Elections

28thWard To Choose New Alderman

December 1997

Historical December 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

On December 9, voters in the 28th ward will choose a new alderman from among 5 candidates seeking the position.

The person selected will serve out the unexpired term of Dan McGuire who resigned to become St. Louis Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry. Election for a full term will take place in March of 1999.

There are five candidates in the race: Republican Candidate is Z. Dwight Billingsly.

He is a St. Louis native and graduate of Northwest H.S.

He holds a B.A. from Yale and an M.B.A. from Harvard.

He lives on Kingsbury Pl. Former deputy comptroller under Virvus Jones, he now has his own investment firm. Democratic candidate is Lyda Krewson.

She lives on Lake and is vice president and chief financial officer of an architectural firm.

She has a B.A. in Accounting from University of Missouri-St. Louis and is a certified public accountant.

She has been active in the Central West End Association and Leadership St. Louis.

There are three independent candidates. Debra Buck Loveless lives in the 51xx block of Waterman.

She holds a B.A.

In journalism and a Masters degree in public policy analysis from Claremont College.

She served as a CORO fellow and was a journalist.

For the last few years she has been a homemaker. Joyce Littlefield lived in Skinker DeBaliviere in the 60s and then moved to her present home in the 51xx block of Westminster.

She was very involved in the Cervantes administration and was director of Maryland Plaza redevelopment. Leata Price lives at 58x.x Waterman.

She is a cosmetologist and free-lance writer.

She ran unsuccessfully for Democratic committeewoman in 1996.

These candidates have been appearing at a series of forums in the ward organized by the League of Women Voters. Candidates answered questions including some from the audience according to a strict format.

The Nov. 20 forum was held at Grace United Methodist Church.

The candidates had to respond to a question about MetroLink. Littlefield said that she was a strong proponent of mass transit but she did not like the way the MetroLink expansion route was handled.

She said that residents deserve a voice in the way the route is implemented. Price said that the voters want MetroLink in the 28th ward.

She said that BiState did not do a good job of handling the tax.

She wants to think about the impact of construction in the metro area. Krewson said that MetroLink is essential to St. Louis.

We have a good system. Ridership is 3 times over projections.

She added that your alderman can have an impact on how MetroLink is built and mitigate any adverse impact.

She wants the extension built below grade. Billingsly said that he is a strong supporter of public transit.

We need more participation in planning.

We need a comprehensive strategic plan. Loveless said that she is in favor of MetroLink but she liked the green route better.

She wants to make sure the concerns of the 28’h ward are heard and participation in the design process.

The candidates were also asked what they would do to encourage homeownership. Littlefield said she wouldn’t.

The residential market is pretty well taken care of. Price said that she supports the $2,000 grant for 1st time homebuyers.

She would like to see larger grants for pockets of poverty. Krewson said that she would improve the quality of life in the ward and work on safety.

She said that in the last 10 years there hasn’t been the same growth in housing prices. Billingsly said that the question of the schools had to be addressed. Loveless said that she would use the city’s incentive programs.

All of the candidates expressed support for the rehab of Delmar. Editor’s Note: None of the questions at this forum held in Skinker DeBaliviere directly addressed this neighborhood.