BALLWIN: St. Louis city and county separated into two entities in 1876. Well, if the city and county are going to reunify, about which there’s been much more discussion lately throughout the metro, Ballwin is having none of it. It’s not that one of the county’s most well-to-do (and safest) communities would secede and print its own currency or anything. But the city council last Monday night (March 24) officially made it known that it doesn’t like the idea. The vote was unanimous (one member abstained). Much ado about nothing? Although discussions about a city-county merger have accelerated with the formation of advocacy group Better Together St. Louis, it’s all just talk at this point. But in Ballwin, city officials formally wanted to draw a line in the sand. They fear a merger would dilute county services and perhaps erode Ballwin’s own quality of services. They hope other municipalities (can you hear them over yonder, Chesterfield?) will join the anti-merger parade. Just think: St. Louis as just one more … really, really big … municipality in the county. The sense of togetherness might make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Or, maybe like the sky is falling
CHESTERFIELD: An historic preservationist, book editor and former 
city council member were chosen as Chesterfield’s Citizen of the Year for 2013, and they’re all the same person: Jane Durrell. Durrell, who’s lived in the city 45 years, served on the council from 1999 to 2008. She was instrumental in saving the Farmer’s Bank Building at Baxter and Old Chesterfield roads when the Baxter extension was constructed. Durrell edited the book Chesterfield: From Untamed Wilderness to Thriving Municipality. She has served two stints on Chesterfield’s Historical and Landmarks Preservation Commission, from 1990 to 1999 and again from 2008 to today. She’s the type of person who makes you want to capitalize both words of Community Service. (Pictured: Durrell with Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation.)
CLAYTON: Clayton has a new police chief who has more than 36 years of experience in the department already under his utility belt: Kevin Murphy, who was promoted from assistant chief. Murphy succeeds Thomas Byrne, who retired at the end of 2013. We surmise the new chief has plenty of framed certificates on his office wall: He received a bachelor’s in administration of justice from UMSL; a master’s in criminal justice administration from University of Central Missouri; and a master’s in management from Webster University. City officials credit Murphy, also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, as a primary force behind his department’s consistent accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA’s Certificate of Advanced Accreditation is uncommon—131 departments in the nation qualify at present. Clayton is one of only eight Missouri police departments with the certificate. Our hats are off to Chief Murphy.
KIRKWOOD: As spokespeople, cyclists are frustrated that government has to back up before they can pedal forward. But, as most streets and highways weren’t designed with people-powered, two-wheeled transportation in mind, municipalities have had to retrofit. With the assistance of Trailnet, Kirkwood is seeking input from residents as it develops a master plan, a citywide blueprint for developing better ways pedestrians and cyclists can get around more efficiently and safely. The planning team is seeking input and invites residents to contribute ideas at three upcoming events:
• May 10, Kirkwood Mayfest
• June 5, Summer Concert Series
• June 14, Magic House Good to Grow Festival
Why is this a good thing? Because fewer honks and obscene gestures are better for everyone.
MAPLEWOOD: Phyllis Schlafly, tireless conservative commentator, is 89. Schlafly Brewery, co-founded in Maplewood by her nephew Tom and today the metro’s largest independent beer maker, is scarcely 21 but growing like hopped-up hops. Tom wants to trademark the name for commercial purposes, but his aunt has dug in her heels—legally. This litigious kerfuffle has somewhat rattled the family for the last 18 months, with Phyllis’ son Andrew representing her in a dispute over Tom’s search for a resolution via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Reportedly, Tom hopes to settle and move on, albeit carrying the family name off in a slightly different direction. Some of us might drink to that.
UNIVERSITY CITY: As of mid-March, incumbent Shelley Welsch found herself in a race for a second term as U. City mayor, when Steve McMahon announced he would run as a write-in candidate. A practicing attorney, McMahon claims that both the city’s fire and police departments are understaffed by 10 percent, and that there’s been plenty of talk but little action on redevelopment along Olive Boulevard. The police and firefighters have endorsed him for the election next Tuesday (April 8). The formerly unopposed Welsch is unfazed. “I’m running on my record, on my accomplishments and vision for this community,” she says. When she started her first term, in 2010, she says, the city’s finances were in a shambles, and she and the city council have taken pains over the last four years to get them in better shape. “We were looking over a fiscal cliff,” she says. However, McMahon claims that the budget for the current fiscal year has a deficit of more than $3.5 million. “When there is no substantive plan for economic development or growing revenue, you are headed for problems,” he says in a statement.
WEBSTER GROVES: (Correction: In my March 12 installment, I 
stated that 1. the City of Webster Groves had granted a conditional use permit to allow Webster University to shift some operations to former Eden Seminary facilities across Lockwood Avenue, and 2. the permit was withdrawn following opposition from neighbors, whereupon the city tweaked its zoning ordinance. That was incorrect. In actuality, the city council voted down the CUP, 4-3, and continues to fine-tune zoning regulations pertaining to the intent of educational institutions that wish to expand. I regret the error.)
Since a lawsuit pitting Webster and Eden against the city is still pending, officials declined to discuss it, and both sides referred comment to their attorneys. Both attorneys acknowledged they are discussing the matter with respective administrations, as requested by the court, with a settlement as one.
[ TT TRIVIA ] WHO ESTABLISHED WEBSTER U., AND WHEN?
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LAST ISSUE’S ANSWER | JUDY GARLAND POPULARIZED ‘TROLLEY SONG’ WHEN SHE SANG IT IN THE 1944 FILM MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. THE SCENE WAS RECORDED IN A SINGLE SHOT.
by Bill Beggs Jr.
