In this week’s issue of the St. Louis Business Journal, which includes a long list of the “Most Influential St. Louisans”, I am for some reason listed as one of the most “influential” people in media.
“[Antonio] French, the brain and brawn behind PUB DEF Weekly, leads a never-ending town hall meeting at www.pubdef.net, telling residents what they missed while they were too busy to care — or, we hope, just too busy. The blogger has been all over the ongoing tussle involving St. Louis Board of Education President Veronica O’Brien and Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, prompting scores of comments from supporters and opponents of a proposed state takeover of schools. He keeps an eagle eye on the Board of Aldermen too. If anyone understands better than French that the devil’s in the details, we have yet to be introduced.”
Thank you to the writer of those flattering words. I do wish, however, that I and the thousands of people who clearly expressed their opposition to a state takeover, including nearly every state legislator from the City, did have more influence over those outside people that clearly have more power over our city than we do.
Other “influential” media people on the list were: Kevin Mowbray, the publisher of the “once-admired” (that’s according to the Biz Journal) Post-Dispatch; Donald Suggs, publisher of the “once admired” (that’s according to me) St. Louis American; TV station managers Lynn Beall (KSDK), Allan Cohen (KMOV), and Spencer Koch (KTVI); radio station manager Tim Dorsey (KTRS); radio host and Donnybrooker Charlie Brennan and fellow KMOXer Dave Simmons; and my fellow bloggers, John Combest and Dave Drebes. Meanwhile, our blogger buddy Steve Patterson is listed among the region’s “Influential Steves”.
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February 18th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
The archives feature makes this a great place to look for details of a situation—I was just comparing the reports from last July to what Veronica O’Brien was telling Charles Jaco.
The Post Dispatch simply cannot keep details about St. Louis issues handy to look up—but you can usually find their stories somewhere on here.
February 18th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
What? No list of influential oracles?
February 18th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Did they happen to present a list of most influential CAVEmen? I’d like to nominate myself along with a couple of hundred others.
Oh, that’s right. We don’t get any flattering words, just insults from the BJ.
February 19th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Antonio,
Congratulations on your continued success. I have a challenge for you to see if you really are one of the most influential people in St. Louis. Why don’t you see if we can get our elected U.S. Representative to step up to the plate on this school board issue. He counts on our black vote every two years but then becomes the least influential person in St. Louis. Antonio please help turn Lazy Clay into one of us again!Are you up to the challenge?????????
February 19th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Congrats on the well-deserved recognition my friend!
February 19th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Who’s Dave Simmons?
February 19th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Woo-hoo!
Congratulations Antonio.
February 19th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Does this mean we won’t need the Post anymore?
February 19th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Congrats Antonio and I hope you continue to find the PubDef rewarding as we find it rewarding to read (and comment on)
February 19th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Congrats Antonio,
Ok so all of you businesses and candidates, start buying space on Pub Def. Antonio seems to be a one man show providing a great service to St. Louis and he deserves to be supported with money; not just Anonymous comments. Antonio and Pub Def cannot survive on comments alone.
S.Ann Crues
February 19th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Ok so all of you businesses and candidates, start buying space on Pub Def. Antonio seems to be a one man show providing a great service to St. Louis and he deserves to be supported with money; not just Anonymous comments. Antonio and Pub Def cannot survive on comments alone.
You are absolutly right. I will be making a donation.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Antonio,
I’ll make the donation and buy ad space when you do a real in depth investigation into the Clay family. You know there are some great stories to be written. Write em and show your loyal fans that it not just about the local issues but also what a loss St. louis suffers by haing this man as a representative.
Potential Advertiser and loyal fan