Burning Through Tax Dollars

While we work to clean up corruption, it's important to know how Robertson FPD became corrupt to prevent it in future.

In 2004, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published a four-part series revealing the murky, unethical and legally questionable use of taxpayer dollars at St. Louis and St. Charles County fire protection districts between the board of directors and the firefighters' union who support their elections. Prior to the recall election, Robertson FPD was living proof that little had changed since this series was published, making it as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.

The series was cited in the recent Robertson Review Newsletter published November 2024, but is unavailable on stltoday.com. We have made it easy for you to access the articles here for free, even if you don't have a library card.

The Series is available for free through the St. Louis County Library. To access articles:

Click links below.
Enter library card barcode number & PIN.
Articles will open. Read, print or download a copy.

Get a St. Louis County Library card emailed to you RIGHT NOW for free article access. Go to the library’s website, fill out the short online application (click here), and a temporary card will be emailed to you instantly. Takes less than 2 minutes. Available free to residents of St. Louis County, St. Louis City and St. Charles County.

Part 1: Burning through tax dollars CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Susan Weich & E. Holland. “Burning through Tax Dollars.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), 2004, p. A01. Access World News, Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Part 2: Pattonville Fire Board Accepted Thousands from Firefighters CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Susan Weich & E. Holland. “Pattonville Fire Board Accepted Thousands from Firefighters.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), 2004, p. A01. Access World News, Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Part 3: Union Seeks Clout on Fire Boards CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Weich, Susan. “Union Seeks Clout on Fire Boards.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), 2004, p. A01. Access World News, Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Part 4: West Coast mergers provide models for local fire agencies - Officials in California, Oregon say mergers have saved taxpayers money CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Weich, Susan. “West Coast Mergers Provide Models for Local Fire Agencies Officials in California, Oregon Say Mergers Have Saved Taxpayers Money.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), 2004, p. A01. Access World News, Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

This series is not available through the St. Louis Post Dispatch website. Requests made to the St. Louis Post Dispatch to make available to Robertson FPD residents was denied. All other articles cited in the District's newsletter are available through stltoday.com or through the library.