As the March 8 election approaches, incumbent 5th Ward Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin is rechecking her voter rolls and making final campaign stumps to ensure another four years to complete her ongoing economic development plan and new housing projects.
Meanwhile, her challenger, 5th Ward Committeewoman Cheryl M. Nelson, is also going door-to-door, manning telephone banks to shore up enough votes to replace Ford-Griffin and to launch her plan to bring more jobs, grocery stores and recreational and educational centers to the ward.
Four years ago, Nelson ran against Ford-Griffin for alderwoman and lost. Nelson was elected 5th Ward committeewoman in August 2004. She is prominently backed by state Rep. and 5th Ward Democratic Committeeman Rodney Hubbard.
“The challenge is getting people to the polls,” said Ford-Griffin on Sunday as she armed her canvassers with walk sheets mounted on clipboards to cover several more blocks in her ward.
“If we get the people to the polls, I have no doubt that I will win,” said Ford-Griffin, who was also preparing to present a resolution to the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church that would dedicate a section of the church in honor of their late pastor, the Rev. Archie Lee Pryor.
Nelson, however, said she is reaching out to residents who believe they are not being served by Ford-Griffin in the areas of job creation, housing and recreational activities and facilities for children, teenagers and senior citizens in her ward.
“(Ford-Griffin) claims to have created 1,000 jobs over eight years and $2 million in alleged development, but what has been done for the residents?” Nelson said.
Ford-Griffin said Nelson does not have a record to campaign on and must resort to taking cheap shots at her hard work for the ward.
“The residents in the 5th Ward have had enough of her dealing with big business and locking them out of the process,” Nelson said of Ford-Griffin.
“With all this new development and housing, there is no grocery store. There is no community center. Where are these community services?” Nelson said.
“I will let my record speak for itself,” Ford-Griffin said.
“My leadership has turned into more than a half-billion dollars in economic development for existing businesses and creation of new businesses and new housing, which means creation of more jobs,” Ford-Griffin said.Burchfield vs. RoddyNewcomer Rodney Burchfield is winding down his 17th Ward aldermanic campaign by increasing his visibility through door-to-door stops, attending neighborhood meetings, hosting coffee socials and press conferences.
Likewise, incumbent Joe Roddy Jr. n seeking to add to his 17-year reign dating back to his father, Joe Roddy Sr. n is canvassing his ward and manning telephone banks to get his vote out.
“The question is not whether we are going to win, but by how much,” Roddy said.
“I know I have a tough challenge. My campaign is still a grass-roots campaign,” Burchfield said.
“We have extreme conditions in the southern parts of my ward. I am a product of the southern part of my ward, which is going downhill and being neglected. This campaign is about helping these people in the ward to bring development to maintain our existence in this community,” Burchfield said.
Roddy, however, said he will let his 17 years of service to the 17th Ward speak for itself.
“I am running a campaign on creating value, working for diversity and preserving the past,” said Roddy, who boasted of having brought millions of dollars in new development and housing to his ward.
“My campaign is all about the people of the 17th Ward. I see my ward made up of people. My opponent looks at the ward as a commodity. I don’t want my ward to be bought and sold,” Burchfield said.
Burchfield, meanwhile, has been very busy getting his name and face in the media by attending a recent protest rally against Eminent Domain laws and holding frequent news conferences.
On Wednesday, Burchfield held a news conference to address concerns his constituents have about the Neighborhood Stabilization Offices (NSO) in his ward.
“My opponent is trying to sneak a bill through the Board of Aldermen that will bring the NSO underneath the aldermen, making those jobs patronage jobs,” Burchfield said. “They are civil service jobs and they should stay the way they are.”
Roddy said he does not know what NSO legislation Burchfield is talking about.
“I have not sponsored any legislation pending on the board like that,” Roddy said.
“All Rodney has to do is call the St. Louis Board of Alderman clerk’s office and find out about any legislation I have introduced or support. It’s a matter of public record. Tell Rodney to send me a copy of that NSO legislation,” Roddy said.
“There is some concern about the NSO, but there is nothing pending,” Roddy said. Bosley vs. HardinIncumbent Freeman Bosley Sr., with a quarter-century as 3rd Ward alderman, is being challenged by newcomer Jeffrey Hardin.
Hardin lost to Bosley in 2001.
Hardin said he stands as the only candidate prepared to unseat Bosely. He said he has a plan to revitalize the ward.
“Third Ward residents are anxious for change and see this campaign as an opportunity to change our community,” Hardin said.
“Basically, our initiative is a mass mailing throughout the ward and going door-to-door. We are going to the basics,” Hardin said.
“This race in the third ward is like David vs. Goliath. Just like in the biblical story, I think we are going to conquer him,” Hardin said.
Hardin said his plan focuses on addressing the problems of vacant and derelict houses, creating a 3rd Ward business council to cultivate new businesses and to help existing ones, and developing social programs to help the community’s senior citizens and young people.
Bosley did not return repeated calls from the American.
Troupe vs. Tyus vs. WillisFirst Ward candidates Charles Quincy Troupe, Sharon Tyus and the Rev. Cleo Willis Sr. each are seeking to obtain the seat being vacated by Irene Smith, who is running for mayor.
Troupe, a former state representative, said he is continuing to track his endorsements from organized labor and several community-based organizations as he works toward the Tuesday election.
“Black people have always supported me, no matter what,” Troupe said.
Troupe also is relying on support from the Missouri Legislature’s Black Caucus as well as several black and white aldermen.
Willis said if elected he plans to open a new office of public service to compile a list of federal, state and local grants and low interests loans available for home owners and first-time home buyers and small business owners.
Tyus, former alderwoman of the 20th Ward, declined to comment to the American.
In other odd-numbered aldermanic races:
The 19th Ward race has a contest between two-term incumbent Michael McMillan against newcomer Mwenyeji Mtu.
The popular McMillan is running for a third term to complete nearly $1.08 billion in economic and housing development.
Mtu said he wants to get jobs for residents as well as build recreational facilities for children, teenagers and young adults
The 21st Ward race has incumbent Bennice Jones King vying against Melinda L. Long, Laura M. Keys and Phill Berry.
Five incumbents are running unopposed. They are as follows: 7th Ward Alderwoman Phyllis Young, 9th Ward Alderman Kenneth Ortmann, 11th Ward Alderman Matthew Patrick Villa, 13th Ward Alderman Alfred J. Wessels Jr. and 13th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida.
The 27th Ward has Gregory J. (Greg) Carter facing a challenge from developer Ron Clark in his bid for a fourth term.
Also, 4th Ward Ald. Peggy Ryan is facing a recall vote organized by her former ally, 4th Ward Democratic Committeeman O.L. Shelton.
