Author: paulinemasson

By Pauline Masson – David Murphy and Matthew Pross, two grandsons of the late Billy Murphy and Steve Conley, nephew of Bob Conley now spend their early summer months preparing for the revival of an 1870s tradition, the annual homecoming picnic at St.Patrick’s Old Rock Church, Catawissa. Sunday August 20, is picnic day this year, with the festivities beginning immediately after 11:00 a.m. Mass in the stone church. Now veteran event leaders, these men spent every summer of their youth … Continue reading “St. Patrick’s Old Rock Church, Catawissa Celebrates 2023 Homecoming Picnic”

By Pauline Masson –  During the Tuesday, Aug. 15 board of aldermen meeting, the first BOA meeting following the resignation of the city administrator of seven years, aldermen find Steve Roth’s always present and thorough recommendations on how they should vote on the board meeting agenda items. The memorable agenda, which is 535 pages long, offers very specific recommendation on the project to build a new swimming pool. Even though he acknowledged that he would not be able to advise … Continue reading “Roth Leaves BOA One Last Instruction / Hire Company to Manage Pool Project for $187,750”

By Pauline Masson –  Andrew Bruns, son of Tom and Michelle Bruns, has taken the helm at R H Bruns Monument Company, one of the oldest companies continually operated by the same family in the city. The Bruns family’s saga in Pacific began in 1866 when Robert Bruns emigrated here from Germany. He married Pauline Drietchen and built a home and greenhouse at 220 South Third Street, which local lore says was the source of vegetables and flowers, which were … Continue reading “Fourth Generation Owner Takes the Helm at Historic Pacific Business”

By Pauline Masson –  If voters approve a $5 million bond issue, aldermen promise to build a new larger city swimming pool. But it may not be the pool that citizens saw depicted in open house forums. And the building company that met with citizens may not be the firm that get the contract to build the pool. Aldlerman Debbie Kelley worries that her fellow aldermen are putting the horse before the court to such a degree that they are … Continue reading “Horse Before the Cart / City Wants the Bond Issue on the Ballot Before Pool Plans and Builder Are Approved”

By Pauline Masson –  In the fastest and easily the most decisive act of their terms of office, the freshmen board of aldermen snapped up former city administrator Harold Selby on Tuesday to serve as city administrator for up to a year while they search for a replacement for Steve Roth, who leaves the post Aug. 11.   Mayor Heather Filley quickly approved the appoinment. The action came after Selby reached out to the mayor and aldermen saying he had  … Continue reading “Quick Action: Selby is Interim City Administrator as City Searches for Steve Roth’s Replacement”

By Pauline Masson –  Aldermen will hear a recommendation from the administrative committee at Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting, urging them to move forward on plans to ask voter approval for a new swimming pool.  The administrative committee meeting July 24 was expected to be a review of where the proposed swimming pool and bond issue to fund it stand and what the committee would recommend as the final plan and election date. But in 2-1 vote the three aldermen … Continue reading “Committee Opts for November Pool Vote / But One Alderman Says City Must Meet Builder Selection Rules Before Going to Voters”

By Pauline Masson – Jerry Holloway is one of the best kept secrets and arguably the most widely known Pacific community booster in the region. A record setting high school runner, former St. Louis Football Cardinals tight end, City of Eureka alderman, Pacific restaurant owner, renown Blues and Gospel singer, and all around Good Will Ambassador, Holloway was one guy TV reporters wanted to see when Fox 2 “In Your Neighborhood” came to Pacific Nov. 11, 2017.   When show … Continue reading “Almost Famous: Jerry Holloway, is a Former NFLer, Cajun Chef, Blues Singer and Goodwill Ambassador”

By Pauline Masson – Eugene Vale and Jo Schaper – a Pacific couple who don’t know when to quit – spend their free time putting a modern face on movers and shakers of the past. The pair spent decades wooing tourists to Missouri State Parks. Now they take their passion for the past to students, family history buffs, and history museum visitors. They call it Living History For 38 years, Eugene Vale worked for the Missouri Parks Department as an … Continue reading “They Call it Living History / Pacific Couple Make Past Events & Heroes Seem Like Here and Now  “

By Pauline Masson – The lady who is often the first person to cry foul when the city shows any disposition to disregard the citizens may be the most versatile volunteer in the community, and the busiest. I’m writing about her now because an interesting message popped up on my Facebook page this morning.  It said, “Your friend Karla Stewart has posted a message on Do Better Pacific.”  Do Better Pacific, is Ms. Stewart’s current Facebook page, a second generation … Continue reading “The Mixed Personality and Busy Life of, Arguably, Pacific’s Most Outspoken Critic, Karla Stewart”

By Pauline Masson –  Very little was said about the city administrator’s resignation  at the board meeting Tuesday evening. Steve Roth said before his final day on August 11 he would make lists of everything that is in progress, everything the city needs to know, so he can leave the city in the best shape possible. Alderman James Cleeve wondered how the selection process would work. He thought the administrative committee, which he chairs, would lead the selection process, but … Continue reading ” Mayor Wants Businesses to Help Select a New City  Administrator / Question: Does That Stack the Odds Against Citizens?”