Sunday Poll: Should Alderman Carter Resign Immediately or Stay In Office?
Last week a city alderman was in the news:
A St. Louis city alderman was arrested in St. Louis County on Monday under suspicion of domestic abuse.
Alderman Chris Carter was taken into custody by St. Louis County police after a traffic stop, authorities confirmed.
Carter’s wife called police about 11:20 a.m. on April 30 to report that Carter had injured her during an argument at a home in the 4200 block of East Gulf Shore near Florissant. (Post-Dispatch)
Carter represents the 27th ward, where the Democratic committeewoman is calling for his resignation. Carter has commented.
What do you think? Vote in today’s poll:
The poll is open until 8pm, the answers are shown in random order. Please note: any organized effort to get a large number of votes, one way or another, is easy to see. If it happens the poll will be shut down and the last unaltered results will be final.
— Steve Patterson
There are two distinct issues, the domestic assault allegation and the question of primary residence. It appears that the alderman may be living outside his ward, and, if so, I see that as a much bigger legal issue. Adults have arguments and “assault” takes many forms and degrees. I don’t expect perfection from any elected representative, in their personal lives, but I do expect honesty. If Ald. Carter CHOOSES to not live in his ward, and actively conceals (lies about) that fact, then yes, he should resign, immediately!
The article says the alleged assault happened at a house — not their house. The location of where he/they live is unclear.
From your first link: “Carter’s wife filed a police report in which she told officers that Carter allegedly injured her in an argument in THEIR (emphasis added) home in the 4200 block of East Gulf Shore.” (which is NORTH of Lindbergh and well north of I-270*). And from your “commented” link: “Congressman Lacy Clay called for Carter’s resignation and questioned where Carter lives in a statement saying: “that his primary residence, which appears to be not only outside of his ward, but in an entirely different county.”” I don’t know if this is true, or not, but it certainly is a question that is “on the table”!
*https://goo.gl/maps/2r83abanwvw
That’s in the second link — from KMOV. The first link I quoted said “a” home, not theirs. We shouldn’t be dismissive of charges of domestic violence — if true. that’s a very serious issue. Also serious, if true, is him living outside of the 27th ward.
I’m not dismissing domestic violence, I’m just saying that there are many shades and degrees of violence, and the courts will have to decide. Until then, I see no need for him to resign.
When writing the poll & post I looked up the address mentioned, that block is condos — not in either of their names. I also emailed a director at the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners to find out what address he gave when he ran for office.
When people rent, the residence is typically not listed on property records in the renter’s name. People move – the “address he gave when he ran for office” could very well have been accurate, then, and no longer accurate, today. We don’t know if the couple is separated (and living separately) or happily married (and living together). We don’t know if they moved for better schools and less crime (they wouldn’t be the first to do so). We don’t know if they’re maintaining more than one residence – many people have vacation homes. We do know that his wife is/was claiming to reside in St. Louis County (which is certainly her prerogative), and THAT raises red flags for any elected official who claims to be living in the area they’re elected to represent!
I can’t think of any case in which a tenant’s name would be recorded with the deed. My point was. I was aware of the question of his residency at the time I wrote the post — not having any facts I didn’t want to bring it up with the poll. I hope to have more information for Wednesday’s post, if not, I’ll do another post when I do have something beyond speculation.
Wasn’t his late uncle, Alderman Greg Carter, also charged with domestic abuse? “Lump” much, eh?
I hope you’re not implying that domestic abuse “runs in that family.” Greg’s father, Willie, is the gentlest, kindest non-violent, easiest-going person you’d ever meet. Whether or not Greg became an abuser had nothing to do with his upbringing. Domestic abuse is not prevalent in that family.