Progressive Democrats of Saint Louis

Today I was a guest speaker at the meeting of the Progressive Democrats of Saint Louis which is a part of the Progressive Caucus of Missouri. Both are part of the Progressive Democrats of America.

Topics discussed during the meeting where upcoming events sponsored by the Missourians for Single Payer (Healthcare). They are having a “We Won’t Be Fooled Again” weekend April 1-3. April 1st will include Street Theatre Actions, April 2nd is Citizen/Congressional Hearings on “Solutions to the National Health Care Crisis” and on April 3rd Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich will speak at the Ethical Society at 11am. For more information contact the Missourians for Single Payer.

The very scary thought of privatizing our Social Security was also discussed. A representative from the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition (Pro-Vote) updated us on some action items. For more information check out the Pro-Vote website.

The group was very receptive to my candidacy with individuals offering both financial and volunteer support. All were glad to hear of a progressive person seeking office in the City of St. Louis.

For me it was great to be among Democrats of all ages that are more interested in genuine progressive change than maintaining the status quo. Very refreshing indeed.

– Steve

Campaign Flyer Available Online

In the interest of getting my message out to as many people as possible I have made my flyer available as a downloadable PDF document. The flyer includes information about me, my position on the issues and how to reach me.

Click here for flyer

Feel free to send out the flyer via email. If you like, print it out for friends and neighbors.

– Steve

An example of new thinking

From the Rehabber’s Club list I discovered an exciting housing development corporation in Indianapolis. The group known as Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. or SEND So what do I find exciting?

The SEND group actually seems to do something – investing $26 million in their service area since 1991. That is some serious cash. Their website is well organized and includes some great before and after renovation pictures. They include a listing of business locations for sale and for lease. Homes for sale are also included.

But the best part is they partner with other organizations in their community, including local churches, to achieve their stated goals. It appears they are not dependent upon a single source for the bulk of their budget – local city funding is only a part of their budget.

The big lesson here is sometimes it is wise to step back and take a look at our current programs, organizations, and conventional thinking. By doing so we can determine if our current methods are the best way of solving the problem at hand. Perhaps they were 10, 15 or 20 years ago but that doesn’t mean it is still how it should be done.

Looking at organizations in other cities is a great way of gaining a new perspective outside our South St. Louis business as usual thinking. I’m a firm believer in determining the root of problems, brainstorming possible solutions, selecting the best solution and then implementing that solution.

I’m not a fan of doing something simply because that is the way it has always been done, because a group doesn’t want to offend an elected official by asking for change or just skating along with the status quo. We have the potential to be a great urban neighborhood if we put our heads together and work toward a common goal. Fresh thinking, not more of the same, will get us where we are going.

– Steve

Talk of a ward debate

Neighborhood leaders are talking with the League of Women Voters about organizing a 25th Ward debate between myself and my opponent Dorothy Kirner. I hope they can make it happen so voters can see the differences between us.

For the record, I’ll show up for any organized debate regardless of format. I have a clear message and welcome any opportunity to communicate that message.

– Steve

Spaghetti Zoning in St. Charles County

I learned a new term today – Spaghetti Zoning. And it exists not on The Hill but in St. Charles County. Basically it is a small strand of zoning to connect one area to another.

Winghaven is located in O’Fallon through Spaghetti Zoning along Bryan Road. The roadway is in O’Fallon but the land on either side is in Dardene Prairie. If you are developing one of the parcels of land in Dardene Prairie along this portion of Bryan Road you need to get approval from O’Fallon for the curb cut. How messed up is that?

My thought was some sort of land swap so that Dardene Prairie could control the road but that would separate Winghaven from the rest of O’Fallon.

This type of Spaghetti Zoning is not longer permissible by law – so municipalities cannot annex a utility easement just to add a piece of land to their city limits. But, I think people in St. Charles county will be dealing with the ramifications of past SZ for some time.

– Steve