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
So many people say we are not Chicago. True, we are not. We don’t have the population density, the vibrant streets, the thousands of bike racks or Aldermen using the internet to communicate the relevant (albeit mundane) information to ward constituents.
Below are just three examples of ward websites from chicago’s 50 aldermen:
• Chicago’s Gene Schulter
• Chicago’s Helen Shiller
• Chicago’s Burton Natarus
I don’t want to transform St. Louis into Chicago but I think we can learn a few lessons but looking outside the boundaries of our wards and our city limits. Chicago’s aldermen are taking that extra step to use the internet to keep their constituents informed of issues and meetings.
St. Louis’ current system of keeping constituents informed is for aldermen to attend the various neighborhood meetings and give a city hall update to the few people present. Little information is actually communicated – no visuals, no maps, no links to other resources. If you didn’t make it to the meeting you are out of luck. You might get some of the information in a neighborhood newsletter a month or two later – if you are on their mailing list.
The Board of Alderman has 15 standing committees. Do you know what committees your alderman serves on? Do you know when those committees meet? Do you know issues are before those committees? If you read the City Journal each week you might have a clue. But, the City Journal is an official public notice document and therefore not exactly written in english.
A Board Bill indicating the parcel number and city block number to be changed from zoning classification B to F doesn’t mean much to most people. However, a photo of the proposed property along with a street address actually means something to most people. One provides the requirement for a legal notice while the other would actually communicate meaningful information to the people that deserve to know.
My campaign is about bringing fresh thinking to the 25th ward and entire City of St. Louis. Moving the level of communications between city hall and constituents into the 21st century is just one example.
– Steve
Alleys are one of the areas most often mentioned to me as I am campaigning.
This alley (above) was resurfaced in 2004. In fact, many of the alleys in Alderman Ken Ortman’s 9th-Ward were resurfaced over the last few years. Ortman stated last week at the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association meeting he has been focusing on alley repair over the last 6 years – asking the Streets department to not resurface residential streets so money could be used on alley repair & resurfacing.
Now we cross the street to see the alley above from the 25th Ward. Hardly the worst (or best) alley in the 25th Ward it is clear when you stand in the middle the street and look in opposite directions that one alley has had recent attention and the other has not.
A closer look shows you a recess which holds water and debris. Weeds grow easily through the bricks.
Former patches look unsightly.
It is time to take alley condition seriously and address problems head on! If Ortman can manage to make substantial improvements to the alleys in his ward year after year then we can do that as well in the 25th Ward. Unfortunately, we are six years behind him in the process.
– Steve
I’m having a “Fold & Staple” party Thursday 2/3/05 (7pm-9pm) to get my signs ready for placement in yards. If you would like to volunteer to help with this task or many others please send me an email or call my cell phone 314-479-5023.
– Steve
I’m having a “Fold & Staple” party Thursday 2/3/05 (7pm-9pm) to get my signs ready for placement in yards. If you would like to volunteer to help with this task or many others please send me an email or call my cell phone 314-479-5023.
– Steve