Patterson On KDHX (88.1) Monday

I will be a guest on KDHX’s “Collateral Damage” program Monday (April 9, 2007) with hosts DJ Wilson and Fred Hessel, 7pm at 88.1. You can also subscribe to Collateral Damage free via iTunes. Monday we will be discussing some of the latest local topics. If you have some suggestions or questions please list them below.

When Stealing is not really Stealing

By now you’ve heard that 15 of St. Louis’ finest were involved in using World Series tickets last fall — tickets that were evidence in cases against persons arrested for scalping them.  It seems that of the 15 it was 8 that were directly involved.  None, however, will be fired.

Mayor Slay, a member of the police board, affirmed Chief Mokwa’s recommendation:

These eight officers should be suspended from duty for a while – and when they return from their suspensions, they should be reduced in rank to the department’s lowest level: that of probationary officers. At that rank, there are no second chances for a police officer: one problem, and they are out, without an appeal.

This punishment gives eight officers one final chance to prove that they deserve their community’s trust – and a thousand opportunities a day, as they do their jobs on the streets, to make amends for their serious mistake. 

To others I spoken with, including city employees, these officers tampered with and stole evidence but are being treated differently.  Sure, they put the used tickets into evidence after the games but I don’t think that counts.  Granted, had they not used the tickets they would have been wasted which is different than taking say a person’s watch out of evidence.   Would city employees or even private citizens in private companies be given such a break?  Doubtful.

Two police organizations are taking opposite views.  One pressured Mokwa not to fire the officers involved while another says if all involved were black they would have been fired — that this is preferential treatment for white officers. I hope the difference is not race but it may well be.

So I pose the question to you: did these officers “steal” evidence and therefore should be fired and face criminal charges from Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce?  Or was this simple “poor judgement” on their part, no crime committed?

Chevy Wants You to Vote On Your Favorite Mini-Car Concept

Chevy this week is asking the public to vote for their favorite new mini-car concept from a group of three introduced at the New York Auto Show.

From AutoBlog:

The Beat (green) is by far the most sporty of the trio, with its slicked back styling and comparatively large 1.2L turbo engine. Technically described as a “tuner” car, the Beat is meant to be customized much like a Scion to an owner’s own individual tastes. The Beat is a front-wheel drive, three-door hatch with an automatic tranny to divvy up the tiny motor’s available power.

The Groove concept (black) is much like a mini HHR, a five-door wagon with a tall roof and flat sides. It’s extremely short hood, big wheel arches and nonexistent overhangs mean that every square inch of the platform is utilized. Consider this the most practical concept of the three. Also a front-driver, the Groove is powered by a 1L diesel engine.

Finally there’s the Trax (orange), which we’ve met before. The Trax concept is the mini ute of the bunch, doing its best to feign even the slightest ability to venture off the beaten path. We wouldn’t suggest it however, as those tires lack any meaningful tread and the ride height, while high compared to the other two concepts, could hardly clear a curb (if that). It’s the only one of the three that features round headlights, though its four-door, upright, box-like packaging mimics that of the Groove concept. It’s powered by a 1L gas engine. 

I personally voted for the “Groove” concept — I like the 1L diesel engine and the overall shape.  Cast your vote at www.vote4chevrolet.com.

But this is not a car blog.  My point of posting about this is to get your thoughts on the marketability of micro vehicles such as these or the 2nd generation smart fortwo, which will be on sale during the 1st quarter of 2008.   Will we see the public go for more cars in the sub-$15K range offering fuel mileage in the same territory as hybrids?  For me, I see myself purchasing a very small car with no more than a 1-litre engine.  For the occassional road trip out of town I’d just rent something a bit larger and more powerful.

As gas prices naturally rise we will hopefully see people giving up their 2-ton living rooms on wheels in exchange for something less comfortable.  Yes, less comfortable!  Sky roofs, wood & leather, and other items make our cars so comfortable we can’t imagine giving them up for something more practical such as a basic car, a scooter, a bike or mass transit.  Case in point, I went from having auto-down on all four windows and auto-up on the front windows on my former Audi.  In switching to the Scion it took me a while to get used to having only auto-down on the driver’s window.  I’ve completely forgotten what it is like to have manual windows and locking/unlocking a car with a key.  We are so spoiled, how can other forms of transit or even a more basic car compete?

What will gas prices have to reach before buying & driving habits change?  $4/gallon?  $5/gallon?  More?

Norman Krumholz to Speak on the ‘Future of the Planning Profession’

Next week well known urban planner Norman Krumholz will be speaking at a luncheon in St. Louis, April 11 2007. As noted below, Krumholz was Cleveland’s planner for three mayors including Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.

From the press release from the St. Louis Metropolitan Section of the American Planning Association:

APRIL 2007 APA-SLMS LUNCHEON
NORMAN K RUMHOLZ , FAICP
THE FUTURE OF THE PLANNING P ROFESSION

Our April speaker is Norman Krumholz. Mr. Krumholz is an internationally recognized figure in the planning community; a past
president of both the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners; a past recipient of the APA award for Distinguished Leadership and a current AICP fellow. He’s held several noted planning positions in Pittsburgh, PA; Ithaca, NY; and Cleveland, Ohio, including Director of Planning for the City of Cleveland during the administrations of Carl Stokes, Ralph Perk, and Dennis Kucinich (who’s currently running for President of the United States; again).

Best known for his emphasis on neighborhood planning, Mr. Krumholz is a champion of community involvement in urban revitalization. He’s a widely published author on the subject with a devoted following among planning activists. Yet, Mr. Krumholz is widely respected across the political spectrum for his ability to negotiate common ground without yielding his principles. Additionally, Mr. Krumholz was instrumental in the development of the AICP cannon of ethics, something all current and future AICP members know or will come to know well. Come to hear him speak on the future of the profession.

Where: The Doisy School of Allied Health Professions Building on the SLU Health Sciences Campus (Building #1 on map)
When: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 — 11:30am to 1:30pm
What: A buffet style lunch will be served by Fresh Gatherings.
Cost: $15 per person, $13 for students
Parking directions: From I 64: Head south on Grand toward SLU hospital. When you get to Park turn left. Travel to Compton and turn left. Travel to Rutger and turn left. Follow Rutger to the end at the parking garage. After parking, walk south out of the parking garage. The Doisy School of Allied Health Professions building will be in front of you. The lunch will be in the Dean’s room on the third floor. Signs will be posted to direct you to the right location.

RSVP by 5pm Friday April 6, 2007 to Jason Jaggi via email at (jjaggi at ci.clayton.mo.us).

Election Results – St. Louis County

Here is a look at some interesting tidbits from yesterday’s elections in St. Louis County:

• Voters in the City of Overland ended the year-long reign of Ann Purzner as Mayor with over 73% voting to recall her. Mary Beth Conlon, who lost to Purzner by only a few votes last year, will likely run for Mayor in a special election in August.

• My friend Andrew Podleski put up a good challenge to incumbent Florissant Mayor Robert Lowery, managing just over 42% of the vote. This is not bad considering they started in December and the disparity in funds raised/spent was huge.
• Valley Park has been in the midst of controversy lately over their actions to keep out illegal immigrants from their city. This stance is interesting as they don’t really have an illegal problem, just a growing latino population. In their election for 4th ward alderman candidate Drake narrowly defeated Rodriguez by a vote of 139 to 121. See the RFT for the story on the controversy.

• Voters in the Ladue School District gave a big yes (77.89%) to a tax increase for capital improvements at their schools. This is not always assured as many in the district send their kids to more exclusive (and costly) private schools.

• Looks like we had some really close races yesterday: In Green Park only 5 votes seperated two candidates in a 3-way race for alderman. In Cool Valley two candidates for an aldermanic seat received 42 & 43 votes. In Velda City the two candidates for alderman in the 2nd ward each received 37 votes each with one write-in name — that voter could have decided the race.

• Two cities were looking to change the terms for their aldermen from 2 years to four years. It should be noted most city council/aldermen positions in the county are only two year terms. Anyway, Moline Acres rejected extending the term from 2 to 4 years (60.69%) while Kinloch approved the change with a massive 88.46% approval. Kinloch also approved making the position of Mayor full-time (84.62%).

• All three bond measures in Shrewsbury passed, although one just by a fraction. The measures were for public safety, aquatic center improvements and street improvements. An operating tax levy also passed failed.
• Other tax increases and charter measures all passed with a few exceptions. Charlack rejected measures for economic development and storm water & parks. Velda Village also rejected a similar park & storm water measure as well as a utility tax. Beverly Hills also rejected their version of the storm water & parks measure.

• Voters in the Maplewood/Richmond Hts school district approved (barely) a capital improvment issue but rejected an operating levy. The Ritenour school district rejected a capital improvement tax increase.

Any thoughts?