Letter to the Editor: George's Alderman Highlights

February 22, 2011

Page Street Extension:  There are plans afoot to “finish” the Page Street Extension by 2014.  MODOT has put up half the money and the metropolitan Surface Transportation Program and County Road Board is trying to raise the rest.  We will forego asking for $1 M to reconstruct Civic Center Dr. until next year and all St. Charles cities will forego asking for any new road money this year.  Some intersections may not live up to Interstate standards but instead have stop lights.  We should know by June if money is available to start work.  With one side of the Blanchett Bridge closing in 2012 and the westbound Boone Bridge due for reconstruction, Page Street Extension is becoming ever more important to all of us.

Property Taxes:  This year most properties will be re-appraised and we anticipate values will decline.  This would reduce city income from real estate in 2012.  By state law the city is entitled to raise the real estate tax rate without a vote so that the same amount of money can be raised as before the assessment declined.  The city lost about $125K of its real estate income in 2010 from the last re-appraisal in 2009.  We will lose more in 2011.  We must notify the county of our non-binding tax rate levy for 2012 by April.  In these hard times, it is probably best to keep the current, reduced levy and find a way to live with reduced income.

Drug Paraphernalia: There has been some talk of a local retailer getting ready to sell novelties that could be used as drug paraphernalia. (such as a water pipe.)  The Police Chief said that without a proven intent to use illegal drugs, sale of such items can not be prohibited.  We can, however, keep close watch for illegal uses of said devices and alert police if necessary. 

Retail: Ribbon cutting for the opening of Tuesday Morning will be held Tuesday March 1 at 4 PM at 6243 Ronald Reagan Dr.

(In the interest of fairness, Lake Saint Louis Patch recognizes George Rich's candidacy for re-election in April and offers equal space to any and all candidates in this April's aldermanic election.)