CANDIDATES FOR COMPTROLLER: 4 year term: Salary $24,999.78
(The Comptroller is the chief financial officer of the City)
John F. Bass (Dem.)
Former City Director of Welfare, and a manpower training consultant for the University of Missouri’s program.
He favors some new concepts in property taxation to protect the home owner and small businessman who pay a heavy load now. Believes in real estate tax reduction for improved property, to make it unprofitable for investors and slumlords to let property decay.
He also favors management and fiscal policies which will free a greater share of tax revenue to neighborhood services. He would support in-service training to upgrade skills of city employees and policies to bring greater capital improvements to declining areas of the city.
Edward R. Joyce (Dem.)
An attorney, professional accountant, retired Internal Revenue Service Agent.
He believes in tax rebates on improved property, limited to increases because of improvements and notes that these require action by the state legislature. Sees the problem of penalties on property neglect as one of enforcement rather than further law. Would like to see Internal Revenue Agents, on loan from the federal government, audit the books of every city department to restore credibility to city government. Would review all positions in city departments not directly delivering service to the people to see if position is justified or could be abolished. Feels that the federal government, through its tax, farm and welfare policies has impacted St. Louis with 30% of the population poor and problem citizens, and the federal government should reimburse the city for their care as they do in impacted school districts.
Raymond T. Percich (Dem.)
Currently Sheriff of the City. Has served three years on the Board of Alderman and on the Ways and Means Committee which considers matters of expenditures. Has also been responsible for the budget of a local charitable institution.
He favors tax rebates only when applied equally to all. He believes that present laws and ordinances for neighborhood protection are adequate if they are enforced.
He would avoid any tax increases if possible and work for tax reductions by cutting unnecessary spending. He sees the Comptroller’s office as an opportunity to act as a watchdog on city spending.
John G. Roach (Dem.)
Currently alderman, 28th Ward. He is an attorney, and in his military service was Director of Port Operations and Commander of the Military Port of Pusan, Korea. Has taught courses in business drafting and Urban Land Law.
He thinks we over-assess improvement and under-assess land, which gives an incentive to deterioration. Favors strict housing code enforcement and some form of occupancy permit, instead of the hit-and-miss enforcement of housing standards.
Believes that sound neighborhoods must be preserved by providing capital improvements and services which will attract new young people to the city. Then the blighted housing should be eradicated and threatened neighborhoods rebuilt and revived. The bombed-out looking areas of the city should be redeveloped with new housing, industrial and commercial construction to provide a tax base. Spending of this nature must be examined to be sure it will provide service to citizens and be economically sound.
Fred Whaley (Rep.)
Businessman.
He is president of a construction and Realty Company and has developed large subdivisions.
He thinks the idea of tax incentives to city property owners should be studied carefully but that property which causes neighborhood deterioration can and should be condemned.
Believes that the Comptroller should see that city money is spent as specified. Would encourage business and industry to re-locate in the city; work for a satisfactory method of transportation; better police protection, more youth centers and better health care for the elderly.
Aldermanic elections this year are in the odd-numbered Wards, which does not include the 28th.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1973.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1973_03.pdf, printed page(s) 3.
