Your investigation of actions by the St. Louis County Planning Department, ISD 2142 and Johnson Controls (JCI) regarding proposed new schools at Independence and Field (North of Cook) Townships suggests procedural incompetence, at best ... or intentional deception at worst.

Governmental agencies occasionally “modify” internal procedures in order to address an urgent, immediate need.  Such deliberate but innocent acts never, ever violate federal or state regulations, especially sensitive and volatile environmental protection statutes.  

But to include an outside private company (JCI) in such normally harmless procedural machinations raises questions of conflicts of interests and/or conspiracy.

The public interest and trust is understandably threatened.

Investigative reporting by The Timberjay raises questions that need to be addressed by senior officials from relevant county departments and JCI.

If these officials are “unable” — or refuse to address these questions, the matter should be referred to a responsible prosecutor or judiciary.  (Something must be rotten in Denmark.)

Lower level county staff might be forgiven for being unable to recognize or confront irregular actions but JCI employees should be subpoenaed and questioned — if improper actions were proposed.

All citizens, taxpayers, voters, and parents of school age children in St. Louis County deserve clear and direct explanations from county administrators and JCI executive managers that describe the processes, decisions and responsibilities for the tragic confusion surrounding new school development at Independence and Field Townships. 

Charles Torkko

Denver, Colo.