June 2005

June 30, 2005

Better than Boston!

From the Business Journal, Census estimates that St. Louis' population only declined 1.4% during the last year. Boston was down 1.5%!

Roos wins, a little more

Sued Garden District over eminent domain valuation.

June 29, 2005

Tuft suspended for 5 days

Tuft suspended for 5 days.

Danforth on NPR today

Via Fix, Former Senator Danforth will be on "Fresh Air" today. For those of us who are the KSHE 95 types, that's FM 90.7 at noon.

Barry Plans

According to this reliable source:

Joan Barry is looking at the Harry Kennedy seat in 2008 when he is term limited--she's not making a run against Russ.

"Take it Back" Slate Web Site

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 655 has elections coming up this summer. This labor local represents over 13,000 members in the eastern half of Missouri, including employees of Schnucks, Dierberg's and Shop N Save, as well as the Registered Nurses at St. John's Mercy Medical Center.

A slate has emerged with the slogan of "taking back" the union from the allegedly detached union leadership. Here is their web site.

A little self-promotion

The Arch City Chronicle has been listed. In St. Louis Magazine's A-List issue.

Pizza Haus in the Loop

St. Louis Pizza Haus is the newest addition to the University City Loop at 6602 Delmar Boulevard.

Celebrate Your Independents

BUILD St. Louis asks the public to "Celebrate Your Independents" on Saturday, July 9, 11 am - 7 pm, at the Maplewood Schlafly Bottleworks, a sponsor of the event. Rothschild Development and the International Institute are also co-sponsors.

This non-profit event rallies the success of local independent businesses in the St. Louis region and encourages awareness of the small businesses contributions to making St. Louis a distinct and exciting city. There will be local bands and lots of festivities.

Carnahan hires Womer

CORRECTION: Embree still on the job; Womer consulting.

From an email tipster:

Robin Carnahan has just hired on Mark Womer to be her finance director. This indicates to me that she is gearing up for another campaign run...perhaps for governor? Mark was Robin's finance director for her Sec. of State campaign, and prior to that served as deputy finance director for Virginia Governor Warner's successful campaign.

Kindleberger leaving City Planning

After 35 years of city planning in St. Louis (29 plus with the City, 4 times, perhaps, as acting CDA director) the great Chuck Kindleberger is set for retirement.

I Missed Pridefest

But Colin Murphy of the Vital Voice sent me this report:

I was very pleased to see Rep. Russ Carnahan not only ride in this years Gay Pride Parade but take the stage following Mayor Francis Slay and address the crowd. This was my 16th year at St. Louis Pride and I don't ever recall seeing a U.S. Rep. in the parade, most notably, Dick Gephardt. (Gephardt's daughter Chrissy did attend two years ago during his failed presidential bid.) Carnahan was very well recieved. Smart move on his part but how will it play in the county?

Several city alderman and state legislators also either participated in the parade or stopped by the Gateway Stonewall Democrats tent to chat with festival goers. There was a definite "political feel" to this year's event that I was very glad to see.

Jake Zimmerman Bio

He's running for the St. Louis County Council 5th district which includes 150,000 residents and is bordered by the city limits on the east, Warson Road on the west, Olive on the north, and Gravois on the south.

Here is his bio as it was sent to me:

Jake Zimmerman is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County who grew up in Clayton and attended Clayton public schools. He is a graduate of Clayton High School, Claremont McKenna College, and Harvard Law School. He currently lives in Richmond Heights and practices law with Thompson Coburn LLP in downtown St. Louis.

Jake's active involvement in public service has been deep and wide-ranging. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel to former Missouri Governor Bob Holden. Previously, as Assistant Attorney General under Jay Nixon, Jake fought on behalf of people victimized by fraud and illegal business practices. For example: He prosecuted internet scammers who "sold" computers on E-Bay, but actually pocketed the money; He permanently put out of business the fraudulent operators of a so-called "training school" that existed only to bilk students out of $2,500 tuition fees; He successfully sued large cell phone companies who misled their customers by disguising fees as taxes.

Jake's extensive public service history also includes: Working with federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis; Service in Congressman Dick Gephardt's Washington, D.C. office; A White House Internship in 1996 under President Bill Clinton.

Jake understands the importance of an active grassroots campaign. He has polished his political skills from the ground up in numerous races. Jake has worked in Democratic politics locally, for example, as a St. Louis County field office director in the Missouri coordinated Democratic campaign in 2000, and nationally with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C. Jake has been recognized for his leadership and commitment to public service with numerous awards, including the prestigious Harry S. Truman scholarship.

Jake is committed to winning the race. He has the experience, the know-how, and the commitment needed to run a successful campaign. His impressive and diverse background makes him a perfect fit for the St Louis County Council.

Just back from FLA

Visiting my parents. They finally met their new granddaughter, Sarah Ann.

I'll be throwing up some stuff as I go through the in-box.

Stay tuned.

June 28, 2005

Smoke filled rooms

Vote on County smoking ban held up at the last minute today.

Perhaps a scaling back is in order?

June 27, 2005

Blindsided

A Lebanon Daily Record editorial sums up the current budget cuts. (via John Combest)

Our state's economy is improving but we're not to the point yet that a tax increase is in order to pay for more government programs, no matter how good the idea.

Government programs -- no matter how many people benefit -- only make sense if you can fund them.

And in November, the message was clear.

Voters wished for a governor who would make cuts in lean times.

We have it, for better or worse. That all depends on which side of the political fence you're on.

The editorial is correct in that Gov. Blunt is the official the voters wanted to run the state. It was their choice to elect someone who said they didn't have to raise taxes, but could rely on optimistic projections of economic growth to fund education, roads and health care for the poor. However, few could have anticipated the enthusiasm and the indifference with which Gov. Blunt's budget team would descend upon Missouri's books.

These issues are not softened by some polar political point of view, some of the hardest hit areas will be the out-state communities that were some of the strongest supporters of Blunt. They will bear the brunt of the social and medical care cuts.

It is unlikely that when parents are forced to give up their medical coverage because it has become too expensive, and lie awake at night wondering what will happen to their family if they get hurt, they will think, "well, it's not so bad, I did vote for the guy."

These budget cuts continue to have their hardest impact on the majority of the people in this state who live very close to the bone. These are the families who are trying to get by with increasing costs, and decreasing opportunities.

As for the economic questions, cuts in state funding for medical services are expected to cost the state economy hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially thousands of jobs. During the recent recession, the one area of the economy that continued to see growth was the health care field. In these lean times, Governor Blunt's policies may cost the state even that growth.

June 24, 2005

Public Broadcasting Budget Vote

From KWMU.

June 23, 2005

Riverfront Forum

Thursday, June 30, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at Windows Off Washington, 10th floor at 701 N. 15tj Street in downtown St. Louis. No reservations are required.

Sponsored by The Great Rivers Greenway District, the forum will give attendees the opportunity to learn about the planning initiative and to share their thoughts on what makes the St. Louis Riverfront special.

The public forum will be an open house format at which attendees will be able to walk around at their leisure to view maps and information outlining the project scope, timeline, current site conditions and design opportunities, and talk to consultants one-on-one. At 6:00 p.m., members of the consulting team, led by HOK Planning Group and Balmori Associates, will present a half-hour overview of the project summarizing the information.

McCaskill Timeline

A source at the DSCC said they expect an answer from Claire in 3-4 weeks.

Flag Burning

Time for another distraction.

Rep Clay does the right thing.

Congressmen get phonecalls

In the wake of local Public Broadcasting affiliates KWMU 90.7 and KETC Channel 9 making appeals to their listeners and viewers to contact their congressmen and ask them to fight proposed funding cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting , the Arch City Chronicle contacted the Missouri Representatives from the surrounding three districts to see what type of response they have been receiving.

Spokespersons from Representative Lacy Clay's, Representative Russ Carnahan's and Representative Todd Akin's offices all said that they have been receiving a significant number of phone calls in support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Steve Taylor, Representative Akin's press secretary, said there were a lot of NPR listeners in the 2nd Congressional District, but that the Congressman was a strong fiscal conservative and was elected as such.

"I don't think the Congressman will be voting in the manner many of the callers would like," said Taylor.

Taylor did mention that the Congressman was an occasional listener of NPR himself, but that fiscal conservativism is a matter of principle and that he is unlikely to support restoring federal funds for the CPB. Taylor said the Congressman needs to weigh the desires of constituents and the principles that the voters elected him to represent.

"You have to strike a balance," said Taylor.

Representative Carnahan has also received a significant number of calls, and he strongly supports fully funding Public Broadcasting.

"He's hopeful that funding will be restored before the [appropriations] bill reaches the floor [Thursday] or Friday," said Heather L. Todd, Carnahan's Press Secretary. "And if not, that an amendment could be added to the bill."

While there have been a large number of phone calls, the numbers at Carnahan's office were on average, if a bit more, with any issue that got people's attention.

Carnahan is not alone in his support of the CPB.

"[Congressman Clay] is fighting very hard to restore the funding," said Steve Engelhardt. "He's very upset."

Engelhardt said their offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Louis were receiving a high volume of calls all urging the Congressman to work to restore funding.

The potential funding reduction for the CPB is part of a appropriations bill. While the appropriations committee has passed on its recommended version of the bill, which includes the cuts, the bill can still be modified before the House of Representatives votes on it.

The bill is expected to be introduced today or tomorrow.

June 22, 2005

No Bears

This might not seem like it should be at the top of the list, but...

In Washington MO they're protesting the bears.

Grace Hill Health Care Center Cuts Pediatric Care

Thanks to Dr. Crone for passing this along.

Grace Hill Cuts Pediatric Care

Smoking Ban

The Justice and Health Committee of the St. Louis County Council will meet on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. to review a revised draft ordinance after holding hearings and meetings related to the proposed ban since the ban was first proposed by County Councilman Kurt Odenwald, R-Shrewsbury, earlier this year.

The Committee will meet in Executive Session to discuss the proposal to ban smoking in indoor public places, and make a recommendation to full County Council on a proposed ordinance.

Members of the Justice and Health Committee include Councilmember Hazel Erby, D-University City, Committee Chairman Skip Mange, R-Town and County, and Odenwald, who also serves as Vice-Chairman of the County Council.

June 21, 2005

Funding Cuts loom for Public Broadcasting

Public Broadcasting may face funding cuts of up to 45%, $220 million, next year. The House of Representatives will first take up the issue Wednesday, June 22nd. Both local public broadcasting stations, KWMU 90.7 and KETC Channel 9, face significant funding cuts due to the reduction in federal fund.

While both KETC and KWMU both rely upon members for a major portion of their operating budgets, the reduction in federal funds will pose a major challenge for the stations.

Both KETC and KWMU are appealing to their viewers and listeners to contact both Missouri Senators Bond and Talent as well as Missouri Representatives Carnahan, Clay, Akin, Hulshoff and Emerson. Illinois listeners and viewers are asked to contact Senators Durbin and Obama as well as Representatives Shimkus, Costello and Evans.

KETC has a contact list here, and KWMU has a contact list here.

June 20, 2005

So Much for my Jedi Skills

Seems Claire is gone for the week.

Meanwhile, a new name to chew on if she doesn't run... Steve Gaw is said to be looking at the race.

June 18, 2005

Darlene Green's reaction to news that the Blues are for sale

“The decision to sell the Blues is disappointing. My focus now is on working with city leaders, Savvis Center and prospective buyers to reach common ground and keep the Blues in downtown St. Louis where they belong. It’s too early to pinpoint any particular incentive, but a public/private solution will help keep the Blues at home. We just have to wait and see what the options are.”

June 17, 2005

Linking History and Revitalization

Public History and Community Revitalization

Wednesday, June 22
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
427 Social Sciences Building, UM-St. Louis

Join Lynn Josse, PPRC's 2005 Community Fellow, in exploring how communities can use their history to energize citizens and revitalize neighborhoods. She will share examples from grass-roots to academic-based programs. Ms. Josse comes to PPRC through the Central West End Association and has served as the Assistant Director of the Landmarks Association, which seeks to preserve, enhance, and promote St. Louis' architectural heritage.

The Lunch and Learn series is offered as part of the Community and Neighborhood Development division's work in connecting community and
university folks interested in St. Louis area neighborhoods. Lunch and Learns are held monthly at UM - St. Louis in the PPRC Conference Room, 427 Social Sciences Building, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. They are free and open to all interested. For more information, call 314.516.5273.

Jeff Smith finds a home

In Southwest Gardens.

Disturbance in the Force

Can you feel it?

Claire must be close to a decision.

If I were in an office pool, I'd say that she's calling supporters this weekend with an announcement on Monday.

My guess: She's out. And Roger Wilson looks foolish saying there's a secret list of great candidates in the wings.

June 16, 2005

LA Times continues to innovate

NY Times reports on editorial page changes.

June 15, 2005

Hartford Coffee's new Shaw site to open July 1

Look for a sneak preview party for the new "Thurman Community Cafe" on June 30.

LeaAnne DeRigne leaves CMC

DeRigne has left Citizens for Missouri's Children and is working on finishing her dissertation, teaching at UMSL, and spending time with her daughter, Ruby.

Talent Ratings

Via The Washington Monthly's blog, SurveyUSA has ranked the Senate according to their popularity in their home state. They have the full list on their website, and the Washington Monthly lists just those who are up for reelection. I decided to highlight just our own Senator, Jim Talent.

June 14, 2005

Young Democrats Meeting

The next general membership meeting will be held

Wednesday, June 15th
7:00 p.m.
IBEW Local 1439 Hall
2121 59th Street
This is now IBEW Local 1 Hall on Elizabeth. IBEW Local 1439 is right down the street from there, just a couple blocks east and south of Hampton and I-44.

Mike Who?

From KC Star, via Combest.

June 13, 2005

Keeping Score at Home

Here are the Senate term limits.

June 12, 2005

Storch will run for 4th Senate District

State Representative Rachel Storch will run to replace Pat Dougherty in the 4th Senate District. Right now that race is shaping up to also include Yaphett El-Amin and Fred Kratky.

June 11, 2005

Graham Out

From Mannies.

Here's why he would have gotten killed by Talent anyway.

Kenny Jones gone from Mayor's Office

Although not reflected in the website yet. Rumors have Jones departing over fallout from his support for the a recall effort against 22nd ward alderman Jeffrey Boyd.

June 10, 2005

All ears on McCaskill

A source out in the wilds of West County overheard state Auditor Claire McCaskill speaking (with the clear projection of a trained speaker that sliced through the noise in the restaurant) with an unidentified individual this week about the state of politics in Missouri and her potential run for the Senate.

While no bombshells were dropped, it sounded as if McCaskill is still trying to analyze and understand her loss to Matt Blunt in the Gubernatorial race last year. The loss seemed to weigh on her mind now that she is up against significant pressure to take on Republican Sen. Talent. She talked about her strengths and her belief that the strongest candidate wins the primary, but seemed surprised that it wasn't enough in 2004. She also seemed very aware that the toughness and tenacity that has allowed her to achieve great success has also given her opponents a chance to paint her in the unflattering terms that many driven and successful women have found affixed to themselves, especially women in politics. It's a handicap for women that men are unfamiliar with.

McCaskill has yet to make up her mind, but it sounded as if she has a cut-off date in mind. Until then she is sounding out friends and family trying to come up with ideas as well as seek advice. She, wisely, doesn't want to run without a rock-solid plan. A failed Senate campaign could put an end to her political prospects.

While no one approached the Auditor, several people pointer her out to their friends as she left.

South Grand Parking Problem - Again

South Grand business owners are aghast at Commerce Bank's plans to sell an adjacent building and long-vacant parking lot to Krieger's which would retain the surface parking lot for its Sports Bar patrons. The back of the parking lot would be sold to developers for condos. The business district is SOL without the lot.

Residents, as they learn of the plan, are expected to be similarly distraught. Without that parking lot historic homes are more vulnerable to meet the demand for parking.

Shuffling Seats

State Representative Yaphett El-Amin is expected to run fro State Senate when Pat Dougherty is term-limited in 06. If that happens look for 26th Ward Committeman Joe Palm to run for El-Amin's House seat.

24th Ward Organization supports recall effort

24th ward organization voted last night to support the recall effort against Tom Bauer.

June 09, 2005

Confluence 10 yr. Anniversary

Confluence is celebrating 10 years of independent reporting in St. Louis with a benefit rock show. Friday, June 10, 2005: Bob Reuter, The Variety Group and Anna Roland at The Lemmons, 5800 Gravois. $5

Trends in American Churches

Via Dark Bilious Vapors, Via Pretty War StL, 12 surprising facts about the American Church.

Shrewsbury backs Plackemeier and Behrendt

KWMU has the story.

The Downtown Defense Fundraiser

June 08, 2005

St. Louis Air

Via Biz Journal, flights to KC.

Congrats to Vector

On their 7th anniversary as a public engagement and communications consulting firm.

Vector Communications focuses on public policy issues such as transportation, parks and recreation, healthcare, and education.

Government Review Commission seeks citizen input

The Missouri State Government Review Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, June 17 in Century Room A at the Millennium Student Center at the UMSL.

Gov. Matt Blunt established the commission to examine the executive departments statewide and make recommendations on how state government can address inefficiencies, reduce costs and improve services. The meeting is open to the public, and citizens are invited to share their thoughts and opinions.

Call (573) 751-2345 or e-mail Patty.Champlain@oa.mo.gov to schedule an appearance before the commission.

June 07, 2005

4th Ward Results

OL Shelton 294
Peggy Ryan 152
Greg Tumlin 125
Sam Moore 222

Special Election in the 4th Ward Today

Turn-out is very light. Look for less than 1,000 votes. OL Shelton is the Democratic nominee and presumed favorite. We'll have the results here later tonight.

Shrewsbury to NSO opponents: I'm with you.

**copy of letter sent by shrewsbury to residents who testified this morning at W&M**

I want to thank you for taking time to come to City Hall and voice your concerns about the pending changes to our Neighborhood Stabilization program. This is the most important issue facing us during this year’s budget process.

The NST performs a crucial function for both city residents and elected officials. The officers are, in many ways, the eyes and ears of our neighborhoods. While few disagree that improvements need to be made to the program, many of us differ on exactly how to achieve this.

I am not in favor of, nor will I vote for, shifting the NST to the Board of Aldermen. The success of our Neighborhood Stabilization program is largely due to the fact that politics has been kept out of it.

Having the NST totally under the control of the aldermen will simply create more patronage workers and more bureaucracy. It is not the answer.

I, along with Mayor Slay, believe that the Neighborhood Stabilization program needs to stay within the department of Public Safety. Whatever improvements are deemed necessary can be accomplished by the aldermen communicating and working with the Mayor’s Office and Public Safety.

Again, I thank you for taking such a strong interest in your neighborhood and for wanting to see this program be the best it can be. I am confident that in the end we will make some good changes and give the NST the tools it needs to continue its important work.

Sincerely,
-James F. Shrewsbury
Aldermanic President

June 06, 2005

NSO hearing

NSO hearing is tomorrow (Tuesday June 7) at 9:00 AM at the Board of Aldermen.

See you there.

Popper shows Smith film to small audience

Frank Popper gave a showing of his documentary of Jeff Smith's congressional campaign last night at the house of supporter Mary Long. The make-shift home theatre and congenial crowd was a pleasant setting for a Sunday evening. Jo Mannies was taking notes on those nifty PD notepads. Look for something on it in the Fix today. The film itself, which has been submitted to the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase is brilliant. It reveals the rollercoaster of a 24/7 grassroots campaign - both uplifting and frustrating interactions with voters, the torture of fundraising, the generosity of strangers, tense discussions about strategy. Some scenes are comical, some are painful. When the frantic campaign sequences stop near the end of the film, you feel the fatigue of the volunteer crashed on a couch election night. Popper captured the strange senselessness of an underdog campaign - the furiously working staff that lives with one eye blind to reality, believing that they can prevail. The other eye is unable to close and (you can feel in it this movie) doubts whether the efforts to connect with voters will really matter in the end.

June 05, 2005

Downtown Defense Fund

From Margie Newman and Amanda Doyle, Fundraising Co-Chairs, Downtown Defense Fund.

The City of St. Louis, the State of Missouri and the OPO project developers have filed a lawsuit against two downtown residents, alleging malicious prosecution -- and seeking actual damages exceeding $1.5 million, plus punitive damages "in an amount sufficient to deter said defendants and others from like conduct."

Should the City, State and developers prevail, these two individuals could lose all of their assets. Just to defend themselves will cost tens of thousands of dollars in legal costs, even if lawyers donate some services.

A fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 25, 7:30 p.m. at Gallery Urbis Orbis, 419 N. Tenth Street. Bring a check in any amount, and enjoy music and good food and the company of people who care about our architectural heritage. No need to purchase tickets -- but please do RSVP to mmnewman@earthlink.net so we can plan refreshments.

If you can't make the fundraiser, send your check payable to Downtown Defense Fund, and mail it to:

Downtown Defense Fund
c/o Scott Kluesner, Treasurer
7480 Cornell Avenue
St. Louis MO 63130

Somebody's Polling

We've been advised of a poll asking City and County residents about a tax increase dedicated to Forest Park.

Soliciting views about 1/20 cent and 1/10 cent sales taxe increases as well as 4cents/$100 property tax. Or an 8 cent/$100 property tax increase dedicated to all parks.

Asked who should be responsible for managing tax receipts - Forest Park Forever, Great Rivers Greenway, City fo St. Louis, St. Louis County, or the Zoo-Museum District.

Pollster was Western Research and took about twenty minutes.

June 03, 2005

Warren: Talent Unbeatable

Via Combest, Talent hauls in another $1.5 million. Dems are keeping things "under wraps."

June 02, 2005

Peggy Ryan woes

Rumor making the SLPS rounds is that recalled 4th ward alderwoman Peggy Ryan was suspended without pay and escorted from the school that she works at yesterday. No one seems to know by whom or why. The principal was out sick yesterday and she did not do it.

June 01, 2005

More Social Security Protests

In a related note to the story below, a group opposing the President's Social Security plans in Louisiana has been using an unusual tactic to try and get legislators on record.

In lieu of the mythic 800 lb gorilla, they have been using a 28 ft tall, bright-red, inflatable gorilla. The Baton Rouge Advocate has the story.

To The Mat

Missouri Pro-Vote is helping lead a coalition of nearly two dozen Missouri groups in a protest over President Bush's Social Security privatization efforts.

President Bush is the star attraction at a $2,000-per-plate fundraising dinner for Sen. Jim Talent's re-election campaign on Thursday, June 2nd. The dinner is being held at the Millennium Hotel downtown.

The groups plan to be there by 4:30 p.m. to be there when the President arrives to demonstrate their opposition to his plans.

"People are very impassioned," said Margarida Jorge the St. Louis Program Director for Missouri Pro Vote. "The social security issue is a really hot issue for people."

The Missouri coalition is also working with the national group Americans United to Protect Social Security as well as MoveOn PAC. Their focus is to force legislators from their districts to take a stand on Social Security and to go on the record either supporting the President's plan or not. It's the least they can do for their constituents, says Jorge.

Jorge said several groups have tried to get Sen. Talent to go on record, but he has not responded to their invitations to speak to them.

"This is a really tough issue," said Jorge. "A lot of people want to stay in the closet. Don't piss off your constituents, don't piss off the President."

They have made some headway with Missouri Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-08), who is the Representative with the highest number of Social Security recipients in her district. She has said that she will not support a plan that is fiscally irresponsible and adds trillions of dollars to the U.S. national debt.

Recent reports of the President's waning political capital aside, the groups are focusing on events featuring the President and his speeches about privatization. They realize that waning public support for the President's signature plan can help pressure Representatives and Senators to come out on one side of the issue or the other.

"It seems no matter what [the President] does or where he goes the plan becomes less popular," said Jorge. "People don’t want to give up what they are entitled to and what they have earned."

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