Ald. Joe Roddy Latest Target of Recall
In 2005 Ald. Tom Bauer was recalled as his constituents were upset over development deals in the 24th Ward. Recently residents began a recall effort against 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida, initially over issues related to the proposed McDonald’s relocation but quickly expanding into other issues. KWMU radio is reporting 17th Ward Alderman Joe Roddy is now being targeted for recall over — development issues. The group is originating out of the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood:
That’s where a group wants Joe Roddy out as 17th ward alderman. They cite Roddy’s support for the sale of a patch of Forest Park to Barnes-Jewish hospital as one reason for the recall effort.
But they also say some residents have been upset for years with his support for Forest West Properties, a company owned by Barnes-Jewish hospital, which owns a number of vacant buildings in the neighborhood.
Forest West Properties is buying large numbers of parcels in Forest Park Southeast and seeking demolition of many existing structures, a good many of which could make excellent rehab candidates.
Unlike Florida, Roddy was challenged in the March 2005 primary election. Roddy received 966 votes (63%) to challenger Rodney Burchfield’s 577 votes (37%).
The piece of Forest Park in question had been a part of the same ward as the main section of Forest Park until the last redistricting (2002) when it became part of Joe Roddy’s ward. I think this plan has been cooking for longer than a year — that it would be easier to argue this section of Forest Park was separate if it was indeed in a separate political ward than the main park.
I fully support the recall effort of Joe Roddy. And I’m guessing a good many people out there are tired with the same old status quo from the likes of Bauer, Florida and Roddy. Who’s next? The list of bad development projects is longer than the list of Aldermen…
– Steve
Revisiting an established lease to the mutual benefit of both our largest park and our largest employer is hardly the status quo. If anything, the status quo here is preserving this isolated pocket park as it is now, already used by BJC and leased from the City for the very low bargain price of only $150,000 a year. Plus, the deal being considered offers the opportunity to move current recreational amenities to a more accesible location actually within residential blocks of FPSE and/or CWE, instead of remaining landlocked within the mediplex.
What worries me about recalls is how much anti-development forces seem to be at play. Simply put, existing residents vote, not new residents, and certainly not even businesses, existing or new. As a result, aldermen fearing recall by enraged NIMBY voters will then just avoid controversy by preserving the status quo and avoiding any new development.
Looking at how residential infill in the 24th ward has now slowed with Bauer’s successor, I think recalls are more likely to lead to inertia, not progress. FPSE in the 17th ward is just beginning to be on the upswing, such that it would be devastating if its development were now slowed.
Granted, there is truth to the statement that any development is often not better than no development. But Roddy, as shown with the new Park East Tower and now helping the Gills in FPSE, is not exactly pushing drive-thrus. Thus, I think in the 17th ward that these preservationists and park-purists would be wrong to have urbanites believe that no development is better than urban development.
[REPLY Status quo is continuing to get the deal done and spring it on the public at the last minute. I’m as pro-development as anyone — as long as it is urban.
Our aldermen are not helping create a more urban city and they should be. I want those standing in the way out of office so that we can move forward. – SLP]
This is the first recall effort I have heard of that would appear to be signifcant mistake by the area should it happen.
From the Arch City Chronicle poll, the city is roughly evenly divided on the issue, regardless of where the respondents live, their age, and their race. The only factor that offered some division was gender.
So, with everything I’ve read, it does look like this recall effort is a mistake, not only because of the poll numbers, but also because of the dollars involved. A million dollars is better than $150,000 for the same tenant to use the same space in perhaps a slightly different way.
I, too, would like to see any future plans, and perhaps that can be put in the lease that all plans have to be approved by the group of Aldermen currently reviewing the deal after public input, in addition to all the other approvals within the city’s government that any building project would require. Maybe that is the middle ground that can bring everyone together, rather than antics to divide people.
This is probably the strongest statement on a blog that I’ve made since I started blogging a couple months ago, but frankly, I’m tired of divisive antics.
In regards to the Forest Park deal I think a very simple question must be answered first: What is the planned use of the land?
Beyond that, indexing the payment to inflation, replacing the current facilities within the neighborhood, the city not reducing its funding for the park an equal amount, and ensuring eastern access to the rest of the park would make this an acceptable deal to me.
Isn’t that simple?
I am not sure a recall is warranted here but in general I like how it puts politicians on notice.
Who are the “preservationists and park-purists”?
That seems like third-rate faux-Callow.
Is an “anti-development” bias by “preservationists and park-purists” causing Roddy’s recall?
Maybe the problem is that over the last 10 years, Joe has chosen to respond to development needs, particularly those of the hospital, above urban concerns. Was closing Euclid from the Parkway to Metrolink a good urban strategy? How about the current eminent domain/demolition situation in Forest Park Southeast?
Joe brags about plans to double the population of the southern part of the CWE. That’s fine, but what about the infrastructure needed to protect the safety and quality of life of the residents? Automobiles are one huge issue. The BJC North parking deck was constructed with entrance and exit on Laclede. Cars race down a formerly quiet street at 50 mph to make the light at Kingshighway, rountinely failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and running school bus stop signs. The Park East development will add another 130+ cars to the mix, while vacating part of Buckingham Court at Euclid and removing 21 parking spaces. From an urban point of view, the Tower is a welcome restoration of the fabric (as its companion at Lindell and Euclid will be), but what happens to the atmosphere of the neighborhood as the next wave (W. Pine & Euclid, maybe St. Nicholas?) of large scale construction is completed?
The Forest Park Southeast neighborhood is experiencing many of the same through traffic problems, with the additional issue of BJC employees taking much of the available street parking.
Many of my neighbors are fed up with feeling that the votes that matter to our alderman are dollars, not the long-term residents who provide stability to the area. Personally, I don’t support the recall effort. I think recalls, while useful in extreme situations, are often a reflection of our demand for instant gratification. We have regular elections that are the natural way to change elected officials.
That said, the only reason I can currently see to keep Joe in his seat is that the devil you know is better than the one you don’t. I’ll be studying the qualifications of his future opponents very carefully.
For more background, here’s the West End Word’s story on the topic:
http://www.westendword.com/moxie/news/alderman-roddy-faces-recall.shtml
Go to the top. The Mayor’s office is the place to find the primary culprit in the BJC/Forest Park Lease mess.
In an attempt to lend some comic relief to the situation, here is David LÂ’s top ten list.
The top 10 things Mayor Slay said to Parks Director Bess when he sent him to negotiate the BJC lease:
10. DonÂ’t tell them it might be 16 acres after the highway project. I want to give them a bonus.
9. DonÂ’t ask for too much. We need the money FAST.
8. Darn! Is the Arch really a National Park? They donÂ’t use 90% of it.
7. DonÂ’t tell anyone. IÂ’m really a republican.
6. I need money for the governorÂ’s race.
5. BJC said “SuperSize Me.” I said “Let’s do it!”
4. Forest Park Forever could change their name to Forest Park Hospital if it wasnÂ’t taken.
3. Those people have forgotten about the Art Museum and Kennedy Woods. DonÂ’t be silly.
2. There are just too many playgrounds and tennis courts in this city.
And the Number 1 thing:
IÂ’M THE DECIDER. I DECIDE THINGS.