PACIFIC: Mold forces Ward 2 alderwoman out of her home

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PACIFIC: Mold forces Ward 2 alderwoman out of her home

Questions arise over 's residency

Tri-County Journal*

By Danette

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

http://tricountyjournal.stltoday.com/articles/2008/08/12/news/sj2tn20

080812-0813tri-pacjohnson0.ii1.txt

Amid accusations she no longer is a resident of Pacific and

therefore ineligible to serve on the Board of Aldermen, Ward 2

Alderwoman Carol said she still is as committed to the

community and the residents she represents as she has been for the

past eight years.

City officials say although for the past 10 months has been

staying with her daughter in Herculaneum, she is not violating any

laws or ethics, and Mayor Herbert said he will not ask her to

resign.

" She is absolutely within her right to stay on the board, and I

stand by her right to choose, " said. " If she decides to run

again (in April 2009), then it will be up to the people in Ward 2 to

decide whether or not they want her to continue on the board. " Right

now, I think we all need to be patient while she resolves her

personal problems, " he said.

Some city residents in recent months have questioned 's

residency, saying she no longer lives in Pacific and shouldn't

remain on the Board of Aldermen. The majority of the calls about

's residency have been anonymous.

No other members of the Board of Aldermen have questioned 's

residency, and there have been no complaints or concerns about the

issue voiced by either city officials or residents at public

meetings.

also said no residents have called City Hall asking about

's status as a city resident.

has been an alderwoman in Pacific since April 2001. She was

re-elected to a fourth term in office in April 2007.

said she hasn't been living at her house at 132 St.

in Pacific's Hawthorne subdivision since last October, when the

house suffered water damage.

said she turned on the heat to help dry out the house and

consequently ended up blowing mold throughout the structure.

" It's a mess. It's going to take a lot of work before I can live

there again, and I just haven't had the time or the resources to get

it done, " said.

is single, and as a United Auto Workers union official,

travels extensively most of the year to help organize events for

Democratic candidates.

In recent months, she's also worked a 12-hour shift seven days a

week at Chrysler, and is one of thousands of Chrysler workers

wondering whether their jobs will be there at year's end.

When the mold problems made her house unlivable, decided to

stay temporarily with her daughter.

" My daughter is in the Navy and she's only going to be here for a

limited time, " said. " This was a chance for me to spend time

with her and her family before they left again while I was deciding

what to do about my house. "

said she informed and City Administrator Harold Selby

of her house problems last fall because she was concerned about the

residency issue. She said City Attorney Dan Vogel had ruled that as

long as she maintained her legal residency in Pacific, and her

intent was to move back to her house after it was repaired, she

wasn't in violation of state statutes governing residency

requirements for elected municipal officials.

" I would never do anything illegal or unethical, " said. " I

care about my community and the people in Pacific. This has been my

home for almost 30 years and it will continue to be my home. I love

Pacific. "

said 's dedication to the city is unquestionable.

" Carol has a legal address in town, she is registered to vote here,

she pays taxes here. But more than that, she is always in the city.

She knows what needs to be done and she's always there, volunteering

to help, " said. " She was the one who, in two weeks, raised

$5,000 for this year's city fireworks display. People shouldn't

overlook all she has done for the city and the commitment she has to

her constituents. "

After the criticism of her living arrangements started, said

had asked him if she should resign.

" I said absolutely not, " said. " She continues to do an

excellent job of representing the people of Ward 2. She is within

her legal rights to stay on the board. No one has the right to force

her to quit. "

said she will not resign and hopes people will be

understanding while she takes the necessary steps to repair her home.

" It will get done. It will take time, but I'll find a way, " she

said. " And the people in Pacific can continue to count on me to

listen to them and to do the best job I can to represent them. "

You can contact Danette at dthompson@....