St. Louis’ Website Is Behind the Times (and the Mayor’s Site)

Having recently upgraded my Mac PowerBook from Mac OS X 10.3 “Panther” to 10.4 “Tiger” I now have the ability to subscribe to RSS feeds (aka Real Simple Syndication for non geeks). This is simply a way of having the computer tell you when a particular site has been updated with new information. Most sites, including this blog, have RSS feeds available to notify you when it has been updated. It truly saves time when you look to many web resources.

So I find it interesting that St. Louis’ website is stuck in a late 90s time warp technologically speaking. Press releases are posted for viewing if you think to navigate and find them. Some parts are set up to register you to so you can receive email notifications circa 2002. Yeah I know, we don’t have any money. But would it really take that much?

The Mayor’s campaign site at mayorslay.com is actually far more useful and informative than the own city website. They have RSS feeds for “from the Mayor’s Desk”, “Latest News” and “Podcasts.” Given that if I had been elected to the Board of Aldermen in March I certainly would have kept a campaign website so I’m not going to suggest that Slay shouldn’t use the internet to communicate. I’m glad he is.

I’d just like to see the city website take advantage of some of the newer technology and clean up the city website a bit. It is dated and way more complicated than necessary. And please, drop the “CIN” acronym already. Why must everything in this town be an acronym?

– Steve

Why Not Just Eliminate The Entertainment Tax?

Remember last week when it was announced the Laurie’s were selling the Blues hockey team along with the lease on the Savvis center? The issue of the burden of the entertainment tax came up as an issue in their decision. Today’s Business Journal reports:

Upon request from St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen will consider legislation that would exempt professional boxing from the city of St. Louis’ entertainment tax. Giving the sport an exemption from the city’s entertainment tax could bring more fights that could generate more revenue for the city, Slay said in a release.

So the theory goes the tax is keeping us from having more events and ultimately we’d be better off not having the entertainment tax so we could collect other taxes such as hotel tax as well as sales tax on food and other purchases. OK, if this is the case why not just repeal the tax altogether? Why just for professional boxing and why just for 3 years?

– Steve

Aldermanic President Says Lawsuit Against Citizens is “Petty and Vindictive”

Aldermanic President James Shrewsbury, an attorney, in an interview with KWMU radio had this to say about the lawsuit against two St. Louis property owners:

For the full story click here. I’m glad to see Jim Shrewsbury take this stand. It would have been nice if someone from city hall would have spoken up before the Century was razed. And where is the alderwoman on the razing of the Century and the suit filed against two residents of her ward?

To help protect the right to challenge big projects in court consider attending Downtown Defense Fund fundraiser:

– Steve

Keep Your Enemies…In the Same Restaurant?

I feel like Deb Peterson reporting on who is spotted dining out…

Tonight I walked into 10th Street Italian for a light dinner (yes, a Caesar salad and soup) and I spot Marcia Behrendt, a co-defendant in a $1.5 million lawsuit brought by the city, state and local developers over the fight to save the Century Building from needless demolition. Marcia was enjoying dinner with three neighbors.

At the only other occupied table was Otis Williams, the Deputy Director of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). The SLDC is a plaintiff in the case against Marcia and another downtown resident, Roger Plackemeier. He got his order to go…

[CORRECTION 6/22 10:45am – per Richard Callow the SLDC is not a plaintiff against Marcia & Roger. In reviewing an April Biz Journal story I see that it is the LCRA (Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority) that is a plaintiff. The LCRA is one of seven board listed under the SLDC. So technically the SLDC is not a plaintiff but that to me is a minor distinction. – SLP]

Which leads me into a reminder about the “Downtown Defense Fund” fundraiser on Saturday night at 7:30pm. For more information go to www.downtowndefensefund.com.

After dinner I walked over to City Grocers to get a few things and spotted a great bumper sticker on a Jetta, “Blunt Trauma.” I loved it! I need to find out where I can get one (or twenty).

Interesting, the St. Louis Log Cabin Republicans (that is gay republicans for those not in the know) are upset with the Gov because of statements he made as reasons for not supporting the Pride festivities this weekend in Tower Grove Park. Duh! Don’t act so shocked guys…

– Steve

What Is Happening With the 7-11 on Virginia?

The other day I noticed some work going on at the old 7-11 store at the corner of Virginia and Delor. Does anyone know what is going on there? Probably another daycare…

– Steve