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PUB DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Our goal is to cast a critical eye on lawmakers, their policies, and those that have influence upon them, and to educate our readers about legislation and the political processes that affect our daily lives.

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R.I.P. Bobby Fisher

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, January 18, 2008 at 9:03 AM


Bobby Fischer, one of the greatest chess players in history, has died. He was 64.

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Triplett Funeral Saturday

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 5:04 PM

John L. Triplett, father of Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett passed away on Tuesday, December 18.

There will be viewing on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at Hopewell MB church which is located at 915 N. Taylor from 10am - 12noon. Services will begin at 12noon at the same location.

All condolences and/or flowers can be sent to Austin Layne Mortuary at 7239 West Florissant 63136.

Click here to read the obituary in today's St. Louis American.

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Triplett, Father of Alderman, Passes

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 12:02 PM

John Triplett, father of 6th Ward Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, passed away early this morning of a heart attack.

Known to many as "Big John," Triplett, 55, was an official with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 562.


UPDATE @ 9:44 PM: Below is a statement from Comptroller Darlene Green on the passing of Mr. Triplett:
"My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family. The St. Louis community lost a great man, father and labor representative in John. I know he was very proud of his daughter, Kacie, and her career in public service. His legacy will live on through her."

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R.I.P. Ike Turner

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 9:19 PM


Former State Rep. Goward Passes

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, July 27, 2007 at 5:49 PM

BREAKING NEWS

Russell Goward, former State Representative and Democratic Committeeman, passed away today. He was 71-years-old.

A former Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Goward was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1966 and served 15 terms representing north St. Louis' 60th District.

Goward's major legislative accomplishments include a role in drawing up the first congressional district where an African American could run for Congress and win. He was also a founding member of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.



During his time as a Democratic Committeeman, he helped build the 21st Ward Regular Democratic Organization into one of the largest and most active ward organizations in north St. Louis.

A 1953 graduate of Sumner High School, Goward attended Hubbard Business College, Harris Teachers College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.

Goward is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dolores Goward, and their two children, Russell Goward, Jr. and Monika Goward-Petty.

Date and time of funeral services will be announced soon.

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Greens Mourn Loss of Willie Marshall

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 6:57 AM

Press release from the Green Party...

"More than anyone else, Willie Marshall was responsible for bringing a Black perspective to the Green Party," says Party activist Barbara Chicherio. Willie Marshall passed while asleep early July 14 after a long bout of lung and heart problems. He was Chair of both the Missouri Green Party and St. Louis Green Party Central Committee.

A military veteran and retired postal worker, Marshall was an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq. He appeared on Green Time TV and spoke at Black and Green Wednesday programs insisting that Black people should not be wounded and killed in a war for oil profits. Marshall also participated in national events as a member of the National Committee of the Green Party USA.

"He often told us of his personal experiences as a victim of racism, especially while in the military in 1959 and 1960," remembers Chicherio. "But there was never bitterness in what he said. He always pointed out injustice and what needed to be done. That's why he was so effective at changing the Green Party from almost all white to a group where Blacks are a majority at most meetings. Willie brought an African-American perspective; he brought ideas that people listened to; and, he brought other Black people."

In 2004, Marshall was elected Outreach Coordinator for the Green Party of St. Louis. That year, he won 10% of the vote as Green Party candidate for Public Administrator. The next year he was the Green Party nominee for Mayor and won 21% of the vote against Democrat Francis Slay. That was the highest vote that any Green Party candidate, including Ralph Nader, has ever received in the City of St. Louis. Nader was the well known 2000 Green Party Presidential candidate. Marshall won over 40% of the vote in predominantly Black wards 2, 4, and 21.

"People all over north St. Louis knew Willie," according to Ziah Reddick, Treasurer for the Green Party of St. Louis. If you were passing out literature for him, someone would tell you how much they liked him because of something he had done to help them out. People knew they could trust Willie Marshall."

Since 2005, Marshall worked with Greens on childhood lead poisoning prevention. He went to meetings called by the Greens, Health & Environmental Justice and Lead Safe St. Louis. But he was highly critical of approaches by the City of St. Louis, charging that it was not targeting areas where the most children were lead poisoned. Marshall was one of several St. Louis residents who wrote letters in 2006 asking the City to document where lead poisoning money was spent. During the campaign to gather signatures for an audit of the City, Marshall was frequently a Green Party spokesperson.

Willie Marshall founded the New Generation Solidarity Consumers Union, which he spoke passionately about. Strongly influenced by struggles such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, he felt such a tool should be a permanent part of organizing. During a 2006 interview, he said "A consumers union can leverage economic sanctions to get justice." Working for justice was Willie Marshall's life.

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R.I.P. Marti Frumhoff

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 12:22 PM

One of the earliest supporters of Public Defender, the newspaper and precursor to PubDef.net, was Marti Frumhoff. Her excitement, enthusiasm, and support in those early days helped keep that short-lived and underfunded venture going for as long as it did.

But those who knew Marti know that her support for such underdog efforts was a staple of her personality and her effort to help rebuild this city which she loved. She will be missed.

More at Urban Review and Ecology of Absence.

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Harriett Woods Passes

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, February 09, 2007 at 10:22 AM

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."

From Wikipedia:

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.

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Committeewoman Passes

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 11:28 AM

Early this morning, 21st Ward Committeewoman Myrtle French, my grandmother, passed away.



No posts for a while. Check back later for funeral information.

Thank you to all that have already offered their prayers and condolences to my family. It is very much appreciated.

ADF

UPDATE: Thank you again for all the calls, emails, web postings, and words of support. My family is very appreciative.

The funeral will be next weekend, Saturday, February 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Randle and Sons Funeral Home, 4600 Natural Bridge Ave.

There will be a viewing the night before, on Friday, February 16, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

For those that wish to send flowers or cards, our home address in 4524 Athlone Ave, 63115.

Thank you again. Pub Def will return on Monday.

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Worker Dies at Syndicate Site [Updated]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 9:23 AM

A construction worker is dead after falling four stories through an opening in the floor while working on the Syndicate Trust building last night.

Reports say that the man, an employee of subcontractor Environmental Operations, Inc., was cutting a steel beam in an elevator shaft when he fell. The victim's name has not been released, but he is believed to be around 45 years-old.

The history of the controversial Syndicate Trust project, which involved to the demolition of the historic Century building, can be read by clicking here.

You can also click here to read the 2002 PUB DEF (formerly Public Defender) story, "Wrecking Bell" by Elizabeth Vega.

UPDATE: The victim has been identifed as 49-year-old Sidney Taylor.

The police give the following account: Officer responded to 920 Locust for an injury. Upon arrival, he met with the witness who stated that he and the victim were working on the 6th floor of a building that was being rehabbed. They were cutting an opening in the concrete floor and the victim had removed his safety harness while they were working. After cutting the hole, the victim stepped on a part that was still attached. As he stepped on the attached concrete, it gave way and he fell four floors (about 40 feet) and landed on a pile of broke concrete. The victim was taken to SLU Hospital were he was pronounced at 19:22.

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R.I.P. Ed Bradley

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, November 09, 2006 at 11:49 AM



Ed Bradley, a pioneer for blacks in modern journalism, passed away today at the age of 65.

Click here to read more about the death of this legendary reporter whom will be missed.

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Condolences

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, September 11, 2006 at 7:26 PM

Our sincere condolences to State Rep. Rachel Storch and her family on the loss of her mother. Deborah Storch died Saturday after a two-year battle with leukemia. She was 59.

Click here to read her obituary from today's Post.

UPDATE: We are also saddened to hear that blues man Bennie Smith has passed away. He will be missed.

Click here to read Kevin C. Johnson's story.

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Happy Birthday, JFK

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, May 29, 2006 at 9:28 AM







John Fitzgerald Kennedy
, 35th President of the United States (1961-1963)

Born: May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts

Died: November 22, 1963. Killed by an assassin's bullet in Dallas, Texas

Official White House Biography.

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R.I.P. Katherine Dunham

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, May 22, 2006 at 6:00 AM



Click here to see a timeline of this legend's life.
Click here to see a video interview with her.

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2 comments


The 23rd Annual Wine and Roses Ball

The 23rd Annual Wine and Roses Ball

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