ACC; Reed May Challenge Shrewsbury for President’s Seat
The ACC is reporting Ald. Lewis Reed may run against Jim Shrewsbury for the President of the Board of Aldermen:
Lewis Reed, an alderman of Ward 6 which includes Lafayette Square and Tower Grove East among its neighborhoods, running for president has a number of significant implications for local African American politics. Currently, African Americans, despite comprising a majority of the city’s population, hold only twelve of the the twenty-eight seats on the Board of Alderman.
Neighborhood scuttlebutt has two possible replacements for Reed’s aldermanic seat: committeeman Patrick Cacchione and Christian Saller, an active resident with expertise in urban planning. Both are white. Assuming all other things remain as they are, the African American representation on the Board of Aldermen would drop to eleven seats. Before redistricting African Americans held thirteen seats on the Board of Aldermen.
I don’t know Patrick Cacchione but the fact he is the ward’s committeeman that makes me think he is too “establishment” for my taste. Christian Saller isn’t exactly a radical but I know him to be very level headed, experienced in development circles (he works for the St. Louis Development Corporation, SLDC) and fairly pro-urban. I would easily describe him as someone that “gets it.”
As I indicated yesterday, Lewis Reed has $385 in his campaign account and the campaign has $5K in debt. While seeking an aldermanic seat this is probably easily overcome but if he intends to run a city-wide campaign he will need to begin getting his message out to voters in areas other than the 6th ward where he is well-known. Shrewsbury’s last report indicated a tad over $177K in the treasury. Reed could still catch up and run an effective city-wide campaign but he is starting from behind the curve. It would have been interesting if Mike McMillan had run for President of the Board rather than License Collector.
Even if Reed does not run for the President’s seat I’d like to see Saller, or someone else, challenge him in the aldermanic race. Next year Reed will have served two full terms (8 years) as the 6th ward alderman.
Update 9/22/06 @ Noon: Jake Wagman of the Post-Dispatch confirms Reed is considering a challenge to Shrewsbury. I just happened to be sitting next to Wagman as Reed passed through the conference room adjacent to the board chambers. Wagman handed Reed his computer with the ACC post and asked for a comment. Antonio French of PubDef was also able to speak to Reed on the issue. As both are indicating and as I overheard, Reed has not declared his candidacy but is seriously considering making a run.
Not that my opinion really matters, but in this scenario, I would endorse Jim Shrewsbury for President of the Board of Aldermen and Christian Saller for alderman. I’d be happy to help with both of their campaigns.
Jim has been a vocal supporter of mass transit and he claims to be against large scale urban demolition. He also responds to my comments through a phone call. I like Jim and I would be willing to work for him if he is challenged.
Shrewsbury and Reed are both active and involved politicians. I believe they both want to see St. Louis City improve through well-thought out development in residential and business areas.
I am continually impressed by Shrewsbury and the level at which he and his staff get involved in civic issues. They are out in the neighborhoods meeting people and learning about the issues; they are strong supporters of the new dog shelter; they attend countless community events and all with a positive outlook and sensibility towards making things better.
This is one political office where we don’t need change. Reed is a great guy but it is not time for Shrewsbury to step down. If Reed is interested in higher office, I wish him all the best but he needs to wait or keep looking.
As for Christian Saller considering running for Alderman, I think that is fabulous. Christian was teethed on urban development and would make a great asset to our city government. Good luck!
RL’E