Powered by a monumental fundraising advantage over a nominal opponent, Republican Joe Passanise, and a solid performance as St. Louis County Executive since 2003 (when he took over after the death of the late George R. “Buzz” Westfall), Charlie A. Dooley is blitzing his weak opponent to enhance his political clout by taking this election opportunity to consummate his political reach.
The first African American to hold the office, Dooley has been steady, energetic and a tireless advocate for the state’s most productive county while supporting strong regional partnerships. This election will strengthen him politically and give him greater prerogatives in administering the county’s affairs.
A veteran of the County Council, Dooley is a personally engaging politician who has maintained his accessibility despite his ascension to his current position. We endorse CHARLIE A. DOOLEY for St. Louis County Executive.
The outcome of the competitive race between incumbent Republican Kurt Odenwald of Shrewsbury and Democratic state Representative Barbara Fraser of University City could enable Democrats to regain control of the seven-member County Council. Fraser is a firm advocate of the emerging biotech industry in the county, whose growth she maintains would benefit three key issues – education, health care and economic development in the county’s inner-core suburbs.
With her experience in the Missouri Legislature as well as on the University City school board, she is well prepared to serve on the County Council. BARBARA FRASER is our choice for the 5th District seat on the County Council.
Democrat Joan Bray faces a serious challenge in her re-election campaign for the Missouri Senate from Republican John W. Maupin. She has been a tireless and articulate champion for progressive causes during her 10 years in the Missouri House of Representatives and her first term in the Senate. Bray has not backed down from a good fight for causes she believes in, and many of her core beliefs and policy stances coincide with the needs and values of the black community. Based on her previous performance, we strongly urge the re-election of JOAN BRAY to the Republican-dominated Missouri Senate, where some balance is so desperately needed.
A number of African-American students can attribute much of their educational success and high school graduation to St. Louis County Special School District.
For decades, SSD has refused to “warehouse” students with special needs and has sought to provide them with a first-rate education.
SSD provides special or technical education services to one out of every five public school students in St. Louis County. This includes students with learning disabilities, autism, speech impairments, hearing impairments, blindness, physical disabilities, emotional disorders and mental retardation.
SSD also operates North Technical High School in Florissant and South Technical High School in Sunset Hills. The schools offer more than 30 career and technical programs, including network engineering, culinary arts, general construction trades, automotive repair services, firefighting and health services.
Through Proposition S, SSD is asking for an 18-cent tax rate increase on Nov. 7, making the levy $1 per $100 of assessed property value. The increase on a $100,000 home would be 66 cents per week.
There are few times when a tax increase is as palatable as this request, and voters should soundly approve the proposal by voting YES ON PROPOSITION S.