I’m going to do something that’s a little uncommon in politics. I’m going to spend much of this column talking favorably about one of my opponents.
Lewis Reed and I have known each other for over 15 years. I like Lewis and consider him a friend. I helped lead his historic election as President of the Board of Aldermen in 2007. Having an African-American in that position has been critical in the years since, especially as the number of African-American aldermen has fallen to its lowest levels since in 30 years (only 11 of 28). The president appoints members of committees and it is only because of those appointments that African-Americans, totaling far less than the 15 votes needed to pass or stop legislation, have any influence at the Board of Aldermen today. And that is why it is critical to the future of the African-American community that Lewis Reed stay in his current position.
The rules of the Board of Aldermen state that if Lewis were to leave his position, Alderman Joe Roddy (D-17th Ward) as the most senior member of the board would then become President of the Board of Aldermen. The efforts of so many people who fought to get an African-American in that critical position would be thrown out the window.
Now, I supported Lewis in his last run for mayor. And it’s true that the same scenario would have occurred then. But the African-American community didn’t have much of a choice. We desperately needed a change from Francis Slay. But this upcoming mayoral election is different. Francis Slay will not be mayor again, and we have choices. But we must be strategic.
I’m the only candidate for mayor who is giving up his seat to run. Believe me, if everyone was required to give up their current office to run for the next office, we’d have far less candidates for mayor. Many people feel like they have nothing to lose, so why not run. But now is the time to put personal ambition aside and do what’s best for our city and our community.
St. Louis City actually has a weak mayoral system. The real power is with the three-person Board of Estimate & Apportionment, made up of the mayor, the president of the Board of Aldermen, and the comptroller. This body makes the all financial decisions for the city.
Working together, as we have done for years, Lewis and I, along with Comptroller Darlene Green, could do great things for our city. That’s the power play. That’s the best move for our community.
As a wise man once said, “This is chess, not checkers.” For the first time in St. Louis history, we have an opportunity to have an African-American mayor, president of the Board of Aldermen, comptroller, treasurer, license collector, sheriff, and circuit attorney. But only if we make the right moves and be smart.
I’m asking you to share this letter with your friends and family. Inform them of this strategy. This is the best path for our community and our city. Let’s make history together on Tuesday, March 7th. As your mayor, I will work tirelessly with all our city’s elected officials to make our city a safer place, a place with more jobs and more opportunities, a place where neighborhoods on both sides of Delmar get the services and attention they deserve.
I’m not in this for a title. I’m in this to get things done. And I think if we all work together, we can change this city for better.
Sincerely,
Antonio French
