Florissant City Council Honors 2 Who Aided Police

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council Monday night recognized two citizens, Lawrence Washington and Adam R. Matthews, for helping the police in recent weeks. According to the police report back in July, a suspect broke free from a police officer detaining him at Flower Valley Shopping Center. Washington saw this and chased the suspect down, knocked him to the ground, and held him there for the officer.

In August, Matthews observed a man enter his workplace with a young child. The man’s actions made him suspicious and he searched for the man online. He discovered that the man was a suspect in a parental abduction in Illinois. He called police with the information and the child was reunited with his mother.

2 Proposals still on hold

The council also held two public hearings that had been continued from a previous meeting. The first hearing regarded a request for a special use permit to Amigo Food LLC, doing business as Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill to allow for the operation of a restaurant / grocery store at 758 St. New Florissant Rd.

Councilwoman Jackie Pagano represents the ward in which the business would be located. She immediately moved to close the hearing.

“We have not heard from them, and I think we’ve given them ample time,” she said. She noted that they had not been in touch with her or anyone else from the city. Council President Joe Eagan first asked for comments. No one spoke and the council closed the hearing.

The second hearing was about a request for a special use permit to Charles Lawshe with Glory to God Kingdom Fellowship Hall for the operation of a day care at 8428 N. Lindbergh.

“Mr. Lawshe informed me late this afternoon that he does not anticipate going forward with this project,” Eagan said. However, he added, since he did not have anything in writing, he asked for comments. Again, no one spoke and the council postponed the hearing until the Jan. 11 meeting.

Ballot issue will be voted on April 5

In other matters, the council passed a bill allowing the city to place a proposition on the April 5 ballot that would allow the city to continue applying and collecting the local sales tax on the titling of motor vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard motors that were purchased from a source other than a licensed Missouri dealer.

The council also passed a resolution in opposition to Bill No 276 of the St. Louis County Council pertaining to police services and cities. The bill allows the county executive to issue minimum police standards. Although the Florissant Police Department would be exempt due to its accreditation, the council still opposes the legislation. Mayor Tom Schneider wrote an opt-ed piece on the subject in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last week opposing the bill

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