Posts Tagged ‘Susan Montee’

Bryan Cave lawyer Tom Schweich, who probably knows a lot more about Afghanistan than Affton or Gallatin, was supposed to be a U.S. senator.  But, he bowed to the pressure (and promises) of his fellow Republicans and left this year’s field largely open for U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, avoiding a clash of pedigrees in the season’s marquee race.  Schweich’s willingness to postpone his ambitions to be in Washington, D.C., until he can face off with U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2012, earned him a war chest of big Republican donations for an uphill campaign to unseat incumbent Auditor Susan Montee.  Anchored by local GOP super-donor Sam Fox, Schweich has been racking up donations in Ladue-size chunks of $10,000 and $20,000 in recent days.  Though, a note to Schweich’s treasurer: Generous repeat donor Roy Pfautch does not work for “Civic Progress” as the campaign has reported several times.  Pfautch works for Civic Service,  Inc.  Even these days, there is a difference.  BTW Roy Pfautch is an ordained minister and knows how to separate church from state.  And. the guy has an art for living.

The columnist, who usually ventures no further west than St. Charles,  was edified to learn from State Auditor Susan Montee‘s amusing email on Monday that a high point of the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia this year is a 600-pound cow sculpted out of local butter by artist Jane Hargrave.  (Hope it is nowhere near the Giant Missouri Ear of Corn display.)

Some political observers wonder if the recent collapse of a planned big box retail development in Florissant signals the end of one-person rule in St. Louis County’s largest municipality. For decades, as police chief and mayor, savvy Robert Lowery, Sr. has had the final word in most issues. Yet, with the county tax increment financing commission likely to recommend against the use of TIF, Lowery opted to back-pedal rather than try to muster a super-majority on his increasingly fractious City Council. Combined with the specter of a charter review commission and the release of state auditor Susan Montee‘s report, Lowery’s decision seems like an acknowledgment that the second 50 years of public service might be harder than the first.

Matt Lieberman, the super fund-raiser whose client list includes such high-powered pols as St. Louis mayor Francis Slay, state auditor Susan Montee and county council member Steve Stanger – and who is widely credited with helping former mayor Vince Schoemehl fill the war chest that powered St. Louis County’s Prop A to victory – will wed legal assistant Erin Marie Luecke in June. . . Mo. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will present the Lieutenant Governor’s  Senior  Service Award to Art Osseck, 85, of St.Charles.  Ossock volunteers with Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service driving the charity’s van five times a week to pick up donated food from grocery stores.  Sources say that Kinder plans a series of awards in the region. . .Kudos to the cast of the musical, “Legally Blonde” who booked an extra performance at Chuey Arzola’s after Friday night’s Fox gig.  The burlesque program, “Risque Cabaret”, raised big bucks for the Saint Louis Effort for AIDS and Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS. . . Miss Aimee B’s Tea Room & Upstairs Market Place is releasing their “Cookbook of Divine Cuisine III” this month. Owners Judy Howell and Sherry Pfaender debut some of their featured recipes at Dierbergs School of Cooking then the cookbooks will hit the shelves at the St. Charles First Capitol Tea Room.