Labor Union's Christmas Gifts are Misinterpreted, Arnold Councilman Says

An Arnold resident challenged the city councilmen, during their July 19 meeting at , by asking if they had recieved gifts in exchange for their votes on city issues.

"Did you recieve a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream last year," the resident asked the councilmen.

"Yes, I did, we all did, it was a Christmas gift from the Labor Union," Ward 2 Councilman Bill Moritz said.

Ward 3 Councilman Phil Amato said the union members are grateful that Arnold is one of the few city's building and expanding.

After the city approved up to $150 million in construction work in the last few years, union employees gave Christmas gifts in the form of candy, wine or Bailey's Irish Cream to Arnold City Hall employees.

"This is a blue-collar city and county and many of our residents travel up to 150 miles for work that allows them to put food on their tables," Amato said.