Spotlight

Well it seems some folks in St. Charles County always want to be in the spotlight. While being in the spotlight is not a bad thing. The think people have to remember is to give credit to those who helped get you into the spotlight.

Grafton, IL

Went over to Grafton, IL on Saturday on a friends boat. It was snowing when I left my home. When we got to the friends boat - he dewinterized the boat and off we went. Everything was great - a little debris in the water - but a nice leisurely cruise about 9 miles to Grafton. The town has done a great job of creating a tourist destination.

If you ever get a chance to come by boat, motorcycle or car. If you go by land - take the Grafton Ferry for a great experience.

Every year, more and more restaurants keep popping up. The Finn Inn is a classic place that you have to visit and have some great catfish. There are aquariums throughout the restaurant with river life in them.

If you ever want to happenings on the river visit:

www.riverbills.com

All Mayor's Ball - St. Charles County

Well this Saturday is the all Mayor's Ball in St. Charles. It's like Prom for Adults. Deb Smith and her helpers deserve a Thank You for all they do to make St. Charles a spectacular place to live.

Thanks Mayor Ball Committee.

O'Fallon, MO

I read this article today:

"O'Fallon, Mo., leaders point fingers amid sales tax slowdown
By Nancy Cambria
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/03/2007
O'FALLON, MO. — With a six-mile stretch of shopping centers along Highway K, O'Fallon has been considered the land of milk and chain stores when it comes to retail in St. Charles County.But a $600,000 shortfall last year in expected sales tax revenue has city officials nervously evaluating the surrounding competition and picking old political fights."Is it time to panic? No. It's time to be concerned," said Council President Peter Cantwell, who noted the city had only a few major commercial developments come before the planning board this past year and even fewer that broke ground.That's a slowdown Cantwell said the city can't afford as large competing shopping centers have already gone up in nearby Lake Saint Louis and Dardenne Prairie on the Highway 40 corridor...."

As I read it I realized suburban sprawl development conditions folks to go to whatever is new. Since nothing has true character such as a downtown Webster or Kirkwood. Why would a consumer go to an old Target when their is a new target in Dardenne Prairie. This is the challenge with sprawl developments - they have a short life. O'Fallon needs to work on improving the aesthetics and traffic on Highway - K. Additional development on a congested and frustrating "K" is going to further push sales down. The same will happen in other areas that just keep building with no forsite.

Highway K - should be termed Highway 'K'haos. O'Fallon needs to quit just approving strip center after strip center.

Wentzville Design Standards

I applaud the City of Wentzville for implementing design standards. They even solicited public comment along the way. While the whole world being beige may not look so great in the winter. It is a start. The one thing for Wentzville to consider is not only the look. But the connection between sites. So, the different spaces are pedestrian friendly and have street trees. Ultimately trees are more attactive than any suburban shopping area.

Kudos to Wentzville for making the first step - with public input.