Letter to Crestwood: Firefighter's Union Calls for Tax Increase

Firefighter Steve Toelke read a letter at the Crestwood Board of Aldermen's latest meeting on behalf of IAFF Local 2665 calling for a 25-cent tax increase.

Firefighter Steve Toelke read the following statement at the Crestwood Board of Aldermen's regular meeting on Jan. 8. He is the shop steward for International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2665: I come before the board this evening to request the Board place a property tax increase before Crestwood's citizens for consideration. With this in mind I would like to take a moment and touch on some of the key aspects of the importance for this city to place on a said ballot increase. Over the past several years the solutions of cutting positions whether it be through attrition or just elimination, has been utilized as a tool to save this city money. Increasing health care premiums have been placed on the employees’ shoulders to …

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10th Anniversary of 9/11/01

Crestwood Elementary Honors Firefighters, Paramedics and Police

Friday morning, Crestwood Elementary School held a September 11th memorial patriotic assembly honoring local firefighters, paramedics and police officers.

Decked in red, white and blue, Crestwood Elementary School students welcomed local firefighters, paramedics, and police officers on Friday morning for a patriotic assembly in the school's gymnasium. Students and staff performed several patriotic songs, and fifth grade teacher Michael Guehring performed an original song he wrote to honor the first responders of 9/11. Students also read essays and letters they had written, and all of the classes presented the local firefighters, paramedics and police officers in attendance with cards and notes of thanks for their service.

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PatchCast: St. Louis County Police Announce Campaign to Combat Rise in Heroin Use

Plus, 12 area fire districts receive life-saving, thermal imaging cameras, and firefighters test their skills in training sessions involving live flames.

Here's a roundup of what's topping news in the region. St. Louis County Police Say They'll Pursue 3-Pronged Plan to Combat Rise in Heroin Use:  Local law enforcement are partnering with a federal agency and a support group to identify traffickers and help those addicted to the drug. Mehlville Fire District Receives Thermal Camera From Eagle Bank:  For their 100 year anniversary, Eagle Bank is donating 12 thermal imaging cameras to area fire departments. Affton Firefighters Train in Compliance Burn:  Along with two other fire departments, Affton firefighters practiced a number of scenarios with a live flame. Girl Scouts Celebrate April With Service Projects:  The Book Baskets Project and April Showers community service project highlight the…

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Sunset Hills Voters to Choose between Hilmer and Klund in Fire Board Race Next Week

We profile Mike Klund here. A similar profile of incumbent Aaron Hilmer is posted here. Sunset Hills does not have its own fire department, but piggybacks onto Mehlville and Crestwood for coverage.

Mike Klund, a Mehlville resident, says he is not satisfied with the current leadership of Mehlville Fire Protection District Board Chairman Aaron Hilmer. For years, Klund says he has been researching the fire district and after listening to concerns from community members, has decided to run for the post. If elected, Klund aims to curtail what he calls “out of control spending” and foster communication.  Klund is said to have the support of unions. Klund has lived in Mehlville since his birth in 1958, and now resides one mile from where he was raised.  After attending Mehlville High School, Klund went to work as a mechanic, specifically repairing steering columns on cars. He now has his own mechanic business, C&M Service, where he repairs …

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