4 I OPINION I Worst redistricting plan January <strong>23</strong>, 20<strong>19</strong> WEST NEWSMAGAZINE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: I agree with your Dec. 5 “Are we clean yet?” editorial about Amendment 1. I agree it’s a terrible, tricked-up plan with George Soros’ quarter-million advertising influence. I agree there are four distractions blinding us from the one dangerous power shift – to dramatically change our redistricting system. Four of five could clean up Missouri politics, but “Clean Mo” does not mean redraw districts. Amendment 1 is illegal. State law limits ballot measures to one focus. It has five: campaign limits, gifts, limiting lobbyists, proceedings open to the public and redistricting. The court should have separated Amendment 1 into five ballot measures. Legislators would know specifically what their voters agree to or not. I agree with you about cringing but not accepting because there are many missing details in the ballot wording. Please research the full text to discover that we voted for one unelected demographer, a new position appointed by state auditor, to decide new districts. That inappropriately shifts power from the governor to the state auditor. The previous redrawing plan was Democrat and Republican parties providing 10 names to the governor, who chooses five names from each list for a commission of 10. They must create and agree on new boundaries; 10 involved, not just one demographer. Missing in the ballot language is redrawing directions and limits. Present state law requires legislators to live in their voters’ district. In November, we agreed to scramble districts with a slice of St. Louis City, mid-state rural and my suburb. A legislator can’t live in St. Louis City representing rural citizens across the state. Please research how districts can be rigged to vote a certain way, as in Colorado and Maryland, and check for Soros funding. More states are targeted. Permitting this convoluted method will erase each voter’s voice and drastically change our state and nation. Voters, please email your state senator, representative and Gov. Parson asking them to not implement Amendment 1. Protect us from outsider PAC money. Search senate. mo.gov, click “Legislator Lookup,” then click on your legislators’ names for sending emails. Keep Soros out of Missouri politics. Marjie Saiter Open letter to the President, Congress To the Editor: The country is at a standstill due nonnegotiation, and all that the American people are getting is a childish show of blame-shifting and half-stories – Democrats blaming the president; the president blaming the Democrats. I know I speak for many when I say that the American people – the very people who elected you to work on our behalf – are fed up with this childish display. We Americans look not only to our president, but also to our elected officials in Congress to protect our country from “enemies foreign and domestic.” Securing our borders is part of protecting this country from “enemies foreign.” In 2006, several Democrat leaders voted for funding a border wall/fence. So what is the issue now that prevents Democrat leaders from funding a wall? This type of flip-flopping in policy sounds more like posturing than actual cooperation in finding a solution to the impasse that plagues us today. An example of this posturing is Speaker Pelosi saying, “We’re not doing a wall.” Such unyielding statements do not show an attitude of working towards a common goal, but one of a line in the sand. It sounds less like a moral belief and more like a stance to undermine the president in order to show him who has absolute power and control in Washington. Perhaps congressional leaders should consult the border patrol agents – the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our borders – as to what is needed. They know better than anyone what is needed at our border, as they see it every day. Why not consult them? Mr. President and members of Congress, please show flexibility in resolving this issue. Protect our borders. Despite all its warts, the United States is still the greatest country in the world. Please fight to keep it that way. Gina Schergen Regarding Walther Williams To the Editor: I am thrilled with your new columnist, Walter E. Williams! What a refreshing article on Jan. 9. Back to more truth in a positive, straightforward light. Great choice! Way to start the year! Pam Winter • • • To the Editor: I decided to send you an email last month. Not sure where time went, but I am glad I waited. I was going to apologize for the email that I sent last year with criticism the content of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>. I have been very disappointed since Thomas Sowell’s retirement and did not appreciate the new column, “Random Thoughts.” I read your reply and paid more attention to the content of the magazine and what I read and did not read. It turns out that I like more of the magazine than I realized. I appreciate the local news, etc. Now, I am especially thrilled that you have added Walter Williams to the magazine. Thank you! Lynne Strasser Raising elected officials’ pay in Ballwin To the Editor: I am asking my fellow Ballwin residents for help with a difficult issue – deciding whether, and how, to adjust the salaries of elected officials. At our most recent meeting on Jan. 14, the Board of Aldermen decided to begin to address this issue, which has been avoided for many years – at least 28 – the last ordinance on this was from <strong>19</strong>91. I want to be up front with you and know that this issue will be discussed, and voted upon, at our upcoming meeting on Jan. 28. I do not want anyone to feel like we tried to “sneak one by you,” and I think my colleagues feel the same. The current salary of a Ballwin alderman is $4,200 per year. The mayor has much more responsibility than the aldermen. His current salary is $8,400 per year. I have found all of the individuals with whom I have worked as elected officials, during my time in office, to be very giving of their time in taking on this public service. They do not expect much, if anything, in return. Nevertheless, as you can tell from what I shared, significant time goes into these jobs, and officials should receive some compensation. This is a sensitive issue and I hope you can provide us help. No matter what we decide on this issue, I propose creating a volunteer citizens commission which could meet every 8-10 years to discuss this and give feedback to the board. We think it is appropriate to raise the salaries for Ballwin to $5,400 for the aldermen and $10,800 for the mayor. I, for one, think you will agree with us, but I could be wrong. I would like to know if you agree with the numbers we arrived at and invite you to contact me with your thoughts. Please email me at mfinley@ballwin.mo.us Also, if you would like to share your thoughts publicly, please come to our meeting on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. and speak during Citizens’ Comments at the beginning of the meeting. Thank you for reading and for your anticipated feedback and dialogue. Michael Finley Alderman, Ward 1 Founder Publisher Emeritus Publisher Managing Editor Associate Editor Features Editor Business Manager Graphic Designer Graphic Layout Tech Advisor/ Website Admin. Assistant @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Advertising Manager Vicky Czapla Writers Doug Huber Sharon Huber Tim Weber Kate Uptergrove Ellen Lampe Lisa Russell Erica Myers Ryan Moore Emily Rothermich Brian Miller Melissa Balcer Advertising Account Executives Nancy Anderson Jim Barrett Terry Buescher Denise Candice Classified Advertising Sales Scott Dupree Suzanne Corbett Jim Erickson Brian Flinchpaugh 754 Spirit 40 Park Dr. Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 591-0010 ■ (636) 778-9785 Fax westnewsmagazine.com Please send Comments, Letters and Press Releases to: editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> is published 30 times per year by <strong>West</strong> Media Inc. It is direct-mailed to more than 68,000 households in <strong>West</strong> St. Louis County. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> and views expressed in editorial copy are not necessarily those of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>. No part of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>. All letters addressed to <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> or its editor are assumed to be intended for publication and are subject to editing for content and length. <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or editorial submission. © Copyright 20<strong>19</strong>. A PUBLICATION OF Ellen Hartbeck Linda Joyce Joe Ritter Sheila Roberts Bonnie Krueger Warren Mayes Jessica Meszaros Submit your letter to: editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com • 636.591.0010
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM January <strong>23</strong>, 20<strong>19</strong> WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I 5 St. Louis’ Favorite Italian Dining Experience. Make your Valentine’s Day reservations by phone or online at charliegittos.com Reservations are limited From the Hill 15525 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield (636) 536-2<strong>19</strong>9 On the Hill 5226 Shaw Ave St. Louis (314) 772-8898 Visit us at www.charliegittos.com Follow us on Facebook. At Hollywood Casino 777 Casino Center Dr. Maryland Heights (314) 770-7663 M O R E CHOICES Activities, travel, learning, growing — it’s all here for you. Enjoy your neighbors at a community happy hour, go on an excursion to the local museum, or venture out on your own wild ride — you decide. © 20<strong>19</strong> All rights reserved. Spectrum Retirement Communities Age fearlessly. Live colorfully. Assisted Living | Memory Care 693 Decker Lane, Creve Coeur, MO 63141 314-800-0545 | CreveCoeurAssistedLiving.com CC <strong>West</strong> News Mag 1 9 <strong>23</strong> 18
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