St. Peters mayor pushes for job creation
During the Board of Aldermen work session Thursday, Pagano said he is "upset" that big corporations such as Boeing Co. and Western Union have relocated or outsourced jobs outside of Missouri.
"I was very disappointed to hear about Western Union," Pagano said. "I think Western Union has been here (in Metro St. Louis) since World War I or II."Western Union recently announced it will close its St. Charles location, among other Missouri locations, in June.
Pagano said the closing of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors plants in St. Louis caused significant damage to the local economy.
"Each one of those job's minimum salary starts at $16 or $17 (an hour) and up," Pagano said. "We've lost so many good jobs. Even at City Hall we have people applying here (who would not otherwise) for a job."
Pagano said he would like the city to take the matter to state legislators in the form of a resolution to provide programs that would bring more job security.
"(Legislators) are voting on things like the flower of the state, bear of the state, this is what they accomplish," he said. "They've got to look at Missouri. We're losing jobs at a rapid rate."
Alderwoman Judy Bateman, Ward 2, said she doesn't think the problem is that state legislators aren't tending to bills that matter.
"They just don't seem to get a lot done quickly," she said.
Alderman Dave Thomas, Ward 1, said city officials should discuss their concerns during an upcoming meeting of the St. Charles County Municipal League before talking with state legislators.
But board President Jerry Hollingsworth, Ward 2, said the more immediate problem the city should be concerned with is bringing more businesses to St. Peters.
"We've probably decided on a lot of resolutions and I don't think that I can put my finger on a thimble of what's gone through," Hollingsworth said.
Alderman Gus Elliott, Ward 3, agreed and suggested that the city put together a committee of residents and business owners to look into a possible solution. Hollingsworth said he would chair such a committee.
"I think we need to do everything humanly possible to attract businesses to St. Peters," Hollingsworth said. "We are in competition with O'Fallon, St. Charles and Cottleville with their redevelopment project and Wentzville."
Hollingsworth said board members should brainstorm with City Administrator Bill Charnisky and Cathy Pratt, manager of engineering and development services, to come up with some ideas.
"We have spoiled our residents (with services), but in order to maintain that level of quality (the city needs money)," he said.
Hollingsworth said the loss of sales tax revenue and the fact that regional malls as a whole nationally are not doing well makes the need for the city to recruit more business that much more important.
Hollingsworth said city officials should talk to business owners who incubate at the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County and encourage them to move to St. Peters.
Charnisky said officials should identify parts of the city that have vacant buildings when coming up with a plan.
