Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Theresa Counts Burke to the Office of Associate Circuit Judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit.

“I appreciate Judge Burke’s willingness to serve the constituents of the twenty-second circuit and wish her the best as she takes on this new role,” Gov. Blunt said.

Judge Burke, 43 of St. Louis, is a municipal judge for the City of St. Louis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern Illinois University and juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law.

Judge Burke will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Michael K. Mullen.

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On Monday, I appeared on the radio show “Collateral Damage” on KDHX 88.1 FM. Host DJ Wilson and I discussed the upcoming mayoral election and the possible challengers to Francis Slay. Listen here…

http://pubdef.net/audio/adf-on-collateral-damage-11-24-08.mp3

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Francis Slay has drawn his first challenger for re-election. Today Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Rotunda of City Hall, Green Party candidate Rev. Elston McCowan will announce his candidacy for Mayor of the City of St. Louis. Not quite the top-tier challenger people have been waiting for, but perhaps Rev. McCowan’s example will inspire someone to come off the bench.

Names mentioned as candidates who could pose a real threat to Slay include Comptroller Darlene Green, License Collector Mike McMillan, and further down the list, State Senator Maida Coleman and Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza.

Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is also mentioned as a viable candidate, but since he would become mayor anyway should Slay resign sometime in his next term (say, to accept a federal judgeship), it’s unlikely he’d jump in the race now.

More on McCowan from his press release:

McCowan’s Green Party successfully collected 11,000 signatures calling for the audit of St. Louis’ finances, prompting the audit currently being conducted by Missouri State Auditor, Susan Montee’s office. The Greens also worked with the Committee to Recall Slay, ultimately collecting 15,000 signatures aimed at ousting the Mayor. With such figures behind him, McCowan considers his run a mandate from the people.

“The 26,000 people who signed those petitions, and many others I’ve spoken to, are ready to end the ‘Slay-ride’ that has been racial division and further deterioration of the St. Louis Public Schools,” says McCowan.”The firing of Fire Chief Sherman George and Slay’s refusal to make lead-based paint abatement in our schools a priority sends a clear message that this mayor is not interested in the will of the people. It’s time for the dawning of ‘A New Day for St. Louis.’”

A community organizer for more than 23 years, McCowan is currently a Labor Leader and board member of the Walbridge Community Education Center.

The first in a series of McCowan fundraisers will be held, also on Thursday the 20th,

7 p.m. at Legacy Bookstore, 5249 Delmar (at Union).

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An attack on civil rights anywhere is an attack on civil rights everywhere. In that spirit, more than a thousand people gathered on the steps of the Old Courthouse Saturday to protest California’s passage of Proposition 8, outlawing gay marriage.

According to organizers and police officials, 1,400 people joined the protest in downtown St. Louis. The crowd waved signs, banners and cheered in support of marriage rights for all Americans.

State and City Officials who spoke included: St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, Comptroller Darlene Green, State Senator Joan Bray, and a representative of State Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford.

Religious leaders Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Rev. Krista Taves, Rev. Susan Drake and Rev. Julie Jennings also spoke out against Proposition 8.

To learn more about Prop 8 activities in St. Louis, visit Show Me No Hate’s website.

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The Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s masterpiece, How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be on Grand South Grand for a “Whoville Breakfast with YOU! ” and invites the entire family to join him in the festivities. The Grinch will be available on December 6, 2008 from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at MoKaBe’s Coffee House, 3609 Arsenal Street.

“Breakfast with the Grinch” is a fun, family-oriented breakfast that encourages visitors to explore the Grand South Grand neighborhood. A children’s menu will be provided and the Grinch will be available for holiday pictures for $5. Proceeds from the photo purchases will go directly towards Guardian Angel Settlement/Hosea House (2635 Gravois Ave). Your contribution will help less fortunate individuals enjoy a warm, holiday meal.

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The underused retail and cultural hub Grand Center is about to get a new tenant. The University of Missouri-St. Louis has announced that it will move forward with a plan to build a new facility there for KWMU, St. Louis’ NPR affiliate.

A campaign to raise $12 million for a new public radio station building had been on hold while university administrators decided whether to build it on campus or in Grand Center. UM-St. Louis Chancellor Thomas George says the facility is an opportunity to expand the reach of the university.

“The majority of it will be occupied by KWMU but we’re planning to have academic programmatic offerings there, related to, particularly related to communication, related to art, related to music, related to education. And several of our deans are very excited about the programmatic offerings that can be done there in Grand Center,” George said.

Grand Center Incorporated will donate the land where the building will sit. It’s expected to be on Olive Avenue near Grand Avenue, next door to KETC public television studios.

George said there is no timeline to break ground at the site. Work will begin once three-quarters of the money has been raised.

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The City of St. Louis once again delivered for the Democratic ticket. From President to Governor to Lt. Gov, city voters proved themselves once again as the most Democratic county in the state.

The 6th, 21st and 27th wards delivered the most votes for Democrat Barack Obama.

The 16th, 23rd and 12th Wards delivered the most votes for John McCain.

North St. Louis’ ten wards delivered more votes for Barack Obama than the southside’s 13 wards or the central corridor’s five wards.

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As the Democratic Committeeman of the 21st Ward, I’m proud to report that our ward has retained its title as the largest voting ward in north St. Louis by delivering 6,105 votes for President-Elect Barack Obama — just 41 votes shy of the prize of most votes for Obama, which goes to the 6th Ward (6,146 votes).

John McCain received his most votes out of south St. Louis’ 16th Ward — 3,092 (nearly 41% of the vote in that ward).

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Voting was heavy all morning in north St. Louis with black voters happy to stand in line for the opportunity to vote for Barack Obama for President.

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