Ellisville police chief looks at the challenges of recruiting, retaining top cops

 (This article just hit today's print copy of West Newsmagazine.)

“We have a unique opportunity in the police department to assign a police officer full-

time to the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy,” Ellisville Police Chief

Steve Lewis explained to the City Council on Dec. 7. 

Lewis was looking to gain approval from the Ellisville City Council for that action and for permission to hire a replacement for the Academy-assigned officer. He noted that the dual opportunity would actually allow the police department to be fully staffed and save money on its salaries while aiding in the training of future officers. 

“This opportunity entails his full salary and benefits be paid for by the Police Academy (funded through St. Louis County tax dollars),” Lewis explained. “We pay them and they reimburse us every month. So there’s zero dollar impact on our department.

Lewis was looking to gain approval from the Ellisville City Council for that action and for permission to hire a replacement for the Academy-assigned officer. He noted that the dual opportunity would actually allow the police department to be fully staffed and save money on its salaries while aiding in the training of future officers. 

“This opportunity entails his full salary and benefits be paid for by the Police Academy (funded through St. Louis County tax dollars),” Lewis explained. “We pay them and they reimburse us every month. So there’s zero dollar impact on our department.

“The benefits to this are: 1) It will allow for movement within our agency, and 2) we get the prestige of having an Academy instructor review recruits as they go through (and) impact recruits; and the training that’s conducted in the St. Louis region at that Academy will have an Ellisville stamp on it with an Ellisville officer involved in that training. It will also allow us to bring another officer into our staff and will add an additional $6,000 into our department annually in savings because whoever we replace him with will make considerably less money even through the promotions required to fill the position.”

Lewis has an officer in mind, a lieutenant. He added that there would be no negatives in sending the anonymous lieutenant to the Academy because he is in the twilight of his career and part of the agreement is that if he comes back to Ellisville, he will no longer retain the rank of lieutenant.

Mayor Mike Roemerman asked if having an Ellisville officer on staff would give the city the benefit of a first look at candidates coming out of the Academy.

“One of the huge benefits to us is that he is going to be in charge of every recruit class, and therefore … he can definitely see the progress, see how they’re doing in the Academy and the big sales pitch is, quite frankly, every new police officer who comes through the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy will have an Ellisville police influence on them. So, not only do people learn through osmosis how great we are, but I’ll actually have a guy down there who, although his first job won’t be recruiting, (will) absolutely have first look at the ability to identify potential solid Ellisville police officers.”

Lewis later added that not only is the Academy position a prestigious one, but that the assigned officer “will receive training as an instructor in multiple disciplines, which can then be brought back to Ellisville.”

The council agreed to that. The council also unanimously agreed to pass an ordinance for the contract with the county.

“I find this to be a creative way of advancing your police department and possibly finding us new recruits,” council member Dan Duffy (District 3) said. “I want to congratulate you on that. At the end of your note, you talked about in the future wanting to add a new officer, and I am definitely in favor of that. As you know from our discussion when you first came on, that it’s a very high priority to me and as a council, the sooner we advance that the better. 

“We have very little crime here in Ellisville. Criminals that have some brains know that we respond very quickly and professionally. Your CPU (Community Policing Unit) officer has a great relationship with many of the residents and children in the city of Ellisville, and you’re to be congratulated for advancing that cause, too. It’s far and away the most effective way to maintain lawful residents and businesses.”

Lewis is no stranger to effective policing, especially when it comes to West St. Louis County. 

Though he began his career as an officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, he went to work for Chesterfield Police four years later. There, he served for 24 years in a variety of capacities before being sworn in as Ellisville’s Chief of Police on May 17, 2017.

Lewis also serves on the Police Academy Board of Managers and board of the Major Case Squad. In September 2021, Lewis earned the Dan Linza Eagle Award as a top member of the FBI National Academy in the realm of its mission to serve and protect U.S. citizens. Lewis served as president of the National Academy Eastern Missouri Chapter in 2019.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that Lewis was chosen to be the keynote speaker at the Police Academy graduation at the Maritz Auditorium on Dec. 15. Training for the officers in that class had begun six months earlier on June 27, 2022. Lewis taught their class on ethics.

Of his keynote address, he said, “I spoke about the concept of the thin blue line and what it truly means to me as well as the need for ethical policing as in doing the right thing when no one is watching. Also, being responsible to the communities that we serve and never forgetting that we all got into this profession with one goal in mind: That is to help people most often at some of the worst times of their lives.”

In talking with West Newsmagazine after that event, Lewis noted that keeping those goals in mind can assist officers throughout their careers. But he also addressed some of the challenges faced by today’s police officers compared to just a decade ago and how hard it is to find new recruits.

“There is a significant lack of persons who want to be police officers in society,” Lewis said. “Much of this stems from the negativity of the vocal minority who have tried to push an anti-police mentality. 

“I believe that most people understand that defunding the police is a bad idea and not even really related to what many of the people who called for it believe. What is needed is the funding of alternative programs, mental health response and alcohol/drug addiction programs. That cannot come at the cost of losing police officers.”

That said, Lewis added that he truly believes that the vast majority of people in our society still respect the police but it’s often the vocal minority whose words and actions are followed by the media. 

However, its not just the words, or even the actions, of the vocal minority that is causing a shift in policing. 

Economics also plays a major part of the equation, Lewis said. Oftentimes, communities are unwilling to pay a good, fair salary for quality police services. He added that when he became a police officer in 1989, it took three times his salary to buy a middle class home. It now takes four to five times the salary of current officers to buy that same home. 

He noted that police departments are competing for a limited number of new recruits and cities must be willing to offer pay and benefits to entice the best of the best.

                          Chesterfield officers Trevor Keathley and Adam Krueger (Source: Chesterfield PD)

Of the 16 recent Academy graduates, only three will be serving on municipal forces in West St. Louis County. Officers Adam Krueger and Trevor Keathley are serving in Chesterfield while Officer Patrick Wixted is serving in Creve Coeur. Six of the graduates are now members of the County Police Department, four have been hired by University City and one each are on the Ferguson, Hazelwood and Pacific forces. 

                                 Creve Coeur Officer Patrick Wexted being sworn in. (Source: CCPD)
According to salary.com,  the average police officer salary in the St. Louis region is $60,600 as of Nov. 23, 2022; the range typically falls between $56,700 and $66,000. This data is confirmed by data released in May 2021 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which noted that the annual mean wage for police officers in Missouri was $56,610. 

While money certainly plays a role in attracting police recruits and retaining quality officers, a far-more critical issue is the overall stress on officers and their families.

Lewis noted that the proliferation of guns and violence makes the officer’s job far more dangerous than ever before, which is one reason why the Academy and organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police put so much effort into training and mental health resources.

Lewis is very familiar with the St. Louis County Wellness Program that is available to all new officers. He also is chairman of the Eastern Missouri Peer Support Council, a group that is dedicated to training people from every police department to provide peer support in an organized fashion. This is also supported by a state statute that requires mental health check-ins for officers in their departments.

“The level of suicide and mental health issues in law enforcement is exceedingly high. One study quoted a 54% increased risk for suicide. When you think about the job of a police officer, many of our contacts are during someone’s worst day, and these contacts may just be one of several in our day. Extrapolate that out for months and years and it is easy to see why it is so difficult to do this job,” Lewis said. “Add to that issue the recent move to second guess, defund and attack law enforcement officers, and you definitely have a recipe for stress.

“St. Louis County is taking a lead role in the wellness of their department members by offering social programs and peer counseling. That being said, many municipalities, including Ellisville in particular, are leading the pack in providing peer support, wellness programs and other mental health resources to assist our officers in maintaining their own mental health.”

“We’re finally turning a corner in our profession where we realize that the mental health of our officers is a priority,” Lewis told the families and friends of the graduating officers during his keynote address.

To the graduates, he said being a police officer would mean being exposed to that which average citizens are not equipped to experience. 

“You’re going to save a life,” Lewis said. “You may be called to take a life. In this career, you will experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”

Through it all, he urged them to “never forget the people we are sworn to protect” and to take care of each other. 

Residents speak out against Ballwin’s mosquito fogging

 (from a couple weeks ago in West Newsmagazine)

Just prior to the Dec. 12 public hearing on Ballwin’s 2023 proposed budget, a pair of residents voiced their concerns on one small section. Pat Mahon and Lori Bresnan share their concern regarding Ballwin’s long history of mosquito fogging. That topic is mentioned on page 121 of the city’s 168-page proposed budget.

"Pest control intends to minimize mosquito nuisance throughout the city," the budget proposal states. "Goals for the program include: 1) Fog both public and private streets weekly from mid-May through mid-September, and 2) Utilize larvacide tablets in standing water locations. This is performed  under contract with St. Louis County."

It was the first point that both Mahon and Bresnan fervently protested.

“I work with ecology, native plants; basically anything that’s related to plants and plant sciences, and I had a concern from a Ballwin citizen this evening,” Mahon said. “Ballwin is still using mosquito foggers with permethrin, and I just wanted to review a few things about the broadband mosquito fogging. I used to work at Monsanto so I’ve worked with a lot of controversial chemicals. Permethrin is actually not that hazardous to human health. It can give rashes, but that’s not really the main concern of why I’m here.”

In addition to itching and rashes, a mosquito also can carry a variety of diseases that can harm animals and humans. The most tried and true way to fend off the pesky pests is to call in the experts, who have access to repellents and specialty tools not available in the open market.

Instead, Mahon spoke of Missouri’s widespread interest in restoring native ecology with native plants. He noted that permethrin is an insecticide that is non-specific in its means of killing adult larvae and regular insects alike. He said flies, butterflies, bees and mosquitoes are all at risk.

“The way that foggers work, permethrin persists about 72 hours after the application,” Mahon said. “It moves into almost everybody’s yards. It kills a variety of insects, but is not very effective on its targeted one – the mosquito. There is very good mosquito control such as targeting the larval stages, and getting the public educated on getting rid of standing water. But the application of permethrin is old school. I know a lot of mosquito spraying companies like to promote it and sell it, and it can be effective if you do it in your own yard. But just driving down the street with fogging is not very effective.”

Mahon also mentioned his invitation to Grand Cayman Island for a 6-hour visit to the Queen Elizabeth Botanical Gardens. In that brief time period, they discovered that there was a broadband spread of permethrin throughout the island.

“It led to crop devastation in things we could view,” Mahon said. “One was actually an orchid that changed into a sub-species that was previously known only to be in the state of Florida. Now, we extended its range to that island because spreading permethrin killed all the native bees. We saw a bat dead.  Permethrin can kill small mammals, and bats are known as a predator of mosquitoes. We actually had their endangered iguana species going over to that dead bat, which would have killed the iguana from that pesticide.”

Bresnan also was adamant about the need for Ballwin to remove the pest control items from the budget. She previously had spoken about the issue at a board meeting in February 2014.

“Fogging without having a specific reason and a specific threat, is not acceptable by the EPA, the CDC or the American Association for Fogging," Bresnan said. "Also, more is not better. The first thing to do is the larvicides. The county has been doing it for 10 years. It works really well. They’re monitoring. They know.  They watch. They trap. They are testing each mosquito that they trap. They know how many. They know if they have West Nile. They know if they have Zika. If there is (any) in a certain boundary, they fog that (area).

"There is no reason to be doing otherwise, and it hasn’t been the standard for almost two decades. At this point in time, all these organizations that actually regulate the pesticides, they regulate the people who are handling the pesticides, and they all say that it is not acceptable to fog on a schedule and to fog without an actual threat. It is specific.”

Bresnan also spoke of a link she had on this very topic from the National Pesticide Information Center and the Environmental Protection Agency on a joint environmental study in conjunction with Oregon State University. She added that in previous years, Ballwin actually had the exact link on their own site in regard to mosquito fogging. The link notes suggestions for citizens to be indoors during the applications and to close their windows and doors, and to turn off air conditioning when the fog is going by so it is not pulled into the home. The precautions include bringing in outdoor pet food and water bowls, covering or removing children’s outdoor toys and fish ponds and baths. Staying out of the area until the pesticides dry is also suggested due to the fogging residues that are left behind.

“I don’t understand, the state doesn’t understand, the attorney doesn’t understand, and the scientist doesn’t understand why Ballwin is still fogging,” Bresnan said. “Is there any insight you can give me on why Ballwin is still doing so much of this?  

"We have woods that are interspersed between everything, and those areas are where the mosquitoes are not killed by the fog; it becomes a part of them, then they become resistant and it’s a lot easier for them to breed. It’s happened in Florida, in Texas, and in a lot of other areas. And we are setting up the exact same position here to spread those areas out.”

During the budget public hearing, alderman Frank Fleming (Ward 3) noted that the Board of Aldermen had discussed the issue about a year ago in relation to notifying the county on whether or not the city wanted to use the county's program or to handle the mosquito problem itself.  

“The fact is that it’s in the budget right now just allows for spraying if we decide to do that,” Fleming said. “We’ll probably discuss it again this spring."

Alderman Michael Finley (Ward 1) addressed the topic in his aldermanic comments.

“My colleagues probably know where I stand on the issue. I researched it a few times in my tenure on the board, and I recall there are five factors to take into consideration when you make your analysis," Finley said.

He noted that as the chairman of the board's Public Health and Safety Committee, he can be contacted any time at MFinley@ballwin.mo.us, regarding the topic. He added that he would also entertain the possibility of holding a committee meeting to address this issue with any research and comments from citizens. 

Mexican Barrel House makes case for Houlihan’s Creve Coeur site

 (This is from a few weeks ago in West Newsmagazine. The old Houlihan's site will be utilized after being vacant for three+ years!)

Citing high rent and vastly increasing operating costs, popular restaurant chain Houlihan’s saw its final St. Louis area location close on Dec. 30, 2019. That site was located at 1085 N. Mason Road, just south of Olive, in Creve Coeur.

However, the Nov. 21 Creve Coeur Planning & Zoning meeting offered a good deal of hope for a worthy replacement for the building that was constructed in 1981. The new prospect, Mexican Barrel House, would be mostly a sit-down restaurant but with curbside pickup on its southeast corner away from the main entrance. The restaurant would serve traditional Mexican food and also Mexican barbecue via a proposed outdoor smoker. 

Former Houlihan's location in Creve Coeur...photo from The City of Creve Coeur

A conditional use permit request was presented to the P&Z Commission by architect Stewart MacGregor, of OSM, Inc. The site development plan calls for revised exterior elevations and a new outdoor patio area as part of the Bellerive Executive Park Plat 1 in this General Commercial District.

“The owner (Alfredo Flores) is trying to breathe life back into the old Houlihan’s,” MacGregor said. “They want to reface the exterior again and redo the interior."

MacGregor noted that city staff had commented on the need to dress up the site and make it more accessible.

“What we’re trying to do is use as much as the existing (9.044 square foot) building as possible without reinventing the wheel. We’re also aware of some of the things staff has made some comments on like upgrading the sidewalk width (from 5 feet to 6)," MacGregor said. "The exterior is not maintenance-free, and the proposal is to dress it up and give it as much maintenance-free material as possible.”

There were a few points of contention in the conversation that led to a decision for future discussions before a vote would be taken.

From a profit standpoint, Flores prefers occupancy of 220 indoor and 84 outdoor patio seats. However, City Planner Bethany Moore noted that there’s not enough parking to accommodate the 220 indoor seats. She said the site currently has 103 parking spaces whereas 110 are required based on seating numbers. As a result, the city staff recommends the indoor seating be lowered to 198 in order to comply. Moore added that outdoor seats are no longer counted in parking requirements.

Flores said he has been talking to neighboring properties regarding cross-parking, after which P&Z member Julie Labonte asked for details regarding any possible agreement.

“We’ve had some discussions with the property immediately to the south,” MacGregor said. “If we don’t get a cross-parking agreement that’s acceptable to the city, we have a backup to go down to 198 seats.”

Another issue is that onsite non-compliant lighting needs to be replaced since those fixtures are not downcast or shielded according to the city's current zoning code. The potential new owners would also need to replace existing trash enclosures that are beyond repair and repaint or replace an existing pole sign.

“The project includes an exterior remodel and a patio enlargement of about 700 square feet,” Moore said. “The site is in need of repairs and also includes some preexisting non-conformities such as being over the amount of site coverage for a commercial district. But the patio enlargement is exempt from site coverage calculations.”

Those items are all conditions for approval.

A new deck is also proposed and rooftop equipment would have to be screened appropriately. Landscaping needs to be added for parking spot islands and work is needed around the building, although some trees in bad condition have already been removed.

By far the greatest area of concern seemed to be the building’s proposed color scheme.

“Staff does have concerns about the very dark, almost black color that was chosen,” Moore said. “Design guidelines do mention that exterior materials are supposed to blend in with surrounding buildings. There aren’t any examples around it, or in the surrounding Creve Coeur area, regarding commercial buildings that would relate to that dark color. So, staff has recommended that the Planning & Zoning Commission review the colors of those exterior materials to see if they’re in compliance with existing and surrounding buildings.”

P&Z member Rhonda O’Brien wasn’t sure about what would be looked at in the area regarding building color comparisons.

MacGregor responded that just a block south on Mason is Bellerive Commons featuring very dark buildings by the lake with entirely black facades. 

“How far do you go when you ask ‘in the area?" MacGregor asked. “There are different materials up and down Olive that are very dark. If you look at Houlihan’s, it kind of stands out with a very light, yellow color. So, we’re trying to make it a little less sore-thumbish.”

“You’re right,” said Jason Jaggi, the city's director of community development.  “There are buildings that are a little dark if you go around the area, but yours with that color and the masonry, it’s very dark; almost black-stained with a red roof. It’s not going to blend in, but the existing building with a cream color doesn’t, either. This is our chance to make it a little better. We all want to do that. Our guidelines do speak to compatibility of colors.”

P&Z member Thomas Buelter asked MacGregor how flexible they are regarding color. The response was that they would work with staff on whatever compromise was necessary.

“It’s a very special place for me because that’s where my wife and I met over a decade ago,” MacGregor said.

Regarding another Buelter inquiry, Flores gave the restaurant's proposed hours of operation as 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily, except for an 8 p.m. Sunday closing time.

“One of the things we’d like to address is some type of advertising,” Flores said. “When you drive on Olive, you can barely see the building. Also, there will be music during regular hours, but no later than 8 p.m. We try to be as accommodating to neighbors as we can.”

Flores has been affiliated with several area restaurants since 1992 including managing a Chevy’s Fresh Mex and being employed at Casa Gallardo and Olive Garden restaurants.

“We decided we wanted to open one of our own,” he said. “We currently have one on Dorsett and 270 called Casa Juarez. So, this one will be like a branch of that restaurant. We’re willing to work with all of you as much we can so we can get this project going.”

Learning what it takes to be a CHAMP

 (This is a combination of my articles in both the MidRivers and West Newsmagazine just posted Nov. 11 since one puppy raiser lives in O'Fallon and the other in Manchester.)

Those who volunteer as puppy raisers generally believe in the old adage, “Happiness is a warm puppy.”

But those who volunteer for CHAMP Assistance Dogs know that what they do means so much more. They know they're training a new generation of public access service dogs, home service dogs, home companion dogs and facility dogs. They guide the puppies with love and encouragement, and train them in basic and advanced skills using proven positive-based methods.

It's a vital service for the Creve Coeur-based nonprofit that was founded in 1998.

“Puppy raising is such an important job,” explained CHAMP Executive Director Pam Budke. “It’s 24/7 and a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding. For those puppy raisers, everybody always asks me, ‘Is it hard for them to give up a dog?’ Yes, it is, and as one of the puppy raisers said, ‘I’ve never had a puppy and not cried when it was time to give it up. But once you get to meet those clients the dog lives with, it makes it all worth it.’ ”

The demand is high, Budke said, noting that CHAMP is expanding the number of dogs its training. CHAMP, by the way, stands for Canine Helpers Allow More Possibilities!

Service dogs are best known for helping people with disabilities lead lives of greater independence, but CHAMP dogs also assist in healthcare facilities and children’s advocacy centers. Most of CHAMP's placements are within 50 miles of its headquarters. And once a dog is placed that's not the end of the road.

“What we’re really proud of is we stay in touch with our clients for the life of the partnership. We visit them at least once a year,” Budke said. “We also tell them if they ever have any kind of issue or problem, they should call us immediately. We’ll go in their home and work with them until that issue is fixed. If years later, one of our client’s health is deteriorating, and they need the dog to learn new skills to help them, they can call us and we’ll go to work with them until that dog is solid to help that client. We are there for the life of the partnership.”

Life of a puppy trainer

Mark Arado, of O’Fallon, and his wife, Tammy, are raising a yellow lab named Primrose, better known as “Rosie.”

                                  CHAMP service-dog-in-training Rosie (Photo provided by Mark Arado)

The pup, who was born in March 2021, is the Arados' third service-dog-in-training.

He said they’ve always been a dog family, so nearly a decade ago, he checked on the need for training service dogs. That's when he reached out to CHAMP.

Puppy raisers are taught to use specific words for housebreaking and ones for correction. Socialization is also important.

“The thing I’m supposed to do is take extra steps to get them comfortable with as many things as possible,” Mark said. “When I got Rosie in March, the Fourth of July wasn’t too far away. When I knew the fireworks would start going up soon, I brought her to a bowling alley where you hear the pins crashing. We would also ride out to the Marriott by the airport alone or with my friend who was ex-military. We’d take the Marriott shuttle there and sometimes there’d be flight crews on it. She got used to being on a bus, then we’d go into the USO and donate to the troops. They’d allow us to have a short visit with them, so she got to meet a lot of people in different uniforms and cultures.”

Mark said they also got Rosie ready for Halloween by going to big costume stores, where creatures would “come to life” and scare any living soul at the press of a button. The main thing is to train the dogs so they’re not afraid or timid.

                                    Rosie with friends on the Marriott airport shuttle (Photo provided by Mark Arado)

Rosie and Mark also take frequent trips to crowded stores for socializing. People were allowed to pet Rosie until she was about 1 years old but at a certain point, the dogs have to be switched to non-petting when they have their work vests on.

Since Mark and Tammy live close to Fort Zumwalt West High, Mark takes Rosie there to watch volleyball, tennis, girls softball and football games. That gives her added experience with crowds of different people to help get her comfortable in any setting. He said Assistant Principal Dr. Samantha Sutton is very receptive to their visits.

“Dr. Sutton knows I have a service dog, so if anyone has questions, I can talk with her because it’s good to get the high school kids aware of CHAMP, service dogs and the wonderful services they provide,” Mark said.

He usually takes Rosie on walks of about 3 miles a day and he loves to tell people along the way about CHAMP as well as how smart service dogs are and what they can do for people. Periodically, they attend training sessions at CHAMP's headquarters, 1968 Craig Road in the Westport area, where they review what they've done and get ready for the next training step.

“Tammy is exceptionally good at the homework drills,” Arado said. “There’s one where she sets down the food bowl and the dog doesn’t eat until you use the word ‘free.’ The dog looks at you and may hear you say something similar like ‘freezer’ or ‘frisbee.’ But they don’t eat until they actually hear the word ‘free.’ You start off with a few seconds, then build on that over time. Rosie can probably go up to 45 seconds or a minute now.”

Tammy also does drills like getting Rosie to go down underneath a chair so she can get used to being underneath someone watching TV or doing an activity.

                                                                      Tammy Arado and Rosie (Photo provided)

During non-training time, Rosie loves to play and grab socks. Mark said one of the most fun things for a dog is to be chased during play. That’s their highlight of the day, so he was told right away, ‘Do not chase the dog’ because they think the fun has begun and fireworks are going off in their head thinking it’s play time.

“Rosie’s really good about training and adapting to the skills,” Mark said. “At CHAMP, they’ll have her put her nose in a mini basket like a basketball hoop. Over time, they’ll give her a command with a clicker and she’ll go and stick her nose in the hoop, turn around and look at you for her reward. If the dog struggles, you redo it because you always want to end on a good note with that positive reinforcement. Then, it’s on to the next part of training. It could even be for someone who might not be able to pick up their own clothing, and the dog will pick it up and put it in a hamper.”

He said he can see Tammy and him continuing to raise CHAMP puppies long into the future.

“The program is a way to give something back, and for me, it’s doing something I enjoy,” he said. “I also know it’s helping another human being … (someone who is) ex-military or whatever it may be. The dogs just create such a comfort for people.

“Also, just appreciating animals and understanding how they can benefit everyone’s life is so incredible! I love it!

Manchester resident Sara Stanley is a relatively new puppy raiser. She has a degree in special education and is currently a para educator at Hannah Woods Elementary.

“My two passions in life are working with individuals who are disabled and animals,” Stanley said. “This has always been a bucket list thing for me … having a dog that can change somebody’s life. It’s absolutely amazing!”

A friend she grew up with and followed for years was a puppy raiser. When the time was right, she connected with CHAMP. But her husband had reservations. She his reaction was “‘This is going to be a lot of work. Are you sure you want to do it?’”

“But he’s currently deployed (in Kuwait) with the Army National Guard,” she said. “He knew he was going to be gone pretty much all this year. So, it was perfect timing and it gave me something to do while he’s been gone.”

After she completed the application process and met the qualifications standards, she was given a date for getting her first puppy.

At a CHAMP meeting, they went over a variety of puppy basics, which were drastically different from how she had raised her own dogs. She said when they first tell you the things they do, you’re not quite sure. Then it all falls into place and it’s absolutely fascinating.

About five months ago, Stanley brought home 6-week-old River, a black lab. On day one, she learned to use specific words for housebreaking and ones for correction. She also immediately started socializing him. River picked up on the training quickly and learned how to help owners with tasks and support.

                                                        Sara Stanley and River (Photo provided)

“They call him methodical because he thinks through things where most dogs are more impulsive and reactive,” Stanley said. “You can see him stop and think about what he’s doing.”

Training sessions for the volunteers and puppies take place in CHAMP's headquarters at 1968 Craig Road. Stanley said they have been incredible. Her assessment includes being able to see where puppies have barriers and where the trainers can bridge those gaps.

While River is often content to stay at home, once he is out, he’s the life of the party and a social butterfly who loves men, women and children. That’s excellent because one of the most frequent places they visit is Stanley's son’s Parkway Central swim practices, where he is well known. He’s kind of become the little team mascot, Stanley said.

“Since River is so adorable, I constantly have people ask me, ‘How can you give him up?’ I tell them, ‘Just knowing that he’s going to be somebody’s everything some day is enough.’ I went into it knowing that would be the end result,” Stanley said. She'll have to give him up sometime in 2024. “He’s amazing, and I think every day about who will be lucky enough to get him and what he’ll do for his life.

“I would highly recommend anyone to do this because every puppy that’s raised is another person who gets helped out. I know there’s such a need. They just can’t raise them fast enough.”

Other opportunities to help

In addition to service dogs, CHAMP currently has nearly 100 therapy dog teams that have racked up close to 35,000 total visits to those in need.

In total, volunteers make up some 96% of the organization’s workers. They help out in a wide variety of operations and programs from just a few hours to the 24/7 lifestyle of a puppy raiser. Each volunteer must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer unsupervised.

“I think we’ve come a long way in the last 11 years,” Budke said. “I am so thankful and grateful for all the people who have helped us get there, especially our volunteers and donors. It’s just remarkable all the changes that we have made in people’s lives. It’s amazing the difference these dogs can make … like therapy dogs that go out and visit people who are isolated or ill. I’m very, very happy with how the organization is moving forward.”

Budke joined CHAMP in November 2011 after previously working for the Animal Protection Agency (APA) of Missouri and the Wildlife Rescue Center where she was executive director.

St. Charles Mayor Borgmeyer leads Sister Cities trip to Europe

 (Here is my full, unedited version of the story that later appeared edited a bit online and in the MidRivers Newsmagazine print edition on Nov. 2, 2022.)

In 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower became the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He planned and organized Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy that ultimately led to Allied control of most of Western Europe. Eisenhower later accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.

Unbeknownst to many Americans, that fierce level of fighting was totally contrary to the demeanor of the eventual 34^th President known as ‘Ike.’ That’s highly evident to visitors at the Eisenhower Presidential Museum in Abilene, KS.  One display reads, “I Hate War as only a soldier who lived it can.” 

Unbeknownst to many Americans, that fierce level of fighting was totally contrary to the demeanor of the eventual 34^th President known as ‘Ike.’ That’s highly evident to visitors at the Eisenhower Presidential Museum in Abilene, KS.  One display reads, “I Hate War as only a soldier who lived it can.” 

Mary Johnson is one localite who was fully aware of that. She is the President of the St. Charles-Ludwigsburg (Germany) Sister Cities Chapter. 

“Back in 1956, Eisenhower was President, and he was holding a White House summit,” Johnson said.  “He was trying to figure out a way to heal the globe and ensure we would live in peace after the calamity of World War II.  He was into relationships with countries, so he came up with an idea about citizen diplomacy.  That idea spawned Sister Cities International, an organization with home base in Washington, D.C.  We’re all about citizen diplomacy--one person and one community at a time.  That’s how you establish relationships, and I think it’s a little harder to go to war with somebody who you have established a relationship with.”

That’s totally in line with another Eisenhower Museum display, “Waging Peace,” from Ike’s book of that title.  The accompanying words read, “After 40 years of military service, Eisenhower devoted his presidency to waging peace.  He strengthened the nation through alliances, promoting prosperity, and demonstrating moral leadership.”

That’s precisely what took place throughout this past September.  Johnson, her husband Steve, St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer and several other Sister Cities members visited a host of European cities.  The prime visit was to the St. Charles long-time Sister City.

“Ludwigsburg, Germany has been our sister city for over 25 years,” Borgmeyer said. “I have developed a personal relationship with their Lord Mayor Matthias Knecht. This visit took place during their huge Venetian Fair and Pumpkin Festival with parades and absolutely stunning 15^th and 16th century costuming.  Additionally, the international community celebrated the 60^th anniversary of Charles De Gaulle’s “Speech to German Youth” highlighting the importance of their relationship to the United States. This visit was somewhat formal with the confluence of all of Ludwigburg’s other sister cities. There were lots of speeches and formal events, and of course sausage and beer and wine and singing.”                               

City Director of Administration Larry Dobrosky and his wife Stephanie personally accompanied Borgmeyer on the trip. The Johnsons were an integral part of the journey to Germany and France, and helped facilitate most of the detailed events. Borgmeyer noted they did an amazing job. Donna Costeilla (former Convention and Visitors Bureau Director), her daughter, Cheryl and the Langs and Dwiggins from St. Charles also attended on their own.

Borgmeyer added that Ludwigsburg and other Sister Cities Montbeliard, France and Inshowen, Ireland offered a full agenda of touring and meeting with involved department personnel.

St. Charles has been courting Montbeliard to join them for over 20 years.  Borgmeyer was pleased to announce that Mayor Marie Noelle Biguinet signed a letter of Intent to begin the formal twinning process. She will sign the formal document upon her next visit to the U.S.

                           Members of the Sister Cities traveling group at dinner in Germany 

“The French were very friendly, accommodating and happy to show us their beautiful city,” Borgmeyer said. “Their appreciation for wine is consistent.  We met with a small, private vintner who has interest in our Augusta development.”

Borgmeyer added that Inishowen is of the most beautiful places he’s ever visited. He met with their City Council and other dignitaries.  They even toured a public school that has a St. Charles West logo on the gym wall. That school has had several exchanges with Warriors’ students. He added how creative the school was, featuring a display of formal ball gowns made entirely of trash that they were required to be worn as part of a competition. 

On his own time and expense, Borgmeyer also traveled to Scotland for two days and achieved a Bucket List item by playing golf at St. Andrews, the oldest golf course in the world. Driving on the golf course wasn’t much of challenge to Borgmeyer, but driving on the other side of the road cost him a passenger side mirror. That was the trip’s lowlight.

“The absolute highlight for me was to, for the first time ever, include the Directors of Economic Development of each of the cities and discuss not only the student and cultural exchanges but also the possibility of economics and trade and commerce exchange.  These efforts met with surprising interest and intent.”

Borgmeyer also initiated correspondence with Cartagena, Spain as his city’s final quest for Sister City twinning.  The four pillars of history of St. Charles are France, Germany, Ireland and Spain. 

This trip was a follow up to this past May’s St. Charles visit mainly from citizens of Ludwigsburg and neighboring Steinhem, Germany.

“Back in the early ‘90s, the German Heritage club of St. Charles County decided that we needed a Sister City,” Johnson said. “So they reached out to a bunch of cities in Germany that were of comparable size of St. Charles, maybe on a river, similar industries where possible. St. Louis has a Sister City of Stuttgart.  So, St. Charles was looking for a Sister that would be of similar distance. (Ludwigsburg is 16 km…10 miles N of Stuttgart.) Of all the letters sent over to Germany, four different towns responded and Ludwigsburg was one of the four.  I think it was 1992 or ’93 when Ludwigsburg was the one they wanted to twin with.

“St. Louis-Stuttgart seems to be more of a business aspect as in commerce between those two cities.  I think we’re more into the cultural aspects.  When we started out with Ludwigsburg, they were a little concerned because they didn’t know what we wanted. They were afraid we wanted money or something comparable.  So, the folks who got this thing off the ground were like, ‘No! No! No! No! No!  We want a cultural relationship. We want to exchange ideas and we want friendship. We want to go there and drink beer.  We want you to come here and drink wine.’ It’s been full steam ahead ever since.  It’s been incredible!”

Johnson said that this year’s German visitors, led by the Ludwigsburg mayor and his assistant, were joined by four people from Montbeliard. They all came specifically to enjoy the Midwest Maifest, a four-hour festival her organization hosted at the New Town Amphitheater with vendors set up on Civic Circle Drive. 

Through all the Ludwigsburg years, the organization was also trying to get a French Sister.  That began several years ago with St. Charles Mayor Grace Nichols and her husband. Johnson believes that this was the first year Montbeliard was invited here, but it wasn’t an official visit because their mayor was unable to come for any of the four days. 

Once everyone was in town on Friday, they had a welcome reception at one of the member’s homes with dinner, drinks, etc.  On Saturday, they took everyone out on Miss Augusta and had dinner and drinks there.

A meeting of mayors: (from left) Dan Borgmeyer, Marie Noelle Biguinet and Matthias Knecht 

“That visit also included a tour of Frenchtown, aided by the Frenchtown Historic Association,” Johnson said. “On that tour, we were able to take them to Good News Brewing (with the Frenchtown Heritage Museum).  So, they got to experience that.  They weren’t even open yet, but Mayor Dan opened it up for us. Dan had some beer and fresh pretzels for us. That night, we took the group to Tompkins Riverside that used to be the Mother-in-Law House. We had a private party downstairs for the French and the two Germans that were left. There were also visits to La Belle Vie, Course Coffee Roasters for coffee and pastries, and the Foundry Art Centre with several artists on hand.”

Next on the agenda is families of Orchard Farm High School students hosting German students for a student exchange trip from Oct. 14-28. This comes after a three-year hiatus due to Covid.  The St. Charles group is expecting 15 students and two chaperones. That will include an invitation to students and their host families to attend the Sister Cities Oct. 24 membership meeting. The Germans will reciprocate for a similar event in summer 2023 for students of the host families.

Johnson said that there are a few other schools in St. Charles that participate in these exchanges. She added that it’s up to the cities themselves what type of relationship and activities they have with their Sister Cities.

As indicated on their literature, ‘The St. Charles Sister Cities Program is part of the Sister Cities International Nonprofit Citizen Diplomacy Network working in nearly 500 communities with over 2000 international partnerships in more than 140 countries.’

“My husband and I have had a ball with this,” Johnson said. “We’ve been with the organization since October of 2013. It’s been a life changer.  If you get really involved in it at all, you host a German, you go to Germany.  You learn so much more than if you go to Germany, stay in a hotel or drive a car, hop on a train and visit a couple sites, then you’re gone.  We talk to people and have a relationship with them; not just commerce, but meaningful relationships.  Luckily, nowadays, it’s so much easier to stay in touch with people.  Back in the day, the best you could do was write a letter.  There was nothing wrong with that, but phone calls were extremely expensive, so you didn’t do that very often.  Nowadays, there are faster and easier ways to communicate.

 “The biggest thing is always reconnecting with the friends we’ve made over there.  It’s such a joy to be able to spend time with them and let them show us their city and their country from their perspective.  That’s a real pleasure because you may go over there with preconceived ideas from hearing and reading stories about Germany in the news, just like they do over there about us.  Then they get here and discover that’s not right at all. Anyway, they always cook for us, so we get these authentic German meals.”

Johnson and her husband visited Germany in 2015 and 2017, and their son has been there three times on two exchanges and once on his own.  The first time, they went to the Dachau concentration camp near Munich that Mary’s uncle helped liberate in the final months of the war. When the Auschwitz exhibit was in Kansas City last year, four of them went there. Some of Mayor Dan’s ancestors are from Alsace-Lorraine, a region formerly in western Germany and currently in extreme eastern France. So, the program has added appeal to him.

“I believe the Sister Cities Program is an important element of a broader view of the World,” Borgmeyer said. “More and more students from Europe are visiting St. Charles and many of our students are traveling there.  They stay with local families on both sides of the ocean and get a full session of cultural exchange with not only those affected but also all the other students they encounter.  Many new transatlantic friendships have developed. The new Economic Development aspect is just icing on the cake.  Several French businesses wanted more information on opening shops in St. Charles Frenchtown Borough.”

Ballwin has heroes old and young in Little Library project and lemonade stand

 (Here is my totally unedited version with photos before the Oct. 21 West Newsmagazine version)

Far too many selfless acts go unnoticed.  That has certainly not been the case lately regarding Ballwin residents. That runs the gamut from the very young to seasoned adults.

The Ballwin Free Library project idea of Planning & Zoning Commissioner/Secretary Olivia Pieknik is a fitting example of the city’s official motto, “Bringing People Together.”

At the other end of the age spectrum is Shanley Gibson. The Woerther Elementary School kindergartner spent a long, hot, 10-hour day of her own to utilize her lemonade stand creation to help animals in need.

Pieknik, who has resided in Ballwin since 1995, recalled how neighbor Randy Doege and wife Peg were in the process of replacing the library in front of their own house and offered Olivia the old one. Husband Chris refurbished it by adding a new roof, door, post and some fresh paint.  The couple then donated it to the City of Ballwin, and the Parks & Recreation staff installed it at Ferris Park in June 2022.

Olivia was later granted permission and received total support from Director of Parks & Recreation Chris Conway in having the Little Libraries in all four Ballwin city parks.

On Oct. 14, one was installed in Vlasis Park in memory of Kathy Kerlagon, a two-term Ballwin Ward 4 alderman who passed away on Aug. 8, less than eight months after her husband Ray announced his retirement from the same position. Kathy was also a professor at Meramec Community College who truly enjoyed reading.

(Olivia Pieknik with Randy and Peg Doege, Ray Kerlagon, Media Dir. Megan Freeman & City Administrator Eric Sterman)

The relationship between Olivia and Kathy began when the former started attending Ballwin Police Citizens Academy meetings back in 2001.

“I appreciated the kindness and continued support from Ray and Kathy when we participated in community events,” Pieknik said. “They both contributed to the City of Ballwin in many other capacities. “I regularly visited Kathy while she was in Memory Care at Westview nursing facility in Ellisville.  She did not recognize me nor did she communicate, but sitting and being with her was all that was needed.”

Peg, who worked for 28 years as a Librarian at Holy Infant School, did the Vlasis Park project’s decorations with her grandchildren. 

Pieknik added that “Randy and Peg Doege wanted to share their love of reading, and Randy enjoys building so they built a library in front of their house.  They also built a library for the subdivision, located on Twigwood by the pool.”

That is in addition to one set to be built in New Ballwin Park this November. Alderman Ross Bullington and wife Becky funded the entire cost of materials.  Peg Doege’s daughter, also a teacher at Holy Infant, will have her students decorate that library. 

Finally, one is also set to be built by Randy Doege, and placed at Holloway Park in North Pointe next spring.  Donations from Pieknik, Pogue, Bullington, Alderman Michael Finley (Ward 1), Planning & Zoning Commissioners Chad Silker, Mike Swain, and Victoria Winfrey will be used to purchase material for Holloway Park.

“It is truly a community project, completed with the love of reading, of kindness and how the residents work together,” Pieknik said. 

Meanwhile, Shanley’s lemonade stand was nothing short of a labor of love.

On the morning of July 26, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Best Buddy Pet Center was flooded with nine inches of standing water from historic level of torrential rains. A good portion of its pet supplies was destroyed.

“I told her that the Maryland Heights Humane Society where we got out dogs from was flooded, so she got the idea to do a lemonade stand because on Facebook they had posted that they had lost all their supplies,” said Shanley’s mom, Megan Gibson.  “So, she came up with the idea to do a lemonade stand to raise money to get them more supplies.”

The preparation included a lemonade poster made by Shanley from Polaroid camera pictures she took herself of their own two dogs.

Shanley’s full day, raising $240, took place at the house of Megan’s father, who is none other than Alderman Mike Utt (Ward 1). That money was ultimately used for purchases at Pet Supplies Plus in Ballwin.

“She was just so excited to take that money and go to the pet shop,” Megan said.  “That was the most exciting part for her, and also dropping off the supplies.  She also took some of her own money out of her piggy bank and donated it.  You know they have those little slots at each one of the dog’s kennels.  She wanted me to tell you that the dog she gave money to was a German Shepherd dog with a cone on its face.”

Although they were told to drop off all donations at the headquarters on Macklind Avenue in the city of St. Louis, Shanley insisted on doing so at the Maryland Heights location.  It was a lot more special for Shanley because that where they got their rescue dogs.

“She’s a very avid animal lover and her dad (John) and I couldn’t be any more proud of her,” Megan said,” Megan said. “They had a day at school for them to dress up like what you want to be when you grow up, she would tell you, and she has said this for two or three years now that she wants to open her own puppy daycare.  But it’s not just for dogs.  She wants to rescue all animals…like a multi-purpose business she has going on.  She wants to rescue pets and also wants them to be able to come there while their owners are working. I love it!  I hope she does it one day!”