In the news last month was a report that a Missouri legislator wants to change the voting age. I’m being vague on purpose, so as not to influence today’s poll: What should the voting age be in Missouri?
The poll is in the right sidebar, mobile users can switch to the desktop view at the bottom of the mobile layout (not visible within apps like Facebook). Check back on Wednesday Tuesday for the results, specifics on the current & proposed voting age, and a bit of local political history.
I can understand that the ‘Good News Friday’ topic for today might be a matter of viewpoint, but it’s my blog and I think it is good news. Four years ago clean air/smoking bans in St. Louis City & County became effective. This has allowed me to visit places that I’d previously considered off-limits, such as:
The St. Louis exemption for small bars will expire in just one year, on Saturday January 2, 2016 establishments that had been granted exemptions to continue allowing smoking will no longer be exempt. Will they be ready or will they be surprised at how quickly five years has passed by? No doubt some will squander the next 12 months but hopefully others are completing patios and such.
Casinos in the city & county, unfortunately, remain exempt. Other Missouri counties in the region aren’t yet smoke-free. The entire state of Illinois is smoke-free, including casinos.
January 1, 2015FeaturedComments Off on 2014’s Problems Continue Into 2015
Hello 2015!
Often we think of the new year as a time for a fresh start, which it is. But our region — and country — have a lot of work to do. In 2014 we uncovered a long-term problem of some police racially profiling members of the community, which creates a large distrust the police. Economic segregation is an increasing problem.
Today enjoy some Hoppin’ John, Collard Greens, & Corn Bread; but tomorrow let’s all start addressing the root of our problems. Superficially reacting to symptoms gets us nowhere.
December 31, 2014Featured, STL RegionComments Off on Twenty-Fourteen In 63 Pictures
The end of another year…so for the last post of 2014 I’ve selected 63 images from the 800+ I uploaded throughout the year. Enjoy, please be patient as they load.
A week ago today the city’s Board of Adjustment ruled the New Life Evangelistic Center homeless shelter must 1) limit beds to the licensed 32 beds 2) seek a new license that would allow more emergency beds or 3) close. Larry Rice, however, wants to continue as he has been — stuffing far more people into a rundown facility after coercing them to do lots of free labor.
Q: Thoughts on the city calling Larry Rice’s NLEC a “nuisance”? (pick up to two)
TIE:
Limiting the licensed occupancy to 32 beds is fair, considering the conditions. 28 [25.69%]
There are other/better alternatives to NLEC available. 28 [25.69%]
Rice’s TV televangelism empire depends on a large visible homeless population 18 [16.51%]
NLEC was there before the condos & apartments 15 [13.76%]
Where will the homeless sleep if NLEC is limited to 32 beds? 10 [9.17%]
NLEC should be able to sleep 300, or more, if they want 3 [2.75%]
Other: 3 [2.75%]
If NLEC had better job training and mental service, open all day Add as a poll answer
it’s high time for NLEC to cease and desist. It’s not a church but a flop house
It and he are nuisances.
NLEC is a religious facility, no government license should be required. 2 [1.83%]
The #2 answer is closest to the truth — Rice desperately needs to maintain the exterior appearance of lots of homeless. Without a visible homeless population he doesn’t have a hook to get donations.
In 2009, court documents estimated New Life has assets between $40 million and $50 million, including radio and television stations. In 2008, the center reported receiving more than $1.8 million in cash contributions. (stltoday.com)
I can assure you other non-profits do more for the homeless with a fraction of the total assets, social workers & researchers are now realizing there is a much more effective & humane way to help the homeless than how Rice has operated NLEC for nearly 40 years:
Permanent housing, not a hard cot in a room crowded with hundreds of men
Hot meals prepared by a trained chef in an inspected kitchen, not sandwiches out of a trunk on the street
Social workers & occupational therapists to find & resolve problems, not free labor & religion
Secure places to store belongings, not encouraged to carry bags to increase visibility
Daytime space & activities, not being out on the street for 12 hours.
Security inside & outside during operations, not ignoring everything that happens just outside.
In these examples the former is how other agencies in St. Louis are trying to end/reduce homelessness, the latter is how Rice maintains the visible problem that keeps millions in coming in. I don’t expect this to be over in May, Rice will fight to maintain his status quo. He misses the old days of vacant warehouses, lack of restaurants, jobs and any sort of measurable economic activity downtown.
AARP Livibility Index
The Livability Index scores neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. for the services and amenities that impact your life the most
Built St. Louis
historic architecture of St. Louis, Missouri – mourning the losses, celebrating the survivors.
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a guide to geospatial data about the City of St. Louis