Mannies also downplays Odenwald's political motives in the ban by saying Kurt won't challenge Charlie. But it's Kurt's ambition to appeal as a "moderate" in this swing CC district, that I think is alterior motive enough for him to have pushed for the ban. Afterall, the 5th CC District incumbent of easily swing (if not now Dem-leaning) territory will soon have to face a well-funded Dem challenger.

The 5th District is now clearly Democratic in composition. Odenwald won reelection in 2002 with 51% of the vote by running well ahead of Jim Talent. To put that in perspective, Jim Talent, in a campaign good enough to unseat incumbent Jean Carnahan statewide just 2 years after he had lost statewide to Bob Holden, did not carry the 5th District.

Odenwald is a former law partner of Mayor Slay. He is also really (not just superficially) a moderate. In 2002 or 03, he sided with environmentalists seeking to limit pesticide spraying. In contrast, County Exec Dooley's administration pursued spraying in U City, in direct defiance of U City Council action expressly opposing pesticide spraying in their town.

Sorry to disagree, but there is no evidence that the 5th is "clearly" Democratic territory. It is a swing district and in a non-Presidential year still leans, however, slightly, Republican.

Also, if you examine Odenwalds record, he is NOT a moderate. His voting records in terms of providing immunizations, health department initiatives etc, is abysmal. He voted against pay raises for prosecutors and for issues like the violent video game ban. Sorry, but a smoking ban and an environmental vote do not a moderate make...a close look at his voting record shows a clear conservative voice on the Council.

excuse me Kevin--but your comments about Odenwald's record on health intiatives is dead wrong. He voted for the hepatitus A immunizations, and was acknoweldged by Post Dispatch for his position on the Health Department. He negotiated a compromise for the pay raise for the prosecutor the first time Bob McCollough asked for a raise, and voted for the pay raise for Mr. McCollough the second time McCollough came asking. By the way, he also voted for Mr. Westfall's payraise. But in all of his years on the Council, he has never asked for a pay raise for himself. Just where do you get your information. Sounds like it must have come from Tim Reardon, you know, the Democrat candidate who ran against Odenwald in 2002 with the financial backing of the State Democrat Party (the Party put nearly $100,000 into the race, in addition to the $200,000 raised by Mr. Westfall, Gov. Holden and Rep. Gephardt for the spouse of the State Democrat Party Chairwoman. Yes, the same type of unsupported negative attacks were the focus of Mr. Westfall's attempt to "take out Odenwald" in 2002 (Mr. Westfall's own words--not mine). Odenwald has face tough well financed opposition before, and has won every time because of his strong representation of the people of St. Louis County. He has been the strongest Council supporter for Metrolink (since the early 1990s), has consistently pushed for smoking restrictions since the early 1990s, pushed for propoerty tax reform, and oh yes, he did vote in favor of the restrictions on the sale of violent and sexually explicit videos and video games to children(a bill introduced by Democrat Jeff Wagner). Kevin, your past affiliation with Rep. Gephardt has truly clouded your objectivity.

By the way, Kurt Odenwald is my dad, and I could not be prouder of him for what he has tried to do for St. Louis County than I am right now.

Emma - You should be proud of your Dad. On most of the points, you are absolutely right. Kurt has taken the lead on smoking restrictions, voted against violent and explicit video games and was the person pushing for the reform of the drive-by assessments. However, he did oppose pay raises for rank and file prosecutors and voted against health department budgets that contained money for immunizations and other clinical programs.
My comments were directed towards the comment that your father was a "moderate," when he has been a conservative voice on the Council. Voting to ban violent video games is a "conservative" position despite being proposed by Jeff Wagner...and his position on drive-by assessments was driven by a feeling that taxes were too high on properties. Many people, especially those who voted for your father, would not think that being conservative is a bad thing and I am not sure many would dispute that Kurt has been conservative.

I am glad you responded. Your comments were thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Kevin,

I think it's fair to say that Kurt is conservative, but he's also been very good on some issues such as cycling access and curbing the car only attitude in the Highway Department as well as very, very good on making sure that when the county sells property to private developers that the County at least captures the back taxes in the transaction. He's also not been willing to give the bank away to developers on several occasions. He's also good on Parks--as is Mange.

We have significantly better candidates than Reardon running this time and I bet it'll be a good race. There are issues of difference with Kurt that I have, but also many areas where he's been excellent. One of my biggest fears is that the Dems will run against the smoking ban instead of as a continued voice to pass it.