Threatening letters sent to St. Louis County municipalities over Better Together merger

The letters are warning cities and villages not to use taxpayer dollars to oppose the proposed St. Louis city-county merger.

Chuck Hatfield is a Jefferson City attorney who ran Jay Nixon's campaign for Senate.  He tells KMOX via email that he sent letters to 88 municipalities.  In the copy provided to KMOX, they are reminded that state law prohibits cities from using tax dollars to support or oppose ballot measures. 

He cites a specific letter written by the mayor of Manchester to city residents. The letter lays out the municipality's view of the Better Together effort and invites residents to a series of informational meetings.  

By email, Manchester's mayor, Mike Clement, said he hasn't seen the letter and doesn't know who Hatfield is.