2014-06-16 Special - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Kay Drey, 515 West Pointe, University City, MO Ms. Drey stated that she was here tonight because she believes in University City and wants it to remain as a place where people can be happy and proud to live and stay. She stated that for 40 years she has been fighting nuclear power, but her passion is civil rights and she has worked to help University City remain religiously and racially integrated. Ms. Drey stated that for reasons that both amaze and sadden her, a small group of highly vocal, permanent and/or temporary University City residents seem to be trying to destroy the peace and harmony of this community. She wanted to attend tonight’s meeting to simply ask the people in this room to help preserve University City as important proof that a religiously, racially, internationally and socioeconomically diverse community can continue to survive and thrive. Please respect University City and begin to enjoy it. Linda Fried, 7623 Stanford, University City, MO Ms. Fried stated that the last election was interesting. Despite the many thousands of dollars spent on a group of candidates and the very loud and boisterous campaign to elect them, these candidates all lost. She stated that the cause of their demise can be argued forever, but she would venture to suggest that the successful candidates may have records for promoting and supporting popular and worthwhile initiatives. Ms. Fried stated that Mr. Crow and Dr. Carr’s voting records have little, if any, positive aspects and seem to mirror the Tea Party’s anti-movement. In their times on Council they have rejected and fought against virtually every administrative initiative regardless of its popularity with City voters. Despite all of their endeavors they are in the minority where they may find themselves trying to convince the populous that they understand the concept of democracy and are not against this City’s administration. Ms. Fried stated that contrary to the propaganda that citizen’s have been deluged with; the result of this meeting will not silence citizen voices but will be an opportunity for citizens and Councilmembers to express their opinions with intelligent arguments. She stated that the meeting was called in accordance with Council’s Rules of Order and Procedure and nobody should forget that we are a democracy and that the majority opinion on any one issue will prevail. Lorrie Poscover, 7273 Maryland, University City, MO Ms. Poscover stated that she has served on the Parks Commission, as well as several School District Committees and that her husband served as the City Clerk when Joe Mooney was Mayor. She stated that University City was a prototype for the Weak Mayor Professional City management approach to municipal government, and as a nationally recognized leader has always solicited and encouraged citizen input. Ms. Poscover stated that there is a great deal of talent and commitment among this City’s residents which should be nurtured, not discouraged. Any effort to stifle citizen input is an affront to this community and all that it stands for. Shame on any member of this Council who votes to eliminate the opportunity for a member of this community to stand before them and offer suggestions or input. If anyone serving on Council is too busy to take the time to listen, then he or she should tender their resignation. Dr. John Tieman, 854 Barkley Square, University City, MO Dr. Tieman, President of the Barkley Square Neighborhood Association stated that he rises in favor of citizen participation at meetings and the ability for two, not three Councilmembers to introduce resolutions. He said the one thing that defines a community is its ability to engage in civil discourse. He stated that University City is a small town within a larger city, and that is one reason residents love it. It makes us all neighbors, and that is why he is profoundly disturbed to see an erosion of civil discourse within City Council. Mr. Tieman stated that to the extent that civil discourse erodes, to that extent does the community erode. He stated that politics can be contentious, but after the matter is argued and voted on, everyone will still be neighbors. So while we may oppose the politics of the other, we should always honor the personhood of the other. Jeffrey Bassin, 531 Mapleview Drive, University City, MO Mr. Bassin stated that several weeks ago he sent an email to Mayor Welsch and each member of Council voicing some concerns and has not received any response. Mr. Bassin asked himself, is 3