Mayor's Vacated Ward 1 Seat Remains Empty

With a Ward 1 seat left vacant by Alderman Ralph Sidebottom's move to the Lake Saint Louis mayor's office, will Lake Saint Louis be echoing last year's controversy in Wentzville?

At last week's meeting of the Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen, newly sworn-in mayor Ralph Sidebottom made his choice to fill his vacated Ward 1 seat. But some of the board would like some more time to consider the matter. Sidebottom's choice was Gary Torlina, a 10-year veteran of the Lake Saint Louis Planning and Zoning Commission. "I searched within Ward 1 for whom I thought was the most experienced and qualified person for the job.  My final decision was to appoint Gary Torlina," Sidebottom told Patch. Ward 3's John Pellerito, and Ward 2's Kathy Schweikert and Karen Vennard asked for additional time to consider the nomination. Those three voted to table the appointment, while Ward 1's Tony Zito and Ward 3's Richard Morris voted …

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Lake Saint Louis Swears in New Mayor, Aldermen

Ralph Sidebottom was sworn in as mayor after winning the April 2 race against incumbent Mike Potter.

Lake Saint Louis has a new mayor and an empty Ward 1 seat on the Board of Aldermen. Ralph Sidebottom was sworn in as mayor after winning the April 2 race against incumbent Mike Potter. READ MORE: Sidebottom Unseats Potter as Lake Saint Louis Mayor by Twelve Votes Also sworn in were Ward 1 Alderman Tony Zito, Ward 2 Alderman Kathy Schweikert and Ward 3 Alderman John Pellerito. Sidebottom began his term with a few notes to the board about procedure and punctuality. "I ask everyone to please use your clicker," he said, referring to a computerized system where the aldermen click a remote to place themselves in a queue to speak. "No cross-talk. Speak when you're recognized, or I will rule you out of order if you speak out of turn."   Earlier in…

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Sidebottom Defeats Potter as Lake Saint Louis Mayor by Twelve Votes

Ralph Sidebottom told Patch that "the residents had spoken."

Sidebottom Unseats Potter as Lake Saint Louis Mayor by Twelve Votes

Sidebottom told Patch that "the residents had spoken."

Ralph Sidebottom became Mayor of Lake Saint Louis by a mere 12 votes in Tuesday's election. Sidebottom's 1,012 votes, or 50.25 percent, allowed him to slide past Potter's 1,000 votes, or 49.65 percent. Earlier counts had shown Potter in the lead. Sidebottom has been a Ward 1 Alderman since 2006. He is a 19-year Lake Saint Louis resident. Potter had held the position of mayor since 2001. Patch talked over the phone to Ralph Sidebottom, who was at his victory party. Sidebottom said that his feeling was that the residents of Lake Saint Louis had spoken. "I intend to follow the same principals I've always followed," he said. "When I started the Ward 1 town hall meetings seven years ago, it was a relaxed atmosphere where people could come and …

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Sidebottom Outraises Potter in Bid to Become Mayor of Lake Saint Louis

Major contributors to Ralph Sidebottom's committee include Hoisting Engineers Local 513, Joyce Corey and Joseph Snell.

In his bid to become mayor of Lake Saint Louis, Ward 1 Alderman Ralph Sidebottom barely has outraised incumbent Mike Potter in donations.   That's according to campaign finance reports filed with the St. Charles County Election Authority on March 25 and 26. Documents show that Sidebottom's campaign committee raised $1,785 compared to Potter's $1,600.  The gap becomes even wider when considering that Potter donated $1,000 to his own committee. The committee also received a $500 donation from St. Charles County Association of Realtors.  Major contributions to Sidebottom's campaign came from from Hoisting Engineers Local 513 ($300); Joyce Corey ($200); and Joseph Snell ($150).  As of March 25, neither candidate spent very much of the money. …

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Michael E. Carter

8:40 am on Monday, April 1, 2013

More and more $ these days   more ›

Ralph Sidebottom: Candidate for Mayor of Lake Saint Louis

Ralph Sidebottom is running for the office of Mayor of Lake Saint Louis.

Name:  Ralph Sidebottom Age:   70 Family:  Amazing wife Lillian, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 ½ great grandchildren Education:  some college Occupation:  Retired Previous elected offices:  7 year Lake St. Louis Ward 1 Alderman.  3 year President and Mayor pro-tem of the Board of Aldermen (unanimously elected by 3 different Boards). Number of years living in Lake Saint Louis:  24 Organizations: Lake St. Louis Ambassadors (5 years), St. Charles County Extension Council, Missouri Municipal League, Lake St. Louis Pontooneers 6 years (commodore for 2 years), Thursday Night Cookout (6 years). CANDIDATE QUESTIONS 1. What is the primary reason you are running for this office?  This city needs a vision – a plan for the future.  With my proven…

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Voters Meet Alderman Candidates at C.A. Thursday Night

The Lake Saint Louis Ambassadors sponsored a Meet-the-Candidates Night at the Community Association Thursday night.

Lake Saint Louis residents got the chance to meet the candidates for alderman Thursday night, March 15 at the Community Association clubhouse. After a brief introduction from each candidate, moderator and Ambassadors President Karen Little asked a question submitted by an audience member. Questions included the candidate's qualifications for the office, each candidate's top three priorities and how the candidates felt about city issues like occupancy permits and changes to Lake Saint Louis Boulevard. Candidates Larry DeGroodt (who had a death in the family) and Eric Oman were not present. Lake Saint Louis Patch will be bringing you more from Meet the Candidates Night. Click for profiles on the following candidates: Lake Saint Louis Patch …

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Lake Saint Louis Ward 1 Meeting Feb. 13

Ward 1 residents will be able to discuss issues with their aldermen.

Ward 1 Aldermen Ralph Sidebottom and Larry DeGroodt will be hosting a Ward 1 meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the Civic Center (city hall). The informal meeting gives residents of Ward 1 to discuss city issues and share ideas for the future.  The aldermen request that if anyone has any agenda items that they would like addressed at this meeting to please contact Ralph Sidebottom at rsidebottom@lakesaintlouis.com or call 636-332-9434 by Feb. 9. Ward 3 meetings, hosted by Alderman John Pellerito, have been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 26, also at the Civic Center.  

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