1992 Candidates

In past years, the Times has attempted to provide information to its readers regarding candidates in upcoming elections. This year, the Board has tried to do the same. Because of the sheer number of races and candidates, the effort involved in acquiring data, costs, and the lack of regular support staff, The Times limited its inquiries to three Democratic primary contests presumed to be of interest to its readers.

We do not mean to demean the concerns of Republican voters. However, in recent elections in St. Louis, Democrats have been dominant and the Democratic party has been decisive in selecting all elected officials save one. We have listed the names of Republican candidates who have filed below. In addition, we will cover both parties’ candidates prior to the November election.

Inquiries were sent to candidates for Circuit Attorney, State Representative-57th District, and State Representative-64th District. Most of Skinker-DeBaliviere lies in the 64th District. The north-northeastern section lies in the 57th District. Each candidate was asked for a biographical sketch and a photograph. Following are the responses The Times received. (The names of candidates that did not send material are also included at the end of this article.)

Circuit Attorney

Jack Garvey is a graduate of St. Louis University and Rutgers University Law School. He served as Assistant St. Louis prosecutor from 1988-1991. He is currently Alderman from the 14th Ward and is in private practice at the firm of Sestric and Garvey. He also was the 14th Ward Committeeman from 1988-1991. Garvey’s principal aim is the creation of a neighborhood liaison office with a prosecutor assigned to each neighborhood. This prosecutor would work with political and neighborhood leaders to pinpoint crime and go after the “neighborhood terrorist.” He also would fund a witness protection program that would provide security and minimal relocation costs to witnesses to murder.
Bill Haas is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School. He spent 20 years in corporate law practice. He also served as Assistant Law Director in Cleveland, Ohio from 1977-78. He was a founding member of the Guardian Angels in Cleveland. Haas’ principal campaign proposal is to have a permanent special prosecutor to investigate all alleged instances of police brutality. He has declared that he will unofficially withdraw from the Circuit Attorney race in July because there are already too many candidates.
Dee Joyce Hayes is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and St. Louis University Law School. She has been a prosecutor in St. Louis for 11 years and is currently the First Assistant Circuit Attorney. She obtained the indictment against Edward Post in 1986, won life without parole sentences for the murderer of a TWA stewardess outside Talayana’s in 1989, and obtained the conviction of Zein and Maria Isa for the murder of their daughter in 1991. Hayes emphasizes the delivery of quality trial work that will ensure that criminals are convicted and sentenced appropriately. She wants the Circuit Attorney’s office to help empower neighborhoods to make them safe again.
Nels Moss is a graduate of St. Louis University and the Washington University School of Law. He has been a prosecutor in the Circuit Attorney’s office since 1968. He has won 97% of his cases, including the conviction of Jerry Little who murdered Sister Pat Kelley. Moss favors a diversion program for first offenders with no criminal history, identifying and specially prosecuting gang members who deal in drugs and street violence, and using the professional staff of the Circuit Attorney’s office to advise and assist the juvenile court in certifying violent juvenile offenders for trial as adults.
Edward Sweeney received his Bachelor’s and Law Degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master’s in Business Administration from St. Louis University. He was in private practice from 1981 to 1986. From 1986 to date, he has been Assistant Circuit Attorney and Special Assistant Circuit Attorney in St. Louis. He is also Democratic Committeeman from the 8th Ward and a member of the Legislative Committee of the Missouri Bar Association. He is a Vietnam veteran. In 1989, Sweeney secured the most convictions in the Circuit Attorney’s office and his record was the best in 13 years.
Elbert Walton (Elbert A. Walton, Jr.) is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives and a practicing attorney. He has also taught at the college level and worked as an accountant. In addition, he served as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of St. Louis. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and a Law degree.

State Representative – 64th District

Nancy Farmer, a graduate of Illinois College, has been the Executive Director of Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council for the past 7 years. She has directed a neighborhood-based housing corporation, assisted businesses locating in the area, increased community access to the arts, and improved safety through citizen-police interaction. Farmer wants to strengthen the local-state partnership in economic and housing development, assure that every Missourian has access to affordable health care and insurance, supports strong enforcement of environmental protection measures, and believes that schools, primary through university level, should be adequately and fairly funded.
Caroline Burke attended Mineral Area Community College and St. Louis Community College. She lives in Tiffany/McRee Town and has performed secretarial and computer work on a contract basis. She has done volunteer work with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Mullanphy Community School, St. Margaret’s Church and School, and St. Vincent’s Home for Children. Burke wants to set up a special telephone line and neighborhood forum to enable every citizen to talk with his/her representative, supports statewide health insurance, and tougher laws against drunk driving. She wants to create jobs for more stable neighborhoods and wants to give teachers more authority in the classrooms. She also wants lower student/teacher ratios and a coordinated effort to prevent dropouts.
Gaylard Williams holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla, a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and a law degree from St. Louis University. He practices law and was legal counsel to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for three years. He is active in a number of community organizations, including the St. Louis Public School’s Career Education Program, Northside Preservation Commission, and the Industrial Development Authority. Williams wishes to address major problems such as education, crime/drugs, affordable housing, rights of the elderly, the environment, employment, and the right to privacy.

Candidates Who Did Not Respond:

State Representative-57th: O.L. Shelton, Fred Williamson
State Representative-64th: Al Belakhnon, Tim Cusick, Tom Stoff
Circuit Attorney: Michael Sheehan (Three candidates withdrew after our queries were sent out)

Republican Candidates: