The St. Louis American: In the Post-Dispatch editorial that endorsed Alderman Fred Wessels for city treasurer, it stated that you – an investment banker – don’t have the experience to manage the city’s banking needs, but Wessels as a hospital administrator and non-profit executive does. What is your reaction to that?
Tishaura O. Jones: I have the same experience he has. I was a hospital administrator for 10 years. The hospital (People’s Health Centers) is also a non-profit organization, so I also have non-profit administration experience. But not one candidate has ever worked for a bank or investment bank, and I have. Reading the Post, people wouldn’t think I have 15 years experience in banking, human resources, hospital administration and policy-making.
The American: You were most recently employed as vice president of municipal finance for Blaylock Robert Van, an investment banking firm. .Did the Post-Dispatch ask you about your work experience?
Tishaura O. Jones: They sure did. I was the first person to be interviewed.
The American: How do you feel about the fact that they didn’t acknowledge your banking and administrative experience in the editorial?
Tishaura O. Jones: That was a stark omission. They can say they didn’t endorse me for whatever reason, but not because I don’t have experience. I don’t know if they were reaching or looking for something. I feel they already had their minds made up. They based their decision on Wessels being around the longest and being the loudest critic – and not who has the necessary credentials or new ideas.
The American: The Post said Wessels was elected in 1985 to the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen and he has been City Treasurer Larry William’s biggest critics for being a builder of garages and friend to developers. Wessels is the chairman of the board’s Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee. Do you feel he has been Williams’ biggest critic, particularly in his role as chairman?
Tishaura O. Jones: He may be the biggest critic, but he has never filed legislation to improve the office.
The American: What are some of the plans that other candidates have talked about that you agree or disagree with?
Tishaura O. Jones: I don’t agree with anything the other candidates have talked about doing. There is a stark difference between our campaigns. I feel like I am running for Treasurer and they are running for parking-lot attendant.
The American: You said your plans for the office are different. What are you thinking of doing differently?
Tishaura O. Jones: Financial empowerment. I will make sure the Treasurer’s Office offers programs to financially empower residents and get them out of the horrible cycle of payday lending, as well as pressure the banks to offer more community-based services.
The American: The Post highly praised Wessels for wanting to change the office of city Treasurer to an appointed post, rather than an elected position.
Tishaura O. Jones: He has never said that in any public forum during the last seven months. When asked, he has dodged the question. Does he really want to get rid of the office, or was he saying what he needed to get the Post’s endorsement? It makes me wonder.
The American: Would you “get rid of the office”?
Tishaura O. Jones: No, I think it needs to be independent. And the only way to do that is to keep it accountable to the people. It still should be the people’s choice.
The American: Is there anything people should pay close attention to in this race?
Tishaura O. Jones: All of those promises to increase the amount of funding of the general revenue through parking are illegal. You can’t make contributions directly to the general revenue because of the Hancock Amendment. There are other ways to make allocations, such as by the Treasurer’s Office purchasing services from the city (police or legal services, etc.). A direct transaction is not possible.
The Treasurer also is the chief investor for the city. Right now, that function is outsourced, and I have the experience to bring it back in-house and to know what good investments versus bad investments are for the city. We need to look at the investment portfolio and investment policy and if it’s meeting our needs.
The Democratic Primary for Treasurer will be held August 7.
