Poll: Thoughts on the resignation of St. Louis Police Board member Todd Epsten

ABOVE: St. Louis Police Headquarters

Last week the state controlled St. Louis police board had a leadership change:

Todd Epsten, the last Board of Police Commissioners member appointed by Governor Matt Blunt, abruptly resigned on Wednesday after he was ousted as president by a Nixon appointee, Bettye Battle-Turner.Epsten said later he believed the board’s three other appointed members acted at Nixon’s request. Nixon appointed all three, and all came on within the last 15 months.

Nixon denied personally asking his appointees to select a new president, but said he would not be surprised if his senior staff had not talked to those three members.

“I thought it moved more quickly than I perhaps thought it would, but I think it got to where it was going to get, and now my focus is on making sure that we get a quality appointment to fill out the board,” Nixon said. It will be his fourth; the board’s fifth member is fellow Democrat Francis Slay, the St. Louis mayor. Slay supported Epsten in Wednesday’s vote.

The three remaining appointed members, Nixon said, share his philosophy that day-to-day operations of the department should be left to chief Dan Isom. He would not directly answer if he thought Epsten micromanaged.

“I mean we’ve all seen stories over the many years of the police board,” he said. “Obviously I’ve been in law enforcement and elective office for many years. I just think my philosophy has been that this is a board that should provide guidance, should provide support.” (Source: St. Louis Public Radio)

The poll this week asks for your thoughts on this matter.  Do you even care? Will it matter on the street? Was Epsten micromanaging as Gov Nixon says?

- Steve Patterson

Poll results: Readers think Arizona’s immigration law is unconstitutional

The following are the results of the poll from last week:

Q: Thoughts on Arizona’s new immigration law? Pick one:

1. The law is unconstitutional. 63 [38.89%]
2. Something was needed, but this law goes to far. 40 [24.69%]
3. The law is just right, good job Arizona. 38 [23.46%]
4. The law doesn’t go far enough, should be tougher. 13 [8.02%]
5. Other answer… 6 [3.7%]
6. No opinion 2 [1.23%]

During the week the #2 & #3 answers switch places back and forth.

The “other” answers provided by readers were:

1. Pandering to angry whites; won’t be enforced.
2. Bad law, but Federal Government’s fault for not addressing immigration refo
3. Maybe we can attract more immigrants to STL instead of Arizona! We have the room!
4. unconstitutional and needs to ban any illegal immigrants from all over the world
5. Could they make the police state any more blatant?
6. It’s unconstitutional. But it highlights the failures of the Federal govern

If a silver lining exists it is that the issue may now get the proper attention in Washington.

- Steve Patterson

Poll: who would you name our new bridge after?

The new bridge over the Mississippi River has been named the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Bridge. Reagan was born in Tampico, IL (4+ hours away) in 1911 but moved to California in the 1930s.

In August 2004 William Perkins and Russ Reike, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, gave Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) petitions with over 4,000 signatures supporting the naming of the new bridge “Veteran’s Memorial Bridge”. This effort is supported by Rep. John Shimpkus (R-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. The Missouri State Legislature voted on August 28, 2005 to name the bridge after Ronald Reagan (Source: Wikipedia)

There are many others from the St. Louis area (Illinois & Missouri) that would be better to name the bridge after.  The Agnes Moorehead Memorial Bridge has some campy appeal, traffic reporters could say things like, “There is an accident on the Endora so expect delays.” Seriously, someone from the metro east would be a much better fit than Reagan who grew up more than four hours north of the metro area.

Although she was born in DuPage County near Chicago, the late Katherine Dunham often called East St. Louis her home.  The poll this week asks who you’d name the bridge after.  I’ve included a long list but you have the option to name your own answer.

- Steve Patterson

Readers support changes to laws regarding Cannabis sativa

ABOVE: Instruction book purchased on clearance at Border's

The results of last week’s poll are interesting.

Q: What are you thoughts on Cannabis sativa? (Pick up to three)

1. Industrial hemp is not a drug and farmers should be allowed to grow the crop 97 [24.49%]
2. Possession should be decriminalized 96 [24.24%]
3. Medical marijuana should be legalized in Missouri 74 [18.69%]
4. Possession of small quantities should be decriminalized 48 [12.12%]
5. The “medical” need is abused where allowed 38 [9.6%]
6. The drug is bad and possession should remain illegal 18 [4.55%]
7. Other answer… 16 [4.04%]
8. If industrial hemp is allowed it would be used to hide the growing of the drug 9 [2.27%]

Note that people could select up to three answers. Thankfully the ‘industrial hemp is not a drug’ answer got the most votes.  But it is also clear many of the readers that voted in the poll favor some form of decriminalization.

The “other” answers were:

1. It should be legalized and taxed.
2. it doesnt do as much damage as liquor so i dont see why its not legal already.
3. don’t care
4. This seems off topic
5. Legalize It!
6. Marijuana should be 100% completely legal!
7. Full legalization
8. Full legalization for all purposes
9. It’s a slippery slope but some new options should be investigated.
10. Legalize it!
11. It should be treated like alcohol
12. Full Legalization – How whiskey is legal but weed isn’t speaks of our hypoc
13. Marijuana should be legalized and taxed.
14. Legalize all uses
15. legalize it! and i don’t even smoke!
16. use taxes from its’ sale to finance states that are bankrupt.

As attitudes about Cannabis and the drug marijuana relax, cities will need polices to deal with the change.  The next ten years will be interesting as the laws change.

- Steve Patterson

Poll: Immigration law and cities

ABOVE: Arizona's new law is the cover story on Red Latina, seen on Cherokee St

Arizona’s new immigration  law is the new hot topic being debated nationwide and cities are getting drawn into the debate:

At least three Arizona cities are considering a lawsuit to block the new immigration enforcement law.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is indicating he’s ready to go it alone and file suit to keep the law from taking effect.

Gordon criticized the measure as “economically devastating.” Councilman Claude Mattox said council approval is needed to challenge the law.

In Tucson, council members want more time to discuss whether they should take legal action.

City Councilwoman Regina Romero said it’s her belief the law is unconstitutional and urged her colleagues to challenge what she described as a misguided law.

Flagstaff council members are expected to review their legal options against the measure. (Source)

Here is a short video report from the Associated Press:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J-mEMLp9DQ

Under the ban, sent to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer by the state legislature Thursday, schools will lose state funding if they offer any courses that “promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, promote resentment of a particular race or class of people, are designed primarily for students of a particular ethnic group or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.” (source)

In some St. Louis circles, Arizona’s new law is a growing concern.  As shown above, it was the most recent cover story on the Spanish language paper Red Latina.

The poll this week asks your views on the new law. I didn’t include specifics about St. Louis or cities in general but keep that in mind as you vote in the poll (Top right) and comment below.

- Steve Patterson

Poll results on new Mississippi River bridge

The following are the results of the 200 votes in the weekly poll last week:

Q: The ground breaking for the new Mississippi River Bridge is this week. Which of the following best describes your thoughts on the $640 million dollar project?

1. This makes removing the highway from the PSB to Cass possible 102 [48.57%]
2. Another bridge is good for the region 35 [16.67%]
3. Seriously, the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Bridge? 28 [13.33%]
4. It should be a toll bridge 14 [6.67%]
5. More highway bridges encourages more driving 11 [5.24%]
6. Wow! How much? 10 [4.76%]
7. Other answer… 10 [4.76%]

The largest group obviously likes the City to River concept of removing a 1+ mile stretch of highway after the bridge opens.

The ten other answers were:

1. Why is it only 4 lanes?
2. Need new bridge or 100 more miles of Metro track and a tram system to feed it
3. this bridge isn’t needed
4. cant we spend on public transit options in stl
5. Investing in infrastructure in the urban core is a good thing.
6. disappointing design
7. I’d prefer it had a more locally significant title
8. good for development but they could’ve done things differently, expand mayb
9. environmental and social impacts, including generating more driving
10. If it includes bike lanes I’m happy. If not, I’m mad.

This bridge is an interstate bridge so no bikes or pedestrians.  Other bridges such as the Eads can be used to cross the river on foot or bike. It is four lanes because of the budget.

- Steve Patterson

Poll: Cannabis sativa, medical marijuana and cities

I’ve inhaled once, the year was 2005 and I was 38 at the time (There Is A First Time For Everything). I was with three friends, all very responsible adults, and I was curious.  I see marijuana as less destructive than alcohol or tobacco.

ABOVE: The Cannabis sativa plant. Image from Wikipedia

DENVER — Medical marijuana dispensaries are springing up in Colorado’s major cities like coffee shops, nail parlors, tanning salons or taco shops.

It’s been 10 years since Colorado voted to allow the use and sale of marijuana for medical reasons. But in the past six months, the number of patients and dispensaries has skyrocketed.  (USA Today)

I should note that a friend, who is a doctor, sent me studies showing connections to cancer.  I don’t doubt the connection.  She questions the need for many that have prescriptions, where legal. As states begin to legalize medical marijuana the cities in those states are faced with policy issues about dispensaries.

OAKLAND, Calif. – Like hip-hop, health food and snowboarding, marijuana is going corporate.

As more and more states allow medical use of the drug, and California considers outright legalization, marijuana’s supporters are pushing hard to burnish the image of pot by franchising dispensaries and building brands; establishing consulting, lobbying and law firms; setting up trade shows and a seminar circuit; and constructing a range of other marijuana-related businesses.  (NY Times)

Cannabis sativa is often misunderstood:

Cannabis sativa is an annual plant in the Cannabaceae family. It is a herb that has been used throughout recorded history by humans as a source of fiber, for its seed oil, as food (see hemp), as a drug (see cannabis (drug)), as medicine (see medical cannabis), and for spiritual purposes (see spiritual use of cannabis). Each part of the plant is harvested differently, depending on the purpose of its use.

While hemp is not a drug, growing it is illegal.  Environmentally friendly hemp products are imported or hemp material is imported so products can be made.Federal lawmakers need to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp.

The poll this week is designed to get your thoughts on Cannabis sativa.  I hope I have a good variety of answers.  This week I’m testing the ability for you to select up to three answers.

- Steve Patterson

Readers want more frequent transit service, additional light rail

The poll last week asked, “Now that Prop A has passed, what do you want to see in our local transit system?”  Here are the results:

1. More frequent service 47 [ 27.98%]

2. schedules & maps at bus stops 37 [22.02%]

3. Other answer… 35 [20.83%]

4. GPS on buses to indicate next arrival time at bus stops 33 [19.64%]

5. Doesn’t matter, I still won’t ride public transit 8 [4.76%]

6. don’t know/unsure 5 [2.98%]

7. With the old routes restored the system will be perfect 3 [1.79%]

As you can see above “other” was the third most popular answer.  This is primarily due to my failure to include an option for new rail lines.

Here are all of the other answers from readers:

1. MetroLink to Westport, Text message schedule information

2. another metrolink line

3. A north-south Metro line up Gravois and Natural Bridge

4. more metrolink line

5. begin planning and build north-south metro line

6. Light rail from South County to downtown.

7. Expanded Metrolink

8. Expand MetroLink

9. wireless

10. all of the above

11. Metrolink Fare Enforcement.

12. MORE STOPS / ROUTES

13. A north-south line within the city – Jefferson to south 55

14. Expanded Service

15. extensions out to other major areas and restorations, more frequent routes

16. expansion

17. expand metrolink

18. weekend circulator route serving high-density business districts

19. BRT (with dedicated lanes and higher frequency) on Grand!

20. Trolleys!

21. weekend circulator route serving high-density business districts

22. Weekend circulator route serving high-density business districts.

23. The north-south Metrolink line

24. Light rail in South City, more frequent service, schedule and maps, better signs

25. responsible fiscal management

26. more lines

27. Restored service and upgrades of exsiting stations, like BATHROOMS!

28. metrolink expansin

29. north south metro expansion in the city

30. Expansion.

31. Expanded light rail system. This time lets be a little more strategic

32. restoration of old routes expanded Link service

33. Metrolink Expansion

34. Expansion

35. services aimed at not just the transit-dependent

I personally wouldn’t build another light rail line in our region, especially not one on local streets.  What I would do is build a network of modern streetcars to serve more local service.

ABOVE: Madison County Transit express bus equipped with WiFi.

I like the idea of at least our longer bus routes having WiFi such as Madison County Transit’s “WiFi on Wheels.”

- Steve

Poll: Thoughts on the $630 million dollar Mississippi River bridge

On Monday officials will “break ground” for the new $640 million dollar bridge across the Mississippi River.  The ceremony will take place on the historic Eads Bridge.

ABOVE: Section drawing of new bridge. Click image to view official website.

Sadly I will not be able to attend the event.  The poll for this week asks your thoughts on the new bridge which is expected to be complete by February 2014.  The poll is in the upper right sidebar.

- Steve Patterson

Poll: Prop A transit tax passed, now what?

Last week voters in St. Louis County approved a half cent sales tax for transit:

ABOVE: unofficial results for Prop A

In November 2008 the same measure was narrowly defeated by a narrow margin (48.45% to 51.55%).  Now what?

“The sales tax increase will generate about $80 million a year for Metro. The measure also triggers a previously passed 0.25 percent tax increase in the city of St. Louis.

By the end of the year, the bus and light-rail agency will restore all the routes and service it had to cut last year, said Metro President and Chief Executive Bob Baer. Metro will also be able to maintain and add jobs, he said. “Instead of a loss of 600 jobs, we’ll be adding 125,” he said.”  (full story: Voters approve Metro tax – St. Louis Business Journal)

So the poll question this week is what would you like to see in the way of changes & improvements to the system.  Obviously the prior level of service will return but I think we should expect more. Some of you have said you’d like route maps and schedules posted at bus stops.  I’d like to see Metro add GPS to buses and display at bus stops how long until the next bus arrives. For the poll in the right column I’ve listed a few items but feel free to add to the list.  As always, share your thoughts in the comments below.

- Steve Patterson