此内容暂无简体中文译文，以下为英文原文。
Historical March 1983 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
OPERATION BRIGHTSIDE Spring is coming and we should see dramatic changes in the physical appearance of Skinker-DeBaliviere.
As part of Operation Impact in the Washington Heights area, Operation Brightside is clearing and seeding all the vacant lots in the target area.
Our Garden Club, students and Brightside will also be planting flowers and trees as part of Operation Flower-Shower.
And finally, but perhaps of the greatest visual impact, Brightside has planted hundreds of climbing roses along the Forest Park Parkway. “Raiders of the Lost Parkway” founder Roy Bell should be in ecstacy!
NEW LIBRARY
Our new library is coming along (if ever so slowly.) The main problem remains that the builder of the pre-fab building is still waiting for some aluminum parts from their supplier.
As of now, opening day (hopefully) will be 1 April.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Shortly before recessing for the holidays, the Board of Aldermen approved the 1983 Community School budget largely funded with Community Block Grant money. Faced with sharp cuts in funding from the Board of Education, as well as inflation, our Hamilton Community School on the 5800 block of Westminster and two other near-North Side schools were slated to be downgraded to part-time status.
With the help of Thelma Thompson and other members of the Hamilton Community School Advisory Board, as well as several members of the Board of Aldermen on the Housing Committee, I was able to amend this proposal to maintain Hamilton and Columbia schools as full-time institutions.
We must remember, however, that this is only a short-term solution. Next year’s budget problems will be even greater.
We must all come together and strongly support our community school this year if we hope to keep it open and expanding in the future!
RAIL MASS TRANSIT
Of great interest to the area is the proposed light rail mass transit system. Col. Leonard L. Griggs, chairman of the City’s Transportation Council (and also director of airports), has proposed a modified system utilizing the existing railroad track network which dramatically reduces building costs. Recent congressional approval of the 5- cent-a-gallon gasoline tax greatly enhances the possibility of the project.
One cent of the tax is to be earmarked for mass transit.
The East-West Gateway Coordinating Council is currently studying the feasibility of the program. Phase I of the project would link East St. Louis with the airport primarily along the old Wabash tracks which run through the heart of Washington Heights.
This initial phase also calls for an extension to Clayton. Public hearings and environmental impact studies must be conducted before the final plan is approved, but if all goes well, Phase I could be operational by mid-1986.
ELECTION DAY BLUES
I recently sponsored an ordinance with “Red” Villa (D-11th Ward) to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages on city primary and general election days. Area merchants have long sought relief from this prohibition.
This antiquated statute was eliminated from state liquor laws by the Missouri legislature three years ago, and there have been no problems with election day sales in other parts of the state.
Our business people were especially hard hit due to the ward’s proximity to the county, and have lost thousands of dollars due to their patrons traveling to Clayton and University City for lunch and dinner. Furthermore, the previous ordinance posed difficulty for St. Louis businesses which service conventions, meetings, and tourists.
While the problem of “no beer” on opening day at the ballpark served as the catalyst for this legislation, most Aldermen felt it would be extremely unfair to exempt only one merchant while still banning the sale of alcohol by all others.
Original photograph caption
Alderman Dan McGuire. The Paper, March 1983, page 5. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1983.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1983_03.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
