October 2005

October 31, 2005

Zimmerman to run for State Rep.

Anonymous tip, plus a few phone calls and I feel pretty good passing on this rumor: Jake Zimmerman will be dropping out of the 5th District County Council race and running for Barbara Fraser's rep seat - 83rd District.

Jean Carnahan gets pace maker

"Former Senator Jean Carnahan was admitted to BJC Hospital in St. Louis over the weekend and received a pace maker this morning. The procedure went well and she is expected to be released tomorrow."

October 27, 2005

Polls

Temple hears Zogby has Nixon up 13% over Blunt right now. I've heard Zogby had Talent with only 1 point over McCaskill.

Survey USA puts Blunt's approval down to 33% and Talent's at 51%.

Health Disparities Forum

WHO: U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, Bill Dotson, Robert Fruend, Betty Kerr, Dr. James Kimmey, Will Pittz, Dr. Vetta Sanders Thompson, Dr. Consuelo Hopkins Wilkins. Moderated by Julius Hunter.

TOPICS: What are the factors that contribute to health disparities? Are there institutional and structural barriers blocking access to quality care for minorities? How are local efforts reducing health disparities? What is Congress doing to address health disparities? How can you take action to eliminate health disparities?

WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005

WHERE: Saint Louis University, John Cook Business School, Anheuser-Busch Auditorium, 3674 Lindell Blvd.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies confirm that African Americans and Latinos suffer disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, kidney failure, infant mortality and HIV/AIDS. Minority accesses to primary and specialty healthcare continues to lag behind the general population. The St. Louis forum, hosted by Congressman Clay, will explore this issue at the local and national level with expert testimony that will address not only the problem, but also potential solutions.

Mitchell-Rice follies

RFT's Westhoff.

Traffic Light Camera Vote

via KWMU.

Janet Beckers notes Housing Trust Fund

HOUSING TRUST FUND REPORT
October 4, 2005

NEXT MEETING: 11:30, 1015 Locust St., 10th Floor
Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Chairperson Donna Jones opened the meeting at 11:55. Other Commissioners present were John Cross, Renato Foronda, Johnnie Mae Jones, Betty Jean Kerr and LaDonna Parker. Staff: Angela Morton Conley, Executive Director, and Loretta Hiner. Guests: Allyce Bullock, Elaine St. Clemmons and Greg Vogelweid (St. Patrick Center), Karen Wallensak (Catholic Charities) and Janet Becker.

Donna expressed appreciation for those who took site visits. She was especially excited about the visit she had with Angela and Loretta at the Bosley Estates. They had just been to the groundbreaking which was very inspirational, with many important developers and the Mayor also there. She was especially pleased that it was in Mr. Bosley’s 3rd Ward. Donna was also pleased to report that she will be speaking at the Blumeyer Renaissance Place project, along with Sen. Kit Bond and other celebrities on the 11th of October. She’s excited about Blumeyer, which the Trust Fund gave over $1.2 million for different phases of the development.

Donna announced a Christmas Party for the Commissioners and staff on Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 at Commissioner Kerr’s home. She then asked for the Executive Director’s Report.

Angela distributed an important book: TEN-YEAR PLAN TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS for the City of St. Louis & St. Louis County, completed in August, ’05. Bill Siedhoff, Department of Human Services, was to join the Commission the previous month and was greatly involved with the hurricane disaster. He promised he would speak at the November meeting. Angela thought it would be good for the Commissioners to have the books ahead of time so they could discuss it when he came. Donna expressed interest in trying out new goals. She suggested different centers for urgent needs, which would cost some of their money. Angela announced the October site visit to Palm Place (family home development in Alderman Boyd’s Ward. Commissioner Foronda will be the Captain of that visit. The homes are about 80% complete, with single-family home development in Alderman Boyd’s Ward. At least one home had been sold already and another had a buyer interested.

Budget: Present amount $5,727,544.31. (If you wish to see it, please let me know).

Great Things, Inc. requested a budget change. They will shift more money into utility bill payments and spend less for rent subsidy, home repairs and admin costs. Staff approved the request.

A letter was sent by the St. Vincent DePaul Criminal Justice Ministries. Sister Colleen Reck asked for an extension. This project is for ex-offenders. They provide counseling and housing placement, rent subsidy on a decreasing scale up to one year. They cannot get all of the participants at once. They must stagger the use of the money ($75,000 in all). They want to find homes in various areas. Staff recommended her request. They only take a certain number of ex-offenders in any particular ward. For instance, they place some people in the Winston Churchill apartments and the landlord loves the project and wrote a letter of support.

LaDonna Parker gave a glowing report on the tour of Doorways, 4385 Maryland Ave. Four others joined her: Angela, Kathleen, John Cross and Phil Fingerhut. Lynn Cooper, the Director, went with them as did three of her staff and all were extremely courteous. The Doorways program has been in an active relationship with the Housing Trust Fund for several years. They focus on the most poor, those with HIV/AIDS. Over 500 people have been helped. They provide public assistance when necessary. They have four programs: the Doorways Supportive Housing Facility, Doorways Old Home Program, a residential program and the jump-start program. There is a new program, Partridge Place, which AHC has approved for financial support. Last year, they requested $400,000 and the Trust Fund gave them $300,000. "We fill in the gaps. They consider us the glue that allows them to leverage funding from other sources." They are very professional- a high-leveraging organization. They provide high quality housing:
Jefferson & Park is another Doorways. They have 500 clients City-wide. Lynn said that over a ten-year period, they have been able to achieve a 7% death rate to a 70% recovery. They saved $2 million for Medicaid and they provide a dignified environment where they can feel good about themselves.

Betty Jean Kerr arrived just then and they had a quorum. Donna requested voting for the minutes, the extension for St. Vincent DuPaul, and the Great Things Neighborhood Assistant Project. Donna then wanted a vote on the "Needs to Work" project from St. Vincent DePaul, requesting a 7-month extension and on the "Great Things Neighborhood Assistance Project." All such votes were agreed upon. The Commissioners then were asked to get approval of the budget for 2005-2006. That also was approved by all.

Donna then brought up a motion that was moved by Commissioner Clay the previous meeting: to approve up to $345,000 for long-term transitional permanent housing assistance and related services for families needing such services as a result of hurricane Katrina and associated flooding, with funding to be administrated through the Housing Resource Center and FEMA, non-profit organizations and contracts for expenditures of this fund, subject to approval by the Executive Director, the Commission Chair and the Mayor’s Office, with respect to the scope of the work and budget. The HRC is to submit a list of proposed expenditures prior to the advance of any Affordable Housing Fund’s. Funds shall not be used for hotel vouchers, shelter cots, or any other short-term item. The Commissioners received a note from Angela on behalf of what Donna is recommending, along with the Mayor’s office for the HRC and with the collaboration of what they all decided about. Furthermore, there was a deficit
notation sent by the HRC.

Donna read a recommendation to be discussed by the Commissioners. "Attached you’ll find excerpts from a proposal submitted by the HRC, providing the housing assistance on a minimum of 100 reallocations. After collaboration with the Administration, Donna established the recommendation of $187,500. Stipulations include the reinvestment of refunded revenue to go back to the HRC and ultimately go back to the Affordable Housing Commission from HRC. This includes the security deposits and utility deposits, if refundable, as well as any expenses that FEMA deems eligible as reimbursement. Donna’s recommendation would also allow security deposits, utility deposits and approximately 3-4 months of utility payments. This would allow approximately $875 per family." Angela reiterated that this money was specifically for permanent housing.

There was an extremely long discussion among the Commissioners- many questions, many issues, many discussions. Finally, the meeting was over and some of the guests made comments. Karen Wallensak (Catholic Charities) said a big thanks to the Commissioners. They had 20-30 families per day coming to them with no resources to prevent homelessness. They were already overtaxed, even with $2,200 from Red Cross. They don’t know how long folks will stay, there are health problems, no transportation, can’t pay rent, FEMA, perhaps could help. They greatly appreciate the Commissioners’ support. Greg thanked the HRC, who also had survivors- 500+ families from the Red Cross; 200 were expected to be housed.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:50.

jb

October 26, 2005

"Until it ends, there is no end"

Bauer to run again.

Combest looks at state party expenditures

latest In the Loop.

City Democrats Halloween Party

Oct 28 7:00pm - 10:30pm
Glaizer’s Hall (5916 Wilson, Near Hampton and 44)
The price tag is $15 which includes live music (Honey Vox), beer, and soda. It is one of the most entertaining events of the year. Come and find out if and how Chairman Wahby can top last year's Captain Hook costume.

Above Average

A story on National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation program about one man's search for the "most-average" American and his eventual arrival in his own home-town started a few things bumping around in my alleged mind. Is there a "most-average" St. Louisan?

It's possible to dig through the reams of figures from the U.S. Census Bureau collected during the 2000 census. The Regional Commerce and Growth Association provides a more recent snapshot of the city, but it is geared more towards the fiscal side of the scales.

The numbers are interesting, but unsatisfying. It's reasonably accurate to say the average St. Louisan is likely to be black (51.2%, U.S. Census 2000), but the odds are almost as good that they would be white (43.8%), of course they could also be Asian (2.0%); hispanic (2.0%); Bosnian, Croation, Tai, Nigerian, etc. (0.8%) or multi-ethnic (1.9%, though I suspect many more people could fall under this category than gets reported).

What do those numbers mean if you hang around the Julia Davis Branch of the St. Louis Public Library versus the Buder Branch; or you happen to grab a Wednesday lunch at St. Raymond's or a bite at one of the Mexican joints on Cherokee.

It's a hard picture to put together if you only have the outlines the figures provide. We want to help fill in between the lines. The story of St. Louis is written in its people and its one we want to tell, its one of the reasons it's listed first in our tag-line. Our new Urban Almanac section will spend a bit more time exploring the communities of St. Louis and provide a view into what is likely the not-so "average" life of the "average" St. Louisan.

Do you consider yourself an "average" St. Louisan?
Matthew

October 25, 2005

My Mistake

Accidentally omitted the great John McGuire from the group below. He will also be missed.

October 24, 2005

Thinning PD Newsroom

Larry Williams, Carolyn Kingcade, Pat Corrigan, Linda Eardley, Gene Fuhrig, Cleora Hughes, Randy Kessler, Rich Krechel, Jan Paul, George Richardson, Marianna Riley, Tommy Robertson, Art Voellinger, Terry Ganey, Aloysia Hamalainen, Joan Little, Avis Meyer, Ron Norton, Charlene Prost, Pat Rice, Carolyn Bower, Laszlo Domjan, Bob Duffy, Margie Freivogel, Becky Homan, Gary Mueller, Jon Sawyer, Florence Shinkle, Joe Tannian, and Dick Weiss have taken the Post's early retirement offer.

RFT's New Step-Sister

The New York Times reports that New Times Media, owners of the Riverfront Times, announced today a merger with the company that publishes The Village Voice and five other alternative weeklies. The new company will retain the name Village Voice Media. New Times effectively acquired Village Voice Media, though no money will change hands, New Times will own 62 percent of the new company.

Though there are assurances that the pugnacious and iconic Village Voice will not be negatively affected, at the least it will start taking a more apolitical stance and ending its tradition of endorsing candidates.

Similar assurances were floated following Ray Hartmann's sale of the RFT to New Times in September of 1998. Devoted readers of the RFT then predicted that the alignment of the RFT's design with the national chain's image signaled a coming abdication of the paper's role as an credible, combative, and alternative hometown voice. Many pre-sale RFT supporters hold that that time has come to pass, though others believe it still contributes a good deal despite questionable editorial decisions and significant staff shuffling these past seven years.

As for the Voice, we'll have to wait and see.
Matthew

ACC Photo Gallery up

Just put up pictures of the ACC ReLaunch Party. More to come.

Crime Blog

Via Blog KC, The Star has started a crime blog.

Open Letter to Howard (the talking dolphin)

Please consider changing the email address under which you post. Someone tried to contact you at the talking dolphin address and received this reply:

Turns out, this isn't Howard's real email address. They actually come to me, because I own the domain talkingdolphin.com. (I get lots of mail for him.) So he won't get your mail. :(

If you ever CAN communicate with Howard, ask him to please not use this address anymore. (Or if you have any ideas about how I can do so, please let me know.)

Teg Grenager
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Computer Science
Stanford University

October 23, 2005

Congrats to Larry Handlin

But really congrats to the Vital Voice for snagging LH to do a political column.

October 22, 2005

Bond on Eminent Domain

Amendment to HUD appropriations bill.

October 21, 2005

Kratky to endorse Smith

According to reliable sources, Fred Kratky will soon be endorsing Jeff Smith for the Senate 4th District.

UPDATE: Here it is: Today, State Representative Fred Kratky (D-65) announced that he has endorsed and will support Jeff Smith, Democratic candidate for the 4th State Senate seat.

Kratky said, "Jeff showed people his abundant energy, his work ethic, and his grasp of public policy in his race for Congress last year, and I know that he will bring those skills to the state Senate. While we may not agree on every single issue, I am confident that he will work harder than anyone else to represent the very diverse 4th state senate district. His expertise on the policy process will be welcomed by Senate Democrats and I look forward to working with him in the Legislature."

October 20, 2005

Sierra Club backs Bogetto

The Sierra Club has officially endorsed Jane Bogetto in the 94th District Special Election to be held on November 8, 2005.

CWE on the move

May be old news to some, but a couple of happenings in the CWE:

Left Bank Books has expanded into the old Marty's.

Silk Road is closing at the end of the month due to a substantial increase in rent. They hope to re-open elsewhere on Euclid at some as-yet undetermined time.

Bush MO approval ratings, no movement

39%

City to ask for $13 million bond issue

On November ballot, for infrastructure improvements.

Blunt reacts to Supreme Court decision

Weber interview at KWMU.

MO Right to Life: Blunt no longer considered pro-life

Via Combest, "The Board of Directors of Missouri Right to Life announced today that Governor Matt Blunt can no longer be considered pro-life because of his support of an initiative petition that would establish in the Missouri Constitution the right to do cloning and embryonic stem cell research, and to use tax dollars to pay for these procedures."

Police Dept adds domestic partnership benefits

Last paragraph, follows city's move.

October 19, 2005

Wanted: Distribution Help

Arch City Chronicle recently upped our print run from 5,000 to 20,00. Now we need more distribution help. Do you have a car, a few spare hours and a place to put some extra cash? Email me - dave@archcitychronicle - with your phone number and a good time to call.
Thanks.

Gambaro?

I asked him last night and he said "definite maybe."

Coleman plays footsie

Tells AP she's in; Tells Mannies not yet.

October 18, 2005

El-Amin's Quarter

Raised $5,225; Loaned self $10,000; $15,225 cash on hand.

City GOPs, Dems suffer web setbacks

Both offline.

UPDATE: City Dems back up.

October 17, 2005

Dem 5th Council

Jake Zimmerman: $55,002 raised; $140,250 on hand.
Barbara Fraser: $102,605 raised; $124,139 on hand. Fraser contributed $35k of her own money topping Jake who contributed 30k of his own money back in July.

Carnahan Quarter

Raised $162,126. $251,643 on hand with $100,000 debt.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Senator Jim Talent's birthday.

and

The Return of the Arch City Chronicle. We are having a little celebration and will have the new issue on display. So come on by tomorrow evening - 6:30pm, 3201 Arsenal - meet the staff, pitch a story, have a good time.

Dooley's Quarter

Raised $258,693. $470,757 on hand.

Jackson's Quarter

Running for Auditor: raised $48,270. $118,139 on hand.

October 16, 2005

Presidential Convention

The National Journal's "Hotline" reported on Friday that around a dozen cities are preparing bids for the 2008 presidential convention.

Given the city's interest in drawing more conventions to St. Louis, should they try for a presidential convention?

The last convention St. Louis held was in 1916 when the Democrats re-nominated President Woodrow Wilson. In 1998, Mayor Clarence Harmon turned down an offer to send in a bid for the 2000 convention citing cost and that the city couldn't guarantee enough rooms.

Increasingly large investment and questionable returns make the conventions potentially less attractive. The 2004 Republican and Democratic conventions were the most expensive so far and the economic impact is potentially negligible. The 2004 Democratic convention produced an estimated net benefit of $14 million. The Final Four steered many more eyeballs towards St. Louis than a convention would (convention ratings have dropped continuously in recent elections), and the economic impact, though larger ($41 million according to the St. Louis Sports Commission, but that figure is in question), did not quite match the breathless speculation that proceeded the Final Four.

Hosting a presidential convention is about more than economic impact and exposure, but in this day and age, does hosting a convention still hold the same cachet?

Given the costs, perhaps this is one kind of convention option the city shouldn't explore and let another city have the privilege to shoulder and stick with conventions that won't require passing through metal detectors just to get to the heart of downtown.

October 15, 2005

Finance reports

Amber Boykins in the 4th: raised $17,250; loaned herself 15k. $35,614 on-hand.

Loudon for Auditor: raised $85,120; $170,334 on hand.

Friends of the 24th Ward

October 14, 2005

Could it be?

For South Granders this is unbelievable.

Committeeman Cacchione

Patrick Cacchione takes Russ Carnahan's spot as 6th ward committeeman. Cacchione has been active in Democratic politics, previously running for congress and alderman.

Smith Quarter

in the 4th, quarter will come in around 25k, 62k on hand.

October 13, 2005

Slay-Florida Town Hall Meeting

Monday, October 24
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Carpenter Branch Library (Grand & Utah)

Audience members will have a chance to submit questions for either or both speakers.

The event is sponsored by the 15th Ward Democrats, but you don't have to live in the 15th Ward or even be a Democrat to attend!

VV has Dustin Mitchell story

Bought a pizza oven.

Wamser at BOE

Jerry Wamser, former Republican candidate for mayor, is back doing legal work at the Board of Elections.

October 12, 2005

Rick Johnson in.

Rick Johnson announces for the 22nd District. Again.

The assumption was that the more conservative Ryan McKenna would be the Democratic nominee this time around. Looks like he'll have to beat Johnson first.

Bishop to host new show on KDHX

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 12th! St. Louis Journalism Review's new show, REALITY NOW, will shine a spotlight on the media on Wednesday evenings at 7pm on KDHX 88.1 FM. Ed Bishop, the editor of the SJR will host of the new program.

Changes Dem Committeepeople

Russ Carnahan is resigning from his committeeman position in the 6th ward.
Lou Green resigned from her committeewoman position in the 28th. (She's moving to the 7th ward.)
And Jo Ann Perkins has resigned as 15th ward committeewoman.

October 11, 2005

Voting machines

Public viewings of election systems on October 21st (from 8 am until 3 pm) at City Hall AND October 22nd (from 8:30 am until noon) at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar (up from the Metro and off the bus line).

New RCGA campaign

Nifty website.

Carnahan for Pres?

USA Today mentions Robin Carnahan as having presidential possibilities. More locally, we hear she raised about 100k in the last quarter.

Other BOE candidates

Scott Leindecker on the R side and Mary Wheeler Jones on the D side.

Thorp to Miriam Foundation

Andy Thorp has taken the role of executive director of the Miriam Foundation.

October 10, 2005

Other BOE candidates

For Democratic director: Tishaura Jones, committeewoman 8th ward; Howard Hayes, former candidate Collector of Revenues & chairman of LRA?

For Republican director: Joe Hodes, staffed the Saved Historic Preservation Tax Credits effort.

More candidates later.

Robnett leaves Garden District

George Robnett has resigned as executive director of the Garden District Commission.

October 08, 2005

The MALL from the Arch to Union Station Charette

The AIA will be conducting a charette October 22and 23 (with a reception Friday the 21) to gather ideas for developing a park in the public spaces between the Arch and Union Station. The charette is open to the public for a $10 fee.

October 07, 2005

Talent and DeLay?

Not familiar with the Maneater, but they picked up the Dems press release.

October 06, 2005

Jake's take

Move the whisper number for Jake up. $54,000 last quarter, $140,000 on hand.

Gibbons on the move

Gibbons moving to downtown Kirkwood, staying in 2nd CD.

October 05, 2005

Web Site changes

Things are changing around here. (For example, you might notice the search feature on the left side has been added.) I think it will be ongoing for the next week or so in preparation for our paper re-launch on Oct 18.

Blunt's son, Matt, now a part of the DeLay scandal

"though donors might not always have know where their money was headed."

Potter aims for BOE

Matt Potter, former assistant circuit attorney, is lining up support to join the Board of Elections (on the Democratic side).

06 State House Races

I was on jury duty the last two days which is why the posts were happening at the bookends of my days. During our breaks I was able to have a few hurried conversations. One was with Clint Zweifel who's heading up the House Democratic Campaign Committee. He's optimistic. Of course I'm naturally skeptical after having gone through this drill last cycle with Shoemyer and Johnson insisting that the Dems were going to take the House back.

Clint seems more realistic, less rhetoric-driven. Here's what he told me - HDCC targeting 10-15 races this time around, versus 25-30 last time. Hopes that the focus will translate into better batting average. They've been hitting their fundraising target - latest quarter about $100,000.

They've made three "structural" changes to HDCC that he thinks will improve its effectiveness over the long-term:

1. Decoupled the HDCC apparatus from the party's House leader. Because term limits mean that the leadership rotates relatively fast, this will allow more continuity.
2. Hired a national talent to head up the campaign. The job went to Ronny Richardson who was successful recently in North Carolina.
3. Trying to recruit for beyond 2006. That means more emphasis on small local races, like school board that will eventual culminate into higher offices. It also means thinking about 2008 and 2010 today.

Combest's Ten Campaign Commandments

Some brilliant, some hilarious.

Storch: Guv not keeping promise on children's health care

From KWMU.

October 04, 2005

McCaskill and Talent in dead heat

Diatriber and Blog St. Louis both had this, but since we've been following the polls I think it's worth repeating.

Mitchell Behind Bars

Dustin Mitchell, Mark Rice's campaign manager, was sitting behind bars in St. Louis County today when he spoke to ACC reporter Christine Stroer. Mitchell was arrested for theft, forgery, driving while license was revoked and one other charge (something about a failure to properly affix something). His bail was set at $10,000. Furthermore Stroer determined that the City of St. Louis also wants Mitchell for three other charges.

whisper numbers

The fundraising quarter is now behind us and the reports are not due until the 15th. So begins the whisper numbers.

Jake Zimmerman - $40,000
Jeff Smith - $20,000
Amber Boykins - $35,000

October 03, 2005

Terrene

With its VIP openings next week, Terrene will be the hot new restaurant everyone is talking about. A gorgeous garden courtyard and a well-known chef, Dave Owens, make it a sure thing.

But more interesting to us is the prime backer, John McElwain, who name graces many a political contribution filing. Expect to see Terrene become a favorite place for political fundraisers and functions in the coming year.

Conway loses patience with Commerce

Alderman Steve Conway has decided to initiate the blighting process to force Commerce Bank to do something with its vast and empty parking lot on South Grand. For years Commerce has sat on this completely underutilized and critical piece of property while the business district 's frustration has boiled.

October 02, 2005

The largest employer

of graduating Wash U seniors last year...

Art and Soul Cafe

On Friday, Oct. 7, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Art & Soul Café presents "Civic Space: The Revitalization of Downtown St. Louis" at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. (at the corner of 13th and Olive). The program, featuring specials guests Andy Trivers of Trivers Assoc. Architects and Amos Harris of Brady Capital, will explore how architecture integrates and nurtures in our city. There is a $15 requested donation ($12 for students). Dessert and beverage is included; childcare is provided.

Jihad of Umar

ACC contributor Umar Lee has begun blogging.

October 01, 2005

Arch City Chronicle, the Paper

Last couple of months the web-site has had about 6,000 unique visitors. And probably most don't know that the Arch City Chronicle is actually a paper. This blog is just a place to stimulate discussion, keep readers up to date between issues.

This particular "between" has been exceedingly long. But I'm happy to say that it's coming to an end. The next issue of Arch City Chronicle will be published October 18.

There's more news to come, so stay tuned.

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