In the December issue of The Paper I was disappointed to note that no mention was made of the active part many area residents played in securing the veto of Governor Hearnes for the JobCorpsTraining site. After facts were obtained by attendance at very poorly publicized public meetings, the location of the JobCorps Center was rejected by a representative group from this area for the reasons stated in the petitions circulated; no other.
Much effort and much time was expended by many people in securing this information, explaining this information to others — largely by word of mouth, securing names on petitions, writing personal letters and telegrams to the Governor and finally by presenting the people’s case to the Governor in person, in Jefferson City. The Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council meeting was the culmination of this rather considerable effort. I believe this effort was an excellent example of democracy in action, and I feel that it is important for our young people to realize that a democracy is a viable form of government which can reflect the will of the people, if the people are ready to work at it.
Frankly, I resent the implication in your editorial that this area will reject — carte blanche — all programs to come. I feel that we have an unusually intelligent, highly articulate and commendably concerned group of people of many diverse racial and ethnic origins. I believe this to be the most open-minded community in St. Louis or St. Louis county.
Our area, after ten tumultuous years of neighborhood character change, is gradually reaching a discernible degree of stability again. In order to build a future for this area, we must indeed be very careful about the programs we submit to, government sponsored or otherwise. It is our privilege and our duty as citizens of a free country to be informed of and respond to things which will affect our lives and those of our children. This privilege and duty should be seriously regarded, highly prized, and vigorously upheld by those we entrust with official positions.
Mrs. R. M. Lottes
Originally published in The Paper, February 1971.
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