July 2004

July 31, 2004

Moore endorses Dandamudi?

Looks like it as this message came from Rochell Moore's email address:

Get something New with Sereenu!!!

Punch # 42 in the City and 51 in the County.
Come watch the election results at the Red Sea restaurant, 6511 Delmar Blvd.
in University City at 8:00pm.

Thank you.

Sreenu Dandamudi, Candidate
Missouri House of Representatives
Democrat - 64th District
www.sreenu2004.com

More back and forth

From the Jeff Smith campaign yesterday:

Carnahan Campaign Sinks To New Libelous Low

Today the sinking Russ Carnahan campaign stooped to a new low with slanderous phone calls saying that Jeff Smith is pro-life, and pro-gun.

Jeff Smith unequivocally supports a woman’s right to choose and supports common sense gun control such as the assault weapons ban and opposes Missouri’s dangerous concealed carry laws. His outspoken advocacy for these and other progressive positions such as universal healthcare and a foreign policy consistent with American values are the reason that his campaign has caught fire with the voters of the 3rd District. Tonight Smith finishes his Town Hall tour with an address to over 70 voters in South St. Louis city.

“The Carnahan campaign continues its slimy campaign of lies, libel, and distortion. First they claimed Russ was the only candidate to vote against conceal and carry. That was false. Joan Barry voted against it. Now they are sinking so fast in the polls that their volunteers or paid phone bankers are telling voters that Jeff Smith is pro-life and pro-gun. These charges are of course blatant libel and will be dealt with in court,” said Arthur Harris, Communications Director for Jeff Smith for Congress. Smith’s campaign is in the process of filing an FEC complaint against Carnahan.

Carnahan’s campaign can’t talk about Russ’ “thin” record of accomplishments, as the Post-Dispatch stated, so they must sink to lies, slander, and dirty politics. The voters of the 3rd District know better and will show so on August 3rd.

July 30, 2004

The Postcard

I ran into some subscribers last night and they immediately wanted to talk about The Postcard. My wife - who is not the political addict I am - comes home every night from work and asks about The Postcard.

Here is pretty much everything I know about the Postcard:

It was sent from Cleveland on or about July 20. The permit number 2371 belongs to Advanced Media which has offices in Cleveland and Boston. This is its web-site. Cleveland has no customer service operations. Speaking to a company official in Boston, they confirmed that this is their permit number, but cited customer privacy for refusing to reveal who paid for the mailing. 25,000 pieces were mailed. Experienced campaign-types have estimated to me that to do a mailing of this type would cost about $6000-7,000.

Because the website lets people order, the culprit could have been in Cleveland, Boston, St. Louis, California, Germany, Boliva etc. But there will be a paper trail, and faced with a subpoena, Advanced Media will have to release that information.

The Postcard says that the mailing is paid by www.rustycarnahan.org. Eric Lillard, of Web Expressions, registered that web-site on July 14. He has since changed the registration to John Doe, but it’s a little late to deny it since I and others have copies of the original registration. I called him on the phone and he was evasive and uncooperative.

Googling Web Expressions Inc, these are the web-sites that come up. Benjy Levin. Environmental Ironworks.
Here is the state registration for Web Expressions Inc.

Russ Carnahan campaign suspects Jeff Smith or Joan Barry had something to do with it. Their suspicions appear to rest largely on the Smith/Barry joint press conference outlining the same line of attack on Carnahan days before the Postcard arrived. In their complaint with the FEC, the Carnahan camp has a signed affidavit from Paul Schmid (don’t have it in front of me so this may be an incorrect spelling) stating that he called the Jeff Smith campaign, asked for Eric Lillard and was told that he wasn’t in but offered to take a message. The person who answered the phone, “Brian” seemed to know Eric Lillard.

The Smith campaign says that this is ridiculous. They have lots of volunteers, not everyone knows everyone. The person who answered the phone assumed that if the caller was asking for someone, that person worked there, so offered to take a message.

Meanwhile Carnahan supporter Norman Pressman sent a wide-sweeping affidavit to Jeff Smith to sign which denies all knowledge of the Postcard. Pressman is clearly more interested in turning up the heat on Smith than getting to the bottom of the Postcard affair, but Smith hasn't signed it.

The Postcard is illegal. If one of the campaigns is tied to it, it’s a felony. And someone may very well go to jail for fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority. However the FEC takes time to investigate, so don’t expect anything this year.

If an individual acted alone and without any campaign instructions or help, it is still illegal, again because of the misrepresentation. There is no www.rustycarnahan.org registered as an entity. Whether it would be a felony or not is unclear. However, it's hard for me to imagine that an individual would have a 25,000 frequent voter database handy. I believe that there's some tie to one of the campaigns.

Arch Pundit has also been digging and he has some additional information, but that’s for him to reveal when/if he feels it's relevant. As far as I know, he has not uncovered a smoking gun either.

July 29, 2004

Changes on the way at West End Word

Tim Woodcock will become the new editor at the West End Word. Julie Stevenson, the current editor, will stay involved as copy editor and cut back to part time to concentrate on creative writing. Kara Beightel will be the new staff writer.

American endorsements

Can be found here.

A big day for Rachel Storch in the 64th as she garners both the Post-Dispatch endorsement and the St. Louis American endorsement.

American says Yes on Amendment 1, but is silent on Amendment 2. Also no endorsement on 59th district state rep race despite growing African American population there.

Ecology of Absence

Ecology of Absence has a new site and new material.

Bad news for StL Life sciences

John McDonald is leaving Wash U for Johns Hopkins.

He cites MO legistators trying to limit research.

I wrote about this a while ago in the Business Journal.

July 28, 2004

St. Louis ArtWorks

St. Louis ArtWorks Final Sale
First-Time Artists Exhibit and Sell One-of-a-Kind Creations
Thursday, July 29, 2004, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Adams Park Community Center, 1311 Tower Grove Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110

The St. Louis ArtWorks Final Sale features the work of area young adults,
14-21 years old, hired for six weeks each summer to work part-time as
apprentices with some of the region's most talented artists. Visitors can
choose from prints, paintings, drawings, photographs, collages, and other
unique items, created by teen participants, on display at the Adams
Community Center. Dance and circus performances will also be ongoing during
the sale - the culmination of this summer's activities for St. Louis
ArtWorks.

** Nearby Mangrove Restaurant (4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110)
will also donate a portion of lunch proceeds on July 29 to St. Louis
ArtWorks.

Mohn goes on the air

From Mohn for Congress:

ST. LOUIS - Corey Mohn, candidate for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 3rd
Congressional District, began airing radio ads Monday on KMOX. The
primary ad, which calls for an end to the War in Iraq and a universal
health care system in America, will run daily through Election Day.

"The theme of my campaign from the beginning has been to focus this race
on the issues. Voters want a candidate that provides them with specific
solutions to the problems we all face. It is easy to talk about the
problems, let's talk about what we are going to do about fixing them.
That is why my campaign slogan is "STOP WHINING, START MOHNING". These
radio ads will help get the message out that voters need to give all
candidates consideration and make an educated choice.

The primary radio ad can be heard on the Mohn for Congress website -
www.mohn2004.com ; .

Mark Smith, above the fray

Press Release from Mark Smith for Congress:
Mark Smith Renews Request for Candidates to Sign Ethics Pledge

St. Louis- On Tuesday, Mark Smith renewed his request for the other candidates in the Third District Congressional race to sign his Campaign Code of Ethics. Early in the race for the Third Congressional Democratic nomination, Mark Smith drafted, signed and asked all the other candidates to sign a Campaign Code of Ethics.

In light of the recent charges and countercharges that have been traded among Joan Barry, Jeff Smith and Russ Carnahan, Mark has renewed his request to the other candidates to join Cory Mohn, Joann Karll and Mark Smith to sign his pledge. “If only all the candidates would have signed and followed the Campaign Code of Ethics we could have avoided the problems that we are now seeing. We need to replace Dick Gephardt with someone who acts like a Congressman, not like a bickering school child,” stated Mark Smith today. “If the candidates had signed the document, we could have avoided all of these problems and we could instead focus on the candidates and the issues.”

Busch money split, Georgia hedges bet

Adolphus Busch gave to Jeff Smith, but August Busch donates to Stoll.

Meanwhile Frontiere gives to Carnahan, perhaps hedging her bet after giving to Barry one week ago.

July 27, 2004

Mark Smith wins Post endorsement

Stunning the pundits.

Mark Smith wins the Post-Dispatch endorsement for 3rd CD!

July 26, 2004

Evans drops out. Endorses Jeff Smith.

From Mike Evans:

Dear Friends, Family, and other supporters:

This has been an amazing journey over the past eight months that I have been in the race to replace Congressman Dick Gephardt to represent Missouri's Third District. I have gained so much from meeting the many different people of this region, and it is something that I will always remember. It is with a heavy heart that I announce first to you, my friends and family, that I have decided to end my campaign for Congress.

The message of equality for all Americans has been well recieved across the district and I feel good about what we have accomplished in this campaign. I urge you to continue the fight for equal healthcare for all Americans, equal tax laws for all income levels, and equal rights for anyone who is in love and would like to enter into marriage! I urge you to help bring an end to George Bush's Presidency and put a man who cares about America in the White House. I will be fighting in the coming months to help put Missouri in the Kerry column.

I appreciate the support that you have given to me and this campaign. We, in the Third District, face a tough choice. We must now choose a candidate who will continue to fight for us the way Richard Gephardt has over the past two decades. I strongly believe that Jeff Smith is the candidate who best represents our district and our beliefs. If you have not taken time to learn about Jeff Smith I challenge you to learn more about him at his website www.jeffsmith2004.com. Jeff is a strong advocate for many of the same issues that I hold dear to me. Education, healthcare and equal rights are all issues where I stand in line with Jeff Smith. I know that Jeff will make a fine Congressman - and someone who we can be proud to represent us.

Thank you again, this has been an amazing campaign.

Sincerely,

Mike Evans

Mike Evans
Candidate for Congress
Missouri's Third Congressional District

From the Mark Smith camp

Press Release to Arch City Chronicle on Mark Smith for Congress

Mark Smith has bought the most air time of any of the candidates running for the third district race. Mark is for three major institutions. He wants to fight health care, not other candidates. He wants to help the economy, and get people jobs, and get them back to working enough hours so that they can support their families again. Mark is not just looking for a new job himself. Mark wants to make sure that the children of the Third District get educated, and he will do whatever he can in congress to make sure that our needs are met. Mark has experience as former president of the police board, as a lawyer for a major law firm, and as a dean of the law school at Wash U Law. He can be our next congressman.

Carnhan kicks in another $49,000

Carnahan kicks in another $49,000 to his campaign. This puts the total amount he has contributed to his campaign at $114,100.

July 25, 2004

Excellent piece by Tim Barnhart on the 3rd CD

Handicapping the 2004 Primary: 3rd Congressional District
By Tim Barnhart

In the Democratic Primary for this safely Democratic seat, what was initially thought to be a coronation for State Rep. Russ Carnahan has turned into a wide-open free-for-all. There are 10 candidates, most of whom have significant credentials and bases of support. With so many strong candidates dividing the vote, factors that swing just a percentage point or two can be decisive. Any candidate who can top 25% will win.

The one-time sure thing for Carnahan fell victim to a growing perception that Russ is the dim bulb on the Carnahan family tree. He just doesn’t seem to measure up to the legacy of his father (the late Governor Mel) or his mother (former Senator Jean), and he is overshadowed as well by sister Robin (unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State). These perceptions were compounded by disappointing early fundraising results. That was just enough to break down the early bandwagon. Now Russ must scratch it out with the others. Here are some of the factors that may decide who wins:

Ideology. The formerly conservative district is now nearly evenly divided between conservative and progressive (“liberal”) voters, at least in the Democratic primary. A single dominant liberal or conservative would win easily, but there are too many strong candidates in both camps for that to happen. While the mix of social and economic issues make some candidates hard to peg, most observers believe that liberals will be drawn to Carnahan, Jeff Smith, Mark Smith, former State Rep. Jo Ann Karll, Corey Mohn and Mike Evans, while conservatives will opt among Sen. Steve Stoll, former State Rep. Joan Barry, Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza and Michael Bram. Jeff Smith especially appeals to liberals who favored Howard Dean prior to that campaign’s implosion, and the small but loyal cadre of Dennis Kucinich supporters has one of their own in Mohn.

Single-issue politics. Abortion and gay marriage are getting lots of attention. But in a divided field, the important issue is the one that sets out one major candidate from all the others. In a primary, that is often an issue on which a candidate’s position is out-of-sync with the party. The single issue that could be decisive in this contest is gun control. The field favors gun control (or at least opposes “conceal and carry”), except for Stoll and Bram, and Bram’s candidacy has lots of other problems. The National Rifle Association could snare a seat in a largely urban district with a stealth campaign to get its members to vote in the Democratic Primary for Stoll. I have no indication whether or not that’s actually happening.

Geography and “home turf” loyalty. The biggest geographic factor is the pervasive anti-St. Louis bias that outstate voters demonstrate regularly. Voters in Jefferson and Ste. Genevieve Counties identify more with outstate Missouri than their urban neighbor. This gives Stoll, from Jefferson County, a big advantage in those counties (about a third of the district). He has to share home-turf advantage with Karll in northern Jefferson County, but his conservative stances on abortion and guns sell better there than the pro-choice Karll. Barry is expected to run strong in her St. Louis County base, but 2002 redistricting removed much of that territory from the district. Some pundits give Carnahan a similar edge in south city, but the recently transplanted Rolla native is not really well positioned to claim hometown loyalty. On the other hand, his Rolla roots will help him encroach on Stoll’s turf south of the Meramec. Favazza will win a chunk of the conservative part of the city vote, but votes of city progressives are up for grabs. So are voters in central St. Louis County, from University City to Webster Groves.

Money and Media. The marginally inattentive voter (who throws away political doordrops and direct mail without looking at them) can only be reached by television and radio ads, and half the field has raised enough money to afford air time. Carnahan’s fundraising, though disappointing, is still better than any other Democrat (though well behind Republican Bill Federer), and Carnahan was first to hit the air. Jeff Smith’s war chest could challenge Carnahan on the airways, but rumors say he may spend it elsewhere (which would fail to capitalize on one of the photogenic candidate’s primary assets). Mark Smith, Stoll and Barry also have six-figure balances which could buy some air time. No one else raised as much as $35,000.

Organizational endorsements. Organizational endorsements are waning in importance, but could still provide the winning edge in a wide-open field like this. Carnahan has the support of Planned Parenthood and the gay rights organization PROMO, but not his mother’s home township (Clayton), which backed Jeff Smith. Barry enjoys healthy support from organized labor, in spite of her social conservatism, and the St. Louis Police Officers Association. She scored five important ward endorsements in Favazza’s back yard, but Favazza’s dominance in yard signs in those wards (an admittedly risky measure of support) suggests that many voters are unimpressed with those endorsements. Stoll enjoys support from teachers unions (despite his opposition to abortion rights) in addition to strong party backing south of the Meramec. He trumped the other pro-life candidates by winning the Missouri Right to Life endorsement. Stoll’s endorsement by the 9th Ward organization seems like an important coup in Carnahan’s home district, but that organization’s clout is eroded by the emerging political influence of the progressive Jeanette Mott Oxford.

Motivated grassroots organization. In the similarly wide-open 2000 Republican primary in the 2nd District, State Rep. Todd Akin defeated better known and better financed opponents because he had the most dedicated core of volunteers. Grassroots intensity often flows to candidates like Akin, underdogs with a fighting chance. So who has the fired up troops this year in the 3rd? The liberal candidate with the most intense grassroots loyalty seems to be Jeff Smith. He apparently picked up many of those who had been prepared to support State Sen. Joan Bray before she dropped out, and those people are among the best grassroots organizers in the area. Howard Dean’s endorsement adds to the atmosphere. The grassroots candidate of the Right is Favazza. Conservative rivals Stoll and Barry have garnered most of the conservative ward, township and organizational endorsements, but Favazza has beaten that before. His intensely loyal grassroots support outflanked overwhelming organizational opposition when he upset Circuit Clerk Mavis Thompson in 1998. This year, his carefully targeted high-turnout areas are seeing an impressive flurry of his signs and flyers. He is a shrewd strategist, he feasts on foes who underestimate him, and he knows how to win votes. However, his recent retaliatory strike against Barry-backing Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury was a strategic blunder that will backfire.

Gender loyalty. One of politics’ dirty little secrets is that, all things being equal, voters tend to vote for candidates of their own gender. Data show this to be especially true among women. This factor probably only amounts to one or two percentage points, but in a divided field, those votes could be decisive. It is noteworthy that while Jeff Smith inherited many of Bray’s former supporters, three prominent women in that camp backed Karll in the Clayton Township endorsement vote. There are only two women in the race, and the ideological differences between the socially conservative Barry and the liberal Karll lessen the chance that they will compete for the same votes.

Name confusion. Former Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr. won his first election when a political unknown with the same last name as Bosley’s major opponent drew more votes than Bosley’s margin of victory. This year, unrelated Jeff and Mark Smith will each probably lose some votes to each other due to voter confusion, and the stronger Smith will lose more. On the other hand, Barry may pick up support from voters who confuse her with well-respected former candidate Bray.

Ballot placement. Jeff Smith won the lottery to appear first on the ballot. The bottom spot (often regarded as the next best ballot placement) belongs to Karll.

Bandwagon. Many casual, unaligned voters in the St. Louis area seem to use voting as an exercise in personal affirmation. They feel better about themselves if they vote for the candidate who wins. Subconsciously (or sometimes even consciously) they seek out who is going to win and then vote that way. This phenomenon helps explain why so many voters in the 3rd District voted for Dick Gephardt in his contest and (until 2000) for John Ashcroft in his, in the same trip to the polls! Carnahan entered the race as the “presumptive nominee,” and he still enjoys that aura among those who aren’t paying attention. Television and radio ads over the last three weeks will reinforce this impression, unless another candidate can outdo Carnahan with more or better commercials. Only the monied candidates have a shot at this pathetic but frequently decisive bloc of voters.

Turnout. This factor interacts with the others and helps determine which ones matter. The voters who vote in low-turnout elections are the well informed regulars, whose decisions are less affected by media advertising. Strong grassroots candidates do well in low-turnout elections. The additional voters who participate in high-turnout elections tend to be marginally inattentive, and are the most likely to be swayed by bandwagon psychology and advertising. So a high turnout favors the monied candidates, while a low turnout favors candidates with strong organization backing and good grassroots organizations. Selective turnout is even more important. A controversial ballot measure or other primary contest that attracts voters of a particular ideological bent or those from just one region can be decisive. Amendment 2 may attract both progressives favoring gay marriage and “Religious Right” opponents, but the extra voters who take a Democratic ballot will be predominantly liberal. Contentious Democratic primaries for state representative for Carnahan’s old seat and in the western part of the city will also attract disproportionately liberal voters. On the other hand, the Democratic turnout in left-leaning central St. Louis County will be eroded by well-publicized Republican primary contests involving Clayton’s Gene McNary, Shrewsbury’s Kurt Odenwald and Webster Groves’ Joan McGivney. Barry’s south county base will also be eroded by contested GOP primaries involving Sen. Anita and Bob Yeckel.

This analysis has very little to say about Mark Smith, because I have never figured out the source of his support. He is personable and has sound proposals and a credible resume, but the same can be said of most of his opponents. His stint as police board president has attracted business backers, but not the Police Officers Association. Others apparently know what I don’t, though, because he is among the leading fundraisers and his lawn sign representation in my neighborhood is more than respectable. Other pundits list him among the handful given a decent chance of winning.

So, all things considered, who wins? The divided candidate field means that any of a half dozen candidates have a serious shot at winning, so it wouldn’t be that surprising if the person I have picked to come in 5th or 6th actually takes the prize.

If turnout is low, Stoll and Jeff Smith could win. Jeff Smith seems to be gaining momentum among seriously progressive Democrats, but I give the edge to Stoll if turnout is low. His campaign has a classic “niche” appeal that could snare the plurality in a divided field. His “niche” is conservative Democrats favoring his pro-life, pro-gun and anti-gay-marriage positions. Notably he is the only “serious” pro-gun Democrat in the contest (Bram doesn’t count). If the National Rifle Association gears up a stealth campaign to get its members to vote in the Democratic Primary, Stoll probably wins.

However, I believe that turnout will be at least moderate, and in the end, the sophisticated factors I have discussed will cancel each other out, leaving money and name recognition to carry the day. So in spite of campaign disappointments and the “dim bulb” aura alluded to earlier, Carnahan is my pick to win it all, with Stoll a close second. Barry’s smart media campaign identifying her with health care will vault her into third ahead of Jeff Smith. Karll, Favazza and Mark Smith will battle for fifth, while Mohn will lead the bottom three, ahead of Evans, with Bram coming in last.

In the Republican primary, “Religious Right” conservative and two-time nominee Bill Federer faces former Webster Groves council member Joan McGivney in a district that is much less conservative than in Federer’s prior runs. Federer has raised nearly $900,000 (50% more than the leading Democrat), but 90% has been frittered away with little to show for it. His campaign reports disclose substantial fundraising expenses, large wireless bills and high bank fees from a Virginia bank (including bounced check charges). The capable, articulate and moderate (almost liberal) McGivney will run well in her home turf and in less conservative additions to the district (Maplewood and portions of Richmond Heights, Clayton and University City). It is unclear whether Federer’s well-publicized legal hassles with a vindictive Gephardt campaign will draw sympathy from GOP voters or leave them wanting to try someone new. Federer has greater name recognition and intense loyalty from Religious Right voters, so the primary is his to lose.

Libertarian Kevin Babcock has no primary opposition.

July 23, 2004

The return of the press secretary

Statement From Jeff Smith Campaign Press Secretary Arthur Harris

The record shows Russ Carnahan has one of the worst attendance records in the Missouri legislature. He missed more work than 120 (82%) of his colleagues in the State House in 2003 and more work than 132 (88%) of his colleagues in 2004. Throughout his career he has missed crucial votes on core progressive values such as healthcare, education, protecting the environment, and conceal and carry. That's what the record shows.

Jeff Smith has shown throughout his life that he is dedicated to the core progressive values he has focused his campaign on. While teaching courses at Washington University, Jeff spent thousands of hours working to provide high quality public education to children in St. Louis city. Jeff Smith is exactly the kind of representative we need in Washington D.C. He has a record of accomplishment, vision, and hard work.

Carnahan strikes back

From the Carnahan campaign:

TRAILING CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES MISLEAD VOTERS
Joan Barry tries to bury her record and Jeff Smith tries to obscure that
he has none

"I am disappointed to see that Joan Barry and Jeff Smith
have desperately resorted to the low road in this campaign. Their lame
attempt to mislead and deceive the voters of the 3rd Congressional
District is just flat wrong," Russ Carnahan said.

"I have a 94 percent voting record while in the Missouri
House of Representatives. These tactics will only increase the voters'
cynicism about the political process and public service in general,"
Carnahan added.

Carnahan pointed out that by standing up in a joint press
conference today, Joan Barry and Jeff Smith have taken responsibility
for the numerous "anonymous smear sheets" full of false information that
has been produced and distributed around the district. This has been a
coordinated effort by these two campaigns all along. That puts them in
violation of campaign disclosure laws.

"I call on them, as required by the FEC, to properly report
these expenditures and print their legal committee name on all
literature and documents distributed by their campaigns," stated Allen
Todd, Campaign Manager for Russ Carnahan.

"Today we have a new odd couple in Missouri politics," said
Todd. "What is Jeff Smith doing standing with a candidate that with a
record of being anti-choice, pro-gun, and pro-HMO? That goes against
the claims he purportedly stands for."

"Russ Carnahan has made 94 percent of the votes that
occurred while he has been in the Missouri House. Joan Barry knows it.
Jeff Smith knows it. The Official Journals of the Missouri House of
Representatives show it. I guess we should all be thankful that Jeff
Smith is not teaching math or ethics," said Todd.

Joan Barry and Jeff Smith made it clear that they know they
can't win this race on their own or on the issues. Russ Carnahan is the
only candidate that has consistently voted against conceal and carry
legislation in the legislature. Joan Barry cannot make this claim. She
voted for the concealed carry ballot measure (SS HCS HB 1891,
05/15/1998), against requiring firearms to be inaccessible by children
(HA 4 HS HB 283, 04/12/1999) and took the maximum contribution allowed
by law from the National Rifle Association (Missouri Ethics Commission,
1998).

Jeff and Joan go after Russ' record

Jeff Smith's statement:

When I began this race, I was an unknown 30 year old without political connections or any way to raise money. Now I enter the last two weeks of the primary with more cash on hand than Russ Carnahan, who has the best political name in the state. The reason for this is simple: those who know my best-known opponent do not seem to have confidence in his ability to work hard for the people of the 3rd District in United States Congress.

Over the past nine months I’ve gotten to know many of my opponents. Joan Barry has earned my respect with her hard work, grace, and dedication to her convictions. While I disagree with her on some key issues, we agree on one fundamental thing: Russ Carnahan, while a nice and decent man, has consistently missed important work and critical votes in Jefferson City. He has not displayed the work ethic, dedication, and energy needed to effectively serve the people of the 3rd District in United States Congress. I supported Mel and Jean Carnahan for years, but Russ Carnahan’s record of missed votes on core progressive issues such as healthcare, the environment, and conceal-carry gun laws indicate that he would not be diligent about his responsibilities to the people of the 3rd District in United States Congress. It’s most important that we elect a representative who will fight for the men, women, and children of the 3rd District, not someone who takes their role for granted. Let me make this clear: this is nothing personal. This is about the record. I urge the people of the 3rd District to let the issues and the candidates’ respective work ethics decide this race. Please visit all of the candidates’ websites and compare our issue positions to see which one you think would best represent your values. To date, although Mr. Carnahan has run a campaign based on his experience in the state legislature, his record has escaped examination. I urge you to please examine the information provided to you and see if he can explain the lackadaisical manner with which he has conducted himself as a state legislator.

Statement from Joan Barry's campaign:

Today at the Old Court House in St. Louis Joan Barry set the record straight about Russ Carnahan. “I can no longer sit and allow Russ Carnahan to distort the real truth about his record,” said Barry. “In his mere four years as state representative, Russ Carnahan has managed to miss a staggering number of important votes on important legislation. Legislation that today he is trying to take credit for.”

Russ Carnahan missed 10 out of 17 days - almost 60% - of the two Special Legislative Sessions that were called to solve the education funding crisis in Missouri. (June and September 2003)

Some of the other important votes missed by Russ Carnahan:

• Russ Carnahan missed a vote to ban concealed weapons. (Source: HB 349, House Journal, March 6, 2003)
• Russ Carnahan missed a vote to restrict landfill construction within ¼ mile of a home or school. (Source: HA 13 HCS SS SCS SB 36, House Journal, April 30, 2003)
• Russ Carnahan missed a vote to help prevent identity theft. (Source: HB 1762, House Journal, March 21, 2002)
• Russ Carnahan missed a vote to help law enforcement. (Source: HB 1183, House Journal, March 15, 2004)
• Russ Carnahan missed a vote that would have provided mental health services to Missourians. (Source: HB 1440, House Journal, March 21, 2002)

And Russ Carnahan missed over 120 votes in just the last ten legislative months!

“It is time that the people of the 3rd Congressional District find the real truth about Russ Carnahan,” continued Barry. “While Russ has portrayed himself as a fighter for education, seniors and families, the truth is Russ did not bother to even show up to fight. He was absent!”

“I will go to Washington, as I did in Jefferson City, and I will work everyday because the residents of the 3rd District deserve a Representative who will show up and fight for them,” finished Barry.

July 22, 2004

Carnahan voted for Gay Marriage ban

In 2001, Carnahan voted for the law banning gay marriage.

July 21, 2004

Carnahan kicks in another 15k

According to FEC report filed yesterday, Russ Carnahan kicked in another $15,000 to his 3rd CD campaign bringing his total contributions to $65,100. His wife is also listed for $2,000.

The amount that 3rd CD candidates are betting on their campaigns is the topic of a column I've written for the St. Louis Business Journal this friday.

July 20, 2004

Barry's doing TV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOAN BARRY BEGINS BROADCASTNG TV AD

St. Louis, Mo. – Third Congressional District Democratic Candidate Joan
Barry has officially released her television advertisement. Barry is one
of a select few in the crowded field of ten who has the resources to
deliver her message through mass media.

Barry’s thirty-second ad reinforces her leadership in Jefferson City,
especially in sponsoring and passing key pieces of legislation including
the Women’s Health Initiative. A registered nurse, Barry’s ad also touts
her experience in the area of health care and her ability to lead efforts
to reform health care on the national level.

“I am proud of my record of dedicated service and effective leadership in
Jefferson City,” says Barry. “I’m excited to share my message with
voters.”

“This is an important step for our campaign; it solidifies our presence as
a leader in this race and is emblematic of our campaign’s growing
momentum,” says Barry.

Barry served four terms in the Missouri Legislature where she led the
expansive Children, Families, and Health Committee. Barry officially
announced her candidacy on May 25, 2003.

July 19, 2004

3rd CD debate tonight

League of Women Voters Debate #1

Monday, July 19, 2004 - 7:00 pm

Fox School District Rickman Auditorium

747 Jeffco Blvd.

Arnold, MO 63010

July 18, 2004

UMSL to hold forum on neighborhood mediation

WHAT
"Mediating Neighborhood Disputes," a community forum

WHEN
Noon July 22

WHERE
427 Social Sciences & Business Building
University of Missouri-St. Louis
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121

SPONSOR
Public Policy Research Center at UMSL

COST
Free and open to the public

INFO
(314) 516-5273
http://pprc.umsl.edu

DETAILS
"Mediating Neighborhood Disputes" will feature a discussion led by Miranda Duncan, a community development specialist at UMSL. She will be joined by members of the St. Louis Partnership for Community Mediation, a mediation organization founded by two St. Louis-area Mennonite congregations. They will discuss the challenges mediators face in resolving neighborhood disputes.

July 17, 2004

Jeff Smith camp joins Barry camp in condemning Carnahan Ad

Press Release from Jeff Smith Campaign:

Jeff Smith Campaign Condemns Carnahan For False TV Ad

REAL DEMOCRATS STAND UP ALL THE TIME

“Russ Carnahan’s slogan is ‘A Real Democrat Makes A Difference.’ I believe that’s true, unfortunately, you have had to show up to make a difference,” said Jeff Smith campaign Communications Director Artie Harris. “Carnahan claims to have fought against concealed carry, but he didn’t bother to vote against it in March of 2003.

Russ Carnahan MISSED a critical vote against concealed carry bill HB 349 on March 6 of 2003. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3/7/03]

Carnahan’s television ad polishes his record in the Missouri House and implies that he stands up and fights for progressive values such as common sense gun control. In fact, Carnahan’s attendance record in the Missouri House is spotty on crucial issues such as conceal and carry legislation that passed in 2003.

“Moreover, Russ Carnahan’s first television commercial contains false and misleading information that distorts his record and that of other candidates,” Harris said.

Carnahan’s ad claims that he is the only candidate in this race who voted against HB 1729 in 2002, which was a conceal carry bill. This is false. Joan Barry voted against HB 1729 on April 25th, 2002. [House Journal, 59th Day, 4/25/02]

Carnahan Literature also Lies

Canvasser just came by my door and gave me a lit piece about Russ Carnahan.

"To protect our children, he is the only candidate for Congress who has voted against conceal-and-carry."

Untrue.

See below.

July 16, 2004

Carnahan Ad Lies

The Barry camp's press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Julie Murphy
(314) 482-4132

JOAN BARRY CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR CALLS ON RUSS CARNAHAN TO PULL HIS FALSE TELEVISION AD

“Russ Carnahan’s new television ad is blatantly false and I call on him to immediately pull the ad off the air,” said Julie Murphy, Campaign Director for Joan Barry.

In his television ad, Russ Carnahan uses his no vote on HB1729 to claim that he is the only candidate who stood up to the gun lobby and voted against the conceal and carry law. This is simply not true. In fact, Joan Barry voted NO on the exact same bill, HB1729 (House Journal, April 25, 2002). Joan Barry has opposed conceal and carry legislation throughout her legislative career and for Russ Carnahan to suggest otherwise is just wrong.

What Russ Carnahan fails to tell voters is that when the Missouri House Bill allowing concealed weapons came up for a critical vote in 2003, Russ Carnahan was absent. (House Journal, March 6, 2003.)

Check the public record. Check Carnahan’s absentee record. The voters in the Third Congressional District deserve better.

House Journal documentation is attached.

Journal of the House
Second Regular Session, 91st General Assembly

FIFTY-NINTH DAY, Thursday, April 25, 2002
HS HCS HBs 1729, 1589 & 1435, relating to concealable weapons, was taken up by Representative Barnitz.
On motion of Representative Barnitz, HS HCS HBs 1729, 1589 & 1435 was read the third time and passed by the following vote:
AYES: 099

Ballard Barnett Barnitz Bartelsmeyer Bartle Bearden Behnen Berkowitz Berkstresser Black Boatright Bonner Britt Burton Byrd
Champion Cierpiot Clayton Cooper Crawford Crowell Crump Cunningham Davis Dempsey Dolan Enz Farnen Froelker Gaskill Gratz Green 15 Griesheimer Hampton Hartzler Hegeman Henderson Hickey Holt Hunter Jetton Kelley 47 Kelly 144 Kelly 36 Koller Lawson Legan Liese Linton Lograsso Long Luetkemeyer Luetkenhaus Marble Marsh May 149 Mayer Mays 50 McKenna Merideth Miller Moore Murphy Myers Naeger Ostmann Overschmidt Phillips Portwood Purgason Quinn Ransdall Rector Reid Reinhart Relford Richardson Ridgeway Roark Robirds Ross Schwab Scott Secrest Seigfreid Selby Shields Shoemaker Shoemyer Smith Surface Townley Treadway Vogel Wagner Ward Whorton Wright Mr. Speaker

NOES: 050

Baker Barry 100 Bland Boucher Bowman Bray 84 Brooks Campbell Carnahan Curls Daus Fares Franklin Fraser Gambaro George Graham Green 73 Hagan-Harrell Hanaway Harding Harlan Haywood Hendrickson Hilgemann Hollingsworth Hoppe Hosmer Johnson 61 Johnson 90 Jolly Jones Kelly 27 Lowe O'Toole Paone Reynolds Rizzo Scheve Shelton Skaggs St. Onge Thompson VillaWalker Walton Williams Willoughby Wilson 25 Wilson 42

PRESENT: 000

ABSENT WITH LEAVE: 013

Abel Boykins Burcham Copenhaver Foley Hohulin Holand King Monaco Nordwald O'Connor Troupe Van Zandt

VACANCIES: 001

JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE
First Regular Session, 92nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

THIRTY-THIRD DAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2003

HS HCS HBs 349, 120, 136 & 328, relating to concealed firearms, was taken up by Representative Crawford.
Representative Crawford offered House Perfecting Amendment No. 1.
House Perfecting Amendment No. 1

AMEND House Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill Nos. 349, 120, 136 & 328, Page 7, Section 571.094, Lines 105 and 106, by deleting the words “subsections 9 and 10" and inserting in lieu thereof the words “subsections 10 and 11"; and
Further amend said bill, Page 22, Section 571.094, Line 636, by deleting the number “26" and inserting in lieu thereof the number “22".
On motion of Representative Crawford, House Perfecting Amendment No. 1 was adopted.
On motion of Representative Crawford, HS HCS HBs 349, 120, 136 & 328, as amended, was read the third time and passed by the following vote:

AYES: 111

Abel Angst Avery Baker Barnitz Bean Bearden Behnen Bivins Black Bough Bringer Bruns Byrd Cooper 120 Cooper 155 Crawford Crowell Cunningham 145 Cunningham 86 Davis 122 Davis 19 Deeken Dempsey Dethrow Dixon Dusenberg Emery Engler Ervin Goodman Green Guest Hampton Harris 110 Henke Hobbs Holand Hunter Icet Jackson Jetton Johnson 47 Kelly 144 Kelly 36 King Kingery Kuessner Lager Lawson Lembke LeVota Liese Lipke Luetkemeyer Marsh May Mayer McKenna Merideth Miller Moore Morris Munzlinger Myers Nieves Parker Pearce Phillips Portwood Pratt Purgason Quinn Ransdall Rector Reinhart Richard Roark Ruestman Rupp Sager Sander Schlottach Schneider Seigfreid Selby Self Shoemaker Shoemyer Smith 118 Smith 14 St. Onge Stefanick Stevenson Sutherland Taylor Threlkeld Townley Viebrock Wallace Ward Wasson Whorton Wilson 119 Wilson 130 Witte Wood Wright Yates Young
Madam Speaker

NOES: 042

Bishop Bland Boykins Brooks Burnett Campbell Corcoran Curls Darrough Daus Donnelly El-Amin Fares Fraser George Graham Harris 23 Hoskins Hubbard Johnson 90 Jolly Jones Kratky Lowe Meiners Muckler Page Schoemehl Skaggs Spreng Thompson Villa Vogt Walker Walsh Walton Wildberger Willoughby Wilson 25 Wilson 42 Yaeger Zweifel

PRESENT: 000

ABSENT WITH LEAVE: 010

Adams Brown Carnahan Dougherty Haywood Hilgemann Johnson 61 Salva Schaaf Wagner

Speaker Hanaway declared the bill passed.

Behrendt and Plackemeier file class action lawsuit over Century demolition, seek $43 million in damages.

On July 14, Marcia Behrendt and Roger Plackemeier filed a lawsuit on behalf of themselves and a class of all property owners in downtown St. Louis in an area bounded by 18th Street, Market, Memorial Drive and Cole.

The suit claims that the demolition of the Century Building will "irreparably damage the historic and aesthetic beauty of downtown St. Louis and its emerging residential and commercial neighborhood."

According to the suit, the "demolition of the Century Building to make way for an unnecessary and financially risky 1,000 car garage, when the downtown neighborhood is already flooded with underutilized parking garages and surface lots, will diminish the value of Plaintiff's properties and other property owners similarly situated."

The suit lists ten defendants including DESCO, DFC and the City of St. Louis. They are seeking $43 million in damages.

women running for office

Here's a link from UMSL's Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life that has all the women running in August primary for state races.

State Rep filings

64th District
Terry Crow raised $11,671 this quarter for a total of $80,661 so far.
Rachel Storch raised $15,284.00 this quarter for a total of $73,279.00 so far.

59th District
Jeanetter Mott Oxford raised $11,257.50 this quarter for a total of $25,302.50 so far.
Beck Burrell’s filings haven’t shown up yet and Mark Rice’s filings make no sense whatsoever. Usually when the filings don’t add up you can figure out where the mistake was made. These are just beyond my comprehension.

87th District
Dena Ladd raised $19,785 in this quarter her first quarter of fundraising.
David Stokes raised $10,105 this quarter for a total of $42,220.
Scott Muschany – it says his filings are in, but I can’t seem to pull them up.

July 15, 2004

Quick summing up the 3rd CD fundraising situation

Quick summing up the 3rd CD fundraising situation

Cash on hand
1. Jeff Smith - $272,963
2. Russ Carnahan - $236,380
3. Joan Barry - $215,678
4. Mark Smith - $157,636
5. Steve Stoll - $136,084

Will they use them, won’t they use them? Cash on hand if you subtract loans.
1. Jeff Smith - $240,963
2. Russ Carnahan - $185,380
3. Mark Smith - $157,636
4. Steve Stoll - $136,084
5. Joan Barry - $125,678

Stoll, Jeff Smith and Barry numbers

Steve Stoll, much lower than I expected, raised $79,931.00, spent $105,169.15 on salaries, consulting, office expenses and very, very little voter contact. $136,084.77 on-hand.

Jeff Smith shows $141,466.37 raised, some of it is in-kind which also shows up in expenses $58,908.23. So the key figure here is cash on-hand, $272,963.10. Take out his personal loans and you have $242,963. A pretty powerful sum.

Joan Barry raised $83,260.04. Good quarter for her. She also bucked in another $40,000 in loans to bring her cash on-hand to $215,678.42. Take out the loans and she's at $125,678.

Favazza and Carnahan numbers are in

Carnahan raised $155,292.39 during the quarter. Best so far, but still waiting on Steve Stoll.

Favazza raised $15,270.00.

Vital Voice interviews 3rd CD candidates

Vital Voice

Barry gets 16th

From the Barry camp:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BARRY LOCKS IN “BIG THREE” CITY WARD ENDORSEMENTS
St. Louis, Mo. - St. Louis’ largest-voting ward is endorsing Joan Barry
for Congress. The 16th Ward, located in the southwest part of the city,
cites Barry’s experience in the State Legislature and calls Barry the
best candidate to represent the Third Congressional District.

Today’s announcement follows endorsements from St. Louis’ 12th and 23rd
wards. Along with the 16th, they comprise the three heaviest-voting wards
in the district and are well-known as politically influential wards in St.
Louis.

“I think each of these ward organizations has made the right choice in
supporting Joan Barry for Congress,” said Aldermanic President Jim
Shrewsbury. “Joan’s views on the issues and her voting history in the
State Legislature prove that she has the common sense and experience to
represent St. Louis’ diverse population in Washington.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement from the 16th Ward. This gives
my campaign has more momentum as we head into these last three critical
weeks before the Primary,” says Barry. “Their support shows that all
across the district, people want a Representative that experience and
shares their values. My message of providing quality affordable health
care and fighting for working families resonates with voters
district-wide.”

64th District

Schoemehl - $26,561.21 Raised in July quarter, $59,307.21 total raised.
Dandamudi - $2,015.00 Raised in July quarter, $58,595.83 total raised.

Still waiting on Storch and Crow.

Blurry lines disappearing?

The line between education and advocacy was always a little blurry to me. Citizens for Home Rule made it complicated with their many incarnations - Yes for Amendment One, Empower St. Louis. Maybe I'm not smart enough to understand, but I guess the idea is that the Stakeholders who agreed that these proposals are good, would now go out and explain them without advocating for them?

Confused.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Meeting Request - Please Reply
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 14:48:01 -0500
From: "Wendy Spilker"
CC: "Alva Smith" , "Christina Reid"

Dear Stakeholder:

Thank you very much for your continued willingness to volunteer your
time and energy to remain active in the effort to improve the structure
of St. Louis City government.

Over the past several weeks, many of you have been asked to speak on the
Stakeholder Recommendations, the four ballot measures, and the Advance
Saint Louis process itself. Many of you have also shared your interest
in joining the outreach team in neighborhood and community-based
speaking. Some of you are already being asked to speak to the ballot
measures informally, and have commented that you have varying levels of
comfort with doing so.

In the very near future, Ms. Christina Reid, coordinator of education
and outreach for Citizens for Home Rule and Alva Smith, whom you already
know, will be holding meetings to help prepare you for presenting
information and/or discussing issues in the community. Over the next
several months, Christina will be helping all of us keep up with the
many requests we are getting to speak about the process and the ballot
measures.

We are in the process of scheduling these short sessions based upon your
availability. Please reply to this email to indicate when you would be
available to participate. We will contact you again in the next week
with the final arrangements, based on the number of people who can
attend. We would like to have two sessions, and you may participate in
either.

Dates for orientation sessions are the morning of Wednesday evening,
July 28th and Saturday, July 31st If you are interested in
participating, but are not available at either time, please let us know,
so that we can make alternate arrangements.

Many thanks,

Wendy N. Spilker
(314) 342-4089
wendyspilker@hotmail.com

Did someone say. "Light Supper?"

From the YWCA:

The YWCA Carondelet Branch has been an active place for active people in South St. Louis for over 50 years through aquatics, fitness/recreation, childcare and other programs.

The YWCA is currently developing a strategic plan for the future of the Carondelet Branch. This is your opportunity to let the YWCA know how it can best meet your needs and the needs of your community in its mission areas of empowering women, eliminating racism and developing youth. We are meeting with a broad cross-section of residents, businesses, neighborhood groups, and YWCA members. We want your input!

Join us for a community focus group:

Thursday, July 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., light supper provided

Carondelet Branch YWCA, 4510 S. Kingshighway, (Between Chippewa and Christy)

Let us know if you can attend by calling the YWCA Carondelet Branch at (314) 832-2000 or by e-mailing mhill@ywcastlouis.org.

July 14, 2004

Newest issue in the mail to subscribers!

In this issue:

Here We Go Again - Will Webster needing 350 less parking spaces than previously thought save the Century Building?

Roberti Rebuts Criticism - Our exit interview with William Roberti.

My Thoughts Exactly - Archbishop Burke is a cafeteria Catholic. He's only putting one thing on the plates of Catholic voters.

Letters to Editor from Kate Berger, John Ginsburg and Eric Vickers.

Commentary by David Sladky calling for "real civilian oversight" of the police department.

Christine Stroer writes about the lack of prosecution of abusive parents.

Campaign Updates about constitutional amendments 1 & 2, charter reform, and the 3rd congressional district.

Goodbye and Good Riddance - Will Winter talks about the latest census numbers.

The Final Word - a Lucas Hudson essay on how PG-13 is ruining thr movie industry.

Plus "Ends and Odds" and more...

Mark Smith, nice quarter

June quarter

71334.50 raised, 16424.32 spent, 157636.43 on-hand.

July 13, 2004

Climbing the Arch

Forty years ago this week, two civil rights activists climbed the then under-construction St. Louis Arch to protest the lack of black workers on the site. Their stealth execution allowed Percy Green and Richard Daly access to the contruction site without notice. The pair had climbed several hundred feet up the Arch before being spotted and causing a national media stir. The next week following the protest, the National Parks Service announced the hiring of black general contractors, ironworkers, carpenters, cements masons, etc.

On Wednesday, July 14 at 2 pm, a commemoration of the daring act and its successful results is being planned on the Arch grounds. We need to celebrate the struggles that led to the opening up of jobs to African Americans even beyond the Arch construction. We also need to assess our progress (or lack thereof) and continue to raise the issue of racism and sexism in the construction trades in 2004.

Please join us tomorrow.

Organization for Black Struggle

Do you know where your car is?

State Farm Insurance's most stolen car list.

July 12, 2004

Haas angry about Board's lack of fidelity to Sunshine Law

I hardly ever say this, but I will now, Haas has a point. The Board must respect the Sunshine Laws!

Excerpt from his latest email:

Chronology and facts:
1. Monday of two weeks ago, June 21st, I was contacted by Charles Burton our Board office manager that Superintendent Bill Roberti and his staff wanted to meet individually with Board members the following Wednesday and Thursday to discuss proposed budget cuts including schools closing.

2. I immediately called Bill Roberti and asked him why we couldnt just do one meeting for all the Board members to save the staff time (3-5 people) of 5-7 separate meetings, and to allow the Board to hear each others' questions on the proposals and interact accordingly, especially since we had a board meeting scheduled that very next day, Tuesday the 22d (and the administration was ready for discussing the issues with the Board that day, since I had my conversation with them before that Board meeting).
His response was: "I'm not driving this" [an exact quote] and "we dont want to be bothered with notices and quorums and the media waiting outside the door" [a close paraphrase]. He repeated the words about avoiding quorum and notice later in the day in a follow-up conversation.
By "I'm not driving this I took him to mean that he had been instructed to do it this way by the Board officers, President Darnetta Clinkscale in particular, who speaks for the Board on such matters, or Vince Schoemehl who Darnetta seems to sometimes let speak for her. By practice and rule, Acting Superintendent Roberti would only decide to meet with the Board in such a fashion if directed to do so by Board leadership, as he indicated, not take it upon himself, nor has he acted in such fashion before. And the meetings are Board business and prerogative, thus if there was a willful violation of Sunshine it would be by Board leadership, President Clinkscale or her representative, not by Roberti.

3. Although meeting separately to avoid Sunshine Law requirements seems not to violate the provisions per se, it would seem to me that to meet separately by design to intentionally avoid the public knowing we're meeting or to avoid Board interaction, which to me is the more likely reason, constitutes the exact behavior which the Law was intended to prohibit, and thus violates the spirit as well as arguably the letter of the Law. Some of the matters in question, like personnel layoffs would have been appropriate for executive session, but others such as the proposed school closings would have had to be discussed in open session.
Thus when the Board voted this past Tuesday, June 29th on the budget cuts including school closings, there had been virtually no Board discussion of the matter, incredible considering its importance.

4. At the time (Monday the 14th), I brought this inappropriate behavior to the attention of the Board and the media by email, but nothing was done to change the plans to meet individually with the adminstration rather than as a group.
My speculation is that the some or all of the 4 Board members elected as a slate, Clinkscale, Schoemehl, Bob Archibald and Ron Jackson, had discussed the matter among themselves, not necessarily all at once, and determined to support the administrations' recommendations, and/or had enough input into it that they were satisfied with them, and didnt want to risk those who had reservations about the school closing plans (among whom were 2 or 3 of the other board members (myself, Amy Hilgemann and Veronica OBrien) disrupting plans by raising objections at a Board meeting. By the time it was time to vote, chance for any meaningful discussion had passed.
It's not directly relevant, but my understanding is that the final plan was run by one of Mayor Slay's education advisors by Mr. Roberti for final approval, and that final changes may have been made at the suggestion of the advisor. I asked Mr. Roberti to tell me if this was true, but he never responded. Although this was not necessarily inappropriate per se, unless one takes the position that the Superintendent should consult Mayor's office personnel more than some Board members. But regardless of that issue, because of intentional avoidance of the requirements of the Sunshine Law, Board members never had an opportunity to discuss proposed budget cuts and school closings as a group, which they should have.

Floyd Irons to be named Atheletic Director for the District.

Floyd Irons, former principal and basketball coach of Vashon, is the New Atheletic Director for the District.

July 11, 2004

Nicklaus predicts state bailout of convention hotel

Nicklaus says that the convention center hotel is sucking wind so badly that in a couple of years the state might be called on for a bailout.

Reminded me of a piece I wrote back late last year that never ran. Anyway here it is now:

Last month (November 8, 2003), when St. Louis deputy mayor for development Barb Geisman announced that tax revenues from the convention center hotel––Renaissance Grand Hotel––were “running about 20 percent less than estimated,” there wasn’t a word from the Post-Dispatch editorial board which had urged that the hotel be built despite ever-increasing costs and questionable projections.

The trail of Post editorials championing the project while others counseled caution covers six years. When the Post wrote its first editorial in December 1997, the hotel’s cost projections had already risen from $129 million three months earlier to $179 million. The addition of a garage, changes in the design structure and concern over labor costs all contributed to the ballooning of the project’s cost to $276 million by the time it would be completed in 2003. Meanwhile the Post never wavered: “(The hotel) can't happen too soon.” December 24, 1997. “(The Board of Aldermen approval of a subsidy) vote is a no-brainer. It has taken years to put this deal together, and if it fails now there may never be enough momentum - or hope - to get another one put together.” February 5, 1999. “If downtown could be reborn without the risks entailed by the convention hotel, the city might consider playing it safe. But that is not the case. The hotel is essential. And remember, we got where we are by playing it safe.” June 24, 1999. “So important is the project that the city sank into it much of its borrowing capacity for the next 10 years. Here's to everyone who made it happen, to 25 years worth of schemers and dreamers and builders and bankers, crafts people and bond buyers. The Renaissance Grand is both renaissance and grand, and a big bet on the future of the city.” April 26, 2003.

The continuing cost escalation strained financing efforts and required additional public funds. Because of industry and market specific fundamentals––like the attractiveness of downtown and the competitive landscape––there was negligible private equity to finance the deal. Besides using the majority of the bonding authority of the newly created empowerment zone, the city borrowed from future Community Block Grant Development (CBGD) funds and created a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) district to repay the loan through tax revenue from the hotel. News last month that the tax revenue is not what the mayor’s office was expecting has caused concern that the city may not repay the CBGD loan as quickly as projected.

With each delay and cost increase, there were critical voices. Post reporters Charlene Prost and Jim Gallager in February of 2000 highlighted that the city’s assessor’s office valued the hotel at $154 million, well below the then price-tag of $245 million. Another prescient piece of journalism was C.D. Stelzer’s Riverfront Times article in November 1999 which raised questions about the viability of the ever more costly deal. In it, Mike Jones, Mayor Harmon’s deputy mayor for development, is quoted saying that it was likely that the hotel tax revenue would not cover the CBGD loan in the first few years, an assessment which has proven true. But this did not deter the Post––or anyone else.

For if the Post was optimistic in the rosy scenario it trumpeted, so was the rest of the city’s establishment including then-mayor Clarence Harmon and then-mayoral candidate Francis Slay. The Post editorials merely expounded on the city development line that while the hotel was a bet, it was a well-based and necessary bet. It is too early to say whether this bet will ultimately pay-off, but having shirked its critical role, the editorial board of the Post should, at the very least, remind its readers why the bet was necessary.

July 10, 2004

Terry Crow's website

He even has a blog.

July 09, 2004

Clay asks for UN monitoring of US Elections

Press Release

UNITED NATIONS ASKED TO MONITOR U.S. ELECTIONS
Representative Lacy Clay Among Members of Congress Requesting UN Presence

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Friday, July 09, 2004) - U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay is
among more than a dozen Members of Congress to sign a July 1, 2004 letter
addressed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and requesting the United
Nations monitor the 2004 presidential election in the United States.
"We don't want a recurrence of 2000 in Missouri," Rep. Clay said this week
in reference to reported disenfranchisement of many St. Louis area voters in
the controversial presidential election of November 2000. "We will ask the
United Nations to come to Missouri to monitor the November general
election."
On Thursday, July 8, 2004, several members of the signers held a news
conference on Capitol Hill. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, of Texas,
led the group, saying their efforts were aimed at helping to protect the
rights of every person to vote and to have their vote counted.
"It is imperative that there be some type of independent monitoring for
this fall's election," Congresswoman Johnson said during today's news
conference. "The United Nations provides this assistance for other Member
countries. Why not the United States? We are not above the law. Nor are we
above asking for assistance.

Barry to open 2nd campaign office

The Joan Barry in Congress Campaign is celebrating the Grand Opening of our
second campaign office with a volunteer rally and canvass. The details:

Saturday, July 10th
8 a.m. yard sign bonanza
9 a.m. rally, breakfast, tour of new office, speeches
9:30 a.m. canvass, phone banking, envelope stuffing
12:30 p.m. BBQ at Suson Park

Location: 1825 Lemay Ferry Road, just north of Reavis Barracks Road

For more information call (314) 353-0000

July 07, 2004

St. Louis ArtWorks

This Friday, July 9, the St. Louis ArtWorks Sale features the work of area young adults, 14-21 years old, hired for six weeks each summer to work part-time as apprentices with some of the region’s most talented artists. Visitors can choose from photographs, drawings, journals, paintings, collages, sculptures and other unique items, created by teen participants, on display at the Adams Park Community Center. Dance and circus performances will be ongoing during the sale.

Created in 1995, St. Louis ArtWorks has served over 700 youth with summer programs in visual, literary and performing arts. In addition to public sales, works by apprentices are commissioned for public and private clients and performed. Definitely not your average summer job, St. Louis ArtWorks is an innovative way for teens to gain life skills, boost self-esteem, and pocket a hard-earned paycheck.

* Nearby Mangrove Restaurant (4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110) will also donate a percentage of lunch proceeds on July 9 to St. Louis ArtWorks. Please join Board members and friends for lunch before or after you shop!

WHERE: Adams Park Community Center, 1311 Tower Grove Avenue (in the Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood)
WHEN: July 9, 2004, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
INFO: Call Priscilla Block at 314-941-4450

July 06, 2004

Upcoming forums for the 3rd CD

Jefferson County Democratic Clubs Candidates Forum
Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - 7:00 pm
House Springs Lion's Club
6482 Hwy MM
House Springs, MO 63051

Committee for a Progressive 3rd District in Missouri Debate
Thursday, July 8, 2004 - 7:00 pm
Five Church Older Adults Center
2832 Arsenal
St. Louis, MO 63118

League of Women Voters Debate #1
Monday, July 19, 2004 - 7:00 pm
Fox School District Rickman Auditorium
747 Jeffco Blvd.
Arnold, MO 63010

League of Women Voters Debate #2
Monday, July 26, 2004 - 7:00 pm
Ascension Lutheran Church Gymnasium
5347 Donovan
St. Louis, MO 63109

LA Times on 3rd CD

LA Times on 3rd CD.

It's Edwards

Not Gephardt

July 05, 2004

Archpundit is predicting VP Gephardt.

Archpundit is predicting VP Gephardt.

July 03, 2004

closed for the 4th

heading out. Be back Monday.

Happy 4th everybody.

July 02, 2004

Metropolis update

Our June edition cited multiple examples that the Metropolis organization was spent.

One more piece of evidence emerged last night: The group now running the organization was unable to field a full slate of candidates for the upcoming elections.

There was, on the other hand, a full slate of eleven former Metropolis leaders promising to save any projects that are still viable from the organization which is in such disarray that it is hardly functioning. Then after making sure all outstanding bills have been paid, they promise to dissolve the organization, clearing the way for a true young person's organization to emerge. (The average age of Metropolis' membership was 36.6 last year).

My last column for the Business Journal also dealt with Metropolis.

Home Rule petitions in serious trouble?

Hope to have a fuller story by the next print edition, July 14. Stay tuned.

Antonio French at the Argus

Antonio French, former publisher of the Public Defender, is now writing for the Argus. His front page article in the June 24 edition tells of Pearlie Evans' role in the 26th ward's endorsement of Rachel Storch.

July 01, 2004

New City Hall reporter

To: PD Newsroom
cc:

Subject: New City Hall reporter

We are pleased to announce that Jake Wagman will be the new reporter at St. Louis City Hall. Jake, who joined the Post-Dispatch in February 2003, will fill the vacancy created by Doug Moore's move to the Belleville bureau. Jake has proven himself during his time here as a tireless news hound in his coverage of the St. Louis Public Schools. He has navigated through the tumultuous world of the city schools, breaking story after story about the new school board and the controversial consultants it hired to turn around the system. All the while, Jake has shown his expertise in developing and working sources and his sophistication in understanding the political strategies and motives behind the scenes. Jake will be sorely missed on the education front, but we look forward to seeing him bring his professionalism and diligence to a new area of coverage. We expect Jake will continue in his current beat for several weeks until we can fill the city schools position.

(KATHY BEST, ADAM GOODMAN, LISA MANNS)

Former Post-er to Dallas Morning News

Holly Hacker, who covered education for the Post-Dispatch a year or two ago, will start with The Dallas Morning News on July 19.

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