Upcoming 15th Ward Special Election In Three Weeks; Candidate Forum Monday September 29, 2014
The 15th ward seat on the Board of Aldermen became vacant in July when Jennifer Florida resigned to accept appointment as the Recorder of Deeds, which became vacant after Sharon Carpenter resigned to end investigation into charges of nepotism. Florida was reelected to the Board of Aldermen in the Spring of 2013. Now voters in the 15th ward will return to the polls next month or elect a new alderman.
Here are the four candidates, in reverse ballot order:
Rhonda Smythe
- Website: rhondasmythe.com
- Facebook Page: facebook.com/rhondafor15th
- Twitter: @rhondasmythe
To my knowledge, the only one of the four I’ve met in person. I met Smythe through her work at Trailnet. As an independent candidate, Smythe submitted at least 106 signatures from valid 15th ward voters to be on the ballot.
Megan Ellyia Green
- Website: meganellyiagreen.com
- Facebook Page: facebook.com/meganfor15thward
- Twitter: @MeganEllyia
Green also gathered & submitted signatures to be on the ballot.
Joshua D. Simpson
- Website: unknown
- Facebook Page: unknown
- Twitter: unknown
I was unable to find online information on this candidate or how the GOP nominated him. I did find the St. Louis Republican Central Committee website and Facebook page, no mention of Simpson on either.
Missy Pinkerton-McDaniel
- Website: missypinkertonmcdaniel.com
- Facebook Page: unknown
- Twitter: @missypinkerton
Democratic Committeeman Tod A. Martin & nominated McDaniel, the Committeewoman, for the ballot.
So there are the four individuals seeking to become the next alderman representing the 15th ward. If you’re a registered voter in the 15th ward I urge you to look into all four and consider attending the upcoming candidate forum on Monday September 29, 2014. 7pm @ Carpenter Library, lower level, 3309 S. Grand
The special election is in three weeks, Tuesday October 7, 2014.
— Steve Patterson
i’m a busy man… what’s the skinny with the “homeless” pan handlers? Who is against that human garbage- let me know, and they have my vote. I am so sick of these conmen who are lazy pieces of garbage that want handouts rather than work.
Glad to see an actual election rather than the one (or none) opposing candidates that occurs in many ward elections.
Fifteen may just be my favorite in the City — great, diverse housing, bookended by two commercial districts…one established (S. Grand) and one burgeoning (MorganFord), a beautiful park to the north and an important east-west route to the South. Add in my undying dream of a De Soto line Metrolink dipping through the district, and it could be amazing. Hell, if I lived there, I’d be tempted to run!
Of course, who knows what the area will look like, district-wise, when the ward reduction takes place in six years (still against that move, but the voters spoke loudly and clearly, I guess…)
listen honey… if you think i am being hard on these “unfortunates”, let me tell you something. Tell me where you like (guessing county) and I’ll drive them over to your neighborhood and she how “holier than thou” you are. how would you like getting shaken down for money every day your walk the streets. you are out of touch honey. Get back in your MiniVan and go through Starbucks drive through while on the cell phone. thanks, Sarge
I must be getting old when three of the four candidates are Josh, Megan and Missy . . . . I do like that the three that have websites have defined positions on multiple issues – makes it easier to make an educated choice.
Wish ALL the aldermanic elections were organized as special elections (i.e. NO PRIMARIES!). At most, we really just need a general candidate election and a quick follow-up runoff (two-rounder would likely work best; instant is worth consideration; elimination is too cost/time sensitive).
It may be naive, but I don’t really see the value of political primaries for local governance. Except, of course, as a way for political parties to ensure they aren’t siphoning off their own votes when it comes to the general election…
Municipalities that have nonpartisan local elections (for example: LA, Phoenix, Boston) don’t have primaries. I’ve advocated we switch to nonpartisan elections for years. See http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/resources/cities-101/city-officials/partisan-vs-nonpartisan-elections