Monroe County Independent

Home | Contact Us | Subscribe

independent@htc.net

If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us!

E-Newsletter - October 5, 2007

Edwardsville Law Firm Chosen To Defend Columbia In Lawsuit
During the Oct. 1 meeting of the Columbia City Council, the law firm Hepler, Broom, MacDonald, Hebrank, True, Noce LLC of Edwardsville was chosen to present the city in a multi-million dollar breach of contract lawsuit from Columbia Crossing LLC, the development proposed by G. J. Grewe. Mayor Kevin Hutchinson and Alderman Mary Ellen Niemietz had lobbied for Gallop, Johnson and Neuman, a large legal firm based in St. Louis, while Alderman Jay Unnerstall backed Rabin, Myers, Hanken, PC, a small firm based in Springfield.

“We need more than a firm with four to six attorneys to go up against a major powerhouse,” said Hutchinson, referring to Grewe’s attorney, Carmody MacDonald.

Unnerstall said Rabin would put the city in the best position to win. “They have a breadth of experience that has carved a niche,” said Unnerstall. “This firm is the most qualified to successfully defend our city against the Grewe lawsuit.”

The council initially voted for Rabin by a margin of 5-3, with Unnerstall, Candace Hejna, Brad Oberkfell, Dan Row and Fred Stumpf voting in favor. Following a closed-door executive session, Row and Stumpf proposed rescinding their previous vote for Rabin because Hutchinson said he would use mayoral veto power to stop the selection.

That vote passed with votes from Row, Stumpf, Niemietz, Gene Ebersohl and Jim Agne. The council then voted 8 - 0 to choose the firm Hepler, Broom, MacDonald, Hebrank, True, Noce LLC.

“I was very disappointed Mayor Hutchinson promised to veto the Rabin, Myers contract at the next council meeting,” said Unnerstall. “This delay would have hurt the city further because the legal firm needs time to prepare the city’s defense.”

Gibault Golf Team Wins Regional Tournament

The Gibault High School golf team won first place Oct. 2 at the Carlyle Golf Regional. Brothers Spencer and Jeff Harrison led the Hawks with scores of 73 and 76. The Gibault Hawks play at West Frankfurt on Tuesday Oct. 9. Columbia and Nashville also qualified to advance to the Frankfurt Sectional Tournament on Oct. 9. The Gibault team is, left to right, Johnny Mullet, George Cepicky, Jeff Harrison, Coach Scott Ruppel, Spencer Harrison, Marty Kovarik and Steven Souchek.

The Ss. Peter and Paul baseball and softball teams are playing for the state championship today in Coulterville. Win or lose a parade will be held through Waterloo at 6:30 p.m.

State Rep. Reitz Named Long-Term Care Legislator of the Year: The Illinois Health Care Association and Illinois Council on Long Term Care named State Rep. Dan Reitz as a 2007 Legislator of the Year.

The Valmeyer High School National Honor Society is sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive Oct. 12, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Prayers are asked for Mary Ann Gibbs who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in her liver. She and her husband, Ken, recently celebrated her 38th wedding anniversary. Mary Ann will begin chemotherapy treatments, but she is very alert and looking forward to at least getting back into her own home.

The Monroe County Electric Co-Op’s annual Member Appreciation Day is Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to stop by for hotdogs, chips, fresh cookies, kettle corn, soda and water. Entertainment includes a Moonwalker for the kids, bucket truck rides, attendance gifts and a drawing for a new LCD television. Representatives from Verizon Wireless and geothermal heating and cooling will also be on hand to answer questions.

Community members interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer in disaster responses are invited to join the Community Emergency Response Team. An informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m., at the Millstadt Community Center, 102 S. Jefferson. Emergency Management Agencies of Monroe and St. Clair Counties will conduct training courses Nov. 2, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. For more information, visit the website: http://co.st-clair.il.us/. Click on ESDA to learn about community emergency response teams. Additional questions can be directed to Dale Yonker, 618-632-4212, yonkercd@sbcglobal.net; or Kim Strellis of Waterloo, 307-699-1737, kimfff2003@yahoo.com.

Friends of Christina Yochum gathered Sept. 29, at Hope Christian Church to raise funds to be donated to her family. She lost her battle with cancer recently, leaving behind five young children and her husband. Attendees enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, auctions, kids tent, 50/ 50 raffle and dancing. Sandra Rippelmeyer, right, hangs out with Kennedy Moehrs, Peyton Hiser, Regan and Jordan Rippelmeyer and Alyssa Yochum. – photo by Carol Floarke

Karen Sonderman of Dupo’s Dodge Stratus was destroyed in a fire. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon in the north bound lanes of Route 3 on the north end of Columbia. The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department was called to put out the blaze.

Calendar of Events
Friday
Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW
Movies At Metter in Columbia

Saturday
Valmeyer Jaycee’s Golf Tournament at Acorns
Rock band Jump The Shark at Bobeck’s

Sunday
Immanuel Lutheran of Waterloo Wurstmarkt: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday Night Football
Central at Columbia (homecoming)
Civic Memorial at Waterloo (homecoming)
Carlyle at Dupo (homecoming)

Humane Society of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week:

Mercedes is an adorable little girl that loves to explore. She was born in August and now is looking for a family of her own. She does great with kids, dogs and other cats. Her brother, Chevy, is also looking for a home. To visit Mercedes, drop by the Waterloo Feed Store on Saturday, October 6, 9 a.m. too 2 p.m.

Recent Obituaries
Mary Alice Voss nee Edwards, 67, of East Carondelet, died Oct. 3, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. She was a member of the Friends of the Daugherty Library and the Cub Scouts for more than 30 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Voss; father, Willie Robert Edwards; and son-in-law Mike Shevlin. Survivors include daughter, Lisa Shevlin of East Carondelet; son, Troy Richard (Kathy) Voss; mother, Alice Edwards; brother, Rodney Edwards; and sister, Rhonda (Terry) House. Visitation is Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Dashner Funeral Home in Dupo. A memorial service will follow.

Robert Studt Sr., 77, of Columbia, died Oct. 3, at Columbia Convalescent Center. He was a retired laborer from Midwest Rubber in Sauget. Survivors include wife, Peggy Studt nee McClennahan; daughter, Wendy Studt; son, Robert (Frances) Studt; brother, George Studt; and sister, Margaret Wagner. There were no public services. Memorials may be made to Oak Hill Care Center or Columbia Convalescent Center. Arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home.

Next Paper:
Friday, November 2

Upcoming Events:
October 14: Maeystown Oktoberfest