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Mayor Francis Slay has ordered flags in the city to be flown at half staff in honor of former State Senator, City Comptroller and Alderman John Bass.
"As an educator he inspired thousands of students in our city. As Comptroller he fought relentlessly for fairness and fiscal responsibility, and as State Senator, he fought fearlessly in Jefferson City to protect the vital interests of the City of St. Louis," said Slay.
"On behalf of all the residents of our City and all City employees, I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt condolence to his family and friends," he said.
Bass, who was 80 years old, passed away Sunday. A wake will be held tomorrow, Thursday, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wade Funeral Home, 4828 Natural Bridge. The funeral is set for Friday, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Parish, 4330 Shreve Ave.
Slay has ordered all the official flags be flown at half staff through Sunday.
Post-Dispatch Endorses Reed, Southside Journal Goes with Shrewsbury
By Antonio D. French
From the Post-Dispatch:
"Mr. Shrewsbury has a solid 24-year record of sometimes plodding, but honest and diligent service. Mr. Reed is a bright, engaging and capable politician who would help bridge the racial gap in city politics. The choice is a close one, but the recommendation here is that voters choose Lewis E. Reed."
From the Southside Journal:
"Both are sincere, hardworking men who are devoted to making St. Louis a better place to live.
Shrewsbury has been listening to the voice of St. Louis for nearly 25 years.
Reed has a vision for St. Louis that cannot be accomplished from the aldermanic chambers. Reed's vision is better suited for the mayor's office. Shrewsbury should be retained as aldermanic president when voters go to the polls March 6."
Several dozen or more people are expected to stage a protest in the rotunda of City Hall at noon on Friday in opposition to the planned takeover of St. Louis Public Schools.
Organizers, which include parents, activists and members of the teachers' union, are calling the event a "teach-in". Click here to view their flier.
According to a campaign press release, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Locals #1, #2, #4, and #1439) has endorsed Jim Shrewsbury for re-election.
At last night's debate between the candidates for President of the Board of Aldermen, a question from the audience asked President Jim Shrewsbury why his personal law practice is located in St. Louis County and not in the City.
Shrewsbury said he avoids all investment in the City to steer clear of any conflicts of interest.
At last nights debate between the candidates for President of the Board of Aldermen, a question from the audience asked Alderman Lewis Reed why his yard signs can be seen on so many trees in north St. Louis.
Reed's opponent, incumbent Pres. Jim Shrewsbury said his campaign never puts signs in illegal locations. But directly across the street from the debate site, a 4-foot by 8-foot Shrewsbury sign could be seen standing on city land in Fairgrounds Park.
Fairgrounds is located in the 21st Ward, whose alderman, Bennice Jones-King, and committeeman, "Chink" Washington, have broken from every other northside ward to endorse Shrewsbury.
Former State Senator and former St. Louis City Comptroller John Bass passed away yesterday.
In a message on her website, Bass' granddaughter, Kacie Starr Triplett, said Bass loved St. Louis and enjoyed being a public servant.
"He took his role very seriously, and was ALWAYS willing to share his wisdom and experience," wrote Triplett.
"My grandfather was both fair and honest. Although, I wasn’t around when he began his career in the 1970’s, so many people tell me today, how much of an impact he made on their life, and how fair and balanced he was. My heart is heavy with this great loss."
UPDATE: The arrangements are as follows:
Thursday, March 1st - Viewing from 4pm - 8pm at Wade Funeral Home, 4828 Natural Bridge
Friday, March 2nd - Viewing 9am - 10am at St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist (formerly St. Engelbert) Parish 4330 Shreve
Friday, March 2nd - Funeral at 10am, St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Parish, 4330 Shreve Ave.
The two candidates for President of the Board of Alderman will meet today for a debate in north St. Louis.
The debate between incumbent Jim Shrewsbury and challenger Lewis Reed will be at Beaumont High School, 3836 Natural Bridge, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Questions will come from the audience and the four-person panel composed of radio show hosts Onion Horton and Mark Kasen, and attorneys Ruby Bonner and Robert Kenny from the Mound City Bar Association.
City Democratic Party chairman and 7th Ward Committeeman Brian Wahby has endorsed Lewis Reed for President of the Board of Aldermen.
Reed is challenging incumbent Jim Shrewsbury in the March 6th primary election. According to Shrewsbury's campaign literature, Wahby's committeewoman, State Senator Maida Coleman, has endorsed Shrewsbury.
This news comes contrary to a false report in this week's St. Louis American, which claimed Wahby was "a Shrewsbury man".
Seventh Ward Committeeman and Chairman of the City Democrats Brian Wahby has endorsed Alderman Lewis Reed for President of the Board of Aldermen.
Reed is running agaist incumbent Jim Shrewsbury in the March 6th primary. According to his campaign literature, Shrewsbury has been endorsed by Wahby's committeewoman, State Sen. Maida Coleman.
From an article in the Kansas City Star on the KC mayoral race:
Still, the Internet is a good way for candidates to communicate with their base and raise funds, said Antonio French, a St. Louis political observer and sometime campaign adviser. It has the advantage of being cheap, potentially yielding more votes for the dollars spent...
French acknowledged that the blogging era is still in its infancy, is more prevalent in middle class and affluent neighborhoods, and has yet to really make an impact in poorer, minority or rural communities.
Here is Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury's campaign commercial currently running on TV. It features cameos by State Sen. Pat Dougherty, Ald. Phyllis Young, former Ald. Irv Clay, Chief of Staff Pam Ross, and campaign staffers Harold Brown and April Harris.
Shrewsbury is in the last 11 days of a close campaign with 6th Ward Alderman Lewis Reed to be decided in the March 6 primary election. *Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has endorsed Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury for re-election.
"SEIU members run the gamut from healthcare to the public sector and building services. This is the kind of support from hardworking men and woman that any politician would be proud to have,” said Shrewsbury in a press release.
Shrewsbury is in the last 11 days of a close campaign with 6th Ward Alderman Lewis Reed to be decided in the March 6 primary election. *Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
By a vote of 2-1, the Board of Estimate & Apportionment has agreed to modify and extend BJC HealthCare's lease of a portion of city park land.
At their meeting this morning in City Hall, Mayor Francis Slay and Comptroller Darlene Green voted in favor while Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury voted against.
The following is from the office of Comptroller Darlene Green:
St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green is prepared to move forward and support the lease of 9.4 acres of Forest Park to BJC to accommodate the hospital’s future healthcare service expansion in the city of St. Louis. The lease agreement is vastly improved now in large part because of direct discussions between BJC and Citizens to Protect Forest Park facilitated by Comptroller Green.
Compromise has merit and guarantee:
Green space will be preserved in city parks.
Prohibition ordinance which prohibits the sale, lease, or giveaway of parkland (see attached PDF file).
No net loss of green space in Forest Park will occur with BJC expansion.
"Green Ribbon" committee created.
Forest Park and other city parks maintenance is funded.
$3.8 million annually for Forest Park maintenance and 1.2 million annually for other park maintenance.
All other city parks receive equal treatment and equal funding.
BJC to expand in the city with approved lease extension.
City’s largest employer expanding in the city protects jobs.
$1.5 billion of construction by BJC in the city creates jobs.
Northside 24 hour emergency medical facility plan completed by 2008.
"I believe that all sides have reached some common ground enabling the lease agreement to move forward. I honor the request of Citizens to Protect Forest Park to create a "Green Ribbon" committee that provides for an open, public process in the tradition of the Forest Park Master Plan with citizen involvement in any further park planning.
"While a compromise is never perfect, neither side is getting everything they initially wanted. But working together achieves a greater benefit for all involved," explained Comptroller Green.
The following is a list of improvements to the Forest Park/BJC lease agreement:
No net loss of green space to Forest Park as a result of the lease.
The amount of land in the lease is down from 12.9 acres to 9.4 acres. When you add that to 4.5 acres of green space additions to Forest Park since the master plan; anywhere from 2 to 7 acres returned to the park from highway 40 construction; and BJC agreeing to setting aside a minimum of 15% green space on the site, there is a net gain of green space to Forest Park.
Forest Park will receive $2 million a year (originally $1.6 million) from the BJC lease in addition to $1.8 million a year (originally $1.6 million) from Forest Park Forever for the life of the 99-year lease. This amounts to $38 million for ten years before BJC plans to begin construction.
A companion prohibition ordinance to the lease agreement that protects the city’s park land from future sale or lease and holds BJC accountable in the event Proposition P on the April 3 ballot fails.
There is an amendment to the lease that requires the city to equally fund north and south side park improvements and maintenance.
There is an amendment to the lease that holds BJC accountable for building a 24 hour emergency center in North St. Louis.
The Board of Estimate and Apportionment has scheduled a special meeting on Friday, Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. in the mayor’s office to take up the lease issue. The meeting is open to the public.
Smith's Bill Would Let Mayor Sponsor New Charter Schools in the City
By Antonio D. French
READ IT HERE FIRST
State Senator Jeff Smith today introduced a bill (Senate Bill 564) to allow St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay to sponsor new charter schools.
More later...
To learn more about the relationship between charter schools and their sponsors, see Section 160.400 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
Currently charter schools can only be sponsored by:
the school board (or perhaps the "transitional" board) of the district;
a public four-year college or university with its primary campus in the school district or in a county adjacent to the county in which the district is located, with an approved teacher education program that meets regional or national standards of accreditation;
a community college located in the district;
or any private four-year college or university located in a city not within a county with an enrollment of at least one thousand students, and with an approved teacher preparation program.
Under existing law, the Mayor may request a sponsor to consider sponsoring a workplace charter school, which is defined as a charter school "with the ability to target prospective students whose parent or parents are employed in a business district".
Smith's bill, if passed, will apparently (the full text is not yet available online) simply allow the mayor to sponsor charter schools directly, effective August 28, 2007.
Despite appearances on his website, a spokesperson for Comptroller Darlene Green has made it clear that Green has not endorsed Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury's re-election bid.
"Comptroller Green believes both men are fine candidates and looks forward to working with whomever the voters choose to continue moving the city forward," said spokesman John Farrell.
Green's photo has been prominently added to the top of Shrewsbury's website this week.
The Comptroller appeared to side with Shrewsbury in opposing the expansion plan of BJC Hospital, the City's largest employer, when she joined with him in denying a second to the mayor's motion to approve the plan at a recent meeting of the powerful Board of Estimate & Apportionment. But now it appears that Green is moving closer to voting in favor of the plan, possibly as soon as Friday.
Less than a month after pledging to keep race out of the campaign for Aldermanic President, it appears that incumbent Jim Shrewsbury is once again using a push poll to "inform" voters about the race of his opponent and his wife.
Pub Def has received several calls from elected officials and voters around the city identifying a poll being conducted in which the callers asked if the voter was aware that Lewis Reed is black and that his wife is white.
A similar poll was conducted months ago by the Shrewsbury campaign that also pointed out Reed's race.
Last month, at a meeting of the 24th Ward Democrats, Reed directly requested Shrewsbury to stop using race as an issue in the campaign. He also asked him to end the whisper campaign regarding his marriage being conducted in several wards.
"Cheap shot!," shouted 24th Ward Alderman Bill Waterhouse, a Shrewsbury supporter, at the all-white meeting of southside Democrats.
Shrewsbury denied conducting the first push poll, saying "I have not done that, I've never done it, and I never will do it."
The Carpenters’ District Council has endorsed Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury.
"As the group that represents the lion’s share of union-organized City employees, the Carpenters understand the issues affecting city government better than anyone. I have always valued their support in the past and once again I am grateful to have the Carpenters in my corner," said Shrewsbury in a press release.
Shrewsbury is running against Alderman Lewis Reed in the March 6th primary election, just 13 days away.
In the matter of whether the name of a candidate for alderman should be removed from the ballot less than two weeks before the election, the Election Board today opted to leave it up to to the courts.
As we reported yesterday, supporters of Alderman Frank Williamson (D-26th Ward) sent at letter to the Election Board claiming that his opponent in the March 6th primary, H. Lee Willis, was in violation of a state law which says no person's name can appear on the ballot if he or she is in arrears for any unpaid city taxes on the last day of filing for the office. Willis confirmed to Pub Def that he did owe $786.41 in real estate taxes and $59.49 in personal property taxes to the City.
Mary Wheeler-Jones, the Democratic Director of Elections for the City, said that since it is so close to Election Day — and if the Board did remove Willis' name from the ballot there would likely be a lawsuit filed and ultimately decided by the courts anyway — the Election Commissioners today decided to leave it up to Williamson to file a lawsuit to have a judge find that Willis does not meet the qualifications for the office.
When Pub Def reached Williamson by phone, he had not yet heard of the Commissioners' decision. After we told him what happened he said he would have to discuss with his legal team his next course of action.
COLEMAN INTRODUCES BILL TO ELIMINATE NEW "TRANSITIONAL" SCHOOL BOARD
By Antonio D. French
BREAKING NEWS-- READ IT HERE FIRST!
State Sen. Maida Coleman today introduced a bill (Senate Bill 551) to eliminate the "transitional" three-person, politically-appointed board approved last week to run St. Louis Public Schools. Here is a statement from her office:
"Today, I introduced a bill that would abolish the Transition Board, an entity poised to administrate the St. Louis Public Schools. I cannot in good conscious allow the State Board of Education to install a Transition Board that would effectively eliminate the representative democracy enjoyed by other school districts around Missouri.
"Furthermore, I am alarmed at the apparent moving target the State Board of Education has been using to determine if the St. Louis Public Schools should lose its provisional accreditation. It appears the State Board is predisposed to installing a Transition Board. It also seems that when the school district’s data would support continued provisional accreditation, the State Board is seeking additional data that would jeopardize the district’s status.
"Finally, the State Board’s remedy will be no panacea for the ills of the St. Louis Public Schools. In fact, the installment of the Transition Board is a dangerous precedent that could result in the degrading of our schools in St. Louis and around the state."
The 17th Ward Democratic Organization has endorsed Lewis Reed for President of the Board of Aldermen, bringing the total number of aldermen and wards supporting the challenger to 16 of 28.
Reed is running against incumbent Jim Shrewsbury in the March 6th primary election, which is just 13 days away. *Lewis Reed is a client of A D French & Associates
Following meetings with representatives from BJC, Citizens to Protect Forest Park, the Aldermanic Black Caucus, and other interested parties, Comptroller Darlene Green believes that a deal on the proposed BJC expansion plan may be reached as soon as Friday. That's according to a source in the Comptroller's office and someone who attended a meeting last night at which Green defended her position.
The meeting, which took place at the Gateway Classic Foundation, was hosted by former Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr. and political consultant Walle Amusa. The topic was the BJC expansion plan. Most in attendance — including St. Louis American publisher Donald Suggs and St. Louis Argus publisher and MOKAN executive Eddie Hasan — blamed Green and Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury for killing a deal that would have meant hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new construction.
We're told that many were surprised when the Comptroller herself arrived at the meeting. She was not an invited guest, but she took the opportunity to defend her position and reveal details of her ongoing negotiations which, she says, will lead to a better deal.
UPDATE 1: The Board of Estimate & Apportionment will be meeting today, but the BJC deal is not on the agenda. However, Pub Def has learned that a special meeting has been scheduled for Friday as well. At that time, it is likely that an agreement will be passed by the three-person body.
UPDATE 2: Walle Amusa, the longtime political activist and professional consultant who organized last night's meeting of African-American leaders, tells Pub Def that he accepts full responsibility for not inviting Green to the meeting.
He says the plan was for the participants to meet first to come to a consensus on what benefits to the black community they wanted to see from the BJC lease agreement. Then representatives from the group were to present those things to Green today.
Amusa said that when Green arrived unexpectedly she was still warmly greeted with applause.
"I want to thank Darlene Green for showing up and participating," said Amusa. He said he also wanted to thank the many other people that attended the meeting with less than 24 hours notice, including (in addition to those mentioned above) License Collector Mike McMillan, soon-to-be-alderman Marlene Davis, former Comptroller Virvus Jones, and others.
Amusa also added that the consensus he wished for was not difficult to reach. He said that on the first vote, there was unanimous support from the group for the BJC expansion deal as negotiated with the Aldermanic Black Caucus.
Mayor Francis Slay is once again using his blog to call out our city's daily underachiever.
"Based on an interview with one person," wrote Slay (or his regular ghost writer, Richard Callow) on MayorSlay.com, "the St. Louis Post Dispatch ran a headline that asserted that the Mardi Gras celebration this past weekend in Soulard was 'the worst year yet.'"
"Aside from the fact that the one person who believed it was a bad event also suggested that the Christian calendar be re-worked so he could sell more beads, what about the thousands and thousands of people who had great times in Soulard and other nearby neighborhoods despite the winter weather?"
"Mardi Gras is a fun event," concluded the mayor. "There is no such thing as a 'worst' year."
Comptroller Presses Forward, Seeks Clarification on Caucus Deal [Updated]
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 12:17 PM
PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE
Still suffering the calls of "obstructionist" from critics of her decision not to support BJC's proposed expansion plan two weeks ago, Comptroller Darlene Green is continuing with meetings to create a better deal which all sides can agree to.
This afternoon Green will be hosting the third meeting between her office and representatives of BJC HealthCare and Citizens to Protect Forest Park. This follows an earlier meeting Green had with members of the Aldermanic Black Caucus meant to clear up confusion about a deal brokered by the Caucus to ensure north St. Louis would benefit from the proposed lease extension as well. That deal has been threatened by Green and Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury's refusal so far to support BJC's expansion.
In meetings with Black Caucus members before the vote of the Board of Aldermen, BJC and Mayor Francis Slay privately agreed to dole up the annual $1.6 million in general revenue freed up by the new terms of BJC's lease of a portion of city park land in the following manner:
$1.2 million for capital improvements in city parks, with half going to northside parks;
$300,000 for recreational programs for children; and
$100,000 to cover low-income kids' access to fee-based recreational programs.
BJC also agreed to work with the Black Caucus to open a 24-hour emergency/trauma center located in north St. Louis.
The aide said Green supports all of those things, but she would like to see them specifically written into the lease agreement; not just as a non-binding attached letter.
An amendment passed by the Board of Aldermen did include the $400,000 for recreation programs and $1.2 million for park improvements, but it did not specifically say that 50% of the improvement funds were to be spent in northside parks -- a point vital to the agreement.
Green's office has proposed the following language be added to that amendment: "...with at least 50% of the One Million Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200,000) to be spent on parks that are located north of Delmar Boulevard in the City".
Green's continued action on this matter suggests that the deal is not dead yet and, with certain amendments and concessions, may soon come again before the Boards of Aldermen and Estimate & Apportionment.
Click here to view the amendment with Green's new addition.
Click here to read a memo obtained by Pub Def from the mayor's chief staff outlining the agreement between the Black Caucus and BJC.
Click here to view a letter from BJC to the Black Caucus agreeing to develop a 24-hour emergency/trauma center in north St. Louis.
UPDATE @ 6:45 p.m.: According to sources in the Comptroller's office, today's meeting was positive and "there is now light at the end of the tunnel."
"We are closer today than we were a week ago and the Comptroller expects a positive outcome by Friday."
Getting Nasty in the 26th, Election Board May Remove Candidate from Ballot
By Antonio D. French
PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE
With Election Day just two weeks away, things are starting to get heated in the race for 26th Ward alderman. Allegations of criminal records, unpaid taxes, and dirty politics are being thrown around as the two candidates engage in a repeat of their 2003 contest.
It was in their last race that supporters of now-incumbent Frank Williamson first alleged that his opponent, H. Lee Willis, was a convicted felon who has pleaded guilty to passing bad checks, assaulting a police officer, and burglary. Just days before the 2003 primary election, a flier saying as much was distributed throughout the ward, and Williamson went on to defeat Willis by a 32-point margin.
And now, "they're at it again," said Willis.
The same allegations — plus a potentially damaging new one — are again being thrown around in the last few weeks before E-Day. Willis' past run-ins with the law have once again become issues, as well as an issue with taxes that may threaten the validity of Willis' candidacy.
Records provided to Pub Def outline a series of arrests and charges (many of which were quickly dismissed) between 1999 and 2002 and all of which Willis sat down with Pub Def to explain.
The most serious of the charges came from an April 3, 2000 incident in which, as Willis explains, involved a bad check written months before, without his knowledge, by his then-wife.
Willis said a plain-clothed officer came to his door and began questioning his young son without identifying himself. Seeing his son outside talking with a strange man, Willis said he reacted quickly and pulled his son inside. The officer, who still had not identified himself, according to Willis, tried to push his way inside the home. Willis said he pushed back and the next thing he knew the man was telling him he was under arrest for Assaulting a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Arrest.
Willis maintains that he was never convicted and never pleaded guilty to a felony. But records obtained by Pub Def show that he did plead guilty to that bad check-writing incident, a felony, and misdemeanor Assaulting an Officer.
Regardless, Willis says it is in the past and in no way a reflection of his character. He accused his opponent of trying to distract voters from the issues.
"I think that's how they operate," said Willis. "It's just a continuation of the strong-arming [Alderman Williamson] started back in December."
Back in December, Willis alleged that Williamson had contacted several of the business owners in the ward who are supporting the challenger and threatened them. Willis alleges that following his campaign kickoff event at Marion’s St. Louis Rib Co., Williamson "harassed and threatened" proprietor Marion Waters.
Weeks later, before an event scheduled at EklecticDesignz on Delmar, owner Bonita Richardson was quoted in a Willis press release as saying Williamson "both telephoned and came to the salon. Frank was quite forceful in his view that I shouldn't allow Lee Willis to hold his event at my salon."
Williamson denies that ever happened. He also denies having anything to do with putting out the information about Willis' criminal record.
"I think it's just a group of concerned citizens that feel that the voters should know about who they may be voting on," said Williamson.
But Willis isn't buying that. "He's trying to tear down my character and my integrity," he said.
Williamson's supporters are also trying to make Willis' candidacy invalid.
A letter was sent last week to the St. Louis City Election Board claiming that Willis is delinquent in paying his real estate and personal property taxes. That is relevant because a state law says no person's name can appear on the ballot if he or she is in arrears for any unpaid city taxes on the last day to file a declaration of candidacy for the office.
Attached to the letter were records from the Collector of Revenue's office showing that as of February 14, Willis still owed $786.41 in real estate taxes and $59.49 in personal property taxes. Willis confirmed to Pub Def that those taxes are still owed, but he said they will be paid today.
The letter was sent by attorney Darryl Piggee, chief of staff for Congressman Lacy Clay. Clay's uncle, Irving Clay, is the former 26th Ward alderman who, upon retirement, was succeeded by Williamson. The Clays and Williamson are considered political allies.
Mary Wheeler-Jones, the Democratic Director of Elections for the City, tells Pub Def that the matter is on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the Election Commissioners.
Jones said she did not know what action the Commissioners might take on the issue, but it was "not as cut-and-dry as it appears."
State Representative Jamilah Nasheed has requested a legal opinion from the office of Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon regarding the State Board of Education's action last week on St. Louis Public Schools.
In a letter dated Feb 19, Nasheed asks the AG:
Can the State Board of Education terminate the authority of the St. Louis City Board of Education under section 162.1100, RSMo,
(a) even though the State Board of Education decided in 1999 that the transitional school board was no longer needed to oversee the transition from a federal court school desegregation plan,
(b) without obtaining approval by the federal court presiding over the desegregation matter; and
(c) without obligating the state to fund the city schools per the desegregation settlement?
"As a House member from the City of St. Louis," Nasheed writes, "I have 7 city schools in my House district. I am concerned that legislation may be necessary to clarify the relationship between the St. Louis school board, the transitional district board, and a potential special advisory board and to clarify how the St. Louis Public School district can regain local control in the most expeditious manner."
This issue may have special impact on Nixon, who will likely be the Democratic nominee for Governor next year.
If, as expected, a lawsuit is filed to stop the takeover of SLPS. Nixon, as Attorney General, will likely have to defend the State Board of Education's position — putting him at odds with the majority of Democratic elected officials and many of the voters of the heavily Democratic-voting City of St. Louis.
With a fundraiser planned for Thursday, 27th Ward Committeeman Curtis Royston is making it official. He will indeed be seeking term-limited State Rep. Connie Johnson's spot in 2008.
Royston will be joined Thursday by supporters, including Johnson, State Reps. Rodney Hubbard and Talibdin El-Amin, Committeepeople Yaphette El-Amin (1st Ward), Claude Brown (2nd Ward), Johnny Sadler and Lucinda Fraisier (3rd Ward), and Arthur "Chink" Washington (21st Ward) in celebrating his candidacy as well as his 38th Birthday.
Royston is expected to face young Chris Carter, aide to State Sen. Jeff Smith and nephew of 27th Ward Alderman Greg Carter, in the 2008 primary election.
The event is on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at Charlotte's Banquet Hall, 8709 Riverview.
Thank you again for all the words of condolences, cards of sympathy, and general acts of kindness since the passing of my grandmother. My family and I are greatly appreciative — not just of your actions, but of the community we call home. Thank you.
In this week's issue of the St. Louis Business Journal, which includes a long list of the "Most Influential St. Louisans", I am for some reason listed as one of the most "influential" people in media.
"[Antonio] French, the brain and brawn behind PUB DEF Weekly, leads a never-ending town hall meeting at www.pubdef.net, telling residents what they missed while they were too busy to care — or, we hope, just too busy. The blogger has been all over the ongoing tussle involving St. Louis Board of Education President Veronica O'Brien and Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, prompting scores of comments from supporters and opponents of a proposed state takeover of schools. He keeps an eagle eye on the Board of Aldermen too. If anyone understands better than French that the devil's in the details, we have yet to be introduced."
Thank you to the writer of those flattering words. I do wish, however, that I and the thousands of people who clearly expressed their opposition to a state takeover, including nearly every state legislator from the City, did have more influence over those outside people that clearly have more power over our city than we do.
Other "influential" media people on the list were: Kevin Mowbray, the publisher of the "once-admired" (that's according to the Biz Journal) Post-Dispatch; Donald Suggs, publisher of the "once admired" (that's according to me) St. Louis American; TV station managers Lynn Beall (KSDK), Allan Cohen (KMOV), and Spencer Koch (KTVI); radio station manager Tim Dorsey (KTRS); radio host and Donnybrooker Charlie Brennan and fellow KMOXer Dave Simmons; and my fellow bloggers, John Combest and Dave Drebes. Meanwhile, our blogger buddy Steve Patterson is listed among the region's "Influential Steves".
The wake for my grandmother, 21st Ward Committeewoman Myrtle French, is tonight from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Randall and Sons Funeral Home, 4600 Natural Bridge Ave. The funeral services will be tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., also at Randall.
Myrtle L. French, longtime community organizer and Democratic Committeewoman of the 21st Ward, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2007 at the age of 79.
Her strength, charm, determination, wisdom, and laughter will be deeply missed by son Fernandel French; grandchildren Antonio D. French, Diane F. Donaldson, and Deon F. Donaldson; sister Mildred Phipps and her husband, Robert, and children; sister Barbara Gess and her husband, Col. William Gess, and children and grandchildren; niece Shirley Spencer and children and grandchildren; nephew Jimmy Williams and children; many other relatives around the country, and countless neighbors and friends.
Myrtle Long was born August 31, 1927, the eldest of four daughters to James and Mary Long. A devoted mother and housewife for many years, she began in politics alongside then-husband, R.C. French, as an organizer in the 1960s in the old 20th Ward working with Committeeman Leroy Tyus and Committeewoman Geneva Wright.
In the 1970s, she moved into the 21st Ward and became a close ally of State Representative Russell Goward and Committeewoman Jackie Butler.
She diligently served the City of St. Louis as a Deputy Sheriff from November 1983 to retirement in March 1994.
After the tragic death of her daughter, Diane, in January 1990, Myrtle became legal guardian of her grandson, Antonio.
After decades of working to get others elected to public office, in August 1996 Myrtle was elected 21st Ward Committeewoman, an office in which she took great pride and served honorably, and was re-elected by the people of her ward ever since.
Opponents of the takeover approved today by the State Board of Education still have cause for hope.
Officials in St. Louis Public Schools are still fighting for the provisional accreditation status that would stop these outside efforts to single out the City's public schools among the many other underperforming districts in the region and across the state.
In order for a school district to be fully accredited, it must meet nine of 14 standards set by the state Board of Education. To be provisionally accredited, as SLPS has been for several years, it must meet six of those standards. The state announced a few weeks ago, that SLPS had so far met only five.
Today's action by the State Board, which occurred despite very little local support, is based on the district losing its accreditation. Later this month, DESE will determine if that is indeed the case.
Dr. Martin said that SLPS has evidence that the district has met the sixth standard, a measure of the percentage of high school graduates that go on to college.
Martin said the district contracted with a private firm, for a fee of just $450 per high school, which tracked down recent graduates and confirmed their enrollment in institutes of higher learning.
It is now up to the state board to accept this new data, or instead ignore it and move on with stripping the district of its provisional accreditation.
That "makes all the difference in the world," said Martin.
If SLPS does maintain its provisional accreditation status, the 3-member "transitional board" will instead be an "advisory board". A decision on accreditation may be made as soon as February 28.
Meanwhile, Pub Def has learned that at least one state legislator is beginning work on legislation to change the statute that would allow the State to uniquely intervene in St. Louis City's school district.
"I am extremely disappointed with the action taken today by the State Board of Education. As evidenced by the overwhelming representation by St. Louis residents, we are very interested in maintaining our representative democracy to run our schools. The board's decision takes a big step toward silencing the public with respect to how their schools are administered.
Furthermore, the decision also emboldens critics of our public schools who have a pro-voucher agenda. The vote by the State Board of Education did nothing to improve academics this year in the St. Louis Public Schools."
From Mayor Francis Slay:
"Today, the Missouri Board of Education took an important step towards joining education officials in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia in looking for a better way to administer a failing urban school district.
Over the past 20 years, the St. Louis public school district has failed students, employees, regional employers, and City taxpayers alike. So, I welcome and support today’s decision by the state Board of Education to relieve the district’s hopelessly dysfunctional school board of its duties.
Half the kids who start in the St. Louis public schools do not graduate. Many of those who do graduate don’t have the skills to go to college or get a good job. Only one in ten high school kids can do math at grade. Only one-third of third graders can read at grade level. Almost a third of third graders cannot read at all.
Some people will complain about the state Board’s action regarding an elected school board. The fact is that many City parents have voted with their feet. Thousands of families have left the City for better public schools elsewhere. In the 1970s, this district had more than 100,000 kids. Today, the district enrolls fewer than 33,000 students. And far fewer attend on any given school day.
I have three hopes for the St. Louis public schools: a smooth transition into its interim new governance; a steady improvement in student achievement; and some common efforts over the next few years by both the supporters and opponents of the interim system to identify a better permanent way to administer a public school district."
From Governor Matt Blunt:
"Education is my highest priority as Missouri's governor. As I have said from the beginning, I am willing to work with anybody who cares about our children. To me, when it comes to ensuring our children have access to the world class education they deserve, no option is off the table.
The State Board of Education’s action today, to pursue the option of forming a transitional school district, is a step forward for the students who for too long have been denied even a basic education.
There is still much to be done. I hope current district leaders put their students’ best interests first and work with the State Board of Education to provide a stable and productive learning environment for the remainder of the year and to facilitate a positive change for years to come."
From State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed:
"A state takeover is not the solution to the problems plaguing the St. Louis Public School system. At a recent public hearing in St. Louis attended by more than 1,200 people, the opposition to a takeover was overwhelming. With its action today, the State Board of Education has ignored the voices of district residents and taxpayers.
It is true the St. Louis Public Schools are broken and need fixing. However, I can't see how replacing a seven-member board with three-member board solves the problem and improves student achievement. I urge the State Board of Education to back away from taking the final steps toward a takeover. If it fails to do so, I will work in the General Assembly to repeal the state law that currently permits this drastic action."
Sources close to the situation say that in a few minutes the State Board of Education will indeed put in place a "transitional board" to run St. Louis Public Schools with the three members (selected by the Governor, the Mayor, and the Aldermanic President) to be announced in 30 days.
Before the State Board of Education considers action this week with the administration of the St. Louis Public School District, Senate Minority Floor Leader Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, and Sens. Harry Kennedy and Jeff Smith sent a letter to members of the state board and the Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Kent King urging them to consider four points before deciding the future of the local school district.
The Senators noted the absence of a state board member from St. Louis, despite the fact that St. Louis Public Schools is the largest school district in the state.
"This lack of representation prevents the board from being privy to local points of view," Coleman said. "How can important education decisions about the St. Louis Public Schools be fairly made when there is not representation on the state board from the area?"
Furthermore, the lawmakers drew attention to the fact that the originally scheduled review for the St. Louis Public Schools had been set for 2008, but the review clearly is now being fast-tracked.
"Unfortunately, the state board has been forced into action by the pro-voucher, anti-public-education politicians who are essentially browbeating state board members to the point we have reached today," Coleman said.
The timing of the state board's action is causing a third concern for area lawmakers. St. Louis voters are just six weeks away from a local school board election during which voters will elect two more district residents to have a say in the fate of St. Louis schools.
Coleman said the addition of community stakeholders should provide the stability their district needs.
"A transitional board implemented by the state board denies the people of St. Louis their constitutionally granted voice in their own schools," she said.
Although Coleman agrees that more focused efforts are necessary in order to provide the struggling local school district with a way out of its academic crisis, she is against what seems to be an unnecessarily hasty attempt to solve the problem.
Coleman said that the district, under the leadership of Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, has clear near-term goals and is working towards those goals with the help of several stakeholders in the district.
"Our final point is that if the board decides tomorrow that the state will indeed take over the St. Louis Public School District, there will not be any appreciative effect on academics during this school year," Coleman said.
"For this reason, I, along with my St. Louis counterparts, see no reason to rush forward with a plan that may or may not have positive results. Ultimately, we all want what is best for our school children, but at this time, we do not know whether a state takeover will do anything of the sort."
In the concluding paragraph of the letter, Coleman, Kennedy and Smith called on the State Board of Education to postpone their decision and instead give the St. Louis Public School District the chance to improve itself with the upcoming school board election and the fulfillment of the superintendent's goals.
As the State Board of Education prepares to meet Thursday, Feb. 15, to consider establishing a three-person appointed "transitional" board to run St. Louis Public Schools, it appears that most legislators from the City are clearly against the idea.
Here's how the St. Louis delegation stands on implementing the Danforth-Freeman Committee's recommendations at this time:
State Senators Maida Coleman - Against Jeff Smith - UndecidedAgainst Harry Kennedy - Against
State Representatives Talibdin El-Amin - Against Rodney Hubbard - For Jeanette Mott Oxford - Against Jamilah Nasheed - Against Connie Johnson - Undecided Robin Wright-Jones - Against Rachel Storch - Against Fred Kratky - Undecided/Leaning Against Michael Vogt* - For/Prefers Mayoral Control Michael Daus - Against Thomas Villa* - Against
The State Board will be meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday in Jefferson City at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, 415 W. McCarty Street.
*District includes parts of St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis
Due to the icy weather, St. Louis Public Schools officials say that all city schools will be closing early today.
Those schools that started at 7:20 a.m. will be dismissed today at 11:00 a.m.; those that started at 8:15 a.m. will be dismissed at noon; and those that started at 9:10 a.m. will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.
All after school activities are cancelled. No word yet on tonight's school board meeting.
UPDATE: Tonight's school board meeting has been cancelled.
BILL INTRODUCED TO RETURN LOCAL CONTROL OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Monday, February 12, 2007 at 5:42 PM
State Senator Maida Coleman and State Representative Robin Wright-Jones have introduced legislation that would return control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to the people of the City of St. Louis, ending nearly 150 years of state control.
"We think the local representative democracy, the Board of Alderman, should decide how the police department should be managed," said Coleman in a press release today. "St. Louis would be one of the last cities to return to local control of the police department of the cities where the state took control of the police during the Civil War era."
During the early days of the Civil War, the State of Missouri, like many other states, took control of its major city's police department. By the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, local control of police departments returned to most cities like Baltimore, Atlanta, and others, but the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department remains governed by a board appointed by the Governor to this day, just as when the state took control in 1861.
Senate Bill 486, proposed by Coleman and Wright-Jones, gives authority to create a police department to the St. Louis Board of Alderman. It would be up to the Board of Alderman to decide how the police department is managed. The legislation also preserves the salary and rank structure of the current police department to ensure a smooth transition.
"There is no reason why people from Joplin to St. Joseph have a say in how we run our police department," said Wright-Jones.
Brandon Davis, former political director for Senator Claire McCaskill, has been hired to serve in the same position for the SEIU MO/KS State Council. Davis had for weeks been lobbying to become the new executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party.
It had been rumored that former Gov. Roger Wilson's sudden departure as chairman of the Party stemmed from his strong objection to hiring Davis.
The press release:
"We are thrilled to have Brandon part of our political program," said Sherwin Carroll, President of the SEIU MO/KS State Council. "Our union and our members understand the need to have a strong political program and plan, and Brandon can help us build that."
Mr. Davis most recently worked for the Claire McCaskill Senate campaign as Political Director and played a key role in her successful election.
"Brandon will be joining SEIU State Council Executive Director Lenny Jones, giving us a powerful team as we move into the next election cycle," said Mr. Carroll.
SEIU played a major role in passing Proposition B, which raised the minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. Besides monetary contributions to the effort, Lenny Jones was the campaign manager and SEIU staff Sara Howard was communications director. An additional 35 members worked full time on the campaign in the final nine weeks.
SEIU is the fastest growing union in the country, and one of the nation's most influential political operations. In Missouri, SEIU represents thousands of janitors, nursing home workers, factory workers, municipal, state, and school workers.
From reporter Dave Helling's story in Sunday's Kansas City Star:
Antonio French's St. Louis-based Web site, www.pubdef.net, is one of the best-known and most frequently viewed political Web sites in Missouri. French shoots, edits and posts dozens of videos of candidates and officeholders each week — often catching them in embarrassing situations that provide fodder for their opponents.
"I think video and blogs have introduced the 24-hour news cycle to local politics," French said. "That’s good for the public, but possibly bad for the politicians who don’t think before they speak." Last year, French shot video that became an issue in the Claire McCaskill-Jim Talent campaign.
I'm scheduled to be a guest on "Collateral Damage" tonight with hosts D.J. Wilson and Fred Hessel and Steve Patterson of Urban Review STL. The show starts at 7:00 and can be heard on KDHX 88.1 FM or online at www.kdhx.org.
Topics likely to be discussed: Darlene Green and Jim Shrewsbury killing the BJC expansion deal, the race for Aldermanic President, and will there be a takeover of SLPS?
Take a ride with Umar Lee, a local white Muslim cab driver/philosopher/writer...
Umar is a frequent contributor to the Arch City Chronicle. Check out his blog at www.umarlee.blogspot.com and click here to watch Part 1 of "Cabbie Tales".
Freshman State Rep. Talibdin El-Amin has a knack for introducing headline-grabbing legislation that gets people talking.
One month after introducing a bill to strip steroids-linked slugger Mark McGwire's name off a stretch of Interstate 70 which runs through north St. Louis, El-Amin has now sponsored a bill to have the State of Missouri formally apologize for enslaving blacks in the state for more than 140 years.
House Resolution 26 outlines the state's history of slavery, beginning in the year 1720 when "Philippe Francois Renault introduced Negro slavery to Missouri when he brought 500 Negroes with him from Santa Domingo to work the lead mines in the Des Peres River section of what is now St. Louis and Jefferson Counties".
The timing of the bill coincides with next month's 150th anniversary of the historic Dred Scott decision, in which the United States Supreme Court declared that all blacks -- slave as well as free -- were not and could never become American citizens.
"Why apologize after these 142 years? Because we haven’t apologized in 142 years," El-Amin told the AP.
El-Amin is also sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation to repeal the death penalty, make it illegal to driving while using a cell phone, prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol in the State Capitol or on the State Capitol grounds.
This reporter joined many others in a collective "WTF?!" when he read in the current issue of the St. Louis American that the Organization for Black Struggle had endorsed incumbent Jim Shrewsbury (who is white) over challenger Lewis Reed (who is black) in next month's President of the Board of Aldermen race.
Well, turns out, the authors of the American's "Political Eye" column have once again gotten their facts wrong.
In an open letter to the American's publisher, Donald Suggs, and the paper's editor, Chris King, OBS spokesperson Kalimu Endesha wrote:
"In the most recent Political Eye, the St. Louis American saw fit to engage in the kind of reckless journalism and scurrilous name-calling it often accuses others of when they disagree with the newspaper or its publisher." "With no documentation and no follow up to confirm its story, the American reported that the Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) had endorsed James Shrewsbury in his re-election bid for President of the Board of Alderman. This is an absolute lie!" "On behalf of our members and our many supporters, we demand a written and public apology for your malicious attack." "To erroneously report on an endorsement is one thing. However, to use that as a basis for attacking our history and credibility is quite another. The scandalous attack on the reputation of the Organization for Black Struggle was totally unfounded and to use the American's own words, 'reactionary'. There was only one half of one sentence in the whole piece that was accurate and that is OBS 'began its existence as a radical revolutionary group'." "OBS has worked tirelessly in the interest of the African-American community for 27 years. There are no back-room deals or under-the-table payoffs in our history. Our operations are transparent and our integrity has endured the test of time." "We have participated in the advancement of black political power for many years and in that process endorsed many candidates. OBS has never, ever endorsed a white candidate over an African-American candidate. This is more than can be said of the St. Louis American."
Also... State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, who is also mentioned in the American's story, tells Pub Def that her position was also misrepresented. She has "absolutely not" endorsed Shrewsbury.
House Speaker Rod Jetton last week appointed St. Louis Democrat State Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford to serve as the ranking minority party member on the House Special Committee on Energy and Environment, which handles bills relating to sustainable energy sources in Missouri and their impact on the environment.
"It is crucial that we become less dependent on fossil fuels for the sake of both homeland security and addressing global warming," said Oxford in a press release. "Our committee will tackle the diverse needs of urban, suburban, and rural Missourians, with a goal of protecting the environment and promoting a vibrant economy."
Oxford also will serve on the House Ethics Committee and the House Special Committee on Family Services.
Former St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Creg Williams has withdrawn his name from consideration for the top spot in the Toledo School District because he is a finalist for another superintendent job, possibly in Maryland.
Statement from Lt. Governor Peter Kinder regarding the passing of former Lt. Governor Harriett Woods...
"Harriet Woods was a pioneer in Missouri and national politics, and her impact upon the lives of Missourians will be felt and remembered for many years to come. I urge us all to celebrate the life of Harriet Woods, for a life well lived."
Harriett Friedman Woods (born June 2, 1927) is an American politician and activist, a two-time Democratic nominee for the United States Senate from Missouri, and a former Lieutenant Governor of the state of Missouri.
Woods was born Harriett Friedman, in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her BA degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan. She married Jim Woods on January 2, 1953. Before beginning her career in politics, Woods worked as a journalist and TV producer. Her political career began as a member of the University City Council in 1962, where she served for eight years. Woods was elected to the Missouri State Senate in 1976 and was re-elected in 1980. In 1982, she made a strong bid for the US Senate, running against incumbent Republican John Danforth. Aided by a strong grassroots base that rallied under the slogan, "Give them hell, Harriett!" (a play on a similar slogan used by supporters of another Missourian, Harry Truman), Woods built up a political presence in the state. Danforth defeated Woods by a margin of less than two percent. Some have argued that the deciding margin in the campaign was Woods strong support for abortion rights in a state where rural voters generally oppose abortion.
Two years later, Woods ran for the office of Lieutenant Governor. Her name recognition from the Senate race gave her a significant advantage. She succeeded in her bid, even as voters elected the deeply conservative John Ashcroft as Governor and as President Ronald Reagan carried Missouri on his way to a 49-state re-election victory. Woods was the first woman elected to statewide office in Missouri.
In 1986, she once again was chosen as the Democratic nominee for the Senate, this time running against former Governor Kit Bond for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Thomas Eagleton. In another tight race, Woods lost by a five-point margin. She served as Lieutenant Governor until 1989.
Since her retirement, she has remained prominent, especially as an activist for women in politics. From 1991-1995 she was president of the National Women's Political Caucus. In 1999 she was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. In January 2001 she joined other Missouri Democrats to oppose the nomination of John Ashcroft for U.S. Attorney General.
State Rep. Connie Johnson will be hosting a public forum to encourage open dialog with the Police Board on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in the auditorium of Northwest High School, 5140 Riverview Blvd.
The Forum will be co-hosted by the Northside Neighborhood Action Association, Area F Neighborhood Counsel, the Organization for Black Struggle, and the Urban Progressive Caucus.
This is the first of several forums being conducted by the Board of Police Commissioners; however this forum will focus specifically on the activity that has occurred in the Walnut Park and the Mark Twain Neighborhoods.
Walnut Park and Mark Twain are part of the 6th Police District where two new appointments have been made. Alfred Adkins is the new Major for North Patrol and Dan Isom is the new Captain. Both Akins and Isom, who are residents of the district, have previously worked in the District and will be in attendance at the forum.
Comptroller Darlene Green, nor Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury, would second Mayor Francis Slay's motion today to approve the lease agreement that would have allowed BJC Hospital to expand into a small portion of Forest Park on which it already operates a parking garage.
Green and Shrewsbury's silence came just minutes ago at a morning meeting of the three-member Board of Estimate and Apportionment.
Some aldermen are worried that some pretty big things will be happening a little too fast today at City Hall.
Hearings, introductions of bill substitutes, aand last-minute wheeling and dealing are all on the agenda as the full Board of Aldermen, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee, and the Public Utilities Committee all meet Wednesday morning.
The big items of discussion are the BJC/Park lease agreement, the new Ballpark Village plan, and a Wi-FI access agreement between the City and AT&T.
All three of these plans are long and complicated and more than one alderman has told Pub Def that they don't see how anyone can make an informed, independent decision without time to read all the bills and agreements.
The BJC/Park lease agreement has been presented several times and is basically in the hands of Comptroller Darlene Green. The comptroller told Pub Def last week that her office has been trying to negotiate an agreement between the hospital and park advocates. Green nor her aides are showing any cards yet on how she'll vote today.
The Ballpark Village plan has undergone quite a few changes, we are told. Most of which many aldermen, specifically members of the Black Caucus, are not fully briefed on. Said one northside alderman, "I'm still waiting to see how it helps my community."
There are also concerns about the proposed citywide Wi-Fi agreement. Among them are the concern about the timetable by which different parts of the city will go online, and the specific terms of the agreement, which is not available online and, we are told, permits only non-binding arbitration as the city's only means to clarify some of the finer points of the deal.
6th Ward Candidates on Reducing the Size of the Board of Aldermen
By Antonio D. French
The three candidates vying to be the next alderman from the 6th Ward met last night for a debate hosted by the Downtown Residents' Association and the League of Women Voters.
Candidates Patrick Cacchione, Christian Saller and Kacie Starr Triplett were asked for their opinions on a wide range of topics. Throughout the day, we'll post videos of some of their answers.
A special meeting of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment has been scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in City Hall Room 200. The meeting agenda has not yet been posted, but will be sometime this morning.
The three-member Board of E&A is made up of the mayor, the comptroller and the president of the Board of Aldermen.
6th Ward Alderman candidate Kacie Starr Triplett has posted a new web commercial on her campaign website. The spot, produced by A.D. French & Associates, highlights Triplett's campaign pledge to be the most accessible and responsive alderman at city hall.
All three candidates have been invited to a debate tonight at 7:00 at the Central Library, 1301 Olive St., hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Downtown Residents Association.
On Friday the Board of Aldermen passed a bill that seeks to make it harder for brick thieves in the city.
Calling St. Louis the "Used Brick Capital of the World", Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr., the bill's sponsor, said that "brick rustlers" are more than a nuisance, but also a danger to themselves and others. He told the story of man, apparently a "brick rustler", who was recently discovered by a group of children pinned under a pile of bricks that was once one of the strong red structures St. Louis is known for.
Bosley said new homes being built across the country are often built with bricks from St. Louis. The used bricks, which Bosley said sell for as much as 50 cents each, are taken -- legally and illegally -- from the deteriorating housing stock in the city. These old houses are often replaced with new homes covered in vinyl siding and far inferior in quality, said the alderman.
"These new houses you can kick your foot through the walls until they put on that brick veneer," said Bosley. "But if you kick one of these old brick homes, you better call an ambulance first."
Board Bill 311 requires every person engaged in the sale or purchase of bricks to have a valid city business license and a permit issued by the Director of Public Safety that is not more than 90 days old.
The editorial board of the Post-Dispatch told its urban readers yesterday that they don't give a damn about what they think about the future of their public schools — and neither should the state.
"Let's get real," said the editors condescendingly. The editorial says that sure, at the first and only opportunity the public has had to let its feelings be heard about this matter, hundreds of people showed up to clearly, and often very articulately, express their opposition. But what do they know?
The Post says the public should not trust in the ability of the current superintendent, Dr. Diana Bourisaw, but rather in the wisdom of Mayor Francis Slay (who brought us such figures as Veronica O'Brien and Dr. William Kincaid) and the sensitivity of Gov. Matt Blunt (who's said that nobody in their right mind would live in St. Louis City).
The Post says the parents, voters and taxpayers of the City should trust that what is being threatened will only be "temporary" and in ten years the politicians will give us our rights back. Kind of like state control of our police department was just a temporary action when the nation was gripped in civil conflict.
The Postjoins its partner the American in asking the public to have faith in something for which their is no proof; that the State of Missouri or any three people it empowers can do what has, so far, been very difficult for us to do locally: get parents, teachers, school board members, political leaders, civic leaders, the business community, the general public, and the media to focus on the needs of young people in the City of St. Louis and help them, in all parts of their lives, prepare for a better future.
Just one problem: There's nothing about how to do that in the Danforth-Freeman report. A takeover in no way guarantees success. In fact, no plan at all has been presented on how the state plans to improve the district. But Dr. Bourisaw has.
And the reality that DESE, the Danforth-Freeman committee, the Post-Dispatch, and the American never seem to acknowledge is that SLPS is just recovering from one takeover. From 2003 to 2006, the district was under the de facto authority of the mayor's office. And during that time, things got worse.
During the same period, the Wellston school district was under the authority of DESE and the Governor's office. And things got worse.
So what now, by bringing these two failures of leadership together, are the people and parents of St. Louis promised in exchange for turning over their power, tax dollars and children?
And as one speaker at last week's public forum asked so appropriately: If ten years from now we find ourselves in the very likely situation of having a failing, state-operated school district, then what? Will they hand it back to the voters? What is the exit strategy?
There are few times in history that power is given up and given back without a fight. The editors at the Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis American must excuse us if we don't share in their faith in the abilities or promises of politicians.
It is up to the people and parents of the City of St. Louis to make right our own house. The state can aid in that by: better funding public education across the state, passing Sen. Maida Coleman's bill to allow for the recall of school board members, and respecting the rights of the citizens of this city as you do those of people elsewhere in this state by allowing our vote to mean something on April 3, 2007.
State Senator Harry Kennedy has joined State Senator Maida Coleman in opposition to a takeover of St. Louis Public Schools.
In a letter written to Education Commissioner Kent King, Kennedy says, "I am writing to you to place in record my opposition to the possible vote eliminating the accreditation of the St. Louis Public Schools by the Missouri State Board of Education. Loss of accreditation could then lead to a complete takeover of the St. Louis Public Schools by a transitional board under the authority of the desegregation statute. I believe an extension of provisional accreditation is the answer everyone is seeking to most favorably influence the successful operation of the St. Louis City public schools."
Kennedy goes on to say that an extension of provisional accreditation would allow the State Board of Education to be on record that the St. Louis Public School system is operating below standard.
"Extending provisional accreditation would allow DESE the ability to officially monitor and advise the current elected school board and superintendent. Assistance we all agree this board desperately needs," said Kennedy.
Kennedy, whose district is made of parts of St. Louis City and St. Louis County, joins Sen. Coleman in opposition to the takeover which is being pushed by Mayor Francis Slay and School Board President Veronica O'Brien.
"Immediate intervention of the state, without exploring every option available to local authorities could undermine and delay future success," said Kennedy.
Sources tell PubDef that the director of the city's health department has resigned four weeks after reportedly making racial jokes and using slurs in a meeting.
Dr. William L. Kincaid came under fire this morning on the "Wake Up Call" radio show when host Lizz Brown and guest Irene J. Smith reported that Kincaid, who is white, said that "the only people that drink Kool-Aid are niggers..."
The incident reportedly happened nearly a month ago and was apparently verified by the office of Mayor Francis Slay. Brown and Smith said they were appalled to hear that the mayor thought the incident only warranted a one-week suspension and not termination.
Brown asked her listeners to call the mayor's office to demand Kincaid's firing. She tells PubDef that her loyal listeners did indeed flood Slay's office today with calls demanding he take the incident more seriously. Hours later came word of Kincaid's resignation.
PubDef has also learned that members of the Aldermanic Black Caucus had also begun organizing to demand Kincaid be fired.
ST. LOUIS – Following a Governor’s Summit today with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt invited Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to St. Louis for a discussion on issues of regional concern, including the Mississippi River Bridge.
"By working together in an open and constructive manner we can address issues and identify solutions that will benefit both states," Gov. Blunt said. "It is my hope that this meeting will serve as a launching point for ongoing discussions that will lead to greater economic opportunities and job creation for the St. Louis metropolitan area."
In a letter, Blunt invited Blagojevich to a meeting in St. Louis with business and community leaders from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, the Regional Business Council and Civic Progress. Blunt proposes opening a new dialogue on potential solutions for a new Mississippi River Bridge and efforts to make the bi-state region a leader in the research and production of renewable fuels.
Blunt hopes the meeting will benefit both states as the two governors work together to capitalize on the bi-state regions’ assets and attract more quality, family supporting jobs to the area.
Earlier today, Gov. Blunt and Gov. Sebelius hosted the second annual Governors' Summit on Regional Economic Development in Kansas City to discuss economic development and education initiatives.
Superintendent Diana Bourisaw appeared on the Tony Scott radio show this morning on 104.9 FM. The interview was broadcasted live from Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, in north St. Louis, where board member Flint Fowler serves as executive director.
Answering a question about the roots of the her well-publicized relationship with School Board President Veronica O'Brien, Bourisaw said she takes direction for the school board, not individual members. She said the majority of the school board (Fowler, Downs, Jones, and Purdy) have demonstrated that they do want to work as a cohesive group. She said that may be even more the case after April's election.
The superintendent, who marking her 6th month on the job, says great things are happening in the city's public schools. She mentioned a SLPS student who was recently accepted to Harvard University and a new $20 million initiative to provide college scholarships for new graduates.
For the benefit of the general public and the members of the State Board of Education, PubDef.TV has been updated with videos from Tuesday's hearing on the future of St. Louis Public Schools.
Thanks to the engineers at Google and Blogger, PubDef now has labels!
From now on, each post will be categorized for easy reference. Just click on the label (such as "schools") and all the stories related to that topic will come up on one page.
Now, we've got hundreds and hundreds of old posts to go through, so give us a while to label all the old stuff. But all new posts will be labeled.
Bill Haas, who currently has his name listed as a candidate for two different offices, is looking to simplify things a bit.
Haas says he'll be at the Board of Elections this morning to prepare the paperwork needed to get a judge to remove his name from the April school board ballot.
He says he now supports the two candidates endorsed by the teachers union and he will focus his attention on his campaign for alderman of the 18th Ward.
Last week we reported that the St. Louis Teachers Union Local 420 has endorsed Katherine Wessling and David Lee Jackson, Jr. for the two open seats on the school board.
Haas is running against 18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy in the March primary.
Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed businessman Vince J. Bommarito to the St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners.
According to the bio attached to the Governor's announcement, Bommarito is 75 years-old and the CEO of Tony's Restaurant, Inc. and a partner at America’s Center Catering Bommarito is also a member of the RCGA and the Downtown St. Louis Partnership.
Bommarito's appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Jan. 31, 2011. He replaces Michael Quinn whose term expired.
