Former City Administrator Don Greer passes away!
For those of you that have not heard yet Mr. Donald Greer was found today at his home deceased. It appears that a massive heart attack, or stroke may have taken Mr. Greer, but I am not certain at this time.
I will post more here as it becomes available. Please click on the header for further.
As promised the arrangements for Don Greer are as follows. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Tuesday, May 29,2007 at Kallal and Schaaf funeral home in Bethalto, IL. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 with burial following at Rose lawn Gardens at Bethalto, IL.
On line guest book may be signed at www.kallalandschaaf.com
" For home is the hunter, home from the hill, and the sailor from the sea!" Rest in peace!
Tom Ford
NO. 336
I will post more here as it becomes available. Please click on the header for further.
As promised the arrangements for Don Greer are as follows. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Tuesday, May 29,2007 at Kallal and Schaaf funeral home in Bethalto, IL. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 with burial following at Rose lawn Gardens at Bethalto, IL.
On line guest book may be signed at www.kallalandschaaf.com
" For home is the hunter, home from the hill, and the sailor from the sea!" Rest in peace!
Tom Ford
NO. 336
posted by Crestwood Independent at 15:25
21 Comments:
Tom,
If you are the man of honor you present your self to be, you would go through your blog and remove all posts and comments that included Don Greer's name.
I just spent about 30 minutes and when I see what you allowed posted along with the comments to same on your blog about Mr. Greer in Posts 30,36,40,44,45 to start with, well, you should be ashamed of your self.
Hopefully you will not allow any further slander to be posted on your blog about someone who can no longer defend themselves. I guess we will see.
Don Greer was my dad's best friend, since they were kids. I grew up knowing him just as "Chief." He always looked out for me, my dad, and my sister. I remember being little and having so much fun swimming in his pool. :)
I talked to him a couple of weeks ago, and he sounded the same as he always did - just happy. :) He always had happy eyes. He always made sure I knew how much he cared about me and my dad.
He and my dad made plans a long time ago that they were going to play St. Andrews golf course for their 50th birthdays. They did. In 2001, they went to Scotland and played. My favorite picture is of the two of them walking away from the camera on that course. And them sitting together on the Swolken Bridge on the course.
I ramble, I know... but I miss him already.
4:22 PM blogger: You will see that there will be nothing posted about Mr. Greer that shows him in any sort of negitive lite!
Mr. Greer and I had our diferences, and I cannot deny that, nor would he if things were reversed. That said, I always found him to be a worthy opponent, and as such I respected him for it
Mr. Greer will be missed by many here in Crestwood, and it would appear you are one of them. I am reminded that one should never speak ill of the dead, and I trust that we shall not see that here (and we won't.)
4:49 blogger: I am truely sorry for your loss.
Tom Ford
Tom:
You hit the nail on the head. Many of us had issues with Don's actions, especially in his role as City Admnistrator... including me. Should we now somehow feel bad about taking issue with these actions? I don't think so.
However, I do know that Don loved his two daughters, golf and yes his BMW.
May he rest in peace.
This is another link to a newspaper story about Mr. Greer.
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/42708.html
If you care to post in guest book for him online here is that link:
www.legacy.com/belleville/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=88315369
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous,
My name is Jennie Greer and I am Don's eldest daughter. My sister and I checked on my father regularly and had made many phone calls and plans with him. My birthday is next week and we had dinner plans, as we do most every week. He was still young and very active and he, nor we, felt it necessary to speak "every day". Your opinion in the matter is ill timed and horrid. Have you read a newspaper? He died suddenly, we are told probably in his sleep. How could this have been prevented?
Thank you, anonymous in your faceless courage, to add another sleepless night to my week.
You should be ashamed of yourself and your hypocritical wishes for my family. I pray that my sister does not find your ghastly post.
4:22 5/24 blogger, if you are at the visitation, find me, I'd like to meet you, shake your hand and introduce you to Don's 3 year old grand daughter that does not know how to use a phone, yet.
Jennie
The 12:17 PM blog has been removed by me due to comments that were ill advised.
Please remember that this is a very sesitive time for them, and join me in whishing them the inner peace known only to those who are secure in the knowledge of a certian resurection.
Tom Ford
The Crestwood Independent’s faction against Don Greer harassed him enough when he was alive, by attacking him both personally and professionally on this blog. And now continue when we are grieving his sudden passing? I’m all in favor of freedom of speech, but intelligent and reasonable individuals gather the facts before they opine. Fiction is fun, but belongs on the best seller list and the library. There is a way to disagree and get one’s point across without being unprofessional, condescending and disrespectful. Our Judge is God, and there will be a Judgment Day for each and every one of us. None of you were Don’s Judge.
Mr. Ford, why are you approving postings of a disgraceful nature as the administrator of your blog? I hardly believe to provide a legacy of honor and respect from the community for Don’s loved ones’. Your comment at 6:40 a.m., May 28, 2007 – “remember that this is a very sensitive time for them, and join me in wishing them the inner peace…” is patronizing, in my opinion. If you truthfully felt that way you would not have allowed the anonymous criticism of the widow at 12:17 p.m., May 26, 2007, which you subsequently removed, but you should never had posted in the first place.
In reviewing your blog’s history I came across your own post No. 215, Mr. Ford:
Saturday, September 9, 2006,
“The Crestwood Independent calls for a cessation of remarks reference prior leaders!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have repeatedly requested that we move forward with ideas to help the current administration, alas to no avail! I have been told that Crestwood citizens have decided to not read the blog because “it’s the same old thing, slam the past leaders.”
I spent some time today looking into these complaints, and you know what? Their right! So from today on, any post with the following in it will be deleted by me as soon as I see it.
1. Greer
2. Fagan
3. Robertson
4. Trueblood
5. Madrid
6. Maddox
7. Anyone else from any former administration, back to day one.
The idea of finding fault is an old one folks, we need to fix the problem’s we have now, and I couldn’t care less who caused them, there still our problems!
We have some of the best and brightest minds in the County right here, so let’s use them to our advantage. Remember my Fathers old saying “who cares who killed Hitler, as long as the SOB is dead.”
Tom Ford
No.215”
If you were a man of your word, you would not have authorized the widow’s post – period – not just at a time of his loved one’s grief. Anonymous at 4:22 p.m., May 24, 2007, stated if you were a man of honor you would remove the posts that discussed Don which were identified for you as Numbers 30, 36, 40, 44, 45 and I add No. 50, with illogical rantings regarding “King Greer”. As that man of honor, Mr. Ford, I’m sure there are more postings that you will find that specifically identify Don Greer, as well as by inference, and delete them in addition to those listed above.
All should live by one of Mr. Ford’s favorite quotes by Teddy Roosevelt, which he cited on Friday, January 20, 2006, No. 109, which appears below.
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat".
For the hypocritical - remember none of you were in the arena with Don Greer, you were only hungry spectators. But what type of spectators? Hemingway said there are two types of spectators at a bullfight: those who identify with the bull and those who identify with the matador. We don’t need to ask ourselves if the Crestwood Independent faction thought Don was the bull or the matador.
In closing, for the disingenuous individuals – you know who you are, and so do we - that are considering to attend Don’s Memorial Visitation and/or Memorial Service – DON’T. Don’s loved ones’ and true friends don’t need to see you dancing on his grave.
Diana Madrid
Well Diana, First let me say I am sorry for your loss.
I removed the post when it became apparent that it would upset some, and I will do the same thing in the future.
I sincerely hope that no one will Be "dancing on his grave," or for that matter anyone elses! The man has passed to his final reward, and as such deserves to rest in peace.
Tom Ford
Keep up the good work on allowing people speak their mind!
I donot think it was Tom's opinion.
This is America and Memorial Day!
The purpose of your blog is to allow people to question our City Government.
Tom,
How long have you been running this blog?
Keep up the good work!
Mr. Ford,
It is not that it "would" upset someone, it DID upset someone. You are clearly the irresponsible one here. I never knew Crestwood had so many "anonymous" cowards.
Good riddance, I wash my hands of your city.
Time to shut this thing down!
A blog that perpetuates rude and slanderous comments
run by a man too busy to attend BOA meetings
supported by people too busy to get their facts straight
all wrapped up by anonymous people willing to slander a recently deceased father, grandfather, friend and neighbor.
What is the point of this blog?
You know I thought it would be a positive gesture to make you all aware of the passing of Mr. Greer. I sent my condolences, and I tried to ask others to do the same thing.
I now find out that no matter what I do, you hate it, so, enough said about it!
By the way, bring me $150.00 in cash,and I will give you the codes, and you can run the thing. Failing that start your own (it's been tried,) and you can run it your way.
A blog is for ALL of us, not just a select few. There are times when I and others are slamed (as on this thread) but thats the nature of a blog.
This site is no different than any others out there except I allow you the freedom to post without "sensorship." I think thats a invaluable tool for people to be able to speak their minds.
I hope you will participate in an open and FREE discussion of ideas, but if not, well it's your choice.
Tom Ford
Thank you Tom! Indeed and well said!
You have always been a gracious host, allowing us to speak our mind.
A blog is about opinion and expression. This blog is about the politics in Crestwood, which we all know can get heated at times.
You and many of us have given the family and friends of Don Greer our condolences and prayers. May he rest in peace and his friends and family find comfort knowing he is with the Lord.
Question: does Mr. Ford authorize people's comments? Why is that necessary? This is only a blog not a witness stand. these are just peoples' honest feelings and comments. As far as people's feelings getting hurt, no what is said by whom, somebody's feelings always get hurt. It's the human element! Maybe you should shut down the blog Mr. Ford and maybe we should ask the Post Dispatch to shut down also, along with all our little newspapers that get delivered, many people get their feelings hurt by what is said by somebody else. I believe freedom of speech is at stake here, you can't make everybody happy all the time, so let's stop everything. How's that for a grand idea?
Donald Greer
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS
May 26, 2007 - 9:07PM
Donald E. Greer, 55, passed away unexpectedly at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 24, 2007, at his home.
He was born June 30, 1951, in Alton to Donald L. and Jean (Brinkman) Greer.
He graduated from Civic Memorial High School and received his bachelor’s degree from McKendree College and master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. In the early 1990s, he attended the FBI Academy. He was employed in Wood River as a police officer, then became police chief and city administrator. He moved to Crestwood, Mo., in June of 1990, where he served as police chief for 16 years, became city administrator in December 2002 and left in September 2005. He was city administrator in Fairview Heights for the last year.
Survivors include his mother, of Bethalto; his former wife, Mary (Piening) Greer of East Alton, and their two daughters and a son-in-law, Jennifer Greer and Trisha and Thomas Verstappen, all of St. Louis; two grandchildren, Ava and Zoe Verstappen; one sister and brother-in-law, Joni and Dr. Fred Dressen of Litchfield; one childhood friend, Bob Oglesby of Colorado; and a former wife, Myrna Homm of Crestwood.
He was preceded in death by his father, who passed away May 7, 2006.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be made to Back Stoppers, the American Heart Association or Our Lady Queen of Peace Masses.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.kallalandschaaf.com.
Bethalto, IL
Newswire
Classifieds
Fairview Heights official, 55, dies
Belleville News-Democrat
May 25, 2007
Don Greer, the city's first administrator, has died, police said Thursday.
Police said they found the 55-year-old Bethalto native dead at his Fairview Heights home about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. He had not shown up for work Tuesday and Wednesday.
The St. Clair County coroner's office said Thursday he died of natural causes and that he likely had a heart attack. There will be no autopsy. Greer's body was in a sitting position on a sofa in his condominium.
'It just looks like he went to sleep and didn't wake up,' said Mayor Gail Mitchell.
Greer was pronounced dead at 11 a.m. Lt. Logan Harris of the Fairview Heights Police Department said there were no signs of foul play or self-inflicted trauma.
'I think he brought a lot of potential to the city,' Mayor Gail Mitchell said. 'He had a lot of great ideas; it's just a shame he didn't get to carry them out. I'm going to miss him as a sidekick. ... He did a fantastic job.'
A retired Crestwood, Mo., police chief and that city's former administrator, Greer started his job in Fairview Heights in June. He was divorced and had two daughters. Police said he lived alone, and his mother and sister live in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Mitchell said he will hold a staff meeting soon to discuss what to do next and find out what department heads were working on with Greer. He said he will urge the City Council to hire a replacement.
Greer had directed the restrictions on Pure Pleasure Megacenters, the much-opposed adult store that opened last year in the city. He also championed new and different sources of revenue for the city.
Greer had said the lack of a city property tax costs the city about $2.4 million annually, and he emphasized the importance of new revenue strains, saying the city was close to having a financial problem. He supported the pending Target development at Illinois 159 and Frank Scott Parkway, saying the store could bring $800,000 annually in sales tax revenue to the city, money that he said would keep residents from paying property taxes to the city.
Greer also had pushed for a three-year, $58,000 training program for city staff and elected officials. The mayor later pulled the initial training funds from the city's budget.
Greer was the third city official to die in recent years. Bob Becker, the city's longtime attorney, died in 2005 at age 64. Everett Moody, the city's first mayor, died in December at age 77.
Before his work in Crestwood, Greer had been Wood River city manager and police chief and director of administration for the Madison County state's attorney's office.
When he was first appointed Fairview Heights city administrator, he said: 'I'm too young to retire. I have too much energy. At the local level, I have the opportunity to make an impact on daily lives.'
Contact reporter Laura Girresch at lgirresch@bnd.com or 239-2507.
Copyright © 2007 Belleville News-Democrat, All Rights Reserved.
Original Belleville News-Democrat article: Fairview Heights official, 55, dies
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