This week the EYE is dedicated to giving a platform to aldermanic candidates who are new to the Board of Aldermen. The St. Louis American contacted all the St. Louis city aldermanic candidates – except incumbents and former alderwoman Jennifer Florida. Those listed here are the ones who responded to the questions we sent them.
WARD 3
Gloria Muhammad
Community activist and retired business owner Gloria Muhammad has lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood for 18 years. What sets her apart from other candidates, she said, are her accomplishments in initiating neighborhood organizations, hosting community meetings and bringing service providers to the area.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour
Cash bail system: No
Using police to enforce federal immigration violations: No, it would increase racial profiling.
To create a safer neighborhood: Would push for bike and foot patrols in neighborhoods, install “shots fired boxing” in all areas – not just high crime, provide resources to families of early juvenile offenders and support legislation that would help to expedite nuisance properties.
Addressing police/community tensions: Body cameras for police, officers should live where they serve, sponsor events for residents and officers
Passionate issues: Empowering the community through business development, education and “creating unity, inclusion and participation from all levels of residents in our city”
Brandon Bosley
Brandon Bosley, 29, is the son of Freeman Bosley Sr., the incumbent alderman who is not running for re-election. “Where I come from there are no elders who the youth want to follow,” Brandon said. “There are no youth who our elders believe in.” Brandon believes he can bridge the gap between generations, and his youth sets him apart from other candidates, he said.
Minimum wage: “At least $10 an hour”
Cash bail system: “is unfair at some times but also works in some situations.”
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
To create safer neighborhoods: Crime prevention programs for youth
Addressing police/community tensions: Establishing more open communication. He said, “We must start at the root of the problems” – which is largely the youth.
Passionate issues: preventing crime and rebuilding the city
John Price
John Price said he is an everyday resident frustrated by living among condemned buildings, high crime and in a food desert. “I am not a politician, but I can guarantee I have been in a lot of the same positions as the residents of the 3rd Ward,” he said.
Minimum wage: $11 within next couple of years
Cash bail system: No because it is a “discriminatory practice.”
Addressing police/community tensions: Body cameras, establish “officer friendly” program
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Create more opportunities and educate more people in at-risk areas
Passionate issues: Rebuilding abandoned homes, improving living conditions, economic development
WARD 5
Megan Betts
Community activist Megan Betts recently helped to form North Side Neighborhoods United, which is working on using community benefits agreements on upcoming development projects that use city funds in St. Louis Place, JeffVanderLou and Old North neighborhoods. She is against eminent domain. Her involvement in the entire ward – not just one neighborhood – sets her apart from other candidates, which includes incumbent Alderwoman Tammika Hubbard, she said.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour
Cash bail system: No, because it is a “form of discrimination against the poor and minorities.”
Addressing police/community tensions: Placing officers in communities they represent and understand culturally. Need new police chief
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Build off existing programs, such as Youth Build and Workforce High School. Fund community centers better and increase police officers wages.
Passionate issues: Equitable housing, creating a crisis intervention team that includes social workers, mothers of crime victims, and resource agencies to respond to violent crime scenes
Reign Harris
Raised in the 5th Ward, Reign Harris has no political or community leadership experience. That is what sets her apart, she said. “I don’t have ties to any big developers,” she said. “I don’t have a political family dynasty. I want people to love where they live.”
Minimum wage: $10
Cash bail system: No
Addressing police/community tensions: More dialogue, city-wide town hall meetings
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: Yes
Creating safer neighborhoods: Hiring more police, encouraging residents to report crimes
Passionate issues: Making ward safer and more beautiful, bringing in new businesses
Robert Green
Community organizer and lifelong 3rd Ward resident Robert Green said his record of community activism sets him apart – including organizing neighborhood block units and associations and being a founding member of Save Northside STL and founder of Frederick Douglass Museum of African-American Vernacular Images and a few cultural festivals. He proposes a moratorium on TIF subsidies and tax abatements on big developments that lead to gentrification.
Minimum wage: “based on living wage calculation for city of St. Louis”
Cash bail system: No
Addressing police/community tensions: Establish a civilian review board to address claims of police misconduct; Missouri Highway Patrol should oversee investigations of police-involved shootings
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Hiring more police with better training and pay
Passionate issues: Investing in human beings, motivating youth, stopping mass incarceration and senseless killings of the youth
Darryl Robert Ray
Darryl “Bob” Ray believes his experience in community leadership sets him apart from other candidates. He said he has established neighborhood associations, youth programs and progressive political organizations, as well as taught political science and international diplomacy.
Minimum wage: a livable minimum wage
Cash bail system: No
Using police to enforce federal immigration violations: No, “we should be a sanctuary city.”
To create a safer neighborhood: Body-worn cameras for police. Better pay for police and more police hired. Create partnerships with communities and police.
Addressing police/community tensions: Grant the civilian oversight board of police the power to penalize and fire. In hiring, ensure that applicants for the police department have not been fired from other departments. Enact a community ownership model of policing and community involvement in developing police strategies for neighborhoods. Fire Jeff Roorda.
Passionate issues: Helping people, mentoring young people
WARD 7
Quinn Parks
Quinn Parks, a Green Party candidate, has been involved in facilitating emergency shelters for the chronically homeless for six years. This experience sets him apart from his only opponent – incumbent alderman Jack Coatar, who proposed legislation last year that would make it a criminal offense to feed the homeless downtown without a vendor permit. Parks supports tax subsidies for first- and second-time homebuyers, renovation projects, locally owned businesses and worker-owned cooperatives.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour
Cash bail system: No, because it “criminalizes poverty.”
Addressing police/community tensions: Need more officers who are community oriented, patrol on foot or bike and live within districts they patrol.
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Treat addiction as a public health emergency, nurture economic opportunities, and retool education to provide more trade-focused tracks for youth
Passionate issues: How we treat the poor and distribute tax incentives, healthy democracy, term limits for elected officials
WARD 9
Dan Guenther
Community organizer Dan Guenther said he is different from his main opponent – incumbent Alderman Ken Ortmann – because he has “a proven record of working with stakeholders to build consensus and stronger neighborhoods while engaging residents.” As alderman, he hopes to explore new funding for afterschool programs, recreation centers and job training.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour, but supports an $11 an hour starting point and gradual increase
Cash bail system: No, because it “disproportionately affects poor people and minorities.”
Addressing police/community tensions: Supports State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr.’s “28 to Life” program to bring officers and youth together, bring in more “community policing” initiatives, partnering with schools and police
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Address root causes of crime, such as poverty, jobs and education[SJ1] . Equip officers to deal with drug addiction, mental health issues and trauma.
Passionate issues: Community safety, small business development, healthy & sustainable neighborhood development, racial equity, inclusive & transparent government
WARD 11
Eddie Tucker
Business owner Eddie Tucker hopes to replace outgoing Alderman Thomas Villa, and he said what sets him apart is his 40 years in the 11th Ward.
Minimum wage: $10 an hour
Cash bail system: “This is a difficult question.”
Addressing police/community tensions: More open dialogue
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: Yes
Creating safer neighborhoods: Improve communication with police
Passionate issues: Crime, drugs, safety, services, new business, creating more jobs
Dee Brown
Dee Brown said she knows the neighborhood issues “better than anyone,” having lived in Carondolet for 30 years. She also worked as a community health nurse visiting patients in most of the 79 city neighborhoods. She also founded the St. Louis Safety Group, a citywide effort for safety and preservation in neighborhoods.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour
Cash bail system: No, because “it treats the poor and wealthy differently.”
Addressing police/community tensions: Working with police department through the Neighborhood Ownership Model
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: Yes
Creating safer neighborhoods: Continuing the St. Louis Safety Group, promoting neighborhood watch programs
Passionate issues: Crime prevention and safety, neighborhood revitalization and community development
Hannah LaChance
As a mother of St. Louis Public School children, Hannah LaChance said she wants good schools and safe streets for everyone. As a Green Party candidate, what sets her apart is her refusal to accept campaign contributions, she said.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour
Cash bail system: No
Addressing police/community tensions: Demilitarize police, institute higher transparency and accountability at department, better pay for officers who complete degrees in social work, tax or housing incentives for officers who purchase homes in hot-spot neighborhoods.
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Invest city funds into people, small businesses, education and infrastructure
Passionate issues: Human rights and environmental health
WARD 17
Joseph Diekemper
Emergency-room nurse and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer living in Mongolia, Joseph Diekemper said he will not be an alderman who sees the world through the filter of business and finance – like his only opponent, incumbent Alderman Joe Roddy. “I differ from that narrow view and try to see the full spectrum of needs of the residents of all backgrounds as well as the business to create solutions that work for everyone,” Diekemper said.
Minimum wage: $11 an hour is a “reasonable short term goal” on a state level.
Cash bail system: No because it targets people of color, poor and largely low-risk offenders
Addressing police/community tensions: Support a “robust” civilian review board to address claims of police misconduct, use police-worn body cameras, address root problems of crime
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: “We need the health department, pediatric health experts and our schools on the same page as we know that crime and toxic stress feed on each other.”
Passionate issues: Public education, integrating children’s public health within schools, creating economically diverse neighborhoods to “decrease negative feedback loops created by poverty.”
WARD 19
Lindsay Pattan
A longtime volunteer for Amnesty International and ACLU and a fundraiser for Forward Through Ferguson, Lindsay Pattan has knocked on about 4,000 doors and made 2,000 calls with her team of 15-30 canvassers every weekend. As a strategic planner, she believes her experience in business, along with her commitment to racial equity, makes her stand out from her only opponent, incumbent Alderwoman Marlene Davis.
Minimum wage: Raise to $10.57 an hour immediately and then to $15 over next three to five years.
Cash bail system: No because it “contributes to the criminalization of poorest residents and perpetuates poverty.”
Addressing police/community tensions: More officers on bike and foot patrol, reinstate officer residency requirement within next 10-15 years, anti-bias/anti-racism training at police department
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: More sufficient police training and better pay for officers
Passionate issues: An equitable future and transcending Delmar Divide, creating opportunities for youth, a balanced approach to tax incentives, small business development, mixed-income developments
WARD 21
John Collins-Muhammad, Jr.
The Ferguson unrest pushed John Collins-Muhammad, Jr., 24, to run for state representative in the 77th District last fall. After losing that race, he entered the aldermanic race in the 21st Ward. He believes he stands out from his opponents because he is a “fighter” against injustice and corruption.
Minimum wage: $11 an hour by Jan. 1, 2018
Cash bail system: No
Addressing police/community tensions: Invest in community policing, support legislation that increases police training in conflict resolution, strengthen civilian oversight of police, develop inclusive recruitment plan
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: Yes
Creating safer neighborhoods: Hire new police chief who understands North city, better police training, reintroduce the gang-abatement unit, and focus on high-crime areas
Passionate issues: Rebuilding neighborhoods and recreating the” Natural Bridge Corridor”
Laura Keys
Serving her second term as 21st Ward Committeewoman, Laura Keys is a business owner who is active in several community and youth organizations. She said she stands out from her opponents because she is a homeowner. She raised four children in the ward and understands concerns parents have for their children’s safety and education.
Minimum wage: “a living wage that supports workers and does not deter businesses from hiring qualified workers”
Cash bail system: No
Addressing police/community tensions: Holding community events with police and residents
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Increase pay for officers to attract and retain officers who are trained to handle crisis and de-escalation tactics, more educational and job training programs for youth
Passionate issues: Education and training for youth, supporting senior homeowners
WARD 27
Keena Carter
A Ward 27 resident for more than 48 years, Keena Carter felt it was her turn to “throw my hat in the ring.” She said differs from her opponents because she has more than 30 years of experience working on political campaigns, including those of Gregory Carter and Chris Carter III. She’s also led grassroots clean-up efforts, health fairs and fundraisers for neighborhood restoration.
Minimum wage: $15 an hour, but would agree to $12-13 to start
Cash bail system: No, because it leads to loss of employment and breeds poverty.
Addressing police/community tensions: Pass legislation that requires cultural sensitivity training for police
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Erect cameras to deter illegal dumping in alleyways, install more speed bumps, and resurrect neighborhood watch programs
Passionate issues: Crime deterrence, healthcare access, equal distribution of funds for beautification and investment projects
Pamela Boyd
Pamela Boyd, the 27th Ward committeewoman for eight years, is the board president of St. Louis Caring Communities and has been a dietary manager for more than 40 years. She was a “pioneer” in starting the neighborhood watch and block units in her community, and that sets her apart, she said.
Minimum wage: “gradual increments”
Cash bail system: Unclear response
Addressing police/community tensions: Collaborate with community organizations and police
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Strengthen Neighborhood Watch and block units
Passionate issues: Community improvement, diversity, safety, and equality for all
Ciera Simril
A neighborhood organization leader and member of the Civilian Oversight Board, Ciera Simril said her ability to multitask, communicate and “get the job done,” sets her apart from her opponents.
Minimum wage: Raising minimum wage “on large corporations but not small businesses”
Cash bail system: “Depends on the nature of the crime”
Addressing police/community tensions: More conversation
Using local police to enforce federal immigration: No
Creating safer neighborhoods: Redistrict police districts based on new crime statistics, use the Neighborhood Ownership Model, utilize block units, form community business districts for safety
Passionate issues: Safety, lowering crime, showing compassion for crime victims
