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Around the city and county, signs supporting Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul have been popping up on roadsides and overpasses.
The signs aren't being put up by the official Ron Paul campaign, though. Paul, a Texas Congressman has several devoted, internet-based grassroots support teams. Online, the supporters flood YouTube, message boards, social networking sites and blogs with comments, graphics and videos supporting their favorite candidate. Offline, these street teams are less visible but they make their support known through signs, fliers and protests.
The St. Louis area Ron Paul support group started this past summer. The group has grown from 40 members to roughly 250. On top of that, nearby cities like Edwardsville and St. Charles have their own groups.
The essentially Libertarian Paul is attracting Internet support reminiscent of former Democratic candidate and current DNC chairman Howard Dean. According to the lead organizer for the St. Louis area Ron Paul group, Tim Blessing, Representative Paul has won over many local apathetic and first-time voters, like Blessing himself, who admittedly voted for Ralph Nader twice, just to support a third party.
"Apathy is a tremendous thing, I've found out," says Blessing. "It's pretty easy to cure once you find someone or something to inspire you."
Blessing sat down this week for an interview with PubDef.net to discuss how he came to lead the group and what he's doing to attract new members.
Last weekend, State Rep. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) launched her campaign for the state Senate.
According to Jo Mannies at the Political Fix, former St. Louis Democratic state rep. Fred Kratky's "Facts 'O Life" band was there, as was State Senator Scott Rupp, State Rep. Allen Icet and Speaker-Elect Ron Richard.
The kick-off's host committee included the mayors of Chesterfield, Town & Country, Creve Coeur, Manchester, and Fenton.
Rep. Jane Cunningham with State Rep. candidate Robin Harris and Wanda Harris
Nicholas Britto, St. Louis City school board member Veronica O'Brien, Celeste Oakland, and Jack Hoffmann of Chesterfield.
Guests at the Stand by Me fundraiser, left to right around the table...Dr. Ben Mayes (closest), Joan Kehr, Kent Kehr, Donna Hearne, Mark Hearne, Bob Bacon (mostly hidden), Karen Bacon and Ellen Mayes.
Chesterfield Township Republican Committeeman Paul Matteucci, Alicia Matteucci and Donna Hearne.
Carl and Debbie Bearden.
Cunningham campaign manager Kit Crancer with Molly Tallarico, who represents the University of Missouri.
The President of the 24th Ward Democrats sat down with PubDef.net this afternoon to discuss the ongoing effort to recall Mayor Francis Slay and why his organization opposes it.
John Corbett, president of the 24th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, was active in the recall of his own alderman, Tom Bauer, just two years ago. Corbett is a retired University City firefighter and has spent time lobbying on behalf of firefighters in state government. He says he sometimes worked with, and sometimes against, former Fire Chief Sherman George back when George was an active member of the black firefighters' organization, F.I.R.E.
"Sherman has his own agenda, just like I did when I was president of the firefighters' union," says Corbett. "I don't think Sherman ever changed from working for F.I.R.E."
Saturday night, the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee and the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis hosted their annual Halloween party at the Glazier's Union Hall.
Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce and her husband.
A much slimmer Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza.
Under all that hair gel is State Senator Jeff Smith.
Before his rally at Union Station Friday, Presidential Candidate Barack Obama met with a group of local elected officials at his Washington Ave. campaign office.
Local electeds in attendance included: Congressman Lacy Clay; State Auditor Susan Montee; St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley; President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed; License Collector Mike McMillan; Aldermen April Ford-Griffin and Frank Williamson; State Senator Rita Days; State Reps Rodney Hubbard, Robin Wright-Jones, and Ted Hoskins; Chairman of the City Democrats, Brian Wahby; U-City Councilwoman Hazel Erby; former St. Louis mayor Vince Schoemehl; and former state representative Betty Thompson.
This morning, nearly 200 people from St. Louis and surrounding areas will ride out of town on the 6:00 am Amtrak train to Chicago, or as they call it, the Peace Train.
The passengers are going to the Windy City to take part in the Mobilization to End the War, a demonstration against the war in Iraq. Chicago is one of eleven cities taking part in the Mobilization, and it will serve as the Midwestern hub for those taking part in the protest.
170 Peace Train tickets were available, and all were sold by Friday afternoon.
For more details about the demonstration, click here.
School officials attending a conference this weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks may get a political message on their drive to the Tan-Tar-A resort.
A group called Americans for Prosperity - Missouri has bought a billboard attacking the nearly 300 school boards, including St. Louis Public Schools' and its Special Administrative Board, for supporting a lawsuit against the state seeking more money for public education.
Carl Bearden, the former state representative who left the House to accept the state director position with the group, says many of the state's school districts are guilty of a "misguided effort" to funnel tax revenue to lawyers in an unsuccessful effort to force the state to increase state aid to public schools.
Bearden said that if the school districts prevail in court, "the state would either have to raise taxes by $1 billion, cut services by that amount or a combination of both."
The billboards direct people to a website which outlines the group's position on the school funding lawsuit.
Americans for Prosperity calls themselves "the nation's premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity." According to campaign finance reports, AFP spent $25,000 last year opposing the proposed tabacco tax increase.
The Service Employees International Union, Local 2000 will be endorsing Chris Koster's campaign for Attorney General.
Koster finally formally announced his bid for AG yesterday in Harrisonville, MO. He held another announcement today in Independence. And late yesterday, a third stop was added to his cross-state announcement tour — St. Louis City — or more specifically, the headquarters of SEIU Local 2000. That press event is scheduled for Monday at 10:30 AM.
PubDef.net is scheduling interviews with all four announced Attorney General candidates. Check back next week for our interviews with Senators Mike Gibbons (R) and Chris Koster (D), and State Reps Jeff Harris (D) and Margaret Donnelly (D).
Just a couple of days after opening a campaign office here, Senator Barack Obama will be in St. Louis today at a rally at Union Station.
Organizers say they are undertered by the sprinkles of rain. "I think it's going to be a great crowd and a great event," said Mike Dorsey, the Obama campaign's state director for Missouri. "Rain or shine, we're fired up and ready to go!"
Doors open for the St. Louis "Countdown to Change" rally will at 5:00 PM at the south parking lot of Union Station. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students).
Also tonight, city Democrats — young and old — will be putting on the make-up and wigs for their annual Halloween Party.
The St. Louis Democratic Central Committee and the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis host their annual party tonight from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at the Glazier's Union Hall, 5916 Wilson Ave. (Southeast of Hampton and I 44). Tickets are a less-than-frightening $15 per person.
And now the exciting conclusion of our interview with affirmative action opponent Ward Connerly.
Connerly has come to Missouri to support a proposed amendment to our state constitution to "ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for, women and minorities in public contracting, employment and education."
The membership of the 24th Ward Regular Democratic Organization voted last night to work against the proposed recall attempt of Mayor Francis Slay. PubDef is told the vote was unanimous.
"It was decided, after much discussion, that our ward organization would not sit silent while recall proponents pass the petition around the 24th Ward without the benefit of information from the ward association," said John M. Corbett, the group's president.
"We feel our collective voice must be heard in this matter, as it should always be the task of any ward organization to speak out in regards to issues of interest to ward voters," he said in an email to PubDef.
The 24th Ward, located in south St. Louis, has an 87.5% white population and voted overwhelmingly for Slay in the last primary. Given those facts, it is unlikely recall organizers would target the 24th as one of the 19 wards it must collect signatures in.
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed*, State Representative Rodney Hubbard*, and Vice-Chair of the City Democratic Party Yaphett El-Amin helped the Barack Obama Presidential campaign open their St. Louis headquarters yesterday.
On Tuesday, the man appointed by the governor to turn-around the city schools met with the SLPS Parent Assembly for the first time.
SLPS CEO Rick Sullivan immediately opened the floor for questions, most of which were about the Special Administrative Board's plan to improve the schools. Sullivan, a suburban homebuilder, said the SAB's plan will soon be ready and available in its full form for parent review.
Other questions focused on legal actions, school conditions and parent apathy. The meeting ran nearly 45 minutes past its scheduled closing time of 8:00 PM.
In related news... Sullivan, who still has not been confirmed by the senate, will testify Wednesday morning in Jefferson City before the Joint Committee on Education on his first 100 days as CEO of the district.
The headline could have read: "Hometown Boy Makes Good".
St. Louis' President of the Board of Aldermen was featured Tuesday in his hometown newspaper, The Herald News, which serves Joliet, Illinois, the town a young Lewis Reed started his journey from wrestler and part-time janitor to the second-highest elected official on our city.
The current president of the Board of Aldermen for the City of St. Louis was a wrestler at Joliet Central High School, but he didn't spend much time picking himself up after a match. A mainstay of the Steelmen teams of the late 1970s and early '80s, he moved to the varsity as a freshman and wound up earning a third-place trophy in the state competition in his senior year.
"I went through a transformation as a person in those years," Reed said. "The lessons that Coach Mac (Eural McLaughlin) taught are the same lessons I used to get where I am today. He said everything in life is a matter of preparation and execution, and I've never forgotten that."
Reed, now 45 and well over the 155-pound weight class in which he used to compete, had to prepare himself to unseat a better-funded, better-known 20-year incumbent to win the election for the second most powerful position in St. Louis government. His campaign signs were blue and gold in tribute to his days as a Steelman.
Last week, I sat down with Ward Connerly, the controversial founder and chairman of the American Civil Rights Institute, a national non-profit organization created to oppose racial and gender preference, commonly known as affirmative action.
In 1996, Connerly was instrumental in getting Proposition 209 passed in California. The controversial initiative amended the state's constitution to prohibit public institutions, such as universities, from taking race or gender into consideration in hiring or admissions.
Connerly has now come to Missouri. He has been brought in to be the spokesman for a group based out of Grain Valley, Missouri which is organizing to get an initiative passed next year which is very similar to the one passed in California.
The California initiative passed by 54%. In this much more conservative Midwestern state, supporters of affirmative action are up for a fight — one that will likely be settled on the very same ballot that decides who will be the next President of the United States.
And now, part 1 of my interview with Ward Connerly...
U.S. Senator Kit Bond announced today that Jason Van Eaton and Matt Roney will be heading up his 2008 political operations. The senior Republican is not up for re-election until 2010, but he appears to be preparing to take a leading role in Republican campaigns for president, governor, and other statewide offices.
From the press release:
COLUMBIA, MO – As this session of Congress nears an end, U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced key staff restructuring in his personal and political operations. State Director, Jason Van Eaton, and Director for the Western Missouri District, Matt Roney, will move over to the political arm of Bond's operation.
"Jason and Matt have been essential to my official office operations. They are trusted members of my staff and I look forward to continue working with them on our political efforts in a very important election cycle," said Bond.
More on Eaton and Roney:
W. Jason Van Eaton was born and raised in Southwest Missouri. Jason has served in numerous capacities for Bond, most recently serving as Bond's State Director for over 7 years. Jason has also focused his efforts on appropriations projects, transportation policy, infrastructure, education, economic development, as well as several major development projects. On the political front, Jason worked on his first campaign in 1994 when John Ashcroft was running for the U.S. Senate. In 1998, Jason served as a Regional Director for Bond's reelection. During the 2000 election cycle, he was the Campaign Manager for now U.S. Congressman Todd Akin in his first run for Congress. Again in 2004 he served as Campaign Manager, this time, for Bond's reelection.
Matthew L. Roney was born and raised in greater Kansas City, Missouri. Matt has served in numerous capacities for Bond, most recently serving as Director for the Western Missouri District for the last 6 years. Duties included managing a district staff, coordinating appropriations requests, and coordinating governmental involvement in key economic development projects. Matt also served as Political Director for Senator Bond's successful reelection in 2004.
Reverend James Morris told the crowd of hundreds gathered in front of City Hall yesterday that he could no longer sit by in good conscience and allow this city to be divided for political gain.
"There is a time to pray," said Morris, a candidate for state representative. "Then there is a time to get up off your knees and go to work."
Sources tell PubDef.net that State Senator Chris Koster is going to make it official this week. Koster, who rocked the state's political scene when he switched from the Republican Party to become a Democrat back in August, announced today yet another labor endorsement for his still-unofficial bid for Attorney General.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local #1287, comprised mostly of Kansas City Area Transportation Authority workers, announced today they are supporting Koster for AG.
The Koster campaign was careful to remind the press in their release this morning that Koster now has the most labor endorsements and money of any of his opponents. But Koster's opponents in the Democratic primary have targeted his campaign coffers — and one contributor, in particular — to discredit Koster's independence.
The campaigns of both Jeff Harris and Margaret Donnelly have issued statements attacking millionaire Rex Sinquefield for his contributions to Koster. Sinquefield, a businessman and pro-school choice, pro-free market activist, has made no secrets about using his wealth and influence to change Missouri's political landscape. In recent years, he has donated millions to candidates from both sides of the aisle who support one or more of his ideas about education and business.
Last week, the Harris campaign produced the following video mocking Sinquefield's contributions to Koster:
According to the latest campaign finance reports, Koster has more cash on-hand than all three of his opponents — Democrat and Republican — combined.
In perhaps the most disgusting example of inaccurate, protective reporting ever witnessed, KSDK Channel 5 is reporting that only a few dozen people attended yesterday's rally to recall Mayor Francis Slay.
From KSDK.com:
Dozens of St. Louis residents gathered on the steps of City Hall Sunday, demanding a recall of Mayor Francis Slay.
The group of citizens, city and religious leaders say they support former Fire Chief Sherman George, and believe his demotion was the result of a racial divide in the mayor's office.
Watch PubDef's video from Sunday's event. We invite you to pause the video at the beginning and the end and do a head count for yourself. At its peak, there were easily 700 people in front of City Hall yesterday.
Nearly a thousand people protested outside City Hall on Sunday in support of former fire chief Sherman George and in support of removing from office the man who demoted the 40-year veteran, Mayor Francis Slay.
It looks like the Barack Obama campaign will be the first to open an office in St. Louis.
This week, supporters of the junior senator from Illinois' bid for President will open a campaign office in downtown St. Louis, in the Jack Thompson Square Building on the corner of Washington Ave. and Tucker.
The opening of the headquarters, which will likely occur on Tuesday Wednesday, comes just a few days before Sen. Obama comes to St. Louis for a rally on Friday at Union Station.
Andrew Wimmer, a parent of two students at McKinley Middle and Metro High magnet schools, spoke during the public comments section of Tuesday's meeting of the Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools. As he's done at previous meetings, Wimmer challenged District CEO Rick Sullivan on the legality of his appointment by Governor Matt Blunt.
Everyone knows the way to an alderman's heart is through their stomach. So when the city's legislative body meets this morning, breakfast will be provided by none other than Attorney General candidate Jeff Harris.
If he follows the usual menu, Harris, a Democratic state representative from Columbia, will be wining and dining aldermen, reporters and visitors on a spread of coffee (caff and decaf) and donuts. Or if he really splurges, bagels and pastries from the St. Louis Bread Company.
UPDATE: He splurged. Bagels, coffee — and orange juice! — from Bread Co.
The Department of Economic Development (DED) has approved the establishment of an Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) in St. Louis.
The city's EEZ covers the entire riverfront as well as large sections of the Northside and areas along highways 44, 64 and 70. According to the EEZ law, new and expanding businesses in the zone that are not gambling, retail trade or food and drink establishments are eligible for yearly tax credits for up to five years. The DED and the City will determine eligibility for the credits, and businesses may apply for an additional five year credit period if they plan further expansion.
The law also states that all businesses receiving credits must meet job and investment criteria. For businesses that are expanding or building new facilities this means creating at least two new jobs and making a $100,000 investment. Businesses that are building replacement facilities must meet the same job requirement, but also make a $1 million investment.
But not every business that builds in the EEZ necessarily gets credits. The DED awards credits on a case-by-case basis after the business goes through an application process. Businesses moving to an EEZ from elsewhere in Missouri must present the DED with approval for job relocation from the local government where the jobs are held.
Finally, any organizations taking advantage of existing tax credit programs, including the Brownfield Redevelopment Program, cannot receive EEZ credits.
After the House failed to override President Bush's veto of SCHIP today, Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay issued this statement.
President Bush and Republican extremists have abandoned 10 million American children and the hard-working parents who love them. The overwhelming majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents support SCHIP because it is pro-family, pro-work, and pays for itself. Just like my two children, I want every child in this country to have healthcare coverage. I am certain that the American people will remember who stood with our children today, and who did not.
Special Administrative Board CEO Rick Sullivan will be the speaker at the SLPS Parent Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, October 23 at Metro High School at 4015 McPherson Avenue. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM and is open to the public.
According to Parent Assembly President Dorris Walker-McGahee,Sullivan was supposed to be at the last two meetings but he couldn't attend because of a packed schedule.
The group Citizens To Support Fire Chief George is doing just that. The group is asking people to 'Come by the thousands' to City Hall this Sunday at 3:00 PM to show support for demoted Fire Chief Sherman George.
From the press release:
Chief Sherman George, the City’s first and only African-American Fire Chief, has been unjustly removed from his position and publicly disrespected by Mayor Francis Slay. This is an insult and disregard to the entire St. Louis Community. These, and other actions by the Mayor, have created deep division.
Featured guests at the rally include: State Representative Jamilah Nasheed, Bishop Willie Ellis, Bishop Alphonso Scott, Reverend Tommie Pierson, Bishop B.T. Rice, Reverend Douglas Parham, Don Fitz, Bill Ramsey and Zaki Baruti.
UPDATE: The St. Louis American is reporting that this is also a Francis Slay recall rally.
VIDEO: Bill Monroe Faces Hurdles with New High School Proposal
By Gabe Bullard
Filed
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 9:59 PM
At yesterday's meeting of the Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools, community educator Bill Monroe grew frustrated after he was cut off by District CEO Rick Sullivan after Monroe used his alloted speaking time attempting to explain his proposal for a new vocational high school.
The Board had canceled a scheduled meeting with Monroe last week, saying existing city schools currently offer, or will eventually offer, equivalent training. But Monroe, the founder of the defunct Thurgood Marshall Academy, says this is not the case and he thinks the board has not thoroughly read his proposal.
On October 10, pollster Rasmussen Reports asked 500 Missourians the following questions. The results suggest Missouri is still very red.
How do you rate the way that George W. Bush is performing his role as President? Excellent, good, fair, or poor?
19% Excellent 17% Good 17% Fair 45% Poor 1% Not Sure
How do you rate the way that Matt Blunt is performing his role as Governor? Excellent, good, fair, or poor?
16% Excellent 25% Good 30% Fair 28% Poor 1% Not Sure
If the election for Governor were held today, would you vote for Republican Matt Blunt or Democrat Jay Nixon?
44% Blunt 43% Nixon 6% Other 7% Not Sure
Would you favor or oppose an increase in the Missouri State Sales Tax to fund bridge repairs?
28% Favor 51% Oppose 21% Not sure
Would you favor or oppose an increase in the Missouri State Sales Tax to fund public education?
40% Favor 49% Oppose 11% Not sure
Would you favor or oppose an increase in the Missouri State Sales Tax to fund health care for lower income residents?
40% Favor 46% Oppose 14% Not sure
Would you favor or oppose an increase in the Missouri State Sales Tax to fund expanding Interstate 70 to six lanes?
18% Favor 67% Oppose 15% Not sure
Should money for highway and bridge improvements come from tolls or higher state sales taxes?
53% Tolls 15% Higher taxes 25% Neither 6% Not sure
Should money from union dues be used to support political candidates or political parties?
12% Yes 74% No 14% Not sure
If a Missouri State Highway Patrol Officer pulls someone over for a traffic violation, should the officer automatically check to see if that person is in the country legally?
79% Yes 13% No 9% Not sure
If an officer finds that a person pulled over for a traffic violation is an illegal alien, should that person be deported?
73% Yes 11% No 16% Not sure
If police officers are required to check the immigration status of every person they pull over, does that create the temptation to discriminate against people based on their name, their accent and the color of their skin?
23% Yes 62% No 15% Not sure
Should the Catholic Church deny communion to pro-choice politicians?
18% Yes 48% No 34% Not sure
Click here to view the full Rasmussen poll results, including Presidential match-ups.
NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence
Yesterday, members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) rallied outside of the Children's Hospital in the Central West End. SEIU members were joined by hospital staffers, community and religious leaders in their effort to convince Missouri's Congressional delegation to overturn President Bush's veto of the SCHIP program.
Democrat Sam Coleman officially kicked off his campaign for state representative last night. By the campaign's estimate, several hundred people packed the Kappa House in midtown in support of Coleman's campaign to replace State Rep. Rodney Hubbard (D-58th), who is running for state senate.
Among those elected officials in attendance last night were President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed, Comptroller Darlene Green, License Collector Michael McMillan, Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, State Reps Rodney Hubbard, Jamilah Nasheed, and Sam Page (who's also running for Lt. Gov.), Aldermen Freeman Bosley, Sr., April Ford-Griffin, Charles "Quincy" Troupe, Marlene E. Davis, and Sam Moore, Committeepeople Ernestine Hill, Lucinda Frazier, Columbus Edwards, Arthur "Chink" Washington, and Curtis Royston (who's also running for State Rep. in the 61st District), and former State Representatives Louis Ford and Stan Piekarski.
The I-70 Northwest Development Corporation of St. Louis will receive $95,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits to build a senior care center. The center will take up just over half of a 4,308-square foot mixed-use building.
Dubbed the Kingsway Adult Day Care Center, the facility will provide health monitoring, social and personal care services, meals, transportation and educational and therapeutic workshops and activities to 24 senior citizens.
The $95,000 is part of $499,700 in NAP tax credits awarded by the Department of Economic Development to Missouri not-for-profits. Other organizations receiving funding include the Center for the Visually Impaired in Kansas City, Sylvan School, Inc. in Poplar Bluff and the Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield.
Governor Matt Blunt has announced that Parkside Towers, LLC will receive $5.1 million in redemption tax credits. The credits come as part of the Department of Economic Development's (DED) Brownfield Redevelopment Program, which gives incentives for the redevelopment of contaminated and underutilized commercial and industrial sites. According to Blunt's office, the property is currently contaminated with asbestos and lead-based paint.
Parkside is receiving the incentives for their plan to redevelop the Park Pacific property at 210 N. 13th Street. Missouri Pacific Railroad abandoned the property in 2003 and Parkside plans to turn the property into commercial, retail and residential space, including restaurants, offices and condos.
We're a little late posting this video, shot Saturday outside the America's Convention Center in downtown St. Louis.
Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Brotherhood of Union Support Staff (BUSS) picketed outside the convention center, where the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition (Pro-Vote) was holding its 12th Annual Progressive Awards Dinner.
SEIU has filed a formal complaint against Pro-Vote with the National Labor Relations Board charging the organization with "union-busting" and "constructively firing" workers who tried to organize.
According to union members, the United Auto Workers, which was scheduled to receive an award from Pro-Vote for "Outstanding Labor Union" refused to cross the SEIU/BUSS picket line and boycotted the awards dinner.
Metropolitan Congregation United will host a public forum featuring developer Paul McKee on Thursday, October 25 at 6:30 PM at the Holy Trinity Church at 3518 North 14th Street. McKee will speak about his plans for the near north side.
McKee owns the Blairmont properties that were at the core of the Land Assemblage Tax Credit Debate.
This week is the School Nutrition Association's National School Lunch Week. To celebrate, Aramark - who provides lunches to St. Louis Public Schools - is encouraging students to participate in the week's theme, "Vote for School Lunch."
By visiting the website voteforschoollunch.org students can vote for cartoon representations of their favorite school lunches. The website is also intended to educate students about healthy lunches.
In an article on health information blog groupvita.com, President of Aramark Education David Maple says the week is a time for Aramark to celebrate its commitment to healthy lunches.
The article also says that Aramark has developed new, healthier recipes. For St. Louis, this includes grilled chicken salad; baked chips; yogurt parfaits; 100 calorie snacks; chicken
quesadilla; teriyaki chicken with steamed rice; taco salad with rice and black beans.
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:
Friday's unseasonal upper-80-degree temperatures weren't the only reason things were hot in the Board of Aldermen meeting yesterday. Racial tensions are high in the City of St. Louis following Mayor Francis Slay's removal of the city's first black fire chief and the subsequent promoting of 25 fire fighters to the rank of captain, 88% of whom are white.
Third Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward), whose son was the city's first black mayor, took the opportunity during the announcements period at the end of the meeting to ask for a moment of quiet reflection and prayer to help heal the racial divide. Ironically, it was at that moment that the divide showed itself clearly to the citizens in the chamber and watching on television.
Alderman Steve Conway, who along with fellow southside aldermen Jennifer Florida and Steve Gregali have been at the center of much of the racial division at the Board, interrupted Bosley. Upset at Conway's interruption at a call for prayer, Bosley snapped back: "Oh, shut your mouth!"
Board President Lewis Reed asked Conway to back down from his point-of-order objection in the interest of keeping things civil. Conway eventually agreed and moved on.
About 30 demonstrators, ranging from children to senior citizens, held signs outside of Senator Kit Bond's office in Clayton yesterday afternoon calling for reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP). The group hoped Bond, who voted in favor of the bill, would encourage Missouri's other Republican representatives in the Congress to change their minds and vote in favor of SCHIP.
Last night, the Special Administrative Board (SAB) of St. Louis Public Schools agreed on several motions to expand Rick Sullivan's powers as President and CEO.
Sullivan can now settle legal claims of $5,000 or less without SAB approval. Both Sullivan and Superintendent Diana Bourisaw can now sign board-approved contracts. And both Sullivan and Bourisaw can now sign off on property deals with the board's approval.
SAB member Richard Gaines insisted that all property deals should be done with the knowledge of the alderman of the ward the property is in, which the rest of the board agreed to before voting to approve the motion.
Former New York City Mayor and Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani appeared at a $1,000-a-plate breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton this morning. The fundraiser was organized by St. Louis County real estate broker Mike Becker.
FLICKR:CLICK HERE to see our photos from today's event.
Here are some photos from last night's mixer of Young Democrats. We only sprinkled in a few embarrassing shots. The rest are for our blackmail file (Look out, Wahby!).
FLICKR:Click here to see all of these pics on Flickr. Have fun. Rate 'em! Comment on 'em! Add us as a contact!
Governor Matt Blunt's re-election campaign has taken issue with Attorney General Jay Nixon's characterization of the Republican governor as being in support of President George W. Bush's veto yesterday of the reauthorization of a program that provides health care for millions of children.
John Hancock, spokesman for Missourians for Matt Blunt, says the governor fully supports the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and wants Congress and the White House to work out their differences as soon as possible.
"This another area where Jay Nixon's only solution is a big tax increase," said Hancock.
"Governor Blunt has said repeatedly that he strongly supports reauthorizing SCHIP. He has said that the Congress and the President should work together to reauthorize the program without the tax increase that Nixon is endorsing."
The Nixon campaign released a statement yesterday saying Blunt opposes the program which could potentially reinstate health care for thousands of Missouri children.
"We now have more than 127,000 children in our state without insurance. That is unacceptable," said Nixon in the statement. "But instead of supporting a program which could bring coverage to thousands of those children, Matt Blunt is touting a health care plan that ignores them completely."
Nixon also noted that, as a percentage of the population, Missouri has kicked more people off SCHIP than any other state from June 2005 to June 2006.
"Following Blunt’s massive health care cuts in 2005, there are now more than 127,000 Missouri children without health insurance," said the Nixon campaign.
The web-based political action committee MoveOn.org will host a demonstration tomorrow at 4:00pm outside of Senator Kit Bond's office at the corner of Hanley and Bonhomme.
MoveOn is organizing similar demonstrations outside of several Republican Senators' offices across the country. The group hopes to encourage the Senators to override President George W. Bush's veto of a children's health care bill.
MoveOn says they need 15 Republicans to break from the President to override the veto.
UPDATE: The Washington Post has posted this breakdown of the House vote for the bill. All 197 Republicans that voted did so against the bill. 222 of the 223 Democrats who voted supported the bill. Heath Shuler of North Carolina was the Democrat's sole dissenter.
According to the breakdown of the Senate vote, Kit Bond was one of the 18 Republicans who voted in favor of the bill.
Outrage at President Bush's Veto of Children's Health Insurance Program
By Antonio D. French
From Congressman Lacy Clay:
"The appalling hypocrisy of this President has reached a new low. It is disgraceful that a man who has spent half a trillion dollars on an unnecessary and tragic war, now decides to target 10 million children of working Americans by denying them healthcare coverage.
SCHIP has the overwhelming bipartisan support of this Congress, along with 43 governors and the American Medical Association. We intend to make SCHIP the law of this land, with or without the President. I call on my Republican colleagues of conscience to help us override this cruel and cynical veto."
From U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill:
“The Children’s Health Insurance Program is a cost-effective way to provide health care to millions of kids, and it was fiscally irresponsible of the president to veto this great program.
“The question is: why would the President veto the Children’s Health Insurance Program but support Medicare Part D? Simple. The difference between the SCHIP program and Medicare Part D is that the insurance corporations and drug companies got a cut in Medicare Part D. When big corporations stood to profit, the President had no problem expanding insurance coverage even for multi-millionaires with Medicare Part D. But when low- and modest-income families can’t afford health care for their kids, he’s willing to leave them out in the cold.
“I applaud my Republican colleagues who have stood up in support of this bill. In fact, I believe it’s telling that Senator Grassley, ranking Republican member on the Finance Committee, which was responsible for managing this bill, spoke on the floor against the President’s position. I’m hopeful that this is a sign that we will have enough support to override the President’s veto.”
From Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon:
Attorney General Jay Nixon today criticized Gov. Matt Blunt for supporting President Bush’s veto of a bill passed by Congress to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). If reauthorized, the program could bring insurance to more than 56,000 Missouri children who had their coverage slashed by Gov. Blunt in 2005.
“Governor Blunt opposes a program that could potentially reinstate health care for thousands of Missouri children who – because of his massive cuts – don’t have it today,” said Attorney General Jay Nixon. “We now have more than 127,000 children in our state without insurance. That is unacceptable. But instead of supporting a program which could bring coverage to thousands of those children, Matt Blunt is touting a health care plan that ignores them completely. These kids don’t have lobbyists in Jefferson City like the big insurance companies do, so it’s up to our elected leaders to stand up for their needs. It’s a shame that the Governor refuses to join me in doing so.”
Gov. Blunt’s position may come as no surprise considering the fact that, as a percentage of the population, Matt Blunt has kicked more people off S-CHIP than any other governor from June 2005 to June 2006. Following Blunt’s massive health care cuts in 2005, there are now more than 127,000 Missouri children without health insurance.
According to Families USA, more than 56,000 Missouri children could receive health insurance if S-CHIP is reauthorized. However, Gov. Blunt supported President Bush’s decision to veto that reauthorization. Missouri Senators Kit Bond (R) and Claire McCaskill (D) both voted to reauthorize S-CHIP.
Two weeks ago, Gov. Blunt announced his latest health care initiative to expand health coverage. However, the Governor’s plan does nothing to bring coverage to the more than 127,000 children in Missouri who don’t have health insurance.
State Sen. Jeff Smith (D-St. Louis) today announced that the Board for Inner City Missions of the UCC Metro St. Louis, commonly known as Neighborhood Houses, has been approved to receive $182,925 in state tax credits.
From the press release:
The credits, in conjunction with funds raised in a capital campaign launched by the group, will help make possible the renovation of Dignity House in order to provide added after-school programming and other services to disadvantaged young people in the community.
“Dignity House, along with the two other two community centers under the Neighborhood Houses umbrella, serve as important resources to men, women and children looking to improve their conditions and brighten their futures,” Sen. Smith said. “From housing to health; exercise to education, Neighborhood Houses been here for working families for nearly 100 years and, under its continued dynamic and innovative leadership, will continue to be a positive part of the community landscape for generations to come.”
The nearly $200,000 in tax credits stem from the Neighborhood Assistance Program administered by Missouri’s Department of Economic Development.
The Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools will meet tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:00 PM in the Administration Building, 801 North 11th Street. This is a public meeting. Here's the agenda:
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Student Recognition 5. Public Comments 6. Approval of Minutes 7. Superintendent’s Report 8. Board Member Updates 9. Adjournment
After the public meeting, the SAB will hold a closed executive meeting. The agenda for this meeting includes legal, real estate and personnel matters. Here's that agenda:
1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Motion to go into Closed Session 4. Legal Matters 5. Real Estate Matters 6. Personnel Matters 7. Adjournment
