Mayor Meyer and the Shopping Carts

I was at the R-G for only two years, mid-1978 to mid-1980. I wrote a number of longer features, including one about the mysterious disappearance of jogger Kaye Turner. I also spent a stint covering Springfield.

When I heard that the reunion organizers were looking for stories about life at the paper, I immediately thought of Mayor Vern Meyer and how at city council meetings he would use his bully pulpit to dress down RG reporters for portraying him, and Springfield, in an accurate but unflattering light. I’m sure Jacqui remembers those sessions. She was a frequent target. Gene Hullett, a councilman and Meyer’s right hand, would chime in. I think I’m remembering Hullett’s name correctly, though perhaps not the spelling.

One year Mayor Meyer took exception to people leaving grocery carts on the Springfield streets and parking lots. So he began collecting them and “storing” them in his office. He must have had three dozen of them, all nestled together in a back room. He refused to return them to the store. I don’t remember his exact rationale for this, but it would have made a great television skit.

At some point — it may have been after the shopping cart incident — Don Bishoff wrote a predictably hilarious column about how misunderstood Mayor Meyer felt by the RG. Why was our coverage of him so jaded? Maybe, Bishoff quipped, just maybe Mayor Meyer Mumbles. Maybe Mayor Meyer’s mumbles make for misunderstandings. A dramatic reading of the column was given in the newsroom, and we were all in hysterics.

I looked for the column online but wasn’t able to find it. Don may be able to share it.

I’d love to see other stories that people share. Have a wonderful time!  My best to you all, Jan

— Jan DeBlieu