Sunday Poll: What Features/Technology Do You Want In Your Next Vehicle?

Every year new vehicles have more technology than the year before. These new technological features often originate on very expensive cars, eventually finding their way to more affordable models.

The least expensive new 2016 car is the Nissan Versa, starting at $11,990. It includes features that weren’t even optional on affordable cars a decade ago:

• Air conditioning
• Bluetooth
•  ABS brakes
• Tilt steering column
• Rear window defroster
• AM/FM/CD audio
  • MP3/WMA playback
  • 4 speakers
  • Aux audio jack
  • Steering wheel controls
• Front & side airbags
• Tire pressure monitoring

The base Versa is one of few cars on the market with manual windows & locks — but most sold won’t be the base model. Still, I remember the 1986 Hyundai Excel which was only $4,995.

I’ve had two new cars in my life, but I don’t anticipate ever buying new again. I was car-free when I met my husband in 2012 — in 2014 we bought a used car that he uses for work.  Late next year our Civic will be 10+ years old and will have about 150,000 miles on it. At that time we’ll buy another used car.

In the last 4-5 years auto industry sales have improved, as have the products. As used car buyers we have a lot of choices. Based on available features, ee’ve already decided what our next car should be.

The poll today seeks to find out what features readers are looking for in their next car — assuming you drive.

The poll is open until 8pm, the list is shown in random order.

Wednesday I’ll discuss the results and reveal the one feature from this list driving the decision for our next car.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Should St. Louis Sheriff’s Deputies Be Able To Perform Traffic Stops?

One candidate running for St. Louis Sheriff wants deputies to be able to do traffic stops, to ease the workload on St. Louis Police:

Right now the main task for the 180 sheriff’s deputies in St. Louis is to transport prisoners to and from jail and provide security at courthouses. Vaccaro says having sheriff’s deputies execute traffic stops will free up time for St. Louis police officers to respond and investigate crimes. (KMOV)

To me this seemed like a perfect topic for a non-scientific reader poll:

The poll is open until 8pm.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Should We Continue With The North Riverfront Stadium Plan?

The Rams are returning to Los Angeles, but a lot of effort — and $16 million dollars — has gone into planning a new stadium on the North Riverfront.

Now what?

The poll is open until 8pm.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: The Six Plaza Square Buildings Were Restored To Their Original Colors, Which Are Your Two Favorite Colors?

One of the earliest urban renewal projects in St. Louis was Plaza Square — six high rise apartment buildings. Four city blocks were razed — except two churches — to make room for the six buildings. Site selection was made in 1950, but the project wasn’t completed until 1962.

Over the years the ownership on the group has changed numerous times. One was converted to condo ownership a decade ago, the other five are now owned by 2-3 entities. All six have been, or are in process of, renovated. The group are listed as a district on the National Register of Historic Places.  All six now sport their original color schemes, from the National Register listing:

Originally, each building’s enameled panels were painted a different solid color on the east and west elevations, with the panels on the north and south elevations painted white. Specifications and early color photographs are at odds, and conclusive assignments of original colors for three of the buildings have yet to be made. However, evidence shows that Building 20 has orange paint underneath the current coat, Building 30 has green and Building 60 was originally the same blue that it is today. The distinct colors differentiated the individual buildings from each other; this effect was an important balance to the uniform appearances of the buildings. (Section 7 page 6)

I was thinking the owners were too cheap to paint the North & South ends — but that’s how they were originally built!

Today’s poll is one I’ve wanted to do for a long time, I just had to wait  until all six got repainted.

The six colors are presented in random order — please vote for TWO.  This poll will close at 8pm.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Support or oppose MSD plan to raze vacant buildings to reduce water runoff?

In the news recently:

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District wants to spend $13.5 million of its own money to tear down vacant properties. Grassy lots would let stormwater slowly percolate into the ground instead of rushing into the combined sewer system that serves much of St. Louis.

While it could take several years to spend down the money, even the longest spending scenario would amount to a near doubling of St. Louis’ demolition budget. And areas where MSD sees the most benefit in terms of runoff and watersheds also are the areas – primarily in north St. Louis – where the city’s vacant properties are concentrated. (Post-Dispatch)

So I want to know if this is something you support or oppose?

This unscientific poll will remain open until 8pm.

— Steve Patterson