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"We're not loving it!" they shouted. The protesters that gathered today on the corner of S. Grand & Winnebago said they want a McDonalds drive-thru restaurant to stay put and not move across the street behind several homes.
They say the move, which is supported by the ward's alderman, Jennifer Florida, would lower property values and change the character of the neighborhood.
In a joint report with UrbanReviewSTL.com, we present the following exclusive video from today's event. Click here to see more exclusive PUB DEF photos from the protest. Click here to read Steve Patterson's complete story.
Click here to see more exclusive PUB DEF photos from the protest.
Approximately 100 Central West End residents gathered in the Schlafly Branch library this morning to listen to Ald. Lyda Krewson (D-28th Ward) and representatives from developer Opus Northwest present a revised plan for a new high-rise condominium to be built on the corner of Lindell and Euclid.
In a joint report, Steve Patterson, of UrbanReviewSTL.com, has the story and PUB DEF has the photos. Click here to read the full story. Click here to see 45 exclusive PUB DEF photos.
It was nearly 25 years ago that Vince Schoemehl, the young alderman from the 28th Ward, was sworn-in as mayor of the City of St. Louis. On April 21, he and his supporters will be remembering the moment.
They promise "No Speeches," "Just Fun," when they gather at the Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park at 5:00 next Friday to remember the legacy of the Schoemehl Administration.
That legacy means many things to many different people.
Some recall Schoemehl's time in Room 200 as the birth of a stronger Office of Mayor in the City of St. Louis. "Schoemehl worked to transform the office of mayor from a 'weak mayor' system into a political powerhouse," remembers an exhibit at the St. Louis Public Library.
His term coincided with a awful rise in crime marked by the introduction of crack cocaine and gang wars that left thousands of young men dead in the City's streets.
Schoemehl will always be known in many communities for reneging on his promise to reopen the vital Homer G. Phillips Hospital located in north St. Louis' Ville neighborhood.
In 1992, Schoemehl was defeated by then-Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan in the Democratic primary for Governor. He was succeeded as mayor by the City's first African-American to hold the office, Freeman Bosley, Jr.
RightMissouri.com, a Republican blog, has praised the former chair and vice-chair of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus for their support of a bill that would trade tax credits for the funding private education.
"Huge kudos go out to State Reps. Ted 'Kick Their Butts' Hoskins and Rodney Hubbard -- both St. Louis Dems and the only Dems in Missouri with an ounce of principle and conviction," said the blog.
PUB DEF was the first to report yesterday that the Black Caucus, by a vote of 11-3, voted Hoskins out of its chairmanship. Hoskins, who sources say chose not to attend the meeting where the vote took place, was replaced by State Rep. John Bowman. Hubbard resigned his vice-chairmanship before a vote could be taken to remove him. He was replaced by State Rep. Connie Johnson.
The blog also quotes an article in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Hoskins commented only briefly Thursday, saying that he has decided to leave the caucus entirely. 'They don't do nothing, so I won't be missing anything,' he said."
Several members of the Black Caucus have told PUB DEF that the change in leadership is the best thing that could have happened for the group. They said that Hoskins' leadership style and questionable fundraising tactics had tarnished the group's reputation and steered them in a direction away from their primary mission.
On the website of the Columbia Missourian, the newspaper's staff has created a mock-up of Pres. George W. Bush's Facebook profile.
Facebook is a popular online directory that allows people to touch base, interact, create social networks and make friends. "As far as we have searched our President, George W. Bush, does not have a Facebook profile," says the Missourian's page. "But if he were to have a Facebook profile, we think it would look something like this."
Listed under "personal info," the President lists among his interests: fighting terrorism, compassionate conservatism, Jesus Christ, and Mexican food.
His favorite TV show is Fox News. His favorite music artists are Toby Keith and Britney Spears. His favorite books are "How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)," "Curious George," and "My Pet Goat." And he belongs to the Diebold Voting Machine Fan Club.
The President says he is looking for friendship and "more people to like me and then go to the polls and tell the world that they like me. In political speech, we call that 'approval rating.'" Click here to see the page.
A few weeks ago, we published a commentary on why Metro is its own worst enemy when it comes to getting more people to use public transportation. We suggested 3 easy things Metro could do to improve pubic transportation in the City.
To date, Metro hasn't implemented any of our suggestions. But they have started to invest in helicopters. Go figure.
Well, apparently we are not alone in thinking that something is very wrong at the region's public transportation system operator.
Yesterday, the Belleville News-Democrat published an editorial explaining how Metro has made it very easy for people deciding whether to drive their cars or take the bus or train.
You guessed it -- the car wins again.
Metro's bus and MetroLink services take some resourcefulness, determination and patience. That's in large part because maps, schedules and prices seem to treat passengers as an afterthought...
Frustrated with the Web site? Call the customer service line at 271-2345. Four minutes of Muzak, but the representative seemed pretty knowledgeable and was helpful. Too bad the phones are off after 7 p.m. and on weekends...
Heading to the ballgame? Two gallons of gas plus $5 parking is still cheaper than $14 round trip on the train for four...
The point is, Metro has priced itself out of competition for a large segment of potential riders. Then they narrow the field of folks who need to go where they go when they go, and the mass transit option takes a back seat to the convenience of our cars. It's just not user friendly.
State Rep. Juanita Head Walton (D-81) will be hosting a free Credit Scoring Seminar next weekend at the University of Missouri St. Louis.
A poor credit score can cost people thousands of dollars in higher interest rates. "For African-Americans, the burden of these higher costs only serves to further fuel the wealth divide," said Walton.
Walton, who represents a section of north St. Louis County, is also the chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators' Business and Finance committee. That committee recently expressed support for the new unified credit scoring system announced by the three major credit reporting agencies.
The seminar will take place Saturday, April 22, on UMSL's campus, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CLICK HERE to download the latest issue of the print(able) version of PUB DEF Weekly. It features our ward-by-ward breakdown of last week's school board election.
As always, feel free to print out as many as you like and share them with friends, neighbors and co-workers. And for all you activist types, make dozens -- or even hundreds -- of copies and drop stacks at local coffee shops, watering holes, in City Hall, or on campus (We look best on 11x17 sheets of paper, folded once).
By a vote of 11-3 last night, the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus has replaced State Rep. Ted Hoskins (D-80) as its chairperson.
Hoskins, who has drawn criticism from some fellow Democrats for his leadership style and his strong support of a "school choice" bill (labeled by many as a "school vouchers" bill), was replaced by State Rep. John Bowman (D-70). Bowman will serve out the rest of Hoskins' chairman term.
According to sources, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard (D-58), also a co-sponsor of the controversial school funding measure, "saw the handwriting on the wall" and resigned as Vice-Chairman before to the vote to remove Hoskins. State Rep. Connie Johnson (D-61) was elected Vice-Chairman.
Two headlines on the Post-Dispatch's website today raise serious questions about the perspective of the paper's newsroom.
The first headline, "St. Louis Police Board approves plan for civilian review," leads readers to believe that "after about five years of community debate," the City's state-controlled police board finally caved in and created an independent board to investigate reports of police abuse. This is absolutely not the case.
Not only are the supporters of a CRB not satisfied with the police board's actions, but some have openly called for voters to punish Mayor Francis Slay for his veto of the compromise bill that took five years to finally be passed by the Board of Aldermen.
What's more, the Aldermanic Black Caucus has written a letter to Slay expressing their "deep disappointment" in his subsequent attempt to bypass the Board by submitting his own watered-down version of a CRB. It is that version that was approved today by the police commissioners.
Two other members, Ron Jackson and Robert Archibald, voiced opposition on each of Downs' motions. Three other members (Board Pres. Veronica O'Brien, Bill Purdy and Donna Jones) supported Downs. The other member, Flint Fowler, was silent during the debate and voted with the descenters.
The Post would have its readers believe that two members constitute the entire Board and that that board "clashed" with the one of its members. The fact is that each of Downs' motions passed by a vote of 4-3, with a clear majority supporting him.
UPDATE: The Post has published a new story on the civilian review board. The new one, written by Bill Bryan, begins with: "The St. Louis Police Board voted Wednesday to create a civilian review panel under terms that disappointed activists who wanted it to have more independence."
Bryan's story does quote people on both sides of the issue, including activists Jamala Rogers and John Chasnoff; Redditt Hudson, of the ACLU; Mayor Francis Slay; Police Chief Joe Mokwa; and Police Board President Chris Goodson.
The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners is meeting this morning for the first time since Mayor Francis Slay vetoed the Aldermanic bill that sought to create a civilian review board to investigate reports of police abuse.
The board is expected to take up Slay's alternative proposal for a CRB. Members of the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression and supporters of the bill are expected to attend the meeting and voice their concerns about the mayor's veto.
UPDATE: The Police Board approved the Mayor's plan to establish his own version of a "civilian review board."
UPDATE 2: Members of the St. Louis Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) responded to the Police Board's approval of Slay's version of a civilian review board by saying the Mayor and the Commissioners were "out of touch with the community."
Mayor Slay vetoed a CRB bill (BB69FS) passed by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen last month saying it had "legal flaws" and was open to court challenges because he said it violated state law.
In a statement released after the unanimous vote by the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, CAPCR called the vote "a backward step" and said the Police Board’s CRB "is structurally weak and cannot be effective."
Jamala Rogers, co-chair of the coalition, said it is time for St. Louis City to fight for local control of its police department.
"Today’s actions by the mayor and the police board are the stuff that campaigns are made of," said Rogers. "First, we need a mayor who respects the entire city, who will fight for justice, and who will be responsive to the community decision-making process. We plan to help the city find such a mayor."
The Missouri House of Representatives is expected to take up House Bill 1944 today. The bill makes changes to the use of eminent domain in the state. Some supporters of reform say the bill doesn't go far enough. While opponents, including the City of St. Louis and several utility companies, say it goes too far.
Several amendments to the bill are expected to be offered today.
UPDATE: The House has perfected the bill with several amendments. Click here to read the summary of the perfected bill. Click here to read the full bill.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill met with members of the Missouri Legislatve Black Caucus Tuesday to discuss her campaign for U.S. Senate. But sources say McCaskill's real challenge was to mend fences from her 2004 run for governor.
Some black elected officials felt that McCaskill was not a good friend to those that supported her when she was an underdog in that contentious primary race. State Rep. Amber Boykins was one of those that supported McCaskill against then-Gov. Bob Holden. But McCaskill has refused to support Boykins in her race for State Senate.
Others felt that the state auditor, along with the Missouri Democratic Party, undermined the influence of black elected officials by looking to black preachers and certain non-profit organizations to get out the vote in their home districts.
Sources tell PUB DEF that McCaskill expressed her wish that the elected officials would put all of their differences aside for the sake of the party and getting one more Democrat in the Senate.
UPDATE: Part of McCaskill's effort to mend fences apparently includes hiring staffers who worked for her 2004 opponent.
Present at Tuesday's meeting with the Black Caucus was Brandon Davis, the former political director for Gov. Holden's failed re-election campaign. In a press release sent out today, McCaskill formally announced that Davis would now be her political director.
In the same release, McCaskill announced that Richard Martin would be her campaign manager. Martin served as Holden's campaign manager in 2000. He was also the Executive Director for the Missouri Democratic Party from 1993-96 and State Director for the Clinton-Gore Campaign in 1996. His last job was as Director of Tax Policy for Sprint.
Anti-abortion group makes graphic statement at State Capitol
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 11:51 PM
Anti-abortion activists parked two large trucks in front of the State Capitol on Tuesday displaying graphic photos of aborted fetuses. They were meant to send a loud message to President George W. Bush and others during the President's visit to Missouri.
Operation Rescue, a controversial and vocal anti-abortion activist group, was responsible for the display. The organization released a statement Tuesday calling on Bush to change his position on abortion in cases of rape.
"Babies conceived in rape are no less human or deserving of life than those conceived through consensual relationships," said the group's statement.
They said that Bush's statements on opposing abortion except in the case of incest or rape sends "mixed signals about the sanctity of life, the humanity of the pre-born, and your overall concern for the well-being of women."
Click on the photo to see a close-up of the truck's image. Warning: It is very graphic.
The chairman of the St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners sent a letter to the St. Louis Public Schools this week informing them that, as far as they are concerned, Peter Downs and Donna Jones are not yet elected officials.
As PUB DEF exclusively reported last week, officials at the election board have not yet certified the April 4 election and have said that it was premature to swear-in the two newest school board members until they do so. State law allows the Board of Elections 14 days to certify the election. Before that occurs, the Board must conduct accuracy tests on the voting machines and perform internal audits.
Scott Leiendecker, the Board's Republican director of elections, told PUB DEF last week that they were shooting to get all of that done by Wednesday, April 12, but that they may take until the April 18 deadline.
PUB DEF caught up with Ed Martin, the chairman of the election board, Tuesday in the State Capitol building in Jefferson City. He said that he expects the election to be certified on or about the 18th, in time for that evening's regular school board meeting.
But at Tuesday night's administative and executive meetings of the school board, Downs and Jones assumed their seats despite the election board's claims. They have been advised by attorneys for the district that it is proper for new board members to begin their duties almost immediately.
Ex-board members Darnetta Clinkscale and James Buford did not attend Tuesday's board meeting and no other board members objected to Downs and Jones taking their seats.
NEW SCHOOL BOARD MAJORITY TAKES REINS, O'BRIEN MADE NEW BOARD PRESIDENT
By Antonio D. French
The new majority of the St. Louis City School Board wasted no time taking the reins of the troubled district tonight.
At the first administrative meeting since parents Peter Downs and Donna Jones defeated Board President Darnetta Clinkscale and mayoral appointee James Buford one week ago, the new majority of Downs, Jones, Bill Purdy, and Veronica O'Brien made it clear that they are now steering the ship.
One of the board's early actions was to elect O'Brien the new board president.
Downs then offered a series of additions to the agenda of next week's regular board meeting. The three suggestions were each met with opposition from board members Bob Archibald and Ron Jackson.
Downs recommended that the board discuss at the April 18 meeting a resolution reaffirming teachers' authority to judge how best to impliment the district's standardized curriculum.
He also recommended that the superintendent discuss with parent and teacher representatives the findings of the so-called "Kirner Report" commissioned several years ago to address the problem of discipline in the schools.
Superintendent Creg Williams said that he didn't see the need for such an action. This was echoed by Archibald and Jackson who, along with Flint Fowler, voted against Downs' motions.
Jackson said that he worried that any resolution on teacher authority relating to the standardized curriculum might undermine the district's attempt to compensate for a highly transient student population.
"Are we going to say that teachers can just teach whatever they want?" asked Jackson.
Downs' last request was for the superintendent's office to make available to the public a line item report of all of the district's expenditures for this budget year. Williams and Jackson again said that they did not see the need for such a request.
Jackson said the majority of the public would never read such a long document.
All of Downs measures were approved for discussion at the next meeting by a vote of 4-3. After each vote, applause came from the audience. Click here to see exclusive photos from tonight's meeting.
Click here to see more exclusive photos from today's event.
President George W. Bush stepped out of Air Force One this morning at Columbia Regional Airport on his way to was in Jefferson City. Bush was in the state to discuss the Medicare prescription drug benefit (also known as Part D).
Greeting Bush this morning were Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent, several state Republican leaders, and a small group of anti-war protestors.
Click here to see more exclusive photos from today's event.
