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Well, not really. It's actually Bill Clinton Young of Kansas City. Young filed to run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate today. His expected opponent, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, has not filed yet. Neither has incumbent Sen. Jim Talent.
As a side note: McCaskill and her mother, Betty Ann, will visit the Livingston County Multipurpose Senior Center in Chillicothe, MO tomorrow to meet with local residents and hear their concerns about the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs and the new Medicare Part D program.
State Rep. Yaphett El-Amin had to feel like she'd been kicked in the stomach when news broke that Kenny Jones was filing to run in her 4th district state senate race. His addition means that the northside vote will now be split at least three ways, making it very difficult for either of the three northside candidates to win this race.
But El-Amin might have felt a little better when she learned that her name would appear at the top of the August 8 ballot.
The ballot order, determined by randomly drawn numbers given to candidates at the time of filing, is as follows:
1. Yaphett El-Amin 2. Derio Gambaro 3. Amber (Holly) Boykins 4. Jeff Smith 5. Kenneth Jones
The former 22nd alderman may have been at the top of political conversation today, but it appears he will be at the bottom of the ballot.
Jo Mannies of the Post-Dispatchis reporting that State Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman "announced this afternoon that she is NOT running for state auditor."
In the race to determine the Republican challenger to Congressman Lacy Clay (D), Leslie Farr has some competition. Lou Mansfield of Florissant, MO also filed this morning.
Candidates for the August primary elections began filing with the St. Louis Board of Elections and the Missouri Secretary of State today.
Alderman Mike McMillan, who is running for City License Collector; Gregory F.X. Daly, the current License Collector now running for Collector of Revenue; Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza; and Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter were all gathered at the entrance of the Board of Elections office before 8:00 this morning.
Click here to see more photos from this morning's filing.
UPDATE: Several St. Louis candidates have made the trek to Jefferson City to file for state offices today.
In the 4th District Senate Race: Yaphett El-Amin and Amber Boykins have already filed.
In the 57th District State Rep. Race: Talibdin El-Amin and Joe Palm have filed.
In the 60th District State Rep. Race: Robert Bartlett and Shaun Simms have filed.
First day filers selected a number by random drawing to determine their placement on the primary ballot. After the first day all candidates are placed on the ballot in order of their filing.
UPDATE 2:Jamilah Nasheed filed for the 60th district race at 12:55 p.m. Derio Gambaro filed for the 4th district senate seat at 1:48 p.m., after former Alderman Kenny Jones shocked everyone by filing in that highly contested race at 12:07 p.m. Rumor has it that Jones was escorted by school board member Bill Purdy.
UPDATE 3: Jeff Smith filed at 2:24 p.m. Smith and fellow southsider Derio Gambaro must be liking their chances even more in the 4th district senate race now that Kenny Jones has effectively split the northside vote 3 ways.
Panel to discuss the future of the Democratic Party
By Antonio D. French
In a panel discussion for the Washington University Assembly Series to be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, five individuals will try to assess "The Future of the Democratic Party." The program, which is co-sponsored by the College Democrats at Washington University, is free and open to the public.
Panelists will include Joseph Adams, mayor of University City; William Frievogel, veteran political reporter and now a professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Michael Minta, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science in Arts & Sciences at WUSTL, who will serve as moderator; Susan Turnbull, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and Grant Woodard, national president of College Democrats of America.
Sharon Tyus' state rep campaign has picked up another endorsement. Eighteenth Ward Committeeman Jesse Todd has told PUB DEF that he's going with the former 20th Ward alderman over her three opponents; Robert Bartlett, Shaun Simms and Jamilah Nasheed.
Todd's decision to not endorse Nasheed, he said, had a lot to do with her support of Darryl Piggee in his 2004 campaign to unseat Todd. "I will never support her as long as I'm committeeman," Todd said.
Tyus is seeking to return to politics by replacing the term-limited State Rep. Amber Boykins (60th district). We reported last week that Tyus also has secured the support of 21st Ward Committeeman Arthur "Chink" Washington.
Todd said he left a voicemail for Tyus tonight informing her of his decision.
PUB DEF's exclusive videos are now available as a free video podcast at the iTunes Music Store.
Click here to go to our iTunes page. When you "subscribe" to our video podcast, new videos will automatically download to your computer and your video iPod.
PUB DEF has recently hit a new milestone. As of this morning, www.PUBDEF.net has received more than 17,400 visits and nearly 22,000 page views in just the last 27 days. That's about a 100% increase over last month, which saw more than a 100% increase over the month before. With that kind of growth (and our recent addition to the iTunes Music Store), we think it's time to let you benefit from all the eyeballs staring at this site.
A standard "skyscraper" ad, the size of that Google ad box to the right (160 pixels wide by 600 pixels tall), will run you about $250 per week. That's about $22 per 1,000 page views on www.PUBDEF.net --- not to mention the free page views on www.STLObserver.com.
In the month of January, www.PUBDEF.net got 11,317 page views (10,761 visits). As of 6:00 a.m., Feb. 27, PUB DEF's pages have been viewed 21,857 times (that's 17,407 visits)!
In the month of January, www.STLObserver.com got 3,702 page views (2,169 visits). As of Feb. 27, the site has gotten 4,868 page views (3,408 visits). For this site, a standard "banner ad" size is also available (488 pixels wide by 60 pixels tall).
These rates are good only until March 31, 2006. After that, rates will likely go up as traffic continues to rise.
Lock in this bargain today! By August, you'll wish you did.
Parker in D.C. to defend the Bush Administration's impact on blacks
By Antonio D. French
State Rep. Sherman Parker, the House's lone black Republican, will be in Washington today. He was invited by the University of District Columbia's Journalism Club to be a panelist in a debate on the impact of the Bush Administration's policies on African Americans.
Joining Representative Parker in defending the Bush Administration will be Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) national spokesperson, Niger Innis.
Expounding on what they view as the negative impact of the Bush Administration on African-Americans will be Hillary Shelton, Director of the NAACP's Washington Legislative Office and Mark Levine, talk radio host and former Legislative Counsel to Congressman Barney Frank.
Professor Joe Elam, Club Advisor and Associate Editor of the Kingmaker Magazine and Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of the Washington Informer, will moderate.
Talent's office to host northside Medicare meetings
By Antonio D. French
Starting this week, the Office of Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) will be hosting a series of Q&A sessions in north St. Louis, similar to two they held earlier this month on the south side. The subject will be the controversial Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Angeletta McCormick Franks, the former election board commissioner and current Talent community liaison, will be conducting three meetings this week for northside seniors:
Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Wesley House, 4507 Lee, at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Northside Senior Center, 4120 Maffitt, at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 2, at Mount Zion Senior Apartments, 3300 Park, at 1:00 p.m.
The recent changes to Medicare have been the source of much confusion and anger for many seniors. Many have complained of much higher costs for their prescription drugs. It's also been a headache for politicians in Washington who have been getting a flood of phone calls from the high-voting demographic.
Wash U Dems address school board endorsement controversy
By Antonio D. French
In a mass email sent late last night, the Washington University College Democrats say that they have not endorsed anyone in the St. Louis school board race.
"Some people misinterpreted our posting of campaign opportunities for a local school board race for an endorsement," the email said. "We at the WashU College Democrats have not endorsed anybody in this race. Our policy is simply to post whatever campaign opportunities people send to us."
However, Susan Turk, a SLPS parent and a supporter of school board candidates Peter Downs and Donna Jones, says she sent an email to the Wash U Dems last week informing them of an opportunity to help those campaigns this weekend. That info was not sent out to the organization's mailing list.
There was a similar controversy in November with the organization's involvement in 4th district senate race. At that time, information was sent out about volunteer opportunities with Washington University professor Jeff Smith's campaign, with no mention of his Democratic opponents.
Jo Mannies of the Post-Dispatch reported yesterday that Barack Obama will headline a fundraiser for state auditor and U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill on Friday at the Chase Park Plaza.
"Please join U.S. Senator Barack Obama and me as we discuss ways to strengthen our neighborhoods, cities, state and country," McCaskill writes in her letter to area Democratic officials.
Crews are in City Hall today making the final preparations for the Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball Masquerade tonight.
The annual black tie charitable event is produced by the Mardi Gras Foundation Inc. and hosted by Mayor and Mrs. Francis G. Slay. Organizers call the event a "veritable who's who of St. Louis."
Board urges Annie Malone to return parade route to north St. Louis
By Antonio D. French
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen today passed Resolution #255, voicing their "regret and displeasure with the decision to move the Annie Malone Parade out of the Ville Neighborhood."
The resolution, sponsored by Ald. Bennice Jones King, also asks the board of directors of the Annie Malone Center to "reconsider their decision to change the parade route and return it to the citizens who have supported this outstanding community resource for so many years."
Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. told representatives from Annie Malone who were attending today's meeting, "You didn't own that thing all by yourselves," referring to the nearly 100 year-old parade. "It belonged to the community."
Ald. Charles Q. Troupe, a former Annie Malone board member, said this "fiasco" would have never occured when Jean Neal was CEO of the organization. "The leadership of Annie Malone should back up and look at what they are doing," he said.
Green affirms her support for review board and Annie Malone resolution
By Antonio D. French
Comptroller Darlene Green addressed the St. Louis Board of Aldermen today and expressed her support for the resolution urging the board of the Annie Malone Center to reconsider their plan to move the annual May Day parade out of north St. Louis.
Green also reaffirmed her support for Board Bill #69, creating a civilian review board to independently investigate reports of abuse by police.
As part of its black history program, the Aldermanic Black Caucus today presented resolutions of recognition to several notable black St. Louisans.
Caucus president Mike McMillan (19th Ward) presented resolutions to business owner and accountant John D. Albert, Sr. and activist and state rep. candidate Jamilah Nasheed.
Ald. Bennice Jones King (21st Ward) recognized the contributions of the Organization of Black Struggle.
Ald. Charles Q. Troupe (1st Ward) presented a resolution to longtime activist Percy Green II. Green was not present. "In the spirit of unity," Troupe presented the resolution to Marlene Davis on Green's behalf. Davis is believed by many to be the likely successor to McMillan, should he be successful in his campaign for License Collector.
VIDEO: Board of Aldermen to vote today on Annie Malone Parade resolution
By Antonio D. French
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO
Aldermen Bennice Jones King (21st Ward) and Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward) led the questioning Thursday of the board president and chief executive officer of the Annie Malone Center on their plan to move the annual May Day Parade from north St. Louis.
King questioned board president Aaron Phillips about how the decision was made and why no community input was requested. "I don't think there was any consideration and I don't think you care one way or the other," King told Phillips.
It was not long before Phillips lost his temper. "I'm here to answer questions. I'm not here to be beat up," he said. Frustrated with the King's questions, Phillips told the committee at 11:58 a.m., "I'd be happy to answer any other questions, but at noon we're out of here."
He later told King, "I'm not going to sit here and be your whipping boy."
The Streets Committee approved the resolution introduced by King that would officially express the Board's disapproval of the parade's move from north St. Louis. The full board will vote on it today.
It's official. Sharon Tyus has entered the race for 60th district state representative.
Sources tell PUB DEF that Tyus appeared tonight at the ward meeting of 21st Ward Committeeman Arthur "Chink" Washington. Washington announced his support for the former alderwoman who was kicked out of the Board of Aldermen by her peers and Mayor Francis Slay during the 2001 redistricting.
Also at tonight's meeting was Jamilah Nasheed, who has been the frontrunner in the race to replace term-limited Amber Boykins. Nasheed, who will be receiving a resolution of support and acknowledgement of community service from the Board of Aldermen tomorrow, engaged in an impromptu debate with Tyus at tonight's meeting.
Tyus last appeared on a ballot in March of last year when she was defeated in a landslide by former ally, Charles Q. Troupe, for 1st Ward alderman.
Tyus passed out campaign literature informing 21st Ward older residents of "Circuit Breaker Senior Citizen Tax Relief" and "Free Sidewalks". If people have any questions about the programs, the lit encourages them to contact "Alderwoman Tyus." The material claims to be paid for by "Tyus for 60th District State Representative, Sterling Miller, Treasurer" though the Missouri Ethics Commission's website shows no such committee exists.
It is said that Tyus claimed to have the support of the "entire 21st Ward," apparently referring to the support of Committeewoman Myrtle French. Trust us when we say that is absolutely false.
Also running in the race is Boykins' husband, Shaun Simms, and former state rep. Bob Bartlett.
In recognition of the role that William H. Danforth, life trustee and chancellor emeritus, his family and the Danforth Foundation have played in the evolution of Washington University in St. Louis, the Hilltop Campus will be renamed the Danforth Campus, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. An official recognition ceremony will be held Sept. 17, when the new name takes effect.
Bray takes issue with U of M head over UMSL funding gap
By Antonio D. French
State Sen. Joan Bray (D-24) has beef with Elson Floyd, the University of Missouri system President.
According to a story in yesterday's Columbia Daily Tribune, she took issue with Floyd’s interpretation of an agreement reached last year to increase the amount of money going to UMSL.
Floyd said his understanding was that if the university system received a greater percentage increase from the state over what other public colleges and universities were getting, then that percentage difference would be applied to increasing money for UMSL.
"That seems to be a fair approach," Floyd said. "We would hope you would concur."
Bray disagreed. "That’s not exactly the way I remember it," she said. "And that bothers me."
Floyd is under fire because of the funding gap that exists between what UMSL now receives and the amount required under an equity funding formula. Floyd told the Senate Appropriations Committee that about $3.2 million had been allocated toward the $10 million gap.
The "Eye" echoes our thoughts: El-Amin and Boykins should make a deal
By Antonio D. French
It looks like The St. Louis American's "Political Eye" has been looking at our notebook. On the subject of the 4th district senate race, one of the contributors to the "Eye" writes in today's edition of the paper:
Unfortunately, unless lighting strikes and the voters are struck color-blind, the election will turn on racial demographics (and who can get the most votes out of their base). Boykins and El-Amin will split not only the black vote but also what Alice Walker would call the “womanist” vote. If black elected officials and party players really intent to elect a black candidate as 4th District senator, some serious negotiating needs to occur between now and the end of March, when the filing for state offices closes. Folks need to pick a horse - Boykins or El-Amin - now, if they want to see a black bottom in that seat.
We couldn't agree more. As a matter of fact, we said the same thing back in October. But the "Eye" goes further, giving Jeff Smith a coy endorsement...
On the other hand, if one attempts to set aside the goggles of race for a moment, progressives of any color or creed would have to admit that Smith - whatever his experience as a legislator - talks the sharpest progressive game in all of the state.
Young Dems supporting sitting school board members, seeking workers
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Wednesday, February 22 at 5:42 PM
Lori Becker, communications director for the Young Democrats of St. Louis, has sent out an email seeking 50 workers for the campaigns of the two sitting school board members running for re-election.
Becker says she is looking for 50 part-time workers for the non-partisan school board campaign. "Darnetta Clinkscale and James Buford are the two incumbents who are up for re-election," she says in her email. "These are the candidates who are endorsed by Mayor Francis Slay and support the current superintendent Dr. Creg Williams and his Reform Initiative."
"The two campaigns are looking to hire over 50 intelligent, articulate, vibrant individuals to work part-time through the remainder of the campaign. These workers will assist in executing the field plan as well as GOTV and election day activities," the email said.
It also mentions a two-hour training seminar on Monday, Feb. 27, where workers will learn about "the campaigns, the candidates, and the issues that surround the St. Louis Public Schools." Becker says workers will be able to meet both candidates and a "special guest speaker."
UPDATE:Bob Rice, the Vice President of the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis, says that his organization isn't supporting anyone in this race.
In the comments section of this blog entry, Rice writes, "As far as I know we haven't endorsed anyone in the School Board Race. That doesn't mean that we won't, it just means that we haven't."
But an email from the Young Dems of Washington University suggests differently. The email, which fowards the message from Lori Becker, says "The following message is from the local Democratic Party..."
However, Becker does sign the email: "Lori Becker, People for Darnetta Clinkscale." So we'll take Rice's word for it and say that Becker was acting alone and the Young Dems have not yet endorsed anyone in this race. We stand corrected.
BTW: If you haven't already watched this video, do! It's of Darnetta Clinkscale. She believes "the children are the future." She also was apparently the only person in the city that believed SLPS had a $39 million surplus back in 2003.
King introduces resolution against moving the Annie Malone parade
By Antonio D. French
Tomorrow, the streets committee will review a resolution expressing the Board of Aldermen's "regrets regarding the decision to move the Annie Malone Parade out of the Ville Neighborhood."
Resolution #255 was introduced by Ald. Bennice Jones King (21st Ward). King and the committee's chairman, Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward), have voiced their displeasure with Annie Malone's board of directors for deciding to move the 100 year-old northside parade to downtown without any community discussion.
The committee meets Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in City Hall.
Dr. Creg Williams has been a media darling the past week. The city's daily newspaper and local television stations have gushed over the superintendent's "bold" and "dynamic" leadership after announcing his plan to turn the district around.
But the truth is different for people who have actually been paying attention to the district's moves from a view other than an office fax machine waiting for press release after press release from the district's New York-based PR machine.
Dr. John Patrick Mahoney, who served on the board from 1983 to 2001, recently wrote in an open letter to the community that Dr. Williams should be congratulated and commended. Not necessarily for much imagination, but for doing what hundreds of people have been asking for for the last three years -- to reverse many of the decisions made by the school board majority and the turn-around firm they hired.
Mahoney reminded the media that the school uniform policy that the district was scrambling last week to make clear was voluntary was actually established back in 1994.
So-called alternative schools, like King Tri A in north St. Louis, were closed by the board majority not long ago, but will now be reinstated.
Williams' 9th grade academies are no different than those created at Beaumont, Northwest and Roosevelt in years past, said Mahoney. And in-school suspension centers, first established in the mid-70's, too were discontinued by the board only to be reinstated now by Williams.
"The highly successful [Missouri School Improvement Program] office started by superintendent Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, Jr. and administered by Dr. Charlene Jones" is also making a comeback, said Mahoney.
For many people, it seems that the board was told by one superintendent, Robert Roberti, that the district was spending too much money and needed to make cuts -- even at the cost of educating kids. But after a 20-point drop in areas judged by the state for accredidation, the new superintendent has said that we need to educate our city's children at all costs.
In an election year, the board majority appears to agree. "We need to support the superintendent," said board members Jim Buford and Darnetta Clinkscale at a recent candidate forum. It appears that they truly believe that, even if two superintendents are telling them completely opposite things.
A tipster has reported that there is a one-man picket line right now outside of City Grocers, 920 Olive St. in downtown. The man is protesting the fact that downtown's only grocery store does not accept EBT cards (food stamps). This is something we reported back in October.
The St. Louis Labor Council last night voted to endorse Peter Downs and Donna Jones for the school board. As we reported earlier, the duo have already been endorsed by the City's teachers union, Local 420.
The Downs campaign also reports endorsements from the 8th Ward Democratic Club, IBEW Local, Laborers Local 509 (which represents school bus drivers), Operating Engineers Local 2 (which represents stationary engineers), and the St. Louis Labor Legislative Club.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill, who is running against Republican Sen. Jim Talent, will be heading south next month. Following comments by Congressman Roy Blunt at an annual GOP event, McCaskill will appear at the Joplin Public Library on March 2.
The region "is not a 'Democrat-free zone,'" Sue Cowen, secretary of the Jasper County Democratic Central Committee, recently told The Joplin Globe.
From The Globe: Cowen's remarks counter a remark made earlier this month by U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt at the Lincoln Day banquet staged annually by Jasper and Newton county Republicans. Blunt said the two counties are "Democrat-free" in that all the officeholders in the Jasper and Newton county courthouses, and the local legislative delegations, are Republicans.
Bill introduced to require at least 50% taxes paid on new residential TIFs
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Monday, February 20 at 6:29 AM
Alderman Greg Carter (27th Ward) has introduced a bill that would require future TIF projects to pay a minimum of 50% of taxes on any residential component of the redevelopment.
Board Bill 421 follows the recommendation of Comptroller Darlene Green who has warned of the negative effects on the city and its schools by allowing so many new developments to go without paying taxes.
The bill states: "TIF has a financial impact on not only the City but also the St. Louis Public School District, the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum, the Junior College District, the Metropolitan Sewer District, the Missouri Division of Family Services, the St. Louis Office for Mental Retardation Development Disability Resources, the St. Louis Public Libraries, and the City of St. Louis Mental Health Board of Trustees, for the reason that tax levies on real property which would be otherwise be distributed are allowed to retire obligations of the redevelopment project."
Carter's bill was first read on Thursday and has been sent to the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning committee.
Chicago is launching an effort to offer wireless broadband, city officials said Friday, jumping on the Wi-Fi bandwagon as similar initiatives proceed in Philadelphia, San Francisco and smaller cities.
Chicago has hundreds of Wi-Fi hotspots in places like coffee shops, bookstores and libraries, where anyone can walk in, sit down and connect to the Web. Hoping to extend that wireless blanket to all 228 square miles, the city plans to ask technology companies this spring to submit proposals for the project.
It seems a perfect time for a similar St. Louis initiative...
VIDEO: School Board Candidates on Vocational Education
By Antonio D. French
At yesterday's school board candidate forum in the 1st Ward, the candidates were asked about their position on the need to expand the teaching of skills and trades within the public schools.
Six of the seven candidates running for two seats on the St. Louis school board attended a forum hosted by State Rep. Yaphett El-Amin and her husband, Committeeman Talibden El-Amin, on Saturday. We will be posting video from the event over the course of the day.
Democrats have their own plan to reform voting in Missouri, threaten filibuster
By Antonio D. French
In response to Republican calls for requiring photo identification at the time of voting, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has unveiled a set of proposed legislative initiatives to reduce voter fraud and make voting easier for Missourians.
The "Election Protection Act" sponsored by Sen. Maida Coleman (D-5) and Rep. John Bowman (D-70) which would:
1 - Increase the maximum penalty from five to 15 years imprisonment for those who commit voter fraud by misrepresenting themselves at the polls
2 - Increase oversight of voter registration organizers
3 - Provide online training for voter registration gatherers
4 - Increase the maximum penalty from seven to 15 years imprisonment for those who misrepresent themselves on a voter registration application
5 - Increase the maximum penalty from five to 15 years imprisonment for persons committing absentee voter fraud
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"Advance Missouri 2006" sponsored by Sen. Rita Days (D-14) and Rep. Bob Johnson (R-47) which would:
1 - Allow Missourians to vote in person prior to Election Day without an excuse
2 - Provide advance voting for a two-week period at one central location in all areas and additional "satellite" voting locations in larger jurisdictions
3 - Protect privacy voter privacy by restricting access to and use of absentee and advance voter lists by political parties and candidates
4 - Reduce the potential to cheat by reducing lines and large crowds on Election Day
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The "Initiative Petition Integrity Act" sponsored by Sen. Joan Bray (D-24) and Rep. Rachel Storch (D-64), which would increase the penalty from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony for people who forge names on petitions.
---
The "Election Worker Incentive Act" sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Wilson (D-9) and Rep. Beth Low (D-39), which would establish a tax credit for those who serve as poll workers.
Secretary Carnahan said she is also calling on the General Assembly to fund a current election law provision that provides transaction fees to help local election authorities keep clean voter lists. She says this fee will help ensure that local election authorities keep voting lists current and accurate. "My goal is to make it as easy as possible to vote and as hard as possible to cheat," said Carnahan.
"Originally built for $95 million, the centre sold in 2004 at a foreclosure sale for $5.4 million." John Steffen, of Pyramid Construction, has now purchased the building and plans to turn it into condos.
The 20th Ward alderman has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way recently with his bill to seize people's cars if they own speakers capable of playing loud music (a softer version of the bill passed yesterday, click here to see exclusive video of Schmid explaining the new bill) and with his refusal to allow any new bars in his ward (restaurants only).
But yesterday, Schmid put those balls to good use and ignored what has been a major obstacle to any kind of comprehensive city redevelopment, the tenet known as "aldermanic courtesy".
Steve Patterson reported yesterday that Schmid attended a hearing on a proposed McDonald's to be built in the 15th Ward, which borders Schmid's ward. Alderman Jennifer Florida did not appreciate Schmid's presence one bit. Imagine her rage when he actually testified against the development.
Jake Wagman of the Post-Dispatch says Florida felt like she was "slapped" or "beat up" and was "completely blindsided". "I question his ethics," Florida told Wagman. "I would not do that to an enemy. Let alone a colleague."
Florida got in Schmid's face and said, "Craig, this is going to happen whether you like it or not." Wagman reports. Kind of like she told Elliot Daviswhen he got in her face a few months ago.
We applaud Craig Schmid for his actions. The City of St. Louis is not a collection of 28 autonomous territories. Tradition and limits on the power of the mayor in the city's charter allow aldermen to act as if actions or inaction in their wards don't affect the rest of us, but they're wrong. In this case, it's Craig who's right. We'd like to see other aldermen take his lead.
But one warning: Not long ago, there was another 20th Ward alderman who regularly overlooked "aldermanic courtesy". When the last redistricting occured, she found that her ward had moved to the other side of the city -- without her.
Four times this week, PUB DEF has called the office of the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center to find out the date of the next meeting of the board of directors. We've been denied that information all four times.
Apparently, employees at the center have been instructed not to give out such information, even though the center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. They transfered us to the voicemail of Executive Director Richard King. King, according to his assistant, has been too busy to return the calls.
Despite knowing from our messages that we just wanted to know the date of the next meeting, King did not instruct his assistant to give us that simple information on our subsequent calls. The assistant denied that King had told her not to give us the date.
"You need to get that information from Mr. King," she said. "My job is to do work here not to give out information."
Call Richard King at (314) 531-0120. Maybe you'll have better luck than we did.
UPDATE: We finally caught up with Mr. King this afternoon. But we still didn't get the date of the next board of directors meeting. He refused to tell us, saying that we were "harassing" him and his employees.
We are reminded that Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward) also complained of King not returning calls and failing to communicate with others. One would expect an organization which relies upon reputation and good will for funding to be more open. Mr. King has been on the job less than a year and has already done much to damage both of those things.
Sources tell PUB DEF that despite strong endorsements by Alderman Steve Conway and Committeewoman Tishaura Jones, school board President Darnetta Clinkscale did not get the 8th Ward Democrat's endorsement last night. Instead, the nod went to Peter Downs and Clinkscale's running mate, Jim Buford.
Teachers Union endorses Downs and Jones, snubs Mayor Slay's picks
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Thursday, February 16 at 6:56 PM
READ IT HERE FIRST
The St. Louis Teachers and School Related Personnel Union, Local 420, has endorsed Peter Downs and Donna Jones for school board.
In a letter dated Feb. 14, the union's leaders say, "Both Peter and Donna are proud parents of children who attend the St. Louis Public Schools... We believe that [they] will move our district forward." The letter also says that the duo have been endorsed by The St. Louis Labor Club as well.
The endorsement by the teachers union of the two outsider candidates is not entirely unexpected. After endorsing all but one of the candidates backed by Mayor Francis Slay in 2003, the union has become a vocal critic of several moves made by the board majority. The rejection of Slay's latest picks, Board President Darnetta Clinkscale and recent appointee Jim Buford of the Urban League, can also be interpreted as a rejection of the mayor's leadership.
In an email this week from MayorSlay.com, the mayor says, "The reforms proposed by the Board over the past three years have not been uniformly popular – or, even, immediately successful. Some groups, including some district employees, feared for their jobs. Other groups favored different changes or disliked some of the proposed changes. Yet, there is plenty of evidence that improvements made by the Board are now beginning to take hold – and that children are learning."
Many parents and teachers disagree though, pointing to the slide further away from accreditation since the mayor got involved in the schools.
Attached to the union's letter of endorsement is a flier that reads, "Get off the Clinkscale Slide!" It shows how the district had 64 points towards full accreditation (just 2 points shy of the needed 66 points) in 2003 when the Slay slate took over the district. SLPS now has only 39 points.
A black contractor working on the I-64 project in St. Clair County, Illinois reported today that her work site was vandalized with a racist symbol. Dorrie Wise, of DKW Construction, said that around 8:00 this morning, she found the body of a dead raccoon hanging from a rope.
After seeing the "lynched coon", Wise said she immediately called her union and advocates of the black contracting community. Area television news crews soon showed up. Because the highway project is funded with federal dollars, representatives of federal agencies also came to the site.
Last year, a group of black contractors threatened civil disobediance unless more minority firms were hired on the project. Workers on the project today called this an act of intimidation, but added they would not be deterred.
"It's 2006 and we've still got to deal with this," Wise told reporters, shaking her head.
Carnahan gets seat on International Relations Committee
By Antonio D. French
Russ Carnahan, the first-term Democratic Congressman from south St. Louis, has been appointed to the prestigious House International Relations Committee. He's replacing Robert Menendez (D-NJ) who was appointed in January to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate.
The IR Committee deals with issues of terrorism and global security. Carnahan is running for re-election this year, but has no announced opposition yet.
UPDATE: Carnahan beat out second-term Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) for the committee seat. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus had been pressing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (also from California) hard to appoint Sánchez. According to The Hill newspaper, what probably did her in was that fact that 8 of the 22 Democrats on the panel, including ranking Democrat Tom Lantos, hail from California. Carnahan is only the 3rd Midwestern Democrat.
Capitol Police called after Boykins' brother harasses Hubbard
By Antonio D. French
PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE
Last week, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard got into a shouting match with the brother of State Rep. Amber Boykins over his support of her opponent in her state senate race, Yaphett El-Amin.
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Luther Boykins, Jr. forced himself into Hubbard's office and confronted him about his support of El-Amin. According to one witness,"He was irate." He began to shout loudly at Hubbard, who tried unsuccessfully to calm him. Hubbard later called the State Capitol Police.
According to a police report obtained by PUB DEF, Hubbard reported that Boykins screamed and yelled obscenities at him. Boykins said he would "not let anyone fuck with his sister," the report says. Hubbard told Boykins that it was "not personal but political."
Hubbard did not file charges but said he wanted the Capitol Police to be aware of the situation. Hubbard nor Boykins could be reached for comment on this story.
Jo Mannies is reporting that four initiative-petition proposals to increase the state’s minimum wage are being reviewed by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's office right now. All four, says Mannies, were submitted by Jim Kottmeyer, former executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party. He hopes to get the proposal on the November ballot. State Rep. John Bowman (D-70) has introduced a similar bill in the state House.
College Dems coming to SLU, Young GOPers having a "Big Party"
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Wednesday, February 15 at 6:55 PM
The 2006 College Democrats of America Convention will be held at St. Louis University from July 20-23. According to a CDA email, the focus of this year's event will be the 2006 mid-term elections.
The organization's website says that due to "unknown political pressures, Washington University recently came forward and decided that they were no longer able to host."
On the other side of the isle, the Missouri Federation of Young Republicans will be gathering this weekend, Feb. 17 and 18, at the Sheraton Westport Hotel in St. Louis County for their "YR Big Party Weekend".
The group's flier advertises "6 hours of grassroots education" for just $34. Among the scheduled speakers are State Sen. Michael Gibbons and "Mr. California Republican Politics" himself, Mark Abernathy.
Big changes coming to SLPS, critics say it's the same ol' thing
By Antonio D. French
Last night, the St. Louis Board of Education approved a plan by Superintendent Creg Williams to make some big changes in the City's public schools. The plan, which was kept secret until the night of the vote, includes the following changes:
1. Mandatory school uniforms at some schools 2. Separate 9th grade academies 3. Year-round school for 9th graders 4. Some all-boy and all-girl schools 5. smaller "learning academies"
Critics say that such sweeping changes should have included much more public input, which has been a constant criticism of the board majority backed by Mayor Francis Slay. They also say that this is another example of a grand experiment by a St. Louis superintendent who may not even be here to see the changes through.
Not long ago, at the suggestion of another superintendent, the district closed 14 schools (most in north St. Louis), which resulted in larger classes and some buildings filled over capacity. These new reforms will likely require some of those buildings to be re-opened. Williams is the 4th superintendent in two and a half years.
Supporters of the reforms say that the public school's drastic situation calls for a drastic solution. Last year, the district fell more than 20 points further away from full accreditation by the state.
Click here to download a PowerPoint presentation of Williams' Plan.
UPDATE: SLPS clarified today that the requirement for school uniforms will not affect all of the district's students.
Bill adds requirements to voting and registration in Missouri
By Antonio D. French
A hearing was held in Jefferson City this week on Senate Bill 1014, introduced by Sen. Delbert Scott, of Lowry City, MO. The bill would, among other things, require that a photo ID be shown at the time of voting. It also would require paid voter registrars to sign up with the secretary of state's office and prohibit them from being paid based on how many voter registration cards they submit.
Scott Leiendecker, the Republican elections director for St. Louis city, testified in favor of the bill. From the AP:
"I feel a lot of people are fed up, and they feel their vote is being taken advantage of," Leiendecker said. He cited examples of voter registration fraud in the city's 22nd Ward. Since last May, about 500 registration cards have been received from that area, and he is looking into 293 of them as being potentially fraudulent. "A number of them that we already have looked into were forged," he said.
State Rep. Yaphett El-Amin vehemently disagreed that this legislation was a good thing.
"This is about sending the state of Missouri back to the days of Jim Crow," said El-Amin, D-St. Louis. "The act should be called the Keep Missourians from Voting Act." She went further, suggesting the law would set Missouri back decades and undo part of the progress made by civil rights activists.
List of co-sponsors growing for Bush impeachment bill
By Antonio D. French
Yesterday, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) became the latest members of Congress to sign on as co-sponsors of the controversial bill calling for an investigation of possible grounds for impeachment of President George W. Bush.
House Resolution #635, introduced in December by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), now has 24 co-sponsors, including St. Louis' own William Clay, Jr. who signed on two weeks ago.
The bill calls for creating a 20-member select committee to investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Rules in December. Congressional watchers way it is very unlikely that it will make it out of committee in this Republican-controlled Congress.
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) is planning to "write" his first book. The subject, according to the Associated Press, is "radical Islamic movements in Southeast Asia and the need for more U.S. involvement in the region." Pulitzer Prize winner Lewis Simons, a former AP correspondent, will be "assisting" Bond in writing the book. From the AP story:
"We have different political philosophies in some areas, but we were right on target on this one," Bond said of Simons. "I can get him access to people he might not reach and he's going to be going out in the bushes and talking to people I'd never talk to."
The book will be published sometime in 2007 or 2008 by Threshold Editions, a conservative publishing division of Simon & Schuster. GOP pundit and political strategist Mary Matalin heads the unit, which was formed last year.
Channel 2 News is reporting that the innocent man killed last night as a result of a police chase through northside streets was Rev. Nathaniel Cole of the radio show "God's Revealing Tabernacle" on KSTL 690 AM.
Another police chase into north St. Louis, but this time it ends in death and injury. A religious radio show host was killed, and his wife is critically injured.
A source tells us the man killed Monday night was Rev. Nathaniel Cole. He had a radio show at KSTL 690AM. In fact, he was supposed to be on the air at 1:00pm. His wife Annie is in surgery right now. They were involved in Monday night's chase.
The suspects [allegedly] flourished a gun, and at one point [allegedly] fired at them. The chase ended right around Broadway and Calvary when the suspect's white Ford Bronco crossed the center line and slammed into the red SUV with the innocent couple in their 50s inside. Rev. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kit Bond is funny... in a scary, illogical, completely-out-of-touch kind of way
By Antonio D. French
If you missed Sen. Kit Bond's press conference yesterday, let us paraphrase:
"Why can't you people get it through your thick skulls? Our nation is on a critical mission to spread democracy and defend liberty at home and abroad. Your constant "speaking freely" and "non-violent petitioning of your government" is getting in the way of that goal. So stop it!"
"Every time you criticize your elected leaders, you are helping the terrorists. If you stop talking about the illegal domestic spying program, the terrorists will forget that we're listening and we can get back to collecting hundreds of hours of phone calls that we will eventually translate sometime in the next 18-24 months (give or take)."
Concern that the St. Louis Board of Education's willingness to sharply raise its superintendent's salary will have an inflationary affect on smaller school district has spread to the Missouri legislature.
The House Education Committee is set to hear testimony this week on a bill to limit superintendents' salaries.
Rep. Terry Young (R-49), of Independence, MO, introduced the bill which seeks to limit a school superintendent's salary to 1.5 times the highest teacher's salary for any school district whose boundaries overlap counties of the third and fourth classification.
The time has come to explore the conflicts of interest that arise from the relationship between the City's deputy mayor for development and her live-in boyfriend, Richard Callow.
Barb Geisman is in charge of selecting the development projects that the city should back. Her duties often find her making decisions that determine how City and state tax dollars are spent, who does (and does not) get to redevelop certain properties, and whose property values are increased while others continue to decrease. On at least one occasion, it was her own property value that increased as a result of her decisions.
In 2002, Brian Marston reported that Geisman was asked by the Federal Highway Administration and the Missouri Department of Transportation to step down from overseeing the $20 million Washington Avenue streetscape improvement to avoid the "appearance" of a conflict of interests. She and Callow own a property at 1517 Washington.
Around the same time, Geisman's longtime live-in partner, Richard Callow, was working for the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals, seeking to get as much public money as possible to fund the team's new stadium. Geisman and her boss, Mayor Francis Slay, were presumably working at the same time to get the best deal for the taxpayers. Conflict?
Also in 2002, DJ Wilson reported that Maplewood, THF Inc. paid Callow's public-relations firm, Public Eye Inc., at least $82,315 to promote a ballot referendum that cleared the way for the new Maplewood Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. When those opened up, the Sam's Club in the City, at St. Louis Marketplace, closed, costing the City of St. Louis millions in tax revenue. Geisman was presumably working at the same time to save those needed taxes. Conflict?
In today's issue of the Post-Dispatch, columnist Sylvester Brown reports that the Geisman/Callow relationship is once again a source of controversy. Callow -- who now works for Slay as well, maintaining his blog and serving as his PR person on various political issues -- sits on the City's Preservation Board.
Citizens for Responsible Development wonder if that relationship had anything to do with the board recently agreeing to allow a 28-story Central West End high-rise that violates the standards of the Central West End Historic District, which limits such developments to 15 stories. Geisman backs the project.
The fact that this relationship has not been seen as a scandal for the Slay Administration has as much to do with Callow's relationship with the Post-Dispatch and other media outlets, as with the continuing double standard as to exactly what is a scandal.
In 2001, Safir Ahmed revisited the "scandal" that involved Tim Person, a former aide to Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr. "Person, the [Post-Dispatch] breathlessly reported, had served as the mayor's rep on a panel that awarded airport contracts to two companies, without disclosing to anyone that his wife had previously done subcontract work for the companies," Ahmed wrote.
He continued, "Stung by the scandal and facing a re-election bid, Bosley announced the next day that although it pained him, he had asked for Person's resignation."
The time has again come for a mayor to address the continuing conflict of interest that exists in his administration.
McGowan thinks cutting TIFs to help schools is a "terrible idea"
By Antonio D. French
Developer Kevin McGowan told Martin Van Der Werf of the Post-Dispatch that Comptroller Darlene Green's idea of doing away with 100% tax abatements for developers in favor of a 50% or less abatement is not the right thing to do.
"I think it’s a terrible idea," said McGowan. "I think the timing is not right." He said the time will be right when he and his colleagues can sell $300,000 to $500,000 lofts in 30 days. Right now, he says it takes him six to 12 months.
As we reported last month, Green has been critical of the 100% TIFs that developers are receiving. "If we were to look at that and say it's time to change that and give 50 percent to the developers and take 50 percent away from the developers, then we would have a more mutual benefit for the city and the schools," Green told the Post.
McGowan admitted that developers are addicted to TIFs. But he added, "Get it out of your mind, city, that the subsidy’s going away. It’s here. And if it’s not, then development isn’t, either. The task that the city needs to figure out is how to manage it wisely so it get the best return for the money."
Read the full interview here. Learn more about Tax Increment Financing here and here.
In the Sunday edition of The New York Times, reporter Kate Zerniketakes a look at rising crime rates across America. They mention St. Louis' 20% rise in violent crime. No mention of the proposed 20% increase in pay for Chief Joe Mokwa though.
In Boston and San Francisco the number of homicides last year was at its highest in a decade, and in Prince George's County, Md., outside Washington, it was the highest ever.
In St. Louis, the number of homicides rose to 131 last year from 113 in 2004. Tulsa had 64 murders, 2 more than in 1993. Charlotte jumped from a record low of 60 homicides in 2004 to 85 in 2005. And the murder rate for 2005 was above the 15-year average in Kansas City, Mo., and Nashville.
Talent's office to conduct public Medicare meetings next week
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Saturday, February 11 at 7:33 AM
Next week, a representative from Sen. Jim Talent's office will be conducting two Q&A sessions on the controversial Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Kacky Garner, district director for Talent's St. Louis office, will conduct two informational meetings on the southside next week. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, she'll be at the Five Star Older Adult Center, 2832 Arsenal, at 10:30 a.m. The next day, Feb. 16, she'll be at the St. Louis Senior Center, 5602 Arsenal, starting at 11 a.m.
No word yet if Talent will be holding any such meetings for northside seniors.
The recent changes to Medicare have been the source of much confusion and anger for many seniors. Many have complained of much higher costs for their prescription drugs. It's also been a headache for politicians in Washington who have been getting a flood of phone calls from the high-voting demographic.
Just last week, Medicare/Medicaid Director Mark McClellan was called to testify before the Senate Finance Committee. And some senators have been pushing for legislation that would let the government negotiate better prices with drug companies. Without such a provision, the drug companies stand to make millions more in profits, some say on the backs of many of our nation's most vulnerable citizens.
Call Sen. Talent’s office at (314) 432-5211 to inquire about these meetings and possible future meetings in other parts of the city.
VIDEO: Activists say the time is right for a civilian review board
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Friday, February 10 at 3:02 PM
Members of the Coalition Agaist Police Crimes and Repression demonstrated outside of City Hall today calling for passage of Board Bill #69, which would create a civilian review board in the City of St. Louis.
Jamala Rogers and Zaki Baruti, co-chairs of the group, said that recent events -- including the videotaped beating of Edmon Burns and the shooting this morning of man who reportedly first shot an officer two times -- are examples of the need for a autonomous civilian board to provide independent investigations when police use excessive and/or deadly force.
Supporters of BB 69 were disappointed that the bill was not put to a vote by the full board today. It has remained on the informal calendar since Jan. 27. All of the board's 12 black aldermen are co-sponsors of the bill. No white aldermen have yet signed on in support. At last check, Mayor Francis Slay was threatening a veto of the bill if members are elected.
In the lastest edition of St. Louis Schools Watch, editor Peter Downs (who is also a candidate for school board) says that teachers recently reported that food vendor Aramark had tried to serve a tray of moldy apples to a self-contained classroom of special education students at Gateway Institute of Technology. The same day, Aramark tried to serve wormy oranges to students at L'Ouverture Middle School.
Angeletta McCormick Frank has resigned as a Republican commissioner with the St. Louis Board of Elections. She is now Community Liason in the office of Sen. Jim Talent.
Frank's departure leaves only two remaining members of the normally 4-person board of commissioners, Democrat Clarence E. Dula and Republican Chairman Edward R. Martin.
"And then there were two," Martin told PUB DEF. "We are very sorry to see her leave. She's been a valuable part of the team."
He said that he would like to see the board stay as balanced as possible. That may mean that Gov. Matt Blunt will be looking to appoint a new Democrat and a Republican at the same time.
"I know Sen. (Pat) Dougherty and Sen. (Maida) Coleman have given input (on the Democratic nominee)," said Martin. "It may be that the Democrat gets processed first and we get him or her and then the Republican after that." Martin said it is his hope that both new members are in place by the end of the legislative session so that they have a full board in time for the important primary elections in August.
Yesterday's appointment of Julius Hunter to the state-controlled St. Louis Police Board brings about some interesting questions:
For Hunter: What is his position on subpoena power for a civilian review board? Does he believe that a civilian review board should be made up of elected or appointed members?
But a much more important question should be asked to every candidate for state representative and state senator. In every year of your service in the state legislature, will you introduce and/or support a bill to give the people of the City of St. Louis and Kansas City control of their own police force?
The proposed civilian review board is a Band-Aid on the central problem of lack of control and input at the local level in the policing of our streets. As Alderman Terry Kennedy put it, a police force that you do not control is "more like an occupying force than someone protecting and defending us."
Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed former anchorman Julius Hunter to the St. Louis Police Board.
"Julius Hunter has been a trusted and reliable friend to the St. Louis community for generations," Blunt said. "His unquestioned integrity and reputation as an honest and fair journalist will serve him well as a member of the St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners and I am pleased he has agreed to serve the city and our state in this important position."
Hunter, 62 and a lifelong St. Louis resident, is vice president for Community Relations at Saint Louis University. Hunter worked as a news anchor and reporter for KMOV-TV Channel 4 for 28 years before joining the university in 2002. He has worked with the police department in the Do the Right Thing and the Crimestoppers programs. Hunter holds a bachelor's degree from Harris-Stowe State University.
Hunter's appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Jan. 31, 2010. He replaces Bartholomew Saracino whose term expired.
Ald. Craig Schmid (20th Ward) is pissing people off. His recent bill to seize people's cars if they own speakers capable of making loud music got a lot of attention. It passed the Board of Aldermen only to be sent back to committee after the Comptroller and the Mayor voiced their concerns. (Click here to see exclusive video of Schmid explaining the committee substitute.)
Now the Riverfront Times is reporting on Schmid's preference for buildings to remain quiet and vacant than loud and renovated. From Mike Seely's story:
When asked if he'd prefer to see the building at 3756 South Broadway remain vacant rather than welcome an establishment such as Reynolds', Schmid answers in the affirmative.
"In particular locations, absolutely," the alderman says. "What happens is that your good residents go somewhere else, and you can't attract people to take their places. We're planning some new homes right to the north of [Crimmins' property], and we can't have that next door. Quite frankly, we want to have our cake and eat it too."
Ald. Charles Quincy Troupe (1st Ward) is working on a resolution that would call upon the City's Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) to improve the way they maintain and sell their property.
The LRA is a branch of the St. Louis Development Corporation. It maintains, markets, and sells acquired properties and performs land assemblage for future development. Land assemblage, or "banking", can take decades. In the meantime, critics argue, buildings sit in unsafe and undesirable conditions. This is a very large problem in north St. Louis, where many blocks look more like war zones than part of a city experiencing a comeback.
At this week's meeting of the Public Safety Committee, Troupe talked about the problems with the LRA and its effect on northside property values.
As we reported earlier, Metropolis St. Louis will be heading to the northside tonight. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Here's the lineup via Brian Marston:
From 6:30 - 8 p.m., the group will be at J's Hideout Cocktail Lounge, 4257 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. This cozy, laid-back establishment features two big-screen TVs, a fish tank full of oversized goldfish, and plastic Clydesdales in a Plexiglas case over the bar. The dapper gentleman wearing a suit behind the bar is the proprietor, J.D. Bratcher. A big glass of Crown on the rocks is $5.
At 8:00, the gang will head to the Harlem Tap Room, 4161 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Established in 1946, this club sees the most traffic of the three stops on the itinerary. It features an enticingly backlit liquor display that is well-stocked with premium brands. A waitress delivers drinks to the tables. The canned beer is ice cold (literally).
The last stop of the night is Zack's Lounge, 1904 Whittier St. The group will be there from 9:30 to 11. Zack's is a tiny shotgun bar that's a bit off the beaten path (and, amusingly, right next-door to a church), the home of the curiously punctuated "Zackaroo's and Zackaretts" has the most straight-up neighborhood flavor of any Ville bar. Some of the regulars have been going to Zack's for 20 years. Family photos and Christmas decorations line the wall behind the bar. Gracie, Zack's wife, works Thursday nights. In her words, "We all family here."
Join the group at any time tonight. Bring friends. Make friends.
Bill introduced to compensate the wrongly convicted
By Antonio D. French
The State of Missouri may soon make an attempt to compensate those that have been wrongly convicted of crimes. Republican Sen. Michael Gibbons, from Kirkwood, introduced a bill yesterday that he says creates a new mechanism in the state budget to provide financial relief for wrongly convicted men and women rather than having them compete for the same funds that provide for DNA tests of all inmates in Missouri.
Gibbons said four innocent individuals have not received any form of compensation from the state of Missouri for the lost years of their lives.
One of the state’s more high-profile exoneration cases involved Steve Toney who spent 13 years and 10 months in prison having been convicted of a rape he did not commit. Toney was exonerated in 1993 by DNA evidence but has not received any compensation from the state for the time he was wrongly imprisoned. Toney, as well as three others, were never paid because a previous law exempts anyone exonerated by DNA before Aug. 28, 2003.
How surreal was it to see President George H.W. Bush holding Sen. Hillary Clinton's hand on his right and Pres. Jimmy Carter's hand on his left yesterday at the funeral of Coretta Scott King?
Not to mention the jabs his son, the current President Bush, received from Carter and Rev. Joseph Lowery.
Lowery told the crowded church, "We know there were no weapons of mass destruction over there, but Coretta knew and we know there are weapons of misdirection right down here... For war, billions more, but no more for the poor."
VIDEO: After rework, car speaker bill heads to a vote again
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Tuesday, February 7 at 10:10 PM
Ald. Craig Schmid says car seizures are a necessary part of his bill to punish those that play their car stereos too loud. The bill has been the target of much criticism and support among city residents, businesses, and others who heard about the bill's harsh penalties in the media.
After first passing the bill two weeks ago, the Board of Aldermen sent it back to committee last Friday after dissatisfaction was voiced by the City's mayor and comptroller, both concerned about the unintended consequences on businesses and possible issues of Constitutionality.
A substitute was offered by Schmid in the Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. After some discussion and testimony in support of the new language by St. Louis police, the reworked bill was passed out of committee by a vote of 8-0.
Yesterday morning, attorneys for Edmon Burns said that the man had still not been charged with any crime nearly a week after his televised police chase and beating. Now he has.
Burns turned himself in yesterday on charges of violating his probation by fleeing police.
Deana McKelvie and Katie Wessling will be hosting a meet-n-greet for Peter Downs, candidate for St. Louis School Board, at Mount Tabor United Church of Christ.
Downs is the founder and editor of St. Louis Schools Watch (whose blog PUB DEF hosts) and is making a third run for a seat on the school board after narrowly losing last year. He also ran in 2003. [Editor's Note: Downs ran on the same slate as PUB DEF editor Antonio French]
From their e-vite: "Peter is a parent of children in this district and has been devoted to making positive changes for many years. As parents, we are excited about Peter Downs and the voice he would give us on the board. But don't take our word for it, come meet him and see why parents across the City are offering support--both financially and vocally--to his campaign."
In today's edition of the Post-Dispatch, Steve Giegerichreports that Superintendent Creg Williams voiced his displeasure with Parent Assembly president Dorris Walker-McGahee for publicly endorsing Downs and Donna Jones, another candidate.
The event is February 11, at 10 am, at 6520 Arsenal Street.
The Public Safety Committee of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen will be meeting today at noon to discuss Board Bills #81 and #82. The meeting is open to the public and will be in Room 230 of City Hall. Board Bill #81, also known as "Craig's Law", has been the subject of much controversy. It calls for the seizure of vehicles for possession of certain car speakers. After voting in favor of the bill by a large majority a week prior, the Board then voted to send the bill back to committee at Friday's meeting.
Board Bill #82 also relates to the impounding of vehicles for speakers, as well as littering.
Jake Wagman reported this weekend on the decision by the State Tax Commission to side with Nestle Purina in its case against Tax Assessor Ed Bushmeyer and the City of St. Louis. The decision means that the company will pay taxes on its property valued at $19 million and not the $47 million that the city had assessed.
That opens the door for other St. Louis companies to seek re-evaluations of their property taxes, costing the city and our public schools millions of dollars.
Click here to read the Commission's ruling. Some interesting lines from the document include:
"The single most significant factor impacting value of this office complex is its location just outside the central business district of St. Louis City – which itself is stagnant for office space sales and rentals."
"Office demand peaked toward the end of the 1990’s, dropped near 2000, and has stabilized since then. However, the downtown market’s stabilization has lagged behind other areas in the region. "
"Based upon a survey by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) the vacancy rate for year-end 2002 for downtown class “A” space was 13.35%. The vacancy rate for class “B” space was 26.47%."
"As of the valuation date, there was a glut of office space, more than 1.2 million square feet, of sublease space available in downtown St. Louis; more than triple the amount of just two years previously. St. Louis is experiencing an increase in vacancy, a decrease in lease rates, and a significant drop in absorption. Lease rates were down 15% on average from 2002. Speculative construction had come to a halt. The majority of the 1.9 million square feet under construction in 2003 was build-to-suit, owner occupied space. Forecasters expect a slow recovery as the glut of sublease space is absorbed with lease rates staying consistent."
Burn's attorneys take calls on radio show this morning
By Antonio D. French
UPDATED: AUDIO NOW AVAILABLE Here is audio from today's broadcast: click to download Part 1 and Part 2.
Attorneys Donnell Smith and Hope Whitehead, two of the lawyers representing the man whose beating by Maplewood and St. Louis City officers was captured on video by local news stations, took questions from callers this morning on 104.1 FM.
One young black woman called in to say that some of her girlfriends think that Edmon Burns got what he deserved. She said people were sick of crime and people committing it.
Smith responded by saying that women, black and white, have a different experience with the police than black males and may not understand why someone would run from the police out of fear. Whitehead also noted that a week after the chase, Burns has still not been charged with any crime.
There was also some discussion about how many times Fox 2 played the video (something that blogger "Angry Black Bitch" recently commented on). One person said showing the video over and over like that could spark a riot. Smith responded, "This is St. Louis," nobody's going to riot.
Click here to read Sister Mary Ann McGivern's latest observations on the historic Palestinian elections. McGivern, who ran for a seat on the St. Louis school board in 2003, was in the region as an elections observer with the United Nations.
The AP is reporting that Republican State Rep. Jack Jackson pledged to put $500,000 of his own money into his campaign for state auditor. That matches the amount put up by Democrat Susan Montee.
Other candidates in the race include Republican Sen. John Loudon and Democrat Sen. Maida Coleman of St. Louis.
In their latest campaign finance reports, Jackson's $137,930 on hand trailed Loudon's $255,368. Montee led all with $554,518. Coleman trailed everyone with just $30,850 and her recent behavior leaves most observers to expect her to drop out of the race soon.
Annie Malone heads could learn a thing from Mardi Gras organizers
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Saturday, February 4 at 1:22 PM
Richard King, CEO of the Annie Malone Center, and Aaron Phillips, the chairman of the organization's board of directors, might take some advice from the organizers of Soulard's Mardi Gras.
In an article by Diane Toroian Keaggy in yesterday's Post, Mardi Gras planners say that they get complaints every year from some residents of the southside neighborhood that is home to the large annual event;
Organizers concede Mardi Gras needs room to grow but insist that the event should stay rooted in Soulard. Mardi Gras is the lifeblood of the neighborhood's three dozen bars and restaurants, and it generates millions for the St. Louis economy.
"It is called Soulard Mardi Gras after all," Mardi Gras Inc. spokesman Mack Bradley said. "This is St. Louis' French Quarter."
At a meeting with representatives of the effort to keep the Annie Malone parade in north St. Louis, Richard King, who has been on the job less than eight months, said that the parade was growing too big for Natural Bridge Avenue. He said that residents often called the organization to complain of trash and blocked streets on the day of and following the event.
When asked how the community and its elected officials could help with the logistical challenges facing the organization -- such as necessary route adjustments, police presence, trash pick-up, etc. -- King refused attempts to dialogue about reversing the decision.
Elected officials, including Ald. Bennice Jones King (21st Ward), Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward), and 1st Ward Committeeman Talib El-Amin (who was at the meeting) have expressed their disappointment with the lack of dialogue. Bosley said on the floor of Friday's meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen that his calls to the organization have not even been returned.
Every large event has logistical headaches. Both the May Day parade and Mardi Gras see more than 100,000 people (nearly a third of the City's entire population) converge on a neighborhood. With that comes similar problems and complaints.
But Mr. Phillips said he was "offended" by any comparisions between the logistical constraints of the May Day parade and those encountered by Mardi Gras. "I resent the fact that you compare the Annie Malone parade to the Mardi Gras. That's a raucous parade," he said.
He also declined to dialogue about changing the parades route while keeping it in north St. Louis.
It seems clear now why Mr. Phillips did not wish to compare the Annie Malone parade to Mardi Gras -- at least when it comes to the level of commitment to the communities that have helped make the two events what they are.
You can contact Mr. King at (314) 531-0120 and Mr. Phillips at (314) 709-1723
Mehlman said it was time to begin to restore the bond between African-Americans and the party of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. He said that blacks are not well served by voting disproportionately for Democrats.
"There's a reason farmers get everything they want," Mehlman said, paraphrasing his law school classmate Sen. Barack Obama. "Because every politician competes for their vote."
He told the group of about 25 people that "There's a difference between outreach and inclusion." Outreach is when parties come to communities four weeks before an election and ask for your vote.
King and Bosley: People should be "outraged" about parade move
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Friday, February 3 at 9:24 AM
At today's board meeting, Ald. Bennice Jones King (21st Ward) addressed the viewers of the City's television station, Channel 10,. She asked residents to speak out about the moving of the Annie Malone Parade. People should be "outraged," she said.
"Please let them know about how you feel about the move of the parade," said King.
Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward) said he supported King's remarks. He said he was not notified about the parade's move and his calls to the organization have not been returned.
"The alderwoman is right. To move it without any consultation with the aldermen... I think that something's wrong with (Annie Malone's board) making this decision without discussion," said Bosley.
People can contact Annie Malone at (314) 531-0120.
Sources tell PUB DEF that Ald. Craig Schmid (20th Ward) will be making some changes to his controversial bill that would have made it illegal to own loud car speakers. The bill would have allowed police to seize a citizen's car (before being found guilty) for simply having more than 10 speakers or for having a single speaker larger than 12 inches in diameter.
UPDATE: The following language is to be added to the bill:
"No person shall be punished by fine, community service, or seizure and impoundment of the vehicle for possessiono of a sound system or device unless there is also evidence that the person played, used, operated or permitted to be played, used or operated any radio, tape recorder, loud speaker, sound amplifier, cassette or compact disc player, or other sound system or device for producing or reproducing sound with louder volume than is necessary for convenient, normal hearing of the person or persons who are in the motor vehicle in which the machine or device is being used or operated and who are voluntary listeners."
UPDATE 2:
Ald. Stephen Gregali (14th Ward) introduced a motion to send the bill back to the Public Safety Committee. Ald. Freeman Bosley (3rd Ward) called this a "killer motion". Bosley again expressed his disdain for modern music. "The stuff that they're playing, I don't want to hear," he said.
In a spirited debate with the 3rd Ward alderman, Ald. Charles Q. Troupe (1st Ward) questioned whether the Board should give the police such broad discretion to seize people's property.
Ald. Lyda Krewson (28th Ward) questioned Schmid about "selective enforcement" of this law. "We don't live in a police state and we shouldn't impound somebody's car because they play their music too loud." she said.
Ald. Greg Carter (27th Ward) asked Schmid to send the bill back to committee.
UPDATE 3: BILL SENT BACK TO COMMITTEE
St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green made a special appearance at today's meeting. She addressed the effects of the bill on some local businesses. She said, "If we would allow this bill to go back (to committee) to address the concerns... I am sure we would be doing the right thing" to address the real concerns of noise.
Schmid agreed to allow the bill to be returned to the Public Safety Committee. Ald. Terry Kennedy, the committee's chairman, said that the committee will look at the bill next week. The public is encouraged to attend. Stay tuned for times.
With the recent discussion of why "north St. Louis versus the rest of the City" is such a big deal, I thought it was a good time to link to a story I wrote back in 2002.
The purpose of the 1975 interim, stopgap land-use measure was to stem the city's dramatic population decline. But the plan was quickly condemned as "a racist attack on the people of St. Louis" when it left the predominantly white south side intact while recommending the demolition of 70,000 north-side homes.
In an open letter to the architects of the so-called Team Four Plan, black leaders wrote: "It is a plan by which [Team Four] intend to first let the black community rot by cutting services and discouraging investments, then move the people out by condemning their homes....."
SLU's Todd Swanstrom says St. Louis' planning history has taught the black community to greet land-use plans with skepticism. "The people in the minority communities are suspicious, and rightfully so. There's not a tradition of trust that's been developed over the years in which responsible, grassroots organizations and ward leaders can work with the city to improve their areas."
Third Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr. agrees. "Most of those plans were devoid of community and neighborhood input," he says.
St. Louis leaders have learned from that mistake. Oh really?
Senator Jim Talent and Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman are scheduled to meet with local African-American leaders on Friday, Feb. 3, at 2:00 at Bar Italia, 13 Maryland Plaza, in the Central West End.
In his story "Red Light, Green Light", Chad Garrison asks this question in this week's issue of the Riverfront Times: Did the city deliberately tailor the ordinance and bid requirements to favor only one red-light camera company? And was Joyce Aboussie the reason?
Ald. Charles Quincy Troupe will be hosting a First Ward Community Redevelopment meeting on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the United House of Prayer for All, 3300 N Kingshighway Blvd.
Blunt falls short on first try, vote included "irregularities"
By Antonio D. French
BREAKING NEWS
Roy Blunt (R-MO) fell short of the needed 117 votes to become the new majority leader on the first round of voting. He got only 110. A second round of voting will begin in a few minutes.
Also, there was some possible cheating by Republican Congressmen. CNN is reporting that in the first round of voting, more votes were turned in than actual Republican members.
Mayor Francis Slaywrote on his blog Wednesday that he was "hard pressed to explain" why the media has focused on the push to get a civilian review board in the City, but not in other municipalities.
"Does the taped beating suffered by a fleeing suspect at the hands of several pursuing Maplewood police officers and a single City officer support the conclusion that the City of St. Louis – but not Maplewood nor any other local police jurisdiction – needs a civilian review board for its police department?" wrote Slay.
From the AP: New Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito split with the court's conservatives Wednesday night, refusing to let Missouri execute a death-row inmate contesting lethal injection.
Alito, handling his first case, sided with inmate Michael Taylor, who had won a stay from an appeals court earlier in the evening. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas supported lifting the stay, but Alito joined the remaining five members in turning down Missouri's last-minute request to allow a midnight execution.
Taylor was convicted of killing 15-year-old Ann Harrison, who was waiting for a school bus in Kansas City when he and an accomplice kidnapped her in 1989. CNN has the full story.
Corrections Director Larry Crawford told CNN that Taylor will be transported back to the prison at Potosi pending a new execution date.
Click here to download Taylor's application for a stay of execution. Click here to download the Missouri Supreme Court's denial. The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals' approval of Taylor's application for a stay is not yet available for download.
The Ville has been in the news recently with the announcement that the board of directors of the Annie Malone Center had voted to move the nearly 100 year-old May Day parade out of north St. Louis. Marston told PUB DEF that he thinks the parade should stay put. "I think it's a horrible mistake to move the Annie Malone parade away from its rightful home," he said.
Metropolis is an organization whose stated mission is to create and promote an environment in the City of St. Louis that attracts and retains young people. Each week, the organization has events around the city. One of their highest profile events in the past has been their weekly pub crawl, called "The Walk", in which they select a different part of town to travel from bar to bar.
Metropolis has been criticized in the past for not being reflective of the city's population and for having a membership that is not necessarily "young."
Perhaps with next week's event, Metropolis is walking in the right direction to reverse that image (I couldn't resist). The organization is also seeking candidates to fill openings on it's board of directors.
Donnell Smith, who is representing Edmond Burns along with Jerryl Christmas (two-time candidate for Circuit Attorney), said that it is an unfortunate reality that many black people know that if you run from the police you will likely be beaten.
VIDEO: Coalition calls for officers to be fired and charged with assault
By Antonio D. French
The Coalition Against Police Crime and Repression today held a press conference outside of the building which houses the City of Maplewood's city hall and police department. The Coalition called for the firing of all of the officers involved in Monday's beating of Edmon Burns. The incident was captured by a cameraman in a news helicopter and broadcasted live on KTVI Channel 2.
Standing next to Burn's father, Zaki Baruti, co-chair of the Coalition, said that the officers, which included at least one St. Louis City officer, used excessive force by continuing to beat Burns while he was already subdued. "They should be charged with assault with intent to kill," he said.
VIDEO: How to Not Get Your Ass Kicked by the Police
By Antonio D. French
In the wake of the recently videotaped beating of Edmon Burns by police officers, PUB DEF would like to offer the following public service announcement. It is in no way meant to take away from the seriousness of the situation, but rather to offer some humor in these trying times.
[REMINDER: There is a press conference today by community activists regarding the latest beating.]
Comedian Chris Rock offers these 8 helpful tips for black men when getting pulled over by the police. They could safe your life.
1. Obey the Law 2. Use Common Sense 3. Stop Immediately When Being Pulled Over 4. Playing Loud Gangsta Rap? Turn that Shit Off 5. Be Polite 6. Shut the Fuck Up 7. Get a White Friend 8. Don't Ride with a Mad Woman
The St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable and the St. Louis City and County branches of the NAACP will host a forum next week for the seven candidates seeking two seats on the St. Louis Board of Education. The forum will be on Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Emerson Theatre at Harris-Stowe State University. The public is encouraged to attend.
Shocking surprises from last night's State of the Union
By Antonio D. French
President Bush surprised many in his State of the Union speech last night when he evoked the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a champion of non-violence, in defense of the war in Iraq.
"Martin Luther King could have stopped at Birmingham or at Selma, and achieved only half a victory over segregation," said Bush.
"The United States could have accepted the permanent division of Europe, and been complicit in the oppression of others. Today, having come far in our own historical journey, we must decide: Will we turn back, or finish well?"
Another surprise was the callousness shown in arresting the mother of a slain soldier just minutes before using another for political benefit.
Anti-war activist and mourning mother Cindy Sheehan was removed from the gallery, arrested, and charged with unlawful conduct. Her crime? Wearing an anti-war t-shirt. Just a few minutes later, in his speech, Bush recognized a supportive family of a soldier killed in the war.
Critics say that such sweeping changes should have included much more public input, which has been a constant criticism of the board majority backed by Mayor 
How surreal was it to see President 
Senator 
