91 Municipalities in St. Louis County Too Many, Too Few or Just Right?

Two interesting stories this week, one saying 91 municipalities in St. Louis County is a strength.  The other from an alderman in one of those municipalities, wanting to unincorporate.

Mayors of some of St. Louis County’s 91 municipalities say they’re tired of being portrayed as one of the county’s biggest problems — and they hope to spend 2011 setting the record straight.

“There’s a wrong perception that the number of munipalities [sic] makes (St. Louis County) less competitive,” said Glendale Mayor Rich Magee, president of the St. Louis County Municipal League. “We’re the solution, not the problem.” (The more, the better: Municipal League says county’s many cities are its strength)

Here is the long list:

In contrast is St. George:

Alderman Carmen Wilkerson wants to erase the city she represents from the map.

St. George covers just 0.2 square miles and has a population of about 1,400. Wilkerson says there’s no reason to keep a city so small. She wants it to revert to unincorporated south St. Louis County. (St. George official backs end to city)

The poll question this week asks “91 Municipalities in St. Louis County Too Many, Too Few or Just Right?“  The poll is located in the upper right of the site.

– Steve Patterson

Pedestrians Exist Even in Bad Weather

The other day I stepped out the front door of my building to check out the sidewalk, friends was going to come pick me up and I wanted to make sure I could walk to their vehicle. Our condo association pays a crew to come out and create a pathway.  At the moment I stepped out I saw a mom & child walking down the street, a reminder we do have pedestrians even in bad weather.

– Steve Patterson

Old North St. Louis Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner

I love attending events in St. Louis’ many neighborhoods, especially those involving food. Monday’s annual meeting and potluck dinner in Old North St. Louis extra special to me. You see it was the potluck 20 years earlier, in 1991, that convinced me to move to Old North St. Louis. I talked to many of the same people Monday that I met 20 years ago.

I lived in Old North St. Louis for just under three and a half years, March 1991-August 1994.  I recall clients at the time living in places like Frontenac & Ladue being shocked I lived in anywhere in the city, much less north of Delmar.  Those were great years, I was among friends and we were working to realize the tremendous potential of the neighborhood.

I’ve stayed connected in the 16+ years since I moved away and I’m so glad to see all the progress that has been made.  In 2010 a failed pedestrian mall from 1977  was removed, a food co-op was opened. and more new housing was finished and occupied.  I especially love visiting neighborhoods where so much is going right after years of having things go wrong.

– Steve Patterson

Candidates Must Actively Seek Out Endorsements

A week ago I posted my sole endorsement for the upcoming primary (see 20th Ward Endorsement: Shannon J. McGinn).  The next day I got a call from another candidate in the primary in one of the 14 even numbered wards.  Why had I not contacted that candidate?

I met this particular candidate at the Board of Elections on the first day of filing in November and gave s/he my card.  I heard nothing until the day after I made my sole endorsement. And this person called me to ask why I didn’t contact them!  Really?

Hopefully some of you out there are contemplating a run in 2013. You can start laying the groundwork now and pick up steam in mid 2012.  One of the many things you need to do is determine the support you want/need to win.  Like voters on election day, you can’t sit back and hope they find you.  If you want to be elected to public office for a four year term you’ve got to go out and earn it.  You want my endorsement, you’ve got to ask for it.

The same applies to unions or professional organizations like the St. Louis Association of REALTORS.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Like That McKee’s NorthSide Project is in Smaller Pieces

Last week readers weighed in on Paul McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration project.

Q: Current Thoughts on McKee’s Northside Regeneration Project? (pick 2)

1. I like the smaller piece approach McKee has been forced into 43 26.88%
2. McKee should break out & detail more pieces 39 24.38%
3. McKee should push for the full enchilada 30 18.75%
4. I like the project more now 14 8.75%
5. I never liked the project 14 8.75%
6. Other answer… 7 4.38%
7. McKee should abandon project 7 4.38%
8. unsure/no opinion 6 3.75%
9. I used to like the project but not anymore 0 0%

Seems like the opposition is shrinking.  Here are the other answers:

1. never going to happen, will just result in loss of irreplaceable architecture
2. I dont like McKee
3. Should incorporate more of the ideals on New Town at St. Charles
4. Irrelevent what I think, it will never happen.
5. McKee should be in prison
6. The Plan furthers Team 4
7. I hope the project is successful, but that he is a good neighbor in the interim.

Clearly the opposition wanted to provide their own answers!

– Steve Patterson