Another election day is just ahead of us, the municipal primary, on March 9. At that time aldermanic candidates in the 14 even-numbered wards will be nominated, a $20,000,000 bond issue decided and two amendments to the City Charter accepted or rejected.
Our ward, the Twenty-eighth, is one of only four throughout the City in which there is an aldermanic contest. Opposing candidates in the Democratic Party are John G. Roach (incumbent) of 6106 Kingsbury Place, and Lawrence M. Costello, 6026 Pershing, former alderman. The unopposed Republican candidate is Edward M. Walsh, 6205 McPherson.
Candidates for President of the Board of Aldermen are more numerous. On the Democratic side are Alderman Joseph Clark of the Fourth Ward, Stephen Darst, a former Alderman and now reporter for the St. Louis Review, and Alderman John A. Joyce of the Twenty-third Ward. On the Republican side incumbent Joseph L. Badaracco is opposed by Theodore J. Fischer. Fischer’s son, Gerald, is seeking the American Party nomination for the same office.
A sharp division of opinion is developing about the proposed $20,000,000 bond issue for building an Exhibition and Convention Center. Proponents argue that Kiel Auditorium is no longer adequate to accomodate many of the larger conventions and that the new Center will create many new jobs in St. Louis. Opposition, led by Alderman Raymond T. Percich, argues that the tax cost will fall on the property owner, who may or may not reap any benefit from what it costs him.
Two amendments to the St. Louis City Charter will also be on the ballot. No. 1 asks the repeal of the Charter provisions setting up limitations on salaries which may be paid to municipal employees and provides that such limitations be made by ordinance. It is always difficult and time-consuming to amend the Charter. In the recent past, Charter limitations have made it particularly troublesome to fill medical and other highly professional posts in city government. As it competes for personnel in such posts, the City is badly disadvantaged by Charter limitations on salary.
Amendment No. 2 provides that separate eligibility lists be set up within the city departments for promotions and advancement of employees within the department, without their having to take and pass the regular Civil Service Examinations.
The League of Women Voters supports No.1 but opposes No. 2 on the grounds that it would open the door to favoritism, nepotism, and patronage.
Unfortunately the registration books at the Board of Election Commissioners office are closed ‘ until after the April election. Usually the vote is very light in the municipal primary election, but because of- the importance of this one, it is hoped that every registered voter in the Skinker-DeBaliviere area will make it a point to vote on March 9. Polling place locations may be obtained by calling the Board of Election Commissioners at 453-4201 or the League of Women Voters at 534-3900.
The proposal to establish a city-county cultural district to support the St. Louis Zoo and Art Museum will be on the ballot in the general election, April 6.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_03.pdf, printed page 1.
