The Commonspace > May 2002 > Church and State

Recently, TheCommonspace.org submitted a list of ten questions to candidates Jim Shrewsbury and Lyda Krewson, who are both vying for the presidency of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. What follows are their responses, limited to about 100 words per question.

Jim Shrewsbury

Why do you want to be President of the Board of Aldermen?

Jim Shrewsbury I truly believe that every alderman and alderwoman, regardless of what part of the city they represent, deserves a place at the table and wants to see laws passed that benefit all of St. Louis, not just special interests with deep pockets.

I was elected alderman in 1983. I have always been accessible to the people I represent. I believe that the Aldermanic President must respect an open process in order to make decisions that create common ground. Progress is made when trust is high and people feel included.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

I have several legislative goals for this session of the board. We have written legislation to enact a living wage bill for contractors who have large projects with the city. I believe that we must make work pay; homelessness and poverty are not acceptable by-products of low wage jobs.

We have also written legislation to curb emissions from medical waste incinerators. Medical waste incineration emits mercury into the air. While some incineration is necessary there are safer ways to dispose of most medical waste. Toxic air pollution poisons the entire community and must be reduced to the lowest possible level.

My staff and I are working together to develop a charter school for the city aimed at teenagers who have left school. Those teens would be given the skills necessary to be hired for entry-level jobs the city has trouble filling.

What are your feelings about Home Rule?

I support the passage of Home Rule.

What legislation have you passed as an alderman?

(This is an abbreviated list.)

Passed legislation that created a special voluntary tax fund to replace or improve the city's animal center.
Passed legislation to provide medical care for victims of domestic violence.
Passed legislation prohibiting the sale of pistol-style BB guns to children and prohibiting everyone from carrying them in a concealed manner.
Sponsored legislation requiring local officials to publicly disclose gifts received from persons or companies that do business with the City.
Passed a law to require gun owners to buy gun locks to protect children.
Opposed special interest control of the St. Louis riverfront; sponsored and passed legislation requiring bids for riverfront property leases.
Sponsored and passed legislation abolishing City automobile stickers.
Sponsored voter referendum to keep police officers living in St. Louis City.

What groups or organization are you active in, outside of your daily responsibilities? What draws you to them?

I am a member of various neighborhood organizations and have been for many years. I participate with my church, St. Gabriel's, in the operation of a soup kitchen in the Soulard neighborhood. I'm also drawn to helping new candidates run for election. My outside activities provide me with a sense of accomplishment, involvement, and a way to meet people who represent different views on life in our city.

What are some of St. Louis' greatest challenges that must be overcome?

Racism, declining population, loss of our tax base, and our schools' poor performance

What is one of your opponent's best qualities?

She represents her ward in a professional manner at the Board of Aldermen.

What do you think is your best quality as a candidate?

Trust. I've spent 19 years earning it. That's why the senior aldermen are my supporters. They know they cannot expect favoritism for any particular interest. What they can expect is fair consideration on any given topic. I've earned their trust with openness and consistency.

What is your working relationship with Comptroller Darlene Green and Mayor Francis Slay?

We have worked well together in the past year. Our staffs work together and we have been able to make progress in an orderly and respectful manner.

Where do you see your base of support?

I receive 96% of the vote in my own ward. Naturally, the people who have worked with me since 1983 are my base of support. During my years of public service many people have worked with me and have come to trust me as well. I have many supporters throughout the city. Many labor unions have endorsed me, housing and neighborhood organizations support me, and business groups and environmentalists are working with me.

Lyda Krewson

Why do you want to be President of the Board of Aldermen?

Lyda Krewson I believe I can make a difference, as I have as the 28th ward alderman. St. Louis must have strong, decisive leadership, if we are to move forward. We cannot continue to recycle the same old ideas. I have developed a reputation for "getting things done." I am proud of that reputation, and want to bring that same decisive leadership to the president's office. President of the Board is an important office; it is one of only three members of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. It will take a leader with commitment, energy, qualifications, and last but not least, "guts," to bring St. Louis together again.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Making neighborhoods safer
Keeping jobs in the City
Creating better school choices

What are your feelings about Home Rule?

I was an early supporter of Home Rule. It is just one step, but an important one, in reconsidering how we want our government to work. Home Rule will simply allow St. Louisans to decide for themselves on any proposed charter changes, rather than going to a statewide vote. On the other hand, Home Rule is not the "be all... and end all," as some would have us believe. If Home Rule passes in November, I look forward to working with others to consider any changes that might be desirable.

What legislation have you passed as an alderman?

In my 4+ years as 28th ward alderman, I have initiated and passed a number of important bills, including:

Forest Park legislation, enabling the renovation of the golf courses, Grand Basin, Jewell Box, boathouse, fish hatcheries, and planetarium.
The first Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) ever in the City.
A CID facilitating the Regional Arts Commission project and saving $70,000 per year, which can now go to the arts.
A TIF to facilitate the Argyle Parking Garage and new Schlafly Library.
A bill enabling St. Louis to finally spend $37 million in previously awarded federal money, including many roads and bridges, and the Washington Avenue Improvements.
A CUP to facilitate Washington University's expansion and bring hundreds of new jobs to St. Louis.
A bill exempting stock options from earnings tax. This tax cost St. Louis hundreds of jobs before its repeal.

What groups or organizations are you active in, outside of your daily responsibilities? What draws you to them?

My kids' many activities
28th Ward Organization
Forest Park Forever
Million Mom March... I have always believed that it was crazy to allow citizens to carry a concealed gun in urban areas. Seven years ago, my husband was shot and killed in an attempted carjacking in front of our CWE home. My two kids (at that time 2 and 5 years old) and I witnessed this horrific incident. Since that time I have spent many hours working for sensible, common sense gun laws. In 1999, when the NRA proposed to allow almost anyone to carry concealed guns almost anywhere, I spent hours working to defeat Prop B, including an appearance on the Today Show. Thankfully, Missourians, especially in urban areas, agreed and defeated Prop B.

What are some of St. Louis' greatest challenges that must be overcome?

1) Keeping and attracting jobs and 2) creating an environment where people want to live, work and raise their families. Solid economic development is a must. This should include housing, as well as retail, commercial and institutional development. A solid economy will provide jobs, and a solid tax base. We need this development to occur in all areas of St. Louis, not just downtown. We have to create a strong downtown, and solid wonderful neighborhoods at the same time. We will have to "Bring St. Louis Together" to accomplish these goals. We can no longer afford to have "the Hill versus the Ville."

What is one of your opponent's best qualities?

My opponent has been an Alderman for a long time...19 years. Continuity can be a strength.

What do you think is your best quality as a candidate?

My ability to bring people together to get things done.

What is your working relationship with Comptroller Darlene Green and Mayor Francis Slay?

I have a good working relationship with both Comptroller Green and Mayor Slay. As a CPA, I understand and respect the job that Comptroller Green has done to improve the City's financial condition. She continually pushes to protect the City's financial position. I have also worked on many issues with Mayor Slay...frankly, he has the toughest job in town, and he cannot do it alone. I believe my qualifications and abilities will be an asset to the Board of E & A and complement both the Comptroller and the Mayor.

Where do you see your base of support?

My base of support comes from people all over St. Louis who believe, as I do, that we cannot continue to recycle the same old ideas. People who love St. Louis and believe we cannot wait any longer to make improvements. People who believe that we must all work together for a better St. Louis. People who believe, as I do, that if we don't get there together, we won't get there at all. People who believe that it takes strong decisive leadership to bring St. Louis together again.