February 2005
February 28, 2005
Bargaining Bartle?
Temple says that Senator Bartle plans to sit on the tort reform package until his stem cell ban sees some movement.
25th Ward Aldermanic Debate
25th Ward Aldermanic Debate
Tuesday, March 1, 7pm - 9pm
The Gretchen Inn (behind the Feasting Fox)
Meramec and Grand Ave
The New Constitution
St. Louis native Marwan Kanafani has launched a new magazine, The New Constitution. This quarterly political publication is available in San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Fe, St. Louis, New York City, and online. The first issue focuses on health care, resistance movements in Iraq, environmental protection of open spaces, and the affect of corporate media consolidation (Clear Channel). The contributing writers are doctors, attorneys, public officials, college professors, artists, and professionals.
Somewhere in the middle
Here's an alternative version of the sit-down the mayor had with the Archbishop last week to try to save some parishes:
"Though Slay might like it to be true, the Archbishop was not persuaded by the presentation. In fact, the Archbishop had expected a simple courtesy visit and was given the full court press by the Mayor and his whole team. The info that the Mayor pushed was either irrelevant (more people moving into certain neighborhoods that the Mayor cited; but those people in those neighborhoods were retirees without children or non-Catholic gays or singles - does not increase either church attendance or school attendance) or incorrect (the Archbishop would be putting kids out of school because the remaining schools could not hold all kids from closed schools - that is not true). In short, it did not change any decisions (they were already made and were being worked out by the parishes)."
Bad News at CAMP
A city building inspector has shut down the public space at the Community Arts & Media Project (CAMP) Building at 3022 Cherokee in Gravois Park. The inspector issued a stop-work order and has threatened condemnation if CAMP has any more public events there before obtaining a legal permit. (CAMP had a public "grand opening" February 5 without a lawful permit as well as several meetings for political groups.)
The Alternative Irene Smith Website
February 27, 2005
Wood pushing
My grade school music teacher taught me to play chess. What he hated more than anything else was wasted moves. Wood pushing, he called it. It would drive him crazy. Sometimes he would be incredulous - What was the point of that move?!? But most times he just muttered it under his breath. And there ain't no fourth grader that wants to be called a "wood pusher."
Saturday's Post endorsements - I can't find a link for it - was the editorial equivalent of wood pushing. It's like the writer was just trying to fill the space. Bosley has been effective in the 3rd? Roddy has embraced diversity in 17th? Uninformed yawning prose. Save the ink and just leave the space blank next time.
February 26, 2005
Willie Marshall's Website
Thanks to Michael Allen for passing this along - Willie Marshall's Website. Marshall is the Green candidate for Mayor.
February 25, 2005
Creg Williams
Of course rumors can be wrong, but the word buzzing around the district is that Creg Williams will be the next superintendent of the SLPS. One political observer suggests that the Board wanted to "get out ahead of the Post Dispatch," that they didn't relish the notion of waiting and enduring editorials from the Post and other papers lobbying for a particular pick. Williams was deputy chief academic officer for Philadelphia's school system.
St. Louis Marketplace
Ran into the towering Chris Thomas at lunch today who informed me that there are closing signs in both Payless and OfficeMax in St. Louis Marketplace.
I think we can - as Marston would say - stick a fork in it.
February 24, 2005
More on Kevin Montgomery-Smith
Thanks for Laura Winter and Rachelle L'Ecuyer for passing these along:
Here's an article about Kevin from OregonLive.com.
There is a trust set up for Kevin's children in Portland.
Make checks payable to Kevin Montgomery-Smith Family Fund
c/o Washington Mutual Bank
811 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
The account # is 1810825505
The Celebration of Kevin's Life will be at
Urbis Orbis Art Gallery
419 N. 10th St
(next to Breve)
Sat. February 26th at 7:30pm
Spread the word to all his friends. Thanks.
SMOKING BAN IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Smoking would be prohibited in almost all enclosed public places in St. Louis County under legislation proposed by County Councilman Kurt Odenwald, R-Shrewsbury.
In a memo to the St. Louis County Counselor, Odenwald submitted draft language that would ban smoking throughout the County in establishments including: airports, office buildings, restaurants, bars, theaters, indoor sports venues, and all school buildings, including junior colleges and universities not presently covered by County ordinance.
The ban, if passed by the County Council, would apply throughout unincorporated St. Louis County as well as all municipalities located within the County.
As presently drafted, the ordinance would exempt from the ban private residences, a limited number of hotel rooms that are designated as “smoking,” certain restricted rooms in nursing homes and long term care facilities, retail tobacco stores and facilities operated by non-profit fraternal, athletic, military or religious organizations.
Citing the need for St. Louis County to take a leadership role in addressing the public health issue of second-hand smoke, Odenwald noted the County Council’s precedent in passing the first legislation in Missouri to prohibit smoking in schools and day care centers in the early 1990s. Odenwald also sponsored and passed legislation which prohibited tobacco sales to minors and licensed the sale of tobacco products within St. Louis County.
The first hearing on Councilman Odenwald’s draft ordinance is scheduled before the Justice and Health Committee of the County Council on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in the County Council Chambers in Clayton. The first hearing will be limited to presentations from representatives of organizations, associations, groups and local governments. Priority will be given to those representatives who have pre-registered to speak. A second public hearing to take comment from the general public will be held by the Justice and Health Committee at the Council Chamber office on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. In addition to Councilman Odenwald, the members of the Justice and Health Committee include First District Councilwoman Hazel Erby and Third District Councilman Skip Mange. Persons wishing to pre-register to speak at the March 22, 2005 Committee hearing may contact the Council’s Administrative Director, Suzanne Pratl at 314-615-5440.
Young Democrats Endorsements
Last night the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis endorsed Joe Roddy, Dorothy Kirner and Franics Slay.
February 23, 2005
Slay Saves Some Parishes?
Post reports that Mayor met with Archbishop Burke to show him trend population numbers and persuade him that some parishes and schools shouldn't close.
We're hearing from a reliable source that the Mayor had some success and that a half dozen or so of the thirteen parishes and schools slated for closing will remain open.
February 22, 2005
Superintendent Finalists Forum
For Immediate Release Contact: Johnny Little 314/345-2283
PUBLIC INVITED TO MEET FOUR SUPERINTENDENT CANDIDATES
(February 18, 2005) - The four finalists seeking to become the next Superintendent of the St. Louis Public School District will be introduced at a community forum held on Thursday February 24, 2005 at Carr Lane VPA, located at 1004 North Jefferson, beginning at 5:15 pm, with opening remarks from Chairman of the Superintendent Search Committee Ron Jackson.
Each candidate will give a 15 minute presentation outlining their ideas around student achievement, closing the achievement gap, and other pertinent issues facing the district. After their presentation, the candidates will entertain audience questions. "We are very excited about our candidates and are looking forward to introducing them to the community," said Ron Jackson.
The first candidate will be introduced at 5:30 p.m.; the second candidate will be introduced at 6:30 p.m.; the third candidate will be introduced at 7:30 p.m.; and the fourth candidate will be introduced at 8:30 p.m. Names of the candidates have not been released by the Superintendent Search Committee.
Jeff Smith for Steve Patterson
On the Steve Patterson for 25th ward alderman website, there's an endorsement from Jeff Smith. In that 3rd CD primary last August, Smith pulled down 458 votes in the 25th ward. If Patterson can net those voters, that's a nice catch.
The Community's endorsements
To: Members of the St. Louis Press
Key Stakeholders
From: George Cotton, Sr.
Spokesperson/ THE COMMUNITY
February 22, 2005
At its January meeting, the organization known as THE COMMUNITY decided, by a unanimous vote, to support the following individuals in their bid for a seat on the St. Louis Board of Education:
-Peter Downs
-Veronica O'Brien
-William Purdy
It is the opinion of THE COMMUNITY that the three candidates represent the best and most certain opportunity for a sense of stability and fiscal accountability to be returned to the Board of Education. In addition, the candidates have shown a true sense of independence and sensitivity to the issues that affect children and families of the district.
Given the totally irresponsible and misguided behavior of the current majority members of the Board of Education, THE COMMUNITY is convinced that citizens of good will must unite to regain control of the Board of Education.
As a result of this endorsement, THE COMMUNITY will work aggressively towards the election of Downs, O’Brien, and Purdy to the St. Louis Board of
Education.
February 21, 2005
Woody Lange fundraiser tonight
At Tandoori Hut on Hampton. I've never been there.
Veronica O'Brien's web-site
I wonder how much a web-site matters in local elections.
February 20, 2005
Where no one wants to live?
Hidden in the fourteenth paragraph, Mannies smuggles out a hell of a quote from Governor Blunt, revealing how he feels about Missouri's cities:
"In a jab at the rival Democratic Party, the governor asserted that to find its Missouri supporters, 'You have to go to places where nobody wants to live anymore.'"
February 18, 2005
Terrible news
Reposted from the comments below. Thanks for passng this along Rick.
This is a website where more people might care about the sad news I have to report. A dear friend and former colleague, Kevin Montgomery Smith, died last nite from complications related to a series of very sudden heart problems.
Kevin was here at Christmas with his wife Kellie and their children visiting family. We bumped into them by pure happenstance over at the Finn Inn in Graffton.
Kevin worked on neighborhood marketing for the city back in the mid-90s, was involved in the early efforts to develop the CIN, moved on and worked for the Downtown Partnership, then followed former Partnership Director, Kim Kimbrough, in a move to the west coast where Kevin worked for an organization known as Portland Progress.
Kevin was a real talent. His passing comes as a total shock. Kevin had lots of friends here in St. Louis. His family is working on funeral arrangements, and his body may be returned for a burial here in the St. Louis area.
Kevin was one of the good guys. He loved St. Louis, and was talking about a return here someday.
Rick Bonasch
6th ward same as 8th ward
They also endorsed O'Brien, Downs and Fowler last night.
Building Museum
An effort to create a building museum in St. Louis.
Last night's 8th ward meeting
Veronica O'Brien, Peter Downs and Flint Fowler were endorsed for school board.
February 17, 2005
Political Eye liked editorial
Political Eye likes the editorial in our last issue, but over-all wants us to step up our improvements.
February 16, 2005
From Candidate Moramarco
Dear Readers of the Arch City Chronicle,
My name is Joe Moramarco and I am a candidate for the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education. I have lived in the City and worked as Quality Manager for a local pigment company for the past 20 years. My main focus at work is to ensure that our product meets the quality standards that our customers expect from my company.
I am running for the School Board because I see that the customers of the St. Louis Public Schools, the residents of our City, are far from satisfied with the quality of our schools. We are being cheated by the politics and personal disagreements of the present School Board. The media circus surrounding the current school board has resulted in political gridlock, dysfunctional schools, and short-changed the future of our children.
As a member of the School Board, I intend to keep the Board focused on what is truly important: making sure our students receive the quality education that they deserve. Every child in this school district is a precious resource that we are squandering with the School Board's disputes. As a School Board member, I will place our children first, not political infighting. As a man with a background in science, I intend to make decisions based on facts, not political relationships. It is time that we use a calm and intelligent approach to solving the problems of the City's schools.
Our City cannot remain viable as long as our Public Schools fail to perform. I am quite aware that the St. Louis Public School District is in a dire fiscal situation. This means that we will have to work hard and be open to changes which will make our schools function at peak efficiency.
Last year was the first year in decades that the City of St. Louis had an increase in population. If this trend is to continue, it is imperative that we provide good schools for the children of our residents. There are many that immediately dismiss the City of St. Louis as a place to live specifically because of our Public School system. Excellent Public Schools are vital to the long term success and growth of St. Louis. The people who make the policy and enforce accountability in the Public Schools, our School Board, must keep this goal clearly in sight at all times.
I will bring to the Board a level head and clear thinking. The current board has been racked with divisiveness, disunity, and, often, downright embarrassing behavior. Division is not on my agenda, and I intend to make our City proud, not ashamed. I will work tirelessly to see that our teachers have the resources they need to impart the knowledge and the skills that our young people require if they are going to thrive in today’s world. I will support all efforts to keep our community involved in and informed about the Board’s efforts to improve the schools. I will demand fiscal responsibility from everyone who spends or receives our tax dollars in the name of education. And above all, I will do everything within my power to make the St. Louis Public Schools a source of pride in our community.
The future of the St. Louis Public Schools is in the hands of the voters of the City of St. Louis. On April 5, please select candidates who want to move our schools forward and to give our children the opportunity to attend quality schools.
Joe Moramarco
Need distribution help.
Looking for some extra cash in time for President's Day? The ACC is looking for help delivering papers to our distribution sites across town. Call Dave 314-865-4573 or email dave@archcitychronicle.com for more information.
KWMU has Mayor's Debate in Archive.
February 15, 2005
Impressions from Mayoral Debate
Slay has a George W moment early when he can't think of a single mistake he's made. Only disappointments - like a downturn in the economy and resistance in the community.
Both Haas' suicidal thoughts and Smith's urination past are mentioned but much later in the debate than I would have guessed.
Smith and Haas beat up on Slay throughout debate about education. Slay staked out the moral high ground saying that our district shouldn't be a "jobs program," but is an educational institution that's been failing our kids. Still if Smith's claims that schools still lack books, paper and other supplies can be documented, it makes the "turn-around" firm look like they stopped before completing the full 180 degrees.
Haas' comparing Slay to Baton Bob might be catagorized as a cry for help.
More insightful coments in the next ACC, I promise.
St. Louis Commercial Exchange
Seems like one of those web-sites that might yield some interesting information.
The answer is always Yes
St. Louis makes an appearance in the current issue of Forbes surveys the landscape of unprofitable convention centers across the country. Registration required.
Zip off to a slow start in Jeff Co.
He needs 960 signatures in the next week to run as an independent. Only at 103 so far. Most people say that you should try to collect twice as many as required as some will disqualified - not registered, not living in the district etc.
Dorothy Kirner
In the 25th ward, Dorothy Kirner unveils her web-site.
February 10, 2005
Irene Smith's website
Not quite as deep as the mayor's.
St. Louis American redesigned website
Endorsement meeting
Thursday, February 10 from 6-8 pm at the Rowan Center (1401 Rowan)candidates seeking endorsements from the Coalition Against Police Crimes & Repression will outline their views on police accountability and community control of the police.
The schedule and the four candidates are:
Ald. Irene J. Smith, Democratic mayoral candidate...6:15 pm
Steve Patterson, 25th Ward aldermanic candidate...6:45 pm
Rodney Birchfield, 17th Ward aldermanic candidate...7:00 pm
Willie Marshall, Green Party mayoral candidate...7:30 pm
The public is invited. Refreshments will be served.
www.obs-onthemove.org
Mayoral debate Tuesday
90.7 KWMU-FM will air the Democratic Primary Mayoral Debate between
incumbent Francis Slay, Alderman Irene J. Smith, and School Board Member
Bill Haas on February 15 from 7-8 p.m.
KETC's Jim Kirchherr will moderate the debate. Panelists include KWMU
Reporter Matt Sepic and Sylvester Brown of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Bill Purdy's website
is here.
The Mayor met Julia
At the Winters home last night.
February 09, 2005
Chronicles of A Closeted Urbanist
That's the description of Brick City, a new blog I happened on today.
Look for Zip!
A Jeff County watcher tips that Zip Rzeppa is seriously considering running for the 22nd State Senate Seat as an independent. He has even begun to collect the necessary signatures. Rzeppa was passed over by the Republican Party last month in favor of Bill Alter.
If he does run, it would be a four-way, free-for-all with the two hand-picked candidates (Alter and Johnson) and two spoilers (Selby and Rzeppa).
Bush Budget Bad for City
Press conference this afternoon with Slay and Alderman Peggy Ryan (4th) will denounce the Bush budget for the harm it does to St. Louis.
Major blows in the budget: Cutting of CDBG funds and elimination of COPS program which I am told currently funds 80 police officers for the city.
From the Press Release: "The President’s proposal would consolidate CDBG with 17 separate programs to be administered by the Department of Commerce. Together these programs were funded at $5.3 billion. Together, these programs would be cut by $1.6 billion."
February 08, 2005
Warning: Do not use this map at home!
At last night 15th ward meeting, there was a round of chuckles at the Mayor's map. "Where exactly is Tower Grove Park?" people asked. "Is that Kingshighway?" "No, that doesn't make sense." "Is that Grand?" "No, couldn't be."
Patterson in the 25th
Grabbed endorsement of State Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford.
Oxford's endorsement means a lot to people like me, but it's unclear if it will translate into votes. Oxford placed 3rd (of 3 candidates) in that ward during her August primary, winning 80 votes. (For those who are curious, Patterson's treasurer is Corey Mohn who ran in the 3rd CD. He placed 5th (of 10), winning 86 votes during that primary.)
Meanwhile, the Mayor's campaign blog mentions a fundraiser Thursday for Patterson's opponent Dorothy Kirner hosted by Lou Hamilton and Fred Steffen.
Syphilis Outbreak in St. Louis
In the first three weeks of 2005, twenty-five cases of Syphilis have been reported in the St. Louis area. Health officials have determined that five of those cases were previously reported, leaving the possibility that twenty are new cases. The national goal for Syphilis is .4 new cases per 100,000 people. That would amount to one or two new cases a year for a population the size of St. Louis city.
Although numbers of this size point to an outbreak of syphilis in St. Louis city, that conclusion is not certain. One expert familiar with the data said that similar spikes have occurred in the past and did not result in a large scale outbreak. Thus the data raises serious concerns, but officials are trying to avoid jumping to conclusions until they have more data. Still, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services did issue a Syphilis Health Alert for the St. Louis area on January 27.
The predominant demographic is Men having Sex with Men, or MSMs, as this population is classified in the sexually transmitted disease lexicon.
Joy Steele, executive director of St. Louis Effort for AIDS, and other public health experts have hypothesized that two large events in the gay community – Spanksgiving and Hibearnation – may have contributed the recent rise. The speculation is that the sources of the infection were among the many people from across the country attending the events.
The outbreak is a set-back for St. Louis City which has been trying to eliminate syphilis through concentrated efforts over the last several years. St. Louis City has taken its lead from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who initiated a National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the United States in 1998 when national levels dropped to historic lows. At that time St. Louis City ranked 20th in the nation in annual number of new syphilis cases, and was one of 28 counties that accounted for 50% of all new U.S. cases. Efforts to reduce new cases have included increasing testing levels and raising awareness of disease prevalence among high-risk populations like MSMs and African Americans.
During last weekend’s Mardi Gras, the Health Department was handing out “Syphilis Alert” flyers with their packets of health information. The flyer did not mention the recent rise in cases. It did urge testing.
Events this Friday for Candidates running for Alderman
A BBMG (Brown Bag Meet & Greet) for Steve Patterson at Gallery Urbis Orbis
WHAT: Meet Progressive Aldermanic Candidate Steven Patterson
WHEN: This Friday, February 11, at noon
WHERE: Gallery Urbis Orbis, 419 N. 10th Street
HOW MUCH: Free (contributions are welcome but not necessary)
Meet Rodney Burchfield at Poetry and Politics
That evening (Friday Feb 11) at 8pm at Ujaama Matakba Bookstore, 4267 Manchester.
17th ward candidate Rodney Burchfield will talk about his candidacy between sets of poetry.
$5 cover.
February 07, 2005
Peter Downs' Platform
PETER DOWNS FOR ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION
As publisher of St. Louis Schools Watch, Peter Downs has been an active voice for quality education for our children.
Downs is father of two elementary school age children in St. Louis Public Schools, and father of a daughter who graduated from the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis Public Schools.
Downs and his wife, lifelong St. Louis resident Maureen McMillan, own a home on the near south side that they rehabilitated themselves from a vacant shell. They are both active in school Parent Teacher Organizations and in the Parent Assembly of St. Louis Public Schools.
A 25-year resident of St. Louis, Downs has a long record of involvement on community issues.
Peter Downs is a professional journalist, who makes his living covering a wide range of technical topics, from construction and urban redevelopment to biotechnology and new medical discoveries.
Peter Downs supports the following Parents' and Citizens' Education Bill of Rights:
1. Parents have a right to expect that, regardless of the public school they send their children to, their children will receive a quality education.
2. Parents have the right to be involved in their children's education.
3. Children have a right to a safe, secure, and intellectually challenging learning environment.
4. Children have a right to appropriate instruction to advance their abilities and levels of learning.
5. Children with special needs have a right to appropriate services to help them learn.
6. Taxpayers have a right to open and transparent financial accounting.
7. Taxpayers have a right to open and honest bidding on school contracts.
8. Parents and taxpayers have a right to expect the school board to conduct business in the open, to solicit public input on the vision, goals, and strategies of public education, and to give serious consideration to public comments.
9. Parents, citizens, and employees have a right to expect that the school board will set an example for students of ethical and just behavior in the manner in which it treats parents, employees, vendors, and the public.
10. Parents and taxpayers have a right to expect that teachers will have the properly maintained facilities, supplies, and textbooks they need to focus on teaching; and the administrative support they need to curtail disruptive student behavior.
St. Louis Elected Officials Appeal to Archbishop
The Press Release:
St. Louis Elected Officials Appeal to Archbishop
A coalition of city officials has appealed to Archbishop Raymond Burke to include the recent increase in development and population growth in the city into consideration before closing city parishes.
"Last year, we issued one thousand more Graduated Business Licenses than
the year before. This represents an 8% increase and reflects well on the business community's confidence in the City's growth," said License Collector Gregg Daly
"The number of earning tax accounts for the city has increased substantially, we're moving in the right direction," added Collector of Revenue Ronald A. Leggett
The coalition urges the Archbishop review these recent developments before closing any city parish.
The Association of County Elected Officials includes Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter, License Collector Gregg Daly, Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza, Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Collector Ronald Leggett, Sheriff James Murphy, Public Administrator Gerard Nester, and Treasurer Larry Williams.
The Letter
January 26, 2005
Archbishop Raymond Burke
4445 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
Dear Archbishop Burke:
As city-wide elected officials, we are writing you in regard to the potential closure of Catholic parishes in the City of St. Louis. Since the city's founding, the Catholic community has contributed greatly to St. Louis, in the form of political, business, civic and charitable leadership. As a region, we benefit from their legacy. The parishes in St. Louis not only offer a place for our citizens to
worship, but also provide an identity to a local community and a foundation of neighborhood life.
Catholics in our city helped foster the Archdiocese's development when it expanded into the counties surrounding our city's border. We are well aware of the decline in city population over the last fifty years. We lost many cherished parish communities over that time, including St. Mark's, Blessed Sacrament, St. Rose of Lima and Our Lady of Perpetual Help and most recently, St. Simon of Cyrene.
However, the city is now experiencing a rebirth. The U.S. Census Bureau recently acknowledged an increase in city population, building permit figures show the city has gained as many as 2,500 residents since the summer of last year and many new residences are being developed in previously barren neighborhoods.
We urge the Archdiocese to take a careful look at these developments before closing any parish. City parishes play a large role in the redevelopment of our urban and ethnic neighborhoods. As more and more individuals, particularly Catholics, make the city their home, these parishes will grow and benefit.
If we may be of help personally or via our offices, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Respectfully yours,
Sharon Carpenter, Recorder of Deeds
Gregory F.X. Daly, License Collector
Mariano Favazza, Circuit Clerk
Jennifer Joyce, Circuit Attorney
Ronald A. Leggett, Collector of Revenue
James Murphy, Sheriff
Gerard Nester, Public Administrator
Larry Williams, Treasurer
Mannies kindly plugs ACC, twice
Today and last Friday.
February 05, 2005
School Board Candidate Forums
23 February-[6:30-8:30 PM]: Kennard Classical Junior Academy
10 March: [6:30 PM, start time]: McKinley Middle School
14 March: [7:00 - 9:00 PM] Julia Davis Library; League of Women Voters
sponsored
23 March: [7:00 - 9:00 PM] Schlafly Library; League of Women Voters sponsored
31 March: [7:00 - 9:00 PM] Carpenter Library; League of Women Voters sponsored
February 04, 2005
Limiting Free Lunches
The same week that Senate Republicans amended their rules to remove the limits on gifts they can receive from lobbyists, Rachel Storch (D-64) introduced legislation that would ban members of the Missouri House of Representatives from accepting gifts of more than $50 from lobbyists. The legislation would also prohibit legislators from accepting more than $100 in gifts, including food, from any one lobbyist each year.
February 03, 2005
Franklin to City: Save Skybridge!
ST. LOUIS – As reported in Martin Van Der Werf’s column in the Post-Dispatch today, efforts are afoot to remove the pedestrian “skybridge” from the St. Louis Centre complex, thereby forever altering the scenic streetscape along this burgeoning section of Washington Avenue. In response, a group of concerned citizens is planning a multi-pronged approach to keep the historic skybridge intact.
“Changing the dramatic exterior of the St. Louis Center skybridge would be a mistake,” says Franklin Jennings, a spokesperson for the ad-hoc “Save the Skybridge” effort. “Once torn asunder, the views in this area of eastern Downtown would never be the same. We consider the skybridge to be part-and-parcel of the robust nature and dramatic vista of this working neighborhood. It has been a part of Downtown for roughly two decades. Our contention is that it should be serviceable for at least two generations.”
With City Hall rainmakers likely favoring the demolition of this structure – which linked the old Dillard’s department store to the vibrant commercial hub of the Centre – overtures will be made to insurgent Mayoral candidates Bill Haas and Irene Smith.
“These are people who regularly trade in the ideas market,” says Jennings. “No ‘isms’ apply with them. Particularly age-ism, which is clearly in effect with this anti-preservation move. The thought that the contemporary design aesthetics of the late-‘70s and early-‘80s can be so wantonly tossed aside, shows that our civic leadership doesn’t value Generation X, the
people who grew up with the architecture so vividly brought to life by the skybridge. This seems to stand in stark contrast with ballyhooed efforts to woo young residents to the City.”
Jennings suggests that those interested become immediately involved, first by purchasing goods and services from the vendors that call St. Louis Centre home.
“Nothing speaks louder than a consumer response,” Jennings says. “And the range and scope of commercial endeavors currently taking place in the Centre will surely surprise those who’ve not shopped there in several years.”
Meanwhile, online efforts will be undertaken through the (in-construction) internet portal: savetheskybridge.org.
“We’ve seen countless Downtown buildings saved through highly-public internet campaigns, featuring sharply-designed, highly-intuitive and dynamically-interactive sites” Jennings says. “Why not here?”
Now that information of the potential demolition of the historic skybridge is becoming public, Jennings hopes to tap into the goodwill built through other, recent efforts to save important Downtown landmarks. He stresses that “outside-the-big-box thinking” might be required here.
“Take the trendy ‘windowless condo’ idea so prevalent in the American Northwest,” Jennings suggests. “It’s not necessary for Downtown lofts to have, for example, 40 windows per unit. In our research, windowless condos are increasingly popular in rain-saturated, low-light cities such as Portland and Seattle, where adaptive reuse is treasured, not mocked. To target a handful of units to those with solid incomes and light sensitivity is simply good business.”
For more information, contact Franklin Jennings through Cee Wisp Communications @ franklinjennings@yahoo.com.
Big fight this weekend
So far this month web browsers have entered 97 different keyphrases into search engines to find their way to the ACC web-site.
The number one phrase during these first three days...
corey spinks.
February 02, 2005
Roll Call
Richer, for Poorer
Some Potentially Vulnerable House Members Are Already Sitting on Bulging 2006 Campaign War Chests; Others Are Broke
By Josh Kurtz
Roll Call Staff
February 2, 2005
Several freshman House Members who just won costly, hard-fought elections begin their 2006 re-election battles with almost no money left in their campaign accounts, while others appear to have quickly started to replenish their re-election funds.
The same dichotomy holds true for more senior incumbents who can expect to be targeted by the other party in 2006.
These conclusions come from an analysis of the latest campaign statements that candidates and officeholders were required to file with the Federal Election Commission this week.
Roll Call looked at the 38 House Members who received 55 percent of the vote or less on Election Day. Most, though not all, can expect relatively vigorous challenges in 2006.
Using cash-on-hand figures ? that is, the amount of money candidates had left in their treasuries at the end of 2004 ? it would seem as though freshman Rep. Thelma Drake (R-Va.) is in the most dire financial straits. Her campaign had just $139 left in the bank on Dec. 31 after spending about $800,000 to win a late-starting competitive race to replace retiring Rep. Ed Schrock (R).
It remains to be seen whether Democrats will seriously contest the Republican-leaning southeast Virginia district in 2006. Drake?s opponent last year, highly touted attorney David Ashe, had $33,000 in the bank on Dec. 31.
On the Democratic side, Rep. Russ Carnahan (Mo.) had the least money on hand among freshmen in the 55 percent-or-less club, with just $7,700 in his bank account as of Dec. 31. Carnahan, who spent $1.3 million in 2004, could face a Democratic primary challenge next year from college professor Jeff Smith, one of the candidates he defeated in the race to succeed veteran Rep. Richard Gephardt (D). But the St. Louis-area seat is considered relatively safe for whomever is the Democratic nominee.
From our eye on the ground in FPSE
"17th Ward Green Party Committeewoman Kim Jayne was elected president of the Forest Park Southeast Community Council after the ouster of Dan Scott, who urged cooperation with the Washington University Medical School, Alderman Roddy and -- according to some -- President Bush. Jayne is pursuing a more activist strategy that will target derelict nuisance properties and sloppy demolition work by LRA."
February 01, 2005
State of the District
Next Monday Congressman Russ Carnahan will deliver a STATE OF THE DISTRICT ADDRESS hightligting the issues currently facing the 3rd Congressional District, as well as his goals for the 109th Congress.
Monday, February 7, 2005
6:30 p.m.
Webster University
University Center
Sunnen Lounge
175 Edgar Road
Congressman Russ Carnahan will take questions from the audience following his address. This event is open to the public.
Mayor Slay's Website
Snappy, bordering on too-cute.
But what's impressive is the African American endorsements he's lining up:
Lacy Clay, U.S. Rep, 1st District
Maida Coleman, State Senator, 5th District
O.L. Shelton, Committeeman, 4th Ward
Rodney Hubbard, State Rep, 58th District
Jay Ozier, Committeeman, 22nd Ward
Fay Davis, Committeewoman, 22nd Ward
Claude Brown, Committeeman, 2nd Ward
Dionne Flowers, Alderman, 2nd Ward
Mike McMillan, Alderman, 19th Ward
Tishaura Jones, Committeewoman, 8th Ward
Lewis Reed, Alderman, 6th Ward
Purdy on College Placement
Larry Handlin wrote an article in our last issue about the SLPS' MSIP declining scores. He mentioned Bill Purdy in the article and asked me to put Purdy's full response up here to give a better context to his remarks. Here they are:
--- Original Message ---
From: WPurdy1001@aol.com
To:
Cc:
Sent: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 16:16:30 EST
Subject: Question on College Placement
>
>
> Larry:
>
> My time is very short as I about to leave for Chicago and will not
> return until the weekend.
>
> I have read some of your writings concerning the present board of
> education and I am quite aware that you have enthusiastically
> endorsed most, if not all, of their decisions that date back to the
> hiring of Alvarez and Marsal. You also have expressed unequivocal
> support for Mayor Slay and his educational team. I am also aware of
> your past personal criticism of both myself, Dr. Hammonds and the
> former board. But as a journalist, and not a public relations
> person for the board, I hope that you will approach the subject
> with objectivity. I appreciate the fact that you are seeking my
> input.
>
> Having said that, I do appreciate your interest in the city school
> district and I only wish that others paid attention to the
> education of our children. While we may disagree on some of the
> current board decisions, I am confident that both of us want the
> best for the children.
>
> Here are a few thoughts on the general subject
> of the MSIP:
>
> I will follow this brief email with several commentary and
> informational pieces concerning the MSIP.
>
> COLLEGE PLACEMENT
>
> * In order to receive points for the ACT the district students
> scoring 21 or above must show a 1% increase. That did not happen.
>
> *Last year there was no monitoring of the students taking the ACT
> and as a result, not as many students took the test and those who
> took the test did not do as well.
>
> * We lost points because the staffs who were in charge of running
> the college preparation program and getting the necessary data to
the state was eliminated. The job task was not reassigned and no
> one did the work. As a result, the district didn't have college
> placement points that we had in the past.
>
> *The board laid off so many staff before Roberti and the board knew
> what those staff members did. Amy Hilgemann was correct when she
> said, "When they took the guts out of downtown, they didn't care
> who did what, and it shows."
>
> * Staffs in the schools were overwhelmed due to the many
> disruptions and changes taking place within the schools and the
> district in general.
>
> * Also numerous high school teachers were replaced resulting in
> fewer high-level course offerings which traditionally have had
> smaller class sizes. (Advanced Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Foreign
> Languages etc.) High School principals could not afford to offer
> many small classes in these areas where few students already select
> these advanced classes. The pupil-teacher ratio had to be
> maintained at 28-30:1.
>
> * There was great chaos throughout the district as shock waves of
> destruction trickled down from 801 to the school houses of the
> city. The education of children took a back seat to the ambitions
> of politicians.
>
> *Teacher morale was and continues to be terrible.
>
> DROP OUT RATE
>
> *The alternative options were taken away in the high schools.
> Remember that early on, the board decided to close all of the
> alternative schools including the high school programs at King Tri-
> A and Des Peres. The remaining options were the outsourced programs
> that soon filled to capacity. There are now far fewer options
> available to work with problem students. (This is part of the
> problem that is facing school administrators such as those at
> Vashon.)
>
> * The retention specialists were not as closely monitored and some
> tasks may have slipped through the cracks.
>
> *The work study program was eliminated.
>
> *Principals were told to cut back on staff and many of the schools
> eliminated the upper-level options which in many cases included the
> vocational courses. Example, Beaumont had a culinary program. That
> teacher was cut.
>
> *We almost lost the points for the vocation courses and if that had
> happened, we would have been unaccredited.
>
> *Clerical help was reduced in the high schools and the maintenance
> of accurate record keeping of dropouts vs. transfers were an issue.
> Unless a student who transfers to another high school is properly
> coded as a transfer and attending another school, that student will
> show as a dropout.
>
> I hope that these thoughts are helpful,
>
> Regards,
>
> Bill
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