Comments from Patchland: A Salute to Storm Responders

Welcome to this week's edition of “Comments from Patchland,” a peek at some of the highlights from your feedback on our sites. Today's selection touches on topics including cleanup efforts following the devastating , a proposed Sam’s Club and urban chickens.

Care to chime in? Click the link for a headline and add your comments on the topic.

Writer thanks linemen, tree trimmers, police, rescue workers for storm response: :
“Huge thanks to Ameren, KCP&L and every other lineman who left his family on Easter weekend to come and help us out of this huge mess. When I looked around on Saturday morning, I knew it would be several days before we would have power, and the more I looked, the worse it got... So thank you to all who helped! If I missed anyone, please add your own comments with them, too.”
—Integr8er, Maryland Heights Patch

Reader happy for fair coverage of girls lacrosse: :
“What a good job of covering the games for Hazelwood West. I am especially glad to see that the sophpmore Brittany Monroe had been introduced to the St. louis area as she has had some truly dominating performances this year. Thank you for acknowledging the girls lacross team as they have worked so hard this year.”
—Gene Franke, Hazelwood Patch

After devastating St. Louis County tornado, words of gratitude and hope
:
"I am truly impressed with the speedy response from the Ferguson-Florissant School District to this tragic event. Not only did the schools not skip a beat in the educating of our students, but they are also taking donations at the Airport Elementary school to help students and families affected by the recent tornadoes. My hat goes off to all those involved—from teachers to principals to those in administration—for bringing some normalcy back to the lives of the students here in North County. God bless you.”
—Vickie M., Florissant Patch

"Griffith Elementary has a tradition of excellent teachers and staff, and many of us in North County have fond memories of our schooling there! We hope they are able to restore it back to its old self!”
—Jenoa, Florissant Patch

Peter, Harvey or whoever you are, CLEAN THIS UP!
:
"I have always left cotton balls around the house, and my daughter thinks the Easter Bunny is shedding. I am a bit of a neat freak, so she really gets a kick out of him leaving me a mess!!”
—Sarah Berge, Lake Saint Louis Patch

In her case, retirement is for the dogs
:
"This is a special lady and two special dogs. They all have kind eyes. As a retired nurse, I can especially appreciate the good that they are doing. I love stories like this that warm the heart. We can all make a difference in retirement if we just open our minds and do something to help others."
—Addie Horstman, Affton-Shrewsbury Patch

Sam’s Club votes by aldermen rile some, delight others
:
“I am thrilled that the Board of Aldermen did the best thing for our city and didn't let a handful of people with incorrect facts sway them.”
—Janet, Wentzville Patch

“Props to (Alderman Nick) Guccione for standing up for the people. He is the only alderman who went around and asked residents how they felt. Isn't this why we elected this board? Janet, if you were at the meeting you would have noticed that the ones who were for the Sam's Club were the ones you should consider a handful. The crowd of people who showed up were mostly against this, and the ones who didn't show up don't care enough or don't even know Sam's is coming. Guccione has my vote next year for mayor. It will be a nice change to have our city leader base his decisions on serving his people.”
—jbj, Wentzville Patch

Sorry, but I can’t seem to find any made-up teaching jobs to cut
:
“Rich, go work with some of our administrative staff. There are no "made-up" jobs here. Teacher pay here is also very low compared with other districts. We teachers also contribute 14 percent (increasing every year) to our retirement fund and are not able to pull Social Security even if we worked for 10 or more years in the private sector. We also cannot receive our spouses’ Social Security if they die. That said, my classroom could not fit any more students at this point, and we've lost a position in my department for next year already, so class sizes will be even larger. We couldn't possibly fit students from St. Louis Public Schools into this building if we tried. This ruling is a disaster for all suburban districts.”
—Christine Stewart Mehigh, Oakville Patch

Draft Time
‘Hooray! Hurrah! And Bully for ol’ Mizzou!’:
“Congratulation to both Blaine (Gabbert) and Aldon (Smith). To be drafted by the NFL in the first round is quite an honor and a recognition of their athletic skills. Of course, it's always great to see one of our neighborhood kids do well.”
—Marquette Fan, Ballwin-Ellisville Patch

Vote falls several clucks short of a coop
:
“Chickens aren't allowed, but potbellied pigs are?! It amazes me how, at the beginning of this issue, all but one alderman supported passage. The lone opposing alderman happened to be on the zoning board and then, all of a sudden, the zoning commission votes it down. The only alderman who stuck to his guns and remained in favor of urban chickens was Gus Elliott. St. Peters used to be a farming community. I guess the powers that be have forgotten that fact and are so worried a few backyard chickens might lower our ratings in the "Best Places To Live." I'm sorry, but when cities just keep restricting what law-abiding homeowners can do on their own private property, it's not a best place to live.”
—Diana K., St. Peters Patch

“I am totally opposed to having chickens, considering the kid who wanted to do it is a couple houses down from me. I want to know how a 12-year-old can cause this much of a stir when he can't vote, does not pay property tax, etc. Well I do, and my opinion is no farm animals, period. If you want to raise them, buy a farm. Subdivisions are no place to do such.”
—Ed bell, St. Peters Patch