Today's News - August 13, 2008

The Waterloo Fire Department was called out today at 2 p.m. for the report of smoke in the home located at 307 Morrison Ave. Additional information will be provided when available.

Lakers Finish In Second Place In Mon-Clair Tourney

The Valmeyer Lakers finished in second place on Sunday in the Mon-Clair Baseball League. They scored playoff victories against the Millstadt VFW and Columbia Saints before falling to the St. Louis Spikes in the Championship Series. The Lakers last won the tournament five years ago. The Waterloo Millers had previously won the past four years. The Lakers are, left to right, first row, Aaron Floarke, Andrew Fannon, Adam Unterseh, Dustin Esker, Justin Rohlfing, Matt Stuckmeyer and Scott Rohlfing; and second row, Trent Blank, Jake Degener, Andy Skaer, Dakota Schutt, Jeremiah Berherger, Scott Sittle, Chris Rohlfing, Ray Brandt, Brad Schmitt, Tyler Harrison, Coach Cole Proffer and Manager Dennis Pieper.                          - photo by Trudi Rohlfing

Citizens Voice Opinions Of Big Box Ordinance

Phil Canman, left, discusses his views on a big box ordinance with the Columbia Plan Commission.

The Columbia Plan Commission met Monday to continue their research on whether or not there is a need for an ordinance limiting the size of the square footage of retail stores which could be located within the city limits. Similar legislation in municipalities across the United States refers to this as a “big box” ordinance because of the shape of large, franchise retailers. Upon completion of their analysis, the commission would present their recommendation to the Columbia City Council.

Three Columbia citizens spoke about their opinions on such an ordinance – Jack Norman, and downtown Columbia business owners Joe Cotton of Cotton’s Ace Hardware and Phil Canman of The Lantern restaurant.

Cotton said he is in favor of the ordinance. He said big box retailers can be up to 200,000 square feet and generate annual revenues of $84 million on average. Cotton said his research showed that in some circumstances, there can actually be a net loss in jobs and tax revenue for a community after a big box retailer opens.

“They create a never-ending cycle for cities that must pick up the cost of increased city services, such as police, fire and road maintenance,” Cotton said.

Jack Norman advised the commission to perform due diligence in researching this matter because a big box retailer can make a considerable impact on a community and the quality of life expected of its citizenry.

Canman said he was not sure limiting the size of a potential retail business is the best option for the city. Canman said many business owners have fears that if a large development comes, many downtown businesses would be forced to close. Canman said he was involved in the decision-making when McDonald’s and then the Market Place development were first proposed on the other side of Route 3. 

“People said McDonald’s would be the demise of downtown Columbia,” Canman said, “Well, that just has not been the case. While stores have closed, other types of businesses are filling in those buildings.”

Canman brought up the example of Harres Furniture, a business which moved out of its downtown Columbia location and opened an expanded store along Route 3. The old building on Main Street was remodeled and is now home to a hair salon, music store, business offices and a medical practice.

He added while the ordinance may be directed at preventing certain large franchised retail stores from coming, more publically-acceptable stores, such as Schnucks, Watson’s and Bass Pro Shop are also more than 50,000 square feet.

“They would also be prevented from opening up. So, be careful with your restrictions,” Canman added.

The commission thanked the speakers for their presentations and would use the provided information in future discussions of the matter.

Gibault Students Sing National Anthem Before Cards Game

The Gibault Catholic High School women's a cappella group sang the National Anthem at Busch Memorial Stadium prior to the Aug. 7 Cardinals baseball game. Visiting with Fredbird, right, following their performance are, left to right, Kaitlin Fahy, Anna Fiore, Rachel Kreher, Hannah Lundy, Ashley Blattner, Anna Mannino, Sarah Yates, Lucie Coats and music teacher Scott Ruppel.

Concerned Drivers Stop To Prevent Horses From Walking Onto Route 3

Chris Robinson holds two horses on Route 3 early Wednesday morning. They had escaped from their fences.       – photo by Judy Brinkmann

Two passersby came to the rescue this morning of two horses that had gotten out of their fence and were walking along Route 3 near the YMCA. Chris Robinson and Independent photographer Judy Brinkmann pulled to the side of the road at 6:45 a.m. after they spotted a mare and a foal walking along the southbound lanes of Route 3 at the intersection of GG Road.

Robinson and Brinkmann stayed with the horses and made sure they didn’t dart out into the traffic until a Columbia Police Officer arrived.

“The foal was shaking and scared and I thought he might run onto the highway at any time,” said Brinkmann.

Columbia Police Officer Mike Suedkamp soon arrived and took a length of rope from the trunk of his squad car. The horses were tied to the Asselmeier Estates sign at Granny Lane and stayed there until the owner retrieved the runaways.

Jimmy Cummins of Waterloo celebrated his 26th birthday Aug. 12. He is a driving for the Cummins Racing team which competes at area racetracks.

The annual Columbia Daze picnic will be this weekend Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16 at Turner Hall and Metter Park.

Food, beverages, carnival rides, games and other vendors will be on hand 4 p.m. to midnight both days. Friday night from 8 p.m. to midnight the band Freefall will perform outside. Saturday there will be a parade on Main Street from the Bolm-Schuhkraft Memorial Park south through downtown. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. The band Aftershock will play at the park 8 p.m. to midnight. The event is supported by clubs and organizations in the community and sponsored by the Columbia Gymnastic Association (Turners).

Recent Obituaries

Loretta Mary Schmidt, 88, of Red Bud, died Aug. 12, 2008, at the Red Bud Nursing Home. She was born Oct. 11, 1919 in Hecker, the daughter of the late William and Eleanora (nee Schilling) Braun. She married Orville John Schmidt in 1939 in Hecker. He died in 1984. Mrs. Schmidt worked as the cafeteria manager at St. Clement Hospital in Red Bud for 28 years. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Red Bud, the Altar Sodality and the Ladies Home Extension of Randolph County. Survivors include children Joyce (Robert) Dannenbrink of Red Bud, Orville (Bernice) Schmidt Jr. of Prairie du Rocher, Jane (Henry) Haas of Red Bud and Judy (Edward) Kohlberg of Florrisant, Mo.; a sister, Mary (Milton) Lauer of New Baden; brothers Edwin (Irma) Braun of Red Bud and Joseph (Leona) Braun of Freeburg; a sister-in-law, Ruth Braun of St. Charles, Mo.; seven grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 6 step-great-grandchildren; along with nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Schmidt was preceded in death by a grandchild, Lynn Dannenbrink; sisters Hildegard (Kenneth) Cook and Eleanora Braun; and brothers Herman, Albert, Peter and Alexander Braun. Visitation is Friday, Aug. 15, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud with Father Tom Stout officiating. She will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Church or the school.

Earleen Cobb, 60, of Topeka, Kan., died Aug. 10, 2008, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka. Local relatives include Lee Cobb of Belleville. Mrs. Cobb was cremated and there were no services. Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Topeka handled the arrangements.

Rose Marie Kettler nee Schmidt, 75, of Waterloo, died Aug. 10, 2008, in St. Louis. She was born Sept. 3, 1932, in Valmeyer, the daughter of the late Albert G. and Adele K. Schmidt nee Steinmann. She was married to the late Wilbert H. Kettler. Mrs. Kettler is survived by her children Barb (Gerry) Geoppo of Waterloo, Donna (Robert) Hartzel of Belleville, and Wilbert E. "Bud" (Carolyn) Kettler of Waterloo; grandchildren Jamie (Beth) Geoppo, Kris Geoppo, Kati Geoppo, Ryan Geoppo, Carol (Pat) Bivins, Michael (Marla) Kettler and Elise Kettler; step-grandchildren Jason (Eric) Wisecarver, and Tammy (Dan) Nobbe; great-grandchildren Cole Bivins, Jade Bivins, Kyra Bivins and Liam Bivins; step-great-grandchildren Katie Nobbe, Austin Nobbe, Brody Wisecarver and Chase Wisecarver; and sisters Sue (Eugene) Doerr of Waterloo, and Daisy Mathews of Valmeyer; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Lillian Porter. Mrs. Kettler was a member of New Harmony Church. She was a former 4-H leader, Monroe County Road District No. 6 clerk and member of Monroe County Home Extension. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service was at Concord Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Pastor Dawson Miller officiating. She is buried at New Hanover Cemetery of Zoar in New Hanover. Memorials may be made to New Harmony Church of the American Cancer Society.

Lionel E. Mund, 64, of Waterloo, died Aug. 8, 2008, in Red Bud. He was born Nov. 11, 1943, in St. Louis, the son of the late Elmer and Alice Mund nee Axley. He was married to the late Gloria Esther Mund nee Hoffmann. Mr. Mund is survived by his children Gene Mund (friend Barbie Esker) of Prairie du Rocher, Gay Lea (James) Mund-Roush of Waterloo, Monica (Marc) Hunter of Waterloo, and Sherry (Steven "Stick") Walter of Evansville; grandchildren Lucas Mund, Cody Crossin, Garrett Crossin, Kyle Cooley, Nikki Mund, Jarett Roush, Rianna Roush, Jessica Hunter, Matthew Hunter, Grace Walter and Grant Walter; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. Mr. Mund was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in St. Joe. He was leader of the Bushy Prairie 4-H Club and was a retired farmer and school bus driver. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service was at Zion United Church of Christ in St. Joe, Pastor Nancy Spier-Lee, Pastor Ivan Horn and Pastor Glenn Davis officiating. He is buried at Zion Cemetery in St. Joe. Memorials may be made to Zion United Church of Christ in St. Joe.