Ellisville delays mayor's impeachment hearing
Mayor Pro Tem Matt Pirrello told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Paul's attorney had asked for the extra five days in order to prepare his defense.
The council had suspended Paul February 27 on charges that he violated the city's charter. Paul has maintained that the action stemmed from his vigorous opposition to a controversial tax increment financing for a Walmart development.
Three city council seats will be decided in the April 2nd election.
Also last night, the City Council rejected tax incentives for a second proposed development from Sansone Group. The developer had already won a TIF for a Walmart project.
Latest request for TIF falls flat in Ellisville
They also asked for more tax-payer financing, but the Economic Development Commission rejected the plan.
Commission chairman Tom Weis says they were hoping for something more than another shopping center. Weis said they want something "tying in with the great streets concept; trying to build these little pods people can live in, work in, they can shop in."
Tax Increment Financing has been a hot-button issue in the West County suburb, even contributing to the suspension of Mayor Adam Paul, who opposed the Walmart TIF.
Paul says he believes his election was a referendum by Ellisville residents against using tax dollars for such projects. "I believe we started TIF reform in the region," Paul said. "For the developer to come back asking for more tax increment financing and more incentives is preposterous."
Paul won a legal victory at a hearing Monday, forcing the city council to turn over documents detailing communications regarding his impeachment. Paul's attorney says he still expects the council to remove the mayor from office on March 27, saying the votes are already lined up.
First lady's anti-obesity campaign is prompting change
These and other changes were the food industry's response to the anti-childhood obesity campaign Michelle Obama launched three years ago. Other changes are in store.
Some people criticized the effort as unwanted government intrusion while nutrition advocates credited the first lady with raising awareness and bringing a range of interests to the table.
Mrs. Obama heads out Wednesday on a two-day tour to promote the "Let's Move" initiative, with stops in Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri.
Ellisville City Council to meet over Mayor's impeachment
The 11 page resolution calling for Paul’s removal was drawn up by City Attorney Paul Martin after the council voted 5-2 for impeachment proceedings. Martin told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the mayor's improprieties began right after he took office last April.
That's also when Paul began officially fighting with most council members over a controversial Walmart TIF. The TIF passed, but is now tied up in court.
The impeachment drive follows an effort by some residents to get council members who'd supported the TIF recalled from office. That effort fell flat when a St. Louis County judge ruled that the city's recall provisions were unconstitutional.
If the council votes to adopt the impeachment resolution at Wednesday night's meeting, Paul would be suspended for 45 days, pending the outcome of an investigation.
Ellisville commission votes to dismiss complaint against mayor
Mayor Paul has been at odds with several City Council members over a Walmart TIF project that he had opposed. Discussion over the TIF has led to several contentious council meetings, including the meeting in which Paul had tried to have a disruptive resident removed.
Last night's commission meeting wasn't without it's own drama. At one point, Mayor Paul's attorney, Lynette Petruska was removed from the meeting for allegedly disruptive behavior.
Still, the three-member commission sided with Paul. But it might not end there. The City Council could still vote to pursue the matter at Wednesday's meeting.
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