Poll: St. Louis’ “Open Streets” Events a Good Idea?

Yesterday I did the Open Streets event in Old North. I saw people I knew, enjoyed the beautiful weather, etc. But as I wrote yesterday, these just highlight the fact that many of our streets aren’t good for walking or cycling.

In terms of cycling, most city streets are more than fine though. If anything, they are too wide which encourages motorists to drive too fast. But events like Open Streets does encourage people to get out where they might not otherwise do so.

The sidewalks in Old North can be iffy but I know those along North Market are good — I only had to go two blocks east from the bus stop at N. Florissant Ave. However, I barely had enough room to get around the SUV shown above.

I did manage to take quite a few pictures on my hour round trip. That’s not sufficient reason to close streets for four and a half hours. The poll question this week wants to see what you think of Open Streets — a good idea? The poll is in the right sidebar.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Should St. Louis Require Pet Owners To Spay, Neuter & Microchip Their Pets?

Dogs & cats are getting caught in political debates lately in St. Louis.

One attempt to control the animal population is Board Bill 107. From July:

The bill, introduced by Central West End Alderman Lyda Krewson, comes as part of a citywide effort to reform animal control laws and crack down on the owners of thousands of city strays overwhelming the region’s animal shelters.

Yet, in the same meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee, aldermen narrowly rejected sending $250,000 in taxpayer donations to the city’s nonprofit dog shelter, Stray Rescue — a move that threatens the already rocky relationship between the city and the nonprofit’s founder, Randy Grim. (STLtoday.com)

The bill stalled at the Board of Aldermen before they went on summer recess.  From September 21st:

​A bill under consideration in the St. Louis Board of Aldermen could make St. Louis one of the most restrictive cities in the nation when it comes to owning cats and dogs.

Board Bill 107 would require all pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats and microchip them for identification. Those who don’t want to sterilize their pets would be assessed a fee of $200 per year. (RFT)

I’m not a pet owner so I’m not directly impacted. Still I thought this was a good topic for a weekly poll.  Vote in the poll in the right sidebar. Results will be published on Wednesday Oct 12, 2011.

– Steve Patterson

Half of Readers OK With Part-Time State Legislators

Readers weren’t interested in the poll last week, the total number of votes was less the usual:

Q: Missouri legislators are “part-time” public servants, should we have full-time legislators to manage the state?

1. No 31 [50%]
2. Yes 20 [32.26%]
3. Maybe 6 [9.68%]
4. Unsure/no opinion 4 [6.45%]
5. Other: 1 [1.61%]

The one other answer was:

We should go to every other year

That’s a bit confusing since house members are elected every other year. State senators are elected every six.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Should Imagine’s Charter Schools in St. Louis Close?

Controversy about poor performing schools was recently focused on charter schools, specifically six operated by Imagine Schools, Inc:

Mayor Francis Slay called for the closure of Imagine charter schools in St. Louis on Thursday, for the first time singling out the poorest-performing charters in the city.

[snip]

Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of traditional school systems. In Missouri, they’re allowed only in St. Louis and Kansas City as alternatives to struggling school districts.

The Virginia-based Imagine Schools Inc., the largest charter school operator in the country, has six school in St. Louis. They ranked at the bottom among charter schools and most St. Louis Public Schools on the 2011 Missouri Assessment Program. (STLtoday)

Seems unusual to have a mayor calling for school closures. The Missouri Charter Public School Association is also calling for their closure:

MCPSA believes the Imagine Schools’ performance trends reflect most poorly on the management company, Imagine Schools Inc. and is not a condemnation of the teachers and staff within the schools. Often a significant issue leading to such poor academic performance is a lack of resources and supports available to the teachers and staff by their employer. Another issue, often, is charter public school governing boards not being able to execute the oversight authority they are statutorily entitled as the management company has contractually assumed that authority. (Beacon)

So what do you think? The poll is in the right sidebar.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Don’t Think Civil Liberties Should Be Violated To Protect Us

The poll last week began on September 11th so the topic was related:

The government should do whatever it takes to protect its citizens against terrorism —even if it means violating civil liberties

1. Disagree 80 [76.92%]
2. Agree 15 [14.42%]
3. unsure/no opinion 9 [8.65%]

I didn’t have any expectations on the results ahead of time. I know that a decade ago many more would have agreed.

– Steve Patterson