Northside Aldermanic Candidate Questionnaire Responses

The following are responses from Aldermanic candidates in various wards on the city’s northside.

These responses are from Sharon Tyus running in the 1st ward against Ald. Troupe, Jeffrey Hardin running against Freeman Bosley Sr. in the 3rd ward and Antonio French running in the 21st against Ald. Bennice Jones-King.  Only Jeffrey Hardin answered all the questions.  None of the incumbents responded.

Another 3rd ward candidate, Velma Baily, faxed me typed responses to a few questions.  Because I was unable to copy/past the faxed text, her answers are in PDF form here.  This questionnaire was online and very easy to use.

The first three questions were basics like name, phone number and email address so we start at #4.

4.    Campaign website URL is (this WILL be published). Type ‘none’ if you don’t have a website/blog.

Tyus/1: none

Hardin/3:   www.jeffreyhardinstl.com

French/21:    www.21stWard.org

5. List your 3 main qualifications for the position?

Tyus/1:

#1: 12 years as Alderwoman of 20th Ward-Thus 12 Legislative Experience
#2: Juris Doctor Washinton University-Aids my ability to read and understand legislation as well as to help write legislation.
#3: Pratical Experince in Economic Development and Planning for a Community.

Hardin/3:

#1: Proven Employment Development Skills
#2: Active Community Involvement
#3: Extensive Understanding of the Ward and Issues as They relate to the position

French/21:

#1: Long record of community involvement
#2: Elected Democratic Committeeman in 2008 on a reform agenda
#3: Proven ability to get things done and fight on behalf of my community

6. Only one of the current 28 Aldermen does a blog so that others can read about issues in that ward. Will you, if elected (orre-elected), have a blog with postings on a regular basis? If not, what method of communications will you have with your constituents, the press and interested citizens?

Tyus/1:   I don’t plan to at this time maily because many of my constitutents are not online. When I was in office we had regular 20th Ward Meetings in which anywhere from 100 -400 people would attend. I also did a yearly newpaper, direct calls and written letters and attended the police and block unit meetings. Also those who used the email found that was the best way to contact me since I check my email early morning most days. I have not had a problem interacting with the press and or interested citizens. If they phone me at the office or home and leave a message or , write and/or email me, I respond appropriately. My ward meetings were often published in the press and were announced at the end of the Board of Alderman’s meetings. They wee open to the public as well as the press. The press came on several ocassions.

Hardin/3:   I will have a blog and in addition, I will maintain contact with press and 3RD Ward residents via my web-site www.jeffreyhardinstl.com I will also remain available via my cell phone 314-518-7062.

French/21:   I am a blogger and I will continue to blog after I am elected. My blog, www.PubDef.net, is one of the most popular political blogs in the state. In 2007, I was named “best blogger” by St. Louis Magazine, The St. Louis Business Journals called me one of the “most influential voices in local media”, and my reports have been featured on national news programs, including “Meet the Press”. I think the city — and the people of my ward — will greatly benefit from having someone with my media and blogging experience on the Board of Aldermen.

7. The top five issues facing your ward in the coming four years are:

Tyus/1:

#5: Homes being forclosed upon and standing empty on streets that never had a vacant or empty house.
#4: The high rate of unemployment.
#3: Re-establishing the Economic Development that we had in place for 12 years.
#2: Keeping the working, middle income and upper income residents from fleeing the ward.
#1: Crime

Hardin/3:

#5: The lack of sustainable employment
#4: The lack of adequate resources for seniors and home current owners
#3: The lack of Financial and Fiscal accountability
#2: The lack of youth mentorship and development
#1: The lack of community involvement as it relates to community direction

French/21:

#5: Elderly Care
#4: Rehabbing of Vacant Buildings
#3: Education and Youth Activities
#2: Job Creation/Economic Development
#1: Crime

8. The top five issues facing the City of St Louis in the coming four years are:

Tyus/1:

#5: Instituting a Economic Development Plan for all parts of the City not just a few select neighborhoods.
#4: Public Education-The Public School System.
#3: Aging population and residents fleeing the City.
#2: Unemployment
#1: Crime

Hardin/3:

#5: Increased Tax Revenue (Business & Property)
#4: A Strategic Development Plan that includes North City cooridors.
#3: The Educational System

#2: The rising crime rate

#1: Law enforcement budgeting

French/21:

#5: Affordable Housing
#4: Public Transportation
#3: Education and Youth Activities
#2: Crime
#1: Job Creation/Economic Development

9. The top five issues facing the Greater St Louis Region (The St Louis MSA) are:

Tyus/1:

#5: The high cost of energy.
#4: Education
#3: Expanding Public transportation throughout the region.
#2: Foreclosed Homes standing vacant.
#1: Unemployment and the ongoing loss of jobs and company’s closing or laying off.

Hardin/3:

#5: The loss of vital regional employers
#4: The housing market
#3: The rising cost of education
#2: The rising cost of energy as it relates to inflation
#1: Job market growth throughout the region

French/21:

#5: Crime
#4: Education and Youth Activities
#3: Affordable Housing
#2: Public Transportation
#1: Job Creation/Economic Development

10. State offices like State Rep & State Senate as well as the Presidency all have term limits. Cities like New York City have term limits in place. What are your thoughts on local term limits of 8-12 years:

Tyus/1:   I oppose term limits. The voter has the ability with their vote to term limit the elected officials. You also will have the same problem you now have at the State level which is by the time someone really learns the rope and how to be a good legislator their time is over.  I believe it leave the lobbyist running the legislators even more than they do.

Hardin/3:    I have long believed that the city should have introduced term limitations. I think that many of our budget problems that we face in
our city and our less than ethical fiscal accountability. Stems from this mind-set, that if we develop a long relationship of unfair
favors/service to small groups and personal associates. We citizens somehow adopt this as productive service. As public officials, we
should provide much more and the private citizens should demand more of or leadership. As an elected official, if I can’t get things
moving in a positive direction and provide the community I am serving with adequate reporting. i should not be allowed to hold any
office indefinitely. This is not progress and it will not repair the problems in our city. With that said, what elected alderman will be bold
enough to propose this? When elected, I will and let’s see then who has the peoples best interest at heart.

11. Would you support a ban on smoking in public places within the City of St. Louis? Yes or no and explain.

Tyus/1:  Yes. I am avid non smoker and do not want other people’s secondhand smoke. I also believe it is a public health issue that should be addressed by legislation. This is especially so when one considers the potential financial impact of smoking related illinesses on the cost of health care and insurance. iI don’t have a problem with adults making thier own adult decision to smoke just as long as they don’t impact other people’s health and they fool the cost of their decision. The place that I have been in that attempt to separate smokers
from non smokers don’t really do a great job.

Hardin/3:    No, While I do not smoke, I try to respect the rights of everyone. I believe that we need to provide a clean safe smoking environment for everyone in public buildings, where it does not intrude on the breathing rights of non-smokers such as myself.

12. Do you support effort to get local control of the St Louis Police?

Tyus/1:   Yes but I want there to be a Citizens Review Board with ral power to review the police as part of the package.

Hardin/3:   Yes, I believe it is huge mistake to exclude private citizens from the accountability and review process of it’s police force that was created to serve and protect it’s very citizens.

13. Elected offices in many cities are non-partisan. In the city we seldom have candidates other than Democrats yet we hold a primary and general election. Going non-partisan could save money every two years by eliminating the March Primary. Your position on switching to non-partisan local elections is:

Tyus/1: I never though about it before. I don’t have a position at this point. However since you introduced the subject to me, I will think about it and get back to you. However the real divide in this City is not Democrat versus Republican. It’s Race. Until we address it head on we will continue to flounder.

Hardin/3:   I think that we citizens should give this some serious thought. In lue of our drained city budget, I would welcome the debate on this issue as a tax saving process and yes I would consider discussions on one general election. Perhaps we could then devote more time to making sure that our elections or fair and impartial.

14. Prior Charter Reform measures, if passed, would have reduced the number of Aldermen/Wards in the city. Describe your thoughts on a reduction in the number of wards:

Tyus/1: I do not favor it at the moment. However if Alderman are just going to be rubber stamps and/or developers instead of legislators, I might be persuaded to change my position.

Hardin/3:   This is a very layered issue. The infrastructure of mnay of our North City Wards would suffer greatly. We have been excluded from developing a collective development plan to ensure inclusion. I would like to see the South and North City Alderman discuss in good faith how we as city residents can make our city better as a whole as opposed to focusing on resolving and removing our childish North/South issues. It is not the number of Alderman, it is the lack of the city leadership as a whole to work on behalf of all our resident’s to serve them the in the best possible most efficient manner. How about we remove color and go to work as neighbors! Not numbers!

15. In many wards persons interested in seeking office are told to “wait their turn.” Describe your thoughts on this view:

Tyus/1: Everyone has a right to run for any position that they meet the qualifications. However, if you are part of a organization where you elected officials who are doing a great job, hen there is something to have order in how they leave and who replaces them Actually it is up to the people to decide. Mr. Obama was told to wait his turn and he did not. He is now the President. The best laid plans????

Hardin/3:    The only time i listen to that kind of response is when i am in line. All citizens are intitled to voice their concerns and those that feel that they are qualified to run should do so. However, St. Louis politics can not point any fingers at Chicago, we have our own less than credible politicians. There is but one way to repair these problems. As community we need to wake up and require more of our politicians other than being the same color as we are or being a Democrat. We need to check their report card from each term and vote the issues thruthfully. As voters we have a duty and it does not rest with entitlement, it rest in your service to your constituents.

16. Past charter reform also would have consolidated many of the county offices. Describe your thoughts on consolidating County offices and/or making some appointed positions rather than elected:

Tyus/1: I support it in part.. I do not see a reason to have an elected Circuit Clerk, Recorder of Deed, and License Collector. I can see some merit in having the Collector of Revenue, Treasurer, and perhaps Sheriff elected.

Hardin/3: We have not demonstrated a mind-set within our city that we are ready to try and work with leaders outside our city limits. Maybe
we could start by addressing our North and South hang ups and build on that. All options open thereafter!

17. Outline your thoughts on the role/duty of the Alderman vs. Bureaucrat. Who should do what and why? What is the ideal role of the Aldermen?

Tyus: The role of an Alderman/Alderwoman is to be a legislator. You help create, shape and support and/or oppose legislation that will help the citizens in the City of St. Louis. However the Alderpersons have become the catch all for getiing City Services and development in the respective ward they represent. Some of it has to do with the fact they are on the front line as it related to the Citizens. The Citizens call the Alderperson for everthing from trash problmes, to police responce, to finding a job, to the need for help with paying their bills. The bureaucrats should deliver City Services and come up with a comprehensive plan for Economic Development in the entire city. But for my 12 years at the Board it did not work that way. The new things that I got such a new Lexington School, or Walgreens, or strip malls, or the Schnucks City Plaza came about because my husband has a background in planning and develpment and so do I. Also the more I pressed the department for deliverance of the City Services that my Community should have been getting, the better service the Bureaucrats deliverd to my ward. The Squeaky Wheel got the oil. Until we have a Mayor that know how to gover the entire City as a whole and is inclusive of all citizens this will continne.

Hardin/3:    The outline role/duty of an Alderman does not exist! As a leader you lead, you don’t pass the buck and say that’s not my role. You work in your community to build relationships! If that means spending time with trouble youth being a father figure to a child that has never known a father, or helping a senior read a contract or document, or feeding a family that can’t make ends meat, or sharing with a young lady why she needs to dress with respect so she can be respected. You do it! The role of a Bureaucrat is all politics, he/she understands the political process and is able to navigate the political waters. I believe an effective alderperson has to be a little bite of both. If you have an understanding of the bureaucratic process, one needs to utilize those skills to serve your constituents in a more effective manner. The desire to want to help people must be your primary reason for service and this is another reason I believe in order to maintain these positive attribute we must have term limitations to ensure this is never lost.

18. “Aldermanic Courtesy” is the practice of letting an alderman do as they wish in their ward even though it may not be the best policy for the city as a whole. Your thoughts?

Tyus: This is practiced most time but their have been times when it has not. There are always two sides to eveything. Some parts of this tradition is a good thing since the Alderman is usually on the front line with the Citizens he or she represents and therefore should be in the best position as an elelcted official to represent their interest. When this works, Aldermanic Courtesy is a good thing. We have to have a balancing of interests if we did not have Aldermanic Courtesy then some parts of our community would be the dumping ground so that other parts could prosper. The other parts would not care because their interest were being met. The domination of the majority must be tempered.

Hardin/3:    The needs of the citizens and the fiscal responsible handling of our resources must be in the forefront of all of our public officials and community leaders. One of my concerns, is for the citizens that have ne voice and/or recourse as it relates to unfair treatment by any Alderman. There needs to be discussion of how a citizen can address issues with an alderman and hope to reach some kind of mediated process to resolve their concerns fairly without fear of retaliation.
19. St Louis’ zoning code (classifications, parking mandates, etc) is now 60+ years old. It is largely an auto-centric code. Many cities are replacing such codes in favor of “form based” codes designed to produce more urban building forms. Describe your thoughts on the current zoning ordinances and efforts to bring St Louis’ zoning into the 21st Century:

Hardin/3:    I am in favor of any discussions regarding improving our zoning codes. As our zoning needs have evolved and various requirements have either increased or decreased. one of the duties of the board of alderman is to access and re-access our needs as a city.

20. With respect to physical development, how do we attract more residents & businesses?

Hardin/3: You must establish credible relationshiping, develop partnerships and work to create funding opprtunities in exchange for physical development projects, rather they are job creation projects or private residents. The ultimate goals or to work from a win-win prosective.

21. In November 2008, voters in St Louis County rejected a sales tax that would have triggered a previously approved city sales tax for transit funding. To fund transit in the future we need to do what?

Hardin/3: Step one, we need a campaign to educate the our citizens on the need from a fiscal prospective. Show the dollars and cents as it relates to individual costs and benefits to the end user. The city will stand a better chance when you talk its citizens, instead of talking at them.

22. The Gateway Arch is the symbol for the city but many feel is is not well connected to downtown & the rest of the city. A lid over the depressed section of I-70 has been discussed for many years. Some have argued in favor of eliminating that stretch of I-70 once the new Mississippi River bridge is finished and having a nice boulevard to handle north/south traffic. As an alderman, which option would get your support and why?

Hardin/3: In fairness, I would like to see the cost of both plans and how the cost effect our citizens. I think the city needs to do a better job of selling needed projects and cultivating community partnerships to deliver effective planning and development projects.

23. Last year or so a bill was passed by the Board of Aldermen to give restaurant owners with outdoor patios/sidewalk cafes the option of allowing customers to bring their pet dog with them. However, 7 of the 28 wards opted out of this provision. What are your thoughts of having what should be a city-wide policy cut up into a ward by ward policy?

Hardin/3: The 3RD Ward currently under Bosley Sr., does not have (1) out-dooor cafe or restaurant patio. I am unsure as to how effective I would argue against or for this bill. On personal note, I was a pet owner and I made it my responsibilty to consider the comfort level of anyone around me that did not have my same comfort level. I believe that if we consider and respect the other persons concerns we can reach a positive solution for all.

24. East-West Gateway has studied expanding MetroLink light rail through both North & South St. Louis. Assuming we could get federal assistance, what are your thoughts on expanding the current system?

Hardin/3: I am certain that eminent domain will become an issue with this matter and we as a city will need to do the necessary studies to show the positives and the negatives as it relates to our residents in terms of buy outs and many other by-products of a project of this magnitude.

25. Some have advocated the building of streetcar lines in the city to serve the transit needs with in the city. As opposed to Light Rail used to transport suburbanites through the city to downtown. What are your thoughts on the use of modern streetcars such as those used in cities like Portland, OR and Seattle, WA?

Hardin/3: My thoughts are, we need to evaluate the cost to the city and tax payers as it relates to both plans. The operations dollars are criticle as well and the discussion of any jobs associated with both plans.

26. The population of the city is roughly 353,000, down a half million from its 1950 peak. What number of total population should be our goal for the 2050 census?

Hardin/3: 525,000

27. The 1% City Earnings Tax gets blamed for a lot. Many feel the City needs to eliminate this tax and seek alternate revenue sources. What are your thoughts on eliminating the Earnings Tax?

Hardin/3:  Most voters that I have discussed this with have no frame of reference as to the benefit of this tax within their communities. I think it is a needed tax, the city needs to do a better job of identifying the services associated with this tax.

28. In 2010 we will have a new U.S. Census. The population of St. Louis will be determined at that time. In 2011 we will need to redraw ward boundaries to reflect the change in population that occurred between 2000 and 2010. Please share your thoughts on how to draw ward boundaries to best serve the city as a whole.

Hardin/3: How would the process be determined fairly without the powers to be influencing their political associates to gain access in areas of the city that have been unavailable. My thoughts are, I would hate to see how voters in the city evaluate our process of selection with our current state of political mind.

29. The Americans with Disabilities Act became federal civil rights law in 1990. Yet today, nearly 20 years later, we still see new construction which lacks a basic provision such as an accessible route from the public sidewalk to the front door od the business. How do we as a city ensure future development is accessible to those with disabilities as well as friendly to the able-bodied pedestrian?

Hardin/3: One way is to require this to secure any tax/funding assistance from the city.

30. Share your thoughts on historic preservation tax credits and demolition of our older building fabric:

Hardin/3: Growing up in North St. Louis, I have suffered through the loss of some of our most majestic structures due to many of our long office holding political leaders that allowed the destruction of whole communities, because they lacked vision and diplomacy on how to work with the public and private sectors of or city to save these gems. It saddens me that we have allowed our leaders to ride the name recognition train while the city fell down around them. We export all of our brick out of parts of the city that once bosted such majesty!

31. The Edward Jones Dome is not getting any younger. If elected, it is a possibility that the St. Louis Rams may ask for major upgrades or a replacement of the dome during your term in office. Share your thoughts on this issue:

Hardin/3:  It is my hope that the Rams orginization and the city will be open minded to the economic issues of our time and we would look fairly at what the cities project budget would look like during that time. This will be a very challenging issue.

32. Bicycle friendly cities tend to attract young workers and good paying jobs (aka the Creative Class). How can St. Louis become more bike friendly? For example, one thought is to provide bike racks along sidewalks on commercial streets. Please share your thoughts on the goal of becoming a more bike friendly city.

Hardin/3:  St Louis Parks Dept. will need to develop some creative funding ideas that can expand our budgets to reach deeper in the urban areas and partnership with public and private organizations to develop an action plan to reach this goal.

33. Related to the above is the idea of requiring developments to provide bike parking as a small percentage of the auto parking provided. Share your thoughts on setting minimum standards for bike parking within the city:

Hardin/3: I think that depending on the parking needs for the target areas in the action plan would be based on a number of factors, population, businesses, housing, safty and access.

35. Recently we’ve seen the city & Clayton use tax incentives to lure law firms to new developments or to retain them. These are firms that have lots of money. However, they also provide a good tax base for the city. Share your thoughts on the use of tax incentives to attract/retain affluent firms:

Hardin/3: Businesses such as firms bring individuals in from outside of the city and there are some trade offs that may be in favor of the city.  To determine rather this is a good fiscal decision or not I would like to see some breakdowns on how the deals are structured and the projected revenue benefit from the firms clients to the city.

36. Ballpark Village remains a drawing board fantasy at this point. Did tax payers get taken by the Cardinals on promises to build on the site of the old Busch Stadium?

Hardin/3: I think the deal was structured incorrectly from the start. The by product of deals that leave the tax payers feeling that they were taken are the just the tip of the sword. The other factors are distrust and their unwillingness to buy into other projects such as the (Rail System). I think the city lost credibility with the tax payers and yes, I think we did get left holding the bag.

37. It has been nearly a year since Pyramid Construction folded. Low & high-profile projects remain stalled. One high-profile project is the remaking of the failed downtown indoor mall, St. Louis Centre. In 2007 St. Louis committed general revenues to help get the project done. With Pyramid out of the picture should any new deal on St. Louis Centre put general revenues at risk?

Hardin/3:  I think that if the Cities development directors play hard ball with the big dogs in the same manner that they qualify and re-qualify small or minority developers, perhaps we would not have allowed access to general revenue funds with such ease. I do not think it in the cities best interest to risk general revenue funds or any funds for that matter without proper financial accountability.

38. Many say they’d move to the city if the schools were better. As an Alderman you have no control over the schools. Still, what advice would you offer for those in charge of the St. Louis Public Schools?

Hardin/3: I would advise all to put the childrens education first. You know, while we play politics with our educational dollars. We overlook the reality that we are in a global economy and no major corprations taht require a well educated work force are going to consider markets with below average educational systems. It is something that we had better get right and in a hurry. We are losing the fight for educational advancement.

39. Charter schools are seen as a viable alternative by some and undermining to the public schools by others. What are your thoughts on charter schools?

Hardin/3:  I am not sure that the charter school program is the permanent fix for our educational shortcomings. it sounds a great deal liike thge deseg-program of yester year?

40. St. Louis as the center of the region attracts homeless from throughout the region. Share your thoughts on the City’s current response and what the city should be doing to help the homeless?

Hardin/3: i think that the city once again has gotten it wrong on this issue. it seems as it we think that if we don’t see them they are not there. This is a growing problem throughout our city North and South and I believe that it is going to take our alderman and mayors office to work together to put an action plan in place to address this growing issue.

41. Many Aldermen advocate owner-occupied development only within their wards. In our current economic climate new owner-occupied development may not be a realistic demand for a few years. Most of us have rented at one point in our lives, share your thoughts on insisting on owner-occupancy in order tp support the redevelopment of a property.

Hardin/3: I would like to see rental deals structured with some type of ownership. We need to consider this, how can you stabilize a community with 70% rental and 30% ownership. It you drive through the 3RD Ward you will see the bi-product of this type of vision under Bosley Sr. I am in favor of developers completing projects from a rental prospective, however, I would like to see some civic minded thinking injected into this debate.

You can compare these answers to southside candidates from the 23rd and 25th wards.  Mayoral candidate responses later in the week.