Young leaders to be honored @stlouisamerican
Keith Harris and Dione Neal are among the 20 young professionals who will be recognized Feb. 23.
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited FEBRUARY 16 – 22, 2017
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Tishaura rebuke of Post goes viral A quarter-million people read her letter to daily’s editorial board on American site By Chris King Of The St. Louis American If tweets could vote, there would be a clear new front-runner in the St. Louis mayoral race. On Friday, February 10, The American posted a letter that Tishaura O. Jones, a candidate for mayor in the March 7 Democratic primary, had sent to Tod Robberson, Editorial Page editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In the letter, which is published this week in the Political EYE column, she explained her reasons for not
Vol. 88 No. 45
meeting with the Post editorial board. “What the editorial board and certain other reporters have done is nothing short of thinly veiled racism and preference for the status quo past,” Jones wrote. “Something this city has had enough of.” Race is central to this election and coverage of it because only one of the viable mayoral candidates is white, Lyda Krewson (who was endorsed by the four-term white mayor vacating the seat). Jones is one of three viable
‘Corruption, racism and cronyism’ alleged in police department Black police association plans to file complaint with Civilian Oversight Board
See POST, A6 By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American The city’s black police officers association plans to file a complaint with the Civilian Oversight Board about “corruption, racism and cronyism” in the police department, and it intends to use the city’s new whistleblower law to shield officers from retaliation. While the group represents about 250 mostly black officers and civilians, not all of the officers who will join them in the complaint will be people of color, Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police (ESOP), said at a press conference Tuesday, February 14. “Racial disparities exist with promotions, Heather Taylor, discipline, transfers president of the – they exist,” Taylor Ethical Society of said. “However, things Police morale-wise are so bad now that any officer is up to be the next person to face discipline that’s not justified – no matter what race you are or gender you are.” A St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said that Chief Sam Dotson “takes all allegations seriously and is committed to working with the organization to address their concerns” in
See COMPLAINT, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
Money the Dreamer Money Edwards was watched by Barry C. Black, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate, and Pastor B.T. Rice when she performed MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech from memory at New Horizon Christian Church in Cool Valley on Saturday, February 11 as part of the church’s 19th anniversary celebration.
More progressive endorsements for Jones Young Democrats, Mobilize Missouri, Jake Zimmerman endorse Tishaura for mayor By Chris King Of The St. Louis American Tishaura O. Jones has received endorsements for St. Louis mayor from two progressive groups in the city, the St. Louis Young Democrats and Mobilize Missouri, as well as Jake Zimmerman, St. Louis County assessor and recent candidate for Missouri attorney general. The St. Louis Young Democrats, a group of 18-40 year olds dedicated to electing Democrats to office and promoting the concerns of young people in the political arena, voted on an endorsement after the group’s mayoral forum on February 7. Jones won a clear majority – 58 percent – of the 59 St. Louis Young Democrats members who voted, distantly followed by Lyda Krewson (25 percent), Lewis Reed (9 percent) and Antonio French (7 percent). “Tishaura is the candidate working hard to
See JONES, A6
‘Close white friends’ and Hazelwood schools Mark Behlmann hints at reverse black conspiracy in bid to get back on board American staff
Photo by Allison Carmen
The St. Louis Young Democrats board: Joe Jovanovich, Shayn Prapaisilp (vice president), Sergio Haro, Rosetta Okohson-Reb (secretary), Elise Miller Hoffman (president), Joe Wilson. Not pictured: Luke Sapa (treasurer). The Young Democrats endorsed Tishaura O. Jones for St. Louis mayor in the March 7 primary.
Mark Behlmann may be hoping some of his “close white friends” will put pressure on Hazelwood school board members to appoint him to replace Chuck Woods, who resigned recently. Many see Woods’ resignation as the typical Hazelwood school board move – appointing a white candidate to fill the unexpired term of a white board member. Behlmann, a former school board member who lost in Florissant mayoral races in 2011 and 2015, did not return the St. Louis American’s request for comment by press time. Voters will have a chance to select Woods’ permanent replacement in the April 4 election. With Woods gone, there are four African-American
See BEHLMANN, A7