2026 Consumers Council of Missouri Annual Meeting
Join us on April 23, 2026 for our Annual Meeting, which will include an overview of our year in 2025, and election of the Consumers Council of Missouri Board of Directors.
Category: Events
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RISING RATE$: What’s Happening With Our Water 2
Join us on March 13, 2026, at the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex, to learn more about how city water rates are set, what you’re paying for, and what’s being done to keep water service safe, reliable, and affordable for all.
Join Us for Utility Consumer Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol
Did you know that laws passed by the Missouri Legislature can raise your utility rates? Consumers Council of Missouri invites members and supporters to participate in our upcoming advocacy day at the Missouri State Capitol.
Utility Legislation – What You Need to Know in 2026
Please join Consumers Council on Thursday, January 22, 2026, for a webinar on upcoming state legislation affecting utilities. This session will provide an overview of key 2026 legislative proposals, with a focus on how critical utility policies impact consumers across Missouri.
Event Details
Date and Time: January 22, 2026 at 12:00 noon Central Time
Location: Zoom — All registrants will receive a Zoom link upon registration for this event.
Cost: There is no charge for this event.
If you would like to become a member of Consumers Council for only $10, or donate to our organization, please CLICK HERE.
Consumers Council Participates in Communities First STL Meeting in Hyde Park about Water Affordability
Consumers Council of Missouri was proud to participate in a meaningful and well-attended Communities First STL meeting in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Communities First serves as one of our advisory groups and plays an important role in guiding our community engagement and advocacy work across St. Louis.
The meeting was facilitated by Antonio Weston, Community Engagement Coordinator and Social Media Lead for Consumers Council of Missouri. Spencer Gould, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, along with the billing manager and representatives from St. Louis City Water, joined residents to share updates on the city’s water assistance program, lead service line inventory, and available payment plan options through the Collector of Revenue’s Office.
More than 30 residents took part in an open and energetic conversation. Community members raised thoughtful questions about water service and affordability, and Spencer Gould provided clear, detailed responses. Additional perspectives and support were offered by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge and John Coffman, Legal Counsel for Consumers Council of Missouri.
This meeting reflects CCM’s commitment to showing up for communities and ensuring residents have access to accurate information, meaningful dialogue, and opportunities to shape the policies that affect their daily lives.
Consumers Council of Missouri will continue working to level the playing field for all Missouri consumers.
St. Louis City Water Assistance Application: https://shorturl.at/pKUdF
Photos from the event:
CCM’s 2025 Fall Fundraiser – Our Distinguished Awardees
Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Fundraiser. With your support, the event was a great success. Special thanks to our keynote speaker Dr. LJ Punch, our awardees Ruth Ehresman, Ed Weisbart, and Bernie Hayes, the Phyllis Wheatley Center, our sponsors, and our incredible CCM staff and board.
See below for photos and bios of our distinguished awardees. It was truly an evening of Building Equity and Healthy Communities. Your continued support helps Consumers Council of Missouri keep leveling the playing field for all Missouri consumers.
Alberta Slavin Award
Ruth Ehresman
Ruth Ehresman
Ruth Ehresman holds a BS in chemistry from Notre Dame College and an MSW from The Brown School at Washington University. She began her first career as a teacher at St. Alphonsus “Rock” High School and then was appointed Principal of St. Joseph Elementary School in Cairo, IL. She was the director of Joint Neighborhood Ministry for 6 years, and then the Director of Family Programs at the Salvation Army Hope Center for 5 years.
Ehresman has always had a passion for social justice and creating policy that supports the common good. She was the Policy Director of Citizens for Missouri’s Children and the Director of Health and Budget Policy at the Missouri Budget Project.
Ehresman has received numerous awards including: Distinguished Alumni of The Brown School of Social Work; Health Care Hero by the St. Louis Business Journal; the James R. Kimmey Lifetime Achievement Award; the Rich Patton Champion for Children Award; and the Inaugural Ruth Ehresman Champion for Children Award (from Kids Win Missouri).
She has also held leadership positions in Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, Jobs with Justice, Metropolitan Congregations United and her church. She is currently a board member of Whole Kids Outreach, the Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, and is the coordinator of the St. Pius V Food Pantry.
Ehresman is enthusiastic about playing music and tennis, her family, and the dog who is the great love of her life.
Joyce Armstrong Award
Bernie Hayes
Bernie Hayes
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Bernie Hayes launched his media journey at iconic radio stations such as WYNR, WVON, and WGES, where he worked alongside legendary figures including Al Benson and Herb Kent. He later joined KSOL in San Francisco, where he made national waves by initiating the Martin Luther King Jr. station breaks, a powerful tribute adopted by stations across the country.
In 1965, Mr. Hayes relocated to St. Louis and joined KATZ, where he quickly became the top-rated afternoon soul DJ. He went on to serve in executive roles at prominent St. Louis radio stations and was elected Midwest Chapter President of the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers.
In 1967, Mr. Hayes broke barriers by founding Westcott Record Distributors - the first African American-owned record distributorship in St. Louis. He also appeared regularly on local television, hosting dance shows and serving as a weathercaster and co-host of Dialing for Dollars on KTVI. In 1980, he launched the first Black radio talk show in St. Louis. His career later included producing news in Mississippi and serving as News Director at KWMU. He worked in promotions for MCA and ABC Records, and recorded with the legendary Stax label.
A published author, Mr. Hayes taught at Webster University and contributed to the St. Louis American and the Pittsburgh Courier. Today, he hosts The Bernie Hayes Show on KNLC-TV. Founder and President of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame, housed at Harris-Stowe State University, he also curates the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and launched the BRHF internet station.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Bernie Hayes is married to Uvee Hayes, a psychological examiner in the St. Louis Public Schools and nationally acclaimed recording artist.
Directors' Award
Ed Weisbart, MD
Ed Weisbart, MD
Ed Weisbart, MD received his medical degree at the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1979 and completed his family medicine residency and a fellowship in family medicine education at Michigan State University in 1982.
After practicing family medicine for 20 years at Rush Medical Center in Chicago, Dr. Weisbart moved to St. Louis MO in 2003 to serve as chief medical officer of Express Scripts until retiring in 2010.
He volunteered as an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Washington University in St. Louis from 2004 until retiring clinically in 2021. He is currently the board secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program.
Dr. Weisbart was a director of Consumers Council of Missouri from 2011 to 2025, serving as board president and board vice-president. His leadership, dedication, persistence, no-nonsense approach, and creative problem solving were invaluable during his tenure. He guided the organization through challenging times and established a healthcare focus which continues to this day. Dr. Weisbart's contributions will benefit Consumers Council for many years to come.
Webinar Video: Selecting a Medicare Plan that is Right for You
It’s that time of year again. Our TVs are full of corporate ads for Medicare Advantage. They promise “zero premiums,” “hearing and vision,” “free dental,” and more. You or your parents are about to make a major decision, one that will impact your personal health and finances for years to come. We at Consumers Council have nothing to sell you, so we can help you look behind the ads and biased brokers to really understand your options.
Selecting a Medicare Plan that is Right for You
Join Ed Weisbart, MD, former Board President of the Consumers Council of MO, for an informative Zoom webinar on selecting a Medicare plan that is right for you.
It’s that time of year again. Our TVs are full of corporate ads for Medicare Advantage. They promise “zero premiums,” “hearing and vision,” “free dental,” and more. You or your parents are about to make a major decision, one that will impact your personal health and finances for years to come. We at Consumers Council have nothing to sell you, so we can help you look behind the ads and biased brokers to really understand your options.
Featuring Ed Weisbart, MD, the national board secretary and MO chapter chair of Physicians for a National Health Program, a non-profit non-partisan organization of more than 25,000 physicians and other healthcare advocates in support of a publicly financed, non-profit single-payer national health insurance program that would fully cover medical care for all Americans.
Event Details
Date and Time: September 20, 2025 at 10:00am Central Time
Location: Zoom — All registrants will receive a Zoom link following registration for this event.
Cost: There is no charge for this event.
If you cannot attend, but would like to become a member of Consumers Council for only $10, or if you would like help out by making a donation to our cause, please CLICK HERE.
If you’d like to receive a recording of the webinar, please email us at info@moconsumers.org.
Consumers Council of Missouri Fall Fundraiser – October 5, 2025
Consumers Council’s 2025 Annual Fundraiser, “Building Equity and Healthy Communities”, will be held on October 5, 2025 from 4:00 – 6:00pm at the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, 2711 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103.
Celebrate an evening of impact and inspiration as we honor outstanding champions of consumer advocacy in our community. Join us in recognizing the strength of collective action and supporting the vital work that protects and empowers Missouri consumers.
Our keynote speaker this year will be LJ Punch, MD, who will speak on what the May 16th tornado and recovery efforts have revealed about building equity and healthy communities in St Louis. Active in Ferguson and the tornado-impacted areas, Dr. Punch describes himself as a human, parent, partner, and trauma surgeon dedicated to community healing.
Ruth Ehresman will receive the Alberta Slavin Award.
Bernie Hayes will receive the Joyce Armstrong Award.
Ed Weisbart, MD, will receive the Directors’ Award.
Beer, wine, soft drinks, and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Convenient parking is available in lots adjacent to the event location and on the street.
Online registration for this event is now closed. For information regarding ticket availability, please contact info@moconsumers.org.
Sponsorships
Make a lasting impact by sponsoring Building Equity and Healthy Communities! Join us in supporting Consumers Council while enjoying a memorable evening. As a sponsor, you’ll receive exclusive recognition opportunities. For sponsorship opportunities, see below.
Rising Rate$: What’s Happening with Our Water?
Come join Consumers Council to learn more about how city water rates are set, what you’re paying for, and what’s being done to keep water service safe, reliable, and affordable for all. This is your chance to ask questions, share concerns, and be part of the solution. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, and to register for this free event, please visit this EventBrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rising-rate-whats-happening-with-our-water-tickets-1371508993319