Rumor: Staff Positions for New President of the Board of Aldermen
Lewis Reed will be sworn in soon as the city’s next President of the Board of Aldermen, replacing Jim Shrewsbury in that role. That much we all know. What we have not yet heard is whom he will hire to the three staff positions to be filled within his office, including Chief of Staff.
One widespread rumor was 15th Ward Alderman Jennifer Florida for Chief of Staff but I’m hearing Florida will not get that job. However, I’m hearing Florida will take the second position as “Assistant to the President”, a job that pays more than current role of Alderman. Fifth Ward Alderman April Ford-Griffin is the name heard most often for Reed’s Chief of Staff. Both were early supporters of Reed’s candidacy.
If this rumor is true, and we will know within a week, that will leave two aldermanic seats open. The 5th ward is where large-scale land speculation is going on (aka Blairmont) and the 15th Ward had the long battle last year over a proposed McDonald’s. Both Florida and Ford-Griffin have been targets of unsuccessful recall attempts.
Aren’t there four staff positions in that office?
Rumors from Room 200 are telling me that Jennifer Florida knows she will not win reelection. She does, however, believe she will return to 1200 Market. I can only say that I will miss our dinner dates at the McDonald’s. Whatever is in her future, I wish her luck!
It will be a fun game picking the successor for 15th ward alderman…
Is there a rule that an alderperson cannot be the staff of the president; alderperson is only a part time job? There is no rule that a city employee cannot also be an alderman, just look at Frank Williamson.
I would hope there is a rule to, but this is St. Louis… Frank Willaimson works in the Treasurer’s office () Mabey its okay because its a “county” office. BTW The Security word for this post is Alderman
As a resident of the 15th ward, invested in renovating our property, involved at Grand Oak Hill, yada, yada, yada, I would seriously consider running for the alderman position should it open up.
Maurice, that would be a good idea if you did decide to run for alderman. Your managerial skills along with your professionalism would be a great asset to our community. You would get my vote!
What about…
Clinte, Daus, Marston/Doyle, Hessel, Crone, Shapiro?
“…that no active campaign for election shall be conducted by any [City] employee unless he shall first resign from his position.”
City of St. Louis Charter/Civil Service/Section 19
http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/cco/charter/data/art18.htm
There is also an offical ban on City Employees running for political office listed in the City of St. Louis Employee Code of Conduct.
This is why (for example) Christian Saller had to resign from SLDC before he could run for 6th Ward alderman position.
Jennifer Florida would make a much better Chief of Staff than April Griffin. I met both during that campaign, and Florida has a pleasant personality and really knows what she talks about. What about Mike Colona for 15th wars Alderman? I know he opened a committee for State Rep. but this might change things?
FWIW: I reside in the Eighth Ward, in the little slip of the Eighth that runs along the east side of Grand. This precludes my running for 15th Ward Alderperson, unless someone would like to shack me up in a phantom address.
Due to foreign birth, I am also excluded from the Presidency of the United States. There are nothing but limits, it seems, on what I can pursue for a living.
Thomas,
Surely you have established residency in the 15th Ward by the fact that you spend more time at Hartford Coffee than in your own home. I’d be willing to testify on your behalf.