Stl Public Radio - Coronavirus Dominates Low-Key Democratic St. Louis County Executive Debate
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/co ... ive-debate
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/co ... ive-debate
At this point, I'll probably vote for Mantovani; primarily because he seems the most open to City - County consolidation.
^ Same. Any candidate who thinks we can improve without first addressing that in some way shape or form isn’t getting my vote.
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The Mantovani campaign team is the same team that bashed Mantovani when they managed Stengers campaign against him. STL is a weird town.
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Hold up... did Mantovani change his position on consolidation? He adamantly was against it during Better Together and the last time he ran (against Stenger), but he was open to City re-entry into the County.
His position is the same as it was last time.STLrainbow wrote: ↑Jul 24, 2020Hold up... did Mantovani change his position on consolidation? He adamantly was against it during Better Together and the last time he ran (against Stenger), but he was open to City re-entry into the County.
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^ thanks; thought I might have missed something with the comments above.. My sense is Page and Zimmerman have pretty similar positions on merger as Montovani but not really sure... do you have more info on their stances?
I only knew him as being open to re-entry, which is more than I’ve heard from any of the others.
I think re-entry could get by the voters if the city could get its act together with the freeholders.
I think re-entry could get by the voters if the city could get its act together with the freeholders.
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This seems like a pretty good piece on the candidates' responses on a range of issues, including City-County merger, policing, Metrolink expansion/Metro Security, etc.
https://callnewspapers.com/in-race-for- ... he-issues/
https://callnewspapers.com/in-race-for- ... he-issues/
Do you support a merger of St. Louis County and St. Louis city?
Mantovani said, “No. . .
Page said, “No. . .
Zimmerman said, “If we learned anything from the public policy abomination called Better Together, it is that a mega‐metro plan designed behind closed doors by special‐interest lobbyists to be shoved down the throats of the taxpayers, is doomed to failure. The people’s voice will be heard. I support efforts to enhance regional cooperation, but I am firmly committed to government by the consent of the governed and will respect the will of the voters.”
Hmmm . . . I might have to think about this some more.
Mantovani said, “No. . .
Page said, “No. . .
Zimmerman said, “If we learned anything from the public policy abomination called Better Together, it is that a mega‐metro plan designed behind closed doors by special‐interest lobbyists to be shoved down the throats of the taxpayers, is doomed to failure. The people’s voice will be heard. I support efforts to enhance regional cooperation, but I am firmly committed to government by the consent of the governed and will respect the will of the voters.”
Hmmm . . . I might have to think about this some more.
If you look further down in the article, it asks about the city becoming a muni in the county. They all three appear open to that as long as “the voters get a say”.
Mantovani sounded far more in favor of re-entry/merging/consolidation/whatever you want to call it in 2018. He has definitely backtracked on it, though. You'd think the Centene article would have reignited the discussion. But at this rate they're all just going for moderate votes and screaming to county voters that they want to dissolve their precious municipalities or bring the big bad city into the county is going to tank them right now.
2018
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mark-mantovani-to-chart-a-new-future/article_c0c4d43f-7a75-560e-8b96-ee76b8db577d.html
^https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/st-louis-county-executive-candidates-discuss-a-potential-city-county-merger/63-579227906
2020
https://callnewspapers.com/in-race-for-county-executive-mantovani-page-zimmerman-outline-stances-for-the-issues/
2018
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mark-mantovani-to-chart-a-new-future/article_c0c4d43f-7a75-560e-8b96-ee76b8db577d.html
So are you for a UniGov, or merger?
We’re fragmented across a lot of different variables. One of those is the city-county divide. And the other is the multiplicity of municipalities. I think that most of our regional dysfunction comes from the city-county divide. The multiplicity of cities in St. Louis County creates some disorganization from time to time. But I don’t think that’s why Amazon didn’t come. I don’t think that’s why (plans for a major soccer team) didn’t work. Or why the Rams left. … I don’t use the word merger at all when I talk about city-county efforts. I use the term re-entry. I’m an advocate for the potential of the city of St. Louis rejoining St. Louis County.
You will have to contend with many people, particularly in the county, who don’t want the city and county to join in any way.
Anybody who argues on the side of the status quo relative to the way St. Louis, the greater St. Louis area is being operated today is looking at data that I don’t see. There are those people who live in St. Louis
County who say, “Hey, my life is great. Why do I want to associate with the city in any way?” … Thirty-five percent of African-American children live below the poverty line. That’s just not acceptable.
Mantovani added, the way to capitalize on economic opportunities is to still bring in St. Louis city into the fold just not a full merger.
"Personally, I’m in favor of the city of St. Louis becoming another municipality in St. Louis County. That doesn't require the assumption of any debt it just allows the city of STL have representation on the County Council," said Mantovani
^https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/st-louis-county-executive-candidates-discuss-a-potential-city-county-merger/63-579227906
2020
https://callnewspapers.com/in-race-for-county-executive-mantovani-page-zimmerman-outline-stances-for-the-issues/
Same pandering, unfortunately. They'll say what they need to say to get elected.Do you support a merger of St. Louis County and St. Louis city?
Mantovani said, “No. I oppose a ‘merger’ of the city and county. No workable plan for a ‘super regional government’ has every been attractive to residents of either the city or the county. Further, we cannot force our many, beloved municipalities out of existence. Each of St. Louis County’s municipalities, and St. Louis city itself, strives for what’s best for its residents and each has its own unique characteristics. Municipal officials should be partners with county government, and I am already and will continue to collaborate with the municipalities. That said, I would encourage discussions on how we can work together to develop consistent policies, negotiate economic opportunities, attract and retain new talent and recognize economies of scale.”
Which is super difficult and time-consuming because the fragments don't have to come to the table.That said, I would encourage discussions on how we can work together to develop consistent policies, negotiate economic opportunities, attract and retain new talent and recognize economies of scale.
I have to re-listen but when he was on 590 a week or so ago I thought he said he still was for a re-entry setup. So the answer in the article confuses me a bit.
I personally think Mark offers the best chance for some positive changes. I don't really have any issues with Sam, he has had to deal with cleaning up from Stenger, but I think he would just be more of the status quo.
I personally think Mark offers the best chance for some positive changes. I don't really have any issues with Sam, he has had to deal with cleaning up from Stenger, but I think he would just be more of the status quo.
Agreed. Nothing against Dr. Page but the missing ingredient in St. Louis is a strong leader to move the entire area forward and allow us to realize at least a portion of our potential. In my eyes Mark Mantovani is the only candidate that possess the leadership traits and has the vision to do it. Just wish I could cast a vote for him (city resident here).jshank83 wrote: ↑Jul 24, 2020I have to re-listen but when he was on 590 a week or so ago I thought he said he still was for a re-entry setup. So the answer in the article confuses me a bit.
I personally think Mark offers the best chance for some positive changes. I don't really have any issues with Sam, he has had to deal with cleaning up from Stenger, but I think he would just be more of the status quo.
Mark is the manager that gets tired of watching emails go back and forth, then yells “WILL YOU JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND GET THIS OVER WITH.”
Sam is the manager that says “mmmm. Yeah, let me cc my supervisor and see if that’s something we can do”
Even if Mark is bit centrist for my liking, St. Louis needs an aggressive leader at this point. God knows Lyda isn’t stepping up.
Sam is the manager that says “mmmm. Yeah, let me cc my supervisor and see if that’s something we can do”
Even if Mark is bit centrist for my liking, St. Louis needs an aggressive leader at this point. God knows Lyda isn’t stepping up.
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Right on queuedbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Jul 23, 2020The Mantovani campaign team is the same team that bashed Mantovani when they managed Stengers campaign against him. STL is a weird town.
https://t.co/oqpHQgNesP?amp=1
Documents say political consultants tied to Mantovani tried to help polish Stenger lies about Northwest Plaza
Mayors of some of the fragments support Mantovani
Patch- Mayors From Across the Region Support Mantovani for County Exec.
Patch- Mayors From Across the Region Support Mantovani for County Exec.
https://patch.com/missouri/clayton-rich ... -exec-nodx"We're facing significant challenges, and for those of us who represent underserved communities, COVID has hit especially hard, amplifying our economic and social disparities and leaving us reeling," said Pierson. "We need a leader that is willing to bring us together to address these problems, and not ignore us. We believe Mark Mantovani is that leader."
"Mark has been actively engaged meeting with city officials to learn about their needs and seek their knowledge and input for how best to assist the municipalities," said Flower. "This type of collaboration and common sense has been absent under our current leadership and before. We are confident that Mark will work well with all of us, and will also be available to our residents and businesses. Further he has the professional skills and the vision to turn things around.
Again, shocking, as he was originally for a merger the last election and yet vocally against it this time. What happened?
I think people need to stop conflating the word merger with every option proposed for some sort of city/county relationship.
Mantovani was for reentry and was against Better Together. The city reentering the county as a municipality isn’t really a merger in the literal sense. There will be some county functions the city carries out currently that will be taken over by the county...but reentry puts the city on the same level as Florissant and Chesterfield and other cities in terms of their relationship with the county.
Better Together was more of a merger plan that would have seen the governments of both jurisdictions merged into a new entity.
For what it’s worth, the Municipal League supports the stalled out Board of Freeholders (they collected the signatures for it) and after what they saw with BT...their director said reentry needed to be on the table.
Mantovani was for reentry and was against Better Together. The city reentering the county as a municipality isn’t really a merger in the literal sense. There will be some county functions the city carries out currently that will be taken over by the county...but reentry puts the city on the same level as Florissant and Chesterfield and other cities in terms of their relationship with the county.
Better Together was more of a merger plan that would have seen the governments of both jurisdictions merged into a new entity.
For what it’s worth, the Municipal League supports the stalled out Board of Freeholders (they collected the signatures for it) and after what they saw with BT...their director said reentry needed to be on the table.
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Mantovani was the transformative choice. Page is fine, but this is a missed opportunity for the region.
Economically? Maybe. Racially? Probably not. I'm happy that it's looking like Page will be the guy in charge for the next two years.robertn42 wrote: ↑Aug 05, 2020Mantovani was the transformative choice. Page is fine, but this is a missed opportunity for the region.