Sunset Hills

The new playground will include a 30-foot-long concrete tugboat to climb, swings, a 100-foot zipline, tetherball, picnic tables, benches and a half-mile trail that will wind through the woods to a gorgeous view of the Meramec River. At a March 27 city meeting, above, Stieren said, “Glad to do it. I’ve been saving money all my life. I can’t think of a better place to spend it than right here.”... (Call Newspapers)

Ann McMunnWith Sunset Hills Ward 1 Alderman Richard Gau departing the Board of Aldermen after six years, two candidates are vying to replace him on the board. Ann McMunn and Joseph “Joe” Stewart III are running in the April 3 election to succeed Gau.Court Drive resident McMunn is best known for her advocacy against the commercialization of her neighborhood, and Tapawingo resident Stewart currently serves on the Finance Committee. Neither has held public office.Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, the candidates responded:McMunn said, “Ensuring that residential areas are protected and residents feel represented in regard to commercial development and redevelopment.”Joe StewartStewart said, “Enhance Planning and Zoning to make their process more expeditious and less onerous for its residents and businesses. Balance commercial expansion in our city with careful consideration of any impact on nearby residents.”McMunn, 55, 12431 Court Drive, 63127, is a claims specialist with Reinsurance Associates. She has two grown children.Stewart, 48, 9501 Fringe Court, is the president and CEO of BankStar. He and his wife, Sheila, have two children who attend Lindbergh Schools.The candidates gave the following responses to a Call questionnaire:In your opinion, have the board of alderman and other city officials complied fully with the Sunshine Law?McMunn said, “The Sunshine law exists  so that the governed can  watch over their elected officials to see open  debate, open  analysis and open  decision-making. It is hard to say if the city officials have  completely and fully complied  with the Sunshine law.  After all, if something is done  in private,  how would we know about  it?  The rules can  be tricky.  If elected, I would request that I (we all) have  adequate training from a lawyer or someone from the municipal league, as to all the requirements of the sunshine laws. A pamphlet that we can  refer to would also be helpful.”Stewart sa... (Call Newspapers)