Few Readers Interested In Poll on Gambling

Participation in the poll last week was about half a typical week.

Q: Missouri regulators now allow addicted gamblers to ban themselves for 5 years rather than life, good change?

1. Yes 18 [36.73%]
2. No 14 [28.57%]
3. Unsure/no opinion 8 [16.33%]
4. Maybe 8 [16.33%]
5. Other: 1 [2.04%] Not familiar with the debate. Can you elaborate on each position?

The results provide no consensus on the issue.

Gambling is on a roll. Faced with mounting budget deficits, more states are expanding gambling options and loosening restrictions in a grab for revenue. Critics warn that the winnings are fool’s gold, not worth the potential social and financial ills. But that’s not stopping many states from getting a piece of the action. (Huffington Post)

Some would say state finances are driving the change, not necessarily what is best public policy.

– Steve Patterson

5th Ward Special Election Today

Today voters in the 5th ward will go to the polls to select one of three candidates to finish the term of former alderman April Ford-Griffin who resigned to take a city position.

Independent candidates Tonya Finley and Rose M. Green participated in the candidate forum last week. The Democratic nominee Tammika Hubbard confirmed two days prior but she didn’t participate. I expected to meet and hear from all three candidates. The volunteers from the League of Women Voters of St. Louis did an outstanding job with the two candidates  that took the time to show up.

I voted absentee last week, access to my new polling place via public transit would require me to cross 14th Street without a signalized crosswalk — too dangerous.

Turnout will be low for this election, very few people deciding who completes the term that ends in April 2013. This may cause me problems down the road for disclosing this but I voted for Tonya Finley in this election.

– Steve Patterson

Urbanists & Preservationists Will Support Pevely Dairy Today

The Preservation Board usually meets on the 4th Monday of each month but due to the holidays will instead meet tonight. On the agenda is Saint Louis University’s proposal to replace the historic structures with a lawn. And probably a fountain.

The conclusion of the staff report (see agenda):

The proposed subsequent construction of the Ambulatory Care Center cannot be evaluated at the time these comments were prepared and needs to be considered once presented at the Preservation Board meeting. The Cultural Resources Office recommends that the Preservation Board approve the demolition of the milk plant at 3626‐80 Chouteau and the garage at 1101 Motard, as the loss of these Merit buildings would have an acceptable effect on the urban design and the streetscape. The Cultural Resources Office also recommends that the Preservation Board uphold the denial of the demolition of the office building as it is a sound, High Merit resource and has reuse potential, and the iconic smokestack. These two structures on the parcel with the address 1001‐03 S. Grand, are prominent in the streetscape and their loss would have a noticeable effect on the physical fabric of the neighborhood and urban design.

Many have expressed the viewpoint the corner structure and smokestack occupy a tiny portion of the total site and therefor do not impede plans for new construction on the rest of the site. I’d love to see a drawing with Saint Louis University’s proposed building superimposed over the corner structure and smokestack.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: How Prepared Are You For a Catastrophe?

Friday was the two-hundred year anniversary of the New Madrid earthquake and many think another is due. Missouri experienced devastating tornados and flooding in 2011. Writing the post for last friday (New Madrid Earthquake Two Centuries Ago) I realized I’m not prepared for a catastrophe.

Did you know only 2 in every 10 Americans feel prepared for a major disaster? Emergencies and disasters can strike quickly and without warning. The best way to make your families, employees and homes safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. The Red Cross is here to help your group get prepared.

The St. Louis Area Chapter offers emergency preparedness education programs for people of all ages. Each year, tens of thousands of St. Louis area residents take part in these presentations at schools, businesses and community events.

It is the Red Cross’ mission to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. A disaster can strike at any moment, the Red Cross wants to show you and your family how to be ready. (St. Louis Red Cross)

The poll question this week asks how prepared you are for a catastrophe.

– Steve Patterson

Images of Crunden-Martin Manufacturing Co.

Last weekend I drove through Chouteau’s Landing to check out the fire damage to one of the seven Crunden-Martin buildings. I was surprised it didn’t look worse.

The collection of seven buildings is stunning. The railroad lines and other buildings in the area are a clue to the industrial strength the area had at the start of the 20th century.

– Steve Patterson