Rumors

March 09, 2007

Kratky to Resign?

Word is that Fred Kratky has been offered a job as executive director of the Realtors Association. It's rumored that he will resign, and is politicking committeepeople to support his wife for the seat. Michele, Fred's wife, is a lobbyist for the same Realtors.

In other words, Fred is currently the Rep and Michele is the lobbyist. But if things go this way, Fred becomes the lobbiest, and his wife the Rep.

UPDATE: Look for John Paul Frisella as a potential challenger to Michele Kratky.

February 09, 2007

Bulldoze the Ghetto?

In response to flyers handed out at City Hall this morning warning of plans to "Bulldoze the Ghetto", Alderman Freeman Bosley, Jr., 3rd ward, said the concerns were overblown.

The anti-eminent domain groups are going, "off the chain," said Bosley. He said their actions were instigating fear among residents.

Bosley said no action to blight the land can happen without aldermanic approval and neither he, nor the other aldermen in the area have been asked.

"They are just wrong," said Bosley.

The flyers were passed out by members of Citizens for the Near Northside. Topped by the headline "Plans to 'Bulldoze the Ghetto'", the flyer includes a map sketching out a rough trapezoidal area bounded by Delmar to the south, Natural Bridge to the North, Interstate 70 to the East and North Grand to the west. The area at risk includes Bosley's 3rd ward, April Ford-Griffin's 5th Ward and the currently vacant 19th ward (soon to be occupied by Committeewoman Marlene Davis who is running unopposed).

The organization says the Blairmont Group–made up of a dizzying array of small real estate companies–is poised to reap the benefits of future development in the near north side. Northside urbanist and dedicated observer of developement, Michael Allen, has mapped out the numerous properties attributed to the group and written a history of his search on his blog.

The alleged linchpin in the effort is the future of the Pruitt-Igoe site. The 34-acre, city-owned property, is slated for future development and the St. Louis Development Corporation is expected to request proposals later this year.

January 08, 2007

Blunt in Boston

In a move likely to add fuel to the speculation about Blunt's plans for the future, the Governor is spending the day in Boston visiting Gov. Mitt Romney at the presidential-hopeful's day-long, milllion-dollar fundraiser.

Poised on the top floor of Boston's convention center, Romney's fundapalooza brought together friends and supporters from around the nation in an effort, "to form a bond with each other, and chat with the governor." Romney's team hopes to pull in $1 million from around the country, the first step in an ambitious drive to raise $50 million by June.

Some of the current speculation surrounding Gov. Blunt's future (driven mostly by his non-committal comments regarding re-election) has Blunt as a possible V.P. nominee in a Romney Presidential run.

Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan lays out how Blunt could skip second-chair 2008 and go right for the center ring in 2012. Governors have had a great deal of success in rising to the land's highest office, but how does the speculation jive with Blunt's consistent–and unshakeable–low polling numbers.

McClellan is dead-on in that any potential future for the Governor will likely hinge on his handling of the Medicaid transition. President Bush made his mark in education reform, which he brought to the national level in the form of No Child Left Behind, which has received mixed-marks from educators (The NCLB's fifth anniversary was Sunday, January 8).

December 28, 2006

Wonkette says Bond to leave Senate

I doubt it, but here it is.

December 14, 2006

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

December 06, 2006

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.

October 16, 2006

Spence Jackson gone?

Jo says that Ed's going to announce some changes.

UPDATE:
Blunt also announced that his Communications Director Spence Jackson has accepted the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Development for Communications and Community Development. Jackson, 35, of Jefferson City, has served as Blunt’s spokesman since the governor took office in January 2005 and held the same position while Blunt was Secretary of State.

Brian Hauswirth will serve as interim Communications Director. Hauswirth currently works as the Communications Director for the Missouri Department of Corrections and previously worked at St. Louis radio station KTRS and Jefferson City radio station KLIK.

June 29, 2006

Yaphett polling

Heard from two folks that Yaphett El-Amin is polling in the 4th.

They believe that it's hers because during the candidate bios, hers is the only one without anything negative. Negatives mentioned: for Amber Boykins was the high % of votes she missed as a rep.; for Jeff Smith was his putting the wrong address down on his filing form.

Take this with a grain of salt, this is like a game of telephone after all.

May 26, 2006

Harris on the way out?

A GOP source tells ACC that James Harris, the governor's director of political appointments, will be resigning. The source says to look for it soon and believes that Harris will join Patek and Associates.

May 25, 2006

Bauer Sightings

One 24th ward politico tells ACC that former alderman Tom Bauer is starting to make the rounds again at neighborhood meetings. He’s been spotted at Hi-Pointe, Franz Park and Clayton Tamm nabe meetings in recent weeks.

March 10, 2006

#6 in the 4th?

Keep hearing that folks are expecting to see at least another entrant into the 4th Senate race.

Any guesses?

February 28, 2006

Shocking, if true.

Reliable third-hand sources say: Kenny Jones, who led a recall that is the subject of grand jury investigation, will file today for the 4th State Senate.

February 24, 2006

Steelman rumors again

Hear she's making calls.

Over at FiredUp, they point out that her website is under construction with the promise of a new website soon.

January 11, 2006

Coleman's Quarter

Word on the street has the Coleman quarter looking weak - certainly in some part because of her late start. Still if the whisper number - around $30,000 - is true, her bid is in trouble.

January 03, 2006

PD exodus afoot?

Rumored to be leaving the Post-Dispatch:

Photographer Andrew Cutraro and Fashion Editor Lisa Jones Townsel.

If true, then this could be the beginning of a post-Lee-purchase "exodus."

Update: Add two more names to the list: A&E Editor Cliff Froehlich, who will be returning to his post as executive director of the St. Louis International Film Festival. And Business reporter Shera Dalin, who is going to into teaching.

December 08, 2005

Sharon Carpenter to run for re-election in August

Sources say.

November 23, 2005

Boyd recall signatures turned in.

22nd ward latest to join recallmania.

November 03, 2005

Coleman in, finally?

An email tipster says that Senator Coleman has hired a Chicago-based fund raiser. Says that Coleman, who is out of country now, will announce soon after her return.

We'll see.

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.

September 22, 2005

Hardin about to lay a Recall fight on Bosley?

Political Eye says that there's a movement afoot in the 3rd ward.

I spoke to an alderman this morning who heard that Jeff Hardin (who nearly knocked off the Boz in March) is behind the effort and has all the signatures he needs.

September 08, 2005

Nations for the 7th District

John Nations, mayor of Chesterfield, once thought to be a possible Republican candidate for county executive now appears to be pondering a run for the 7th Senate Seat, currently held by John Loudon who is running for Auditor.

August 24, 2005

Weddell in the 94th?

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

August 23, 2005

Ronnie White for Senate, anyone?

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

August 19, 2005

Rumored Circuit Attorney lay-offs

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

August 04, 2005

Jake and Barbara sit down

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

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

August 03, 2005

Latest rumors

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

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

July 19, 2005

Rock Hill Turmoil?

Overheard at a local waterhole, so don't take it to the bank, but it sounded legit.

Here's the rumor:
Rock Hill officials found a $30,000 discrepancy in a recent audit, which they linked to former mayor Bob Salamone. They are said to be asking the attorney general to press charges and have retained Lents & Associates to handle the PR. Expect a press conference in the next week or two.

June 29, 2005

Barry Plans

According to this reliable source:

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

Carnahan hires Womer

CORRECTION: Embree still on the job; Womer consulting.

From an email tipster:

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

June 23, 2005

McCaskill Timeline

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

June 11, 2005

Kenny Jones gone from Mayor's Office

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

June 10, 2005

All ears on McCaskill

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

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

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

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

June 02, 2005

Peggy Ryan woes

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

April 03, 2005

Wanted: Ward Boss

Look for a vacancy soon in the 14th ward. Committeewoman Janet La Montagne is relocating to the 16th ward opening up that spot.

April 02, 2005

"Smells like St. Stanislaus"

"Fundraising efforts to raise money to build new athletic facilities for Bishop DuBuourg High School were dampened when Arch Bishop Raymond Burke reportedly told the members of the fundraising committee they could not raise money exclusively for the high school but for the archdiocese at large. Then they would be required to submit a proposal to the archdiocese for funding to build athelic facilities..."

March 25, 2005

21st ward Unity

in support of the dissenters' slate.

Committee Leaders Arthur (Chenk) Washington along with Alderwoman Bennice Jones King and the 21st Ward Democratic Organization have announced their endorsement and full support for St. Louis School Board Candidates Veronica O'Brien, William (Bill) Purdy and Peter Downs. The election will be held on Tuesday, April 5.

Note: this information has not been verified.

March 14, 2005

Add a couple of new names to the Name Game

Tim Reardon (2002 Dem. Nominee) and Mayor Mark Langston are interested in
running for the 5th County Council race...

March 02, 2005

The Name Game

Names being floated for various 06 races:

Jake Zimmerman, Democrat, County Council 5th.
Michael Shanahan, Democrat, Senate.
Joe Maxwell, Democrat, Senate.
Jay Kanzler, Republican, Auditor.
Pat Doughtery, Democrat, 3rd CD.
Jamie Allman, Republican, 3rd CD.

February 28, 2005

Somewhere in the middle

Here's an alternative version of the sit-down the mayor had with the Archbishop last week to try to save some parishes:

"Though Slay might like it to be true, the Archbishop was not persuaded by the presentation. In fact, the Archbishop had expected a simple courtesy visit and was given the full court press by the Mayor and his whole team. The info that the Mayor pushed was either irrelevant (more people moving into certain neighborhoods that the Mayor cited; but those people in those neighborhoods were retirees without children or non-Catholic gays or singles - does not increase either church attendance or school attendance) or incorrect (the Archbishop would be putting kids out of school because the remaining schools could not hold all kids from closed schools - that is not true). In short, it did not change any decisions (they were already made and were being worked out by the parishes)."

February 25, 2005

Creg Williams

Of course rumors can be wrong, but the word buzzing around the district is that Creg Williams will be the next superintendent of the SLPS. One political observer suggests that the Board wanted to "get out ahead of the Post Dispatch," that they didn't relish the notion of waiting and enduring editorials from the Post and other papers lobbying for a particular pick. Williams was deputy chief academic officer for Philadelphia's school system.

February 23, 2005

Slay Saves Some Parishes?

Post reports that Mayor met with Archbishop Burke to show him trend population numbers and persuade him that some parishes and schools shouldn't close.

We're hearing from a reliable source that the Mayor had some success and that a half dozen or so of the thirteen parishes and schools slated for closing will remain open.

February 09, 2005

Look for Zip!

A Jeff County watcher tips that Zip Rzeppa is seriously considering running for the 22nd State Senate Seat as an independent. He has even begun to collect the necessary signatures. Rzeppa was passed over by the Republican Party last month in favor of Bill Alter.

If he does run, it would be a four-way, free-for-all with the two hand-picked candidates (Alter and Johnson) and two spoilers (Selby and Rzeppa).

January 27, 2005

Syphilis outbreak in StL?

Reports of fifteen new cases in the last two weeks.

More later.

January 24, 2005

Federated in town

The acquisition team from Federated Department stores is rumored to have checked in at Westin Hotel downtown.

January 06, 2005

Haas to remain Blue

Rumors had Haas backing out of the Democratic primary and refiling as a Green in the mayoral general election. Haas says - not so, "I'm going to win the Democratic primary."

December 30, 2004

Hanaway's new gig?

It's a rumor. So don't take it to the bank - yet.

"Catherine Hanaway as the new US Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri is a done deal - after January 21st."

December 21, 2004

Allman joins Catholic Church

Jamie Allman reportedly has left Channel 4 and will be the new spokesperson for the St. Louis Archdiocese.

December 09, 2004

Senate 4th Rumors

Names, names, names for the 4th Senate District. Dougherty is termed-out in 2006. Folks are already circling. Ripple effect, state representatives who would run for the seat then vacant thier seat.

The latest rumor via email: "Both Yaphett El-Amin and Amber Boykins are planning on running for Patrick Dougherty's 4th Senate seat. This opens up Yaphett's 57th State Rep seat. So far, both Talibdin El-Amin (Yaphett's husband) and Joe Palm (26th Ward Committeeman) are mentioned as possibly running for this State Rep seat."

October 07, 2004

Howard Dean, next week

Look for Dean to swing back into town next week for events with Bekki Cook and Robin Carnahan.

September 15, 2004

Sharon Carpenter will resign as committeewoman of the 23rd ward

According to sources, Sharon Carpenter will resign as committeewoman of the 23rd ward.

August 09, 2004

Keyes coming to SLU?

We hear that Alan Keyes was scheduled to speak at SLU in late September. He is being brought in by the non-partisan Great Issues Committee, which brings in speakers for their students that are also open to the public. But he may have to cancel if he's a candidate. We'll see.

August 03, 2004

Someone's in the Doghouse

We are told that one of the lawyers, Gary Burger, in today's Post article about BB gun high jinks is St. Louis City Counselor Patty Hageman's husband.

July 06, 2004

It's Edwards

Not Gephardt

July 05, 2004

Archpundit is predicting VP Gephardt.

Archpundit is predicting VP Gephardt.

July 02, 2004

Home Rule petitions in serious trouble?

Hope to have a fuller story by the next print edition, July 14. Stay tuned.

June 22, 2004

Hiring Freeze?

Got an email saying that there wouldn't be a replacement for Moore because of a hiring freeze at the Post. But since Moore was shuffling to another assignment, couldn't they shuffle someone to City Hall? Any Post-ies have information about whether there is hiring freeze?

June 07, 2004

Just passing it on

"Bill Moyer's Now program is supposedly doing a story on the City schools and
the issues involving the school board hiring a consulting firm."

May 14, 2004

"Back in the 70s..."

From Combest, KCTV does a two-part report on McCaskill's previous drug use. According to McCaskill it was all "back in the 70s" when everyone was doing "stupid things."

When my generation runs for office, we'll also have to admit that in the 90s there were still lots of people doing stupid things. Ah, the crazy 90s.

April 08, 2004

Moving On Up

We have two eyewitnesses claiming to have seen a "For Sale" sign in front of Board President Jim Shrewsbury's house. (No word on the asking price.)

Sources say that the Shrewsburys are staying in the 16th ward.

April 01, 2004

Unreal Rumor

An appropriate post for April 1 perhaps:

Some people seem to think that this led to this.

A little far-fetched, don't you think?

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