August 2005

August 31, 2005

Bogetto's site up

Jane Bogetto.

Claire Online

Thanks to StL Diatriber who spotted the new McCaskill website up and running.

24th ward recall battle

Tipster: "signs supporting the recall became common in 24th ward on monday"

August 30, 2005

Arch City Chronicle seeks Advertising Representative.

We’re expanding. More details to follow. Right now we need to find a real go-getter, someone who’ll enjoy telling the Arch City Chronicle story, explaining how it’s a smart ad buy for businesses targeting city residents.

Ideal candidate will be a self-starter with lots of initiative and great follow-through. Should have natural sales ability. Knowledge of St. Louis City, and sales experience a plus.

Are you this special person? Know someone who might be.
Email me dave@archcitychronicle.com or call 314-255-5210.

Burse makes Big Time

John Burse of ONSL was made partner at Mackey Mitchell Associates.

Incumbents win 655 election

Weber has it at KWMU.

August 29, 2005

SHE'S IN!

From the Media Advisory:

Claire McCaskill to Announce Her Plans for Elective Office Tomorrow
Will speak at old McCaskill feed mill in Houston

Missouri Auditor Claire McCaskill will announce her plans for elective office tomorrow, August 30, at the old McCaskill feed mill in Houston, Missouri. McCaskill spent the first years of her life in Houston where her father, William, worked at the mill.

Details for tomorrow's announcement:
Who: Claire McCaskill

What: Announcement of her plans for elective office

When: Tuesday, August 30 at 12:00 p.m.

Where: The old McCaskill feed mill in Houston, Missouri, at the intersection of Mill and Phelps streets.

Katrina hits the Quarter

It's not a local story, but for those who are interested following the news of the hurricane, a few New Orleans Times-Picayune reporters set themselves up in a generator-powered bunker in the Times building and have been blogging about Katrina's arrival.

There are two, Breaking News and NOLA View.

New Orleans was spared the worst-case scenario (an oddly prescient piece written in May, 2005), but it is still one for the books.

Carter to file for Kirkwood

Thompson Coburn lawyer, Ben Carter, said at first to be looking to run in the 94th has decided to run for the Kirkwood City Council and will be filing shortly.

Weber: Shady Oak coming back?

KWMU.

Moira Byrd in the 94th

Combest: Moira Byrd to run for late husband's seat in the 94th.

August 28, 2005

Blurbed by Petterson

Debb's bit

August 26, 2005

Suddenly lots going on

I'm hearing McCaskill will announce for Senate tomorrow!

Mannies: Loudon announcing tomorrow for Auditor.

Tipster: Senator Coleman looking at Auditor position.

Women's Right to Vote

Stacey Newman, ED of the Missouri Women's Coalition, wrote to "remind" me that today is the official anniversary of Women Having the Right to Vote.

"Even tho it's taking us 85 years, more women vote these days than men. Over 8.8 million more women than men voted in 2004 for president."

The Rat

The Post's Todd Frankel has a story in today's paper about the union's newest picket-line partner.

"Everybody loves it, except for the company," said Gary Wilson, business manager for Local 2 of the International Union of Operating Engineers in St. Louis.
...
Wilson is not sure what he'll do with the balloon once the protest ends.

"I don't bring it out for Christmas parties or bar mitzvahs," he said. "It's just strictly to antagonize the employer."

Note: Edited to correct a misspelling. Sorry Todd.

August 25, 2005

As official as it's going to get before it's official.

McCaskill is telling her statewide colleagues that she is running for U.S. Senate. Announcement around Labor Day.

Washington Post reporters are in town

to interview Sunset hills residents about their battle to save their homes from the eminent domain/TIF Pacman.

24th ward recall

League St. Louis is following it.

I haven't been round Dogtown in the last week or two, but one emailer yesterday reported that "a number of large anti recall signs are appearing around 24th ward."

August 24, 2005

Task force website

Joe Frank notes that the Missouri Task Force on Eminent Domain has set up a website.

The website looks like it could be quite helpful if it is updated regularly enough. It has the minutes from the meetings as well as forms for submitting comments and testimony.

GOP airs ads on Christian radio to support special session

Using the name ProLife Missouri, they work to shore up the Governor's pro-life credentials. Branch gets a mention.

Weddell in the 94th?

Scott Weddell, brother-in-law of Senator Mike Gibbons, has popped up on the Democratic radar screen as the possible Republican nominee in 94th.

Metro Maxed Out

From St Louis Schools Watch:

by A. Parent
August 23, 2005 ––
If district administrators are intent in treating Metro like a sardine can, one can only hope they will find space for and purchase the additional needed lockers and some folding chairs.

Metro High School, rated #48 of the 100 top high schools in the U.S. by Newsweek, has been difficult to get into in the past, partly due to space limitations. It would seem the school's success has led the district to push it to the limit.

While relocation to a larger facility may help, friends of mine who went there when I was in high school said the small size contributed to the positive environment.

There are factors that contribute to Metro's success that can not be duplicated by the district (parental involvement, social environment, etc.), but perhaps Metro's success can help seed other schools in the district.

Certainly the results can't the result of circumstances unique only to Metro, perhaps they are merely better focused there.

Nation's largest Bosnian-American newspaper coming to StL

By year end Sabah will relocate from NYC to StL. Look for them in the Bevo Mill area.

August 23, 2005

Looks like she's in

Peterson scores the scoop with news that Tod Martin has signed on to McCaskill's team.

Ronnie White for Senate, anyone?

Just got a phone call from a tipster who heard that he might be interested if McCaskill balks.

MO House Dems hire Marc Powers

Southeast Missourian reporter Marc Powers, who for the last six years has been the Missourians' Jeff City correspondant, has been hired by the Missouri House Democrats to handle their communications. (The timing worked out well, the Southeast Missourian has chosen to close its Jeff City bureau to focus resources on more local stories.)

Powers takes the place of Paul Woody who left to return to law school. Woody moved to the 96th District and expects to remain active in local politics there.

Powers is a St. Louis native, stills owns property on The Hill, and formerly took time away from newspaper writing to be a spokesperson for the Emily Firebaugh campaign for Congress.

August 22, 2005

Here come the cuts

I thought Lee was planning to "grow revenues."

Foolishness on Fuel

Yesterday's NY Times editorial mentions Talent's stance on fuel efficiency standards.

Interesting Bits from latest Local Government Briefings

From the latest EW Gateway e-newsletter, Local Government Briefings:

Attracting sustained private investment in distressed communities.

Weidenbaum Center's forum on Taxing Temptations.

BJ column about McCaskill running or not

No "shameless plug" category. File under 06.

Mannies: Odenwald running for 5th

Second to last line.

Winner of Zimmerman-Fraser primary will have tough incumbent waiting.

In case anyone's keeping score

Last Saturday's PD business section once again had zero (0) PD bylines.

August 19, 2005

Rumored Circuit Attorney lay-offs

Happening today. Rumor has 9 people laid off including 3 from child support division. Also reclassification of some employees to save $$. File it under "Rumors." Don't take it to the bank, yet.

Senate Poll

I was polled last night. Sounded like a Talent poll. Asking how he matched up against Nixon, McCaskill, (Robin) Carnahan, and Maxwell. Also asked about Blunt and Bush and selected issues - stem cells, health care.

SLPS says 2005 elementary MAP scores Up

Their press release:

The St. Louis Public Schools today announced the preliminary results from the 2005 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test. While the majority of the District’s elementary schools show increases, middle and high school scores remain stagnant.

The MAP measures academic standards and determines the level to which schools enable students to become proficient. The tests are scored on proficiency standards of Advanced, Proficient, Nearing Proficient, Progressing and Step 1. The levels of Advanced/Proficient scores are used to determine each school’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) required by the Federal No Child Left Behind law.

“We obviously have a great deal of work to do to ensure that all of our students are performing at advanced and proficient levels,” said St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Creg E. Williams. “As these results show, elementary schools have made meaningful gains over the past year, while middle schools and high schools have not. The Board of Education made an essential strategic decision to invest approximately $3 million in curriculum materials for the elementary schools. This year, not only will the District build upon the work that was started late last year in the elementary grades, but we will make curriculum changes in middle school and implement a totally revamped core curriculum in the high schools as part of our comprehensive plan to raise student achievement. We expect to see growth across the board next year.”

District Highlights

• The achievement gap at the elementary level in Communication Arts has narrowed significantly and is much narrower than that of the State. The level for white students is 36% and 35% for black students, both above the Annual Yearly Progress goal of 27%.
• Three elementary schools, formerly identified as “Needs Improvement” by the State, preliminarily met the criteria for Adequate Yearly Progress and may be removed from the list.
• In Grade 3 Communication Arts, the percentage of students in the St. Louis Public Schools scoring in the combined Proficient and Advanced Achievement level equals the percentage of the State, both at 35%.

The MAP score information is preliminary, as the Federal government requires the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to provide districts a 30-day appeal process. Final determinations of MAP data and AYP will be made by DESE in November.
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August 17, 2005

Study: MO cheap place to do Business

13% below national average.

Bravo to Jamala

Last week's column in the St. Louis American.

August 16, 2005

Gas prices

From Rep. Fraser's office

The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold local public hearings in
St. Louis on August 24, 2005, to receive customer comment on a natural gas rate case filed by Laclede Gas Company. Local public hearings also gives customers an opportunity to bring any service related problems to the Commissions attention.

Informal Q&A at 11:30, hearing at 12:00 pm
Joseph P. Cosand Center
5th floor Boardroom
300 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO

Informal Q&A at 6:30, hearing at 7:00 pm
Cooperating School Districts
Large Conference Room
1460 Craig Road
St. Louis, MO

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Joseph Schulte at
314-721-8448.

Simms in the 60th

Add another name to the scorecard. We've been tipped that Amber Boykin's husband Shaun Simms is being mentioned as a replacement for her 60th State Rep seat.

Approaching 300,000?

Is it approaching when you used to be above it and now you're below it?

August 15, 2005

City Treasurer Zings DSS

City Treasurer Larry Williams ribbed the Missouri Department of Social Services in a press release announcing changes to parking meters and a new contact number.

Drivers with comments and suggestions ... will have a new hotline number next week. (We’ll post the number when the phone company activates it and we’ve tested it – a precaution not taken by some state officials recently.)

The Department of Social Services provided the incorrect contact number on a letter sent to Medicaid recipients who are about to lose some benefits. The number provided connected to the home of a woman in Columbia Falls, Montana who

MO Budget Project Benefit

OLD MAN JOE
at OFF BROADWAY
Friday, August 19, 2005

Doors open at 7:00 pm

3rd Annual Benefit for the Missouri Budget Project
Tickets: $15 ($2 discount if purchased online at: www.offbroadwaystl.com)

Old Man Joe is:
Brad Cavanagh - drums
Rose Ehresman - vocals
Paul Ehresman - guitars
Joel Ferber - mandolin, vocals
Dan Grandone - congas, djembe
Joe Squillace - bass

Another Smith

Steve Smith gets nice play on the front page of of the PD's Everyday section.

Smith addresses Address-gate

Political junkies have been a-jitter since last week about the address on Jeff Smith's campaign filings that show him living near, well actually in, the Botanical Gardens. Smith says that there was mix-up and the amended filing will show his correct address - 1929 Alfred.

Blogs report that OPO Parking Project has stalled

Urban Review.
Ecology of Absence.

Next week is Downtown Restaurant Week

$25 all you can eat, or something like that.

ACC contributor Lee on Glover show today

ACC contributor Umar Lee will debate Robert Spencer August 15 from 5:06-5:45 PM on the Dave Glover show on 97.1 FM.

Spencer is the author of " A Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades." Lee operates a web site, American-Islam.org.

August 12, 2005

Retail Demand, City vs County

Matt Bauer does a comprehensive survey of retail demand and gaps in St. Louis City and County.

August 11, 2005

St. Louis: liberal city

Via Business Journal, study ranks St. Louis #20 among liberal cities.

I have wondered about that huge building

Fowler wants Leggett to auction Carter Carburetor plant. Enormous and abandoned.

Black Republicans

Sylvester sits in a Bread Co conversation.
Blog highlights Sherman's moderate stem-cell position as he ponders the 2nd CD.

Please bring back the speechwriter

Sure budget times are tough. But if St. Louis going to be a great city again, we need a little punch in our mayoral addresses. Unveils a plan to end chronic homelessness and the best rhetoric to match that noble goal is the "hand-out, hand-up" cliche?

August 10, 2005

Here come the Pie Charts

The Post's upcoming "face-lift" happening next month is said to be eliminating the "zone" sections, folding everything into the new bigger Metro section.

Heavy emphasis on graphics, USA TODAYish look.

Washington Post highlights MO stem cell debate

"Missouri is by any estimation a red state."

August 09, 2005

Initial sketches of Ballpark Village online

www.ballparkvillage.com

60th House District

With Amber Boykins termed out and declared for the 4th Senate District, one good tipster says to look for activist Jamilah Nasheed to run for the 60th State Rep seat.

Simpson runs in 150th

Four-term Dent County Commissioner / Cattle Farmer files for Democrats.

New Arts Blog

From CAM and Pulitzer.

City Extends Benefits to Domestic Partners of Employees

Under the leadership of Richard Frank and with the encouragement of Mayor Slay, St. Louis City has begun offering its employees domestic partnership benefits. The change went into effect July 1 and gives same-sex partners as well as others living in committed, but unmarried relationships, and their children the right to medical, dental and insurance benefits. Enrollees must sign a Affadavit of Domestic Partnership.

Critics of extending such benefits have often cited costs as a barrier. However, the City reports that the change will not add any costs to its medical benefits plan.

The action did not require aldermanic approval and went into effect largely unnoticed. But it is important because it shows that the City is taking meaningful steps to promote itself as a hospitable and progressive community despite a state government which has recently been hostile to gays.

ONSL featured yesterday

In the Post north Zone.

A nice story that only northsiders get to read about because it only appeared in the North Post, and therefore not in other parts of the city or outside the city. The Post operates under the assumption that its southside readers aren't interested in such stories. I don't think that's true. But more importantly, it does civic damage. The Post reinforces the North-South polarization by keeping both sides oblivious of the happenings on the other side.

Ashwell exits Coro

As of August 31, Elizabeth Ashwell will be joining Washington Speakers Bureau, though she'll be working from St. Louis. Ashwell was development director at Coro.

August 08, 2005

Rock Hill's ex-mayor faces charges

Salamone.

August 06, 2005

Saturday Post-Dispatch

Again the Business "section" doesn't have a single PD byline. Just a collection of wire stories. I guess it's an editorial decision to go news-less on Saturday.

Jennifer Joyce ends the prosecutors' residency requirement. Perfect timing. Dump it out with the trash on a Friday afternoon, and it's a blurb in the unread (no reason to read it, it's news-less by design) Saturday Post.

August 05, 2005

Coro names Sue Fisher new ED

Fisher currently heads up the Nonprofit Services Consortium.

August 04, 2005

Jake and Barbara sit down

Apparently happening today, 5pm. No big news expected. Just a sit-down.

UPDATE: No deal. Short meeting. Agreed to be good Democrats and show unity after the primary.

American reports Storch no longer seeking 4th

Political Eye.

UPDATE: Political Fix confirms this item from the St. Louis American.

ACT exits

From the NY Times.

NRA coming to StL

from Stl Today.

Bauer recall

Recall date has been set for September 20.

August 03, 2005

Latest rumors

Unconfirmed rumors from multiple sources have neither Rachel Storch nor Fred Kratky interested in running for the 4th Senate seat. Both largely for personal rather than political reasons. That primary is one year away. More later.

Meanwhile 10th ward committeeman John Paul Frisella filed to raise money for the 65th, apparently in case Kratky does jump into the 4th race. Frisella would never challenge Kratky for the Rep seat; he is clearly marking his place in line for 2010 when Kratky is termed out.

Hunter Brumfield

StlStreets says he committed suicide yesterday.
Pretty War StL has some photos of Hunter.

I met him back when he was "Toast," his chosen personae as lead singer in Sky Bop Fly. Remember them? Later he played bass in the Highway Matrons, when the Matrons were Rock n Roll incarnate. God, he had some great stories. Way, way too young.

Hancock in for Mange's seat

From KWMU.

Not unlikely there will be others interested in that seat. But it's a solid Republican seat, especially since redistricting.

Anna's Happy Hour

Anna Jinkerson, former McCaskill campaign staffer and current (Russ) Carnahan staffer, is having a happy hour Thursday in celebration of receiving her PoliSci degree from UMSL.

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Location: The Heights Piano Bar and Restaurant 2280 S. Jefferson and Shenandoah
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm

Bogetto, Dem nominee in the 94th

Friday night, August 5th from 7 'til 10 pm

A house party for Jane Bogetto, as she prepares to take back the 94th House Seat. Bogetto is a Kirkwood resident, mother and former Kirkwood School Board member.

Snack foods and a variety of libations provided. Musical entertainment provided by the "Old Codgers."

Donations accepted only for Jane's campaign.
Please RSVP to plosgoodrn@sbcglobal.net

August 02, 2005

Mange won't run for re-election

Announced at tonight's County Council meeting, Skip Mange (R-3rd District) says he will not run for re-election.

FUNDRAISER FOR STRIKING BEER TRUCK DRIVERS

The 20th Ward Democrats are hosting a fundraiser for the Local 600 drivers on strike against Lohr Distributing.

WHERE: Boiler Makers Hall
(across from Soulard Market)

WHEN: Friday, August 5, 2005
2:30 PM to 10 PM
COST: $20.00
(includes beer, soda, hot dogs)

August 01, 2005

Danforth helps out Riverfront Planning

Haven't heard much from the Danforth Foundation since winding down 2004. But it's back again, pitching in the money for riverfront planning.

Ehresman to MO Budget Project

Ruth Ehresman will join Amy Blouin's Missouri Budget Project on August 15. She will focus on health policy.

Firing up the Dems..

Rick Perlstein, former Village Voice national correspondent, recently gave an interesting speech (note: the title of the speech may be offensive to some) to a group of national Democrats on how to break Republican's seeming lock on government.

In his speech, Perlstein focused on the role of economic and health care issues. He summed it up thusly:

It's simple. Barack Obama put it exquisitely in his victory speech: "Government can help provide us with the basic tools we need to live out the American dream."

Here's a dirty little secret. The Republicans know this. Nothing scares them more than us returning to our simple answers.

Here's Bill Kristol, in a famous 1993 memo I'm sure you're all familiar with: "Health care is not, in fact, just another Democratic initiative . . . the plan should not be amended; it should be erased. . . . It will revive the reputation of the . . . Democrats, as the generous protector of middle-class interests."

Is Perlstein correct? As many have pointed out here and in other forums, health care and economic opportunity could be the lynchpin of a Democratic resurgence.

Has he hit on a point Democrats are forgetting? Or has the ground really shifted under the Democrats and people do not view the government as a way to help "provide us with the American Dream"? Or is it a dollar and cents issue: people like an active government and the programs it provides but they are worried about the cost?

Supreme Court talk

NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri is hosting a seminar on the potential future effects of Judge John Roberts' appointment to the Supreme Court.

The event will be held this Thursday, August 4th, at 7 p.m. at the Central Reform Congregation (5020 Waterman at Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO).

The speaker is Missouri NARAL's new executive director, Pamela Sumners. Sumners is an attorney specialized in constitutional law.

Sumners' private practice in Alabama involved several high-profile cases dealing with the separation of church and state including a challenge to Alabama State Court Judge Roy Moore's posting of the Ten Commandments in his courtroom. Sumners is also the former Director of Gay and Lesbian Rights/AIDS and Civil Liberties Projects for the ACLU of Illinois. Sumners is a former member of the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review

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