December 2006

December 29, 2006

St. Louis gets the Bridge Championship

Yes!

Statements about Special Advisory Committee

Statement from State Senator Maida Coleman and State Senator-elect Jeff Smith regarding the report of the Special Advisory Committee and public input:

We greatly appreciate the work of the Special Advisory Council, especially their efforts to gage the opinions of a cross-section of the community.

Public input will be essential to forming a consensus about the direction of our schools in the important weeks and months ahead.

We hope that citizens, teachers, administrators, and civic leaders will continue making their voices heard and unite around a common interest: the welfare of our children. We can all agree that we must put any political bickering aside and move forward.

Ultimately, we all want the same thing, which is for our children to have a safe environment to gain a quality education. To help achieve this goal, the public should feel it has been involved in the process.

****

Comptroller Green Supports Call
For Public Hearing On SLPS Report

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 29, 2006—The following is a statement from St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green:

“I support the community’s call for the State Department of Education to conduct a public hearing on the St. Louis public schools report.

“With the School Board election just three months away, the state and the committee should consider that a change in board members may be all it takes to end the turmoil. A state takeover, on the other hand, could result in a continuation of the political controversy instead of focusing efforts on what’s best for the children.

“Any of the committee’s recommendations, short of a takeover, need broad public support to be successful. A public hearing on the issue here in St. Louis would go a long way towards doing just that.”

December 28, 2006

Foes of a State Takeover

will hold Press Conference tomorrow

WHEN: FRIDAY, December 29, 2006 @ 10AM

WHO: St. Louis Teachers & School Related Personnel Union-Local 420

WHERE: 801. N. 11th Street
(In front of St. Louis Public School Board of Education)

WHY: The St. Louis Teachers & School Related Personnel Union-Local 420 will join the American Federation of School Administrators-Local 44, St. Louis Public School Board Members, local and state elected officials, community leaders, parents, students, and concerned citizens calling for a public hearing before a decision is made on a state takeover of St. Louis public schools. Local 420 will support any decision that is in the best interest of the employees we represent as well as ensuring a quality education for our public school children. We want to hear from the public and allow them to ask questions about the ramifications of a state takeover.

Wonkette says Bond to leave Senate

I doubt it, but here it is.

Willis hires Fred Johnson to do Field

Signals that Willis is serious in the 26th.

Fred Johnson previously worked for the McCaskill campaign and Smith campaign, as well as for Lee Willis' opponent, Frank Williamson, four years ago.

December 27, 2006

Carnahans back Nixon

According to insiders, Robin Carnahan phoned Jay Nixon today. She told him, "We're with you."

Recent rumors had Carnahan making phone calls to gauge political support for a gubernatorial run.

Today she told Nixon that she'll be running for re-election for Secretary of State and supporting him for governor.

Smith Says No

For Immediate Release
Press Contact:

December 27, 2006
Stacy Morse (573) 673-6654

*Senator-Elect Jeff Smith's Statement on Gubernatorial Appointee Donayle
Whitmore-Smith*

ST. LOUIS -- Donayle Whitmore-Smith is a leader of courage and action. She
has dedicated the last decade of her life to improving urban education by
founding the Ptah Academy in St. Louis and attempting to provide additional
educational options to children across the state. As an educator, an
activist, and a parent, she has much to be proud of.

That said, she is not an appropriate candidate for the State Board of
Education.

The State Board is the steward for Missouri's public schools. As such, its
members should possess a breadth and depth of experience in public education
and/or a background as strong advocates for public schools. Given Ms.
Whitmore-Smith's lack of experience as a public school teacher,
administrator, or advocate – and the fact that she has spent much of her
adult life promoting private educational options – I am concerned about her
ability to focus on improving our public schools. At a time when the St.
Louis Public Schools are on the verge of losing accreditation and falling
under the purview of the State, all members of the State Board must
concentrate on the task at hand.

Equally troubling was Ms. Whitmore-Smith's noncommittal response to my
question about the relative merits of teaching creation vs. evolution in
public school science classes. In order to train a workforce that will help
Missouri become a biotechnology hub, our schools must teach modern science
and ensure that religious doctrine remains in appropriate venues.

It should be noted, as the co-founder of a group of public charter schools,
I have advocated some of the very alternative educational options that Ms.
Whitmore-Smith has supported. I neither retract my advocacy nor disparage
hers. In fact, I appreciate her energy and her work. While I have not always
agreed with Ms. Whitmore-Smith's policy prescriptions, she has been a
passionate advocate for her cause and fresh voices like hers should be
welcomed.

I have truly appreciated the input of thousands of Missourians while
evaluating this nominee. Lamentably, however, some on both sides have
succumbed to histrionics and demagoguery. Ms. Whitmore-Smith is not out to
eviscerate public education; conversely, voucher opponents are not out to
trap poor children in failing schools. And the abysmal outcomes of St. Louis
public schools are not solely the result of bureaucratic dysfunction but,
more broadly, the consequence of decades of segregation, benign neglect, and
middle-class flight.

For the sake of our children and our state's economic future, we must move
past petty political bickering to come together and find practical solutions
to these problems. That means considering open enrollment policies so that
children can choose any public school in a district, lateral certification
opportunities for trained scientists, mathematicians, and linguists to ease
the shortages of qualified teachers in their subject areas, continuation of
St. Louis's voluntary transfer program, and expansion of innovative charter
schools [such as the Knowledge is Power (KIPP) model] that provide increased
choice within the public school framework while remaining accountable to the
State Board.

Finally, I wish Ms. Whitmore-Smith the very best in her future endeavors. I
hope we have opportunities to find common ground and work together on some
of the above initiatives. And I hope that, in keeping with tradition and the
historical mission of the State Board, Governor Blunt's future nominees have
more extensive experience in public education.

Eaglewatch

Watching an eagle fly is an incredibly majestic experience-- especially for kids who may have never seen them soar through the air and heard their shrill call. Even though it's chilly, its worth it.

The opportunities for a short weekend jaunt with nature are availble in the Confluence , described as a "200 square-mile conservation, heritage, and recreation corridor along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in the heart of our metropolitan area."

Our national symbol, the bald eagle, migrates south from its nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt along our big rivers.

The Confluence's website is here, and a document listing all the eagle watching opportunities from different local and state agencies can be downloaded here

6th Ward Endorsement War Continues

Forwarded email:

Dear Supporters:

My campaign website is now up and operational. It is www.patcacchione.com. You will see on my site that the 6th Ward has extended the deadline for people to join the 6th Ward and vote on the 6th Ward endorsement on January 18th at SqWires. There are two ways people can join:

1. Send $5 to Tom Nolan at 2401 S. 11th Street St. Louis, MO 63104 before next Thursday

or

2. Send me the names and my campaign will submit them with a check from the campaign.

Although I disagree with the second option for ethical reasons, one of my opponents has made this a president and it was part of the compromise in extending the membership deadline. Please let me know if you have any questions and please encourage your friends and neighbors to join the 6th Ward by next Thursday or to contact me. Thank you.


Patrick Cacchione
(314) 265-5335 (cell)
(314) 664-1362 (Fax)

December 26, 2006

McCaskill Hires Chief of Staff

December 26, 2006

McCaskill Hires Veteran Gephardt Policy Director As Chief of Staff

Washington, D.C. - Senator-elect Claire McCaskill today announced the appointment of Sean Kennedy as her Chief of Staff. Kennedy, 36, joins the McCaskill office after a two-year stint at the government relations office of SBC Communications (now AT&T). Prior to that, Kennedy worked as Legislative Director/Counsel to House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.

Kennedy is a graduate of Emory University, and received his Juris Doctor from
Catholic University.

McCaskill also hired several staff members from the campaign to work in Washington. Senior staff members moving to the Senate office in Washington include Deputy Campaign Manager Tod Martin of St. Louis, Missouri, who will serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff, as well as Communications Director Adrianne Marsh and Scheduler Angela Elsbury of Madison, Missouri.

DiatribeR

will sign off with the year's close.

Losing A Seat?

National Journal's The Hotline and Taegan Goddard's Political Wire take a look at new, 2006 census figures and some estimates on how projected population numbers will affect the post-2010 Congressional redistricting.

Both cite studies that conclude Missouri will likely lose a seat in Congress if current trends in population change continue. The Election Data Services study (PDF 84kb) cited by Political Wire explains some of the potential permutations. At best, however, they predict Missouri can expect to hold on to its nine seats.

Not long ago, while talking over drinks at a social function, a Democratic staffer voiced concern over the potential loss of the venerable 3rd Congressional District if the Republican Party were to maintain control until 2011. The 3rd is home to Rep. Russ Carnahan (D) who, in 2004, succeeded the indefatigable former Democratic leader Rep. Dick Gephardt (1989-1995 majority leader, 1995-2003 minority leader) who had announced his retirement. The idea was that the 3rd would be redistricted out of existence or into irrelevance by cleaving out voters Republicans believe are leaning in their direction.

This came in the more cautious/pessimistic time several weeks out from the election when Democrats were just getting used to seeing defeat snatched from the jaws of victory on the national stage.

Even given the recent upturn in the balance of power, there are no solid projections that guarantee the Democrats will be in control when the numbers come up in 2010.

Either way, Missouri is likely to join Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in losing a seat (or more, depending): what shape will Missouri's Congressional representation take in 2011?

December 24, 2006

No Football For You

On a lighter note this Christmas eve...

Rams fans may find a bit more time to wrap their presents this afternoon; in keeping with a policy to ensure the league's coffers are filled with care, the Rams broadcast will be blocked out for the first time since 1995.

Apparently, since the Rams fans are busy traveling or spending time with families rather than attending the Christmas eve game, the rest of St. Louis will be denied the spectacle while sipping on egg nog and shooing children away from presents tucked under the tree.

In order to coerce, ahem, encourage fans to pack the stadium, NFL policy dictates that if fans doesn't sell out the team's home game, they also lose the possibility of watching it on television.

Now, instead of watching Isaac Bruce and Marc Bulger, St. Louis gets to watch the anthropological study that is Cops. While there is plenty of pursuit, footwork and tackling: watching the police force of [insert city here] take out a half-naked pcp addict who tried to rob a convenience store with a biscuit is not quite the same thing.

Not being a regular follower of football, combined with the Rams 11-year streak of sold-out home games, I never noticed the blackout policy. Major football fans would be justified in being incensed at the treatment. Instead of the carrot of lower prices and family packages, the NFL (not singling out the Rams for this, it's league policy) is quick with the stick.

The Rams and their fans have been lucky; fans have shown up at the Dome even in lower-performing periods. Some cities are lucky to see half a season on television. Even still, restricting access to your product is not a way to grow your market.

Now where, you might ask, is the political angle? The Rams season opened under the threat of a blackout. Then-Senate candidate Claire McCaskill helped get the Rams over the hump by purchasing 100 tickets and giving them to kids.

No such luck for the season finale with 3,000 unsold tickets.

December 22, 2006

Reed Endorsements

I trailed Lewis Reed last night as he hopped through six different holiday parties across the city.

Sewing up the northside is crucial to his winning, and it looks like that piece is falling in place for him.

At the 2nd, 26th, and 27th ward parties, he was introduced with each ward's endorsement.

December 21, 2006

Elephants on the Web

The Hotline's On Call notes that a growing dominance of College Republicans on the popular (and potentially infamous) Facebook networking site is due in no small part to the Missouri College Republicans.

These posting pachyderms hold title to the largest college political group on the network with 2,966 members. Outgoing Mo College Republican head Justin Smith rounded up the herd by scouring the wilds of the Facebook world (for confirmation of the pitfalls of mixing digital cameras and online networks of college students merely Google "Facebook" and "Wonkette").

Continue reading "Elephants on the Web"

Cacchione Website

is up.

Compromise Reached in 6th Ward Dispute

We just received this email:

6th ward endorsement update

There has been a compromise reached between Kacie Starr Triplett and Patrick Cacchione regarding the 6th Ward endorsement meeting. In order to ensure inclusiveness and attempt to strengthen our Democratic Party, the deadline to join the organization has been extended until December 28th at 6pm. All members who have joined the organization at that point and are registered to vote in the 6th ward will be allowed to participate in the ward election. We encourage all interested Democrats to participate. Both Mr. Cacchione and Ms. Triplett would like to thank Alderman Lewis Reed for his role in reaching this compromise.

For any Comments or Questions please call 314.537.7624.

Downtown Dutchtown Business Association (DT2)'s "December Buzz"

E-newletter from the folks at DT2. This info hasn't made it to their website (www.dt2stl.org)yet, but here are some snippets:

Cbabi Bayoc's "Holiday Hustle":

The Bayoc Studio
This Saturday, December 23, 11 AM - 4 PM.

11-12 Noon
Book Reading and Signing- "Saba's Thoughts of the Day"
Written by Sidney Cain
Illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc

12 Noon -4 PM
50% OFF All Cbabi Bayoc Originals and Reproductions!

Art Classes:
Reservations taken for the upcoming 6 week class "The Painted Chair"

Moon Day Soul Treats:
Southern Style Layer Cake Sold by the Slice

(They) will be announcing the winner of thier $100 Membership Recruitment Contest at the December After Hours at Nel's Grill & Pub: Mr. Shawn Williams!

NOW OPEN!
The Corner Cafe at the Liermann Building, 3301 Meramec, at Virginia.

You’ll find Annie and her smiling staff ready to serve you from 7 AM til 2 PM, Tuesdays through Fridays, or on the weekends from 8 AM till 2 PM. Dash in on your way to work for a quick breakfast croissant to go, with a cup of mistletoe coffee. Or if you have a little more time, sit down and have a GIANT, homemade, cranberry orange muffin with real butter, to go with that cup o' Joe and your bacon & eggs.

Or stop by for a liesurely lunch on Saturday, or after church on Sunday. You'll find a soup du jour like baked potato soup or homemade chili, coupled with a cornbread muffin. Or maybe you want some lighter fare? Try the Turkey Breast Croissant with apple butter or a Spring greens salad with fresh fruit and a raspberry viniagrette... MMMMM. It looks great and tastes even better! Don't forget to save room for Annie's Mile High Apple Pie, hot from the oven! Annie has been catering for 20 years and takes a lot of pride in her baking. Almost everything is made from scratch, and you'll know it once you take a bite.

Now through December 24
BOGO- Buy One, Get One at half price!
Come try them out and support this new business in our neighborhood. Tell your friends, bring your friends. They're betting you'll be back! (And just wait til spring when they add longer hours and sidewalk seating! Fun!)

Sign up for their newsletter here

Smith leaning against Whitmore-Smith

From the American.

December 20, 2006

Rainford talks crime on MSNBC

Mayor Slay's Chief of Staff, Jeff Rainford appeared as a guest on MSNBC's "The Most" today to talk about the city's increasingly widespread image as "the most dangerous city".

Referring, assumably, to Morgan Quitno, the Kansas publisher that hung the moniker around the citys neck, Rainford said the ratings were done by someone who, "doesn't know anthing about crime and doesn't know anything about statistics," but wants to push a product.

Morgan Quitno publishes statistical guides to city and state rankings.

Admitting there were five or six neighborhoods that drove the figures, Rainford said the city is working to reduce crime through improving the schools and attacking recidivism through job training.

The city is also employing an anti-crime "strike force" to focus on the main perpetrators.

These efforts have led to a decrease in crime in the last six months of the year, figures not included in recent evaluations, said Rainford.

A report in yesterday's Post-Dispatch examined FBI figures for the first half of the year which showed an increase in overall crime since 2005, but that the increase was in line with similar cities with populations of 250,000 to 499,999. The one outlier was the number of rapes, something St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa attributed to an improved, "impeccable", reporting system over previous years.

December 19, 2006

Saller's Site is Up

here.

December 18, 2006

6th Ward

The scene Monday evening at Pestalozzi Place was strangely reminiscent of elementary school complete with name-calling, note passing, and even Jamilah Nasheed being told to turn around in her seat.

Before the 6th Ward Executive Board meeting even started, Mary Entrup vehemently voiced her displeasure to Kacie Starr Triplett’s over Triplett’s allegations of racism.

Entrup and others claimed that the board members had no way of knowing the race new organization members. Triplett stood by her original accusations, asserting that race could have been surmised by a person’s address and the fact that Triplett brought in their name.

Lewis Reed, 6th Ward Alderman and candidate for Aldermanic President, showed up long enough to express his view on the issue, defending the board against accusations of racism.

Despite it being held in a public restaurant, Board members claimed the meeting was private and some obviously took issue with the onlookers, including bloggers Steve Patterson and Antonio French, and Triplett supporters. Whether the meeting was private might have been clearer if the organization’s by-laws were available. However, the by-laws are still MIA.

Ultimately, the executive board did not make a decision on the new members, rescheduling the discussion to a later date and a more private space.

UPDATE: Latest post on Triplett's website.

Blunt approval down to 35%

from last month's 38%.

December 17, 2006

Starr's statement

Up on her website.

December 16, 2006

6th Ward Update

Today I spoke to allies of both Kacie Starr and Patrick Cacchione's, but did not speak to the principals themselves.

Here's what's going on, as best as I can tell: Both Starr and Cacchione have been actively soliciting residents to join the ward organization prior to its endorsement meeting on January 18.

The 6th is an open ward, so packing the organization with friendly members could sway the endorsement. Furthermore, I have heard (but not confirmed) that both the alderman and Congressman plan to endorse whoever the ward endorses.

Starr recently brought in the names and money (dues are $5) for approximately 100 new members. Cacchione's allies are crying foul. The money is mostly, if not all, in cash, and they feel that there's too much room for manipulation.

Both sides have mentioned the ward's by-laws as a place to settle the dispute, but apparently there's been difficulty locating the by-laws.

The 6th ward executive board will meet on Monday at 5:30pm at Pestalozzi Place (corner of Pestalozzi and Virginia) to discuss the matter. Both Starr and Cacchione serve on the executive board so it should be an interesting meeting.

UPDATE: Starr camp tells ACC that most dues were paid by check, not cash, and those checks were cashed by the ward organization last month.

State Advisory Committee Report

The Special Advisory Committee report and background documents are available at here. I haven't gotten through all the appendices yet, but the report itself makes for some interesting reading.

The findings agree with many commentators that the district's academic tipping point came in 2003 when the district reversed a four-year increase in accreditation points form 23 to 64, dropping to 39 points in 2005. The district's financial tipping point came in 2001. Since then the district has fallen from a $63 million positive fund balance to a $30 million deficit.

As for the recommendations themselves, they rely on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's decision regarding the district's accreditation.

Situation 1. If the district loses its accreditation the committee recommends DESE create the three-person transition committee only (italics in the original) if the School Board, Aldermanic President, Mayor Slay and DESE agree on the three members.

Situation 2. If the district retains accreditation, the committee recommends creating: A. a committee to monitor and supervise the district and B. that the state legislature appoint a board with full authority to take over if the district 1. runs a $10 million plus deficit, 2. is managing on borrowed money and 3. if the district does not meet the standards for full accreditation. Currently the district would meets all three conditions; it has a $30 million deficit, borrowed money from the 1999 deseg settlement, and it can expect, at best, provisional accreditation.

If in Situation 1, there isn't an agreement on the appointees to the transition committee, the Advisory Committee recommends moving to the recommendation in Situation 2.

The DESE website says the district is provisionally accredited as of December 2006.

Any and all changes, of course, depend on DESE which could implement the recommendations, do something completely different, or do nothing at all (unlikely).

December 15, 2006

School Board Election? Wait and See

Is their race already run? The presence of school board candidates on the April ballot will depend on the rate at which the state proceeds with the State Advisory Committee's recommendations.

The recommendations mean the dissolution of the elected School Board and the appointment of a three-member committee to restructure and run the district. The findings were released today, but potential legal and logistical hurdles could slow implementation.

At the St. Louis Board of Elections, they are proceeding normally until they get the definitive word from the state said Republican Election Commissioner, Scott Leindecker.

"We'll still be prepared to hold the election if we need to," said Leindecker.

Leindecker said they could make changes right up to their own deadline for preparing ballots which immediately follows the March primary.

If, for some reason, the final decision is not made until after the necessary printed material is printed, Leindecker said there is no harm in leaving the names on the ballot since they will no longer mean anything.

"It will cost us more to take them off then to leave them on," said Leindecker. The same applies to the electronic voting machines since a second evaluation test would need to be performed on all the machines following any changes.

Haas Splits His Hand, and May Lose One Quickly

Almost before the website could reload, Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman's post that the perpetual candidate, Bill Haas, has filed to run for the St. Louis School Board was superseded by word that the State Advisory Committee is recommending state intervention.

The committee recommends the appointment of a three-person transition committee to oversee the district. The Board of Aldermen, School Board and Mayor Francis Slay each select an individual. After 90 days the School Board selection is replaced by a person recommended by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and chosen by Gov. Matt Blunt. Before anything moves forward, expect legal challenges.

Haa's decision is unusual, but there is a logic to it. The aldermanic primary is in March and the school board election is in April. He could lose his race for aldermen and still run for school board, as area he has a bit more experience in.

For all his campaigning (school board, state rep, and mayor–four times) the one area he has had success was on the school board. He was first elected in 1997 after abandoning his mayoral hopes, and was reelected in 2001. His prospects may have dimmed a bit since then.

His 2005 mayoral campaign was marked by exceedingly personal public revelations including the admission that he was contemplating suicide if his fortune didn't change for the better. More recently, he landed a 27% showing in the August primary against Rep. Rodney Hubbard for the 58th state house seat.

While the state house race may have been too big for an underfunded candidate like Haas, the aldermanic campaign might be too personal and too local. Current 18th Ward alderman Terry Kennedy succeeded his father, the late Samuel M. Kennedy, in the seat in 1989. Samuel Kennedy held the seat for 21 years before he died of a heart attack. Overturning a 38-year history is difficult for even the best-funded and well-known candidate.

That said, Haas works as hard as anyone out there.

St. Louis for Kids Receives Grant Money

St. Louis For Kids Receives Grants Totaling $21,000 to Improve Afterschool Programs in Low-Income Neighborhoods

St. Louis for Kids today announced that it has been awarded grants, totaling $21,000, to support the organization's Afterschool Quality Initiative, a program that addresses the need for quality afterschool programs in low-income neighborhoods. The contributions were recently made by The Boeing Foundation and the Joseph H. and Florence A. Roblee Foundation.

The availability of high quality afterschool programs is a major issue facing working families, especially in low-income neighborhoods. The Afterschool Quality Initiative is specifically designed to provide the training and technical support that individual after-school programs in low-income neighborhoods need to work more effectively with children.

This new funding will be used to support St. Louis for Kids' 2006-07 goal to improve the quality of 25 St. Louis metropolitan afterschool programs in low income neighborhoods, benefiting more than 1,200 children.

See their website for more details

December 14, 2006

Bond On Intelligence

Missouri Senator "Kit" Bond was appointed to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Bond will serve as the senior Republican on the committee, replacing Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) who is moving to the Senate Finance Committee.

Roberts tenure raised the ire of Democrats who accused him of dragging his feet on investigations into intelligence matters, particularly an investigation into how the administration used the intelligence on potential Iraqi weapons programs in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, the so-called Phase II report.

---
Two sizes too small?

In other news from the capital, Republicans blocked a severance package crafted by House Democrats for Republican staffers who will lose their jobs in the transition from the 109th to the 110th Congress. The package would provide up to two months of salary while committee and leadership staffers look for new jobs.

Despite that only Republican staffers will benefit from the bill, Republicans nixed it saying it was a last-minute "dark-of-night" type of bill. "...It is not a precedent we want to set haphazardly," said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif).

A spokesman said it would be up to the leadership to handle it when the 110th Congress convenes on Jan 31, 2007.

Shakeup on Cherokee

Word is that there was a major turnover in the Cherokee Business District at Tueday night's meeting; Shirley Wallace is apparently out as head.

What affect might this have on the 20th Ward race? Wallace once accused Aldermanic candidate Galen Gondolfi of selling "drug-laced gumballs" so no love is likely lost there.

Given the growth occuring along Cherokee, the businesse association could play a major role in who comes out ahead in the March primary.

Schmid has tended to his neighborhood well, but Gondolfi is one of the local business owners who believe Schmid has done a good job guiding the neighborhood out of a bleak period, but that his protective nature may be stifiling new growth.

Sam Moore in 4?

People are saying that Sam Moore will be filing against OL Shelton in the 4th.

Here's the way the vote broke down last time around (2005 Special Election):
OL Shelton 294
Peggy Ryan 152
Greg Tumlin 125
Sam Moore 222

Firefighters endorse Reed

Reed gets Local 73.

Arch City International: A Story of the Paneton

The ACC is going to start turning an eye to the New American community in order to bring our readership news that doesn't routinely get reported. Some of it will be soft, and some of it will be hard. While we do our own digging, if anyone has news dealing with New Americans in St. Louis, please contact me- lucas@archcitychronicle.com.

Rebecca Rivas, Producer, writer, videographer, Fulbright scholar, and Mizzou Journalism grad, is going to help out. Following is a great story she recently wrote about peruvian fruitcake (and much, much more)

Have Yourself a Merry Paneton!
A Story of Peru’s Beloved Holiday Fruitcake

By Rebecca S. Rivas

My love for the paneton comes less from the ingredients and more from the holiday adventure in which it came to me.

At first, I couldn’t help but laugh that the Christmas fruitcake – the dreaded holiday gift in the United States – is absolutely revered in Peru. But alas, the cake won me over, just like the rest of Peru. This is my story of the paneton, the moist, raisin-filled cake that Peru loves.

Two years ago, I was traveling throughout the Peruvian Andes, reporting a story about maternal health care. Overall, the experience was magical, but it sometimes it involved staking out pregnant Andean women who could give birth at any moment and skunking around clinics and hospitals, in hopes that one doctor would be organized and helpful with statistics.

That was pretty much the all of my December. After 11 months in Peru, fatigue and frustration were fighting off holiday cheer.

One day, the investigation led me down a stone-paved narrow street, lined with tiny shops that sold used clothing. Above some steep Incan-style steps was the door to Sara Teresa’s house. This woman is known city-wide for being the Coca Lady of Cusco, a midwife, an obstetrician and a devote researcher of natural medicine. I knocked on her tall wooden door -- so tough it hurt my knuckles -- and the sliding eye window opened.

“Si?” the two peering eyes asked. I explained my visit’s purpose, and she unlocked about three bolts to let me in.

Sara Teresa stood an inch or two beneath me in stature, which is only 5’1 feet. Her gray-speckled tight curls were carefully combed away from her smooth radiant face. She dressed in her typical uniform of a calf-high gray skirt, long-sleeve button down blouse and black nurse shoes. When I spoke, she squinted her eyes and raised her nose up a bit, as if to get closer. “Interesante,” she told me (interesting).

Then, she invited me to tea.

While she prepared it, I waited in her Spanish-style, tiled patio in the middle of the modest house. The roof looked like a glass pyramid. A huge cactus -- the height of the room -- stood against one wall like a bodyguard and an old friend.

“Entra,” she said (enter). I followed her to a room straight out of an English cottage. It was decorated with white sculptures and a china closet full of teacups and plates. With all her diverse styles, I couldn’t wait to find out who this woman was.

“So what have you eaten while in the rural areas?” she asked me. “Have you tried cuy (guinea pig) or the breads?”

She wanted to know all about my travels and especially the foods I had tasted here. We talked at lengths about typical food in my family’s house.

Finally she brought out the most delightful cookies. They were made from coca leaf and wheat flour. She began telling about her travels and adventures as a nurse in Northern Italy and England. Her father was a high-ranking military officer from northern Italy, with connections. We spoke for hours and everything was a “maravilla” (miracle).

We hardly touched on maternal health.

As I was getting ready to leave, the most incredible thing happened. She said, “You would be welcome to stay here during your investigation.” I found out later that the last time anyone had stayed at her home was 15 years ago.

Maybe I had a pitiful travel-worn look, or maybe she thought it might be nice to share the holiday season with someone. In any case, I accepted and explained I would be bringing my colleague and good friend Leah, who was on her way.

Now, I’m sure we must have been quite the oddity when we arrived. Leah and I came in with our big bags of camera equipment, sandals, and sun hats. But Sara Teresa seemed interested. “How curious,” she would say to us about our experiences and equipment.

Sara Teresa showed us her research lab where she makes creams, soaps and pills out of herbal extracts, which she also produced in the lab. She shared her research of 20-or-so healing properties of the coca leaf, which was approved by the medical community in Cusco. (For the record, it takes 80 pounds of coca leaves to make one ounce of cocaine.) And she talked about her health campaigns in the rural villages, where she treats hundreds of Quechua people with natural medicine and the pills she produces.

Every morning, she or her helper would tap on our door to invite us to a scrumptious banana shake and bread. Lunch was promptly at 1:30pm, not a minute before or after. And at 5pm, we had tea and a homemade pastry, the most delicious I had ever tasted – no contest.

Now, my favorite memory was Christmas-decorating with Sara Teresa. One day, we scooted out the huge cactus and hung ornaments all over it. On a table next to it, she laid out the Nativity scene with five baby-Jesus statues, an overwhelming livestock display and a couple Santa Clauses. Then we hung lights around it all.

As spontaneous as it looked, it was extremely formulated. And at one point, Leah and I just smiled and stepped out of the way.

Outside on the street, the town was buzzing. In almost every store, there was a pyramid or some mountainous display of the paneton, a traditional holiday fruitcake. The breads come in bright red boxes that can be spotted from a steep Cusco-hill away.

The funny thing about the paneton is that it originated in northern Italy and has found fame in Peru. The tradition is to save the paneton for the midnight feast on Christmas Eve. However, I’m sure some get eaten sooner, just like Santa’s cookies in U.S. homes.

One afternoon we came home for tea, and there was a piece of coca paneton on our plates. One of her devote followers had made it for her. Her influence as a master coca baker was spreading all over Peru…and of course, throughout the world.

Looking back on it, for me, Sara Teresa is the paneton. In good Peruvian nature, she took us in at our weakest moment and restored our Christmas. And she helped to make this Peruvian-Italian cake – one that’s been chosen to celebrate Jesus’s transforming love -- into a true healing bread.

I wish I could share the recipe, but it wouldn’t do much good. The leaf’s gift is unexplored and even outlawed in this country. But if ever in Cusco, go to the Casa de Ecologia and seek out the coca paneton. You can also find Sara Teresa’s products and baked goods there.

Or you could try your own version and indulge in a Peruvian classic. Good luck and provecho!

Picture of Cusco

Sara Teresa cutting herbs

December 13, 2006

"OUR BEST CHANCE"

Was the mantra of Slay, (a sick) Jim Shrewsbury, and Barbara Geisman concerning the Board of E and A's approval of up to 14.5 million dollars in TIF money to Pyramid Construction to rehab the One City Centre Office Tower located on N. 6th Street.

The room where the Board of Estimate and Apportionment meets is something straight out of Winston Thorpe's Mansion in Trading Places, with an acre of wood, chandeliers from the set of the Titanic, and a clock that eerily chimes every fifteen minutes, or perhaps half an hour. Its also, well, TINY for a meeting open to the public.

Before the vote and discussion about the Pyramid TIF's, Comptroller Green's (unfortunately) quixotic request to approve TIF financing policy (forbidding "full faith and credit" TIF's where the city has to pay for failed TIF ventures and possibly take a credit hit) was tabled indefinitely by Mayor Slay, with no dissention save for Darlene Green. The city pays one million dollars a year for Schoemehl's St. Louis Marketplace TIF fiasco, and Green wants to avoid putting the city in that situation again.

Obviously, Green's request was doa because just like the St. Louis Marketplace, the city will go full steam ahead with a full faith and credit TIF for the redevelopment of City Centre. If the redevelopment fails, the city will pay, and pay dearly.

However, Slay and Geisman do not like these terms, and do not like the deal in general. Geisman stated that "This is not something any of us wants to do....but the circumstances are such that we have no choice. We have decided to bite the bullet and work with John (Steffen)".

She let it be known that the building is 30 percent vacant, and is on its way to being 60 percent vacant. Geisman also pointed out that it drives up the downtown office vacancy rate, making the city market look "like a dump, when nothing could be further from the truth". Also, she maintains that the owner of the buiding is hard to reach and hard to deal with, its encumbered with a diffcult mortgage, and there has recently been a judgement against it that could cause the building "To be placed on the courthouse steps". Geisman and Slay want a developer who "cares about the city".

She says the terms arent great, and Eminent Domain would be more costly, and Slay chimed in that Eminent Domain was also "unpredictable".

Some protections:

The TIF will not be made available until the building is actually bought

Once it is purchased it cannot be refinanced with the approval of the Board of E and A, meaning Pyramid can't "cash out" and suck the equity out of the building.

Pyramid is obligated to make tax payments that are sufficient to pay the money due on the TIF obligation. If the tax payments are not made, the city has the right to foreclose on the tax payments within 6 months, and Pyramid is obligated to make additional payments to retire the debt.

Slay mentioned that the building is a cancer on downtown St. Louis, noting that the number one complaint visitors have about Downtown St. Louis is the City Centre/Mall complex. He also stated that several hundred jobs will be moving out of the Centre very soon. According to Slay, it will require "extraordinary means to get the property in the hands of someone who is going to do something benefical with the building". Quite simply, he thinks the risk is worth it.

Fighting the good fight for the taxpayers and trying to guard the city's credit rating, Comptroller Darlene Green is also eager to redevelop the center, but can't stomach the potential cost of this enterprise, noting that speculators are in a position to possibly make a killing. The building cost 17 million 5 years ago, and now, the purchase price is essentially 37 million dollars.

Wrapping things up, Slay simply said "This is our best chance". The motion to approve TIF financing was passed, and Green was again, the only dissenting voice

Save Access Television, Contact the FCC

Deadline is today, no time to waste. Please contact the FCC about this important matter. This email is from Beverly Hacker, head honcho at KDHX who I met last night at the Royale:

Hi - This is Beverly Hacker , Executive Director of KDHX Community Media. I am writing to ask that you take a moment to read through this message and consider taking steps to help preserve access television here in St. Louis and across the country. This message is long, but very important. The FCC is accepting comments through Wednesday a, December 13 at 5:00 pm on proposed action that could seriously affect the future of access television.

PEG (Public, Education and Government) television is a benefit to the public that is paid for through cable franchise agreements. The way it works is that when a cable company comes into an area, it is required to negotiate what services it will “give back” to the community for privilege of operating a public utility within that community. That negotiation usually takes the form of a franchise fee (a % of cable subscriber dollars) which the franchise authority then distributes for things like PEG access and i-Net (intstitutional networks) and cable hookups for public schools.

Here in the City of St. Louis, the City Communications division operates the Government Channel, the board of education operates the Education Channel and KDHX Community Media (Double Helix) operates the public and community access center. In St. Louis county it funds such things as CALOP - University City’s funding agency for locally- produced films, HEC-The Higher Education Channel as well as the Cooperating School Districts and CableTec which work to put educational television in to classroooms over cable television.

How can you help?

During the last congressional session, there was a lot of work done on proposed changes to the telecommunications laws that govern not just cable companies, but the Internet and the telephone companies that are in the process of entering the video market. The democratic process was working and many compromises were reached between the interests of the cable and telephone industries and the interests of the public. As Congress moves through its lame-duck session, the FCC has taken up this matter and has proposed regulations that would seriously impact how PEG access is funded and how it operates. The FCC announced on Thursday, December 5 a one-week comment period, ending Wednesday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m.), after which they will proceed. You can help ensure that the voices of the public are heard on access television by contacting the FCC now.

The Alliance for Community Media, an organization that works to support the efforts of hundreds of access centers and thousands of access producers, has put together a step-by-step plan to help you take action and get your voice heard. It is a four-step process that will take about 15 minutes, but it is extremely important as it could make the difference between whether the public has access to the media, or is shut out.

Step 1: file a comment with the FCC by going to their website at:

http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi

The Proceeding number is 05-311.

You will be filing a comment.

You can type in your comments or you can attach a separate letter on your letterhead. I have included suggested wording at the end of this email which you will probably want to customize:

Step 2: Fax a message to the FCC at 202-418-2439.

You can use the same wording as above, or write your own.

Step 3: Fill out and send the ex-partie communication form.

The FCC requires that any communication with commissioners be documented, which is the purpose of this step. You can use the Alliance for Community Media's automatic form by going to this address:

http://short.kdhx.org/4b5171

Step 4: Fax a copy to your Congressional delegation.

You can obtain the current fax numbers of your members of Congress by going to Google and searching for CONGRESS FAX NUMBERS. There are a number of sites that will allow you to look up the contact numbers by using your zip code.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be
interested in helping.

Beverly Hacker
Executive Director
KDHX Community Media
314-361-8870x226

Odenwald, Stokes: City Should Reenter the County

In the current issue of the ACC, Kurt Odenwald, out-going St. Louis County Councilman, and his assistant David Stokes, penned the following essay exploring what it would mean if the City reentered the County. They "hope it happens."

“First, Let’s Get the Terminology Right. Second, Let’s Get Serious About St. Louis City Rejoining the County.”

By Councilman Kurt S. Odenwald and David Stokes, special to the Arch City Chronicle

On a few occasions during his term as Mayor of St. Louis, Mayor Slay has mentioned the idea of St. Louis City and St. Louis County merging. He deserves great credit for bringing the idea forward, although the suggestion has not generated much civic discussion yet, either pro or con. That is unfortunate, because it is time to try again.

However, a prerequisite to any discussion requires a substantive change in terminology. Specifically, we need to replace the word “merger’ with the term “re-entering.” While it may have worked in other places, the idea of the governments of St. Louis County, all 91 municipalities, and St. Louis City suddenly becoming one government is simply not going to happen – at least not without a first step. It will be challenging enough to accomplish the simpler step of having the City re-enter St. Louis County (just as Kansas City is a municipal government within Jackson County), but that important first step is a real possibility, and the positive effects of that initial step are numerous.

From Mayor Slay’s second inaugural address (as reported in the West End Word) it is apparent that he truly meant his words to be “food for thought” as his office has not yet put much research into the effort.

The Mayor stated, “In four years, Charlie [Dooley] and I may share fire engines, airports, a health district, a bond issue, a tax base or even an office. Or we may not.” It would be difficult for the City to share fire engines with the County, as St. Louis County Government has no fire department, and I doubt that Mayor Slay wants to involve the fire districts in this already crowded arena. We’ll leave that aside, as we have no desire to be the naysayers in the back belittling those who have chosen to bring this issue to the forefront. But, there needs to be a fundamental understanding of the respective roles each government currently plays in our region as we consider the possibility of a future where the County line runs from the Missouri to the Mississippi. Importantly, what would be the necessary steps and practical effects of the City re-entering St. Louis County as its 92nd municipality?

The City’s re-entry into St. Louis County would require approval from numerous local boards and legislative bodies, sweeping State legislation addressing the laws made for “Cities not within a County,” and, most importantly, the approval of the voters in both jurisdictions.

As our part in slowly moving this discussion forward, we suggest the following as further “food for thought” as to the practical effects and major challenges that face such a bold step as suggesting that the City of St. Louis become like all other cities in Missouri.

At first glance, it would appear that County residents might pay less in property taxes while City residents will inevitably be faced with the prospect of paying more. Should the City rejoin the County, City residents would be subject to paying County property taxes, which are currently set at 0.558 per $100 of assessed valuation. City residents whose properties have been historically under-assessed will also face the prospect of having a County assessor more realistically apply values to City homes.

Property owners in fashionable neighborhoods like Compton Heights and others that have been significantly under-assessed in past years may be looking at significantly increased property values, and higher property taxes. Considering that the County spends more money per capita on services in the unincorporated areas than in municipalities (no exact breakdown is available, but this fact is clear to anyone familiar with County Government), and all residents of the City would obviously reside within a municipality, the influx of City property with an assessed valuation of $4 Billion into St. Louis County would theoretically provide substantial additional revenues which could permit the County to reduce the current tax rate and still provide the current level of services to “all County residents.”

A key variable will be the costs associated with St. Louis County providing “county services” within its newest municipality. The potential savings to City Government when their County offices are administered by St. Louis County would allow the City to reduce its own municipal property taxes in a manner that would offset a portion of the increase. However, it seems realistic that some type of tax increase for City residents would be inevitable.

The County’s role within St. Louis City would largely be determined by the City itself. The only thing “almost” certain about departmental reorganization would be the County taking over the eight ‘County’ offices currently operated by the City of St. Louis: Recorder of Deeds, Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Public Administrator, Treasurer, Collector of Revenue, License Collector and Circuit Attorney. We say ‘almost’ because the State would have to be closely involved in redesigning the Circuit Court.

Four of the above positions relate to the Court and, as such, could be kept separate. The 16th Circuit in Jackson County, which is one circuit with two divisions in Kansas City and Independence could serve as an excellent guide on bringing the two judicial circuits together. The Recorder, Collector, License Collector and Treasurer would all be merged into the St. Louis County Department of Revenue and their employees moved out of patronage and into civil service positions. Eliminating the duplication of government will add up to big savings to the City—but at the cost of control over hiring and firing, which, as we all know, is a source of political power.

As for other departments, the City and County would need to have very detailed discussions as to reorganizing the departments. The City, unlike any municipality in St. Louis County, has sufficient population under State Law to operate its own Health Department. Whether St. Louis County assumed those duties would be strictly up to the City. The discussions would vary from department to department, and we believe voters would need to understand the proposed changes, at least at a basic level, before any vote can be considered.

For example, what City parks, if any, would become County, both managed and paid for by County Government? The County would not be required to assume any parks, but a few obvious choices come to mind. While City government would benefit by turning over the annual operational expense of some parks to the County, will it be willing to give up control over what have traditionally (and rightfully so) been considered City parks? Although it is doubtful the City would ever give up control of Forest Park, a major area park like Carondelet could be run by St. Louis County in much the same way Tilles Park in Ladue is a large County park located within a municipality.

What City roads would be incorporated into the County arterial road system? The Forest Park Parkway jumps immediately to mind as a natural selection, as do some other east –west arteries that cross the City- County lines, like Delmar, Chippewa or Morganford. Now lets not get too crazy here—no one is suggesting eliminating the wonderfully confusing manner in which the street names change upon crossing that imaginary “County” line. After all, if Kirkwood Road does not have to be Lindbergh, then Morganford does not have to become Union, and Chippewa should not have to become Watson Road.

Public safety departments would likely change very little as the municipalities in the County generally provide their own police and fire service. Under a re-entry of the City into St. Louis County we believe the Elections Boards would likely merge, as that is a County Office. Of course, the Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, and the operations are directed more from Jefferson City than any local jurisdiction.

The simple fact is that St. Louis County provides limited services to the largest County municipalities (Florissant, Chesterfield, University City) and St. Louis City is larger than any of those by a significant margin. The alternate fact is that what would take place within the City would have no more effect on the daily life of a Ballwin resident than the current goings-on in unincorporated South County or the City of Dellwood do now, which is to say relatively no effect at all.

From a political perspective, the re-entry of the City and its residents to the County would solidify the recent Democratic hold on County government, as City voters would now vote in County elections. However, a slight enlargement of the County Council, perhaps from seven members to nine (or possibly eleven) would allow County Republicans to continue to have a strong voice on the County Council. Increasing the size of the Council to 9 would maintain the approximate present size of the Council districts (each having about 150,000 residents).

The City Board of Alderman and the offices of Mayor, Comptroller and President of the Board of Alderman would not need to be changed at all since they are all municipal positions. However, we would hope City residents would take the opportunity of rejoining the County to streamline the size of the Board of Alderman and elect the President from among the members, instead of citywide, like almost every other major legislative body.

So why would City residents want to re-enter the County if that re-entry would likely result in a tax increase and if they would still rely upon City government for their basic municipal services (police, fire, trash, snow removal…)? To begin with, the basic start of combining of the eight County offices would be a major step forward for good, responsive government for the residents of the City of St. Louis. Moving away from patronage and to a full civil service system will better serve all residents. Taxpayers understand the truth that patronage serves the purposes of political machines, not good government.

While it may sound disjointed to say that adding a layer of government would streamline government, that is exactly what would happen in the long run if the City re-entered St. Louis County and the two entities worked together to better serve all 1.3 million residents of a combined county. Lower property taxes for County residents, fewer government employees with better civil service protections, reduced power of political machines, more intergovernmental cooperation…these are the baseline effects of St. Louis City re-entering St. Louis County. We hope this happens and we look forward to being a part of the debate.

December 12, 2006

Aldermanic Gallery

In an effort to support local artists, and perhaps spruce up one of the elegant but sparse spaces in City Hall, the Board of Aldermen will have a rotating installation in the Leisure Conference Room which is adjacent to the board chamber, Room 230.

The conference room is part of the Aldermanic offices on the second floor and is host to many of the board's committee meetings. It's a bit out of the way for many visitors to City Hall, but anyone stopping in at the main board office, Room 230, should take a quick look.

Currently the work of local architectural photographer Ken Konchel decks the walls. Konchel uses a 4"x5" large-format camera and silver gelatin printing to capture his subjects; in this case, buildings in St. Louis.

A number of Aldermen played the "guess which building I am" game as they stopped to admire the photos and speak with Konchel, who was on-hand after last Friday's meeting where the board recognized him as the inaugural artist. Many of the photos focus on unique architectural elements, not full shots of the buildings.

Konchel's work has been featured in a number of solo and multi-artist exhibitions locally and nationally; most recently, a solo exhibit at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago.

Brandyn Jones, who represents the board president's office on issues relating to development and the arts, and Pat Connigan, who is both the clerk and the attorney to the board, were among those who chose the selection of photographs.

And for those who note these things, and I know you're out there, the actual installation (which is more than just making them level, it involves selecting how the work is arranged, which, for the artist, can change how they would like their work viewed) was handled by the services department.

The photos will be up until mid-January when new work will be selected.

Green says No to St. Louis Centre TIF

Development policy loophole must be closed

The Office of the Comptroller has had a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy in place since 1999. The office uses it to evaluate prospective TIF projects and has had it adopted by the TIF commission.

The need for such a policy was obvious after the bad TIF deal made by the Schoemehl administration—the St. Louis Marketplace on Manchester which today and through 2011 costs the city’s general fund over $1 million per year—and the impending growth in redevelopment throughout the city.

The city now has some 85 TIF projects and none of them pledge the city’s credit or moral obligation to repay the debt.

The TIF policy has been to use only the taxes generated by the substantially completed projects as a benefit for the developer. That way the developer has the risk to complete the project not the city’s taxpayers.

However, the city is being asked to offer its credit to assist a developer to purchase a building as part of a redevelopment project downtown. The project is the St. Louis Center mall and the building is the One City Centre office building. The developer is John Steffen of Pyramid.

The building, One City Centre, was purchased for about $17 million 5 years ago. Today, the seller wants $37 million of which the city is being asked for upfront TIF funding of $14 million using its full faith and credit.

This moral obligation of the city will place a debt on our books with no equivalent asset. No matter how the deal is structured, it is ultimately backed by the taxpayers as lenders of last resort. Certainly if there is any default the city will be forced to pay its obligation just to maintain its credit rating. This transaction could cause the city to pay $1.2 million per year for up to 23 years.

As the Comptroller of the city of St. Louis, I’m charged with protecting the credit of the city and being a watchdog over taxpayer dollars. The credit of the city is the foundation on which the city’s financial future rests. The city’s strategic planning regarding its financial future must involve policies that safeguard the city’s assets and not place undo liability on the city’s credit capacity. The ability of the city to be successful in maintaining a strong financial position for many years to come lies in public officials’ willingness to act quickly to correct weaknesses in its processes.

This proposed development in downtown St. Louis—One City Centre—is important for the continued revitalization of downtown and I support it. I support the development, the jobs and the economic opportunities that it promises. John Steffen understands minority participation and has been at the forefront of inclusion on all of his development projects. It’s hard to vote against this development proposal, but I must, to protect the taxpayers from speculators who are not good developers like Pyramid.

There is no law protecting the city from speculators or these kinds of bad deals unless you consider condemnation law that is being used widely against hardworking homeowners, small businesses and not for profits. There is no law protecting taxpayers from the city offering up its credit backing to developers. I think it is time to stop and take steps to protect the taxpayers from these kinds of bad deals in the future.

If the TIF policy we follow was law and not just policy, it would close the door to bad deals such as this one. The absence of an ordinance is the reason we have this bad deal before us today. I recommend that we move quickly to close this loophole.

Darlene Green
COMPTROLLER

Starr endorses Reed

On her blog today.

Gov. Blunt's Conservative Prescription

Governor Blunt lays out a plan for Conservative rebirth and cites Missouri as an example of early progress towards their goal.

I am the first Republican governor in 80 years with a Republican House and a Republican Senate, but in 2006 we experienced only small losses in our General Assembly, and Republicans still command large majorities in both houses. In a difficult year nationally, we even beat incumbent Democrats. And some of our policies explain why.

• When we ran for office we told Missourians that government needs to be smaller and more accountable.

• In just three decades, the size of Missouri’s government grew from $1.4 billion to $19.4 billion. In 1971, there were a little over 40,000 state workers. By 2004 there were more than 64,000.

• But in Missouri we committed to change and did what governments seldom do: we began to cut cost. In many departments we did not just reduce the rate of growth, we reduced actual costs. We have created a culture where leaders and managers know that they will be rewarded for cutting their budget and reducing their size.

• We actually have reduced the number of state employees. The fiscal 2007 recommended full-time employee total is under 60,000 for the first time in nearly a decade and I am committed to not going above that number during my service as governor..

(Via Combest)

Elizabeth Edwards Weighs In

Elizabeth Edwards responded to ArchPundit's early analysis of the 2008 Presidential field. Edwards addressed his characterization of her role in her husband, Sen. John Edwards', campaign.

Weighing into blogs' comments sections is not standard practice for political figures (barring their own sites, of course). Though it must be intensely tempting for many, the politician in them often steers them clear.

Continue reading "Elizabeth Edwards Weighs In"

Lost and Found

This morning was fairly routine. Woke up to the History Channel (My TV is my alarm), brushed my teeth, ate some yogurt and began my daily email grind. Still very early, a strange phone number pops up in my cell phone.

Somebody had found my wallet laying in the middle of the street right by my house. How it got there, I'll never know. It had to have been there since 7:00 pm last night. No one had paid attention for hours. The man, Bruce Handy:

couldnt find my number in the phone book, and I ran out of business cards actually in my wallet. He found my number on the back of an ancient, faded circuit city receipt. As it turns out, all my cards and money were untouched.

I was awestruck at this turn of events. He could have taken the money, and the cards. He could have just turned it in to the police station, and I might have never gotten it. He could have looked at one less receipt and never found my phone number. I usually give fake phone numbers to merchants who ask, so I don't know why I gave Circuit City my real phone number that particular day, and why I hadn't thrown out that decrepit, year and a half-old receipt.

Here is Bruce's house:

He lives with his father, and suffers from several chronic ailments. Whenever he gets sick, he goes to Forest Park Hospital, which is in my neighborhood (Dogtown). Interestingly enough, he told me that he also ran across a purse in Dogtown, but after looking at it, he put it back where he found it. Why?

It belonged to a white woman. He was deathly afraid that he would be charged with a crime if he had kept the purse and tried to contact the woman. The reason he decided to keep my wallet was because he didn't think I would go to the police.

As a result of these events, I decided to do a random act of kindness today. What it will be, I do not know, but I think every Tuesday might be random act of kindness day for quite a while.

December 11, 2006

Missouri is Lead-Emitter Leader

From today's Post-Dispatch (Via Combest):

Three of the seven largest point sources of lead emissions were in Missouri, according to a 2002 inventory cited in the EPA report…[including the Doe Run smelter in Herculaneum]. The other two sources in Missouri are mining in Reynolds County and secondary smelting in Iron County.

Industry representatives are calling for a relaxation in standards for lead emissions which the EPA is currently evaluating. Draft EPA report is here.

Important Updates on the Alliance to Save Cleveland High

Their website has some new information on the progress to save the school, and a smattering of information on school board meetings. Here is a snippet:

This just in - agenda received this weekend by the staff of Alliance to Save Cleveland High indicates that SLPS Board President Veronica O'Brien plans to introduce a new resolution on Cleveland High School this Tuesday. The details of that resolution are unknown at this point. However we believe our effort to save Cleveland is at an important new junction this week that we are asking every one of you to make a conscious effort to attend the meeting to demonstrate that the will and power of the Cleveland community.

The website with complete details is here

What Will Smith Do?

Blunt's educational appointee needs his support. (Via Combest)

Starr Opens Office

Kacie Starr's campaign office is located at 1218 South Jefferson.

December 10, 2006

Carnahan: Military can't impose democracy

Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-3rd) told Fox 2 News that there was a "consensus" that it was time to draw down troops in Iraq while increasing the existing training regimen. The Congressman seemed to echo the suggestions offered by the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group, suggestions President Bush and his administration have not unequivocably embraced.

"The question remains, will the President listen to what I think is substantial advice," said Carnahan.

Bush and the administration have said they will wait until parallel evaluations are complete before making and decisions. While he waits, many in the conservative community are attacking the group's recommendations.

Carnahan also agreed with the Study Group's evaluation that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be addressed in concert with other conflicts in the middle east; a connection Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert rejects.

December 09, 2006

Willis In

“H. Lee Willis Files in Race for 26th Ward Alderman”

December 8, 2006 – St. Louis, MO:

H. Lee Willis, raised in St. Louis’ 26th Ward, has entered the race to serve as that ward’s next alderman. Willis has a long history of service in the ward. He is a co-chair of the Concerned Citizens’ United Neighborhood Association, a consultant for the Father Support Council, and the founder of “Elder Care Services,” a group that brings personal care services to the homes of the elderly.
The race will focus on the future of the 26th Ward, one of the more diverse wards in St. Louis’ West End. Willis hopes to reach out to all residents of the ward through an aggressive door-to-door campaign, “Our residents want the basics, like help with home repair, accessible and responsive leadership, and a beautiful, safe neighborhood in which to live. I pledge to make myself available to every voter throughout the course of this campaign in order to share my goals for the 26th Ward,” said Willis.
The primary election is March 6. For further information, contact David Zucker at dave.zucker@gmail.com or (508) 654-1027.

December 08, 2006

Gondolfi kickoff

Candidate for the 20th Ward aldermanic seat, Galen Gondolfi, is having a kickoff event next Saturday, December 16th at 7 p.m. at Radio Cherokee, 3227 Cherokee.

Tax Credits for Storm Victims

Nasheed plans to file a bill creating tax credits to offset losses of those who suffered during the recent storm. The press release

Pics up

from Nixon fundraiser in the photo gallery.

Aldermen in Christmas Swing

The Board of Aldermen struck a holiday note at today's meeting. Christmas songs were heard ringing through the archways of City Hall as a choir from Rosati-Kain High School entertained the board with a medley of Christmas carols.

After the choir wrapped up, Board President Jim Shrewsbury assured the board the entertainment was not over and summoned Alderman Craig Schmid, 20th Ward, to the dais.

Seized by the Christmas spirit, Schmid retrieved a trumpet that had been secreted behind the podium and belted out “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

Afterwards, his colleagues complimented the alderman on his performance; many noting, “I didn't know you played.” Something the ACC discovered just a month ago.

Schmid said he began playing the trumpet in grade school, but he hasn't played much recently.

Given that he's facing a challenge for his aldermanic seat this spring, he may want to "blow the horn" a little more often.

Lawyers on the Move

From today's StL Biz Journal: Former Gephardt staffer Kevin Gunn is teaming up with City lobbyist Rodney Boyd and going to work for Sonnenschein.

Meanwhile, rumors are that John Temporiti will be leaving the County Executive's office and returning to Gallop, Johnson and Neuman.

Patronizing the Arts

Here is some information on local art events, the Independant Art Market and the Jefferson Underground Gallery. First up is the Art Market:

The Independent Art Market is gearing up for winter weather and planning another fabulous holiday sale. This season features a great mix of local studios. Independent Art Market is Friday, December 8 through Sunday, December 10 at the beautifully renovated Shaw's Gallery, just two blocks East of the Missouri Botanical Garden on Shaw Avenue. The artists organizing this terrific event are excited about a weekend filled with a diverse lineup of new artists, a sake, sushi and fashion cocktail reception, poetry readings organized by Observable Books, a variety show organized by 52nd City, and a broad range of musical performances. Get high-quality, handmade items from local artists and artisans, and have fun doing it.

More information, including times
here

The Jefferson Underground Art Gallery (2400 S. Jefferson 566 9169 or 835 7273) is having their 4th Weekend Show tonight, featuring live music, from 6pm – 9pm. More on the Gallery:

Jefferson Underground Art Gallery is pleased to announce the continuation of our 2006 Weekend Shows Season. Separate art exhibitions will be opening every Friday night throughout November and December. The Gallery will be featuring local artists both recognized and emerging. A range of media will be displayed including: Painting, drawing, sculpture, mosaic, ceramic, photography and mixed media. All art displayed is for sale and prices range from ideal holiday gift items for a few dollars to major museum pieces. Entry to the gallery is free. Over 30 artists are represented by over 350 artworks. Jefferson Underground is open daily from 10am – 5pm. Friday night openings will commence at 6pm and have refreshments provided.

You can dowload their full calendar here

Nixon Fundraiser

ACC dropped by the Jay Nixon fundraiser last night. We'll have photos in our gallery later today.

Here's a recap: The event, organized by Democratic stalwart Tom Green, was a packed ballroom - approximately 350-375 people in attendance.

Senator Eagleton introduced Nixon touting his credentials as Attorney General. Nixon didn't speak very long, but he thanked the crowd for their support and noted that current polls show him with a ten point lead over Blunt. He said he expected Blunt to run a negative, smear campaign, but he was ready for the fight.

The crowd was a good cross-section of Democrats: County Executive Charlie Dooley and his right-hand man, Mike Jones; State Senators Joan Bray and Jeff Smith, plus former State Senator Wayne Goode; House minority leader Jeff Harris; Black Caucus Chair John Bowman; State Reps Rachel Storch, Clint Zwiefel, and Margaret Donnelly; Judge Marvin Teer; City Committeemen Chuck Miller and Joe Palm; Grand Center's Peg Weathers; College Dem Stephany Copeland; Developer Steven Stogel; and Joyce Aboussie.

Check back later today for photos.

Congrats to Ed

Just received this email:

It's a BOY!!! Ed Martin's wife Carol at 5:16 am at St. John's Hospital
gave birth to their second child; Edward Robert Martin, III. Mom and
baby are in Ed's words "All the Best".

Carol Martin is a internal medicine physician at Barnes.

December 07, 2006

Nobody likes a loser

Talent's approval rating plunges.

Kacie's Website

here.

UPDATE: Whoops. It's no longer up. Guess they were just testing it. Look for the roll-out Monday.

One Night Only

One week from today - Thursday, December 14 at 7pm - The Dave Drebes Players will play our first and only show of 2006.

Ross and Katie Noecker are opening their home (3940 Cleveland, in the Shaw neighborhood) to the public for this special occasion. The $2 suggested donation will go to support the good work of Jenna Bauer's SCOSAG.

Bauer plays bass. State Senator elect Jeff Smith will be drumming. Fred Hessel and Matt Seimer on guitars will round out the Players.

December 06, 2006

New Candidates

In the 12th, there's now a Democratic candidate, James Pree.

And we hear that Lee Willis, the expected challenger to Frank Williamson in the 26th, will be filing this week, perhaps as early as tomorrow.

Ten Questions

Rep. Storch has ten questions for Ameren:
Download the letter.

Wilson to remain Dem Party Chair

I'd previously heard that folks thought Roger Wilson would step down as McCaskill turned her attention to DC and Nixon prepared for his 2008 gubernatorial run.

It now appears Wilson will extend his stay as Party Chair.

Wash U Students, Without Power, Hit Hotels

Student Life reports.

Trader Joe's Petition

We aren't the only ones that have been hearing rumors of Trader Joe's coming to various southside locations (most recently the Southtown Center at Kingshighway and Chippewa), but 15thWardStl.org has an actual petition here.

Hires

Bob Rice will be managing Lewis Reed's campaign (hat-tip to Mr. French).
Michelle Clay, sister to the congressman, is on-board as well, doing fundraising.

Over in the 26th ward, Dave Zucker is running Lee Willis' campaign. Zucker previously worked on Jeff Smith's state senate campaign.

UPDATE: Gregg Christian is managing Patrick Cacchione's 6th ward race. (Cacchione was quoted in a USAToday story about power outage.)

December 05, 2006

Down Comforter

Is St. Louis School Board member Peter Downs setting up for a negative recommendation from the state advisory committee? Maybe.

In the latest issue of his newsletter St. Louis Schools Watch (Antonio French is currently at the helm of the watchdog publication), Downs criticized recent reports presented to the state-appointed committee which, "which is dominated and chaired by supporters of [Mayor Francis Slay] and his hand-picked board," said Downs.

Downs criticized a presentation on public opinion assembled by the St. Louis Community Foundation. The group conducted a poll of registered voters and held a focus group assembled from principals, teachers and parents.

The survey found that: 60% of voters were in favor of a state takeover; principals were opposed to the idea; the teachers and parents were somewhere in-between.

District principals may be wary following a statement by Atlanta Superintendent Beverly Hall in the St. Louis American last month that 90% of district principals are no longer with the district seven years into its turnaround. Atlanta has been held up as poster-child for school reform.

Both the Foundation and the polling firm, Vector Communications, were linked to slates of school board candidates backed by Mayor Slay, said Downs.

Based on comments from participants, Downs raised questions about the manner in which the surveys were handled. He cited at least two instances in which incorrect figures were given regarding average per-pupil spending in St. Louis County districts versus the city. Downs said the two are roughly equivalent while the survey made it seem the city was spending over $3000 more per student. The implication being that the St. Louis district mismanaged its funds.

Downs said the committee was addressing important issues and that the district ought to, "ignore the antics of individual members and continue working to address the problems [the studies] raised."

---

Speaking of raising questions, O'Brien's advice to the Post-Dispatch when asked how the board would respond to the sub-par marks the district received last week: ""Why don't you ask [Superintendent Diana Bourisaw] what she plans to do about it?" O'Brien said. "I'm not responsible for 30 years of decay."

Free Emergency Contraception Tomorrow

Planned Parenthood is sponsoring a nationwide Free Emergency Contraception day tomorrow. Before someone clever comes along with a humpday joke, just get it out of your system now.

ST. LOUIS - Wednesday, December 6, 2006 is Free Emergency Contraception Day. Planned Parenthood health centers across the country will offer free Emergency Contraception (EC) to women, men and teens; no exam, no hassle and no delay.

WHAT: Free Emergency Contraception (EC)
WHEN: Wednesday, December 6, 2006
WHERE: All six community-wide locations of Planned Parenthood

BACKGROUD:

In August 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the over-the-counter (OTC) status for Plan B emergency contraception (EC) for women and men 18 years of age and older. EC, a special combination of birth control pills, lowers the risk of pregnancy when started within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse.

Experts agree that wide access to EC will prevent unintended pregnancies and abortion. The sooner EC is administered after unprotected intercourse, the better it works, making timely access critically important.

Planned Parenthood (PP), the nation's largest provider of EC, is now offering EC-OTC to women and men 18 and older. Young women, 17 years of age and younger, can order prescription EC on-line at www.ppslr.org or they can visit a nearby PP health center to get prescription EC.

In an effort to educate the public about the importance of EC, Planned
Parenthood health centers throughout the country, and in the St. Louis
region, will offer free EC for all individuals on December 6, 2006.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOCATIONS:
Central West End
4251 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 531-7526

Fairview Heights
Lakeland Square
4529 North Illinois (Route 259)
Belleville, IL 62221
(618) 277-6668

North County
Surrey Plaza II Shopping Center
2796-98 North Highway 67
Florissant, MO 63033
(314) 921-4445

St. Peters
208 Mid Rivers Center
St. Peters, MO 63376
(636) 279-3339

South Grand
3401 South Grand
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 865-1850

West County
1 Stonegate Center
Manchester, MO 63088
(636) 431-0030

To learn more about Emergency Contraception (EC), please call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit www.ppslr.org <http://www.ppslr.org/> .

Shrewsbury Poll

Spoke with a couple of people about a Shrewsbury poll last week.

Here's the best recollection of those people:

Favorable/Unfavorable on -
Slay
Shrewsbury
Green
Reed
McMillan

Questions about Reed (do you view the following favorably?)

1. Has no listed telephone number.
2. In favor of BJC-Forest Park Deal.
3. Is African American.
4. Would be the 1st African American BOA pres.
5. Close to the mayor.
6. Mayor appointed Reed's wife to be a judge.
7. Is a developer
8. Gives away tax money for development.
9. Has no city-wide experience.
10. Is endorsed by Lacy Clay
11. Favors giving away tax money for Ball Park Village.

Questions about Shrewsbury (do you view the following favorably?)
1. Sponsored/passed legislation to keep drugs and prostitution away from schools.
2. Sponsored/passed legislation for the Citizen Review Board.

More questions about Shrewsbury
1. Do you think he's been at the BOA too long.
2. Do you think he handled the Smith urination issue appropriately?
3. Do you think he's an independent voice willing to go against the mayor?

Also, Would Darlene Green's endorsement be favorable?

Before and after the poll respondents were asked "If the election were held today, who would you vote for?"

December 04, 2006

Click to Help Hunger

Campbell's Chunky Soup is running a promotion where they will donate food to the city (with an NFL team) that tallies the most clicks on their website, plus the city with the most improved number of all overall clicks. We all do a lot of clicking a day, so this won't hurt. Just beware of the Yahoo widget bloatware they want you to download, of course, unless you need all those football stats on your desktop 24/7.

Website here

International Scholarships!

Interesting list of international scholarships for all who might be interested.

here

December 01, 2006

Audit Protest Postponed Until Tomorrow

From the Gateway Green Alliance/Green Party of St. Louis:

Due to power outages and transportation crises, the press conference on the Green's petition campaign for an audit of St. Louis City is being postponed 24 hours. Below is updated information.

Contacts: Willie Marshall, 314-385-6906; Madeline Coburn, 314-315-5535

GREENS PETITION TO AUDIT CITY
December 1, 2006. St. Louis, Missouri. The Green Party will kick off efforts for an audit of the City of St. Louis during a press conference at …

11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2006
Black Bear Bakery
2639 Cherokee (near Texas), St. Louis MO 63118

The petition requests that the State Auditor "conduct an audit of the most recent fiscal year." Missouri law (Section 29.230 RSMo) specifies that petitions must be signed by 5% of the number of City residents who voted in the most recent governor's race. That means that about 7,200 registered voters in the City must sign for an audit to occur.

"Our main interest is in finding out where millions of dollars for lead poisoning prevention are being spent," says Madeline Coburn, Secretary of the Green Party of St. Louis. "We've tried throughout the year to find out about lead poisoning finances and City officials just will not tell us which neighborhoods are receiving the money. Greens have gone to City meetings. And, City officials have attended our meetings. They have been e-mailed and sent over two dozen letters requesting information. An audit by the State is clearly necessary when the City still will not say where it spends public money."

Those interested in helping with petitioning efforts should call
314-727-8554.

House Tour in Shaw this Weekend

Apparently, the Shaw neighborhood is having a house tour this weekend as well.
Here are the details of the tour:

Date: Dec. 3, 2006
Time: 12 noon - 6 p.m.
Start: Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy at 2236 Tower Grove Ave. - tour books can be purchased or picked up at this location Shuttles: yes--or may self drive or walk the tour
Price: $15 at the door- $12 advance tickets are available at the following
locations:

Credit card: Metrotix
Cash or check: Missouri Botanical Garden's Garden Gate Shop, Three French Hens in Wildwood, Botanical Design Studio-at Grand and Arsenal, Thurman Grill and Provisions in Shaw neighborhood, Gringo Jones, The Emporium in Warson Woods, the Missouri History Museum, Rachel's Tea Room in Belleville, IL. and Quintessential Antiques on the Hill.

For further information: SHAWSTLOUIS.ORG or call 314-771-3101.

City Schools miss 8 of 13 on Annual Performance Report

The St. Louis School Board's endless squabbling has reached such a pitch its drowning out ominous sounds.

One would be the sound of the floor dropping out from under them.

The other would be the collective, resigned, sigh of the residents in the St. Louis Public School District.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the district's annual performance report today. Despite some signs of progress, the district failed to meet standards, reaching only 5 of 13 required standards.

The report does not include an accreditation rating (45 points are required for provisional accreditation, 65 for full accreditation), but in a comparison to the 2005 report which met 5 of 12 categories which earned the district a dismal 39, the