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AdvancedAn Interview With Galen Gondolfi
On March 6, 2007, even numbered Wards will hold primary municipal elections. For most contested elections, this will be the deciding day (rather than the municipal general election in April) because there are very few Wards with candidates from more than one party.
The 20th Ward sees a contest between incumbent Craig Schmid and Democratic challenger Galen Gondolfi. While most of the Gravois Park neighborhood falls in the 20th Ward, a small portion is located in the 15th, so neighborhood issues will have to be resolved through coordination between 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida and the winner of the upcoming election (at least for the next two years). This past year Schmid and Florida butted heads on the proposed, but ultimately failed, McDonald's relocation.
Gondolfi's campaign web site is http://www.galengondolfi.com/.
I sent a brief questionnaire to each of the 20th Ward candidates and will publish their unedited responses here.
[UPDATE: Craig Schmid's responses can be found at http://15thwardstl.org/node/235.]
15thWardSTL: Though the 20th Ward has only a short stretch directly fronting Grand, development on this major street will certainly affect the future of your ward. What is your vision for the South Grand corridor?
Galen Gondolfi: South Grand is very much part of my “walking neighborhood.†I reside in the 3100 block of Cherokee, a stone’s throw from the development occurring at Grand and Gravois. I welcome reinvestment to South Grand and strongly encourage a diverse mix of commercial and residential activity. The success that has been realized in the blocks north of Gravois holds promise for the same “urban vibrancy†to the south. It’s an exciting and opportune time for South Grand.
15thWardSTL: Would you consider exploring a zoning overlay district to promote pedestrian-oriented mixed-use development?
Galen Gondolfi: By all means; I’m a student of what some refer to as “new urbanism,†which places much emphasis on urban design and policy that promotes healthy, pedestrian-friendly development.
15thWardSTL: What do you see as the primary responsibilities of an Alderman?
Galen Gondolfi: To listen, analyze and lead. Problem-solving and decision-making with input from residents are paramount to the job of being not only an effective alderman, but an accountable alderman.
15thWardSTL: Several neighborhoods cross the border between your ward and the 15th Ward. How do you see yourself working with the 15th Ward representative on issues that cross neighborhood borders? Which issues do you view as critical?
Galen Gondolfi: We are all neighbors; we must never forget that. Working together on common concerns is pivotal to the success of not only our neighborhoods, but our city as a whole. Common issues of critical importance include retaining affordable housing stock on our residential streets and stimulating small business development along Gravois and Grand. I look forward to working with adjacent ward representatives on moving South City forward.
15thWardSTL: What will your legislative priorities be?
Galen Gondolfi: Increasing assistance to first-time homeowners, home repair assistance to existing homeowners, ensuring development of mixed-income, owner- occupied housing and providing stimulus for small business development.
While I would agree with most of what G has posted, I don't understand why a website that is not interactive is different from Florida's website. Why do you say one is ineffective and the other is not? Both give insight on some of the issues.
Also I would agree, that all the answers should have been posted at once to give equal footing to all parties. I Give Gondolfi points though for quickly answering.
[15thWardSTL says: It is my hope that Galen produces a more complete web site as part of his campaign. What is up there now is really no more than an internet yard sign. It will not get him any votes from the internet-savvy crowd.]
I'm saying Mr.Gondolfi is just starting his political career, so I would not necessarily expect him to be fully up and running with a blog, although he could shame the rest of the alderman by doing so.
Jennifer Florida on the other hand, has not used the blog she started in a meaningful way. In fact it went several months without an informational posting, thus it is ineffective.
That does not mean she cannot turn it into an effective communication tool, I had high hopes at first, but was disappointed when it was not developed further.
The idea of a blog should be to present ideas and help those ideas mature through discussion. Elected officials should treat citizens as partners in progress, not as a nuisance to be tolerated. It is fine to use the blog for informational postings, but it's real potential is help create a participatory democracy.
[15thWardSTL says: Kacie Starr Triplett, candidate Ald. Reed's 6th Ward seat, has started a blog that she updates regularly with campaign news. I have e-mailed her and suggested that she flesh out her "issues" page more. She responded positively.
She supports the Trader Joe's petition drive (there is a post on her blog discussing this issue).]
Has anyone asked him (GG) WHY he is running for office? I'm interested in knowing his motivation. As for Jennifer's noninteractive blog, she may just lack the time. She recently told me Travis Reams (sp?) posts to it for her.
Christian
Galen is promoting homeownership-just like Alderman Schmid.
What about promoting rental housing?
Will Galen give tax abatement to rental housing developments in the 20th ward?
[15thWardSTL says: I had noticed the focus on ownership as well. He works at Justine Peterson Housing Corporation, whose mission includes helping people towards homeownership, so he is probably focused on that aspect. It is a valid point to recognize that most of our neighborhoods need a mix of housing options. Galen's web site has a new page called "Galen on the Issues" that says he will "guard against the loss of rental housing for those families most in need."
Tax abatement is a tool available to any development that increases the assesed value of a property. It is up to the Alderman whether or not to sponsor the enabling legislation for an individual project. There's no legal reason that I know of why he couldn't.]
I agree that any neighborhood needs a mix from low to high end ownership and rentals to be inclusive and successful. However, I would caution against giving tax incentives to landlords that maintain low quality property.
If I can't afford $800 in rent, should I have to put up with broken plumbing? Most in need doesn't mean abuse me.
[15thWardSTL says: Tax abatement requires submittal of a "redevelopment" plan (i.e. actual improvement to the property) and proof that the plan was accomplished. It is completely up to the Alderman which redevelopment projects receive this incentive because it involves the passage of an actual City ordinance.
The South Grand Senior Apartments (and the rest of Keystone Place) are in a blighted redevelopment district with an approved redevelopment plan.]
..GO CRAIG GO... [15thWardSTL says: I have removed the rest of this post repreating the phrase, as it does not add to the discussion.]
Submitted by: GMichaud (not verified)
Sounds like Mr. Gondolfi would be a good alderman, probably better than most of them. His web site is not interactive, reaching out to the citizens he hopes to serve, but he is just getting started. I also realize that Jennifer Florida is the first alderperson to utilize a blog, which is amazing, and in her case ineffective.
Steve, I hope you have received all of the responses from candidates before publishing any of them. Otherwise it would be an unfair advantage to the individual who has not yet posted his answers.
Finally I wonder, even without two parties, is there any reason a losing candidate couldn't run as an independent in the fall election?, a la Joe Lieberman?
[15thWardSTL says: Excellent points. I have not received a response from Craig Schmid and will definitely set a deadline for responses next time. In the case of Jeff Smith during the last election, his was the only response received.
The Municipal General Election is in April, not in the fall, and filing for independent candidates closes in February. A losing candidate woud have about five weeks after the primary to gather signatures and file as an independent. I don't know if there are any rules preventing this.]