Voters should retain Shrewsbury as aldermanic president
Reed is justifiably proud of the help he has given developers, help that has transformed abandoned factories into entertainment venues and derelict buildings into lofts. It's a record that he wants to build on; a record that he wants voters to know about; a record that he believes should vault him into the presidency of the Board of Aldermen.
Incumbent Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury knows as well as anyone that residents expect smooth delivery of services. For more than 20 years, he has listened to his 16th Ward constituents call about potholes, burned-out streetlights, burglaries and overflowing Dumpsters. As board president since 2002, and acting board president since 2001, Shrewsbury has played a key role in overseeing the city budget as a member of the tri-partite Board of Estimate and Apportionment.Shrewsbury points to his long experience and deep knowledge of city government, his independence and his willingness to listen to all sides as reasons why voters should retain him.
Perhaps no issue illustrates better the differences between the two candidates than Barnes-Jewish Hospital's proposal to lease 9.4 acres of Forest Park that lie east of Kingshighway.
The hospital agreed to pay $2 million a year for the lease and Forest Park Forever agreed to sweeten the pot with $1.8 million yearly. The deal would have freed about $1.6 million in the city budget that is now earmarked for park maintenance.
A compromise has since been worked out, cheering Reed, who feared an opportunity would be squandered. The new deal was approved Friday by Comptroller Darlene and Mayor Francis Slay. Shrewsbury held his ground and voted against the lease.
Reed saw money to pay for improvements to other city parks, to increase wages for firefighters and city prosecutors and to beef up the Police Department.
Shrewsbury saw something else. An alderman since 1983, Shrewsbury remembers 35 years of wrangling over the park. A parking lot across from the old Arena, a petting zoo, a parking lot at the Art Museum, a walkway over Kingshighway Boulevard to Children's Hospital, all were advanced with good intentions, all were intended for the civic benefit. All raised cries of outrage from residents who see Forest Park as inviolate ground.
Shrewsbury admits the benefits of the deal and he refuses to criticize anyone who supports the lease. But he won't ignore what he says is substantial public opposition.
Shrewsbury has maintained an independent stance that goes back to his early days on the board when he killed a cozy riverfront lease that would have benefited Eugene P. Slay, a powerful Democrat who, incidentally, is the mayor's cousin.
Both are sincere, hardworking men who are devoted to making St. Louis a better place to live.
Shrewsbury has been listening to the voice of St. Louis for nearly 25 years.
Reed has a vision for St. Louis that cannot be accomplished from the aldermanic chambers. Reed's vision is better suited for the mayor's office. Shrewsbury should be retained as aldermanic president when voters go to the polls March 6.
