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Gov. Matt Blunt today launched his first podcast on iTunes. The premiere podcast features the governor's State of the State address.
"We are working diligently and making great strides to build a stronger Missouri, and I am excited to provide Missourians yet another way to access information about their state," Blunt said in a press release.
"We use technology in many ways to better our lives and make things more convenient and efficient. It is my hope that, in the same way, making information available in a wide range of formats will help provide more choices for Missourians to get the information they want from my office."
According to his latest campaign finance report, Alderman Lewis Reed outraised his incumbent opponent, Aldermanic Pres. Jim Shrewsbury, in the period since October 1st. During that period, Reed raised $117,105 compared to Shrewsbury's $84,650.
Reed also loaned his campaign an additional $88,000, bringing his total cash contributions to $205,105.
But dollars left the campaign just as fast as they came in. The report shows the Reed campaign spending $113,626.78 during the same period. As of Jan. 20, the campaign showed $92,978.22 cash on hand, compared to Shrewsbury's $238,824.99.
Reed's contributors included former mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr. and his law firm, License Collector Mike McMillan, Aldermen Dionne Flowers, Jennifer Florida and Stephen Gregali, the Gateway Classic's Earl Wilson, several entities of the Lawrence Group, the Urban League's James Buford, and Committeewoman Bev Buchheit.
*Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates and his report reflects payments totaling $4,000 to ADF&A and Pub Def for website design, advertising, video production, photography, print design, and general consulting
Former U.S. Senator Jim Talent has sent an email to supporters reflecting on his loss and requesting financial aid in erasing his $85,000 of campaign debt.
"I've replayed the campaign more than a couple of times," Talent writes. "There were a few things I would have done differently, but they weren't many and they weren't major."
"I'm secure in my knowledge that we did everything we could to win. It was a great campaign. It just was not a great year," said Talent.
Talent requests donations from his supporter to go towards his campaign's debt.
"We can legally accept contributions earmarked to our debt as long as the individual has not already contributed the legal maximum of $2100 to our general election campaign," said Talent. He refers questions to his former National Finance Director, Steve Gordon, who he says remains his consultant.
In his email, Talent also says he has accepted an invitation to become a Distinguished Fellow at the conservative Washington DC think tank, the Heritage Institute.
The most contentious moment of last night's public hearing on the future of St. Louis Public Schools came when controversial School Board President Veronica O'Brien attempted to read her statement expressing support for immediate state intervention.
O'Brien has become a lightning rod and the face of all that is wrong with the current school board. She has been accused of intentionally sabotaging the district, buying personal items on a district credit card, and allowing her personal grudges to get in the way of board business. And now an online petition is circulating asking for O'Brien's immediate resignation.
The petition, started by Steve Patterson of Urban Review STL, states:
To: Veronica O'Brien
We respectfully request that you resign your position as President of the St. Louis School Board effective immediately. The reasons are numerous but here are a few:
During your tenure as President you have removed one Superintendent and attempted to remove a second.
You have refused to sign contracts, forcing the board to permit the Secretary to do so in order to keep the district running.
You are on record as seeking a state takeover of the schools, calling into question your willingness to work with Superintendent Bourisaw on initiatives to regain accreditation.
You have become an increasingly divisive force on the board rather than a leader bringing about consensus.
Your presence as President of the Board has made matters worse, not better.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Since the petition started this morning, 31 people (including School Board Vice-President Bill Purdy) have signed it.
Several elected officials were spotted at last night's public hearing on the future of St. Louis Public Schools, including Comptroller Darlene Green, 6th Ward Alderman and candidate for President of the Board Lewis Reed, State Sen. Maida Coleman, State Rep Jamilah Nasheed, 20th Ward Alderman Craig Schmid, 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, 26th Ward Alderman Frank Williamson, Committeemen Jesse Todd and Jay Ozier, School Board members Veronica O'Brien, Ron Jackson, Bill Purdy, Peter Downs, and Donna Jones, and others I'm sure I missed.
Comptroller Green told Pub Def that she joined the many voices present last night that oppose state intervention. She said Superintendent Diana Bourisaw should be given the opportunity to lead the district to full accreditation and the State Board of Education should give SLPS the same amount of time to do so as any other school district.
Here are some more videos from last night...
Teachers Union President Mary Armstrong...
A parent...
A parent and district employee...
Teacher Nick Clement...
Mr. Barry Shelton said voters were "duped" by the mayor...
As many as 1,000 people showed up at Harris-Stowe State University tonight to let their voices be heard about the possible takeover of St. Louis Public Schools. The vast majority of the people that came out on the coldest night of the winter were clearly against state action at this time.
Here are a few videos to get you through the night. More tomorrow...
School Board President Veronica O'Brien...
We didn't get this lady's name, but you better believe nobody at tonight's meeting will forget her...
A St. Louis County mom that chooses to send her kids to SLPS...
The Post-Dispatch put a picture of the wrong John Bowman on the front page of today's paper.
In their story on the state representative's indictment yesterday, the Post mistakenly published a photo of Bowman's son, John Bowman, Jr.
In 2002, Bowman, Jr. ran for his father's 70th District State Rep seat against Matt Muckler while the elder Bowman ran for state senate against Rita Days. Both lost.
Two years later, Bowman, Sr. defeated Muckler to regain his House seat.
State education officials will hold a public meeting TONIGHT to hear comments from St. Louis residents about the St. Louis Public Schools.
The meeting will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Harris-Stowe State University, in the main auditorium of the Givens Administration Building, 3026 Laclede Ave.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is conducting the meeting to provide an opportunity for parents, employees and other concerned citizens to express their views about the status of the St. Louis Public Schools and the possibility of state intervention in the district’s operations.
The meeting will be conducted by Dr. Bert Schulte, deputy commissioner of education; Dr. Charles Brown, assistant commissioner of the department of education; and Dr. Robert Taylor, DESE's representative in the St. Louis area.
Those who wish to speak at the meeting will be asked to register when they arrive and to limit their remarks to three minutes. Written comments also will be accepted.
The St. Louis Schools Watch reports that, as expected, the School Board last night voted 4-3 to authorize the secretary of the board of education, Flint Fowler, to sign contracts for the school district.
School board member Bill Purdy said when making the motion that there has been a problem with the president refusing to sign contracts that had been approved by the full school board. Up until tonight, the president's signature was required to make any contract valid.
President Veronica O'Brien called Superintendent Diana Bourisaw "a liar" after Bourisaw detailed several contracts that she said O'Brien had returned unsigned over a period of months.
O'Brien, Ron Jackson and Bob Archibald voted against the resolution. Purdy, Fowler, Donna Jones, and Peter Downs voted for it.
The school board also ratified by an identical 4-3 vote recent appointments to principal and assistant principal positions.
Blogger and middle-of-the-road Republican John Combestsays yesterday's indictment of Black Caucus Chairman John Bowman may affect one of the state rep's recent clients, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.
"Just one month ago, the St. Louis American took a look at the McCaskill campaign finance reports. The paper followed the national money through a Missouri Dem fund and noted that 'Bowman’s Consulting' took 'a lot of jack' from the Missouri Democratic State Committee," wrote Combest.
"To Claire, Bowman wasn’t just a workhorse — he was a show horse, too. When she went after Jim Talent on race, she had lots of black faces to choose from — and she chose John Bowman."
Combest predicts Sen. McCaskill will "wash her hands of Bowman faster than an obsessive-compulsive at a leper colony. And expect the people who have been waiting to nail Claire for her first snafu to have a field day with the campaign finance paper trail that ties the indicted to our junior Senator. " Click here to download the actual indictment from STLToday.com.
State Representative John Bowman has been indicted, along with 16 others, on bank fraud and credit card fraud charges.
U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway announced today that Bowman and former Bank of American Vice President Robert Conner were among 17 people indicted that were allegedly recruited as borrowers in a $1.2 million bank fraud and credit card fraud scheme. Four other people, including a former Pine Lawn Police Officer and a Wentzville doctor, have previously pled guilty to related charges and await sentencing.
"Rather than assisting fledgling small businesses with lines of credit, Connor is accused of taking advantage of a well-intended program to line his own pockets," said Hanaway.
Between June 2005 and November 2006, it was part of this scheme that Conner, then a Vice President of Bank of America at its Chesterfield branch, provided the 16 co-defendants, including Bowman, an opportunity to submit false applications for small business lines of credit with Bank of America.
The lines of credit were in the form of credit cards. According to law enforcement, in exchange for approving the fraudulent credit line application Conner demanded a cash kickback payment of $2500 to $5000 from each applicant. After the fraudulent credit applications were approved by Conner, he had the credit cards sent directly to him rather than to the applicants to facilitate his receipt of cash payment kickbacks at the time he provided the card to the applicants. Typically, the first transaction on the fraudulent credit cards was a cash advance, the proceeds of which were used to pay Conner a kickback.
Borrowers fraudulently applied for credit lines in the names of various business entities, many of which did not exist as legitimate businesses. The applications contained fraudulent information such as the business entity name, its status as a legitimate business, and the amount of time the business had been in operation; the annual income of the applicant; and the gross annual revenue of the entity listed on the application. Conner knew the borrowers were not personally credit worthy at the time the false credit line applications were submitted.
A total of approximately $1,213,970 in fraudulent charges were made on cards fraudulently approved by Conner.
The 37-count indictment was returned Thursday, January 25, but remained sealed until earlier today to facilitate the arrest of defendants. They are expected to appear in federal court Monday, February 5, before United States Magistrate Thomas C. Mummert.
Indicted today:
Robert Connor, 44, 11000 block of Bristol Rock, St. Louis;
John Bowman, 50, 4200 block of Minoma, St. Louis;
Robert Baker, 52, 12000 block of Rush Creek Way, St. Louis;
William Hart, 27, 4000 block of Shenandoah, St. Louis;
DeAmon White, 26, 5900 block of Minerva, St. Louis;
Gerald Maurice Rankin, 36, 1800 block of Claudine Drive, St. Louis;
Monica Gholson, 30, 4400 block of Lee Avenue, St. Louis;
Jacqueline Green, 41, 3900 block of Salvation Road, St. Louis;
Jerry Brown, 61, 700 block of Mendocina Court, St. Louis;
Ulas Green, 39, 3900 block of Salvation Road, St. Louis;
Joanna Davis, 30, 15000 block of Debridge Way, St. Louis;
Glenda Chambers, 57, 2200 block of Colfax, St. Louis;
Lois Gholson, 54, 4400 block of Lee Avenue, St. Louis;
Regina Davidson, 49, 1900 block of Elkins, St. Louis;
Ronald Mason, 39, 1000 block of Sweepstakes Lane, St. Louis;
Karl Peters, 52, 300 block of East Olive, Royal Oaks, Illinois; and
Max Davis, 37, 15000 block of Debridge Way, St. Louis.
Besides Robert Connor, who is charged in every count of the indictment, each defendant is charged with one felony count of bank fraud and one felony count of credit card fraud. Additionally, count 37 is a forfeiture charge, wherein two of Connor’s vehicles; a 2006 Hummer and a 2006 GMC Yukon, are subject to forfeiture.
If convicted, each bank fraud count carries a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million; each credit card fraud count carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.
Four other people have pled guilty in connection with this case, and await sentencing:
Dr. Pearleatha Phillips-Washington, 40, Homeshire Drive, Wentzville;
LeMoyne G. Thomas, Jr., former Pine Lawn Police Officer, 32, Homeshire Drive, Wentzville;
Arthur Thomas Webb-Carr, 30, 11700 Clarksdale Drive, Maryland Heights; and
Angela Webb-Carr, 48, 3800 block of Park Place Est, Bridgeton.
UPDATE @ 5:55 p.m.: According to the AP, Bowman is alleged to have met with Conner at a Bank of America branch office in Chesterfield in January 2006 and submitted a fraudulent credit application in the name of Bowman Consulting.
"Bowman is accused of obtaining a $4,050 cash advance using the fraudulent credit line, and also of obtaining things in value of $1,000 during a one-year period." reports the AP.
According to sources, Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury's campaign finance report, which has been turned in but is not available online yet, shows he raised $90,000 between Oct. 1, 2006 and Jan. 20. The report shows Shrewsbury spending $42,000, with $238,824 left in the bank.
Still awaiting numbers from Shrewsbury's challenger, Lewis Reed...
UPDATE: Shrewsbury's report is now available online. It shows he raised $84,650, plus $2,220 in in-kind donations and $5,974.79 in payments from Citizens for Voter Rights for a loan he gave them in 2004.
As reported earlier, he has $238,824 cash on hand.
More that two hundred supporters of Aldermanic President candidate Lewis Reed showed up at the incredible new Field School Lofts in the Central West End for a fundraiser Saturday night.
A partial list of those that attended: License Collector Mike McMillan, northside aldermen Dionne Flowers, Freeman Bosley, Sr., and Jeffrey Boyd, southside aldermen Steve Gregali and Kathy Hanrahan, midtown alderman Lyda Krewson with husband and Channel 5 reporter Mike Owens, Committeepeople Lucinda Frazer, Bev Buchheit, Norma Leggette, and Pat Cacchione, former Comptroller Virvus Jones, former alderman Kenny Jones, and former school board member Bill Haas.
As a side note, the 33-unit Field School Lofts were developed by husband and wife team Uan Nguyen and Sue Kuo-Nguyen and are a sight to behold. Walking through the building (even in its not-quite-finished state) inspires one to dream about what can be done with the large number of vacant public school buildings throughout the city, especially in north St. Louis.
We're sure the Nguyens would be happy to open the building to tours for any current or future School Board members that say SLPS should hold onto these buildings indefinitely or sell them to developers who plan to tear them down. There is clearly another option.
*Lewis Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
Tom Weber of KWMU reports that 8th Ward Alderman Steve Conway has introduced a bill (Board Bill #372) that would raise taxes to pay for a city band.
From the bill: "Under and by the authority of Section 71.640 RSMo., there is hereby imposed a City band levy at the rate of 2 mil per One Dollar of assessed valuation for the purpose of supporting a municipal band."
Word is that Conway, who is currently running unopposed, will not be seeking another term after this one.
Seven candidates, including former St. Louis Superintendent Creg Williams, are interviewing today for the top spot in the Toledo, Ohio public schools. Click here to read the story in the Toledo Blade.
On Saturday a group of elected officials and community leaders came together for a photo shoot in front of City Hall in support of Lewis Reed for President of the Board of Aldermen.
Among the supporters on hand: License Collector Mike McMillan, former mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr., former comptroller Virvus Jones, Aldermen Steve Gregali and Jennifer Florida, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard, Committeepersons Claude Brown, Jay Ozier, Curtis Royston, Earnestine Hill, Patrick Cacchione, Bev Buchheit, James Clayborne, Jesse Todd, future alderman Marlene Davis, former alderman Kenny Jones, the Rev. Sammie Jones, and others. *Lewis Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
We got a tip this afternoon that Roger Wilson, the chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, had resigned today at a meeting of party officials in Jefferson City. We called State Committeewoman Mattie Moore to confirm, but she said it was not so. But apparently it is.
One possible reason for Wilson's departure is the controversy surrounding who will be the next executive director of the party. The state's highest ranking Democrat, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, has committed to having an African-American fill the post. Word is Wilson as well as Attorney General Jay Nixon (next year's Democratic candidate for governor) also agreed to a black E.D. But who?
Brandon Davis, McCaskill's former deputy campaign manager political director, interviewed for the job and has been lobbying officials for weeks. But word is that Wilson told Black Caucus members this week "no way" on Davis.
Readers may remember that McCaskill was instrumental in Wilson getting the chairman's seat after her defeat of former Gov. Bob Holden in the 2004 Democratic primary. If McCaskill wants Davis, who is Wilson to say no, some may wonder.
Meanwhile, sources say another African-American candidate, recommended by Kansas City State Rep. Mike Talboy, interviewed for the post. Marlin Marshall is said to have the support of Nixon. And Wilson, we're told, was more supportive of him than Davis.
Just how much this subplot played in Wilson's sudden departure remains unclear.
Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury will be looking to raise some cash tonight with a fundraiser at Francois Cognac and Cigar Bar, 326 N. Vandeventer. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Suggested donations range from $27 to $2007.
Supporters of Shrewsbury's challenger, Lewis Reed, will be hosting a fundraiser at the newly renovated Field School Lofts, 4466 Olive Street, in the Central West End from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The event will feature a silent auction of works by local artists and music from D.J. Patti Thomas and Erika Johnson and the Kitchen.
Click here to view Channel 2's report from this week's State of the Union Watch Party at The Royale and see quick interviews with Jim Shrewsbury and Lewis Reed.
And back by popular demand, our own video from the night...
The vote today on the perfection of the Barnes-Forest Park Lease deal was 22-2.
President Shrewsbury and 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd were the only votes against.
We haven't gotten the official vote yet, but according the President's office, Aldermen Florida, Kennedy, McMillan (who's vacated his seat for higher office), Troupe, and Williamson were not present at the time of the vote.
Board Bill 376, the controversial BJC/Park deal, moved closer to passage by the Board of Aldermen today. Earlier this week, opponents of the deal had a chance to voice their concerns to the aldermanic Parks Committee.
Carla Scissors-Cohen spoke on behalf of the group Citizens to Protect Forest Park. She asked the aldermen to delay acting on this bill until after the voters get a chance to vote on the City Park Protection Initiative, which would amend the charter to require voter approval for any sale or lease of city park land.
Click here to view video of the bill's supporters.
The Governor's Office has announced the following appointments:
Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees
Roslyn M. Morgan, 50 of St. Louis, is a probation and parole officer at the Missouri Department of Corrections. Ms. Morgan holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Webster University and a master’s in administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Morgan’s reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Dec. 31, 2009.
Garry E. Taylor, 62 of Jefferson City, is principal owner of GETCo Consulting Service. Mr. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Westminster College and masters in community development and public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mr. Taylor’s appointment is for a term ending on Dec. 31, 2007.
Health and Educational Facilities Authority of the State of Missouri
Judith W. Scott (R), 65 of Poplar Bluff, is vice president for college advancement at Three Rivers Community College. Ms. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s in English from Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Scott’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on July 30, 2011.
Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund Board of Trustees
Schuyler J. Mariea, 44 of Jefferson City, is president of Premier Bank in Jefferson City. Mr. Mariea holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westminster College and a master’s of business administration from Lincoln University. Mr. Mariea’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Feb. 6, 2010.
Board Bill 376, the controversial BJC/Park deal, moved closer to passage by the Board of Aldermen today. But a veto by the three-member Board of Estimate and Apportionment still looms.
State Rep. Fred Kratky spent quite a while last night telling 16th Ward residents about his ongoing deliberation on a possible run for Lieutenant Governor in 2008.
Pub Def has confirmed that the St. Louis Teachers Union Local 420 has endorsed Katherine Wessling and David Lee Jackson, Jr. for the two open seats on the school board.
Ah, the life of a citywide candidate. The two candidates for the President of the Board of Aldermen bounced across the city tonight from meeting to meeting, ward to ward.
Stops included meetings in the 16th, 21st, 25th, and 28th Wards.
As we reported earlier, Jim Shrewsbury won the endorsement of his home ward, the 16th. And the Arch City Chronicle reports that the 28th ward's executive committee voted unanimously to recommend to its members that they endorse Lewis Reed in that ward's open-vote endorsement, February 1. *Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
School Board to Meet to Protect the District from O'Brien's "Sabotage"
By Antonio D. French
READ IT HERE FIRST
Another special school board meeting has been called, this time to bypass what many call the ongoing "sabotage" of the district by three board members led by Board President Veronica O'Brien.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday, January 29, was called by Board Secretary Flint Fowler with the support of board members Bill Purdy, Peter Downs and Donna Jones. The only item on the open session agenda is a resolution authorizing Fowler, as secretary, to replace the board president as authorized signatory to all contracts approved by the Board and reviewed by legal counsel.
The issue, according to a district source, is the growing frustration with O'Brien who refuses to sign off on many of the contracts which the Board has voted to approve. According to the source, some unsigned contracts -- which include boiler repair contracts, moving contracts, and others -- go as far back as late summer.
"Venders cannot be paid and functions of the district are stopped," the source said.
He said the school district recently ended up paying approximately $60.00 per day in storage fees because O'Brien would not sign a moving contract which had already been approved by vote of the board.
O'Brien, along with board members Bob Archibald and Ron Jackson, supports a state takeover of the district.
Many would say that O'Brien's recent behavior, including trying to abruptly fire the superintendent and allegedly ordering expensive computers and iPods on the board credit card for her children's personal use, have passed the legal threshold to ask a judge to remove her from the board. But they fear who Mayor Francis Slay, who first appointed O'Brien to the board in 2004 and now also supports a state takeover, would appoint in her place.
Under the proposed takeover plan, Slay would again get to appoint a member to the newly created three-person board. The governor would appoint the primary member of the body with the President of the Board of Aldermen making the third appointment.
The posted agenda to Monday's special meeting is as follows:
The Saint Louis Board of Education will hold a Special Board Meeting Monday, January 29, 2007 at The Administrative Building located at 801 N. 11th Street in the Foundation Room. The Special Board Meeting will begin with a motion to go into executive session at 5:30 p.m. The Executive Session is closed to the public pursuant to RSMO §610-021 (3). The Special Board Meeting will resume in open session immediately following the executive session and is open to the public. This notice is posted in compliance with RSMO §610.020. The agenda is as follows:
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING AGENDA
EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Motion to go into Closed Session 4. Human Resources Transaction Report 5. Adjournment
OPEN SESSION AGENDA
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Resolution authorizing the Secretary to sign all contracts approved by the Board and reviewed by legal counsel. 4. Adjournment
As we reported earlier, the two candidates for President of the Board of Aldermen agreed yesterday not to use the city's significant racial divisions for political gain. But whether or not the two campaigns purposely fan the flames, the issue of race burns brightly at the core of this contest.
Lewis Reed is seeking to become the first African-American to unseat a white citywide elected official since 1982. He is also seeking to become the first black elected Board President. He has been endorsed by nearly every black member of the Board of Aldermen in addition to a handful of white members.
Political observers seem to be split on the impact, if any, that Reed's interracial marriage will play in this race, but Reed felt it necessary last night to publicly challenge his opponent to disavow a whisper campaign about the matter.
Jim Shrewsbury is being supported by the majority of white aldermen. He has been in the President's seat since Francis Slay became mayor in 2001. In the same year, he presided over the controversial redistricting meeting in which he denied a black female alderman the use of the board chamber's only restroom, which was reserved for men, by threat of her giving up the debate floor during a filibuster by a group of black aldermen.
The resulting incident was reported nationally and further damaged race relations in a city already known for its poor race relations.
For some, Shrewsbury will forever be linked to that incident and you can be sure it will come up in this campaign.
At the time of the incident Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. told Shrewsbury "Shame on you, Mr. President... If she was a white woman, you would never have done that."
"You will have to answer for that," said Bosley. For some, particularly some current and former black elected officials, that time is now.
And now some commentary...
Race is and will continue to be an issue in every campaign in this city as long as it continues to be an issue in the lives of its people.
Race was rightfully an issue in last year's 4th District State Senate race, it rightfully will be an issue in this year's Board President race, and it will rightfully be an issue in next year's 5th District State Senate race. Why? Because race matters in the daily lives of the majority of those electorates.
You know where race doesn't matter in elections? Homogeneous areas that never have to confront the issue.
It is an issue that should regularly, and much more frequently than it has been, be directly addressed in real and constructive ways by our elected leaders and those that wish to be.
*Lewis Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
Extra Reading:Click here to read at piece I wrote four years ago on how that 2001 incident helped lead to the creation of Pub Def.
Last night the issue of race finally came to the forefront of the race for President of the Board of Aldermen.
At a 24th Ward endorsement meeting attended by both incumbent Jim Shrewsbury and challenger Lewis Reed, ward organization president John Corbett asked the candidates about race.
"It seems to me, along with all the crime, the schools and the tax base, the number one problem we really have is racial polarization," said Corbett. He asked what practical ideas the candidates have to address this issue.
Shrewsbury told the southside organization's all-white membership that as Board President he has balanced the aldermanic committees racially and has good relationships with the city's comptroller and fire chief, both of whom are black.
Reed, who is seeking to become the first African-American to unseat a white citywide elected official since Freeman Bosley, Jr. defeated Circuit Clerk Joe Roddy, Sr. in 1982, said that the city's political leadership should lead by example.
He challenged Shrewsbury not to use race baiting in his campaign, which he charged has already occured through the use of "push polling" and a whisper campaign to make Reed's interracial marriage an issue.
Shrewsbury denied paying for a "push poll" which was reported by the Arch City Chronicle in December to include at least two questions about Reed's race.
"I have not done that, I've never done it, and I never will do it," he said.
President of the Board of Aldermen Jim Shrewsbury, currently engaged in a tight primary contest with challenger Lewis Reed, easily won the endorsement last night of the 24th Ward Democratic Organization.
Helped by the support of the ward's alderman, Bill Waterhouse, and a crowd very friendly to his position opposing the BJC/Forest Park deal, Shrewsbury won the endorsement by a vote of 38-4 with one abstention. See our earlier story for video from the meeting.
Aldermen Steve Gregali (14th Ward) and Jennifer Florida (15th Ward) attended the meeting in support of Reed.
Shrewsbury will be looking to raise some cash this weekend with a fundraiser at Francois Cognac and Cigar Bar, 326 N. Vandeventer. The event is Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Suggested donations range from $27 to $2007.
At an endorsement meeting of the 24th Ward Democrats last night, President of the Board of Aldermen Jim Shrewsbury said he will vote against the plan to extend BJC's lease of a portion of park land once it reaches the Board of Estimate & Apportionment.
The Board of E&A is made up of the President, the Mayor and the Comptroller and its approval is required for any major financial dealings in the city. Mayor Francis Slay supports the deal while Comptroller Darlene Green has for months been critical of it.
Yesterday the aldermanic Parks Committee approved Board Bill 376 which amends the lease agreement (check back for video from that meeting later). Shrewsbury's was one of three votes against the bill.
But just prior to that vote, the Shrewsbury voted in favor of a bill co-sponsored by him and 24th Ward Ald. Bill Waterhouse that would take a portion of Arsenal-Ellendale Park to build an animal care facility. Representatives from Citizens to Protect Forest Park also spoke against this taking of park land. At last night's 24th Ward meeting, he was asked why he opposes taking park land for hospital beds, but supports taking park land for animal beds.
Shrewsbury won the ward's endorsement 38 to 4 with 1 abstention.
Shrewsbury and his opponent in the March election, Lewis Reed*, were asked why the Board of Aldermen is moving BJC/Forest Park deal forward before voters get a chance to voice their opinion on the matter in a March ballot initiative. Reed deferred the question to Shrewsbury saying that as the current president, Shrewsbury had pledged to kill the bill. Shrewsbury strongly denied ever making such a statement and said he doesn't have the ability to kill a board bill.
*Lewis Reed is a client of A.D. French & Associates
Two stories from the Post makes us ask what happened to "southern" hospitality?
First, Jake Wagmanreports that the Police Officers Association denied their endorsement to Matt Browning's aldermanic campaign. Browning, a former police officer, lost both of his legs in the line of duty just two years ago. What upset Browning as much as anything, according to Wagman, was that he first heard about the union's decision this week by a phone call from a reporter.
Second, in this week's Southside Journal, Jim Merkelfollowed up on our earlier report of the fallout of the Aldermanic President's decision to not allow a prayer for the son of a colleague even though prayers were allowed, as they regularly are, for the then-missing Kirkwood boy and others.
"I think what Jim Shrewsbury did was morally reprehensible and politically dimwitted," said Alderman Stephen Gregali, D-14th Ward.
In the race to decide who will be the next alderman from the 6th Ward, according to the latest campaign finance reports, Kacie Starr Triplett has raised more that three times as her opponents, Patrick Cacchione and Christian Saller.
Triplett reported raising nearly $14,000 since October with $9,395.93 left in the bank. Her contributors included several local labor unions, Congressman Lacy Clay, former Congressman Bill Clay, former Clay aide Pearlie Evans, State Sen. Jeff Smith, and Richard Callow.
Cacchione raised just $1,980, but loaned his campaign $5,000 of his own money. Saller raised $1,555 during the same period.
UPDATE: A note from the Saller campaign says to look for finance reports later today that shows him (and probably Cacchione as well) adding "pretty dramatically" to his cash on-hand total. Will do.
UPDATE 2: Add to Saller's total an additional $5,715 raised between Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Total raised $7,267. Total on hand: $5,697.09. Awaiting Cacchione's...
*Triplett is a client of A.D. French & Associates and her reports reflect $1,000 being paid during the period.
We all know that St. Louis City is in a unique situation of being a city not within another county. Most agree that that arrangement has not worked out so well for the city.
As whites, upper-and middle-class blacks left the city in droves during the second half of the 20th Century, the city has been left with a tax base which is only a shadow of its former self and little financial support from its neighbors -- neighbors which take advantage of the city's infrastructure and amenities as much as, if not more than, actual residents and taxpayers.
Now the people of Atlanta, a city often referred to as the "City Too Busy to Hate" -- a place which unlike St. Louis confronted its issues of race head-on during the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s and beyond, is now debating whether to divide its Fulton County so that its affluent white suburbs can separate from its poorer, majority-minority urban core.
According to the AP, supporters say it is a quest for more responsive government in a county with a population greater than that of six states. Opponents say the measure is racially motivated and will pit white against black, rich against poor.
Alderman Jeffrey Boyd is sitting in good position as he prepares for a rematch with his old 22nd Ward nemesis, Jay Ozier.
On his latest campaign finance report, Boyd shows more that $35,000 in the bank after raising $5,420 during the last quarter of 2006.
Ozier, Boyd's opponent in the March primary election, doesn't seem to have an active campaign committee and has not yet filed his finance reports. In a phone interview, Ozier said he plans to submit his report before tomorrow's deadline.
The upcoming contest is a rematch of their 2003 race which Boyd won by just nine votes.
When told how much cash Boyd reported on-hand, Ozier said he has not raised as much but "I've been getting quite a bit of support from the people and that's what it's all about."
Democrats young and old, incumbents and challengers, watchers and winners crammed into the southside hip spot, The Royale, Tuesday night to watch (and jeer) the President as he delivered his next-to-last State of the Union address.
A representative from the Missouri School Boards Association conducted a workshop this evening for members of the St. Louis Board of Education to discuss successful practices of functioning school boards. All but one school board member attended tonight's session. Board President Veronica O'Brien left before Dr. David Lineberry began his presentation.
Congressman Lacy Clay has issued the following statement in response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address delivered a short time ago:
"Tonight, the President reviewed his long list of broken promises and confirmed that he is still disconnected from what really matters to the American people. A year ago, he promised that as the Iraqi government stood up, the U.S. would stand down. Since he made that statement, 879 more brave Americans have been killed in support of Mr. Bush’s failed policy, for a total of 3,059 U.S. soldiers killed in action. The very last thing that we should be doing now is to send 21,000 more U.S. troops into the middle of a civil war."
"Next week, I will cosponsor a resolution that will advise the President that the House of Representatives strongly opposes his plan to escalate this tragic and unnecessary war. Mr. Bush’s continuing refusal to face reality in Iraq is depleting our military strength and weakening our efforts to fight the very real war against terrorism. We don’t need to escalate this war… we need to end it."
"The President also spoke a great deal about health care. But unfortunately, his health care proposal will do little or nothing for most of the 47 million Americans who are uninsured.It's like offering a band-aid to a patient who is bleeding to death. The obvious and most cost-effective way to achieve universal coverage is to expand Medicare to cover the uninsured, which is exactly what I have proposed." "In the first 100 hours of the new Congress, the U.S. House, with bipartisan support, has voted to raise the minimum wage, expand federal funding for stem cell research, implement the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission, require negotiation of lower prescription drug costs for seniors, make college loans more affordable, and end the multi-billion dollar giveaways to big oil and gas companies. That is a great beginning."
"In the coming year, I hope that the President will truly put the state of our union first, and work with us to find common ground on key issues like immigration, alternative energy and conservation, restoring fiscal responsibility, increasing home ownership and ending unfair trade policies that hurt American workers."
Former 6th Ward Alderman Marit Clark has endorsed Committeeman Patrick Cacchione as the ward's next alderman.
"Patrick is the only individual that has the experience necessary to best serve the 6th Ward," Clark said in a campaign press release. Clark represented the ward for 15 years and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1997.
As we reported earlier, Cacchione has also been endorsed by the 6th Ward Democratic Organization.
According to sources in Kacie Starr Triplett's campaign, the 6th Ward aldermanic candidate has received the endorsement of the city's Police Officers Association. A press release is expected soon.
St. Louis City Police Officers Support Triplett for Alderman
Today, the organization representing St. Louis police officers announced their support of Kacie Starr Triplett.
"Kacie Starr Triplett has taken the time to really understand the importance of community policing and quality emergency services," said Sergeant Kevin Ahlbrand of the Police Officers’ Association. He continued, "We need people like Kacie Starr at the Board of Aldermen to fight to protect essential services and help us to reduce response times to emergencies in our community."
"With crime a pressing issue in our community, I am honored to have the support of our local police officers," said Kacie Starr Triplett.
The Saint Louis Police Officers' Association represents over 1,200 active members.
The school board will be meeting tonight for a special board meeting to approve a successful mentoring and monitoring program that the board voted against last week. The meeting will be followed by a work session where board members will hear about "proven principles of effective school board governance".
Last week four board members voted against extending the SchoolWorks program, which administrators and board members agreed is working, because of the possible involvement of a former district employee — even after Superintendent Diana Bourisaw offered to amend the contract to expressly forbid any involvement in the project by the former employee.
The meetings will take place in the Foundation Room of the District Administrative Building, 801 N. 11th Street. The Special Board Meeting will begin with a motion to go into executive session at 5:30 p.m. The Executive Session is closed to the public. The meeting will resume in open session immediately following the executive session and is open to the public. The Work Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is open to the public.
Here are the agendas of the meetings:
EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Motion to go into Closed Session 4. Human Resources Report 5. Adjournment
OPEN SESSION AGENDA
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Item No. 01-16-07-13
RESOLVED, That the Board of Education authorizes approval of a contract with SchoolWorks, LLC, to support the mentoring, monitoring, professional development and evaluation of the district’s 27 Title 1 schools with School Performance Teams in support of the effort to achieve adequate yearly progress in these schools as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and to build best practices for school improvement planning in an amount not to exceed $121,000.00 for the period beginning January 26, 2007 through September 30, 2007. (Dr. John Martin, Deputy Superintendent)
4. Adjournment
WORK SESSION
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Introduction of Guest Presenter, Dr. David Lineberry, MSBA 4. Intensive Assistance to Districts Work Session I 5. Research proven Principles of Effective School Board Governance 6. Adjournment
The Kansas City Star has a video of Gov. Matt Blunt discussing the ongoing lawsuit by several school districts, including St. Louis Public Schools, claiming that Missouri does not adequately fund public education.
"I think we have a good formula that's driven by the needs of the students," Blunt said in the video. "I'm opposed to seeking a tax increase through the court system."
In the video Blunt, who recently said education was his "highest priority", also briefly discusses the St. Louis school district.
"It's the largest school district in the State of Missouri and it's not providing a quality education to the young Missourians that are in that school district," he said.
A source in the Capitol tells Pub Def to look for Gov. Matt Blunt to mention in his State of the State address Wednesday a change to the state's HealthNet program (formerly Medicaid) that will include Sickle Cell disease in its Chronic Care Improvement Program.
Sickle Cell almost exclusively affects blacks. An estimated 70,000 Americans have the disease, and about 10% of African-Americans have sickle cell trait. In 2003, former Senator Jim Talent sponsored the Sickle Cell Treatment Act which increased federal funding for treatment and research efforts.
Aldermanic President candidate Lewis Reed and Kacie Starr Triplett, the woman looking to follow Reed in the Board of Aldermen, are both having fundraisers this week.
"An Evening With A Starr", a 'raiser for Triplett's 6th Ward campaign, is happening tonight at 5:30 at Van Goghz Martini Bar, 3200 Shenandoah. The night will feature Bommarito "Shooting Starr" wine and a signature "Starr" cocktail. The night's theme continues with the contributions -- a $25 gift is a Quasar, $100 is a Red Giant, and supporters go Supernova with $500 or more.
Then on Saturday supporters of Lewis Reed will be hosting a fundraiser at the newly renovated Field School Lofts, 4466 Olive Street, in the Central West End.
The event will feature a silent auction of works by local artists and music from D.J. Patti Thomas and Erika Johnson and the Kitchen. For more info, go to www.LewisReed.net.
If you know of any other fundraisers or campaign events this week, please email the info to editor@pubdef.net or fax to (314) 367-3429.
UPDATE: Not exactly a fundraiser, but the City Democrats will be gathering TONIGHT to watch Speaker Nancy Pelosi take her seat behind President Bush for the State of The Union Address. The place is The Royale, 3132 S. Kingshighway, and the time is 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. (speech begins at 8:00). Free pizza appetizers and $2.50 Schlafly drafts during the speech.
Disclosure: Both Reed and Triplett are clients of A D French & Associates. However, all campaigns are encouraged to send press releases and event info as well.
Little over a week ago Old Norther Michael Allen, co-blogger at Ecology of Absence, witnessed what he thinks was a "dumping" of a homeless man at a downtown shelter by suburban cops.
He wrote an email to MayorSlay.com (aka Richard Callow) describing the incident and Callow -- er, Mayor Slay posted about it on his blog. And in today's Post, they write about Callow writing about what Allen wrote about, which may not have been what Allen thought he was writing about. Whew!
State education officials will hold a public meeting in St. Louis next Tuesday evening, Jan. 30, to hear comments from St. Louis residents about the St. Louis Public Schools.
The meeting will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Harris-Stowe State University, in the main auditorium of the Givens Administration Building, 3026 Laclede Ave.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is conducting the meeting to provide an opportunity for parents, employees and other concerned citizens to express their views about the status of the St. Louis Public Schools and the possibility of state intervention in the district’s operations.
The meeting will be conducted by Dr. Bert Schulte, deputy commissioner of education; Dr. Charles Brown, assistant commissioner of the department of education; and Dr. Robert Taylor, DESE's representative in the St. Louis area.
Those who wish to speak at the meeting will be asked to register when they arrive and to limit their remarks to three minutes. Written comments also will be accepted.
With today's 34th Anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision, Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on the sanctity of human life:
"I believe we have a moral obligation to protect the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society.
"As Missouri's governor, I have worked hard to enact pro-life measures including signing legislation that prohibits taking minors across state lines for an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian.
"I also signed into law legislation authorizing an income tax credit for contributions made to qualified pregnancy resource centers. These centers provide support to women facing a crisis or unplanned pregnancy so they can make a good decision for their child and themselves.
"When it comes to appointing judges, I believe it is only appropriate for the judiciary to interpret the law, and not appropriate for them to try and impose their views on the citizens of Missouri.
"I have also strongly supported increased funding for the Alternatives to Abortion Program which offers counseling and services to pregnant women, supporting them in carrying their child to term. And I signed into law legislation to protect women's health by ensuring doctors who perform abortions have hospital privileges at a hospital located within thirty miles of the location at which the abortion is performed or induced.
"We will continue working in Missouri to pass strong pro-life legislation that respects the sanctity and dignity of human life."
SLAY SHARES WITH DEVLIN -- The mayor and the man accused of kidnapping two boys have something (or someone) in common: Richard Callow. According toJake Wagman, Mayor Francis Slay is allowing his number one P.R. man to moonlight as the media man for Michael Devlin. Either Francis thinks he's so Teflon that even the stink of a kidnapper won't stick or it's becoming very obvious that he has no control over his aides. Makes you kind of wonder who's running the show in Room 200.
FROM POPE TO BLUNT, BY WAY OF STL -- We're a little late in mentioning this, but for those that missed it, check out this link to a profile piece in the Columbia Missourian on the Governor's Chief of Staff, Ed Martin.
Martin, the former chairman of the St. Louis City Election Board, said of his old job, "It was possibly as dysfunctional as any agency in the state when I came in... And I think by the time we were done, we oversaw maybe the best elections St. Louis has ever seen. I think the governor saw that and was impressed."
The man that also once worked for Pope John Paul II ends with these words: "Pray for me."
SHOW ME THE MONEY (We couldn't resist) -- The Show-Me Institute will release a new study this week on how to replace the much-maligned city earnings tax.
The new study is a follow-up to a March 2006 study which showed that large cities with earnings taxes experience lower growth. Total real income has fallen in St. Louis since the 1970’s. The groups says the new study describes how St. Louis can replace the earnings tax without affecting city services and spark an economic revival.
Prof. Joseph Haslag of the University of Missouri is the author of the study.
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.
Ever wonder which political blogger is most likely to be President of the United States? (Yeah, me neither.) Well, the folks at the Columbia Tribune did and you might be surprised by the primary outcomes.
Click here to read Jason Rosenbaum's fantasy blogger Presidential scenario.
And let me just thank the good people of Arizona, North Dakota and Delaware. But Missouri, what happened? No love for PubDef?
Daus Opposes Takeover, Blunt Says Education is his "Highest Priority"
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 9:03 AM
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.
This week Superintendent Diana Bourisaw marked her first six months at the helm of the city's public schools by listing some of her administration's accomplishments.
"Thank you all for making my first six months at the St. Louis Public Schools so enjoyable. I am very proud of the work we have done in such a short period of time, including:
Opening schools on time despite numerous obstacles.
Developing an updated Comprehensive School Improvement Plan that will continue to move the St. Louis Public Schools towards full accreditation.
Raising over $21 million in new grants for the 2006/2007 school year. In addition, the District is working to raise $20 million in scholarships for students in the class of 2010.
Restructuring the central administrative office in a manner than improves communication while also reducing costs.
Reaching out to community partners, parents, elected officials, teachers, and other stakeholders. The District also reintroduced the School & Home newspaper throughout the community.
Establishing new attendance targets for schools which have boosted the attendance at all levels.
Increasing the number of permanent, certified teachers in classrooms. This year the District has 50 long-term substitutes compared to approximately 200 in past years.
Increasing accountability at all levels of the organization.
Expanding the use of current technology. For example, our Human Resources Division will soon be completely paperless. Further, a new workforce management system approved by the Board of Education is expected to improve fiscal accountability and increase school security.
"These accomplishments would not have been possible without the hard work and cooperation of administrators, principals, teachers, board members, and parents," said Bourisaw.
Tom Weber, of local NPR station KWMU, reports that Cape Girardeau-area Rep. JoAnn Emerson, a Republican, was especially supportive of Congressional Democrats' so-called 100-hour agenda.
Emerson voted for five of the six bills that passed during the 100 hours. Her only "no" vote was for the bill that implements the rest of the 9/11 commission's recommendations.
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."
Green Reserving Comment on Park Deal, Slay Lists Improvements and Supporters
By Antonio D. French
Filed
Friday, January 19, 2007 at 5:46 PM
The following statement is from John Farrell, Comptroller Darlene Green's spokesman...
"The comptroller believes people on both sides of this issue have strong points. On one side are the citizens and taxpayers who want to protect their parks and have a say in plans to develop park land. On the other side is the city's largest medical facility that serves thousands of disadvantaged residents each year and is an economic engine for the community.
"The comptroller intends to move forward in an effort to bridge the gap on these two very valid viewpoints and hopefully reach a compromise solution. She is working now to hold meetings beginning next week with both sides that focus on common ground and building consensus instead of rehashing differences. This issue is too important to our community on a number of levels for us to settle for anything less than a mutual agreement.
"The comptroller is reserving comment on the new lease plan revealed today until after these meetings and, hopefully, a compromise is reached."
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Mayor Francis Slay has posted on his website a list of improvements in the latest version of the plan. He also says this deal, which he admits is "much better than originally proposed" (he supported the old one too), now has the support of Forest Park Forever and the Forest Park Advisory Board.
According to Slay, here is how the proposal is better:
The size of the land covered by the lease has been reduced to 9.4 acres. In addition, BJC has agreed to set aside no less than 15 percent of the land for green space, effectively reducing the developable space by another 1.4 acres.
Even though the amount of acreage is smaller, BJC has agreed to raise its lease payments to $2 million per year. All of that money will be put into a trust. It can only be invested to maintain Forest Park.
One-and-a-half acres of land south of Clayton Road will be protected. A new park will be created with playground equipment and tennis courts. The new park will be more convenient for families in Forest Park Southeast. BJC will light the park, and provide security and maintenance.
Some of the tennis courts at Triple A will be improved and made available to the general public at no cost. The handball courts behind the visitor’s center will also be expanded and improved.
In all, BJC has agreed to set aside $1 million to pay for the changes and improvements.
Forest Park Forever has agreed to match at least $1.8 million per year. Combined with the $2 million from the BJC lease, that means at least $3.8 million per year in dedicated revenue will be available to maintain Forest Park.
In addition, $1.6 million in General Revenue will be freed up. That money will be set aside to help maintain the City’s other 104 parks. In the first year, that money will be invested within a mile-and-a-half of the Hudlin location to create new green space or recreational opportunities.
The Board of Aldermen seem to be rushing to get this deal passed before the voters can have a say in the matter through the ballot initiative recently approved for the April ballot.
