Thoughts On Tuesday’s Elections

I couldn’t be happier that independent Scott Ogilvie defeated Democrat Tom Bauer in the 24th ward with 61.46% of the vote, impressive!  Hard to say how he would have done if Waterhouse had won the Democratic primary in March. Still I’m very optimistic about the future of St. Louis based on this one race.

For those in odd numbered wards start planning to run now.  Remember redistricting may change which ward you are in.  The last time I went from being in the 13th to the 25th.  Some of you in even numbered wards may end up in an odd ward, so you could run in 2013.  I really want more independent candidates in 2013.

32 year Republican alderman Fred Heitert lost to Democrat Larry Arnowitz in the 12th ward.  Nothing personal against Heitert but he was first sworn into office in 1979.  Carter was President, disco music was popular.  He stayed in office way too long.

Thomas Villa was elected to fill the vacant seat in the 11th Ward following the resignation of Matt Villa.  Did you expect someone other than a Villa?

Voters approved five more years of the city’s earnings tax with 87.55% saying yes. Kansas City voters also approved a proposition to continue their earnings tax. Both cities have five years to evaluate their sources of revenue and their expenses to see if alternates would be any better.

Looking at the election results in St. Louis County reminds me why consolidation needs to happen — 37 pages long! The number of municipalities, school districts and fire districts is maddening. Just like in St. Louis, many of these races only have a single candidate.

State Rep Jake Zimmerman was elected accessor for St. Louis County — the first time the position has been an elected office in over 50 years.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Mixed On The Term ‘Affordable Housing’

The post introducing the poll last week generated nearly 60 comments. “Affordable Housing” is clearly a loaded phrase.

Q: When I hear the term “affordable housing” I think of:

1. projects” subsidized by taxpayers 36 [22.36%]
2. Total housing costs of no more than 30% of a household income 34 [21.12%]
3. Clean/quality housing for lower-income working families 33 [20.5%]
4. Something I don’t want near my place of residence 23 [14.29%]
5. An unsafe ghetto 11 [6.83%]
6. No place I want to visit or live 8 [4.97%]
7. Unsure/no opinion 8 [4.97%]
8. Other answer… 8 [4.97%]

The other answers submitted were:

1. A Conundrum
2. Low-quality construction
3. That it should be re-framed in terms of the life cycle. Singles thru retirees.
4. The city of St. Louis is full of affordable housing
5. clean/quality subsidized “projects” that, over time, turn into unsafe
6. Mixed opinion, but obviously a negative connotation.
7. a serious problem in Saint Louis
8. One of the negative results that arise from capitalism and poverty

Despite what many might think, many in our region struggle to afford safe & clean housing.

– Steve Patterson

Bollards Reconfigured At America’s Center To Create Protected Pedestrian Zone

Link to above pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanreviewstl/5587359644/

I’ve done numerous posts about the sidewalk along Washington Ave in front of America’s Center (St. Louis’ convention center), in January 2007 the pedestrian experience was bleak (Taxi Cabs Block Sidewalk at Convention Center, Exit Via Crosswalk).   By May 2007 bollards were installed to prevent cabs from exiting at the crosswalks, but they were still on the sidewalk space (Taxis Still Blocking Pedestrian Sidewalk at St. Louis’ Convention Center)  It took me until December 2010 to get the cabs relocated onto 8th Street so the sidewalk was free for pedestrians (Sidewalk In Front Of Convention Center Now Just For Pedestrians).

Last week the bollards were relocated to clearly separate the circle drive from the pedestrian space.

Link to above image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanreviewstl/5586769385/

The lesson for me is to get to the person in charge.  I was only after I left my card for Kitty Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitor’s Commission, that change happened. Once I was able to explain the situation directly to her she began having meetings to get the cabs relocated.  After that was done she hired a form to redesign the bollard locations so the pedestrians would be protected from vehicles in the circle drive. I picked up a copy of the bollard plan the week prior to the work being done just in case I saw something that might need correcting. But the plan was great.

– Steve Patterson

Vote Yes On Proposition E

I often rant against the status quo, arguing for change.  Tomorrow voters in the City of St. Louis will be asked if they want to maintain the 1% earnings tax for the next five years, here is why I think we should:

1. The revenue collected is a huge portion of the annual budget.
2. Much of the revenue is paid by persons who use city services but live elsewhere.
3. If we vote to repeal the earnings tax that revenue tool will never be an option.
4. The city’s bond rating would plummet.

Some want the repeal the earnings tax to force the Board of Aldermen to cut government waste.  You think that would happen? Having 28 of them is wasteful but they won’t change that.  Having primary & general elections in a one-party town is a waste but they won’t change that either.  They will cut services, raise sales & property taxes to make up the difference.

In short, things will get worse, not better. What isn’t clear to me is if we can change how the earnings tax is collected, like a different rate for residents vs. non-residents?  I’m afraid we’ll eliminate the earnings tax and then later wish we hadn’t.

– Steve Patterson

Weekly Poll: How do we reduce the number of municipalities in St. Louis County?

In February I ran a poll asking about the number of municipalities in St. Louis County – a massive 91. With nearly 94% of the votes readers overwhelmingly agreed St. Louis County has too many municipalities.  OK, so now what?  With the exception of 6% of readers and the St. Louis County Municipal League, we all agree there are too many but the next question is how do we reduce the number? And to what? 88? 45? 20?

The question of how to reduce the number is the topic of the poll this week, see the upper right of the site to cast your vote.  The results will be published Wednesday April 13th.

– Steve Patterson