The Powerful Citizens Association - Part I

On election day Jim Glover showed up at my polling place to shake a few hands. I had run to my car to retrieve something and when I got back Jim informed me that I had just missed a friend of mine who was inside voting. "I was telling him you should lighten up on the Citizens Association" Jim said to me. I think that's when my eyelid began to twitch. Even on a good day I would have lit into someone for giving me that kind of unsolicited advice. I let him have it. I won't go into the specifics of what was said, but in the end Jim backed down and said "Hey it was only a suggestion!" Now I can look at the irony. Jim was loyal to the end, even glad handing with CA Board Member Pat O'Neill before I could take no more and left the scene. But how much did the Citizens Association do for Jim's mayoral aspirations? Not much. Yet still, the remaining two candidates for mayor, Alvin Brooks and Mark Funkhouser went before the same organization once again to beg for their indulgence. I'm particularly disappointed in Mark because I think he could have taken the opportunity to show some leadership instead of dancing before the king's court like a jester. Not a trait I like to see in my leaders. Still the Citizens Association seems to be doing much better in the council races. As David Martin and the Pitch pointed out, $2500 will get you an in-district council seat and perhaps the real bargain, $5,000 will get you an at-large seat. How do you find this out? What most people don't realize, or care to investigate, is that when you're a candidate for office or a Political Action Committee you have to file frequent disclosures with the Missouri Ethics Commission. These disclosures detail all your financial dealings. Whom you're getting money from, and whom you're giving it to. It's all online! Here's the breakdown of endorsed candidates' reimbursements to the CA in the 8-day report filed on February 15th: The At-Large Gang District 1: Ed Ford - $2,500.00 District 2: Deb Herman - $5,000.00 District 3: Melba Curls - $2,500.00 District 4: Beth Gottstein - $5,000.00 District 5: Cindy Circo - $2,500.00 District 6: Cathy Jolly - $5,000.00 The In-District Bunch District 1: Bill Skaggs - late with the check. Pay up Billy! District 2: Russ Johnson - $2,500.00 District 3: No endorsement. But Teola Powell chose to buck up $1,500 just to show she's a good sport. So I guess we're to believe that college student Brandon Ellington (smart) with no political background (uncorrupted) and a belief that talking about issues (sounds familiar...) has no integrity? No integrity? Or no money? I think the CA's definition of "integrity" includes the ability to write a hefty check. District 4: Jan Marcason - $2,500.00 District 5: Terry Riley - also late with the check. Maybe incumbents get a free endorsement? Or maybe Terry had another giant cell phone bill to pay. District 6: Darrel Curls - $1,500.00 Draw your own conclusions from this tidy little setup. Tomorrow in Part II I'll follow the money again. Who is the King? Who else is donating to the Citizens Association? Where is that money being spent? Stay tuned....