Race for Ward 3 Heats Up with Anonymous Accusations

It’s been a long election season in Florissant, and the race for Ward 3 took an ugly turn in the days leading up to Aug. 2.

Last week, all registered voters in Ward 3 received an anonymous letter in the mail regarding comments against candidate Joe Eagan. As editor of Florissant Patch, I decided to bring this shadowy activity into the light.

The letter touched on a number of issues about Eagan, including his role in the annexation of Crest Aire starting in 1992, the city charter review and how Eagan has run his campaign.   

Following the letter’s release, Eagan contacted Florissant Patch to tell me about it. He also provided responses to the letter writer, whose identity remains unknown. 

Addressing Annexation

The anonymous letter writer said that Eagan was quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1992 that he didn’t want the Crest Aire subdivision to be annexed. Here’s what Eagan wrote to Florissant Patch:

“In the beginning of the annexation fight, I contacted the City of Florissant and inquired about the possibility of getting annexed into Florissant. I was told by a city official, who is no longer with the city, ‘We’ll annex you when we’re ready to.’ It is important to note that it was me who contacted Florissant to pursue annexation. It was only after the City of Hazelwood showed interest in Crest Aire that the City of Florissant also pursued annexation.

“During the annexation process, I went to the same city official and requested a comprehensive plan for the implementation of services for my residents. I requested that our residents be allowed use of the city parks and recreation centers during the annexation election process, and if successful, the interim period between the election and annexation date. We were told in no uncertain terms that we could not use the parks that were within walking distance of our homes and that we would receive services, and I quote, ‘When we’re ready to give them to you, you’re the last ones in, you’ll be the last to get services.’

“During the annexation process, Bob Lowery became the Mayor of Florissant. I approached Mayor Lowery and requested a meeting. Bob Lowery immediately made a temporary resident card available to all citizens of Crest Aire subdivision. Additionally, he provided a comprehensive plan to implement services, including the promise to work with residents regarding the placement of streetlights. Florissant police cruisers began making courtesy patrols through the streets of Crest Aire.

During the annexation campaign, I went door to door in support of the annexation. I had a pro-annexation sign in my yard and encouraged my neighbors to do so also. On the day of the annexation, I worked the polls at the JFK Center in support of the annexation. That evening, I attended the victory celebration. Many in the City of Florissant, including Bob Lowery, will tell you that my efforts, along with numerous other Crest Aire residents were key to the successful annexation.”

One candidate’s disappointment

Over the weekend, Eagan issued a public rebuttal letter to the anonymous one informing residents about “his opponents’” negative attacks.  

Ward 3 Candidate Elizabeth O’Fallon emailed me to express her thoughts on Eagan’s letter.

O’Fallon said she didn’t send the anonymous letter about Eagan. In a phone interview with Florissant Patch she said it was disappointing to see the letter surface at the end of the campaign.

“I got in the race because I was fed up with some things going on,” she said. “I think this is what’s wrong with politics.”

Ward 3 Candidate Mark Behlmann also denied sending the anonymous letter, and he said that he has nothing to hide and that he disapproves of the anonymity situation. 

Short of the writer coming forward to reveal his or her identity there’s no way to prove who wrote the anonymous letter about Eagan. 

Ward 3 wraps around on Howershell and extends just east of Linderbergh close to Duchesne Park.

The winner of Ward 3 will take the seat of , who vacated the seat in April. The seat will be up for election again in April 2012, however.