Readers: Prop R & Central Library the Best of 2012

To end 2012 on a positive note I asked you, the readers, to vote last week on the best of 2012. The passage of Prop R to reduce the size of the Board of Aldermen after the 2020 census and the reopening of the Central Library tied for the top spot. Rounding out the top 5 was the fact that Missouri voters approved the measure to let St. Louis control its own police department (the Civil War must really be over), the new Grand viaduct/bridge opening, and that a modern streetcar line is being studied to run through downtown out to Midtown and beyond.

Here’s the full results:

Q: Best things to happen to STL in 2012 (pick up to 5)

1. Prop R to reduce the Board of Aldermen approved by STL voters 72 {12.88%]
2. St. Louis Central Library reopened 72 [12.88%]
3. Local control of police approved by Missouri voters 44 [7.87%]
4. New Grand viaduct/bridge opened 40 [7.16%]
5. Downtown Partnership studying a modern streetcar line 39 [6.98%]
6. Metropolitan Bldg opened as artist lofts in Midtown/Grand Center 38 [6.8%]
7. Union Station sold to new owners 34 [6.08%]
8. St. Louis Public Radio (KWMU) relocated to Midtown/Grand Center 30 [5.37%]
9. City shut down riverfront homeless camps 24 [4.29%]
10. Starbucks at the Saucer opened 22 [3.94%]
11. Washington Ave so popular crowd control becomes necessary 21 [3.76%]
12. AAA to use round former HQ rather than raze it 20 [3.58%]
13. SLU faculty & student groups vote no confidence in Biondi 20 [3.58%]
14. Larry Williams decided not to run for another term as STL treasurer 18 [3.22%]
15. Rams fired Spagnuolo as head coach 14 [2.5%]
16. Bike parking ordinance enacted 13 [2.33%]
17. SLU gets approval to raze Pevely building 7 [1.25%]
18. Anti-eminent domain sign wins in court 7 [1.25%]
19. MSD bond issue passed 7 [1.25%]
20. Cigarette tax-hike proposition failed in Missouri 6 [1.07%]
21. Other: 6 [1.07%]
22. Last part of Highway 141 opened 3 [0.54%]
23. Sam Dotson named new police chief 2 [0.36%]

The opening of the Metropolitan in Midtown almost made the top 5, glad to see so many agree that getting residential in the area is a very positive thing. Hopefully 2013 will bring us many more positives to reflect on a year from now.

— Steve Patterson

Poll: What Can/Should Be Done To Reduce Gun Violence?

The tragedy in Newtown CT on Friday has left myself and others wondering what, if anything, can be done to at least reduce the number of such incidences. Facebook, Twitter and other forums have been filled with passionate discussion from all perspectives. I don’t know the answer, I wish I did.

With a lot of reservation the poll question this week asks what can/should be done to reduce gun violence. The poll is in the right sidebar, I’ve provided a wide range of answers to choose from. When commenting below please be respectful to others.

— Steve Patterson

Poll: The Best Thing To Happen In St. Louis In 2012?

Another year draws to a close so I’ve compiled a list of things that occurred throughout the year, in no specific order.

1. Local control of police approved by Missouri voters
2. Prop R to reduce the Board of Aldermen approved by STL voters
3. Rams fired Spagnuolo as head coach
4. St. Louis Central Library reopened
5. Bike parking ordinance enacted
6. Larry Williams decided not to run for another term as STL treasurer
7. SLU gets approval to raze Pevely building
8. New Grand viaduct/bridge opened
9. Starbucks at the Saucer opened
10. AAA to use round former HQ rather than raze it
11. Anti-eminent domain sign wins in court
12. St. Louis Public Radio (KWMU) relocated to Midtown/Grand Center
13. Washington Ave so popular crowd control becomes necessary
14. Downtown Partnership studying a modern streetcar line
15. MSD bond issue passed
16. City shut down riverfront homeless camps
17. Union Station sold to new owners
18. Last part of Highway 141 opened
19. Metropolitan Bldg opened as artist lofts in Midtown/Grand Center
20. SLU faculty & student groups vote no confidence in Biondi
21. Cigarette tax-hike proposition failed in Missouri
22. Sam Dotson named new police chief

I personally think some are among the worst things, but others may disagree so they are on the list. The poll is in the right sidebar for a week.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Do You Think Climate Change (Global Warming) Is Affecting The Weather In The United States?

November temperatures in St. Louis were all over the charts, with some highs in the 70s and lows below freezing (source). Hurricane Sandy did massive destruction in the Northeast at the end of October. A few months earlier Hurricane Isaac hit the northern Gulf Coast.   This weekend California is getting pounded by heavy rains (NYT).

Normal conditions or changing conditions based on man?

A new study published Thursday in the journal Science provides the most definitive — and accurate — evidence yet that polar ice caps on Greenland and Antarctica are melting.

Shrinking ice is not the only telltale sign that climate change is real. From rising air and ocean temperatures to stronger storms to record droughts, evidence of a changing global climate is all around us. (Business Insider)

The poll question this week asks if you think climate change (global warming) is affecting the weather. The poll is in the right sidebar, mobile users will need to switch to the desktop layout to vote in the poll.

— Steve Patterson

Poll: Factors Influencing Where You’ll Shop This Holiday Season?

Consumers have many choices where to shop all year and retailers really try to get you during the holiday season starting on Black Friday:

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally marked the moment retailers moved into profit, or “the black”. Latterly it has been when consumers queued for hours in the cold to dash around shops, fighting over the latest half-price LCD widescreen televisions. (source)

For the poll this week I’m asking what factors influence where you’ll shop this holiday season. Below is the list of answers I’ve provided, in alphabetical order, you can pick up to three. The poll is in the right sidebar, mobile  users switch to desktop layout.

1. Convenience
2. Customer service
3. Employment policies
4. Financing terms
5. Layaway plan
6. Owneership
7. Politics of retailer
8. Price
9. Sales/Specials
10. Selection
11. Shipping
12. Unsure, N/A, no answer

Note the answers are displsayed  in a random order in the poll itself.

— Steve Patterson