Can Mr. Smith get to Washington Anymore?

Jeff Smith is more than a candidate for the Missouri State Senate, he is also the focus of a new documentary film:

This documentary is the story of a 2004 Democratic congressional primary race for the U.S. Congress—a race to replace Congressman Dick Gephardt of St. Louis who had held the seat for 28 years. It’s told from inside the campaign of Jeff Smith, 30-year old part-time political science instructor at Washington University.

Though this was Jeff’s first bid for office, he had worked on several races including Bill Bradley’s presidential run.

A total of ten people entered the race, but his chief opponent was the man whose name is associated with the biggest dynasty in Missouri politics: Russ Carnahan. Carnahan, a Missouri state representative, is the grandson of a former U.S. Congressman. His father was a former Governor; his mother was a former U.S. Senator.

In addition to his name recognition, Carnanhan had state legislative experience, strong ties to the political establishment and an ability to raise lots of money locally and from around the country.

The odds for Jeff were overwhelming. But he had political savvy, charisma, and an ability to lead an insurgent, youth-oriented grassroots campaign of over 300 volunteers.

This is a David and Goliath story. One that shows what confronts fresh political faces with new ideas and passionate supporters when they go head-to-head against the corporate establishment, name recognition, and a population of voters that, for the most part, don’t pay attention.

The documentary has been accepted to the Silverdocs documentary film festival in Washington D.C. next month. The film makers are planning screenings at the Tivoli and will allow me to view the film before it is publicly shown.

– Steve

Think Twice Before Writing Off an Ugly Building

I hear it often, “that building is not worth saving.” Indeed, many of our buildings have been so poorly remodeled over the decades that it is hard to imagine them as anything but an eyesore. Such is the case with the building shown at right.

If you’ve been to the awesome Iron Barley restaurant on Virginia in Dutchtown then you’ve probably seen this building at the corner of Virginia and Fassen (map). To most eyes it is not worthy anything except the wrecking ball.

But what did it once look like?

… Continue Reading

Sign the Recall Florida Petition at Tower Grove Park on Saturday

Volunteers will be taking signatures from folks wanting to sign the Recall Florida petition this Saturday from 9am to 11am near the new Tower Grove Farmer’s Market. Look for volunteers in Recall Florida t-shirts near the new Tower Grove Farmer’s Market opening this Saturday just West of the Pool Pavilion. This is just West of the main traffic circle, see #20 on this map.

Be sure to check out the market but it looks quite promising with some great vendors lined up. It will run every Saturday into October.

[UPDATE 5/11/06 @ 11:45am. I revised the headline to remove the Farmer’s Market reference. I also made it clear the volunteers with the petition will not be in the market but near the market. As people have commented, this market is a great thing for the city and has absolutely zero involvement with the recall effort.]

– Steve

Recall of Ald. Florida Has Begun!

Last night, following the Gravois Park Neighborhood Association Meeting, residents of the 15th ward began signing a petition to recall Ald. Jennifer Florida. Ald. Florida was not present at the meeting where residents shared their displeasure over the proposed relocation of a McDonald’s to their neighborhood.

To be successful a total of 1,409 signatures of current 15th Ward registered voters will need to be collected. This represents 20% of the registered voters in the ward as of the last Mayoral election held in April 2005. Only 615 voters cast ballots for Florida in April 2005.

I will be checking with the organizers periodically to report the when and where on how to assist with the recall effort.

– Steve

Conlon Files for Recount, Starts Legal Defense Fund

Mary Beth Conlon, the candidate for Overland Mayor that lost by a mere four votes in the April election, has filed suit in St. Louis County court to request a manual recount. Recounts are permitted under Missouri law when the difference is less than 1%, in this case it was 0.12%.

On her website, Mary Beth Conlon is asking for assistance with the fund to help offset legal costs in filing the lawsuit requesting the recount. She is asking that contributions be sent to:

Mary Beth Conlon Legal Defense Fund
8933 Argyle Avenue
Overland, MO 63114

It does not appear that either Conlon or her main opponent had a candidate committee established with the Missouri Ethics Commission. These candidates likely paid for all their campaign expenses out of pocket. Having done so, I can see not having personal funds left to challenge the final count.

I will continue to monitor this situation and will head out to Overland soon to look into the design & development of the municipality.

– Steve