| By Willa Boisseau,
SCANews Senior Editor
The speaker of the evening for the Olive
Business Association meeting of June 8 was
Mr. Harry Hilburg, from the Olivette Community
Connection, a group working hard to counter
the recent decision of the East-West Gateway
Coordinating Council to remove funding from
the I-170/Olive Street Road intersection
rebuilding.
The EWGCC is one of several area governmental
bodies in charge of approving highway projects.
It had previously approved the project with
its proposed new bridge when state funds
were cut by budget problems with the state.
This project, with the bridge, had already
been started when the Council changed its
decision in order to use the money for other
areas.
Mr. Hilburg and others saw慯he real and
immediate need of a usable interchange in
a坟afe condition to the Olivette and University
City corridor. They have been working to
urge citizens to do everything they can,
including writing, calling and sending e-mails,
to convince state legislators to continue
with the planned and previously approved
construction.
The OBA is particularly involved. Every
merchant and business will be injured if
the highway interchange is not improved
soon, Mr. Hilburg pointed out. All the work
being done and money being spent to brighten
up Olive Street Road, improve the business
community, bring in new construction and
merchants and renew the business�climate�will
be賷amaged.
The newly begun business Expo in Heman
Park on May 31 was a great success. The
St. Louis Chinese American Newspaper, the
Post-Dispatch, and other area newspapers
covered the event. There was a good turnout,
with beautiful weather, a surprise after
torrential rains of the previous day. Merchants
were happy, entertainment was great, and
the food was good. Bebe the Clown was there
to paint fantastic faces on children and
adults. The next Business Expo�will be even
bigger.
These new officers were elected for the
2004-2005 year: Co-chairmen, Bart Beyers,
Beyers Lumber Company, and Dan Savory, Olive
Deli and Meat Market; Treasurer, Ralph Broeker,
Royal Banks; Corresponding Secretary, Lynn
Rossel, Rosco Electric; Recording Secretary,
Willa Boisseau, St. Louis Chinese American
Newspaper.
Shari LeKane-Yentumi presented gifts of
appreciation慯o the Boardof Directors and
to the members of the OBA. Mrs. LeKane-Yentumi's
position with U. City East will end as its
founding䰄rganization, the Daughters of Charity,
ends its function. The OBA has established
itself well.
Charles Klotzer, St. Louis Journalism Review,
reported that the Post Office has removed
many mailboxes along Olive. Thomas Moton,
Assistant City Manager, will report this
inconvenient removal to the City Council
and protest it to the Post Office, since
many businesses in the area depend on these
utilities.
Stefany Brot, City Council member, said
that a business development advisory board
is being established by U. City. It has蟵n
excellent pool of experienced prople for
its selection. She said the City is in戹ery
good economic shape. The newly redone swimming
pool is beautiful. She reminded business
people who live out of the area that special
prices are available for them at the pool.
The OBA presented a gift card to Shari
LeKane-Yentumi in thanks and appreciation
of all her hard work and services over the
past years. Her tact and patience kept open
doors between City Hall and the members
of the OBA. Her communications skills have
maintained excellent e-mail and written
correspondence. From the organization of
the OBA through the successful Expo production
she has kept the sometimes involved financial
transactions on course. She worked long
and hard, with others from the OBA, to produce
the handsome, useful and up-to-date Olive
Business Directory. A election of her achievements,
listed here, indicate the scope of her assistance
to the OBA, always performed with a smile
and a pleasant word. She could not have
been outdone. In a few words,慯he OBA will
miss her.
The next meeting of the Olive Business
Association will be 6:00 P.M. July 13 in
the Heman Park Community Center. Join the
group as the action continues. |
