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Harris to Treat Aldermen

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, October 19, 2007 at 7:40 AM

Everyone knows the way to an alderman's heart is through their stomach. So when the city's legislative body meets this morning, breakfast will be provided by none other than Attorney General candidate Jeff Harris.

If he follows the usual menu, Harris, a Democratic state representative from Columbia, will be wining and dining aldermen, reporters and visitors on a spread of coffee (caff and decaf) and donuts. Or if he really splurges, bagels and pastries from the St. Louis Bread Company.

UPDATE: He splurged. Bagels, coffee — and orange juice! — from Bread Co.

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Is an Alderman on the Take? (Gasp!)

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, September 14, 2007 at 6:00 AM

Last night Channel 5 reporter Mike Owens did a story on a shady real estate man who sold a couple a home that he apparently no longer owned. The real owner is evicting the "buyers" and the shady salesman is ducking the law and TV cameras.

It was a pretty good story. But more interesting than the story itself was the teaser at the end.

"Tomorrow night, more on Furqan and we'll hear a tape of him saying he makes regular payments of cash to the local alderman, a charge the alderman denies."



Hmmmmmm. Who could it be?

Considering the reporter is married to 28th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson, we can pretty much rule her out.

According to clues from Owen's report, the property Wali Furqan sold the couple is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of the 3rd Ward, represented by longtime alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr.

Whoever it is (and we really can't wait to find out who), as the KSDK report stated, he (or she) completely denies the charge.

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Eastern Starr

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 8:18 AM

Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett is heading east. Far East.

Starr has been invited to represent the United States on an international exchange program to Vietnam. The American Council of Young Political Leaders selected Triplett after receiving her nomination from Congressman Russ Carnahan, her former boss.

"I am excited and humbled to be part of this valuable program," Triplett said. "I look forward to forging lasting relationships with other young leaders from the United States and Vietnam."

Triplett will be part of a seven-member delegation that will travel throughout Vietnam from October 12-26. The delegates will meet with national, regional and local political officials, business and civic leaders.

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VIDEO: Alderman Troupe Sued

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 10:20 PM

It has not been a good week for 1st Ward Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe.

Channel 4 reports that Troupe, who owns numerous residential properties, is being sued by a family who rents from him after a one-year-old girl fell out of a second story window which reportedly did not have a screen installed.

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VIDEO: The "Real" Swearing-In

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 5:29 PM

Here's video of the swearing-in before the swearing-in.

Little did you know that the swearing-in you see on television is really just ceremonial. The real swearing-in of city officials happens minutes (and sometimes days) before in a smaller, far less crowded place. Today that place was Room 208 (The Kennedy Room) in City Hall.

Immediately following the real swearing-in, performed by City Register Parrie May, the new officials sign the city's official record, making them honest to God elected officials of the City of St. Louis.



Check back later for video of the much more elaborate swearing-in ceremony that took place on the floor of the Board of Aldermen.

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New Tax to Support Band?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, January 29, 2007 at 9:41 AM

Tom Weber of KWMU reports that 8th Ward Alderman Steve Conway has introduced a bill (Board Bill #372) that would raise taxes to pay for a city band.

From the bill: "Under and by the authority of Section 71.640 RSMo., there is hereby imposed a City band levy at the rate of 2 mil per One Dollar of assessed valuation for the purpose of supporting a municipal band."

Word is that Conway, who is currently running unopposed, will not be seeking another term after this one.

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Kennedy to Open Headquarters

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 11:40 AM

Word is that 18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy will be opening his campaign headquarters next week at 4618 Delmar.

Kennedy is being challenged by Bill Haas, who at the same time is running for a seat on the school board.

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BJC/Park Deal Vote

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, January 26, 2007 at 3:58 PM

The vote today on the perfection of the Barnes-Forest Park Lease deal was 22-2.

President Shrewsbury and 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd were the only votes against.

We haven't gotten the official vote yet, but according the President's office, Aldermen Florida, Kennedy, McMillan (who's vacated his seat for higher office), Troupe, and Williamson were not present at the time of the vote.

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BJC/Park Deal Opponents Say Wait

By Antonio D. French



Board Bill 376, the controversial BJC/Park deal, moved closer to passage by the Board of Aldermen today. Earlier this week, opponents of the deal had a chance to voice their concerns to the aldermanic Parks Committee.

Carla Scissors-Cohen spoke on behalf of the group Citizens to Protect Forest Park. She asked the aldermen to delay acting on this bill until after the voters get a chance to vote on the City Park Protection Initiative, which would amend the charter to require voter approval for any sale or lease of city park land.

Click here to view video of the bill's supporters.

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Park Deal Passes Another Hurdle

By Antonio D. French



Board Bill 376, the controversial BJC/Park deal, moved closer to passage by the Board of Aldermen today. But a veto by the three-member Board of Estimate and Apportionment still looms.

Where E&A's members stand:
Mayor Francis Slay is in support of he deal, Board President Jim Shrewsbury says he'll vote against it, and Comptroller Darlene Green, who's consistently been critical of the deal, keeps her cards close to the vest.

Click here to view video of the bill's opponents.

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at 11:01 AM

political briefsSECOND ONLY TO DETROIT -- According to the latest government statistics, the St. Louis metropolitan area lost 3,300 jobs over a recent yearlong period -- the worst in the nation, save Detroit. (What is it about St. Louis and Detroit? First crime, now job loss. Talk about a race to the bottom.)

The report, which examined 367 metropolitan areas, showed Detroit and the St. Louis area (which includes suburbs in Missouri and Illinois) as the worst of 60 metro areas that saw decreases. Detroit was by far the worst with over 26,000 people losing their jobs.

According to the AP, Mayor Francis Slay's office had a positive spin.

"We don't have the city numbers yet but our earnings tax withholdings went up by 4 percent last year, which was an increase over the previous few years," Slay spokesman Ed Rhode told the AP. "Based on that we think the city's economy is improving."

political briefsREED GETS THE 15th -- Both candidates for President of the Board of Aldermen appeared last night at a forum hosted by the 15th Ward Democrats (check back later for exclusive video). Afterwards, the ward members voted by secret ballot to endorse challenger Lewis Reed over incumbent Jim Shrewsbury.

15th Ward Ald. Jennifer Florida, a Reed supporter, was unable to attend the meeting because of a family emergency (Our thoughts go out to her and her family).

political briefs"CASH"-CHIONE -- Patrick Cacchione, candidate for 6th Ward Alderman, has given some cash to help with the cost of a study aimed at getting a new grocery store in his ward.

According to his press release, Cachione donated "10 percent of the cost" of the population density and demographic study to the Gate
District East Neighborhood Association in an effort to bring in a major grocer to the vacant Foodland Grocery site on 1605 S. Jefferson Ave.

That 10% works out to about 100 bucks.

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VIDEO: Aldermanic President Candidates

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 10:59 AM

The two candidates (so far; filing closes Friday) for President of the Board of Aldermen, incumbent Jim Shrewsbury and challenger Lewis Reed**, both appeared at a forum last night hosted by the Gate District Neighborhood Association in Reed's 6th Ward.



All three candidates for 6th Ward alderman -- Kacie Starr Triplett**, Patrick Cacchione and Christian Saller -- also spoke at the forum.

**Clients of A.D. French & Associates

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VIDEO: Craig Schmid Can Blow!

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 10:36 AM

Alderman Craig Schmid surprised many of his colleagues yesterday with his little known musical ability.

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McMillan Hands Out $600K in Grants

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 7:00 AM

In one of his last acts as an alderman, License Collector-elect Mike McMillan announced Wednesday over $600,000 in grants for local organizations and businesses.

"The wide variety of projects funded by these grants will benefit many programs and many people, improving nearly every aspect of our community," said the 19th Ward alderman.

"We've seen clear evidence of how these types of funds have helped create new opportunities for success in St. Louis. Through a lot of hard work by many people, we are making significant progress in revitalizing St. Louis and these grants will help to further advance that effort."



Not all of the organizations which received fund were from the 19th Ward. McMillan said that through an agreement between members of the Legislative Black Caucus, grant money is sometimes pooled together to support organizations which service populations that cross ward boundaries.

Programs receiving grants from the City of St. Louis include: Human Development Corporation, Black World History Wax Museum, Better Family Life, Monsanto YMCA, Hopewell Mental Health Center, Food Outreach, JVL Childcare Center, Kim’s Kids, Tuxedo Room Restaurant, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Human Development Corporation, Vashon/Jeff-Vander-Lou Initiative, Community Health-in-Partnership Services (C.H.I.P.S), Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Harambee, Red Door Restaurant, Portfolio Art and Education Gallery, 100 Black Men of St. Louis, Reach St. Louis, Francois’ Restaurant, and Ted Foster & Son’s Funeral Home.

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Carter to Cops: Address the Northside

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, November 20, 2006 at 7:23 PM

In the wake of the city's recent tagging as the "most dangerous" in the country, and numerous attempts by City and police officials to downplay crime in the city as affecting only "some neighborhoods," one alderman is telling police brass that they aren't doing enough to keep those neighborhoods safe.

In a letter sent last week to a St. Louis City police captain and copied to Chief Joe Mokwa, 27th Ward Alderman Greg Carter recounts a Nov. 11 incident that occured at a northside gas station. Carter said while purchasing gas at the Shell station on Goodfellow and Highway 70, a man approached him and attempted to sell him drugs.

"Here I am, the alderman for the community and I can only imagine how other individuals are approached when they visit our community and our city," wrote Carter.

The alderman said this kind of problem has been going on for too long. He said he has been in contact with police and city officials as well as the corporate owners of the gas station, but nothing has changed.

"I am becoming very frustrated and I am sure that if this was in any one of your neighborhoods, it would have ended a long time ago," wrote Carter.

"I guess this is no longer a myth there is no aggressive approach regarding the drug selling in the communities that are predominantly African-American."

Carter sent copies of the letter, dated Nov. 14, 2006, to Police Chief Joe Mokwa, Mayor Francis Slay, State Senator Pat Dougherty, State Senator-elect Jeff Smith, State Rep. Connie Johnson, Missouri Attorney Gen. Jay Nixon, and the Council of Black Elected Officials.

Click here to download Carter's letter.

Related Stories:

Only a 'few neighborhoods' are unsafe (wink-wink)
"Most Dangerous" Again
She Said What???

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City Kids May Soon Have Day Curfew

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 11:57 AM

St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Diana Bourisaw wants a daytime curfew for children in the City of St. Louis. And the President of the Board of Aldermen appears ready to help.

"In the past two months, I have approached many elected officials, including Board of Alderman President Jim Shrewsbury and Police Chief Joe Mokwa," said Bourisaw in a press release today. She said a daytime curfew has been a successful tool that has been used in many other cities across the country to reduce the truancy rate. Such curfews typically prohibit children from being in public places other than schools during school hours on weekdays.

According to SLPS, Shrewsbury has already drafted an ordinance to establish a daytime ordinance which is currently being reviewed by Ald. Terry Kennedy, chairman of the Public Safety Committee.

"Truancy is a very serious issue and I am willing to help the Superintendent deal with it. I expect to have a daytime curfew ordinance ready to be introduced in the near future," said Shrewsbury.

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VIDEO: Shrewsbury on Ballot Props

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 2:08 AM

At a meeting of the Tilles Park Neighborhood Association last night, Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury tried to explain several of the propositions and charter amendments voters will be asked to vote on November 7.

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Aldermen Return Today

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, September 15, 2006 at 4:20 AM

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen return to duty today after an eight-week summer vacation. One of the things scheduled for today's meeting is a brief recognition of the 28-year legislative career of State Sen. Pat Dougherty.

Dougherty, who was prevented from seeking re-election this year due to term limits (and whose first senate campaign in 2001 this reporter managed), is the subject of Resolution #96, introduced by Ald. Jennifer Florida (15th Ward).

"During his exemplary career in the Missouri General Assembly, Senator Dougherty has been an outspoken champion for the rights of children, senior citizens and families in this State and has been instrumental in the passage of legislation designed to guarantee those rights," the resolution states.

Click here to see the other resolutions to be introduced today to honor and commemorate St. Louis people and events.

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Bosley Recall is Dead

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 11:44 PM

READ IT HERE FIRST

A Circuit Court judge today ruled against the group seeking to recall 3rd Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. The judge ruled that the St. Louis City Board of Elections does have the right to allow signers of the petition to have their names removed from the petition by way of a signed affidavit.

Bosley and his supporters succeeded in getting hundreds of signers to opt to have their names removed -- enough, in fact, to leave the petition well short of the required number of valid signatures.

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Labor Day In St. Charles

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 8:54 AM

This is how they celebrate Labor Day in St. Charles: take aim at the laborers.

Following a similar move in Valley Park, St. Charles County Councilman Joe Brazil is preparing to introduce a bill tonight that would fine employers up to $500 per day for each illegal immigrant they employ.

Valley Park's recently passed ordinance punished business owners who hire illegal immigrants by revoking their licenses and landlords that rent to illegals by fining them up to $500. Jim Shrewsbury, President of the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen, recently commented on the Valley Park legislation on his website.

"While reasonable people will agree that breaking the law is wrong, by passing its illegal immigrant ordinance Valley Park has carved out a dual reputation for itself. Some will forever see the town as a place of bigotry and intolerance. Others will see Valley Park as a model American city," said Shrewsbury.

Many Mexican-Americans, who are legal residents, believe that these new laws could lead to an increase in hiring discrimination. Brazil and supporters of his bill say local governments have to do something if the federal government won't.

It'll be interesting to see how long St. Charles' housing boom lasts after this.

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VIDEO: Recall Opponents Allege Fraud

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, August 25, 2006 at 4:03 PM

Supporters of Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. announced today that they have filed complaints with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney, and the St. Louis City Board of Elections alleging fraud in the ongoing effort by a group of 3rd Ward residents to recall Bosley.

"We're tired of it. We've got the recall blues and we're going to do something about it now," said Janice Jernigans in an interview with PUB DEF following a press conference this morning in front of the Carnahan Courthouse downtown. Jernigans is with Citizens Against the Recall, a group supporting the longtime northside alderman. Bosley was not at this morning's event.



Tim Person, a well-known political consultant who worked in the administration of then-Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr., said he is volunteering his support for the elder Bosley in his recall battle in part because of what he called the "disgusting" tactics of the recallers.

"This kind of problem led to the Voter ID Act," said Person. "You consistently have people that are intent on defrauding our system."

Person said he would not only like to see indictments in this case, but also forceful prosecutions.

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Bosley Supporters to Meet

By Antonio D. French

Supporters of Ald. Freeman Bosley. Sr., who is the target of an ongoing recall effort, will hold a press conference this morning to announce the actions they have taken against what they call "fraudulent activities engaged by the persons leading the recall effort."

Both sides on the recall effort, along with the St. Louis Board of Elections, are awaiting a decision by a Circuit Court judge as to whether the Board has the authority to allow Bosley to ask signers of the petition to have their names removed. If the policy is upheld, the recall effort will fail for lack of enough signatures.

Members of the "Coalition Against the Recall" will gather at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Carnahan Courthouse, 1114 Market Street.

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Bosley Recall Update

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 12:11 PM

The case to decide whether signatures can be removed from a petition to recall 3rd Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. has been continued until next week. During that time briefs may be filed in support of the two sides' positions.

The recallers claim that since there is no law that allows the city election board to allow petition signers to have their signatures removed, the board should not have allowed Bosley to ask hundreds of 3rd Ward residents to do just that.

The election board contends that since there is no limit to the amount of time that recallers have to gather signatures, it is only fair to allow signers to change their minds weeks, months or even years after they signed the petition. They also claim that since neither state law nor the City of St. Louis' charter says otherwise, then they are allowed to create board policies in the interests of fairness and maintaining an orderly process.

A decision in this case -- which may have a significant impact on several ongoing and planned recall efforts -- may come early next week.

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Bosley Recall Hearing Today

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, August 21, 2006 at 9:21 AM

A hearing in the lawsuit filed by 3rd Ward residents seeking to recall Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. is currently in progress.

As we reported earlier, the recallers sued the St. Louis Board of Elections to stop them from allowing more signatures to be removed from their recall petition and to have a judge order that previously removed signatures be returned.

On June 30, Citizens to Recall Aldermen Bosley turned in approximately 1,100 signatures to the Board. Bosley was subsequently successful in getting 339 people who had originally signed the recall petition to then sign an affidavit asking for their names to be removed.

The recallers claim that since such an allowance for removal is nowhere in the City's charter -- which outlines the recall procedure -- that the Election Board "exceeded the scope of power delegated to it" by allowing it and therefore violated the civil rights of the recallers.

Developing...

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Bosley Recall Update

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 8:08 AM

The effort to recall 3rd Ward Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. is on hold as the recallers and election officials wait for a judge to decide the legality of an Election Board practice of allowing aldermen to get signatures removed from a recall petition by way of signed affidavits.

On June 30, Citizens to Recall Aldermen Bosley turned in approximately 1,100 signatures to the Board. Bosley was subsequently successful in getting 339 people who had originally signed the recall petition to then sign an affidavit asking for their names to be removed.

The recallers claim that since such an allowance for removal is nowhere in the City's charter -- which outlines the recall procedure -- that the Election Board "exceeded the scope of power delegated to it" by allowing it and therefore violated the civil rights of the recallers.

A lawsuit has been filed seeking to have those signatures put back onto the petition -- without which the petition will fall short of the required number of signatures. A temporary restraining order was issued last week preventing the St. Louis Board of Elections from certifying or removing any more signatures from the petition to recall Bosley.

A hearing in this matter has been set for August 21.

Related Stories:

Bosley Recall Petition Turned In
Is Today the Day

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Bosley Recall Update

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, July 31, 2006 at 8:39 PM

The effort to recall Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward) entered its final stage today as organizers turned in nearly 90 more pages of signatures.

As readers may remember, on July 10, the St. Louis Board of Elections informed the recallers they were 778 signatures short of the 1,466 needed to put the recall question to the voters. They were given 20 days to gather the rest.

We are told that today's pages represent just 800-850 signatures. Bosley will again have an opportunity to ask signers to remove their name from the petition.

Judging by the high percentage of signatures withdrawn (339) and rejected (733) 20 days ago, it is not looking good for the recallers.

Related Stories:

Is Today the Day?

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Is Today the Day for 3rd Ward Recall? [Updated x3]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, July 10, 2006 at 11:58 AM

The St. Louis Board of Elections has until 4:45 p.m. today to certify or reject the recall petition turned in 10 days ago against Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. But sources tell PUB DEF not to expect a first round knockout.

The veteran alderman has gotten several registered 3rd Ward voters to agree to take their names off the petition. And some political operatives working to help Bosley have brought attention to numerous invalid signatures. At the same time, sources say that Election Board workers have also found many of the approximately 1,900 signatures turned in to be duplicates or not verifiable.

If the board does not certify the petition today, the recallers have 20 days to try to get the remaining number of valid signatures. Depending on how short they are of the nearly 1,500 valid signatures required, the recallers might be able to score a second round knockout if they can pull together a well-organized campaign for the tough three-week fight which probably lies ahead.

But Bosley is ready for a fight too -- and he's called in some help from his friends. Political consultant Tim Person, who used to work for Bosley's son, former Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr., and who has been working on the Republican side of the aisle in recent years, said he is hard at work helping the elder Bosley. He likened his assistance to the Biblical story of the prodigal son returning home. "I'm like the bastard son," he told PUB DEF.

Political operative Lou Hamilton confirmed last week that he had also taken an interest in the 3rd Ward recall. He denied being asked to assist in beating the recall, but he said if Bosley did ask, he wouldn't hesitate to help.

With decades of political knowledge and connections on one side, and strong feelings stemming from the issue of eminent domain abuse and a stinging 19-vote defeat in 2005, the fireworks may extend a few more weeks into July.

UPDATE: As of about 2:00 today, Bosley has submitted 400 affidavits of people asking for their names to be taken off the petition. Tim Person said less that 1,200 of the signatures turned in were valid. Minus the 400, it appears the recallers may have fallen 600-700 short of the needed 1,466 needed.

Developing...

UPDATE 2: The following is from the City Election Board...

The Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis today certified the results of a petition filed on June 30, 2006 to recall Freeman Bosley, Sr. as the Alderman of the 3rd Ward. The petition contained 1,850 signatures, 1,117 of which were initially accepted as valid signatures of registered voters in the 3rd Ward. However, 339 of those signatures were subsequently withdrawn. As a result, only 778 of the original 1,850 signatures were accepted for purposes of the petition. The requirement for the petition to be sufficient was 1,466 signatures.

Pursuant to the City Charter, the proponents of the recall now have 20 calendar days to submit to the Board supplemental signature pages confirming to the requirements of the original petition filed with the Board on June 30. Within 10 days after the filing of any such supplemental signature pages, the Board will certify as to the sufficiency of the recall petition as supplemented.


SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO PASS PETITION: 1,466


TOTAL SIGNATURES SUBMITTED TO AND CHECKED BY BOARD: 1,850


Accepted Signatures: 1,117


Rejected Signatures: 733


Breakdown of rejected signatures:


Duplicates: 139 (Signed petition twice).


Not Registered: 343 (Some cases of registrations being received in office after the date the petition was signed).


Wrong Address: 200 (Signed the petition however resides in a different ward).


Wrong Signature: 51 (Determined by staff that the signatures did not match the signature we have on file).


TOTAL SIGNATURES WITHDRAWN AFTER SUBMISSION: 339


TOTAL VALID SIGNATURES REMAINING AS OF JULY 10, 2006: 778


UPDATE 3: The challenge now facing the recallers is to get 688 valid signatures in 20 days. After hearing today's news, Debra Gordon, with the 3rd Ward Democrats for the People, told PUB DEF simply, "We will get what we need."

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Bosley Hires Hamilton? [Updated x2]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, July 07, 2006 at 2:19 PM

Sources say Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. has hired some help from political operator Lou Hamilton to aid him in averting a recall. Hamilton, who represents clients including Mayor Francis Slay and Barnes Hospital, will be looking through the 200-page petition with a fine-tooth comb looking for duplicate and fraudulent signatures.

[UPDATE: Hamilton says that while he is helping Bosley beat the recall, he has not been formally hired.]

Bosley is a member of the special committee assembled by Mayor Francis Slay to look into the financial aspects of a proposal that would hand over a small part of Forest Park to Barnes. Hamilton represents both Barnes and Slay, but he contends that as it relates to this deal, he just represents BJC.

It has been previously reported that Hamilton's relationship with Slay, BJC and Bosley rubs many people as clear conflict of interest.

Hamilton may also represent QuikTrip in their attempt to open a new gas station at the corner of Hampton and Columbia. When asked last week about his appearance at a meeting of the Clifton Heights Neighborhood Association (where they voted 100-6 to oppose the development), Hamilton would neither confirm nor deny his employment by QT.

"I was just observing," he told PUB DEF.



UPDATE 2: Hamilton told PUB DEF that while he has looked over the 200-page recall petition and done some research into the whole recall process, he was never asked to do so by Bosley. He said the real coordinator of the anti-recall campaign is Tim Person, former aide to Bosley's son, former Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr.

In a phone interview, Person confirmed that he is playing an "intimate and interested" role in Senior's fight to stay in office. He also said that they have made "phenomenal" progress in invalidating many of the 1,850 signatures that were turned in Friday.

The Board of Elections has until 4:45 p.m. on Monday to certify the petition. If there turns out to be less than the needed 1,466 valid signatures, the petitioners will be given 20 days to make up the difference.

Person predicted that the petition would not be certified Monday. He said that he has uncovered many duplicate and possibly forged signatures. Person said that after Monday's deadline, Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce and the U.S. Prosecutor might be interested in some of his and the Board of Election's findings.

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VIDEO: Recallers endorse Hardin

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, July 05, 2006 at 8:50 PM

READ IT HERE FIRST

The 3rd Ward Democrats for the People, the newly formed organization that turned in more than 2,000 signatures last week to recall Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr., has endorsed Jeffrey Hardin to replace Bosley should the recall be successful.

PUB DEF was the first and only to report last week that Hardin has decided to run again to replace Bosley. Many readers will recall remember that Hardin lost in March of last year by just 19 votes.

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VIDEO: Old Rival Lashes Out At Bosley

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 10:48 AM

At last Thursday's contentious townhall meeting in the 3rd Ward, one of embattled Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr.'s old political enemies showed up to pour salt on his wounds and rally the small army of residents calling for his recall.

Former 19th Ward Ald. Velma Bailey addressed the crowd in manner befitting a marathon tent revival. She told the residents of Bosley's ward, more than 2,000 of whom apparently signed a petition to remove him from office, that none of them are safe from his irresponsible usage of eminent domain powers.

She said they should rally behind Maxine Johnson, the woman whose home is being taken by legislation introduced by Bosley and whose character was publicly attacked by the alderman earlier that same night.



The Bailey-Bosley beef dates back more than ten years, to before Bosley and his son, then-Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr., supported Francis G. Slay's campaign for Aldermanic Board President -- Slay would later defeat Bosley in 2001 in what was basically a three-man race against Mayor Clarence Harmon (Bill Haas also ran, receiving just 424 votes) -- over Bailey.

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Bosley Recall Petition Turned In

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, June 30, 2006 at 5:22 PM

THIS JUST IN...

Sources tell PUB DEF that at about 4:45 p.m., Citizens to Recall Aldermen Bosley turned in their petitions to the St. Louis Board of Elections.

Developing...

UPDATE: We interviewed Debra Gordon, of Citizens to Recall Bosley, yesterday before a contentious ward meeting at Clay Elementary School. We asked her about a rumor we heard that signatures would be turned in this week. At that time, she declined to comment. Tonight, Gordon confirmed that signatures were indeed turned in. And while she would not tell us how many signatures her group submitted, she did say it was "well over" the 1,400 required to put the question to the voters.

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VIDEO: Bosley Gets Personal

By Antonio D. French

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. tonight engaged in a vicious and personal attack on the character of one of the people at the center of an effort to recall him from office.

Bosley called a town hall meeting at Clay Elementary School to discuss the benefits to the City of St. Louis of eminent domain. He invited the city's deputy mayor of development, Barb Geisman, to present the same PowerPoint presentation that she delivered to state legislators when they were deliberating on the issue earlier this year.

Nearly an hour into the meeting, Bosley told the audience that the real reason he called everyone there was to refute claims that he was "taking somebody's house and throwing them and their kids out."

Around the school's gymnasium, where the meeting took place, Bosley hung enlarged documents baring the name and signature of Mrs. Maxine Johnson. Johnson began gathering signatures to recall Bosley after the City assumed ownership of her home using eminent domain.

The bill authorizing the action was introduced by Bosley, who has maintained that taking Johnson and her neighbors' property was in the best interest of the ward. A non-profit organization started by Bethlehem Lutheran Church is soon scheduled to begin building a new housing development where Johnson, her husband, and her six children now live.

Bosley accused Johnson of gaining knowledge about the development years ago and buying the land with the hopes of reselling it at an inflated price. He pointed to a blown-up copy of a letter signed by Johnson and addressed to the church. In it, she says she may consider selling her home for $200,000.

"What in this ward at this time is worth $200,000?" asked Bosley, who has represented the ward for 28 years.



Johnson said she wrote that particular letter because she was told that she had to respond to the developer's original cash offer within 14 days. She said she doesn't want to sell her home at any price. In an earlier interview with PUB DEF, Johnson said she owns her home now and she couldn't afford to buy another house big enough for her large family for the price the church was offering.

Several speakers objected to the personal nature of Bosley's attack. They said that the issues of eminent domain usage in the City of St. Louis are larger than one woman and that more 3rd Ward residents than just Maxine Johnson want new representation at City Hall.

Click here to download this 16MB video.

Related Stories:


VIDEO: 3rd Ward recall battle spills into hearing

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VIDEO: Hardin Says He'll Run Again

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 8:52 PM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

In March 2005, Jeffrey Hardin lost his bid to unseat Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. by just 19 votes. That narrow lost was heartbreaking to many residents of the 3rd Ward who said their veteran representative, who is 4th in aldermanic seniority, has become out of touch and has presided over a three-decade decline in the quality of life for most residents of his northside ward.

Some of those residents -- many sparked by that omnipresent source of controversy; eminent domain -- have started a petition to recall Bosley. Tonight, Hardin told PUB DEF that if that effort (which he says he is not involved in) is successful, he will run again.

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VIDEO: Recall in the 17th

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, June 23, 2006 at 10:08 AM

A group of seven to ten residents of the 17th Ward have organized an effort to recall their longtime alderman, Joe Roddy.

Kim Jayne, a longtime ward resident and one of the organizers of the recall effort, sat down with PUB DEF yesterday afternoon to explain why she and other are ready to see Roddy go.



Sitting at her living room table, with a large map of the ward hanging on the wall behind her, Jayne said Roddy is unresponsive to the needs and wishes of the ward's residents and instead focuses on its corporate citizens, like BJC Hospital and Washington University, which owns lots of property in the ward.

Click here to download this video.

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VIDEO: CRB Flap Again Shows Police Should Be Under Local Control

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, June 19, 2006 at 9:55 AM

Alderman Terry Kennedy (18th Ward) was the original sponsor of the bill that was passed earlier this year by the Board of Aldermen to create a civilian review board to investigate reports of abuses of power by city cops. Mayor Francis Slay vetoed that bill and proposed a weaker version, which the state-controlled police board approved.

Last week, we reported that supporters of Kennedy's bill noticed significant changes between the version the police board approved in public and what actually became policy with the signature of police board president Chris Goodson.

Kennedy sat down with PUB DEF to again express his belief that the citizens of St. Louis deserve the same right to control their police department just as citizens of most other American cities.



Related Stories:

VIDEO: Kennedy says state-controlled police more like an 'occupying force'
VIDEO: Activists say time is right for CRB
VIDEO: Board Bill 69 Passes
Slay Vetoes CRB Bill
VIDEO: State Senate Candidates on Police Control














PUB DEF POLL OF THE DAY



How should the members of the St. Louis City Police Board be selected?






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VIDEO: 3rd Ward recall battle spills into committee hearing

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, June 01, 2006 at 10:48 AM

Maxine Johnson is pissed off. The 3rd Ward homeowner says her property is being taken by eminent domain so that a church can level it and build several new houses on her block. She said her alderman, Freeman Bosley, Sr., told her many months ago that she didn't need to worry because her home was safe. Johnson is now determined to recall Bosley.

At a hearing yesterday on an unrelated piece of legislation, Johnson addressed Bosley and members of the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning committee.



Ald. Lewis Reed (6th Ward) defended his colleague, telling Johnson that she may not know about many of the fights that Bosley is engaged in.

He said that it was unfair to exclusively blame northside elected officials for the state of north St. Louis. He said that it has often been the City of St. Louis itself that has caused blight in some parts of town. He pointed to The Team Four Plan as an example.

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VIDEO: Aldermen criticize Comptroller

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 6:00 AM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

At the first meeting of the Forest Park Lease Review Committee on Wednesday, two committee members leveled some pointed criticisms at Comptroller Darlene Green.

Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward) said Green "has really gotten personal in this matter and has some opinions that are not based upon all of the information that should be available."

The Comptroller has said that she would like to see an up-to-date appraisal of 12 acres of park land before the city moves forward with renegotiating a lease agreement with Barnes Hospital that would last until almost the next century.

Alderman Fred Wessels (13th Ward) questioned Gary Bess, the director of the Parks Department, about the Comptroller's involvement when negotiations of this deal began. Bess said that Jim Garavaglia, from Green's office, was involved in the discussions. He said that Green's office even selected the firm which conducted the last appraisal.

Garavaglia told the City Planning Commission two weeks ago that the year-old appraisal was out of date. He also said that Green felt that details of Barnes' plans for the land are still unknown.

"Their intentions are unclear, unspoken and should be revealed to both the City and the community," he said.



The Forest Park Lease Review Committee is made up of five members selected by Mayor Francis Slay to review, as Ald. Steve Conway put it, whether the city is getting a fair price for the land, "not whether or not it's a good deal."

Members are Wessels, Bosley, Conway, Chairperson Lyda Krewson, and Tom Reeves, former head of Downtown Now and the new president of Pulaski Bank. They are scheduled to meet again on Friday.

Related Stories:

Barnes purchase of Forest Park land passes
VIDEO: Planning Commission Vote

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Florida Recall Moves Forward

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 10:30 AM

People behind a controversial plan to recall Ald. Jennifer Florida met yesterday to strategize, inform the public, and gather some signatures on their petition.

What makes this effort any more controversial than any other recall attempt? Primarily the fact that the push to drive Florida out appears to be coming from forces outside of her ward.

Douglas Duckworth, one of the organizers of the recall attempt, said that the reasons why Florida should be ousted transcend the boundaries of her ward.

"If we do not unite citywide and help neighborhoods in need, especially ones where the voters are working-class with little time for activism, then the political machine will never be stopped, and reform will not take place," said Duckworth, who does not live in Florida's ward.

The central rallying point for the recall effort is a controversial McDonald's drive-thru restaurant development on South Grand Ave.

Fifteenth Ward residents and their supporters from other parts of the city have protested the plan, calling it a poor use of land and tax credits. Even a neighboring alderman, Craig Schmid (20th Ward), has broken with the practice of "aldermanic courtesy" and spoken against the project. But Florida has stood by the project saying it is vital to the revitalization of that area.

In City Hall last week, Florida told PUB DEF that the plans for the McDonald's are sensitive to the neighboring homeowners. She also said that the McDonald's plan was the best that had been offered for that area. "(Those opposing the development) haven't offered an alternative," she said.

But Duckworth says that Florida isn't listening to the people that are opposing the plan, which was proposed by Pyramid Development. "Florida is in the pocket of Pyramid, which explains why she is not listening to her citizens," he said. He points to campaign contributions made in 2004 as proof.

He and others met yesterday at St. Matthew's Church (which is not located in the 15th Ward) to address a meeting of the Gravois Park Neighborhood Association. They announced the recall effort and said that they had a list of 15th Ward registered voters.

Duckworth estimated that approximately 1,400 signatures would be needed to get the recall question on the ballot. He said they collected about five signatures at yesterday's meeting.

In a phone interview today, Florida told PUB DEF that she was "hurt" and "upset" by the news of the recall effort. She said she believes she has worked hard for the residents of her ward. She is shocked that people would attempt a recall over this one issue.

"I wish they would just look at my total record and the good that I've done for my area," she said. "I haven't done everything right, but I've tried my best."

Florida said that when she sponsored a bill last year asking voters to amend the City Charter to change how recalls were done, she never thought it would apply to her.

"I thought I could get away with it because it's something that happens primarily on the north side," she said. "I didn't think it was something that would affect me."

She said that there are many areas of town that would fight to have a new McDonald's built in their neighborhood, not fight against the person bringing it to them. She said the real benefit to the corner of S. Grand and Gravois is the new senior living center that moving the McDonald's across the street will make way for.

Florida said the real issue in that neighborhood is crime and bringing new residents and development will help ease that.

Related Stories:

VIDEO: Protest on South Grand
PHOTOS: Protest on South Grand

You can read more about the McDonald's controversy at www.NoDriveThru.com, which leads to a thread of postings on the issue by blogger Steve Patterson.

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Alternative event planned for the same day as the Annie Malone Parade

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, May 05, 2006 at 11:54 AM

As an alternative event for northsiders and African-Americans upset by the decision to move the century-old Annie Malone parade out of north St. Louis, some folks have put together a festival that will happen at the same time as the parade.

The African-American Heritage Festival was been organized by the aldermen and residents of the wards through which the parade used to pass. Organizers promise live music, concession stands, vendor booths, and a sense of community -- everything people have come to expect in north St. Louis on the third Sunday in May, everything except a parade.

The event will be in Fairgrounds Park on May 21, from 1-6 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations within the 1st, 3rd and 21st Wards.

For more information, call (314) 385-0145.

Related stories:

Northside Loses Annie Malone Parade
VIDEO: Annie Malone's board president gets grilled

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Liquor License News

By Antonio D. French

Today Ald. O.L. Shelton (4th Ward) will introduce a bill to prohibit the issuance of any more liquor licenses in his ward.

A few minutes later, Ald. William Waterhouse (24th Ward) will introduce a bill to remove the moratorium on issuing new liquor licenses in his ward.

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Is "Chink" Cheating? [Updated x2]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 6:00 AM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

Arthur "Chink" Washington
, the Democratic commiteeman of the 21st Ward, raised at least $1,400 $3,100 that he did not report to the Missouri Ethics Commission last quarter.

The most recent quarterly filing of Washington's "Original 21st Ward Democratic Organization" states that the committee did not raise or spend any more than $500 between January 1 and March 31, 2006. But finance reports from other committees show this is not the case.

The Jim Murphy for Sheriff committee reported giving sums totaling $550 to Washington’s committee on March 9, March 21, March 24, and March 28.

Aldermanic Board Pres. Jim Shrewsbury's committee reported giving $400 to Washington’s committee on March 21.

Two committees gave money to Washington's committee but listed the address and/or name of the other 21st Ward committee controlled by Committeewoman Myrtle French (this reporter is the treasurer of that committee and has notified the Ethics Commission of these errors).

People Supporting James Buford reported giving $300 to "21st Ward Democrats" on March 14. The Sharon Carpenter for Recorder committee reported giving $150 on March 20.

At least $1,400 was contributed to Washington’s committee and not reported to the Commission. A formal complaint has been mailed to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Click here to read the text from the complaint.

UPDATE: Add another $1,100 to that amount raised, but not reported.

On February 28, Ald. Mike McMillan's campaign committee gave Washington's committee $450. Four days before, License Collector Gregory F.X. Daly's committee contributed $65o

UPDATE 2: Sharon Tyus also gave $350 on March 14. State Rep. Amber Boykins gave $250 on March 15.

New total: $3,100

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Dishing Up Florida

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 3:57 PM

Steve Patterson, of Urban Review St. Louis, is reporting that the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) amended the Gravois/South Grand/Meramec redevelopment area at their April 4 meeting.

The move helps clear the way for a controversial plan supported by Ald. Jennifer Florida (D-15th Ward) to move a McDonalds drive-thru restaurant across the street from its current location on South Grand Ave.

"I spoke with Chairwoman Judith Doss," said Patterson. "I asked her if she was aware of the opposition to the McDonald's. She was not."

Patterson said Doss indicated the LCRA had a letter of support from Florida and therefore assumed there was no opposition from anyone.

"When I mentioned that none of us were aware of the April 4th meeting she said our Alderman should have told us," he said.

CLICK HERE to see an Exclusive PUB DEF Video from a recent protest of this project.

And speaking of Florida, several people have asked why PUB DEF was not at last night's school board meeting. Well, we were in Orlando. Tomorrow we'll be in Miami. We'll be back from Florida this weekend.

But don't worry, we'll be blogging like always. And we've still got eyes everywhere.

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Mike McMillan: Cash Collector

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 8:09 AM

Ald. Mike McMillan raised $176,710 over the last three months, according to campaign finance reports filed yesterday. Add another $13,000 in in-kind donations and the total amount raised climbs to over $190,000.

After spending $56,000, McMillan had $236,106.14 cash on hand in his campaign to become License Collector.

McMillan's Democratic opponent in the August primary election is Ken Griffey. The winner of that match-up will face Republican Pat Herod in November. Neither Griffey or Herod have yet filed campaign reports.

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