Vote Yes on Prop S, Betts in 5th, Pattan in 19th
I’ve got my absentee ballot for the March 7th primary next to me, thankfully it’s fairly short. The sample ballot, however, is long — it includes every party and all 28 wards.
As is my tradition, I’ll review in reverse ballot order:
Proposition S
Shall the City of St. Louis, Missouri, be authorized to impose an annual fee of $5,000 for each permit (new or renewal) for a Short-Term Loan Establishment or $2,500 for a permit issued with less than 6 months remaining in the calendar year?
YES – FOR THE PROPOSITION
NO – AGAINST THE PROPOSITION
The phrase “Short-Term Loan Establishment” means payday loan business. Read about a great local non-profit alternative here. When voting, please vote yes on Prop S!
Board of Aldermen
I’ve not kept close tabs on all the aldermanic races — 14 odd-numbered wards plus a special election to fill the vacant 16th ward slot. It’s encouraging to see 11 are contested races, only 4 are not. I do have an opinion on two races — the 5th ward, where I live, and the 19th ward, that I can see from our windows & balcony.
5th Ward
The 5th sward is fed up with the Hubbard’s, last year we saw Rodney Hubbard replaced as Democratic committeeman and his wife, Penny Hubbard, replaced as state rep — both in special elections after courts found irregularities in voting in the August 2016 primary. Five people are challenging their daughter Tammika Hubbard, the incumbent. I’m backing the woman who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Penny Hubbard as committeewoman — Megan Betts. I was proud to endorse her in 2016 and I remain convinced she is concerned about the entire ward and city. See Betts’ Facebook page and.or Twitter feed.
19th Ward
In the 19th ward I endorse Lindsay Pattan over incumbent Marlene Davis. I was impressed with Pattan before I even met her, the professionalism of her meeting invite was promising. In person I could see why she’s a successful business person. Davis, on the other hand, is…not Lindsay Pattan.
If you’re a 19th ward voter please vote foe Lindsay Pattan. To learn more see her website, Facebook page, Instagram, and/or Twitter feed.
Comptroller
Long time incumbent Darlene Green is being challenged by Alexandra Johnson. see her website, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.
Mayor
I don’t have an endorsement in this race, but here are the Democratic candidates in reverse ballot order:
- Jimmie Matthews
- Willian (Bill) Haas
- Lyda Krewson
- Tishaura O. Jones
- Jeffrey L. Boyd
- Lewis Reed
- Antonio French
Voters please research the candidates in the races on your ballot. If there’s a ward election on your ballot don’t vote for the incumbent just because they’re the incumbent. Conversely, don’t vote for their challenger just because they aren’t the incumbent.
— Steve Patterson