Rochelle Walton Gray – who won a major upset victory over longtime incumbent Mike O’Mara in the Democratic primary – faces Curtis Faulkner, registered as Republican, on the November 8 ballot for the 4th District seat on the St. Louis County Council, which covers the most northern portions of the county. The American asked both candidates the same questions about their candidacy; their answers are listed in the order received.
The St. Louis American: What skills and experience do you have that make you the best choice for this office?
Curtis Faulkner: As a social entrepreneur and promoter, I believe nothing happens until a sale is made and that politics is the negotiations art of who gets what, how much and when. The creation of policy stems from desires, protection or needs in the use of tax revenues and fees, to produce or accomplish specific outcomes and/or plans germane to the social harmony and economic viability of the territory being governed. Thus, to be an effective council person, one has to have energy, creativity, articulation and integrity.
Rochelle Walton Gray: I possess a degree in Public Administration and I have been involved in the legislative process most of my adult life, as I have previously worked for an attorney and former legislator and I have been a state representative for the past eight years.
The American: What do you see as the most pressing issue or challenge facing North County?
Curtis Faulkner: Unifying residents and elected officials around establishing a territorial marketable brand for growing and seeking new revenues. This, in concert with sustaining accreditation and solvency of the second-largest school district in the county go hand–in-hand with regeneration of housing values.
Rochelle Walton Gray: Economic development and workforce development. Small business as well as big business is important to boosting the economy and increasing employment. However, adequate education for everyone is very important as well. We need to properly train and prepare people to enter into the workforce.
The American: The 4th Council District has a diverse population, and the outgoing incumbent had been criticized for not representing everyone. How to you plan to insure everyone feels represented by your office?
Curtis Faulkner: I’ve found most residents want to embrace fresh ideas and are passionately committed to representation with bridge-building capabilities. Given that county government engages municipalities, it’s also a sub-division of state governance. As founding director of the Juneteenth Heritage & Jazz Festival, I’ve also been a lobbyist and work with legislators and leaders of both parties across the state for passage of legislation and executive orders to strengthen a foundation for a heritage and cultural opportunity to improve race relations and positively impact local and state revenues.
Rochelle Walton Gray: As a legislator, I see firsthand the various needs and challenges faced by the residents of North County and have witnessed the lack of accessibility from the current council person and the need to address constituent issues. While I have and will continue to do my best to address these needs, there is sometimes the need to engage the various forms of government. My current and future staff is well trained as to how to manipulate through the complexities of county, state and federal government. I have an open-door policy, and constituent concerns have been and will always be a priority in my office.
The American: Education is not a responsibility of county government, but the quality of public education is fundamental to the vitality of any community. What role should county government play in supporting public education?
Curtis Faulkner: Having served 18 years on multiple committees of the Hazelwood School District, I know firsthand the many challenges in providing both educational and social services in modern educational institutions. As with justice, education is now an affordable commodity. Thus, to sustain both accreditation and solvency a district must work with all governmental bodies as a partner in local efforts of economic stability and community-building. I will continue to work with my district in assuring this and their success.
Rochelle Walton Gray: By making sure that the voices and the concerns of the parents and students are heard by the local school administrators. I have had to deal with many situations within the surrounding school districts that required my intervention and, in most cases, was able to come to a resolution that was best for all concerned.
The American: County government is the municipal government for unincorporated St. Louis County. How do you plan to insure that unincorporated North County receives appropriate and sufficient municipal services?
Curtis Faulkner: I reside in an unincorporated subdivision. Like other areas of the district that pay their fair share of taxes, they too require attention and timely services. Many are now organizing among themselves to leverage their value to the county, and I support their efforts and share their concerns.
Rochelle Walton Gray: Over the years, I have met with several community leaders, community organizations, neighborhood associations and church leaders. In doing so, I am much more aware of the needs of the district than my opponent. However, I will continue to communicate with these entities to better formulate my agenda during my tenure in office. My progress towards addressing these issues has been hindered by the fact that I worked at the state level and needed assistance from the county in order to get things taken care of. Now, I will be able to personally request these services, ensuring that my constituents’ voices are no longer ignored.
The American: In your view, what’s your opponent’s biggest liability or weakness?
Curtis Faulkner: I don’t know my opponent personally but, from what I’ve observed in her years in state government, I see too much of a sense of symbolism and a lack of creativity, charisma and independence.
Rochelle Walton Gray: Currently Missouri is being run by a Republican legislature, and there is no room for another Republican elected official in this state, especially in North County. Republicans have little compassion or understanding for the needs of the people that they serve. Republicans have cut unemployment, cut funding for arts and education, and attempted to remove the circuit breaker exemption for certain seniors. They blocked Medicaid expansion, supported voter photo ID, made it easier for companies to discriminate against its employees and continually give huge tax breaks to large corporations while asking the average citizen to pay more taxes. A vote for my opponent, is a vote for big business owners, higher taxes and fewer services.
