Hello from Civitas We are Stephanie Bobbi How
Hello from Civitas! We are Stephanie & Bobbi
How well do you know your city?
Where/what is this?
Where/what is this?
Who’s been here?
Where is this? What is its official name?
I hope everyone’s been here!
A few more…
Famous people from St. Louis
Civitas wants kids like you to know what’s going on in the world, the country, and the city of St. Louis. Who is the mayor of St. Louis? Who is the president of the United States? Who is the Secretary-General of the United Nations?
Lyda Krewson is Mayor of the City of St. Louis Donald Trump is President of the United States António Guterres is Secretary-General of UN
A short activity of brainstorming… Spend a couple of minutes filling out the top part alone When we say go, feel free to talk to others about important issues facing the United States, the world, and your St. Louis neighborhood Don’t worry about filling in all of the blanks After a few minutes you’ll return to your seats and prioritize and share
What are some issues facing the World?
What are some issues facing the United States right now?
What are some issues facing your neighborhood?
The St. Louis Board of Alderman The Board of Alderman is the legislative body of the City of St. Louis that creates, passes, and amends local laws, as well as approves the City’s budget every year. There are 28 aldermen/women, one from each ward in the City and a President.
Local Government affects your daily life more than national government. Establishes speed limits Sets rules for local businesses (smoking bans, for example) Approves commercial and residential development Funds public schools Provides police and firefighters Plans city-wide events Creates parking regulations Arranges for trash service Proposes sales tax increases MORE!
How can you be involved? Be aware. Know what’s going on! Know your alderman/alderwoman Attend neighborhood/town hall meetings Write letters Donate time for campaigns Show up for neighborhood events Register to vote as soon as you are 17 ½ Register by mail or in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) office located in a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office (where you go for a driver’s license) Register at the St. Louis City Board of Elections (300 N. Tucker Blvd. )
What is the name of your neighborhood?
Do you know what Ward you live in? You can check by clicking here.
More information about the Board of Alderman are elected to serve four year terms Every two years, half the alderman are elected or reelected There are no term limits Part-time job, although some claim it’s full-time to do well $37, 000 annual salary The president, Lewis Reed, casts the 29 th vote The mayor, Lyda Krewson, does not vote, but has the power to veto
Do you know the name of your Alderman/Alderwoman? Ward 1 Sharon Tyus President of Board of Alderman: Lewis E. Reed Ward 15 Megan E. Green Ward 2 Lisa Middlebrook Ward 16 Tom Oldenburg Ward 3 Brandon Bosley Ward 17 Joseph D. Roddy Ward 4 Samuel L. Moore Ward 18 Terry Kennedy Ward 5 Tammika Hubbard Ward 19 Marlene E. Davis Ward 6 Christine Ingrassia Ward 20 Cara Spencer Ward 7 Jack Coatar Ward 21 John Collins-Muhammad Ward 8 Annie Rice Ward 22 Jeffrey L. Boyd Ward 9 Dan Guenther Ward 23 Joseph Vaccaro Ward 10 Joseph Vollmer Ward 24 Scott Ogilvie Ward 11 Sarah Martin Ward 25 Shane Cohn Ward 12 Larry Arnowitz Ward 26 Frank Williamson Ward 13 Beth Murphy Ward 27 Pam Boyd Ward 14 Carol Howard Ward 28 Heather Navarro
Some issues discussed at recent Board of Alderman meetings Reducing the number of wards from 28 to 14 No longer requiring full-time city employees to live in the city The opioid crisis in St. Louis Legalize personal use of marijuana Raise minimum wage (currently $7. 75) Lobbyists should sit in balcony vs. on the floor during meetings Redevelopment plans for vacant lots Vacant properties An improvement plan for St. Louis Lambert International Airport, costing (now) 19 million dollars and including a Coldwater Creek Emergency Repair Rezoning areas from commercial to single-family dwellings and from multi-family to singlefamily dwellings Concerns about city residents having chickens Move the City of St. Louis National Night Out from first Tuesday of August to first Tuesday of October
Recent issues cont’d An increase of $3 per month per dwelling unit for Solid Waste Service Fee Proposal to protect victims of car theft from paying, storing, towing, and administrative fees directly related to recovery of a stolen automobile Proposal that all Confederate Statues, Confederate Memorials, Confederate Monuments, and Confederate Flags located in City parks be removed unless inside a museum designed for the preservation of history Proposal that the Board of Alderman recognize the Paris Climate Agreement and commit to upholding guidelines of the agreement throughout the City.
Which issues should our “town meeting” discuss next week?
For next week… Interview 2 -4 people in your neighborhood or another neighborhood in the city of St. Louis using the handout. Write down some of the issues we came up with as a class. Be ready to speak at next week’s “Town Hall” meeting of concerned citizens!
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