The obvious tightening of the race for the March 6 primary to decide who will be the Democratic nominee for the presidency of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen means that the outcome likely will be determined by the voter turnout of African Americans.
The contrast between the seasoned, placid incumbent James F. Shrewsbury, 51, and younger, energetic Alderman Lewis Reed, 44, could not be more striking. The generational difference between the two man is accentuated in their views about the proper role of the board president.
Reed has demonstrated his ability to get things done in the 6th Ward. There has been more than $1.5 billion in new development spanning the ward’s boundaries from the Central Corridor to the near South Side since 1999, when Reed took office. Reed, who promises to work full-time, wants to replace the plodding style and aloofness of Shrewsbury (who works part-time and has his legal office in St. Louis County) with a more engaged effort to promote citywide economic development. The sixteen members of the 28-member board who have endorsed Reed include five white aldermen.
A recent example of their stark differences is the roles they are playing in the disposition of Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s proposed lease extension and its bid for development rights for a fragment of Forest Park that has an underground garage and little-used recreational facilities. The site is isolated from the main area of Forest Park by six lanes of traffic on Kingshighway and from the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood by Highway 40. The current BJH lease has an additional 43 years at an annual rate of $150,000. The new lease would provide $2 million annually that would be restricted to Forest Park proper. The deal provides for some existing city spending to be used for neighborhood parks and assistance for youth programs and facilities.
Shrewsbury has turned thumbs down on the proposal, deferring to an activist group that is unalterably opposed to the lease extension. Reed, on the other hand, was instrumental in gaining support for the lease proposal. In addition, Reed was instrumental in the negotiations between BJH officials and the Aldermanic Black Caucus that will lead to some important benefits for African Americans, in particular, for a project that is expected to be in the $1.5 billion range.
Although this has been a relatively low-key campaign, the stakes are enormous. While the president of the board has limited statutory powers that include sitting on all of the board’s standing committees, the holder of the office can be actively involved with his board colleagues and their projects, and in this way stimulate development for the entire city. Most importantly, the president has a seat on the powerful three-member Board of Estimate and Apportionment. The mayor and comptroller are the other members that comprise the city’s chief fiscal body. Collectively they control city spending. Since Reed would be joining Comptroller Darlene Green, if he wins there would be an African-American majority on this board that influences most of the city’s policies and activities.
St. Louis will not reach its potential if it does not evolve politically. Reed, an information systems executive, represents a new generation of African-American elected officials who have an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the digital age. Since he came to the board he has represented an essentially racially mixed ward very ably, while cooperating with his African-American colleagues on issues critical to their constituents. Reed has shown that he understands the need for making the city more competitive for needed investment and jobs, as well as assuring that the neighborhoods get the attention they need. He knows this is no zero-sum game, and the city must address more vigorously the challenges to reverse the disinvestment that has plagued St. Louis for years.
The progress underway holds promise, but much more will need to be done in the future – and Lewis Reed is the person to help do it. We give our strongest endorse to vote for LEWIS REED FOR PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Lewis Reed emerged from a diverse and exciting ward, and he left in his wake three competent candidates to replace him as alderman of the 6th Ward. While constituents could expect to be well served by either political consultant Patrick Cachione or former St. Louis Development Corporation staffer Christian Saller, the clear choice in this race is Kacie Starr Triplett, who may bury her late grandfather, African-American political pioneer John Bass, on Friday only to celebrate her first campaign victory on the following Tuesday. Though only 27, Triplett was raised in a political family and has substantial experience in public service, most recently in the office of U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan. She has worked hard in the campaign and has energized many new voters in the ward. A vote for Triplett would ensure continued African-American representation in the very diverse but largely black 6th Ward, and it would boost into her first elected position a promising young politician who represents a new breed of young, savvy African-American leaders with the smarts and energy to get things done. We strongly endorse a vote for KACIE STARR TRIPLETT FOR 6TH WARD ALDERMAN.
Marlene Davis is running unopposed, but her candidacy bears mention and endorsement because it will be her important mission to pick up where License Collector Michael McMillan left off in turning around the city’s 19th Ward. McMillan has blessed her candidacy, which does much to explain why no one else filed to replace him. We are confident that Davis will continue his legacy and bring into office another black elected official who will work hard for the best interests of the 19th Ward and the city as a whole. We strongly endorse a vote for MARLENE DAVIS FOR 19TH WARD ALDERMAN.