The correct name for the Clayton incumbent alderman is Judy Goodman.

Some would call Clayton's proposed use of eminent domain real "vision".

I think that Uchitelle just guaranteed contributions from Centene for the rest of his political career.

fixed the name.

thanks for the help,
dave.

Wow. Using eminent domain to oust current small businesses so that other small businesses can take their place....I think our founding fathers are spinning in their graves.

I am the Cynthia Holmes who is running for Alderman in Clayton, Ward 1. I am not against Centene's development. They purchased property on Hanley from Forsyth to Carondelet on which they will build two office towers that will house all of the new jobs. The hoped for new jobs are their projection for new Centene employees in the next four years. The contract Centene signed with the City states that there will be 72 retail jobs in the eminent domain area. As there are several hundred office workers, lawyers, real estate agents and others working in those five properties now, the use of eminent domain will actually result in the loss of jobs in that area. I am opposed to Clayton's action giving Centene the right to use eminent domain to force small business people to sell their property to a large profitable corporation. I am appalled at the spin put on this by the City that attempts to link the whole project to the necessity to use eminemt domain. More importantly the current Board has formed a habit of forcing legislation through the board with two votes in one night, ignoring the sentiments of the vast majority of actual voting residents. This was the case in the Centene eminent domain issue, the Clayton Road urban design district and the refusal to allow the voters an up or down vote on the use of eminent domain when presented with a proper initiative petition. Instead the Board met in closed sessions of questionable legality to create their own non-binding referendum. The question will be submited in June at a special election that will be an extra expense at a time when we are having claimed budget crunch.
Don't get me started! There are lots of issues facing Clayton, but my opponant would rather brand me as a one issue candidate than discuss them in an open forum convenient to actual voters. (She will attend one by the Chamber of Commerce at 7:45 a.m. on a weekday!)

To call Clayton's use of eminent domain "real vision" is the most ridiculous statement ever made in the history of blogging. The merits of the Centene Project are irrelevant. The use of eminent domain was designed to take blighted property and let the government take it redevelope it. If Centene wants the property they should go out onto the open market and attempt to purchase the bulidings. If the price is to high then the market has spoken. It is not for the Clayton government and Mr. Uchitelle in all of his infinite wisdom to make a determination that one private business is more desireable than the other. No true progressive would ever propose such a thing. A decision like this should be made in the open with a fully informed public. Not behind closed doors. I beg my Clayton neighbors to become fully informed on this issue before making a decision. There is much at stake.

its a shame that eminent domain has become such a boogyman in recent years through some ill-advised applications. it makes legitimate uses that much harder to to sell because people think its all bad...

Centenne already controls all the property on the eastern end of its block, including its current office building, the former Library Limited and the city parking garage. So then, why is the full block needed?

It appears that the added takings on the western end of the block don't sit in the footprint of the new office buildings, and thus are included just to replace current retail with newer retail. Doesn't make much sense.