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that he did not see the ROAR’s article written by the City Manager, but what he continues to be <br />incensed about is that there is a reversal of what has gone on. Mr. Arnold stated that every member <br />of Council is a citizen of this City. However once they are elected they become untouchable, <br />unapproachable and they don’t have time for the residents. Citizens should be the ones who are <br />sitting up on that platform and City Council should be looking up at them. He said the dictatorial <br />nature of this Council has become obvious. Mr. Arnold said to the Mayor “You’ve got puppets, <br />namely Mr. Walker, Ms. Pumm and even the City Attorney; that your actions speak louder than your <br />words; that you’re up there in your enclosure, you’ve got your chin on your hand, you’re picking at <br />your fingernails and you’re shaking your head no.” <br /> Mr. Arnold stated that things are said and he can get emotional, and would like to apologize if any <br />of his comments are derogatory. In spite of the fact that no such apology has ever been made to <br />him with respect to the actions initiated against him by Mr. Walker. He stated that there has been a <br />huge injustice done to University City, to the people that this Council represents. Mr. Arnold asked <br />every member of Council to get up, look each other in the eye, apologize in front of the citizens in <br />this room, shake hands and get on with the City’s business. Mr. Arnold asked Council to remember <br />the oath of office they took to conduct the City’s business and realize that what is going on now is not <br />reflective of that promise. <br /> <br />Loretta Collins, 1035 Chartres, University City, MO <br />rd <br />Ms. Collins stated that on April 3 there was a tornado that hit the area by Ruth Park damaging her <br />home, as well as several other homes on Chartres. She stated that a few days later she also <br />realized that it had damaged both of her vehicles; one that was fully insured and the other which only <br />th <br />had liability. Ms. Collins stated that sometime around May 12, James Crowe came to her home <br />pursuant to a call that she had made regarding a huge City tree located in front of her home that had <br />been taken over by carpenter ants. She stated that Mr. Crowe informed her that he would look into <br />having the tree sprayed, but the ants remained and continued to eat away at the tree up until the <br />time of the tornado. Ms. Collins stated that her intent was to put in another call to Public Works to <br />see if she could convince them to remove the tree, but she failed to do so before the tornado hit. <br />She stated that the tornado took out several trees that were in much better condition, and believed <br />that if Mr. Crowe would have removed the tree or monitored it after his initial visit, then it would not <br />have destroyed both of her cars. <br /> Ms. Collins stated that she called the City Manager and was told to fill out a claim, which she had <br />done twice. Both times she was denied and both times the City’s basis for the denial was that it was <br />an act of God. She noted in her opinion, it was the lack of an act of the City because the City failed <br />to remove the tree. Ms. Collins stated that as it stands today, she and her neighbors are still waiting <br />for eight damaged trees to be removed. She stated that limbs are dangling, and when you walk your <br />dog you hope the branches do not fall on your head. Ms. Collins stated that the City did inform her <br />rd <br />that they are in the process of getting bids to remove the trees, but this happened on April 3, so her <br />guess is that she will just have to wait on another act of God for them to finally be removed. <br /> <br />P. <br />COUNCIL COMMENTS <br />Mr. Kraft stated that his apology is for something he mouthed and not for the words that someone <br />else attached to a silent video. He stated he did have cough drops and he did cough, but he would <br />like to apologize for what he did at the City Council meeting during citizens’ comments. He stated <br />that his actions were inappropriate and unacceptable, and that he would like to apologize to his <br />colleagues and everyone here tonight. Mr. Kraft stated that becoming frustrated and upset is not an <br />excuse and moving forward he promises that this will never happen again. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow stated that he wished to thank everyone once again, for coming out, even though he is <br />sorry for what they had to witness because this meeting has been nothing but disappointing from <br />beginning to end. He stated that while many of his colleagues have gotten the reputation of not <br />replying to letters or emails, he would like to take this opportunity to read an email from a citizen that <br />was addressed to the Mayor, himself and Mr. Kraft. Mr. Crow stated that the email was created at <br />11:15 p.m. after attendance at a City Council meeting and although he would only be reading a <br />portion, it would not be taken out of context. “It is worth repeating that the utterly appalling behavior <br />of the City employees and the Mayor towards speakers, as well as audience members and Council <br />members with whom they do not agree, is more obvious perhaps than you realize. Between the <br /> <br />