The Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood has been part of both the 28th and 26th wards for over a decade. Irving Clay Jr. was elected alderman of the 26th ward in April 1991 after winning the Democratic primary that March. Clay resides with his wife Evelyn in Kingsbury Square. She taught in the St. Louis public schools for 24 years. Clay's daughter, Diane Keys, is currently a public school teacher in St. Louis. His son, Irving III, is a theatrical technician and lives in the Washington, D.C. area. He has worked at the Kennedy Center and the National Theatre.
Clay is a native St. Louisan and was educated in the St. Louis public schools. He was in the first graduating class of Forest Park Community College. He received his bachelor's degree in education and psychology from Virginia Union University in Richmond and has taken classes at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Clay spent more than 40 years in the public service. He first served in an entrylevel position in the city's recreation department. He rose step by step to become Commissioner of Recreation. He also served as Director of Recreation and Parks in the city of Richmond. He returned to St. Louis and served as Director of Human Services and Executive Assistant to the Mayor from 1983 to 1988. There he coordinated the Mayor's Task Force on the Homeless and the Task Force on Infant Mortality. He retired in 1988.
I asked Alderman Clay about what he had been able to accomplish since his election. He mentioned a home improvement program for the 26th ward. Economically qualified individuals can receive a grant to fix up the exterior of their homes. He felt this was important because there were many structurally sound and architecturally significant homes that could be improved with this program. This would add to the appearance of stability in the community.
Clay also was able to get the 1991 budget amended to remove the 50 cent charge to children at the city's swimming pools. Today kids can swim without charge.
He sponsored a pension bill that was to remove the 25% cost of living cap for all retirees. He also co-sponsored a bill dealing with the percentage of city contracts given to minority and female contractors. Clay further proposed that the city use $220,000 from this year's budget to open 56 neighborhood playgrounds this summer. This would have provided 2 fully staffed playgrounds in each ward. This staff would have been adequately trained to provide leadership and direction to children in play activities. The activities would include basketball and softball but also arts and crafts, dramatics, charm activities, and special programs for preschoolers. Clay feels that this type of program is sorely needed in St. Louis to provide constructive alternatives for children to steer them away from deviant behavior. However, these various measures were not adopted by the Board.
Clay stated that his primary reason for seeking this office was to provide service to the 26th ward and the city of St. Louis. He still is focused on that direction and will do so as long as he serves in this position. He is happy that he has been able to help the people of his ward solve some of their problems, improving access or referrals. His main concern is housing. While three quarters of the housing in the 26th ward is in good condition, there are a large number of vacant lots and boarded up buildings. He also is concerned with unfair allocations of Community Development Block Grant funds to the 26th ward as well as to other wards in the northern section of the city. Over the years, the administration has developed several plans for the 26th ward and probably for other wards in north St. Louis. However, "plans have little or no meaning unless accompanied by an implementation plan with costs allocated and dates and time lines."
Clay regretted the lack of attention given to the development of common areas in the 26th ward as well as other wards in north St. Louis. Clay said that, "It's unfortunate that funds have been allocated throughout the years to stabilize south St. Louis and the central corridor. It's my feeling that these public funds should be allocated evenhandedly with improvement and development of the total city."
Alderman Clay reiterated his support for the planning effort to revitalize Delmar between the city limits and DeBaliviere. He feels that the improvements contemplated would be beneficial to the area. He also suggested that a redevelopment corporation to concentrate on small- and medium-sized businesses would help the neighborhoods.
Original newspaper source
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1992.
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