St. Louis Observer: January 20, 2023
St. Louis Observer: January 20, 2023
Aldergeddon absentee voting starts next week; several wrongful death lawsuits filed against Missouri county jails; Northside Economic Empowerment Center now open
Editor’s Note
With some absentee voting for Aldergeddon opening on January 24, we’ve compiled the current voting guides out there so far: the who’s who and other pertinent information to know as the voting season officially opens.
If there’s anything to be learned from the last six years of municipal elections, it’s that an educated St. Louis voter base is one of the most effective instruments for change.
The last day to register to vote for the March 7 Nonpartisan Primary Election is February 8. Check your voter registration status here, and update your voter registration information here.
Sample Ballot by the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners
“St. Louis Board of Aldermen Races Set,” by Richard Bose, NextSTL.com
“The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will look much different after spring elections,” by Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Pubic Radio
“Stranger than fiction: Aldergeddon is here,” by the St. Louis American’s Political Eye
“‘Silly season’: with deadline looming, St. Louis aldermanic races take shape,” by Austin Huguelet, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Police, prosecutorial, and judicial accountability
In the weeks following the wrongful conviction trial of Lamar Johnson, the conduct of the former assistant prosecuting attorney involved with the original 1995 conviction is being scrutinized. Dwight Warren, who is still a prosecuting attorney in Butler County, Missouri, was forced to admit on the stand that he had no evidence against Johnson and had depended on one unreliable eyewitness. Civil rights activists are calling for a review of all criminal cases convictions obtained by Warren in light of the revelations from Johnson’s week-long trial. [Jamala Rogers, St. Louis American]
The Expedited Probation Program at the St. Louis County Jail has decreased the length of stay for detainees held for probation violations. A study by UMSL revealed that while probation violations represent a small number of detainees in the County Jail, those jailed for violations typically had longer sentences than other detainees. The study also found that most persons jailed for probation violations were detained for nonviolent offenses like not maintaining employment or failing to meet with a probation officer. The study also identified barriers to the successful completion of probation and parole sentences, like transportation access to meet with parole officers and the inherent distrust of the system. [Monica Obradovic, Riverfront Times]
Leaders of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement and the African People’s Sociality Party are challenging the FBI’s raid at their South City following a suspicious fire set at a church that the Uhuru Movement was planning to purchase. The Sanctuary Church in the 18th Ward suffered extensive fire damage on January 7, and the Uhuru Movement says that they have not been updated by the Fire Department or City since the day of the fire. The attacks reminded members of the Uhuru Movement of the government-sponsored violence against civil rights leaders in the 1950s and 60s, which also included baseless FBI raids and suspicious church fires. [Monica Obradovic, Riverfront Times]
Reynolds County, also in southeast Missouri, has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit for nearly $1 million with the family of a detainee who died in the jail’s custody in 2018. During the course of litigation, attorneys for Adrian Smith’s mother and children discovered that jail staff not only ignored previous “suicide watch” flags but left the county jail with one staff member overnight - the keyless 911 dispatcher. [Ryan Krull, Riverfront Times]
Another wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against St. Louis County by the family of a detainee who died in the Justice Center during a medical emergency that went largely ignored by county jail staff. Multiple detainees have provided accounts showing that corrections officers failed to alert medical personnel or obtain treatment for Jo’von Mitchell, who died from a stroke while in county custody. [Ryan Krull, Riverfront Times]
Economic development and housing
Advocates and providers for Missouri’s unhoused are already struggling to find resources for persons experiencing homelessness who are impacted by a new state law that criminalizes sleeping on state-owned property. The law also banned some state and federal funding from being used for the “Housing First” model, a proven approach to reducing homelessness across the country. Instead, the law diverted those funds to provide temporary shelter and substance abuse treatment. [Clara Bates, Missouri Independent]
A $245 million project called the Brickline Greenway will connect dedicated bike and pedestrian paths from Forest Park, through Midtown, and up to Fairground Park. The project is already spurring new affordable housing developments near its proposed route and further aims to both promote existing businesses in and attract new businesses to the area. [Eric Schmid, St. Louis Public Radio]
The Northside Economic Empowerment Center, a collaborative project between St. Louis Public Schools and the St. Louis Development Corporation, opened on January 9 in Sumner High School. The center will serve as a hub in the Ville neighborhood to help small businesses access training, certification programs, and back office support. The Center, funded by $1.5 million in ARPA funds and operating under SLDC, aims to engage both students and families in the surrounding neighborhoods as part of Mayor Tishaura Jones’ broader economic justice initiative. [Kate Grumke, St. Louis Public Radio]
Further reading
A new 24/7 texting hotline has opened to support victims of domestic abuse with emergency transportation, preparing a safety plan, and providing referrals to shelters, legal aid, and medical care. Text support is anonymous and multiple languages are supported. [Jaime Lees, Riverfront Times]
Beyond the Paywall
To read the below articles in full, please visit SLPL.org and access these articles through the Digital Content tab. St. Louis City & County residents can read these publications free using their library cards.
“Messenger: Legal filing accuses St. Louis of destroying evidence in jail use-of-forces cases,” by Tony Messenger, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Lawsuit: County jail staff ignored man’s pleas for help for three, then he died,” by Taylor Tiamoyo Harris, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Missouri hiring private company to provide food for prisoners,” by Kurt Erickson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Former state official blasts Missouri’s handling of human trafficking cases,” by Jack Suntrup, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Missouri GOP lawmakers target critical race theory, push to expand parents’ right,” by Blythe Bernhard, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Legislative Update
St. Louis City Board of Aldermen
Board Bill 180, sponsored by Ald. Christine Ingrassia (Ward 6), would establish a right to an attorney for a St. Louis City tenant who is facing eviction. The bill was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee on January 17.
Board Bill 179, also sponsored by Ald. Ingrassia, would restrict “unmanned aerial vehicles,” also known as drones and including Spy Planes, from City airspace. This bill was referred to the Public Utilities Committee on January 13.
Board Bill 64, sponsored by Ald. Shane Cohn (Ward 25), would establish “transparent, standardized, and beneficial policies and procedures” for considering development proposals before the Board of Aldermen. The bill was heard by the Housing, Urban Development, and Zoning Committee on December 15.
Resolution 9, introduced by Ald. Sharon Tyus (Ward 1), would call for the investigation of the Board of Adjustment, Building Division, Public Safety Department (including SLMPD), and other departments that allow “nuisance and unsafe homes and businesses” specifically in North St. Louis. Tyus’ bill targets shelters and group homes providing services to unhoused St. Louisans. The bill was held in Public Safety Committee on December 14.
Learn more about how a bill becomes a City ordinance.
Track these board bills and much more on St. Louis PoliticClips’ dashboard.