Author: paulinemasson

By Pauline Masson – In the months leading up to the 2023 municipal election, Alderman James Cleeve finds his voice, urging citizens to sign up to run for a seat on the board of aldermen so there are no unopposed candidates on the ballot and reminding fellow aldermen of city action on a controversial subdivision that delivered high voting numbers in the 2022 municipal election. Cleeve, virtually unknown as a public figure prior to the citizen concens with the subdivision, … Continue reading “Cleeve Says Subdivision with Concrete Front Yards Should Never Have Been Built / Nemeth Fires Back”

By Pauline Masson – I read an opinion piece in the New York Times yesterday that said the minority members of the Supreme Court are losing an opportunity by publicly worrying that the legitimacy of the Supreme Court is at risk because of recent unpopular rulings. Ryan Doerfler of Harvard and Samuel Moyn of Yale, both PhDs and law professors, suggest that rather than crying about what they think the Supreme Court has done wrong, and worrying that the public … Continue reading “Former Mayor’s Platform Echoed as Law Professors Offer Clues on How to Argue”

By Pauline Masson – Everybody who is anybody, as they say, was present at the Dec. 14 Chamber of Commerce annual Cooperative Christmas Social and Communty Awards celebation at the Pacific Eagles, where dedicated and devoted community boosters were asked to step to the front of the room for a round of applause. In all, 13 citizens were asked to make the walk through the crowd of tables in the Pacific Eagles small hall and accept plaques of appreciation for … Continue reading “Who Do We Love ? – Chamber of Commerce Pays Tribute to Citizens and First Responders”

By Pauline Masson – When the Chamber of Commerce asks individuals to stand in front of their friends and acquaintances this week to accept a moment of honor they will join an illustrious group of individuals who have helped to shape our community, according to the man who started the annual awards program. For the past 21 years the Chamber of Commerce has taken the time each year to single out the movers and shakers of our community for a … Continue reading “For 21 Years the Chamber of Commerce Has Honored Individuals Who Shape Our Community”

By Pauline Masson Eight months after being elected to the board of aldermen – and as the December 27 deadline for candidates to file to get their names on the April 2023 ballot looms – the two first term aldermen, who ran largely on a call for citizen participation, are still struggling to penetrate the closed ranks of the old guard. The two first termers, who go out of their way to be polite on all issues, were shut down … Continue reading “Opinion – Citizens’ Voice in City Government Took a Hit at the Dec. 6 Board of Aldermen Meeting”

By Pauline Masson – Whether your idea of Christmas is giving to others, family get-togethers, Christmas decorations or a visit with Santa, there is something for everyone each holiday season in Pacific. Adopt a Family, a free Community Meal, Cookie Walk, a forest of Christmas trees, Lighted Parade, Open House, Memorial Ornament Ceremony, and Santa on the Plaza are all in the works this Christmas season in Pacific Adopt a Family – Still Time to Donate Volunteers at Pacific Heights … Continue reading “Hometown Christmas – Community is Invited to Join a Host of Celebrations”

By Pauline Masson – The lights in downtown Pacific create a glow of the vintage buildings that harkens back to the years when Christmas in downtown Pacific was a magic time with shoppers streaming into the mom and pop shops that lined St. Louis Street where they could buy just about anything they needed. My friend, the late Carl Zitzman once told me a story of one of those storybook Christmases at his house. He thought the year might have … Continue reading “Holiday Lights in Old Town Bring Back Childhood Memories of Long Ago Christmas”

By Pauline Masson – On Route 94, seven miles west of Marthasville stands a town of fewer than 200 permanent residents that thrives as a welcoming Mecca with a modern day twist on tourism. Trelor, Missouri is a favored place of local farmers, visiting cyclists, Missouri conservationists, history buffs, school field trips and hometown folks. On any Saturday afternoon at the Trelor Bar and Grill, where friendly farmers offer a welcoming handshake to KATY Trail cyclists, visitors are welcomed by … Continue reading “Trelor and Peers, Missouri, Tiny Historic Places that Thrive on Tourism, History and Hometown Love”

By Pauline Masson – There are 36 dots on the Route 66 Diving Map between Chicago, Illinois and Santa Monica, California where trekkers can stop for fuel, food, fun, rest, collectibles or car trouble. So how would we get them to stop in Pacific – which can boast one of the best preserved stretches of the original road in six states? This is the burning question as we prepare for the upcoming 2026 centennial birthday of the Mother Road when … Continue reading “Rt 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, with a Stop in Pacific, Missouri”

By Pauline Masson –  For every area resident who has ever uttered the words, “There is nothing for young people to do in Pacific,” along comes an opportunity for absolutely everyone to pitch in and change that. A group of organizers has already gained wide community support in its effort to build a skateboard park on the slope adjacent to the children’s pavilion just inside the entrance to City Park. Many readers will remember that the community came together in … Continue reading “Campaign Underway to Build a Skate Park to Memorialize Fallen Soldier Jeff White”