President Reed?
6th Ward Alderman Eyes City-Wide Race
Lewis Reed is exploring a run for president of the Board of Alderman. The Democratic primary will be held next spring and Jim Shrewsbury, the incumbent, is expected to run for re-election.
Lewis Reed, an alderman of Ward 6 which includes Lafayette Square and Tower Grove East among its neighborhoods, running for president has a number of significant implications for local African American politics. Currently, African Americans, despite comprising a majority of the city’s population, hold only twelve of the the twenty-eight seats on the Board of Alderman.
Neighborhood scuttlebutt has two possible replacements for Reed’s aldermanic seat: committeeman Patrick Cacchione and Christian Saller, an active resident with expertise in urban planning. Both are white. Assuming all other things remain as they are, the African American representation on the Board of Aldermen would drop to eleven seats. Before redistricting African Americans held thirteen seats on the Board of Aldermen.
However, if Reed were to become president of the Board, African American would hold two of the three seats on the powerful Board of Estimate and Apportionment.
Shrewsbury has positioned himself as a counter-balance to Mayor Slay on a number of initiatives – for example, the Forest Park lease – but has avoided outright warfare with the sitting mayor.
Reed, meanwhile is probably second only to Mike McMillan, in his ability to point to a large number of specific development projects in his ward that he was responsible for deftly shepherding through city process.
Part of the electoral mathematics on which Reed may be counting, is his ability to win both north side and central corridor voters. Shrewsbury’s victory over Lyda Krewson was delivered via by strong turn-out in his south side base, but also a fair amount of north side support. If Reed is able to pre-empt that north side support and win the central corridor, the race would become a squeaker.
You must be tripping! Does Lewis have permission from Mayor Slay to run? Permission from Chris Goodson? Ha! Everyone knows that every since Lewis and Chris challenged each other for the 6th Ward Alderman seat that Lewis has kept Chris at bay, and happy, by making sure he gets to build "Chris Town" all over Lafayette Square and the rest of the 6th Ward. It's actually become a joke among city office holders about how Lewis embrasses himself as he goes into the Master/Servant role when around Chris. Why would Chris allow Lewis to dry up his own personal ATM machine coming out of City Hall?
The powers to be just let mike mcmillan become the license collector. Lewis will have to kiss a lot more butt than just Chris' to become the second black person on the Board of E&A.
Posted by carolyn on Fri., Sep 22, 2006 at 9:45 AMNot that my opinion really matters, but in this scenario, I would endorse Jim Shrewsbury for President of the Board of Aldermen and Christian Saller for alderman. I'd be happy to help with both of their campaigns.
Posted by Brian Marston on Fri., Sep 22, 2006 at 9:52 AMMy memory is faulty, but didn't Goodson run against Lewis Reed about 6-8? years ago? Goodson ran as an independent, if memory serves correct.
Posted by anonymous on Fri., Sep 22, 2006 at 10:50 AMDespite being a fellow Southwest St. Louisan, Jim is often the swing vote on the E&A, surprisingly voting against Slay on key issues. I personally hope that Shrewsbury supports an amended BJC lease of Hudlin Park, but even if he didn't, such single-issue wouldn't dissuade me from still supporting his re-election. Overall, Jim has been a good coalition-builder for the BOA. If you remember, Shrewsbury even supported a civilian review board of the police, when many white aldermen did not.
Posted by Brian on Fri., Sep 22, 2006 at 11:18 AMJim is readily accessible, supports mass transit, and an independent thinker.
He has my vote and my physical support.
Posted by Douglas Duckworth on Fri., Sep 22, 2006 at 6:13 PMHow about Shrewbury for mayor?? Hope he is thinking about this.
Posted by veronica on Fri., Sep 22, 2006 at 11:51 PM==It's actually become a joke among city office holders about how Lewis embrasses himself as he goes into the Master/Servant role when around Chris.
Carolyn, this campaign has yet to begin and already you are throwing out racial slurs. As a Shrewsbury supporter, you are already doing a HUGE disservice to an honorable elected official. President Shrewsbury has been a tireless advocate advancing the city. Alderman Reed likewise has worked hard to improve Lafayette Square, Compton Heights, and the rest of both the 6th Ward and the city in general. Alderman Reed more than deserves the opportunity to run against Shrewsbury. This what democracy is about; good, CLEAN, hard fought campaigns comparing candidates' issue stances and vision for the future. Your amateur, bush league comments illustrate why our city is still divided. Take a page from Senator Smith, One City moving forward. Shame on you Carolyn or whoever you are. Shame. Shame. Shame.
...and another thing Carolyn or whoever you are, Saller's responsibilities at the SLDC do not include the 6th Ward at all.
Posted by Bubba on Mon., Sep 25, 2006 at 8:08 AMBOARD BILL NO. [06] 66
Introduced by Jim.
An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of the Department of Human Services, on behalf of the City of St. Louis, to enter into and execute a Grant Agreement with the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in the amount of $1.2 Million to implement a three year project to divert nonviolent offenders from jail into appropriate community based treatment programs, appropriating said funds and authorizing the Director of the Department of Human Services, upon approval of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, to expend funds as permitted by such Grant Agreement and containing an emergency clause.
Ordinance 67186 is a great demonstration of rehabilitation, which awards good behavior. With these types of policies individuals are given a second chance. Intergovernmental relations are key for solving these problems. This is a step in the right direction and I commend Jim for this policy.
http://www.samhsa.gov/about/background.aspx
Posted by Douglas Duckworth on Mon., Sep 25, 2006 at 10:39 AMAlderman Reed, for all his success with development in his ward, has failed miserably to alleviate crime. It seems as if he doesn't care to deal with it, as most of his focus is in Lafayette Square and sqauring away deals for exlcusive lofts and condos. If he wants to run for Aldermanic Chair he needs to address the major problems that face the communities of Tower Grove East, Fox Park, and the Gate District. The same problem properties and corners are still dealing drugs and committing crime. Also there has been a spike in car breakins in his ward recently. Alderman Phyllis Young shows up to almost every 3rd district meeting and neighborhood meetings and is very effective with working with the police..where the hell is Lewis Reed?
Posted by DanM on Tue., Sep 26, 2006 at 6:14 PM
Right a Wrong. Submit any tips or story ideas by using our anonymous email form. Confidentiality is guaranteed.