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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.
