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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
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The Association of Black Students at Washington University is holding a closed meeting today to discuss the recent racial incident on campus. When reached for comment, ABS President Sarah Johnson said, "I will not make statements until after our general body meeting."
According to the official report from Washington University's police force, filed on October 1 at 7:30 PM:
Student reported that an unknown individual had written the word "nigger" in approximately 4 inch letters in dust on the complainants rear window. The student had wiped the wording away prior to making this report.
Mark Twain Elementary teacher Pamela Denise Williams has been named the St. Louis Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Williams was picked out of a pool of nominees by a district-wide committee.
From the press release:
Pamela Denise Williams has been named the St. Louis Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2007. A seven-year veteran with the district, Ms. Williams has served as an elementary classroom teacher, an interim principal and a teacher mentor. She currently teaches fifth grade at Mark Twain Elementary School. She will be honored at the board meeting on Tuesday, October 16.
Ms. Williams believes her calling to the teaching profession is directly related to her experiences as a student. At every level of her education, she remembers special teachers who inspired her to work hard, dream big and persevere. In turn, she strives to be an inspiration and “foot soldier” for all of her students. To her, success comes from motivating children to dare to do something that seems impossible – despite their circumstances.
Ms. Williams is a vocal advocate for the importance of parental partnerships between schools and families. Her motto – Parents: the First Teacher, the Best Teacher – emphasizes the need for early literacy and family literacy initiatives. Ms. Williams said, “Investing in a child’s academic future requires parents to anticipate, advocate and collaborate in order to get the best return on their investment – a positively productive citizen.”
Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, a Master in Education Administration from Lindenwood University, and an Educational Specialist certificate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri at Columbia. She also participated in the prestigious New Leaders Project, which trains successful teachers to become successful principals. She is a member of the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
In addition to Mark Twain Elementary, she has taught at Horace Mann Elementary in St. Louis and at Park Annex Elementary in the East St. Louis School District. In the future, Ms. Williams plans to become an administrator, so that she can share her experience and knowledge with the next generation of teachers.
District 94 State Representative candidate Deb Lavender announced that she raised over $15,000 last quarter. Lavender further says she recorded 129 donors, and has received a warm welcome from local business owners, County Councilwoman Barbara Fraser and the Gas Workers Local 5-6.
TOO MUCH FUN INDICTING - U.S. Attorney and former Speaker of the Missouri House Catherine Hanaway says she is not going to run for Attorney General, leaving the path to the Republican nomination clear for Kirkwood Senator Mike Gibbons, who'll be making his official announcement Saturday Morning. On the Democratic side, the word is that the blue candidates (even the recently-turned-blue frontrunner Chris Koster) like their chances against Gibbons much better than Hanaway.
ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS - Next week is going to be all about who's got the duckets and from whom said duckets came. After raising $121,738 in the last three months, Lt. Gov candidate Sam Page now has a reported $350,000 in the bank. After raising just $1,675 this quarter, possible state senate candidate Tom Villa now has $27K on hand. As we reported earlier, Shamed Dogan raised over $12,000 this quarter.
CALLING ALL POETS - Matt Blunt is looking for a poet laureate for Missouri, and he wants your help. Citizens have until December 1st to nominate their fellow Missourians for the position. The laureate is responsible for promoting arts in Missouri through appearances at libraries and schools. Click here to submit your favorite local wordsmith.
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.”
VIDEO: George Calls Slay's Actions Discriminatory, Plans Legal Action
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Former fire chief Sherman George made it clear today that the circumstances surrounding his refusal to make promotions and his subsequent demotion by Mayor Francis Slay and his public safety director Charles Bryson was, for him, always about ensuring the best and most qualified people were elevated in the department.
It was the mayor's office, said George, which constantly tried to link his position to the racial bias lawsuit filed by a group of Black firefighters.
That — and Slay's repeated undermining and micromanaging — was what led to the showdown that ended with George's removal, said the former chief. George and his attorney say all this has created an environment designed to force George to quit. "Constructive termination," George called it, and he's filing complaints with the Civil Service Commission, the City Diversity Director, the Missouri Human Rights Commission, and the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission because of it.
Watch the full press conference...
"I consider myself retired from the fire department as a result of the constructive termination while I seek reinstatement. I am informing the City of that today. But I am not retiring from the fire service to run for public office. I am not interested in running for mayor of the City of St. Louis, but neither should Francis Slay," said George.
Friday is the start of parents' weekend at Washington University. It's also the day thousands of tombstones will adorn the lawn north of the school's library.
The tombstones are part of a joint effort between student peace groups at Wash U, SLU, UMSL and Fontbonne. The stones represent American soldiers and Iraqi civilians who have died in the Iraq War.
The display was at UMSL on Monday, and next Monday it moves to SLU where it will focus on the effects of war on women. Although the display is sponsored by anti-war groups, it is not meant to forward any particular political message.
Former Fire Chief Sherman George will hold a press conference on Thursday at 10:00 AM at the Gateway Classic Foundation, 20th Street and Martin Luther King Drive, in downtown.
Chief George will be making a public statement for residents of the City of St. Louis and the media, regarding recent actions taken involving him and the St. Louis City Fire Department.
Black Caucus Asks Slay to Reverse George Decision or Promote Him
By Antonio D. French
Members of the African-American Aldermanic Caucus have sent a letter to Mayor Francis Slay voicing their displeasure with his recent decision to demote Fire Chief Sherman George.
"Our Caucus strongly supports Chief George because of his fine work for the City of St. Louis," says the letter. "Please recognize that our Caucus can not and does not support the demotion of George and find it distasteful and displeasing. With all the legitamate concerns raised by Chief George related to his reluctance to promote in the manner directed by you our Caucus feels that his demotion was unwarranted."
The letter briefly outlines the role the Caucus played in trying to broker a compromise between the mayor and the chief.
"We felt then, as we do now, that these complicated issues can be worked out if all parties are willing to truly hear each others concerns and find places of compromise. Still further, we believe that all steps were not taken that could have remedied the situation in a balanced and community sensitive manner."
In conclusion, the letter asks that Slay either instruct his public safety director, Charles Bryson, to reconsider the demotion and immediately reinstate George as chief or that Slay appoint George the new public safety director for the city.
Blunt Reaffirms Support for Sullivan, Commitment to Public Education
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 12:36 PM
At a press conference in downtown St. Louis today, Governor Matt Blunt restated what has been a regular campaign theme in his reelection bid: education is his number one priority.
In that spirit, Blunt congratulated SLPS CEO Rick Sullivan on his progress as head of the city's public schools and said he is confident that he and his State Board of Education appointee, Derio Gambaro, will be confirmed by the state senate in 2008.
The rumor mill is abuzz about what Governor Matt Blunt is about to say in his press conference on St. Louis Public Schools. Reporters, SLPS officials, and even members of the governor's own staff seem to be in the dark.
Will it be just another "progress report" or will the governor make an announcement on CEO Rick Sulivan's status?
Governor Matt Blunt today re-appointed Republican Peter Herschend to the Missouri Board of Education. The Branson native is co-founder of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, owner of Silver Dollar City theme park, and already serves previously served as president of the Board of Education.
As the bus drivers strike enters its second day, many parents are again forced to find a way to get their kids to schools. According to school officials, 1-out-of-4 kids didn't come to school yesterday.
Student attendance averaged 75% on Monday, says St. Louis Public Schools officials. Fifteen thousand students, about half of the district's total enrollment, ride the bus each day.
Officials recommend that parents, if they can, wait with their children at the bus stop in the morning. Parents may also take their children to school, consider carpooling, or ask a neighborhood church or community organization for assistance.
Families who cannot find alternative means may call the following number for transportation assistance: (314) 367-6074. Let the representative know the location of the student. A bus will be sent as soon as possible.
Shamed Dogan, Republican candidate for State Representative in Missouri's 88th District, announced Monday that his 3rd quarter financial report will show that he raised over $12,000 from 125 different contributors, including State Reps Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield), Tim Jones (R-Eureka) and Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood); four of Ballwin's eight Aldermen—Tim Pogue, Jim Robinson, Jane Suozzi and Jimmy Terbrock; St. Louis County Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger; St. Louis City Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett; and Ferguson Alderman James Knowles.
From the press release:
"I appreciate the help I've received from my family, friends, and concerned citizens who share my vision for a smaller, better Missouri government," Dogan said. "I am also very thankful to Jim Talent for being a supporter and a role model."
Dogan also received contributions from prominent Republicans including former State Rep. Brent Evans; Ray Wagner of Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Missouri Federation of Young Republicans Chair Monica Durrwachter; St. Louis County Republican Committeeman Kurt Witzel; and St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Dwight Billingsly.
Here's our earlier video from Shamed Dogan's campaign kick-off in July:
