The two candidates (so far; filing closes Friday) for President of the Board of Aldermen, incumbent Jim Shrewsbury and challenger Lewis Reed**, both appeared at a forum last night hosted by the Gate District Neighborhood Association in Reed’s 6th Ward.
All three candidates for 6th Ward alderman — Kacie Starr Triplett**, Patrick Cacchione and Christian Saller — also spoke at the forum.
**Clients of A.D. French & Associates
January 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
The disclosure of the client relationships is refreshing. I hope other media types catch on that integrity is good.
I can recall several years back when the Post Dispatch was the only major newspaper in the state to endorse a particular candidate for attorney general, never once mentioning that the candidate’s campaign treasurer was married to one of its top columnists.
January 4th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Saying legislators follow laws almost made me fall out of my chair. That is not really an accomplishment nor is getting to work on time or embracing E-Government. Those are all requirements.
Reed will no doubt carry the 6th as people can physically see what he has done.
“…I will not change.”
This one goes to Reed.
When will they be in the 23rd?
January 4th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Antonio:
This is GOOD!!
“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” - Malcom X
Doug:
If one is consistently progressive; then why change? Giving away TIF’s and tax abatements to developers like candy to kids on Halloween doesn’t quite merit “accomplishments” –outcomes maybe; but, not accomplishments.
This round goes to the Silver Grey Fox.
After all…Nia knows
January 4th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Though it’s a snapshot of what was probably longer speeches, I’d say that it was a tie. Both outlined past accomplishments and future goals.
Its a little easier for Reed to answer the old , “What have you done for me lately?” because of the development. However Shrewsbury has alot of accomplishments as Pres that can span the city.
I saw both speak at the Lindenwood Neighb Assoc mtg last month. Shrewsbury was longwinded and Reed was a train wreck of ideas that left me totally confused. Good to see both improving
January 4th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Antonio,
I love the way you put the clip together with the music…really cool dude..
Steve B
January 4th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Don’t Hate the Players, Hate the Game?
You’ve got to be kidding me!
When there’s a disclaimer admitting that the owner of the website is being paid by this Lewis Reed guy and the video is so obviously edited to favor him, why shouldn’t we hate the players?
Why don’t you just come clean and call this website what it is…a political campaign site bought and paid for by a politician.
January 4th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Then go read the PD which is biased against the City. See if they publish your complaint.
January 4th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Mr. Shrewsbury sounded SO much more professional in his approach. He has taken a generally wild affair that happenedevery Friday and made it very business like. His opponent mentioned that this is the way it should be but it was NOT always that way.
Mr. Shrewsbury mentions all that he has done for the city and it is quite a bit. His opponent only mentioned one thing that he has done for his ward.
This election is Shrewsbury hands down!
January 4th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
The poster who believes Lewis will carry the 6th must not live in the 6th Ward. I find at neighborhood meetings etc that the sentiment is strongly anti-Reed. He consistently ignores constituent phone calls, even from the board of our neighborhood group. I hear this from people in other areas of the 6th as well. He may claim to work well with developers, but he doesn’t bother with the rest of us.
January 5th, 2007 at 1:51 am
I would like to know who each candidate intends to appoint to the 3 man school board—if the stupid plan goes through—has anyone pressed them for answers on what they think about the so-called takeover? They need to be grilled about school issues.
January 5th, 2007 at 6:59 am
What about the Century building? I’d like to hear if they thought the Century demolition was a good idea. They both voted for it.
January 5th, 2007 at 8:31 am
The 6th ward is one of the busiest wards in the entire city. Its my understanding that Lewis Reed is one of only a couple Aldermen that pays for his own staff so that our issues, like street sweeping, alley paving and dumpster replacement actually get done. In my neighborhood he has been very successful in closing down a number of crack houses and slum lords. I’ve never had a hard time getting ahold of the Alderman or his staff to get issues taken care of in our ward. I’ve heard other wards aren’t so lucky because their Aldermen don’t have the resources their residents desperately need. Maybe Shrewsbury should reduce his staff and give some to the actual Aldermen!
January 5th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Anonymous #1
I heard them both speak at my Tilles Park meeting, and you are absolutely right that both do sound better now than a couple of months ago and Reed is able to list his long record of accomplishments for the 6th ward, but Shrewsbury shouldn’t get a pass because he doesn’t cover just one ward. I heard him say that he is basically an Alderman at Large, which would mean I have 2 Aldermen that are supposed to be watching out for my ward. Well I can tell you that my Alderwoman has done a heckuvalot for my ward, but Shrewsbury hasn’t done a thing. Shrewsbury should be held to a higher standard representing 28 wards, not given a pass.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am
southsider is so right! the president of the aldermen should be leader not a follower. what we should be talking about is how shrewsbury keeps saying at all these meetings that starting a meeting on time is an “accomplishment”. where i work, being there on time is the minimum expectation. a real accomplishment is bringing businesses into the city, not moving your own business from the city to the county. a real accomplishment is creating housing for residents that want to move into the city. a real accomplishment is distributing resources so that all the aldermen can take care of their wards. shrewsbury should be taking care of all the wards like they are his own.
January 5th, 2007 at 10:00 am
i heard that shrewsbury is only at city hall 2 days a week and makes over $80 grand! talk about “minimum expectations”! i’m at my job 5 days a week and don’t make near as much as that. im disgusted that my tax dollars go to pay a part time president of the board of aldermen! his part time act is so tired.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:51 am
great video, Tonio. Need some TuPac Shakur. Rider would be nice.
January 5th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
What has Hanrahan done for the 23rd? She can’t even get constituent service down as I have dumping in my alley. The NSO, Mike Flood, didn’t address the problem either. I have also seen construction in this County owned problem property yet there are no permits listed online. She has said at TNPA meetings that there are no problem properties in the 23rd but the crack pipes in my alley tell a different story. Its a problem when my sleep is interrupted by people doing dog fights and drinking beers on a Wednesday night. The 2nd district say the biggest issue is stolen car tags.
What about the Century building? I’d like to hear if they thought the Century demolition was a good idea. They both voted for it.
Where did you find this information as I can find no record online. I have been searching for months as this is a key issue in my decision. Jim claims to be anti-demolition:
We cannot bulldoze entire neighborhoods, wiping out St. Louis’ historic past, and expect to attract large numbers of people. Neither can we afford to alienate entire segments of the population.
What did either do about McRee Town whether action or inaction? I cannot tell if Jim is included in the breaking ground photo with Slay and Kit Bond?
http://www.hud.gov/local/mo/news/botanicalheights2004.cfm
January 5th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
This event is a really disappointing start.
Shrewsbury: Vote for me, I get things done correctly. Things aren’t broken under me, and if I wasn’t there, they might be.
Reed: Vote for me, I didn’t stand in the way of development that would have happened without me because the city is on the rise. But somehow I am responsible for the work of the developers.
The disconnect from these empty statements and the actual state of St. Louis is staggering. The city face stough issues with the schools (the aldermanic president may get some power there), rising crime rate, the continuing deline of the northside, its ailing charter, loss of good jobs, police residency and many other issues these guys avoid talking about.
Maybe someone else will file today.
January 5th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
What about the Century building? I’d like to hear if they thought the Century demolition was a good idea. They both voted for it.
Where did you find this information as I can find no record online. I have been searching for months as this is a key issue in my decision. Jim claims to be anti-demolition.
The Board of Aldermen and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment sign off on all TIFs.
Check out the project details. St. Louis Development Corporation provided financing.
Old Post Office project and garage
January 5th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Oracle, I wholly concur with your take. Keep it up AF!
January 5th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Towergroveeastresident,
I also wholly concur with your take. Those who say Alderman Reed is inaccessible clearly don’t know the dedication and accessibility that are his hallmarks. Alderman Reed has advanced the 6th Ward tremendously and advanced policy issues that has helped the entire city. I am voting for him for board president for sure!!
January 5th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I wanted to nap during Shrewsbury’s speech. After Reed spoke, I wanted to give him a standing ovation.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Shrewsbury should retire and practice law in St. Louis County on a full time basis. That is what he does best. Starting on time is a ridiculous “accomplishment” and after 20 plus years at City Hall I am NOT impressed.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I am not impressed with President Shrewsbury. There were a number of times that I can recall where he was out of town with his wife in Detroit or whereever they were at in Michigan last year. We need a President of the BOA and Mayor that is focused, determined and truly committed to the city and the residents- on the north and south.
Shrewsbury only come to an event if he wants to, NOT because the people respect him and want to see and meet him. I met him last year constanly and he alwasys introduced himself saying, “Hi Jim Shrewsbury, President of the BOA.” He was an irritating little smurf.
I would personally like to see Ald. Gregali, Kennedy, McMillan, Jones-King, Flowers, Krewson and other members take more action.
The time is now. We must improve this city, fight proverty and ignorance and give opportunity back to those who lack it.
Jim, hate to say it but I’m supporting Ald. Lewis Reed for President of the BOA.
If we get you back in office… there goes the mayor.
State Senator Coleman for Mayor in 08? Heard it as “word of mouth.”
January 6th, 2007 at 1:33 am
If you want to give opportunity back to those who lack it, Shrewsbury should be your man. He was one of the few board members who opposed the bill that exempted stock options from the earnings tax, which was more of a “tax cut for the rich” than anything Bush ever proposed. I think Reed backed it.
Shrewsbury is also right to claim credit for passing the bill that ended medical waste incineration in the city and vastly improved air quality in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Wards. I was one of the Green activists involved in that fight, and Shrewsbury’s support was key.
Reed has represented business interests much better than he has represented people without opportunity. One of his campaign aides is busy on blogs writing about how conservative Reed is!
While more action from the named aldermen would be nice, don’t count on any more aldermanic action from McMillan, who has gone on to bigger and better things.
Coleman for mayor in 09 (there is no mayoral election in 08) would be much better for the city than Reed for aldermanic prez in 07. Shrewsbury has been working for north St Louis the same way Pat Dougherty has and Jeff Smith promises to do. North St Louis voters should want to promote and reward that kind of record from south-side politicians. Rejecting Shrewsbury merely because of race would have very negative long-term political consequences for north St Louis and its political leaders.