5 saluted for improving Shaw quality of life
By Jim Merkel of the Suburban Journals
South City Journal
A founder of a dog park, a federal government fraud investigator, two
developers and a longtime volunteer all have one thing in common.
They all made major contributions to the quality of life of the Shaw
neighborhood, in the eyes of the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association.
Each of the five received awards at the organization's June 5 meeting
honoring their accomplishments.
Awards were given to Susan Raney, "Person of the Year," Korey Brinkman,
"Public Servant of the Year," Tim Boyle, "Commercial Developer of the
Year," Kraig Schnitzmeier, "Residential Developer of the Year," and Don
Bergmann, "Lifetime Achievement."
"There are a lot of people we could have chosen from," said Jenny Gerstner,
president of the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association. Gerstner
announced the honors at last week's meeting and Alderman Stephen Conway,
D-8th Ward, gave them to the honorees.
Susan Raney, an interior designer, was co-chair of two successive Shaw
"Holiday Home Tours" in 2003 and 2004. A former block captain, she was a
secretary of the SNIA, headed the public relations committee and has worked
on several Historic Shaw Art Fair committees.
Raney was cited in particular for her work in creating the Historic Shaw
Dog Park at Cleveland and Thurman avenues.
"I was really surprised and so happy," Raney said. "When you try to do
things for the neighborhood it's wonderful that people recognize you for
it."
Raney credited the help of others, including her husband. "Other people
have made me look good."
Kraig Schnitzmeier was honored as "Residential Developer of the Year" for
his work in rescuing a fire-gutted, near-derelict property in the 3600
block of Shenandoah Avenue.
Schnitzmeier also was cited for improving several properties in the 4000
block of Shenandoah and helping to turn around the block.
When he started, there were still people dealing drugs on the street,
Schnitzmeier said. His work led others to rehab homes on the block. "That
block really turned around really fast," he said.
"It's nice to be recognized," Schnitzmeier said. "It makes you feel good
about what you do."
Tim Boyle also was pleased to be given the "Commercial Developer of the
Year" award.
"It's quite an honor to be recognized by the Shaw Neighborhood in any
manner, but to be recognized as developer of the year, I'm in awe," Boyle
said.
Boyle has done numerous projects up and down South Grand Boulevard. "My
favorite part is that we're making a difference and we're raising the
standards of real estate development expectations in the area," he said.
Boyle was honored for his work in transforming the former Anderson Garage
at 2337 S. Grand into a commercial office building. About 50 professionals
now work in the building for Science Applications International Corp., a
San Diego, Calif. corporation.
Given the "Lifetime Achievement" award was Don Bergmann, a 24-year resident
of the Shaw Neighborhood.
Bergmann is a long-time member of the board of Friends of Tower Grove Park,
has served on the board of the St. Margaret Housing Corp., the city-funded
development agency for the neighborhood, and serves on the board of the
Landmarks Association of St. Louis.
He pushed for the restoration of two major sculptures in the park, one of
Baron von Steuben of Revolutionary War fame and another of Alexander von
Humboldt, 19th Century explorer and naturalist.
Bergmann also saved the fragments of a 140-year-old statue in Tower Grove
Park that was smashed to pieces when a large limb fell on it during a
windstorm. He served on the search committee to find a sculptor to restore
the statue.
Asked what he likes about the Shaw Neighborhood, Bergmann said, "the
proximity to the botanical garden and the (Tower Grove) park, both of which
were great institutions which were left to us by Henry Shaw."
The "Public Servant of the Year" is Korey Brinkman, an investigator with
the Inspector General's staff of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Because of Brinkman's work, Kimberly Crowder Williams, an owner of
substandard properties in the Shaw Neighborhood, was convicted and is
serving an 18-month term in federal prison for defrauding the government.
The basics of the Williams operation was to purchase a dilapidated
property, mortgage it at an unrealistically high dollar value, foreclose on
the loan and then obtain excess compensation from federal mortgage
insurance agencies.
Paid
for by the 8th Ward Independent Democratic Association
Barbara Beck, Treasurer - 2155 Maury St. Louis Missouri 63110
Not
authorized by any candidate or candidate committee
