Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-18-20

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10 I NEWS I November 18, 2020 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE @MIDRIVERSNEWS MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Council members question election director over ballot security issues By BRIAN E. BIRDNOW A mild discussion concerning the approval of a bid for upgrades to county election machinery led to a fairly pointed exchange between two County Council members and County Election Director Kurt Bahr at the council’s Nov. 9 meeting. At the heart of that discussion was the issue of election security. That evening, the council removed an item concerning the purchase of election equipment from its consent agenda, and held a discussion on this specific topic. Bahr explained the need behind the purchase of new Americans With Disability Act-compliant voting machines, which are mandated by the federal government, and labeled the item before the council as “enabling legislation.” He also explained the need behind the purchase of new iPads, known as “poll pads,” noting that those currently in use by county election judges are technologically obsolete since Apple Corporation no longer offers technical support for that particular model. In the question-and-answer session following Bahr’s presentation, council member Joe Cronin (District 1) pointed out that Unison Corporation, the vendor St. Charles County residents wait on Nov. 3 to cast their vote. which supplies the machines to the county, is actually a Malaysian company. He said he would feel more comfortable with the county using a domestic supplier. Bahr replied that the election machinery industry is rather limited, with only four or five companies offering the necessary products and services for those products. Council member Joe Brazil (District 2) then took up the issue stating, “With all this stuff going on (concerning vote counts) … we’ve got to be real careful about these voting machines.” He argued that the national election and the many questions about the purity and legitimacy of the vote rendered it incumbent on the county to make sure that the machinery worked properly. He added that the purchase of the new technology should only be finalized after a full vetting of the agreement. Brazil suggested that this measure be tabled until the council’s next meeting, giving the council time to study and evaluate the measure. At this point, council member Mike Elam (District 3) joined the argument and stoutly defended Bahr. He said Bahr had been a very conscientious and dedicated state representative for St. Charles County, and was now showing the same professionalism as (Ellen Hartbeck photo) the county’s elections director. Brazil and Cronin hastened to say that their questions were not in any way critical or personal, but that they wanted more information on the purchase, and on Unison Corporation. Bahr responded that he took no offense but warned that a delay in the purchase of the new equipment would cost county taxpayers in the long run. Ultimately, the council agreed to authorize the purchase of the new poll pads immediately. The transaction regarding the ADA-compliant machines was tabled, with action being delayed until the Nov. 30 council meeting. This holiday season, the best way to shop is close to home By JOHN TREMMEL During this time of pandemic, local businesses need residents’ support more than ever. O’Fallon, St. Peters and St. Charles, Cottleville and Weldon Spring, Dardenne Prairie, Lake Saint Louis and Wentzville all have announced programs to encourage residents to patronize local businesses during the holiday season. That includes shopping, dining and other services. O’Fallon The O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce has rolled out a campaign known as “O’Fallon is Open for the Holidays.” From Nov. 9 through Dec. 7, participants can obtain stickers from local businesses and paste them into “passports.” Participants can print the passports at home and use them to collect their stickers. Additionally, patrons can turn in as many passports as they like, according to O’Fallon Chamber President Kathy Duck. “You do not have to fill the passport with stickers before you turn it in,” Duck said. However, she noted that each business may have different guidelines in regard to receiving additional stickers. Cheers to shopping local “Residents (must) turn in their passports to the O’Fallon Chamber office by no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, to be entered into a drawing,” explained Duck. “Three winners will be drawn on Dec. 10 for three collections of gift cards. “For every sticker in your passport, you are entered one time into the drawing for the gift card collections!” The drawing will be streamed on Facebook live. (Source: Adobe Stock) “Our passport contestants that are not users of Facebook Live will still be notified,” Duck said. “We are collecting the participants’ emails, phone numbers and names, so we can reach out to them immediately following the drawing. In addition to the sets of gift cards (one with a value of $650, and two at $440 each), some local shops have donated items that do not have a gift card value. “We are excited to be starting this event and hope that it continues for years to come!” Duck exclaimed. “We have amazing small businesses in our community and we are thrilled to help show them off.” Details and passports for printing can be found at OFallonChamber.org or by calling (636) 240-1818. St. Peters and St. Charles “We have an ongoing effort called ‘Shop St. Peters’ that we’ve promoted for going on 18 years, and that has been helpful throughout the year,” said Lisa Bedian, St. Peters director of communications. “At the holidays we remind everyone that they have so many choices-so close to home. “We’ve also partnered with the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce (GSTCCC) and the city of St. Charles for several years on a promotion called ‘Shopping with the Saints.’ Details can be found online at gstccc.com/shopping-with-the-saints.” “This is an important time of year for local retailers,” said Scott Tate, GSTCCC president and CEO. “When you shop local, you are also supporting jobs and the See SHOP LOCAL, page 31
FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Thankful and blessed in 2020 November 18, 2020 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE Sudoku brought to you by Faszold Heating & Cooling Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. I 11 SPECIAL FINANCING AVAILABLE on qualifying TRANE systems!* Ameren Missouri and Spire Rebates Available! To schedule an Estimate, or Service Call (636) 397-1237 or visit www.Faszold.com *See Faszold for complete program eligibility, dates, details, and restrictions. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Offers vary by equipment. Void where prohibited. Valid on Qualifying Equipment only. Offer expires 12/31/2020. *Subject to credit approval. See the Faszold Team for Details. Go to www.faszold.com/sudoku for Sudoku answers! Open for Catering for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Feast Thursday, November 26 2020 11am-7pm Adults $27.95 • Children (6-12) $14.95 (O’Fallon location only) Thanksgiving Catering Family of 4 $78.95 Order by Monday, Nov. 23 Last minute orders except turkey by Wed., Nov. 25 Ellisville, MO 1386 Clarkson-Clayton 636.220.1717 Chesterfield, MO 17392 Chesterfield Airport Rd 636.778.9380 O’Fallon, MO 4401 State Highway K 636.685.0212 Sunset Hills, MO 10797 Sunset Hills Plaza 314.858.9392 eatwalnut.com
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-18-20

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