City Council Names Day in Honor of Chesterfield Historian

Author and volunteer Dan Rothwell was honored at Monday's council meeting.

When Jane Durrell met Dan Rothwell about 15 years ago, she knew he would be an asset to Chesterfield's Historical Commission.  "He established himself very early on as a good researcher and an articulate person who was willing to study and do his research and homework," Durrell said. Rothwell has contributed in numerous ways to the research of the historical commission, including writing a book at notable structures in Chesterfield, A Guide to Chesterfield's Architectural Treasures. Rothwell was honored by the Chesterfield City Council with a proclamation declaring May 2, 2011 "Dan Rothwell Day." At the council meeting Monday, Durrell talked about the origins of Rothwell's book. The city was planning a celebration for its 10-year …

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Chesterfield's Mayor, City Council Members Sworn In

Former Councilman Bruce Geiger moved into the mayor's chair and council members old and new took the oath of office during a ceremony Wednesday at Chesterfield City Hall.

Chesterfield's new mayor Bruce Geiger began his first term at a city council meeting Wednesday with words of gratitude to his voters and a promise that "the best is still ahead." Geiger spoke during a swearing-in ceremony for himself and other recently elected or re-elected city council members. Current councilmen Matt Segal (Ward 1) and Randy Logan (Ward 3) re-affirmed their oaths of office along with new councilman Derek Grier (Ward 2). "The message [of my campaign] was a commitment to build on past successes, have strong fiscal responsibility and a government that is responsive to our citizens," Geiger said. "The last 23 years have been great, but we have got the best still ahead." Geiger cited the city's talented staff, its engaged …

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Grier, Nation Win City Council Seats

Derek Grier will serve his first term as Ward 2 city councilman. Bob Nation was the Ward 4 incumbent.

The Chesterfield City Council is gaining one fresh face and keeping a familiar one. Lifelong resident Derek Grier will be a Ward 2 city councilman. Incumbent Bob Nation will serve another term as Ward 4 city councilman. Ward 2 Grier won about 69 percent of the vote, with 1,165 votes. Tania Pappas received 505 votes. Grier will serve a two-year term. Grier, 30, previously told Patch that he wanted to maintain Chesterfield as “the most vibrant community in all of Missouri.” He ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and said he would work to maintain or improve the quality of life and essential city services in Chesterfield. “Derek has a good, strong business background and a good work ethic,” supporter Bill Feeser said. “When he says he …

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Tania Pappas

3:50 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Thank you to all the people who came out to vote for me!!! The Chesterfield community is GREAT! Congratulations to Derick Grier.   more ›

Meet the Ward 4 Candidates: Amy Nolan, Bob Nation and Paul Dillender

Nolan currently serves on the Chesterfield Planning Commission. Nation is the incumbent. Dillender is a retired Chesterfield police officer.

In a week, Chesterfield’s Ward 4 residents will elect a representative to city council. Residents will chose from three candidates: Amy Nolan, who currently serves on the planning commission and wants to see Chesterfield’s downtown and arts scene flourish, incumbent Bob Nation, who would like to continue his record of conservative spending, or Paul Dillender, a retired police officer who has been involved in the city since its beginning. Ward 4 covers the city’s western half. It stretches from roughly from Baxter Road in the east to the city’s borders at Eatherton Road to the west. In the north, it is bordered by the Missouri River and in the south it reaches past Wild Horse Creek Road to the city’s borders with Wildwood and Clarkson …

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Meet the Ward 2 Candidates: Tania Pappas and Derek Grier

This is Pappas' first race for public office. Grier lost the race for the Ward 2 seat in 2009.

In a little more than a week, Chesterfield’s Ward 2 residents will elect a new representative to the city council. Residents will choose between Tania Pappas, a former caregiver who’s full of ideas she thinks will bring the community even more together, and Derek Grier, a lifelong Chesterfield resident who’s passion to serve is driving his run for office. Ward 2 stretches from the city’s borders with Town and Country west to Baxter Road. It is bordered by Olive Boulevard and White Road to the north. The southern boundary isn’t drawn along a road, but connects Baxter Road to Schoettler Road. (Click on the photo at right to see a map of the city's wards.) Candidates are running for a two-year term. The election is April 5. Tania Pappas …

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Committee Hears Proposal to Prohibit Commercial Vehicles in Neighborhoods

The Planning and Public Works Committee reviewed the draft ordinance and sent it back to staff to be revised.

Talks about a possible ordinance to prohibit commercial vehicles from being parked in Chesterfield neighborhoods have begun. The Planning and Public Works Committee reviewed a draft ordinance at Thursday’s meeting that would not allow certain vehicles to be parked on streets or driveways in residential areas. Committee member and Ward 4 Councilwoman Connie Fults estimated that she's heard a complaint from residents about this issue at least once a month in the nine years she’s been on city council. Last fall, the committee began discussing the ordinance in conjunction with the recently passed ordinance limiting the parking of recreational vehicles in neighborhoods. Originally one ordinance for both types of vehicles was discussed, but the …

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Chesterfield City Council Honors Citizen of the Year

Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce President Joan Schmelig was named the city's 2010 Citizen of the Year.

She brought food to volunteers and kept lines of communication open during the flood of 1993. She's built the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce into the more than 900-member organization it is today. To many present at Monday's Chesterfield City Council meeting, she is one of the city's gems. Joan Schmelig, the president of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, was named the city's 2010 citizen of the year. "I am just very, very privileged—and I mean it from the bottom of my heart—to live, work and play here in Chesterfield," Schmeling said after accepting the award from Acting Mayor Barry Flachsbart.  Several people came forward to thank Schmeling for her service to the city. They highlighted her involvement in the flood of 1993 and her …

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News With a View

Despite Recent Layoffs, Chesterfield Shells Out Cash for Fireworks

Turns out sales tax systems are to blame for what seemed like a disconnect.

There is very little controversy in Chesterfield, which is saying something for a city of almost 50,000 people. City council meetings are not only civilized compared to neighboring towns, they are downright boring. In fact, last week’s council and planning and public works committee meetings were cancelled with nothing pressing on the agendas.     But there are two things that have come out of Chesterfield City Hall that bother me. The first was in September, when the city laid off 17 employees and eliminated 19 positions. “We are overstaffed. The demand on our services because of the economy is down,” former Chesterfield Mayor John Nations told KMOV on Sept. 29. Nations was right when it came to the planning department. A recession will …

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Residents Say Former Parkway Recycling Facility Still a Problem

Residents of the Ladue Trails subdivision told Chesterfield City Council Wednesday that they are still troubled by noise and smell from a facility that was said to be shut down in August 2010.

The rotten stench of garbage. The din of metal crashing at any and all hours of the day. It’s still happening, residents of the Ladue Trails subdivision told Chesterfield City Council Wednesday night. A state law shut down the recycling facility at Parkway Central High School last summer, but residents say that they’re still facing noises and smells from the facility site. Just last Friday, Margaret Bour said, she was awakened before 5 a.m. in her home on Agusta Drive by the clashing of metals that went on for hours and hours. Scott Clayman, another resident on Agusta Drive, said he believes the facility continues to handle heavy scrap metal and hazardous materials within 500 feet of his neighborhood. The narrowly tailored law, enacted …

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Rachel Heaton

2:21 pm on Monday, March 28, 2011

I just realized I dropped the ball here a bit on keeping everyone updated about this issue. I'm very sorry. Early in March, I was able to go out to the site of the old recycling facility. It was just about a week after the council meeting when I went. The dumpsters had been moved to another location and the drums had been moved to the indoor storage area at the site. The drums were marked as non-…   more ›

News With a View

What Took So Long? Chesterfield Finally Bans Motor Homes and Boats

Though many feel it's their right to do as they see fit with their property, it can't be at the expense of devaluing others' property.

I was surprised that the Chesterfield City Council hadn't tackled regulations for parking recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats in residential areas 20 years ago. Some people feel they have the right to do use their property any way they please and extend that feeling to the public street in front of their house. RVs and boats parked on the street or in backyards can drive neighbors crazy. I know, because I lived across the street from a 38-foot, ocean-going speedboat for a couple of years. I lived directly across from the typical all-American, dysfunctional family in Olney, MD. Instead of moving out of the house, the two sons, ages 32 and 40, pooled their money to buy a 38-foot long, ocean-going speedboat with a deep hull. Luckily, for …

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John Hoffmann

1:58 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011

I don't know exactly where Herman Hood is posting from but I don't think he is from about these parts. I have to wonder if he is not perhaps with a RV lobbying group. Herman keeps mentioning "Chesterfield County." Unfortunately I was writing about Chesterfield, Misouri in St. Louis County. Chesterfield County is either in Virginia or South Carolina. Either of those places it may be appropriate to…   more ›