Something
that might have slipped the public’s notice, other than an
expression of gratitude for a newly refurbished library, is
becoming an object lesson in the need for and value of engaged
political leadership. The St. Louis Public Library has embarked
upon a $67.5 million renovation of its downtown Central Library.
This project is an example of political leadership by President
Barack Obama, who paid St. Louis a visit on Tuesday (always good to
see the great man here).
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Though the public has heard more about his birth certificate and his unwise meddling in the arrest of a Harvard professor, Obama’s leadership is responsible for countless local infrastructure improvements like this project. The project’s financing is facilitated primarily by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’s Recovery Zone Economic Development and Build American Bonds. The mechanics of financing is a yawner for the general public, and that’s a shame. The public should be better educated about the fine print in Obama’s legislative victories – starting with the so-called stimulus funding, which made things like this library project feasible in a stagnant economy.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Now we see the need for a different kind of local leadership on the library project. Local activists in the African American Business & Contractors Association have targeted the project for its lack of a more inclusive workforce on the jobsite. Organizers say they plan to shut down the reconstruction site if the library and its contractors do not agree to hire more African-American workers by Friday. According to the library, 20.5 percent of the project’s contracts for construction costs are going to minority-owned business enterprises and 5.12 percent to women-owned business enterprises, which comes close to the 25/5 goals set forth in the Mayor’s Executive Order 28. But that does not account for workforce. A new law passed last year mandating workforce inclusion on city projects does not apply to this project, which is not funded by city government.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Adolphus Pruitt, president of St. Louis NAACP, has shown leadership by raising the issue of the role of federal assistance through the stimulus bonds. However, we find it unlikely that a solution will come from the federal government when the problem is the absence of local minority workers on a local construction project. What is needed is for the civic community and city elected officials in particular to intervene on behalf of the inclusion activists and the cause they rightly are pursuing.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Lewis Reed, president of the Board of Alderman, recently has shown confident and bold leadership on several issues. This is an opportunity for him to get engaged and be a difference-maker. Comptroller Darlene Green – who has shown fiscal leadership in maintaining the city’s credit rating, but (unlike some of her predecessors in the office) shown little political leadership on critical issues – could get involved. Mayor Francis G. Slay to be more responsive to the black community, if only because he faces a likely challenge from a strong African-American candidate. Slay should intervene to help solve this problem.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>If anyone argues, “It’s not city money, so we don’t have a say,” then we doubt their sincerity, political will and commitment to fairness and inclusion. There is an important principle involved in this demand for greater inclusion that goes beyond the important initial step of awarding contracts to minority-owned companies. Politicians step outside their strict statutory mandates and comfort zones all the time when they are sufficiently motivated. A fair share of jobs for local black workers on these publicly-assisted projects should be ample motivation. We need to hold our elected officials accountable to show leadership rather than meekly hover on the sidelines.
