Tag: St. Louis

Official Write-In Candidate 101

Maybe you refuse to vote for a Republican and the Democratic Party’s nominee is pro-predator, or treats employees like indentured servants, or is pro-corporate welfare, or whatever reason.

Maybe you want another option besides voting for the only candidate on the ballot.

Maybe you’d like to make a protest vote other than being a drop vote in a race, leaving it blank.

The good news is that you have a Write-In Candidate option in Missouri during November and April General Elections.

Minnesota Lizard People ballot

Sure. You could write in your name, or Jorts the Cat, or Lizard People. But your vote would not count.

Becoming an Official Write-In Candidate in Missouri is, however, easy and cheap. You are nearly guaranteed defeat at the polls, but earn the privilege of adding “Former Official Write In Candidate for _____” to your social media accounts and email signature line. Win Win.*

Running as a Write-In Candidate is different from running as an Independent in that your name will not be on the ballot and you do not have to pay a fee, collect petition signatures, form a campaign committee, etc. If you want your name on a ballot you will need to do all the things necessary to run as a political party candidate, nonpartisan candidate, or independent candidate.

In Missouri, there is a simple process for declaring your Write-In candidacy so that any votes you get are actually counted. A reporter may even ask the Secretary of State or your local election authority for info on Official Write-In Candidates.

Step 1. Check to see if you meet the age and residency related qualifications for the office you want to be a Write-In Candidate.

Step 2. File a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent in person by 5 pm October 28th. For other elections, the deadline is second Friday before the election. Sample Declaration for Local and State Write-In Candidates. Sample Declaration for Federal Write-In Candidates.

For municipal and county offices, you will file the Declaration of Intent in person with your county election authority. In St. Louis City that is the Board of Election Commissioners at 300 N Tucker. For State and Federal offices, you will file with the Secretary of State at Kirkpatrick Building, Elections Division, 600 West Main, Jefferson City.

Bring with you

Step 3. Tell your family, friends, neighbors, social media followers that you are an Official Write-In Candidate. Let Media know about your campaign. Or do nothing.

Step 4. Remember to Vote for yourself on Election Day.

* Sorry, St. Louis City Civil Service employees, City Charter makes you second class citizens with few political rights, so you don’t have the option of running as a Write-In Candidate (or any other kind of candidate). Most State employees in Missouri are now At Will employees who would probably get fired for running for public office even as a Write-In Candidate.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Missouri Fall Color Report by region at Missouri Department of Conservation

Gardening by Month: October Tips & Tasks from Missouri Botanical Garden

Carrots fresh from the garden

9 am to Noon Tuesday Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Help dig cannas, elephant ears, other plants; clear display beds of debris; plant 20,000+ spring bulbs. 4 More Volunteers Wanted. Register

1:30 pm Tuesday Leaf Walk at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Master Guide led walking tour. Register

10 am Wednesday Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Workshop: Edible Landscaping. Rock Road Library, St. Ann. Register

10 am Thursday Horticulture Trolley Tour @ Bellefontaine Cemetery. Two-hour trolley tour led by a Master Guide sharing horticulture and arboretum highlights. Tickets $5. Register

6:30 pm Friday Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Nature Night Hike at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood. Register

10 am Saturday Missouri Department of Conservation Workshop at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Butterfly Gardening with Tom Terrific. Register

10 am to 3 pm Saturday DIG Annuals & Perennials Fall Sale, 3120 Pennsylvania. 1 pm Workshop on Propagating Woody Plants from Cuttings. Plants for sale from Custom Foodscaping and seeds from Seed St. Louis

Oct 11th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Workshop: Composting 101 at Grand Glaize Library, 1010 Meramec Station Rd, Manchester. Register

Oct 12th Grow Native Missouri Webinar: Dicamba and 2,4-D- Old Herbicides Causing New Problems. Presented by Robbie Doerhoff, Forest Entomologist, Missouri Department of Conservation. Register

Oct 13th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Reuse in the Garden. Register

6:15 am Oct 15th Missouri Department of Conservation Sunrise Breakfast at the Confluence, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. Register

9 am Oct 15th Americorps St. Louis Clean Up at Laumeier Sculpture Park, Sappington. Mary Miss’s Pool Complex: Orchard Valley needs a clear out, clean up. Volunteers Wanted. Register

10 am to 2 pm Oct 15th St. Louis Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Sale at Webster University, Bookstore Parking Lot, 554 Garden, Webster Groves

Oct 15th Plant a tree in memorial to someone special with Sustainable St. Louis Memorial Tree Planting at Shaw Forest, 39th @ DeTonty. Register

Oct 15th Benton Park West Pruning Blitz. Register

Oct 26th Grow Native Missouri Zoom Master Class: The Seed Cycle: Native Seed Collection, Stratification, Propagation with Mike Hoyle, manager, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. Free: MPF members and Grow Native Professional Members. $15: non-members. Register

Oct 29th ForestReLeaf Fall Tree Planting, St. Vincent Greenway, West End. Volunteers Wanted. Register

Nov 12th ForestReLeaf North Riverfront Mississippi Greenway Tree Planting. Volunteers Wanted. Register

School Board Election Update

Donna Jones has filed a campaign committee with Missouri Ethics Commission. A link to her upcoming reports has been added to 2022 School Board Candidate Info page.

As of today, only Jones and Emily Hubbard have filed committees. October quarterly reports are due October 17th.

If you have an interest in learning how to file campaign finance reports with MEC, there is a Wednesday webinar.

School Board Candidates are required to file a campaign committee with Missouri Ethics Commission when any of the following occurs

+ Candidate receives more than $325 from a single contributor (other than the candidate)

+ Candidate spends over $1,000 of their own money

+ Candidate’s contributions and expenditures are over $1,000

A Candidate may file a committee before meeting any requirement to do so.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

1:30 pm Tuesday Leaf Walk at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Master Guide led walking tour. Register

9 am to Noon Tuesday Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Help dig cannas, elephant ears, other plants; clear display beds of debris; plant 20,000+ spring bulbs. 6 more volunteers wanted. Register

4 pm Wednesday St. Louis Public Library Workshop: Create Your Own Zen Garden at Barr Library, Gate District: 4 Seats Remaining. Register

4 pm Wednesday Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar Master Class: Dazzling, Daring, Aerial Beauties- Dragonflies. Free: MPF members and Grow Native professional members. $15: non-members. Register

Photo of yellow and red beets with tops

3:30-6:30 pm Friday Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, 9200 Watson, Crestwood. Tuesday Deadline to order from Missouri Wildflower Nursery for pick up at Friday’s Sale

8 am Saturday St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

9 am-Noon Saturday Seed St. Louis Garlic & Shallots Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell, Midtown. Softneck Garlic ‘Inchelium Red’: 50¢ per clove. Hardneck Garlic ‘Music’: 50¢ per clove. Elephant Garlic: 75¢ per clove. Red Shallots: 50¢ per shallot. Seed St. Louis YouTube video on Winter Garlic & Shallot planting

1 pm Saturday Missouri Department of Conservation event: Trees of Tower Grove Park. 4 Openings remaining. Register

Saturday Deadline to enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest. Categories: Natural Resources, State Parks and Historic Sites, People Enjoying Missouri Outdoors

Oct 5th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Workshop: Edible Landscaping. Rock Road Library, St. Ann. Register

6:30 pm Oct 7th Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Nature Night Hike at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood. Register

Oct 11th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Workshop: Composting 101 at Grand Glaize Library, 1010 Meramec Station Rd, Manchester. Register

October 12th Grow Native Missouri Webinar: Dicamba and 2,4-D- Old Herbicides Causing New Problems. Presented by Robbie Doerhoff, Forest Entomologist, Missouri Department of Conservation. Register

Oct 13th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Reuse in the Garden. Register

Oct 15th Plant a tree in memorial to someone special with Sustainable St. Louis Memorial Tree Planting at Shaw Forest, 39th @ DeTonty. Register

Oct 15th Benton Park West Pruning Blitz. Register

Oct 26th Grow Native Missouri Zoom Master Class: The Seed Cycle: Native Seed Collection, Stratification, Propagation with Mike Hoyle, manager, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. Free: MPF members and Grow Native Professional Members. $15: non-members. Register

Oct 29th ForestReLeaf Fall Tree Planting, St. Vincent Greenway, West End. Volunteers Wanted. Register

Nov 12th ForestReLeaf North Riverfront Mississippi Greenway Tree Planting. Volunteers Wanted. Register

School Board Candidates Forums

6:30 pm Sept 21st New 4th Ward Democrats Meeting at SEIU Local 1 Hall 2725 Clifton. Open to public. Agenda includes St. Louis City School Board Candidates and presentation by Andrew Arkills on the impact of TIFs on public school finances.

6:30 pm Oct 6th School Board Candidate Forum at Vashon High School Auditorium, 3035 Cass. Sponsored by St Louis Public Schools Foundation, SLPS Parent Action Council, League of Women Voters

More Information on School Board Candidates

This Week In Gardening & Nature

Friday Deadline to Order from Brightside St. Louis Annual Daffodil & Tulip Sale. 30 for $17. Order now for pick up Sept 30 or Oct 1st at Forest Park Greenhouse.

1:30 pm Friday Leaf Walk at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Master Guide led walking tour. Register

6:30 pm Friday tasteMAKERS Screening: “Winemaking in Missouri” with Cat Neville and Panel at Nine PBS Public Media Commons, 3653 Olive Street. Free Tickets

9 am to Noon Saturday Wells-Goodfellow Clean Up with North Newstead Association, Wellston Loop CDC, Cure Violence, Employment STL. Register

10:30 am to 5 pm Saturday Missouri Department of Conservation Eco Tones Concerts & more at Emmenegger Nature Park, Kirkwood

3-7:30 pm Saturday Grow Native Missouri Native Plant Sale at Meramec State Park, Sullivan, Franklin County. Missouri Wildflower Nursery is one of the vendors. But if you’d like specific plants, order by Tuesday for pick up Saturday.

4-7 pm Saturday ForestReLeaf ArborMeisters Homebrew + Craft Beer Festival at Creve Coeur Park. Tickets: $5 Designated Driver, $35 General Admission, $55 VIP

10:30 am to 5 pm Sunday Missouri Department of Conservation Eco Tones Concerts & more at Emmenegger Nature Park, Kirkwood

Sept 30th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, 9200 Watson, Crestwood

Oct 1st Deadline to enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest. Categories: Natural Resources, State Parks and Historic Sites, People Enjoying Missouri Outdoors

Oct 1st St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

Oct 1st Seed St. Louis Garlic & Shallots Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Softneck Garlic ‘Inchelium Red’: 50¢ per clove, Hardneck Garlic ‘Music’: 50¢ per clove, Elephant Garlic: 75¢ per clove, Red Shallots: 50¢ per shallot

Oct 5th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Workshop: Edible Landscaping at Rock Road Library, St. Ann. Register

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Photo of two yellow Patty Pan and two green Acorn Squash

Order Cover Crop Seed Mixes online from Seed St. Louis for pick up from their office. $1 per packet covers 4’x10′ bed. Mixes: Winter Kill (sow now), Winter Overwintering (sow up to mid-Oct), Spring Mix (sow mid-Feb to early March if you aren’t planning on Spring crops). Learn more about Cover Crops

30 for $17 Brightside St. Louis Annual Daffodil & Tulip Sale. Order now for pick up Sept 30 or Oct 1st at Forest Park Greenhouse

1:30 pm Wednesday Leaf Walk at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Master Guide led walking tour. Register

2 pm Wednesday Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Virtual Workshop: Season Extension and Winter Gardening. Register

4 pm Wednesday Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Prairie & Native Plant Careers. Panel includes Sarah Kendrick, Migratory Birds Biologist; Ronda Burnett, Community Conservation Planner; Jerod Huebner, Director of Prairie Management. Register

For Kids ages 3-6. 6 pm Thursday Missouri Conservation Department’s Conservation Kids, You and Me under the Canopy: Becoming Bears. Tower Grove Park. Register

6 pm Thursday Seed St. Louis Webinar: Getting the Most From Your Harvest. Register

10 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Department Workshop at Forest Park Hatchery: Fall Butterflies and Monarch Migration. 10 Seats remaining. Register

10 am to 2 pm Saturday Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Area, Kirkwood: Protecting Our Pollinators. Info Booths & Presentations.

1:30 pm Saturday Missouri Botanical Garden Workshop: Pollinator Conservation Begins at Home. South Auditorium, Visitor Center. Register

Sept 19th Missouri Conservation Department’s Monarch Tagging at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. Register

Sept 30th Missouri Prairie Foundation’s St. Louis Area Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, 9200 Watson, Crestwood

Oct 1 Deadline to enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest. Categories: Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites, People Enjoying Mo Outdoors

Monday Meeting of Soulard Tax Board for Private Police

UPDATE: Sometime after 8 am Monday, September 12th, Soulard Special Business District posted a notice to its website for the 6:30 pm Monday, September 12th Soulard SBD Meeting, less than seven hours notice for a public meeting on public tax money. That Notice says the meeting has been moved to Molly’s, a venue owned by Soulard SBD Chair Luke Reynolds (also Vice Chair of Soulard Community Improvement District, sales tax district). As of 10:30 am Monday, September 12th, the meeting Notice on City’s Public Meetings Calendar had not been changed to reflect a different meeting place. That notice says the meeting is at Soulard Station. Notices and edits to City Public Meetings Calendar get time-date identification. Notices on most special tax district websites only get a date first posted.

Original blog post below.

Or not.

Soulard Special Business District is one of St. Louis City’s special tax districts that fund private policing and part of last week’s two part investigative report by Jeremy Kohler for ProPublica.

We know that as a part of their response to the ProPublica investigation, Soulard SBD’s Board voted in November 2021 to hire Husch Blackwell as legal counsel for $5,000 “to ensure the Board complies with an ongoing Sunshine request and fully complies with the Sunshine Act.”

We know that before Jack Coatar was elected to the St. Louis City Board of Alderpeople, he served on the Soulard SBD. In May 2022, as Alder, he gave the welcome and introductions at Soulard SBD Neighborhood Safety Forum. Secretary of the Soulard SBD Board is Molly Doughtery, also Treasurer of Coatar’s campaign finance committee. Coatar is on Tuesday’s special election ballot to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of Board of Alderpeople President Lewis Reed, a friend of Coatar’s.

We know there’s a meeting notice for Soulard SBD on the City of St. Louis Public Meetings Calendar. We also know that a year’s worth of meeting notices and generic skeleton agenda’s were posted by the SBD Board to the City Calendar on Dec 7, 2021.

We also know that as of 5 pm Sunday, there was no notice for a September Soulard SBD meeting on the SBD’s website.

It doesn’t matter whether they’re having a public meeting without a notice on their website or failed to cancel the meeting notice on City website. It doesn’t matter whether they don’t want questions relating to the ProPublica investigative reports or Coatar’s involvement in tax districts before Tuesday’s election. It’s all Transparency Fail.

The Soulard SBD Budget includes $18,000 for Communications Management, $50,000 for Advertising/Promotion, $25,000 for Communications, $50,000 for Marketing/Branding. You would think that one of those line items includes competent online posting of public meetings notices at both their website and the City Public Meetings Calendar.