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Kotraba's Response to George
By Antonio D. French
This press release (via myfoxstl.com) was sent to select media yesterday from the acting fire chief:
(October 11, 2007) In response to media requests for a response to an announcement made by Chief George at a press conference held earlier today, Acting Fire Chief Steven M. Kotraba has requested the release of the following statement:
“I understand that Chief George has announced his intent to retire from the St. Louis Fire Department. On behalf of the entire department, we offer our congratulations and best wishes for health, happiness and prosperity. Chief George has dedicated nearly forty years of his life to the St. Louis community and we thank him for his service and dedication. He has touched many lives throughout his career.
With regard to any allegations made against me, or other members of the department, I welcome any investigation. I know that a finding of fact will exonerate me. All members of the St. Louis Fire Department will be accountable for any substantiated wrong doing, but it’s time to put rumors and accusations to rest. The citizens of the City of St. Louis deserve to have a fire department that they can trust, made up of members worthy of that trust.
Later today, I will be issuing some department transfers. Transfers happen routinely in the fire department and have previously never been a point of public interest or information. As it pertains to those transfers, I will, as fire chief, continue to do what is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Fire Department, including the allocation and assignment of resources and personnel.” Labels: Fire_Dept, Press_Releases
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Clay Endorses Hubbard for Senate
By Antonio D. French
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) announced today his support for State Representative Rodney Hubbard for State Senate.
Citing Hubbard’s experience and proven leadership, Congressman Clay, a former state senator himself, said St. Louis would greatly benefit from having Hubbard in the senate.
 “I’ve known Rodney for several years and I’ve watched as he’s been able to bring diverse people together to benefit the people of his district,” said Congressman Clay.
“St. Louis needs Rodney’s passion and energy in the Missouri senate fighting for jobs, economic development, and educational opportunities for the people of the 5th District,” said Clay.
State Representative Hubbard said he was honored to have the congressman’s support. “I am blessed to have Congressman Clay’s support and endorsement, as well as the support of several other elected officials, including President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed and License Collector Mike McMillan. These are people who I respect greatly and I am proud to have their support in my campaign for state senate.”
Clay also echoed the sentiments of many others in noting the importance of keeping St. Louis’ legislative delegation diverse.
“As a former state senator who represented a district specifically drawn to ensure the City of St. Louis would have fair and diverse representation in the senate, I feel the need is just as strong today to ensure that fairness and diversity are reflected in our elected leadership,” said Clay.
State Representative Rodney Hubbard has served in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2002. His district is composed of parts of Downtown, Old North St. Louis, and Central West End.
*Hubbard is a client of A.D. French & Associates
Labels: 2008, Endorsements, Press_Releases
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Newman's In, Hartmann's On-Board
By Antonio D. French
Official announcement...
Stacey Newman, executive director of the Missouri Women’s Coalition, is officially announcing today that she is seeking the office of State Representative for the 73rd District. She has filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission formally creating her finance committee with Ray Hartmann, St. Louis, as treasurer.
“The late Harriett Woods, former Lt. Governor and a long time mentor, often told me women run for office because they become upset enough to take action. I am extremely upset with the direction of our state government and will fight for change and true progressive policies,” said Newman.
In 2005 the state legislature cut Medicaid health insurance coverage for more than 100,000 Missourians, including over 40,000 children. Missouri schools are in crisis mode with private school voucher proposals threatening public school funding. In July 2007 Governor Blunt signed restrictions into law forcing many women’s health clinics to close and allowing public schools to teach fact-less abstinence-only sex education. The number of Missouri children living in poverty is on the rise due to numerous social services cuts by the current administration.
“This is not the direction I envision for Missouri,” Newman said. “I advocate providing health care for all Missourians, increasing our public school funding, protecting women’s personal health decisions, and supporting stem cell research and cures.
Stacey Newman’s dedication, passion and diverse background have prepared her to effectively represent the 73rd District:
- Democratic National Committee - managed specialized Missouri vote program
- 2004 John Kerry for President campaign - directed the Missouri Women’s Vote Program
- Missouri Democratic Party - coordinated statewide and legislative women’s campaigns
- “Coalition Against Blunt’s War on Women – spokeswoman for 22 progressive organizations fighting Gov. Blunt’s attacks on birth control
- Co-president of Brady Campaign/Million Mom March – St. Louis - worked closely with Governor Holden’s office against concealed weapons legislation
- Missouri registered lobbyist - lobbied for bi-partisan domestic violence and child safety legislation
Stacey resides in Richmond Heights, Missouri and is a retired flight attendant. Her husband, Burt, is an attorney in Clayton who successfully challenged the voter ID law in the Missouri Supreme Court in 2006. Their daughter, Sophie, is a freshman at Clayton High School.
“I am prepared to run, ready to win and pledge to continue the progressive work of Rep. Margaret Donnelly and Sen. Joan Bray who have held this seat for more than 15 years,” said Newman. Labels: 2008, Press_Releases
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Court Candidates Docs Missing?
By Antonio D. French
From the Governor's office...
Gov. Matt Blunt's office today raised questions about information in the Supreme Court Candidates’ applications that was withheld by the Appellate Judicial Commission. The commission asserted Friday the applications they delivered to the governor's office were complete, but a review found that documents were missing or removed from the original applications submitted by the candidates.
 The missing documents include one candidate’s statement of judicial philosophy, another candidate’s list of cases as required by the commission and background check authorizations for all three candidates.
"Upon review, we found that the three Supreme Court candidate's application materials you sent to our office last Thursday were incomplete," said the Governor’s Chief Counsel Henry Herschel in a letter to Judge Laura Denvir Stith, the chair of the Judicial Appellate Commission.
After initial research that included a request from each candidate for copies of their original application, it became clear that the commission removed or withheld pertinent information from the applications provided to the governor.
Missing documents include:
- one candidate’s list of cases tried
- one candidate’s statements of judicial philosophy
- background check authorization forms for all three candidates
The commission asked each applicant twenty-five questions including a request for a list of ten legal cases they have tried. The materials sent to the governor's office did not include an answer to this question by one of the candidates. After contacting the candidate, the governor's office was provided with a two page addendum that had been provided to the commission but was missing from the application. This addendum listed only four cases that had been tried by this candidate.
Additionally, one of the candidate's statements of judicial philosophy, provided to the Appellate Commission as an addendum, was omitted. This was particularly enlightening as it addressed head on the question of judicial philosophy by one of the candidates.
The applications from the commission also failed to include the signed permission waivers for background checks and the background checks themselves. It is not known whether the commission ran background checks on the candidates or why copies of the authorization forms were removed from the application files.
The governor's office previously requested all available information from the Appellate Judicial Commission and has expanded that request to include information about why relevant material was excluded from the provided materials. The request is part of the exhaustive interview process in motion to help Gov. Matt Blunt determine who of the three candidates will serve as Missouri’s next Supreme Court Judge.
In Missouri, the governor does not appoint a judge to the Supreme Court from citizens at large. Instead an Appellate Judicial Commission, made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors, selects a panel of three candidates. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court.Labels: Governor, Press_Releases, Supreme_Court
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Green: City Ends with $3M Surplus
By Antonio D. French
From the Comptroller's Office...
The 2007 fiscal year ended June 30 revealing a $2.98 million general fund budget surplus. Comptroller Darlene Green attributed the surplus to some higher than estimated revenue source receipts and allocated funds left unspent by some city departments.
 "We beat last year’s earnings tax receipts by 3.6 percent or $4.7 million," said Green. "This really helped cover some revenue sources that were down from last year, like the amusement tax receipts."
Other notable revenue sources that beat FY 06 returns were intergovernmental receipts that include gasoline and auto sales taxes and prisoner housing reimbursements (up $5.0 million or 21.2%); hotel and restaurant tax (up $588,000 or 5.1%); and sales tax (up $1.4 million or 3.0%). Property tax receipts were also up 8.3 percent, but that was attributed mostly to an increase in delinquent tax payments.
City Budget Director Paul Payne agrees that the 2007 fiscal year surplus is a welcome change over past years.
"The surplus, while modest, is a positive development. It says good things about the city's economic growth, which along with continued vigilance on spending, are the keys for ensuring future budgets can meet the city's needs," said Payne.
The year end results cited above are unaudited and represent preliminary calculations. The official, audited results will be published later this year in the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
This report will be available online at www.stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/comptroller when it is completed.Labels: Comptroller, Press_Releases
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MoEthics: Limits Back as of July 19
By Antonio D. French
Dems: Blunt Profits from Selling Gov't
By Antonio D. French
Press release from the Missouri Democratic Party...
Blunt’s 2nd Quarter Finance Plan: Sell State Government for $478,250 in Campaign Contributions
Jefferson City, MO --- Less than a year after getting rid of campaign contribution limits in Missouri, Gov. Blunt’s fundraising strategy is becoming crystal clear: sell off state government piece by piece in exchange for unlimited campaign contributions.
This quarter alone, Gov. Blunt raked in $478,250 in contributions from appointees to state boards and commissions; fee office operators or their families; companies with state government contracts; and even the railroad company to which he gave rights to the Boonville Bridge. A glance at Blunt’s quarterly report reads a little like the old American Express commercials:
Selling Booneville Bridge Rights to Union Pacific: $25,000 (in campaign contributions)
Selling Appointments to Boards and Commissions: $130,500
Selling lucrative fee offices: $80,250
Selling state government contracts: $242,500
Total sale of state government to campaign donors in 2nd quarter alone: $478,250
Selling your integrity: Priceless.
"In his zest to fill his campaign coffers, Matt Blunt has continued to sell state government to special interests and wealthy corporations at the expense of Missouri families," said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. "Missourians deserve a governor who will restore integrity to state government by focusing on health care and college affordability, instead of auctioning off state government to the highest campaign contributor."Labels: Democrats, Governor, Press_Releases
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Greens Mourn Loss of Willie Marshall
By Antonio D. French
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.Labels: Deaths, Press_Releases
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Reed Launches New Website
By Antonio D. French
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed has launched a new website designed to keep city residents informed about important issues being discusses at the Board of Aldermen and highlight some of the great things going on in our city.
www.PresidentReed.com will feature videos and photos of the latest events and happenings around town, and links to websites and legislation of interest.
"As someone with a background in Information Technology, I am very excited to use the latest tools technology has to offer to keep St. Louisans informed of the important work we're doing at the Board and of the exciting changes happening in our great city," said President Reed.
*Lewis Reed is a client of A D French & Assoc.Labels: Aldermanic_President, Press_Releases
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Blunt Appoints Wimes to Bench
By Antonio D. French
Press Release from Gov. Matt Blunt's office...
Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner Brian Curtis Wimes to Circuit Judge of the 16th Circuit - Division 18 to replace Judge Jon Gray, who retired.
 Judge Gray was appointed by then-Gov. John Ashcroft to circuit judge in 1986 and was the first African American to serve the 16th Circuit. Wimes is also African American.
"We must work to ensure that all Missourians are represented in their government and that in all cases qualified Missourians are elevated to service," Blunt said. "Brian Wimes’ experience overseeing the county’s drug court and his dedication to public service and the law of our state will be invaluable as he assumes this new role. Missourians can be proud he has agreed to serve in this capacity."
Mr. Wimes, 41 of Kansas City, has served as Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner for more than five years. He previously worked in the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, where he was named Rookie Prosecutor of the Year and received national honors. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, Litigation Branch. Mr. Wimes earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a law degree from Texas Southern University.
Mr. Wimes is an active community participant. In 2002, he was honored as a member of Ingram’s Magazine’s “40 under Forty”. He is a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, on the board of directors for the Hope House Domestic Violence Shelter and has participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Mr. Wimes was one of three candidates for the circuit judge position sent to Blunt by the 16th Judicial Commission, which accepts applications and selects candidates to fill judicial vacancies within this circuit. The governor can only appoint one of the three candidates submitted to him by the commission.
The five-member 16th Judicial Commission is made up of the chief judge for the Western Court of appeals, two attorney’s elected by the Missouri Bar, and two gubernatorial appointees.Labels: Courts, Governor, Press_Releases
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City's Biz Offices Working Together
By Antonio D. French
License Collector Michael McMillan and Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly have teamed up to continue to bring government closer to the community.
They are sponsoring three business license and resource fairs throughout the City. Several economic development assistance agencies will be present along with financial institutions to assist companies in maintaining and expanding their business opportunities in the City.
Through these fairs, the business community will learn about the public and private resources designed to encourage their growth. In addition, any business owners in need of a license will have an opportunity to pay any licensing fees.
McMillan and Daly plan to hold these fairs on an annual basis in an attempt to grow and promote business in the City.
The events will include representatives of the St. Louis Development Corporation, the City's Business Assistance Center and Building Division, the Missouri Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bank of America, Commerce Bank, Gateway National Bank, Pulaski Bank, Regions Bank, Royal Bank and U.S. Bank.
McMillan said, "Our goal is to provide a resource to the community that will be valuable to our City's companies while encouraging these businesses to get up to date with their license fees."
"I think it is our duty to do anything we can to enhance revenue for our emergency service personnel, as well as providing additional resources for our parks, streets and schools," said Daly.
The fairs will be hosted at three different locations and are scheduled for the following dates:
July 11, 2007
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Bishop DuBourg High
5850 Eichelberger St.
St. Louis, MO 63109
July 17, 2007
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wohl Center
1515 N. Kingshighway
St. Louis, MO 63113
July 27, 2007
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Harris Stowe State University
Emerson Center
3026 Laclede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103
For more information, please call Darius Chapman or Lisa Udofia at 314-622-4528.Labels: Press_Releases
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Alternative Schools Get Principals
By Antonio D. French
St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Diana Bourisaw recently announced the hiring of three principals to head the district’s new alternative schools. SLPS will launch a new K-12 initiative, designed specifically for disruptive students, at the start of the 2007-2008 school year.
Bonita Jamison has been named principal of Des Peres Elementary, 450 Des Peres Ave. Jamison previously served as a principal intern for the district, as well as a classroom teacher for SLPS and the Riverview Gardens School District.
Sean Nichols will be principal of Turner Middle School, 2615 N. Billups Ave. Before his new appointment, Nichols served as an SLPS assistant principal.
Kacy Seals will take the reins of Kottmeyer High School, 1530 S. Grand Blvd. Seals previously worked as an SLPS assistant principal and principal intern.
"We have hired instructional leaders with a strong understanding of the needs of alternative students," said Bourisaw. "Our goal is to offer curriculum that encourages students at all levels to achieve academically and socially."
The district is implementing its new initiative with assistance from The Big Picture Company, an organization that specializes in developing individualized instruction for students. Enrollment at each school will be limited to 150 students. Labels: Press_Releases, Schools
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$3 Million to Improve Traffic Lights
By Antonio D. French
The East-West Gateway Council of Governments Board of Directors Wednesday approved the designation of $3 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds to help the City of St. Louis optimize its traffic signals.
The federal funds will pay for a private engineering firm to program, maintain and manage the city’s system of traffic signals. The work will focus on alleviating traffic delays on the city’s major arterial streets resulting from the reconstruction of I-64. About 300 of the city’s more than 600 traffic lights have fiber optic links and the coordinated operation of these linked signals is a critical aspect of the plan.
The I-64 reconstruction is scheduled for completion in October 2010, though all lanes in St. Louis County between I-170 and Spoede Road will be out of service in 2008 and all lanes between I-170 in St. Louis County and Kingshighway in the city will be out of service in 2009.
Barb Geisman, deputy mayor for development, says the project to improve the city’s traffic signals will have short-term and long-term benefits.
"We are extremely pleased that East-West Gateway has made this funding available to help the city deal with the impacts of the I-64 reconstruction,” Geisman says. “In addition to improving auto travel during the actual I-64 project, this funding will improve the city's long-term traffic management by getting our signalization system in good shape and allowing us to make the most of our new computerized signals."
Previous Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds awarded the city were used to upgrade the signal system with computer hardware and fiber optics, though some improvements had not been achieved due to a lack of implementation and coordination. The hiring of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. to develop and execute a plan to optimize the signal system includes a training component to enable city workers to maintain the system after the 30-month contract with Jacobs expires in December 2009.
During the I-64 reconstruction, the plan will include continuous monitoring of traffic conditions and support a rapid response capability to allow signal programming to correspond to actual traffic conditions.
Jerry Blair, transportation director at East-West Gateway, says efforts to ease congestion on roads affected by I-64 work should benefit city traffic overall.
"The signal system could be totally overwhelmed by what happens as a result of the I-64 reconstruction,” says Blair. “This will not only help the congestion caused by I-64, there will also be collateral benefits in other areas of the city."
Labels: Highway_40, Press_Releases
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Republicans Branson-Bound
By Antonio D. French
Branson has been selected as the host city for the 2008 Missouri Republican Party State Convention from May 30 to June 1, Missouri Republican Party Chairman Doug Russell announced today. The State Convention will be held at Branson’s Chateau on the Lake.
"Branson is known internationally for its hospitality, entertainment and family-friendly atmosphere and we are very much looking forward to holding the 2008 Missouri Republican Party State Convention in this vibrant and exciting community," Russell said. "Next year will be an exciting one for Missouri Republicans and Branson is the perfect community in which to be selecting our delegates to the Republican National Convention and adopting our state platform."
Branson was chosen by the 11-member Site Selection Subcommittee of the Missouri Republican State Committee during meetings in Kansas City this past weekend. The Republican National Committee has tentatively assigned Missouri 58 delegates and 55 alternates to the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4, 2008, where the Republican nominees for President and Vice President will be selected.Labels: Party_News, Press_Releases
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Bourisaw: "We Deserve Accreditation"
By Dan Martin
St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Diana Bourisaw has fired back at the State Board of Education that earlier this year voted to strip the district of accreditation on June 15.
In a 22-page document entitled "The Determination that the St. Louis Public Schools is Unaccredited is Unlawful, Arbitrary, and Capricious", Bourisaw argues that:
- The district has met and continues to meet sufficient performance standards to be provisionally accredited.
- The standards applied to SLPS by the State Board have not been applied and are not applied to other similarly situated school districts in Missouri.
- The action taken by the State Board is unconstitutional.
It remains to be seen what effect Bourisaw's document — or this week's Supreme Court ruling allowing teachers to strike — will have on the State Board's decision to take over SLPS.Labels: Press_Releases, Schools
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Martin to Testify Against Nixon
By Antonio D. French
Press Release from Gov. Matt Blunt's office...
 Comparing the actions of Attorney General Jay Nixon to a traffic cop that coerces money from a speeding motorist, Gov. Matt Blunt’s Chief of Staff Ed Martin today said he will testify Wednesday before the Public Service Commission (PSC) despite objections from Nixon. Martin plans to reveal information he received in private about the nearly $20,000 Nixon’s office sought and received from Ameren after Nixon became the criminal investigator in the Ameren Taum Sauk disaster case.
“Anybody knows that law enforcement cannot take money or gifts from suspects or investigative targets,” Martin wrote in a letter to Nixon. “Everyone knows it is wrong for a police officer or deputy to take money at a traffic stop. Everyone knows a prosecutor must not seek money or gifts from a target or defendant.”
 Ameren is currently seeking a rate increase for their customers in hearings before the Public Service Commission. Last year, at the request of the Attorney General’s political office, Ameren funneled nearly $20,000 in campaign cash to Nixon through four Democrat Committees after he became the criminal prosecutor in the Taum Sauk disaster case. For more than a year, Nixon denied his involvement in the request for Ameren funds, but this month Ameren revealed that it was Nixon’s office that requested the money even though Nixon was conducting a criminal investigation into the utility company.
Last week, Office of Administration Chief Counsel Rich AuBuchon asked the Attorney General’s Office to take all necessary actions to recognize Martin as a witness to provide testimony to the PSC. When the Attorney General’s office failed to comply with the request, the Administration worked directly with the PSC to allow Martin’s testimony.
Martin said his testimony will show how Nixon’s actions are hurting Ameren ratepayers.
“The Taum Sauk settlement and rebuild are worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” Martin wrote in a letter to Nixon. “The Ameren rate case could cost hundreds of millions more. Put simply, once you asked for and received Ameren’s money, you lost the ability to be trusted as Ameren’s legal adversary. An officer of the law who takes money at a traffic stop will lose the public’s good opinion. It only makes the matter worse if the officer refuses to account for himself. Therefore, I respectfully request that you recuse yourself from any and all dealings with Ameren. This includes the Taum Sauk case and the Ameren rate case.”
Click here to download Martin's letter.Labels: Governor's_Race, Press_Releases
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Downtown Crime Fighters
By Antonio D. French
Downtown residents will soon begin organizing to deter crime in their burgeoning neighborhood.
Over the coming weeks, the Downtown Saint Louis Residents Association (DSLRA) will meet with residents, business owners and developers as well as, city, state and federal officials in addressing crime downtown. Organizers say the DSLRAs efforts will culminate in a series of actionable strategic and tactical programs, which should lower crime and promote citizen involvement in the downtown residential areas.
Next month, the DSLRA will host downtowns first summit of homeowner and condominium association leaders. The goals of the summit include the following:
- Discuss common issues and concerns relating to crime and living downtown in a proactive manner
- Build an infrastructure of volunteers to support future activities
- Create an agenda of topics and achievable solutions that will be brought to government officials as well as downtown citizens for further development
The efforts will be coordinated closely by the DSLRA members and downtown residents Brian Rappaport, Barbara Firlit, Rachel Kraus and David Sweeney. They will be responsible for coordinating citizen activities and establishing communications with parties involved.
"This is the first step in what will be an on-going process," said Rappaport, DSLRA Citizen Security Subcommittee Chairman. "We look forward to partnering with all parities who are committed to leading, assisting or taking any role that will result in a safer more desirable living experience for our citizens downtown."
The committees first public meeting will be held at the Saint Louis Public Librarys Central Branch (1301 Olive Street, 3rd Floor Meeting Room #306) at 7:00 p.m., Monday, Feb 12. For more info, contact Brian Rappaport at securesaintlouis@hotmail.com.Labels: Crime, Press_Releases
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Daus Opposes Takeover, Blunt Says Education is his "Highest Priority"
By Antonio D. French
State Rep. Mike Daus paid a visit to one of city's best performing schools Friday morning and, according to one student reporter, said if the state really wants to help SLPS they should allot more money for public education.
Young Claire Paddock, fifth grade reporter for the Kennard Tiger Times, writes:
 Mike Daus is a Missouri State Representative from the 64th district. He visited Kennard School today. He said that he does not support the State Board of Education taking over the public schools because sometimes the government doesn't know best what's going on and that the people do, and should have a say in who they elect, and what happens to their schools.
He also said that the state legislature can help schools by spending more funds for the right things and not for unimportant things. He didn't say what those were.
Meanwhile, Gov. Matt Blunt will be bouncing around the state Monday to announce his plan to improve student achievement in the areas of math, engineering, technology and science.
In addition to stops in Kansas City, St. Joseph and Cape Girardeau, Blunt will be in the St. Louis area at 2:15 p.m. at the Florissant Valley Campus of St. Louis Community College.
According to his press release, Blunt has made education the highest priority of his administration.Labels: Governor, Press_Releases, Schools
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Group Calls Tax Cut a "Sham"
By Antonio D. French
A taxpayer watchdog group is calling a proposal to repeal the state tax on all Social Security benefits a "sham".
Missourians for Tax Justice says that legislation, most likely House Bill 297 and Senate Bill 230, is "counterfeit concern" for senior citizens because, according to group's chairman Pat Martin, seniors with incomes below $25,000 ($32,000 for married couples) already pay zero tax on Social Security benefits.
(Click the chart to enlarge)
"Speaker Rod Jetton claims this proposal would help seniors with the costs of medication, food and housing. That’s a cover-up for the fact that this proposal is a regressive tax change that would primarily benefit the wealthiest 37 percent of Missouri’s seniors," Martin said.
"Actually, Missourians aged 65 or more and in the top one percent in income (average income of $896,000) would receive an average tax cut of $1,181 from this proposal. Can anyone believe that is needed?"
Martin says the poorest 46% of Missouri seniors -- those with incomes less than $27,000 -- receive no benefit at all from this proposal.
Missourians for Tax Justice estimate eliminating the tax on Social Security Benefits for the wealthiest income tax payers would cost the state $100 million this year and probably more in the future as more Missourians age.
"Missouri can’t afford this cut in the state’s revenue," Martin stated. "We’ve had over $3 billion in cuts to essential services over the past 5 years. Thousands have been cut from Medicaid, and our public education system is drastically underfunded. Now is not the time to deliberately reduce the state’s revenue with a big tax cut to the wealthiest senior citizens."Labels: Analysis, Press_Releases
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More From State Rep. Nasheed
By Antonio D. French
The following comes from the office of State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed regarding St. Louis Public Schools...
A plan that would take control of the St. Louis Public Schools away from elected School Board members and place it in the hands of an appointed committee is receiving heavy criticism from Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis.
Under the proposed plan, the state would impose a "transitional school district" that would be overseen by an un-elected board. The three-member panel would be appointed by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, Aldermanic President James Shrewsbury and Governor Matt Blunt.
"There is no question our schools need our full attention and we will need to take drastic measures in order to fix this system," said Rep. Nasheed. "But circumventing the will of the people by appointing a governing body to do the job is certainly not the answer. The people of this area have every right to have their voices heard and to have input on how this effort should proceed."
Earlier in the month, Rep. Nasheed sent a letter to State Board of Education President Peter Herschend calling for a public hearing to address the recommendations for the takeover of the St. Louis Public Schools. In her letter she stressed the importance of not repeating the mistakes of the past when public input was ignored.
"State takeovers have happened all across the country and the verdict is still out on how effective this method really is for improving performance in public schools," said Rep. Nasheed. "We owe it to ourselves to get as much input as possible from every source we can find so we can make the best decision possible. And when we finally decide how to proceed we will be confident we explored all of our options and came to a consensus on the best course of action."
The State Board of Education will meet Thursday, January 11 to discuss the future of the St. Louis Public Schools.Labels: Press_Releases, Schools
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SLPS 2006 MAP Scores
By Antonio D. French
Read much more on these results at STLSchools.org.
In Communication Arts
Grade 3 - Below Basic (21.2%)/Basic (53%)/Prof (16.2%)/Adv (9.6%)
Grade 4 - Below Basic (25.6%)/Basic (51.4%)/Prof (16.4%)/Adv (6.6%)
Grade 5 - Below Basic (23%)/Basic (55.7%)/Prof (15.9%)/Adv (5.5%)
Grade 6 - Below Basic (36.8%)/Basic (47.7%)/Prof (12.6%)/Adv (2.9%)
Grade 7 - Below Basic (36.1%)/Basic (48.6%)/Prof (12.5%)/Adv (2.7%)
Grade 8 - Below Basic (25.8%)/Basic (58.4%)/Prof (12.2%)/Adv (3.7%)
Grade 11 - Below Basic (28.7%)/Basic (53.4%)/Prof (13.6%)/Adv (4.3%)
In Mathematics
Grade 3 - Below Basic (19.9%)/Basic (55.8)/Prof (20%)/Adv (4.3%)
Grade 4 - Below Basic (24.2%)/Basic (55.5%)/Prof (16.7%)/Adv (3.6%)
Grade 5 - Below Basic (23.4%)/Basic (55.1%)/Prof (17.5%)/Adv (4%)
Grade 6 - Below Basic (39%)/Basic (47.3%)/Prof (11.4%)/Adv (2.4%)
Grade 7 - Below Basic (48.3%)/Basic (39.8%)/Prof (10.2%)/Adv (1.7%)
Grade 8 - Below Basic (55.8%)/Basic (31.4%)/Prof (10%)/Adv (2.8%)
Grade 10 - Below Basic (60.5%)/Basic (26.4%)/Prof (11.2%)/Adv (2%)
 Labels: Press_Releases, Schools
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New superintendent to be introduced
By Antonio D. French
The St. Louis Board of Education will hold a press conference today at 1 p.m. at the Clyde C. Miller Academy, 1000 North Grand Ave, to introduce interim Superintendent Dr. Diana Bourisaw.
From the press release: Prior to accepting the position of Interim Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools, Dr. Bourisaw served as Superintendent in the Fox C-6 School District and in the Sacramento City Unified School District in Sacramento, California. "I'm very pleased that Dr. Bourisaw has accepted the position of Interim Superintendent," said School Board President Veronica O’Brien. "She is committed to improving the academic achievement of the 35,000 students in this district."Labels: Press_Releases, Schools
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