Can Telling Lies Win a Race?

Editor's Note: This letter was submitted on March 29. 

In today's mail was a piece from Bob Nation which represented a true "mudslinging" covered in lies that most uninformed citizens may actually believe.

The proof of Nation's major lie (in which he claims he voted against the CID) is contained in the City Council minutes. Fact: Bob Nation voted "yes" in the first reading (May 7, 2012) and was absent for the second reading of the CID (May 21, 2012). 

The "first reading" of the CID took place May 7, 2012 and Bob Nation voted in favor of it. The final vote was 7-1 (Councilman Barry Flachsbart voted "No" because he stated the 1 percent tax rate was too high).

The "second reading" May 21, 2012 passed unanimously but the minutes note Councilman Barry Flachsbart "agreed with the CID but not with the amount of 1 percent for the tax rate.” Ironically, Councilman Bob Nation was absent for this vote yet in today's mailer it states:  "Bob was completely opposed to this tax (the CID) and was consistently outspoken against the sales tax increase that will provide this wealthy developer with a $30 million give-away."  If he was "SO OPPOSED" shouldn't his name be plastered all over the May 7 and May 21 minutes and don't you think he would have voted NO instead of YES May 7 … and for kicks he could have shown up to the May 21 final reading of the CID.

The anticipated revenue from this extra 1 percent tax is projected to be $15 million annually - State of Missouri would reap $6.7 million, St. Louis County would get $3.7 million, City of Chesterfield will get $2.2 million, Rockwood School District would get $1.5 million, the other pool cities will get $800,000 and Monarch will get $300,000.  This requires NO funding from the City of Chesterfield and it is risk-free for the City and its tax payers.

Today's Bob Nation mailer would be an ideal discussion piece in a political science class … as an example of how to distort facts into fear.  It includes a picture of an outlet mall under construction and says "Matt Segal gave $30 million of your tax dollars to the developer of this outlet mall ... There is no tax $$$ until the mall is operational and is charging the extra 1 percent on all purchases, so how in the world could Mr. Nation ever try to defend that statement? 

Many years ago, the men who devoted their lives to public municipal service were known as "Statesmen" and they had class.  Today I can now realize why people cringe at the title "Politician" … it will be sad if the City of Chesterfield votes in favor of a man who was desperate enough to dispatch a mailer filled with lies and "half-truths.”

Kelly Wuennenberg, Chesterfield