A "Tear-Down" House. Math Problems. MEC v. Steffen. Mardi Gras Ball. Wessels' Report v. Kotraba's Report. Developers But Not McKee. Mayor Slay's $1000.

Citizens for Wessels, 13th Ward Alderman Fred Wessels, made a very confusing 8 Days Before Primary Report. The Summary Page showed $42,077.16 beginning on-hand; $5850 in monetary received; $1850 in expenses paid; $1450 in contributions made; $1850 total disbursements; $46,077.16 ending on-hand; $30,000 debt, the loan previously reported.

Expenses paid plus contributions made should equal total disbursements. Instead, the report counts contributions made as both contributions and expenses but shows the correct amount for disbursements. As it turns out, he had $925 in expenses and $950 in contributions made to other committees and needs an amended report.

Contributions made, according to the filing, were $750 total to Kotraba for Safe Neighborhoods (Debby Kotraba, 25th alderman candidate); $200 to Krewson for Alderman (28th Ward Alderwoman Lyda Krewson); $525 to the Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball, which is a charity gala, not a committee that reports to MEC. It raises money for Gateway Greening's Urban Roots DT plantings and Soulard projects chosen by the St. Louis Mardi Gras Foundation. True, the foundation president is City Democratic Central Committee Chair and 7th Ward Committeeman Brian Wahby.

There's discrepancy with the Kotraba donations. Wessels reported giving her committee $500 on Jan 20 and $250 on Feb 11. As reported here, Kotraba only shows $500 from Wessels. Her report has it dated Jan 11.

Nearly all the contribs were development-related: $2000 from McGowan Brothers; $1000 each from Steve Smith (Lawrence Group) and David Richardson (Husch Blackwell Sanders); $500 each from Bill Bruce (Bruce Development) and Don Land (Balke Brown); $250 each from Tom Campbell (Gallop Johnson Neuman) and Charles Drury (Drury Development); $150 from Tom Irwin (Civic Progress); $100 each from Steve Roberts (Roberts Communications Properties) and Pete Rothschild (Red Brick).

But what about the donation from Slay for Mayor? As previously reported, the Mayor's re-election committee made a $1000 contribution to Wessels' committee. Slay's report shows a Feb 14 date for the contribution. That donation does not show up on the 13th Ward Alderman's filing covering Jan 18 to Feb 19 and dated Feb 20. It's possible that the contribution was not received by Wessels before his 8 Days Before Report. However, according to MEC, "The receipt of a late contribution (one received before the election but after the 12th day before the election) of more than $250 shall be reported to the appropriate officer no later than 24 hours after receipt." Wessels did not give a 24 Hour Notice for the contrib. The check was received before the election and not reported or it wasn't received, which begs why not.

Committee to Elect Ken Hollenbeck, Green Party, made a Limited Activity Report for 8 Days Before Primary.

Wessel's filing address, 3955 Dover Place, was built in 1929; Hollenbeck's filing address, 4838 Sigel, was built in 1910; both owned by the candidates, no tax problems.

Feb 13, Wessel's amended his committee with a new treasurer at a 13th Ward address, which might explain the problems with Wessels report. His previous treasurer used an address in the Pasta House Lindbergh Subdivision of Green Park. State Law Requires Treasurer Residency story here. Wessels owns rental property in the City. According to the St. Louis County Real Estate Search, Hollenbeck also owns 5108 Heege, St. Louis County, purchased Feb. 2005 (his City home was purchased Dec 2005), which is for sale, described as "needs major work - consider it a tear-down".

In the March 3rd Primary, Wessels had no opposition and received 1050 votes; Hollenbeck had no opposition and received 16 votes, more than any other Green Party candidate running for alderman.

13th Ward Regular Democratic Organization has yet to make a report this year.

Case.net is showing MEC v. Fred Steffen (08AC-CC00786), relating to lobbyist reporting, is no more. Steffen is 13th Ward Committeeman and former Chief Clerk of the Board of Aldermen. It looks like Steffen terminated as a lobbyist 2007 Dec 31 and was reactivated 2008 Jan 11 but MEC neither shows what branch of government he currently lobbies nor lists any clients. According to the petition dated 2008 Sept 24, Cole County Circuit Court, there were two violations. Count I: Steffen filed his 2007 Nov lobbyist expenditure report one day late. MEC assessed late a late fee of $10. Count II: Steffen filed his 2008 Feb report four days late. MEC assessed late fees of $10 per day, $40 total. MEC notified him on 2008 Feb 20, March 4 and March 24 and demanded payment which he did not do. The case was dismissed by the parties 2009 Feb. 4.

Previous story on the 13th Ward-related campaign finance filings and election history here.