Sewer Rates to Rise Gradually; Proposition Y Approved

A bond issue that is expected to result in steady increases in many St. Louisans' sewer bills won approval from voters Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

Sewer bills are expected to rise gradually for many St. Louis residents with the passage of Proposition Y on Tuesday. The $945 million bond issue passed with 85 percent of the vote in St. Louis County with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial election results. Fifteen percent of county voters rejected the measure. In St. Louis city, approximately 87 percent of voters approved the measure, while 13 percent rejected it with 99 percent of precincts reporting. That comes out to nearly 63,000 votes in favor of the measure (85 percent) St. Louis-wide and roughly 11,000 against it (15 percent). As a result, the sewer bill for the average single family served by the Metropolitan Sewer District of St. Louis (MSD) is expected to rise …

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Michael Rhodes

10:05 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012

I seem to remember that they set the rate based on how much of your property could absorb water. Think they used county tax information to figure out your lot square footage and how much of that footage was covered by the house, driveway, sidewalks, patio, etc. They then used some formula (probably a dart board with rate levels listes) to set your rate. I think you can have them re-evaluate your …   more ›

Charlie Dooley Eyes Third Full Term in Clayton

He serves as St. Louis County executive.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley plans to seek another term in 2014, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported this month. Dooley's office is in the county seat of Clayton. Quoting from the Post-Dispatch report: "Dooley, a Democrat, is seeking his third full term. He won a special election in 2004 to complete (former County Executive George R. “Buzz”) Westfall's term and won re-election to full terms in 2006 and 2010." Learn why Dooley chose to announce his candidacy so early and hear what he thinks about serving as county executive in the complete Post-Dispatch report. More about Charlie Dooley on Patch:

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UPDATE: Higuchi, Klamer Win Clayton School Board Race

Incumbents Jane Klamer and Lily Raymond sought to fill two seats on the Clayton Board of Education along with newcomer Darryl Higuchi.

Darryl Higuchi and Jane Klamer won election to the Clayton Board of Education on Tuesday. Higuchi is a newcomer, while Klamer has served previously on the board. (Subscribe to the free Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch newsletter.) Higuchi won with 905 votes or 35 percent of the vote, while Klamer captured 903 votes and another 35 percent of the vote. A total of two seats were available. Initial results from the St. Louis County Board of Elections put Klamer as the lead vote-taker. "I'm very happy that the voters came out behind me and liked what I had to say," Higuchi said Tuesday night. "And now it's my responsibility to be a spokesperson for my voters. And I'm happy at the fact that this was a total team effort with my wife and son." He …

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Mayor James Beck Urges Richmond Heights to Vote

Casting a ballot isn't only about choosing representatives, the city's mayor writes in this letter to the editor. It's also about taking advantage of a hard-won right.

Richmond Heights Mayor James Beck shared the following letter to the editor ahead of Election Day, which happens Tuesday. Read more coverage of the candidates and issues by going to Election 2012 Headquarters. I hope every eligible voter in the City of Richmond Heights is determined to go to the polls and vote on April 3. In each of our four City Council districts, residents will be asked to determine who will serve as their mayor for the next four years, and they will be asked to determine who will serve as one of their District’s two City Council members for the next four years. There are also multiple other issues on the ballot this April for voters to determine. Some friends and neighbors may try to convince you that voting is an …

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Ryan Martin

8:40 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

Well said, Mayor. Thanks for sharing this letter.   more ›

April 3, 2012: Get Educated for Election Day

Voters in Clayton and Richmond Heights will be asked next week to weigh in on several offices and a St. Louis County courts measure. Here's what you should know.