council was split evenly over a vote,
with Hurt breaking the tie. The result was
a 5-4 vote in favor of sending the funds to
the league, although the issue may circle
back to the council for future consideration
if requested by the mayor.
MEMORIAL DAY
Take some time during the
Memorial Day weekend to remember
those who have given their lives
in defense of our freedom.
“I don’t have to tell you how
fragile this precious gift of
freedom is. Every time we hear,
watch, or read the news, we are
reminded that liberty is
a rare commodity in this world.”
– President Ronald Reagan
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“Our debt to the heroic men and
valiant women in the service of our
country can never be repaid.
They have earned our undying
gratitude. America will never
forget their sacrifices.”
– President Harry S. Truman
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