Erin Kasten of Pevely has turned over to authorities a letter she says she received at work last week, threatening her over her criticism of Pevely city politics.
Kasten, 39, who works at the St. Louis Archdiocese’s Criminal Justice Ministry in St. Louis, said she received the letter at her job Friday (Jan. 17). It was a photocopy of a letter that appeared to have words cut from a magazine.
Her parents – Herculaneum City Administrator Jim Kasten and his wife, Tina, who live in Herculaneum – received in the mail Saturday a photocopy of the same letter, with a handwritten addition saying that Erin Kasten’s husband would receive proof of the allegation in the letter.
The letter said, “We have copies of sexually explicit emails that we don’t think you would like to be exposed to your family, friends or the public. Back away from Pevely.”
Erin Kasten said a citizen has offered a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest or conviction of any person or persons involved in the incident.
Kasten said she does not know who sent the letter, but she is “zero percent concerned” about the release of incriminating emails. The claim is false, she said.
“There are no e-mails,” she said.
However, Kasten said she is worried about personal safety and has contacted “all appropriate authorities,” including Pevely Police and postal authorities.
“I am concerned about my safety and the safety of my family. What? Is this over (City Administrator) Terry Thomas, the mayor’s phone bill? It’s creepy,” Kasten said.
Pevely city government has been torn in recent years by clashing factions over financial and political issues.
Kasten speaks regularly at Pevely’s bimonthly aldermanic meetings. Recently, she spoke out against phone bills charged to the city for the mayor’s wife’s cell phone and an attempt to fire Thomas.
Kasten said her criticism of Pevely government is justified.
“I’m not saying anything a lot of people aren’t thinking. I just stand up and speak at the meeting.”
Kasten also opened a Facebook page called “Pevely 20/20” where residents share their views.
“A lot of people thanked me for starting the Pevely 20/20 page. It’s supposed to be an informative page, not some page for schoolyard bullying,” Kasten said.
Kasten said that although she has been critical of Pevely Mayor John Knobloch, she is sure he had nothing to do with the letter.
“I’ve been hardest on him, but I don’t think he’s a criminal who would stoop to something like this,” she said.
Knobloch said he was the target of frightening hate mail about eight years ago when he received a letter at Christmas.
“It said, ‘Merry Christmas. Get out of politics,’ or something like that and it had some white powder in it,” Knobloch said.
The powder was not toxic, and Knobloch turned the investigation over to the Postal Service, but the sender of the letter was not found, he said.
Knobloch censured whoever sent the letter.
“I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s right,” he said. “Whatever you do, you don’t mess with people’s families.”
Kasten’s parents turned their letter over to Herculaneum Police. Patrolman Debbie Hurley, who lives in Pevely and serves on the Pevely Board of Aldermen, picked it up.
About a month ago, several Pevely city employees asked for better security because of escalating tension over politics, Ward 3 Alderman Don Menkhus said at the Dec. 30 aldermanic meeting.
He asked the city to consider buying bullet-proof glass for employees stationed at desks in the lobby.
In a phone interview after the meeting, Menkhus said city clerk Stephanie Haas told him of employees’ concerns.
“Stephanie came to me and said that the people up front don’t feel safe in City Hall,” he said. “They don’t want to come to work.”
Menkhus said there were no verbal threats made, but “threatening gestures.”
“People come in, pound on the counter and make demands,” he said. “To me, that’s threatening.”
A police officer was stationed at City Hall during business hours in December while officials tussled over whether to renew Thomas’ contract as city administrator. He was terminated Dec. 16, then reinstated Dec. 30.
The officer stationed at City Hall was reassigned, and Menkhus backed off his request for protective glass.
“It seemed to calm down. There weren’t people coming in and badgering the staff,” he said.
The incident involving Kasten has brought security concerns back, he said.
“With what’s going on, we may have to look into it,” Menkhus said. “I’ve never seen the city like this, and I’ve been here 36 years. Whether you agree with a constituent or not, everyone has a right to their opinion.”
Knobloch said he does not think bullet-proof glass and other stringent safety measures are necessary.
“I don’t think that’s needed. That’s blowing things out of proportion,” he said.
Kasten said she is still going to speak her mind.
“The answer is no, I’m not going to back off Pevely,” Kasten said.
“I’m not as scared as they should be, when they find them. They are the ones who should be scared,” Kasten said.