Friends of Brentwood stalwart, Louise Charboneau, who passed on in February, got together in the St. Mary Magdalen basement on Sunday to remember her life. Alderman Steve Lochmoeller and his wife, Mary Jo — Madge Avenue neighbors — hosted.
Neighbor to Louise Charboneau, Cathy Hwang Zahniel, compiled clips from 40 South News to share and sent 40 South a copy.
Tribute to Louise Charboneau’s Engagement as a Citizen in Brentwood Government – Compilation from 40 South News
Brentwood officials honor Louise Charboneau
By Doug Miner | March 8, 2017
Brentwood resident, Louise Charboneau, who passed on last month, and who was known for her passionate activism for Brentwood’s trees, was recognized in a new city tree guidelines manual on Monday. Charboneau spoke often at board of aldermen meetings and was active in other city commission meetings. She was a candidate for mayor of Brentwood when she died. Brentwood City Administrator Bola Akande reported in an email to 40 South that city officials OK’d prefacing the city’s new Tree Policies and Guidelines Manual with a recognition to Charbonneau. Parks and Recreation Director Eric Gruenenfelder and Parks Superintendent Peter Van Lin updated the department’s ‘Policies and Procedures Manual’ by including a new chapter entitled ‘Arboricultural Specifications.’
Brentwood’s Louise Charboneau passes on
By Doug Miner | February 2, 2017
Louise Charboneau, Brentwood resident who filed to run for mayor in April 2017, died peacefully Wednesday night, according to her daughter Michelle Charboneau. Charboneau had been active in Brentwood politics the past several years. She recently fought to save city and residential trees, speaking at board of aldermen and architectural review board meetings. Michelle Charboneau said her mother didn’t want a service or visitation but rather a party to celebrate her life. It hasn’t been planned.
Mayoral candidate’s passing is most read post
By Doug Miner | February 6, 2017
Brentwood mayoral candidate, Louise Charboneau’s passing was the most read post last week…
Brentwood mayoral forum to take place
By Doug Miner | January 24, 2017
Brentwood candidate for mayor, Barbara Clements, on Monday emailed 40 South that she’ll take part in a League of Women Voters candidates forum. Candidate, Louise Charboneau, has said she would participate, which means the LWV will organize a forum — it takes a majority of candidates. Incumbent Chris Thornton hasn’t responded yet. The proposed date is March 13, but could change since it needs to work into the LWV schedule. The Brentwood School District has said the forum can take place at the district headquarters.
Tax abatement for Brentwood apartments progresses
By Doug Miner | January 18, 2017
Brentwood officials on Tuesday night approved a resolution for city staff to work with Kansas City developer Gary Hassenflu on a financing deal for his apartment project on the northwest corner of Manchester and Hanley roads. Hassenflu, who was at the meeting at city hall, is requesting 70 percent tax abatement on the proposed apartment building for 10 years. The resolution approved city staff to work with Hassenflu on a deal, then come back to the officials with an agreement for them to vote on. A pedestrian bridge over Black Creek, on the west side of Hanley Road, is part of the deal if approved. The bridge was Alderman Steve Lochmoeller’s idea — as a way to compensate the city for the abatement, he said.
Woman files to run for Brentwood mayor
By Doug Miner | January 11, 2017
Dec. 17 was the first day for candidates to file to run for office in Brentwood. Until today no one had filed for mayor — Wednesday morning Louise R. Charboneau, of 8830 Madge Avenue, became the first. Her name is on the updated sheet taped to the city clerk’s office. Charboneau has been attending most meetings of the board of aldermen, and many other city boards and commissions for several years as a resident.
Brentwood park trees cleared despite objections
By Doug Miner | December 7, 2016
I (40 South editor) had a meeting with Brentwood residents Barry Williams and Louise Charboneau Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at the city’s Oak Tree Park to hear their objections to the city’s plan to remove trees there — I arrived 15 minutes early — the trees were already coming down. The trees were removed to clear the way for a parking lot, according to Williams and Charboneau. Williams and Charboneau had told the Board of Aldermen on Monday they wanted to pause the project — that there were alternatives. Williams and Charboneau spent the next hour on Wednesday trying to find various city employees to express their disappointment that the trees were removed without public notice and, (to them) without regard for citizens’ or aldermen’s concerns…..
Williams, as he waited for Akande, said he was going to look into decertifying Brentwood’s Tree City U.S.A. classification. He listed four recent instances in the city where he has fought to save trees.
Post-Dispatch looks at Brentwood history, future
By Doug Miner | August 22, 2016
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch took a look at Brentwood in an article published on Monday. Some well-known community members, and not so well-known, comment about its past and what it is now in the face of expanding retail development. Chief of Police (and president of the Brentwood Historical Society) Dan Fitzgerald; Carl’s waitress, Pam Martin; school superintendent, David Faulkner; and residents, Chad Carpenter, Louise Charboneau and Kevin Madras are featured. Also, Steve Bowman, editor of TheBrentwoodSpirit.com compares Brentwood to “ritzy Clayton, party animal Maplewood and expensively quaint Webster Groves and Kirkwood.”
Infill houses approved on Brentwood streets
By Doug Miner | March 25, 2016
Residents on two Brentwood streets will see a house on each torn down with a new one — an ‘infill house’ — built in its place. The Brentwood architectural review board Thursday evening approved new houses to replace old ones on Madge and Lawn avenues. Residents on both streets came to the meeting to express their opinions. In both cases the developers wanted to move the driveway from its current location to the opposite side — requiring mature trees to be removed — this was the chief concern in both cases. The reason for moving the driveway is to avoid requiring a retaining wall that the resident could accidentally drive off of. At 8830 Madge Avenue moving the drive way from left to right will require taking out an approximately 80-year-old blue spruce. Madge resident, Louise Charboneau brought in Brentwood resident, Barry Williams, described as an arborist, to comment. Williams, developer Dan Murphy and architectural review board member Matt Forman talked about ways the tree could be saved, including moving it, or moving the house back so the drive could go around the tree. They decided the blue spruce would have to be removed, with a plan to plant a new one.
Brentwood officials OK site plan, including no fence for dumpsters
By Doug Miner | March 8, 2016
The Brentwood Board of Aldermen Monday evening approved the site plan for 2533 – 2539 Brentwood Boulevard — a block of four businesses — a new owner is planning improvements. The businesses are at the corner of Madge Avenue. The owner, Robert Hagen, built a stockade fence along the parking lot and the vacant lot to the west, but stopped the fence at the back of the building, where dumpsters are stored. City code states a fence should them from view when commercially zoned property abuts residential, but the vacant lot is zoned planned development, so a fence isn’t required. Resident, Louise Charboneau spoke to the board, representing a neighbor on Madge who said she has a view of the dumpsters and wants to fence to continue, to block the view, even though she isn’t next to them.
Brentwood officials pass compensation bill
By Doug Miner | November 17, 2015
Brentwood officials Monday night passed a bill to base city employees’ pay on the market — top pay would be set at 75 percent of 14 area comparator cities. Another bill removed employment longevity as a basis for raises. The bills will be in effect for 2016. Correction: Per Mayor Chris Thornton, the bill only required a simple majority to pass and was passed by a 6-1 vote with Alderwoman Manestar abstaining. During the discussion of the bill, Alderman Toohey moved to end discussion and proceed directly to a vote on the bill.
Saunders defended against censure — it’s not reintroduced
By Doug Miner | October 20, 2015
At the Oct. 5 Brentwood Board of Aldermen meeting Alderman Patrick Toohey brought a motion of censure toward Alderman Maureen Saunders, which failed 5-2. Saunders’s husband, Matt Saunders, assuming Toohey would again make the motion — with more evidence, at the Oct. 19 meeting, read a rapid-fire defense of his wife’s actions as alderman. Residents Denise Soebbing and Louise Charboneau also defended Saunders.
The Importance of Voting
By Louise Charboneau | March 28, 2015
Louise Charboneau is Ward 3 aldermanic candidate, Steve Lochmoeller’s campaign treasurer. Thank you to Doug Miner (40 South News editor) for the opportunity to issue a last reminder of the importance of citizen participation in the electoral process—the foundation and strength of our country’s government “by the people.” Recently President Obama floated the notion that “It would be transformative if everybody voted—that would counteract money more than anything.” Thirteen countries currently enforce compulsory voting, including Argentina, Australia, and Brazil. (See Wikipedia: compulsory voting.)
13 thoughts on “Brentwood’s Louise Charboneau passes on”
CatherineZ on February 10, 2017 at 11:19 pm said: Many of the Madge Avenue neighbors want to express how sad we are to have lost Louise; our dear friend and active neighbor, who always had time to lend a helping hand, grab a cup of coffee, provide advice (on almost anything under the sun), and give you a straight answer. As several people have already expressed, she was the real deal and sincerely cared about the needs of the Bentwood citizens. Louise threw in her hat as a Mayoral candidate because she believed – she was as well informed as any of the elected officials, could listen and actively address residents’ concerns, and pledged to work full-time in the position to accomplish community goals. Louise would have been a remarkable opponent in the mayoral debate forum. We are very lucky to have had a friend and neighbor like Louise. She was giving, dedicated, smart, and willing to stand up and speak to the issues that she believed in. Louise leaves behind a life that we all cherished… she will be sorely missed!!
Rhonda Fairman on February 8, 2017 at 11:14 am said: My thoughts and prayers for her family. I really enjoyed talking to Louise when she visited me. She will be missed. Fly high Louise
Faith Beckermann on February 8, 2017 at 5:50 am said: Louise was my longtime neighbor and friend. Her and I have been through a lot together. She helped me almost daily with my dog Gracie and she was always there for me when I was sick or needed her for anything. I don’t think it has quite hit me yet that she is gone. I still find myself picking up the phone to call her. I want to thank everyone for the kind words. She did a lot for everyone on our street and for the City of Brentwood she worked tirelessly. I know her family and I appreciate the thoughts and prayers everyone has sent.
Christina DeLuca on February 5, 2017 at 8:23 pm said: I will miss you my dear friend. Keep an eye on Lou for me, please.
Russell Madden on February 5, 2017 at 8:06 pm said: Brentwood is a better place because of Mrs. Charboneau. Because she attended countless city meetings and researched countless city issues, the rest of us didn’t have to. We could trust her to do these things on our collective behalf and we could take comfort in the knowledge that if she discovered something questionable or wrong, she would alert us. Mrs. Charboneau brings to mind that wise observation by the late Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Thank you, Mrs. Charboneau, for being one of those thoughtful, committed citizens.
Faith Beckermannon February 8, 2017 at 5:39 am said: Thank you for the kind words. No truer words have been spoken about Louise. Louise was my neighbor and close friend. I miss her terribly and don’t think it has quite hit me yet that she is gone.
John Miller on February 3, 2017 at 6:22 pm said: My condolences. I did not know her, but a buddy attended ward meetings with her and tells me she always asked questions others would not. Oak Tree Park where she is pictured is being turned over to contractors. Maybe this is a good thing if we want concrete play grounds, but it was also the last open space in the neighborhood for sledding, tossing Frisbees, and enjoying the trees. Not much left…but yes..nice playground equipment, with plastic trees. Thank you Louise for asking the right questions.
Susan on February 3, 2017 at 8:50 am said: I’m stunned! Sat next to her at the last BOA meeting. She was such an interesting AND interested person in our community. She will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family.
Joyce Locke, The Pulse Newspaper, Gene-Del Printing on February 3, 2017 at 8:27 am said: Such a wonderful woman who will truly be missed. She was a dear friend to us. Our hearts go out to her family. Rest in Peace, dear friend.
Mike Marshall on February 2, 2017 at 8:32 pm said: Sorry to hear this, I just spoke to her last month at a public focus group. She and her family are in our thoughts.
Jen Day on February 2, 2017 at 5:39 pm said: How sad. She was such a tireless defender of her city and its residents who was not afraid to stand up for what she believed was right.
Thoughts on “Woman files to run for Brentwood mayor”
Speak Now on January 13, 2017 at 7:39 pm said: Louise, you go girl! We haven’t had a lady for a Mayor since Karen Kintz.
Russell Madden on January 13, 2017 at 12:49 am said: Louise, I salute you and wish you well. It’s always refreshing to see someone run for public office who has no self-serving motives. You just love your city and its people and its trees! It’s that simple. Because you attend so many City meetings, you are well informed on City issues. And because you are retired, you would be able to devote more time and attention to City affairs than could Mayors Thornton, Kelly, and Kurtz, who each had to devote a lot of their time and energy to their demanding private-sector careers.
maureen wheat on January 12, 2017 at 6:17 pm said: Louise, You would be a wonderful mayor. You actually LISTEN to residents. You CARE about our City without always having personal motives. You are TRANSPARENT, unlike our current “mare”. You have a balanced perspective vs that “bubble of hog heaven” view as the “empty suit” in the mayoral chair. Your ability to PRIORITIZE with respect to individual property owners, and interested resident groups (see Gruder Property Oak tree adm. whimsey and debacle.) Finally, I TRUST you as an honest candidate and not a LIAR who will campaign one way and do a complete turnaround after about 2 BOA meetings. Thank you for stepping up. BTW, dear Louise–as a catholic, i will STILL have to go to confession all the time, but will at least be able to confess some sins other than being a wart on Chris’ nose! TY!! (smile)
Don Crozier on January 12, 2017 at 5:28 pm said: Good luck Louise Charboneau! Thanks for throwing your hat in the ring.
maureen wheat on January 13, 2017 at 9:10 pm said: We are looking at a change from the “frat boys” going into conclave for a LOT of “me-me-me” time—to a real mayor (Louise). We are a small residential community with some commercial opportunities, now forced into an unending and very “childish” ignorance of what community means. MONEY has been the push—-what about human culture and personal pride in our City? This comes down to a mindset of “move to Brentwood, as a property owner” or a “mare” with NO INTENTION of staying here—but using it as a leg up. (REALLY, to my neighbors i am sorry i have been so aggressive in attacking Mayor Thornton. He deserves it—his FAMILY does not. This was a struggle. BUT that being said, the residents HAVE NOT BEEN LISTENED TO—-PEOPLE’S QUESTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED—PROBLEMS OF RESIDENTS WERE NOT TAKEN AS PRIORITY—THE BALANCE OF RESIDENCES AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTS. i just want peace and balance. WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT. What is wrong with a genuine hometown? That is NOT what has been pressed in City Hall agenda. anyway, love, maureen (been criticized for my signoff. Love to me is all in balance–and then let history be history.)
Tony P on January 11, 2017 at 5:12 pm said: Louise – thanks for filing, will support you 100%. Maybe we can now actually have a smile or two at the meetings.
Some of Louise’s Erudite Thoughts
Louise Charboneau on January 3, 2017 at 11:06 am said: Tonight’s Board meeting (7 pm, City Hall) gives everyone the opportunity to express their thoughts over the cutting down of Doug’s tree. It’s a long time between ballot boxes as the way to make our voices heard, while the public comment section of the agenda is a available every 2 weeks. That section occurs early in the meeting so you don’t have to stay for the whole meeting. You probably should just as a civics lesson! Come to the meeting, make your voice heard, make it count!
Haiku for Doug: Stalwart friend long years,
Limbs outstretched to sky, prayer,
Embrace, nature’s gift.
Louise Charboneau on December 11, 2016 at 9:27 pm said: Doug Miner’s reporting of the events of Wednesday afternoon is accurate and reflects the rapid change of the nature of our trek to the north entrance (Litzsinger Rd.) entrance to Oak Tree Park.
All that Barry and I had intended was to post a little sign on one of the doomed cypress trees to generate public conversation to delay the project if possible. We invited Doug to reach a wider audience than only the park’s users. He arrived early and found that the carnage had already begun.
My initial and continuing emotions are sadness and disappointment: that the trees are gone, that the denizens of City Hall do not recognize that our natural environment is part of the public trust deserving fiduciary protection, and, that my almost four years spent as a “City Hall watcher” haven’t earned me a smidgen of trust by these same folks.
Our public officials and staff can attest to my attendance at virtually all BOA, committee, and P & Z Commission meetings, including the litany of meetings provided by the Mayor in his reply. At no time was an environmental impact statement broached or provided. I TRUSTED, as did Russell Madden in his reply to 40 South: “…I just assumed I could trust our city officials to propose common-sense park improvements.”
A well-respected speaker to environmental protection and the public trust in our age if global climate change is Oregon law professor Mary Christina Wood. See Wikipedia or for more depth (http://billmoyers.com/2014/09/19/natures-trust-new-approach-environmental-law/) Wood states “The administrative state vests agencies with breathtaking power that came justified by one simple assumption: officials will deploy public resources and invoke their technical expertise on behalf of the public interest.” That interest no longer allows officials to “…pave paradise and put up a parking lot.”
Tree policy is evolving in Brentwood and that evolution (revolution) demands the input of concerned citizens. Replanting one destroyed tree with two new ones is no panacea—you can’t replant forty year old trees. We recognize that we came in late with our protest—that a great deal of time and effort and money had been spent. We also recognize that city officials couldn’t speak to us with Doug Miner in tow, but that was the nature of the day. We can only look to and work for increased environmental protection of the community forest.
In the meantime whether you call it Rachel’s challenge or a modern take on “Do unto others” please remember to BE KIND. Thank you.