As a public service to readers of THE PAPER, we are starting with this issue a column on various types of legislation and action by elected officials which is of concern to area residents. We will print the position and the voting of each official on local, state and national legislation of importance to our area. We have asked elected officials representing our ward and districts to keep us informed of upcoming legislation and how they vote on various issues. We hope that this will serve as a means of evaluating the performance of our elected officials and, most important, that of keeping the neighborhood informed about legislation which will and is affecting us.
Ward News
John Roach, alderman for the 28th ward, is setting up an aldermanic advisory council on subsidized housing to secure information on proposed leased housing units within the neighborhood. Mr. Roach has asked the Women for City Living, the Assembly of the People of St. Roch’s and the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council to designate a member to represent their group on the advisory council.
While Mr. Roach did not express an opinion against or for the leased housing on Clara, he has publicly stated that neighborhood organizations and individuals must demand consultation before similar projects are considered in the future. He expects the advisory council to do this. In addition, he actively opposed the job corps center.
A bill will shortly be introduced in the Board of Aldermen which will seek to make available for redevelopment a part of the eastern portion of our neighborhood where there are vacant and vandalized buildings and substandard dwelling units.
The area includes the 5700 blocks of Westminster, Kingsbury and McPherson and the 5800 and 5900 blocks of Washington. Mr. Roach states that he plans to support the bill and that he will ask that the Skinker-DeBaliviere Council become a redeveloper under the terms of the bill.
Mr. Roach states further, “I have received a number of complaints concerning the breakdown in street cleaning services in our area. It is true that the city has only a few of the 30 sweepers operating due to a lack of mechanics. I have talked with Commissioner Gilmore about the problem and he has promised to get sweepers into our area as soon as possible. It appears, however, that a more permanent solution will only be brought about by a louder public outcry. If there have not been any improvements within a few weeks, I will seek additional aldermanic support in demanding improvement.”
Mr. Roach states that the area has not received the removal of dead trees and trimming of live ones promised by the city during Operation Neat and that he will continue to try to get action.
Mr. Roach’s telephone number is 862-5893 and he lives at 6106 Kingsbury. He states that he welcomes calls and will be available to exchange ideas with any group or any individual. Mr. Roach also plans to publish a newsletter which he will mail to area residents.
State News
Bills in these areas are being drafted by Fred Williams, state representative from the 72nd district, for proposal to the 76th session of the legislature:
- an abandoned housing bill patterned after the recent by-passed Illinois bill on abandoned housing.
- an automobile insurance appeals board consisting of the state insurance director and four other people. People with cancelled policies could appeal to the board for a ruling if they felt the cancellation to be unjust.
- a fair housing bill.
- a bill to legalize the sale of alcohol in the city of St. Louis on Sunday.
- a bill to prohibit or limit the use of lead base paint and plaster for use in housing.
- a bill to establish a reciprocal agreement between Missouri and other states on requirements for registered and licensed practical nurses.
- legislation requiring utility companies to pay customers a flat interest rate on deposits held by the company.
- legislation to prohibit the company from turning off the gas in retaliation for non-payment of bills during certain times of the year.
Mr. Williams supported the placement of the job corps center on Delmar and sought support to override the veto of Governor Hearnes. Mr. Williams is planning to also send out a newsletter to area residents explaining some of his legislation in greater detail.
Mr. Williams welcomes comment from his constituents. His phone number is 862-1579 and his address is 5621 Chamberlain.
(Editor’s Note: Due to a short deadline, we were unable to obtain a report from some of our other elected officials. We hope to include their news in future issues.)
Originally published in The Paper, December 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1970_12.pdf, printed page(s) 4.
