This is how Jet Magazine reported on March 22, 1993:
Freeman Bosley Jr., is poised to become St. Louis’ first Black mayor after winning 44 percent of the vote in a four-man Democratic primary.
Bosley, 38, who is currently the Clerk of the Circuit Courts, polled 8,000 votes more than his closest challenger, Aldermanic President Tom Villa, and faces little-known Republican John P. Gorman in the April 6 general election. No Republican has been elected to the mayor’s office in 44 years.
Bosley, who captured a surprising number of White votes, is seeking to replace embattled mayor Vincent Schoemehl, who is retiring after 12 years in office. If Bosley is triumphant April 6, he would be sworn in April 20.
15 years later, it’s time to get the bang back together again.
On Monday, April 21, friends, supporters, and former members of that historic Bosley Administration, will be gathering at the Norman C. Probstein Clubhouse in Forest Park to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Freeman Bosley, Jr.’s inauguration as mayor.
WHERE: Norman C. Probstein Clubhouse, 6141 Lagoon Drive, 63112
WHEN: Monday, April 21, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
“People from all sections of St. Louis, of all ethnic backgrounds and all persuasions supported me,” Bosley told Jet in 1993. “That’s what makes me feel good, more than anything.”
Voters, Bosley said, want to “see a new attitude, an attitude of freshness, an attitude of togetherness, an attitude like we’re in this together and together we can make a difference.”
Fifteen years later, there may still be reasons greater than a party to get band back together.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BOSLEY ADMINISTRATION:
- Oversaw the battle against the Flood of 1993
- Helped to orchestrate the $70 million bailout of Trans World Airlines
- Help moved the Rams football team to St. Louis from California
- Expanded city services in north St. Louis neighborhoods that had long been underserved
- Two property tax increases were passed by the voters with funds helping to pay for neighborhood improvement projects, monies which all 28 wards still get today
April 17th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Will Virvus’ parole officer allow him to go?
April 17th, 2008 at 10:20 am
“Helped to orchestrate the $70 million bailout of Trans World Airlines”
Yes, that sure did some good…
[Actually, it did. It helped keep food on a lot of people’s tables for several more years. -ADF]
“Help moved the Rams football team to St. Louis from California”
A boon to St. Charles County football fans!
[Are you telling me you didn’t feel some pride when the Rams won the Super Bowl? -ADF]
April 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Kim,will your psychiatrist allow you to go?
April 18th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
The overarching memory of his failed re-election campaign was a commercial where he said “I paved North Kingshighway.” I thought it was funny that he said “paved” rather than “repaired” … funny because “paved” really was a more accurate description.