Alderwoman Cara Spencer (8th Ward) has proven to be a formidable contender for mayor of the city of St. Louis. She’s raised more in donations than her opponent, incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones, and received more votes than Jones in last month’s primary election.
In an interview with the St. Louis American, Spencer was challenged on her statement that more Black people have left the city under Jones’ term than any other mayor, how she plans to pay for the improvements she’s promising, and why she thinks wealthy developers are donating so substantially to her campaign.
There was even a brief debate where she denied using the word “corruption” in regard to Jones’ administration. Even though there’s a Spencer political ad running now claiming there’s been “four years of corruption” under Jones.
“The mayor has put together a program where you can get a loan and that sort of thing, but the reality is if you have a license plate that’s three years expired, you’re not insuring that vehicle. You are endangering the lives of those around you. So, we have to have a path to get lawful. My plan is not to come down hard on everybody right off the bat.”
Mayoral Candidate Cara Spencer
St. Louis American: You’ve been an elected official for 10 years which means you’ve served under three mayors: Jones, Lyda Krewson and Francis Slay. In your opinion, which administration did the best job?
Cara Spencer: Oh, it depends on the issue. I really disagreed with a lot of things, maybe the philosophy of Mayor Slay but, at the time, I’d say city services rated the best…there was a lot more hope in the air for downtown and neighborhoods were growing.
STL American: How about economic development in distressed areas?
CS: Philosophically speaking, I agree with the current mayor about investing in distressed areas but it’s not just about throwing money at the problem. You (must) be strategic and effective. What’s been remarkable is the population lost in the last four years has been worse in distressed areas under this mayor. Whether it’s the policy or philosophy of what’s been communicated and even the expenditure has not been effective.
STL American: Weren’t we losing population before Jones? I mean, we’ve gone from almost a million in the 50s to around 350,000 today.
CS: You’re right, but there was a lot of white flight during that time.
STL American: But we lost Black people during Slay and Krewson, too.
CS: Yes, but it’s been like a remarkable falling off a cliff under this administration. The population loss has accelerated and concentrated in that geographic area of North St. Louis.
STL American: What would you do to maintain the Black population in North St. Louis?
CS: What I would start to do right off the bat is deliver city services better which would include North St. Louis. Serving residents what they pay their taxes for and that includes road maintenance, trash removal and other basic city services.
STL American: We also have a dwindling tax base. I’m curious as to how you will raise the funds to address the things you’ve criticized Mayor Jones for not doing such as better trash service, the hiring of additional police officers and other things?
CS: Let’s talk about trash service. Right now, the city doesn’t do the job. It doesn’t engage in proactive auditing to ensure that property owners are paying for trash service and we’re not doing nearly enough to crack down on illegal dumping. These are revenue sources. When it comes to the building division, we have tens of millions of dollars in outstanding building code fines that we’re not collecting, and we should be. Those investments pay for themselves.
STL American: You’re talking about additional personnel, updated systems and even hiring more police officers. You talk about the return on investments but where’s the initial investment going to come from?
CS: We (must) be more efficient in our departments, there are sources of revenue we’re not tapping into right now that we need to be and increasing those activities will have a return. The police department is a tricky one and, frankly, we’ll have to see how the state takeover plays out and what that means for the bottom line. I’m really concerned that the state directing aspects of our police department could have a very, very serious impact on the city’s financial health.
STL American: Before the takeover, Jones vowed to sue the state. Are you in favor of that?
CS: It’s interesting. I’ve talked a lot about legal challenges and if there is a path, we will take it, but I’ve heard through the grapevine that the mayor’s legal counsel has advised her there is no path.
STL American: I’m no lawyer but people voted for local control and the state just took it away. Isn’t that a precedent for a lawsuit?
CS: There could be, but what I don’t want to do is get into a situation where we’re spending millions of dollars for a political stunt. I think that’s really harmful.
STL American: Mayor Jones is investing or trying to invest in businesses, and neighborhoods in North St. Louis. Will you do better, or will you continue her efforts or what?
CS: I would continue it, but I would do it better. I would do it by being led by the communities. One of the big initiatives that I supported while on the board was this $37 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds going into the North City grant program. It’s been an abysmal failure. That in addition to the private building stabilization program, a $17 million dollar program that was supposed to go into stabilizing buildings has resulted in a politically connected building inspector syphoning off millions into companies he owns. So, it’s not just about a philosophy or throwing money at a problem; you (must) do it in a way that works and that isn’t corrupt.
STL American: I’ve noticed during several debates when asked about crime in St. Louis, you mention the scourge of people driving around with expired license plate tags. Are you insinuating that these people are committing violent crimes and, if so, where’s the proof in that?
CS: Expired and unlicensed vehicles, yes. But I talk about reckless driving as well…
STL American: I’m wondering about this alleged connection between crime and expired tags…is there one?
CS: My connection is that when you see people driving around without licenses or badly expired plates or driving recklessly…those types of drivers are a visual reminder or indication that we’re kind of lawless…that we have this lawlessness mentality. I’m not talking about having expired plates by a couple of months or even a year, but the reality is, if you choose to drive a vehicle with no license plates or one that expired in 2021, you’re breaking laws with no consequence.
STL American: I drive a 2011 vehicle. My (personal property) tax is $300. Say, I miss three years, that’s $900 dollars. So, I can see where a person making minimum wage or who is unemployed may have trouble making that kind of payment? What would you do to address that situation without labeling them ‘criminals?’
CS: The mayor has put together a program where you can get a loan and that sort of thing, but the reality is if you have a license plate that’s three years expired, you’re not insuring that vehicle. You are endangering the lives of those around you. So, we have to have a path to get lawful. My plan is not to come down hard on everybody right off the bat. I’d start with the most egregious abusers; those who don’t have license plates at all or who are several years out of compliance.
STL American: So, you would continue Mayor Jones’ temporary tag loan program?
CS: Well, we would look into a program like that…I don’t know the details of how well it’s working but I certainly think getting paths to getting lawful is important before we start talking about cracking down on these things.
STL American: Last year, you abruptly resigned from a top post with the city’s nonprofit development, SLDC…
CS: Well, I wouldn’t say ‘abruptly’…
STL American: OK, but when you did, you took issue with Jones’ appointment of Neal Richardson and his dual role as CEO and Chair of the Board. But wasn’t that the same structure under previous mayors?
CS: No, it wasn’t. There was a period under Krewson when Otis Williams (former SLDC director) served in that dual role…but you do not want the CEO and the chair of our oversight board to be the same person.
STL American: You seem to have attracted many wealthy developers who’ve contributed your campaign; Bob Clark’s Clayco construction, Brinkmann Construction, Grewe Brokerage & Development and ARCO Construction to just name a few.
CS: Hmm, I didn’t even know about all those.
STL American: That’s according to financials from the Brighter Future for St. Louis PAC which supports you, right?
CS: I should watch them more closely but, yes, (donations) are going toward my PAC which is supporting me, but I don’t get to control them in any way, shape or form.
STL American: Why do you think these wealthy developers are your supporting your campaign?
CS: These are very serious business folk who want to see the city succeed. They’ve been very frustrated and disappointed with the administration and they’re supporting change.
STL American: But there’s an alleged connection between one of your donors, Clark, Mckee and SLDC’s decision to place hundreds of acres of land under eminent domain near the NGA site. What would you say to voters who know Clark, McKee’s bank (Bank of Washington) and other developers who’ve contributed to your campaign might expect a quid pro quo arrangement after you’re elected?
CS: First of all, Bob Clark has a long history of supporting a lot of good democrats across the board. He was one of Obama’s top ten donors in this area and raised a ton of money for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this last round. So, I’m on a list of very prestigious recipients of his contributions. With regards to Paul McKee, I don’t know where Bob stands with him…
STL American: Reportedly, they’ve partnered on several projects in the NGA area…
CS: To be honest, I haven’t spoken to Bob about Paul McKee except asking if he has current business dealings and he’s indicated he does not. Besides, I was the first elected official to strongly come out against McKee and I stand on that position today.
STL American: So, because those properties surrounding the NGA are so valuable and will, no doubt, become more valuable, I would think McKee, Clark and the Bank of Washington would want to maintain control of that land.
CS: Well, frankly speaking, I don’t believe that what has happened or is currently happening with those properties over the last ten years has been in the best interest of the city.
STL American: So, the fact that you’ve vowed to fire Neal Richardson (SLDC director) has nothing to do with the wishes of the wealthy developers supporting you?
CS: I didn’t ‘vow’ to fire him. What I said was, we need new leadership there. I think it’s important that we structurally change the rules and bylaws of the organization. Neal is a very nice person…but he was put in an untenable situation by requiring him to serve as both CEO and director (chair). And that falls squarely on the mayor. But, at this point, I’m considering new leadership at SLDC.
STL American: You’ve alleged there’s corruption at SLDC. That’s a strong allegation…
CS: I’ve said ‘alleged corruption’ out of city departments. We’ve seen that very clearly, but I don’t think I’ve used the word ‘corruption.’
STL American: Actually, you did. I took notice at the Paraquad Center debate…
CS: Appearance of corruption is what I believe I said because that’s what I believe it to be, especially with this list of politically connected folks getting grants in North city.
STL American: But you’re still hinting at corruption without any concrete proof. Yes, there may have been mismanagement and flaws, but ‘corruption’ is a strong allegation.
CS: You’re right and I’m most comfortable describing it as ‘mismanagement.’
STL American: OK. But to be clear, you won’t interfere with the city’s eminent domain decisions related to McKee’s properties near the NGA?
CS: I don’t know enough about those eminent domain proceedings, but I do want to relieve Mr. McKee of ownership of properties in the city of St. Louis.
STL American: Your opponent, Mayor Jones said you talk a good game…
CS: Well, thank you (laughs). I haven’t heard her say that, but I like it.
STL American: I hear you…but she says you haven’t adequately explained how you’re going to make all your promises come true and that you’re basically inexperienced.
CS: Yes, she’s said that, but people basically said the same thing when Kamala Harris was running. What I can say is that experience does not equal leadership nor excellence and we’ve seen what Mayor Jones’ experience has brought us.
STL American: Speaking of Harris, I think you’ll agree that Trump used racist and sexist tropes and stereotyping against a Black woman. Some have accused you of doing the same in this competition. How are you navigating that fine line?
CS: Those accusations are easily made, especially at a time when things are so divisive. I don’t believe in bullying or name-calling, and I don’t believe in misleading the public and that’s, unfortunately, what’s happening here. I know where my heart is and that’s where I’ll stay strong. I’m going to serve St. Louis. Not only will I improve city services across the board, I know I can serve our citizens equitably and equally. And I’m putting my reputation on the line to do that.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.