Follow-up to the 6th Ward Democrats Meeting

As previously posted, Patrick Cacchione received the endorsement last night from the 6th Ward Democrats. With (115) votes to Kacie Starr Triplett’s (51) and Christian Saller’s (5) it was not even close.  Update 1/19/07 10am — 1/19 – 10am — I’m told Seller’s total might have been 20 rather than 5. Some people I talked to were expecting an even bigger turn out but it is clear it is probably easier to get people to sign up than it is to get them to sit through a political meeting.

Still, this was an impressive show to have that many people and I can say that a good 95% of them stayed through the entire meeting rather than voting and leaving early. These are the kind of numbers I’d like to see from all the wards — just goes to show what a good contested race will do for participation levels.

Here are some basic observations that I have:

• Everone was very civil to each other although anyone not eligible to vote was asked to leave once the candidates finished speaking. Mary Entrup, aka Mrs. Lews Reed, ran off a list of people that needed to leave such as campaign workers, press and bloggers. It felt nice to be included.
• Cacchione’s wife, Pam, made it a point to come over and introduce herself to me before the meeting. We spoke again afterwards briefly. At one point Cacchione said in his opening comments that she was the better candidate but could not convince her to run. I think he might be right, still he was a very good speaker.
• I think like most of these events, the people arriving at the meeting already had they minds made up. Still, I talked to a couple of people that changed their minds after listing to all three candidates.
• One friend that I talked with was supporting Cacchione because he earned the job. Indeed, Cacchione used this phrase in his comments. I’m not going to tell anyone that can’t hold that belief but I personally don’t think that we should elect representatives simply based on how long they’ve been loyal to those that went before them. Still, when it comes to an organization such as the 6th Ward Democrats Cacchione clearly was the person who had given the most service to the organization. So perhaps it is a reason for them to endorse someone that has been so loyal but that is not a reason to elect him into office for four years.
• All three candidates did a great job actually addressing the questions posed to them. They gave clear and direct answers unlike some of the political side-stepping I saw with Reed & Shrewsbury in the race for President of the Board of Aldermen.
• It seemed all three, on issues, were pretty much in step with each other. We didn’t get any polar opposite positions. The distinctions came down to experience with all three saying they have the experience that counts.
• The issue of the BJC lease came up but it was phrased a bit weird, having to do with building private buildings on public land. Triplett was pretty opposed to the idea, Saller was his usual seeing both sides (a very good trait by the way) and Cacchione gave a less than satisfactory answer for me. He spoke about how it should be based on the views of those immediately around the park, generally a good thing to involve those. However, park land is enjoyed by more than those who simply live adjacent to a park. Our parks belong to all of us and I don’t know that any single group should be allowed to have too much sway over something held by the city for all of us to enjoy.

The issue of eminent domain came up relative to a proposed project in the adjacent 7th Ward but immediately abutting the 6th Ward. Apparently the area across Lafayette from City Hospital has a proposed Walgreen’s and possibly a big box grocery store. Jim Roos of the Missouri Eminent Domain Abuse Coalition, and a resident of the 6th or 7th ward (I’m not certain), was among the audience. In the video you’ll hear all three candidates making reference to him. The candidates spoke in the order they appear on the ballot: Triplett, Cacchione and Saller:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h9tP3IXK-M[/youtube]

Cacchione gave a really passionate response. He seemed to draw a clear line in the sand regarding taking people’s homes away. Such a stand would have made him clearly opposed to Loughborough Commons where residents’ homes were taken away from them with the threat of eminent domain. Cacchione also seemed to make it clear he’d rally against the project even though it is not in his ward — going against aldermanic courtesy and long-time alderman Phyllis Young. My question is would he be so against the project if it did not abut the ward where he is seeking office? That is, if the situation were to come up in another part of the city several wards removed would he still feel strongly against eminent domain. To be fair, I wonder this about many of our elected officials — do they suffer the same thoughts on proximity that so many voters do? Our of sight out of mind.

Triplet and Saller both gave good answers as well. Triplet talked about eminent domain as a tool of last resort while Saller pointed out the old Foodland store on Jefferson & Lafayette is already in condemnation (aka eminent domain) so the city can redevelop the site. However, I don’t know that any adjacent properties outside the existing commercial site are threatened.

The thing I want everyone to remember is the ward endorsement does not necessarily reflect the final vote on election day. In other words, don’t count out either Triplet or Saller from this race simply because the committeeman received the endorsement of his own organization. If you missed this event don’t worry, all three candidates will appear at a debate sponsored by the Downtown Residents Association and the League of Women Voters to be held at the main library on February 5th. The event will start at 6pm with the debate getting underway at 7pm. Everyone needs to make sure you are registered to vote, the deadline is February 7th. If you are not registered, be sure to do so right away (learn how) or attend the above event on February 5th to get registered that night.

I count among my friends people supporting all three candidates. They all have their respective reasons, some of which I agree and others I do not. What is exciting for me is to see so many people engaged in this race and actually having real discussions about real issues. Hopefully the ward and city will come out stronger and remain engaged following this election on March 6th. I also hope all three work on fleshing out what may end up being some suburban sprawl at Lafayette & Truman Parkway.