My First Time Meeting Patrick Cacchione, 6th Ward Candidate for Alderman
I had a brief chance meeting with 6th Ward Aldermanic candidate Patrick Cacchione earlier tonight. There I was with a friend finishing up my hot chocolate at The Gelateria and in walks Cacchione and a 6th Ward resident volunteering on his campaign. The volunteer introduces us and I say, “While you are here, do you know about the valet parking issue?” To which Cacchione responds to the effect of, “I think you’ve already made up your mind.” At first I thought he was referencing the valet parking — yes I’ve made up my mind I thought to myself.
After that initial second I relealized he was referencing my December 19th post entitled, “I Know One Candidate I Am Not Endorsing.” Here are a couple of paragraphs from that post:
After witnessing the 6th ward executive meeting from two tables away last night I can say this, there is no way in hell that I’d endorse Patrick Cacchione for alderman. He is clearly an integral part of the factional ward system I seek to destroy. This is the very system that has been holding back our city for decades. Why do we allow our city to be run this way?
In the end I may not make any endorsements at all, I might find reason enough to write-off every last candidate in the upcoming election. To one degree or another they all play the ward game. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months but at the moment I can scratch one name off my list:
Patrick Cacchione.
He indicated they were there for coffee and turned around, he was unwilling to talk. I can’t exactly say I blame him for not wanting to be chatty, I was a bit strong on my commentary. Still, we are in a popular establishment located in the 6th Ward and he just met a friend of mine that happens to live downtown. Cacchione certainly didn’t make a good impression on her!
Candidates and elected officials have to be able to have conversations and deal with those who are critical of them. Yes, I made it clear he would not be getting my endorsement but he had a golden opportunity to make me feel like a heal for such a position. Boy did he miss his chance! Is this how Cacchione will treat others who voice objections to him?
He sounds like another typical petty St. Louis-styled machine politician. Party and power over people. Yawn.
If you’re not going to change someone’s mind and/or they can’t vote for you and there are other potential voters present, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure who’s going to be talked to/with. They were obviously out doing the old meet and greet, and didn’t want to get “bogged down” in any substantive or extended discussions. Ah, the wondeful world of sound-bite politics!
That’s too bad …local elected leaders, and potential replacements, must accept their responsibility to communicate honestly and to deal fairly with everyone, friend or foe. His demeanour provides insight into a long held tradition that is omnipresent in ol’ St. Lou’.
I can’t really blame him for not talking with you.
Your abrasive comments and tone made in your
blog were obviously meant to alienate him from
future conversations. A true journalist would have
conducted a more through investigation about a
particular situation before levying a public reaction but
then again you have never promised your readers an
objective point of view.
Frankly I find your words sometimes irresponsible
and unforgiving. I believe there is something you
could also learn from this incident.
Your credibility is continuously being critiqued
by people reading your blog. Such a person putting
it “all out†naturally always risked being viewed as a
buffoon or a pointless squawk box.
I think the guy is bad for the ward, but I agree with his action.
You write — without ever having met him! — that he’s the one candidate you definitely do NOT support.
Then he comes into a cafe where you are, and you try to ask him a question about an issue related to the race.
He knows that no matter what he says, you will broadcast it and spin it for your purpose. (After all, his not saying anything is news on your blog.) So, he takes a safe road and says nothing. It’s hard to blame him.
I’ll be he would talk to PubDef, though. A little fairness and restraint goes a long way.
Steve is not a journalist, he is a blogger with insight into the issues roadblocking our Cit. Steve casts a critical eye upon this region better than most local journalists.
His comments were quite strong but that is Steve. This guy is a zealot and he takes no prisoners to paraphrase Jennifer Florida. Having him on Pats side would be better than not. He should have made an effort at conversation. Persuasion and negotiation are required for political success. Thats pretty much politics 101.
I guess I come from a different world of politics than “Martin Luther” and “Ward Fixer.” Had that been me you had written off and I met you by chance in a coffee bar the first words out of my mouth would’ve been “Do you have a few minutes to sit down and talk? Your opinion – no matter how much I agree or disagree – is important to me and I’d at least like a chance to answer some questions or clarify some possible misunderstandings… clearly you are passionate about your city and maybe I can learn something from your perspective”.
I’d never vote for someone who writes people off so quickly, no matter how justified you think he may have been. I don’t agree with much of what Elliott Davis does, I think he’s become little more than a corporate hack, but if I were to encounter him while in a position of leadership I’d certainly recognize that he has a significant viewer base and take the opportunity to make a good impression.
I just don’t understand why you or anyone else would be upset that he refused to tak with you. Perhaps he had other reasons. Not everyone is going to drop everything they are doing to talk to you. Now if he had done this two or more times in a row, that would be different.
a golden opportunity to make me feel like a heal for such a position. Boy did he miss his chance! Is this how Cacchione will treat others who voice objections to him?
What is it that he missed? Are you upset that he didn’t take the ‘golden opportunity’ to make you feel like a heel? It certainly reads like it. At least he acknowledged you, and gave you the courtesy of a reply instead of snubbing you or throwing his nose up and walking off.
As I mentioned in another post Steve, (and I think you don’t censor your posters, so I will add fellow readers), If you expect this site to be taken seriously by anyone whether they be voters, readers, developers, politicians, etc. you should keep the dialogue civil and welcoming. Douchebag, silly, naive and other name calling is not the way.
In spite of your inflated sense of “selfâ€, it is entirely possible that he does not care about you or what you think. If you treat people without respect you should not be deserved the same. Much like the Republicans in Washington, you reap what you sow. Though you may have an opinion about others you should maintain a decorum if you wanted to be respected. Blogs such as this one are public and people are aware of your unfair treatment of others I do not live in the 6th Ward however, If I would have been the candidate likely I would have purchased you a cup of coffee for you to wear. You should feel fortunate the candidate offered you the respect by shaking your hand.
Any predictions in the 6th ward aldermanic race?
I hear Cacchione is getting lots of yard signs out, especially in Lafayette Square. With his name appearing on 6th ward ballots for years, it would seem he has the edge in name recognition.
Any reports on what happened over at the Gate District candidates forum last nite?
Do debates even matter?
I think Mr. Cacchione was well within his right to choose not to get roped-intp (please pardon the inflamatory) a conversation that could have gotten heated. No one likes to be “bum-rushed” especially when the “bum-rusher” is a person who is as vocal as you are, Steve. Cacchione would have no idea if you would raise your voice, pull an “Elliot-Davis-in-your-face” thing as transpired with the “Copia incident.” Just because he chose not to talk to you doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. I think you ought to look deep inside yourself and ask the hard questions of why Cacchione didn’t talk to you. Not unlike your treatment of Mike McMillian who, IMHO, received a most unfair assessment from you regarding the development of Walgreens and a couple other business ventures in the 19th ward especially considering the fact you never did go speak to him (and this I know from the horse’s mouth) to air your concerns or pose your questions.
Your absolute disrepect for individuals who do not parry along with you is disheartening. I realize your desire to break-down ward politics and eliminate the pettiness created with said committees, etc. I posit that the only way to alter the system and ultimately revamp our community politics and policy is to do it from the inside. To attempt to eradicate the “machine” by severing relationships culminates an even greater tension in those long-withstanding (whether they are appropriate or not) traditions thereby demanding persons in those traditional organizations to shore up their defenses and move more inward. I think that Cacchione’s behavior was just the tip of the iceberg for that kind of response.
With regard to the tone I refererenced:
Yes, Steve, you are just a blogger with thousands of readers (though I think that is a tad high), but as you say, it is your site. But for you to say “I’m just a blogger” is a cop out.
I cannot believe that you would be willing to accept such posts. And I know that there might not be much you can do about it in your attempt not to impose censorship, but as I said, for you to be taken seriously (and any of the posted replies) then YOU need to make sure you continue to build rather than let others destroy.
Anyways, With reference to your meeting with Cachione, I don’t think you actually did anything that any of us would not have also done. You saw your chance to ask a few questions, as any of us would also have done, and he elected not to answer, as I’m sure many of the people you have ‘cornered’ (for lack of better word) have chosen to do. The thing is, which I guess is my whole point of my two postings, is that for you to be taken seriously, you have to show, through word and action, that you are better than them. You propose a systemt that is BETTER than the status quo. Don’t loose ground.
I have to agree with Joshon. (from his comment), this is how adults would handle the matter. To say anything else is acceptable behavior is why we are, where we are in stl politics.
Joshon 04 Jan 2007 at 11:14 am
Had that been me you had written off and I met you by chance in a coffee bar the first words out of my mouth would’ve been “Do you have a few minutes to sit down and talk? Your opinion – no matter how much I agree or disagree – is important to me and I’d at least like a chance to answer some questions or clarify some possible misunderstandings… clearly you are passionate about your city and maybe I can learn something from your perspectiveâ€.
I’d never vote for someone who writes people off so quickly, no matter how justified you think he may have been. I don’t agree with much of what Elliott Davis does, I think he’s become little more than a corporate hack, but if I were to encounter him while in a position of leadership I’d certainly recognize that he has a significant viewer base and take the opportunity to make a good impression.
Trust me Steve, some of the posts on this site do not make me uncomfortable. Actually, none of them make me uncomfortable. Unlike you, I try and see a situation from all points of views. Yes, sometimes that means asking questions such as why nobody questioned the Schnuck’s manager at Loughbourgh instead of immediately blaming the developer. Then there are the times that I have agreed with you and have said so. But I’m also smart enough to not take what you post as bible truth.
So you keep being your critical or whatever verb you wish to use self. Just don’t be surprised when more and more people refuse to talk to you. On here or in public.
Cacchione knows that most likely nothing he will say will change Steve’s opinion, nor the opinions of those readers who agree with him. So, why waste the time?
Someone in a response above mentioned Jennifer Florida. She seems to be getting the last laugh, because 4 months after the last post to “recallflorida.com,” she’s still got her seat on the board.
I doubt that Cacchione feels that losing Steve’s “endorsement” is as big of a deal as Steve might.
Sure, he may have had some thoughts on valet parking, but I fail to see why he’s obliged to share them with someone whom he knows to speak ill of him in the past. If nothing could change your opinion, he never had this golden opportunity to make you feel like a heel. He might be a bubbling font of ideas about valet parking, but I doubt you can promise me that if you did have a discussion with him about something beside “ward politics,” that you would retransmit here an accurate account of it free of the same editorial comments about him you’ve made earlier.
Also, gimme a break, you’ve penned 29 posts about Ald. Florida, which certainly says you’ve been pretty vocal about her, regardless of whatever official responsibility in the recall effort you held. She wrote off a “stupid blog” or two and weathered the storm. The point is that you ought not to go assuming that because someone writes you off that they’re doing themselves a disservice.
Steve, I think you’ve finally permeated the collective consciousness of the politicians in St Louis. You should take that as a compliment that he walked away from you. It shows that he knows about you, knows about your website and has either read enough or heard enough to know your feelings about certain issues.
I have a sneaking suspicion that you are known by all the alderpersons now. You’re shaking up the establishment and that’s a good thing.
He didn’t say anything to you because he was caught off guard by the encounter and evidently is sticking to his convictions. I have to admit the valet issue is somewhat petty but then again, an entire block is too much.
Consider the whole encounter a big compliment.
Jennifer is crying all the way to Room 200.
No longer can I potentially steal the property values of local residents and divert the funds to Jennifer’s bi-monthy Hair Revitalization Fund.
No longer can I steal the purses of old women who attempt to cross Grand and get hit. This will affect the funds of the Suburbanize Patterson or Bust fund.
No longer will I be able to enjoy candlelit dates with Ms. Florida over a wonderful Super Sized Big Mac Meal.
This really is not a laughing matter people! Jennifer is very embarrassed and its even more damaging that she can no longer reach her goals or enjoy her lifestyle.
Steve, you missed my point. You took a picture of the shopping carts parked on the sidewalk blocking handicapped access. My point was that the store manager, if they were a responsible one, would be made aware of what they were doing and why it was wrong and then move the darn things. To me the developer did the right thing in that there was a sidewalk there (note I’m not talking about length, location, etc, just that there is a sidewalk there). It was built, now it is time to maintain it where the store manager comes in.
And I would be the first to agree that there is no excuse for blocking access like that….h__l, they could chain the extras and park them at the far end of the lot if needed.
Now believe it or not, I have to go to another of your post to compliment you.
Cart storage ia ongoing problem at many big box stores, not just at Loughborough Commons. Yes it’s primarily a management issue, combined with inherent human laziness. My biggest pet peeve, however, isn’t wheelchair access, it’s when a string of carts completely blocks the outside of any fire exit. When I see that, I just call the fire department and I usually get quick results!