The American endorses...
@stlouisamerican
Hillary Clinton, Chris Koster, Jason Kander, Russ Carnahan, Robin Smith, Teresa Hensley, Judy Baker
@stlouisamerican
2015 Newspaper of the Year!
See page A4
St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited NOVEMBER 3 – 9, 2016
Vol. 88 No. 30 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Black turnout critical on Nov. 8
ArchCity files ‘debtor’s prison’ suit against Florissant Thomas Harvey: ‘These places have done real damage to people’s lives’ By Mariah Stewart and Ryan J. Reilly Of The Huffington Post
the polls on Tuesday, November 8 when she faces Donald Trump for U.S. president. At all levels of education and income, in every region of the country, an overwhelming majority of black men and women told
For the past several years, 47-year-old Meredith Walker has dreaded driving. Walker hasn’t had a moving violation in more than 15 years. But the St. Louis County resident still fears she could be pulled over and jailed at any time because she can’t afford to pay off her outstanding debts. She’s been jailed at least 10 times in just five years. “When I first got locked up, my child cried so hard, wondering when his mother would come home,” Walker, a teacher and a mother of two, said. “I will never forget my child crying on the phone because he didn’t know when I was coming home.” Walker said she even changed her hair because she believed she was stopped more frequently when she had dreadlocks. But despite paying Meredith over $15,000 in fees, court costs Walker and bond forfeitures to various municipalities in St. Louis County – many of which derive large portions of their budgets from fines and fees – Walker’s license was suspended because a number of cities still say she owes them money for unpaid tickets. “They are preying on communities that just don’t have the disposable income or family support to borrow the money,” Walker said. “It’s either you pay or go to jail. There’s no in between.” Walker is a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit filed on Monday, October 31 by ArchCity Defenders, a civil rights law firm based in St. Louis, against the City of Florissant. ArchCity Defenders has been involved in a number of similar lawsuits, including a recent suit
See VOTE, A6
See FLORISSANT, A7
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Sisters Terri Benton and Odessa Walker cast their absentee votes at space rented by the St. Louis County election board Deer Creek Plaza, 3232 Laclede Station Rd. in Maplewood. Absentee voting continues through November 7. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Robin Smith: ‘The black vote is pivotal in determining who wins and loses statewide races’ By Chris King Of The St. Louis American Eligible black voters participated in the 2012 general election at a higher rate than the members of any other racial or ethnic group, leading to President Barack Obama’s
reelection after four years of relentless Republican attacks and obstruction by Congress. According to a new Nielsen poll commissioned by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Hillary Clinton should enjoy a similar black surge at
North County council seat on Nov. 8 ballot Democrat Rochelle Walton Gray, fresh from primary victory, faces Republican Curtis Faulkner
Curtis Faulkner
By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
The St. Louis American: What skills and experience do you have that make you the best choice for this office?
Rochelle Walton Gray – who won a major upset victory over longtime incumbent Mike O’Mara in the Democratic primary – faces Curtis Faulkner, registered as Republican, on the November 8 ballot for the 4th District seat on the St. Louis County Council, which covers the most northern portions of the county. The American asked both candidates the same questions about their candidacy; their answers are listed in the order received.
Curtis Faulkner: As a social entrepreneur and promoter, I believe nothing happens until a sale is made and that politics is the negotiations art of who gets what, how much and when. The creation of policy stems from desires, protection or needs in the use of tax revenues and fees, to produce or accomplish specific outcomes and/or plans germane to the social harmony and economic viability of the territory being
governed. Thus, to be an effective council person, one has to have energy, creativity, articulation and integrity. Rochelle Walton Gray: I possess a degree in Public Administration and I have been involved in the legislative process most of my adult life, as I have previously worked for an attorney and former legislator and I have been a state representative for the past eight years. The American: What do you see as the most pressing issue or challenge facing North County? Curtis Faulkner: Unifying residents and elected officials around establishing
See COUNCIL, A6
Rochelle Walton Gray