Historical February–March 2022 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Alderwoman Heather Navarro of the 28th Ward resigned, effective January 21.
She will be the Director of a new institute devoted to climate change funded in part by the Bloomberg trust and housed at Washington University.
A significant part of Navarro’s career has dealt with preservation of our endangered environment. At the zoomed meeting of the 28th Ward on January 20, Navarro said that she had enjoyed her aldermanic role and thanked everyone for their support. Navarro worked with the SDCC’s Housing and Zoning Committee on the issue of AirBNBs in residential areas.
She worked closely with Alderwoman Shaheem Clark-Hubbard of the 26th Ward, and with other alderpersons on the redistricting plan, as well as to set priorities for the federal infrastructure dollars coming our way.
In addition, Navarro passed legislation making construction of new homes and businesses more energy efficient.
All our best to Heather in her new post! And thanks for a job well done! Mike Gras to Stand in Special Election There will be a special election for the year remaining of Navarro’s term. That will be held on April 19.
The first step in the process prior to the public vote was having the committee people interview possible candidates and forward the name they favor to the Democratic Central Committee (committee people from all 28 wards).
The Central Committee. then selected the candidate to be the Democratic nominee. Others may file but cannot have the appellation Democrat on the ballot. Mike Gras will be the Democratic candidate for Alderman for this unique election. Mike has served as 28th Ward Committeeman since being elected in 2016.
He is an employment attorney.
He and his wife, Dr. Allison Walsh, and two kids, Alex and Cecilia, live on Maryland Ave.
He said, “My primary focus is going to be continuing to serve the residents of the original 28th ward boundaries and shepherding our ward through the next year of changes for our City (ward reduction, etc.).
I am also looking forward to leveraging my background as an attorney and my relationships across the City to help tackle our biggest issues.” Starting in 2023, the wards drop from 28 to 14 and a new set of rules on elections take effect. Ward 10 will be home to all parts of our neighborhood, so this last year is important for our neighborhood. Working
together with Committeewoman Gail Farwell, Mike will be able to use his experience in the 28th Ward neighborhoods to help set priorities for the future.
To reach Mike directly, go to the 28th ward website or facebook page, call him at 314-497-8373 or email him at mjgras@gmail.com.
Original photograph caption
Mike Gras, Gail Farwell and retiring Alderperson Heather Navarro, left to right.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2022.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source prints Shaheem Clark Hubbard variant; preserve without guessing correction.
Original source: SD_Times2022_02.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
