I have been in every neighborhood across this city and residents are united in their desire for safer streets. People are tired of crime. That will by my number one priority as mayor. The focus on crime will go hand in hand with a focus on job creation, youth services, healing the racial division in our city, eliminating health disparities, continuing to improve our educational systems, and development of neighborhoods that have long been ignored.
I am, by far, the most experienced candidate in the race for mayor. I have been dealing with citywide issues and concerns in neighborhoods all across this city. I have fought the tough battles and made the tough decisions. I have added money to youth programming and our recreation centers. I have rebuilt neighborhoods while keeping them diverse. I added fairness and diversity to committees at the Board of Aldermen. I have fought for and stood up for the community. I have dealt with citywide issues for years. I do what is best for the city, and not just what is popular at the time. I know what this city needs.
I will create jobs by investing in our small businesses and marketing our city to large corporations across the country.
I will continue to provide funding to youth services and direct resources to provide children with social services they need for a productive childhood.
I will use my life experiences and respect for diversity to heal the racial divide in our city because I know we all want the same things for our families and our neighborhoods.
I will deploy necessary resources and access to services to eliminate the vast health disparities in our city because it is the right thing to do.
I will continue to work closely with St. Louis schools to improve education for our children.
I will make sure development hits all parts of this city because all of our residents deserve the dignity of a developed neighborhood, and our city cannot operate with only half of a tax base.
There is a clear choice for change in this election. Lyda Krewson and Tishaura O. Jones both have important members of the Francis G. Slay regime very high up in their campaign operations. How can you be a candidate for change when the old regime is at the top of your operation? Of us three, I am the only candidate that is independent from the old Slay regime. I am the only candidate that will provide real change, new opportunities and a bold new direction for this city.
I have always been guided by values of fairness, equity, consideration of others, diversity and accountability. All of these things are a part of my personality and have been cornerstones of my entire time in public service. For some, it is just a campaign pitch.
All of us who wanted better for our city came so very close in the last election. Because of that, everyone knew, whether Francis Slay ran or not, that I would be running again. But, don’t be discouraged by the number of candidates in the race. The community can still win this thing if everyone goes into the ballot booth and makes the right choice.
We can do what is necessary to reduce crime. We can address the racial divide in our city. We can have more jobs in our city. We can be the generation that sees an increase in population in the City of St. Louis.
The stakes are too high to stay at home on March 7. I will make you proud of this city and proud that you voted for me to be your mayor.
Lewis Reed, who is presently president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, is a Democratic candidate for mayor in the March 7 primary election.
