Historical September 1981 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On July 14, 1981, Daniel McGuire of the 6100 block of Westminster Place was elected to fill the aldermanic seat for the 28th Ward vacated by Vincent C. Schoemehl upon his election as mayor of St. Louis.
A neighborhood resident in Skinker-DeBaliviere for ten years, McGuire is not new to the problems, concerns, and interests of his constituents.
In a recent interview with the Paper, Alderman McGuire discussed his new position. McGuire cited his experience with City Hall as an important asset in performing his duties as an alderman.
He previously worked in the Collector of Revenue’s Office but resigned his position upon being sworn in as alderman.
The freshman alderman said he anticipates no conflict between his position and the position held by his wife, Jill, who is employed as a staff assistant to Mayor Schoemehl. “My priorities are the best interests of the 28th Ward, and not specifically the entire City of St. Louis.” URBAN REDEVELOPMENT Long-range commitments identified by Alderman McGuire include: extension of the commercial redevelopment in the De Baliviere area to the Delmar blocks between DeBaliviere and the Loop; necessary assistance in reducing the number of vacant buildings and lots; and reduction in neighborhood crime. McGuire commented that development is underway for Lucier Park next to Hamilton School, which will consist of two ball diamonds and a soccer field. That area was razed some time ago and the addition of by Marcia Kerz the park will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
This is an example of the type of improvements the new alderman hopes to further during his first term, which runs through the spring of 1983. Commenting on plans for Nina Place redevelopment, McGuire stressed that he will not intervene while the interested parties are negotiating on a plan to be presented to the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council.
He has discouraged involvement by the Community Development Agency in the belief that the two parties, Nina Place Redevelopment Corp. and NinaMcPherson – Kingsbury Redevelopment Corp. are close to a compromise regarding the use of the blighting powers contained in state law (Chapter 353). McGuire has pledged to cooperate with City Planners in University City in coordinating the redevelopment of the Eastgate area in the northwest section of the Ward. Preliminary information is being provided to allow University City and St Louis to work together and complement the existing Loop redevelopment activities. CITY-STATE RELATIONS On other matters, in order to provide a unified position on issues affecting the city which are under consideration by St. Louis legislators in Jefferson City, direct and close communication with state representatives and Senators is an essential part of an alderman’s job.
This aspect of the job becomes more important than ever before according to McGuire, as more federal dollars are diverted from the city to the state under the federal block grants legislation recently passed by Congress. McGuire also expressed interest in state house redistricting.
Presently the 28th Ward lies in two state representative districts.
Because of the population loss in the city, seven legislative districts will be eliminated.
As the district boundaries are redesigned, the 28th Ward could be left covering portions of more than two legislative districts, thus increasing the number of legislators with which McGuire will need to communicate.
In discussing redistricting, Alderman McGuire mentioned that city redistricting will be decided this fall by a large aldermanic committee headed by Alderman Villa.
While the City Charter requires 28 wards, eliminating any reduction in the number of wards, the lines may be drastically redrawn to take into consideration population shifts in the last ten years. Under the redrawn wards, each alderman will represent approximately 16,000 people, considerably fewer than present. ALDERM AN IC COMMITTEES McGuire serves on the Aldermanic Intergovernmental Relations Committee which has begun a review of the team policing program and plans to hold public hearings prior to preparing recommendations for the Board of Police Commissioners.
He also serves on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Committee, the Traffic Committee, Rules Committee, and the Kiel Auditorium and Convention Center Committee. McGuire expressed no future political plans and hopes to spend the next few years representing his constituents in the 28th Ward to the best of his ability.
Originally published in The Paper, September 1981.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1981_09.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
