New MTV videos

I have two videos I posted up on the MTV blog.



The first is on Stephen Webber, the Democratic candidate for the 23rd district of the Missouri State House. He has a very interesting story. At 25 he is running as the youngest candidate. He grew up in Columbia Mo, and graduated with a degree in economics from my alma mater, Saint Louis University. His graduation was delayed twice with tours in Iraq. He served as a Marine with one of the tours in Fallujah. He worked in DC for Claire McCaskill before he announced his bid for state house. He has a great grip on the issues. There is much more to the guy, so I will likely be doing another piece sometime next month.

Don't forget to vote next Tuesday.



This video is an interview with Magan Wiles. She is a young woman, also studied at Saint Louis University, who went to Palestine to see what was going on. She returned home and in order for her to express what she experienced she put together a rather heavy play called "Beautiful Resistance."

67th State Candidate Questionnaire

So there is a race in the 67th. That is this here part of the state of Missouri, south central city STL. There are five candidates, and four of them are actively campaigning. There have been no polls, only yard signs. But as we know, yard signs do not go to the polls. That is for damn sure.

All of them have come in and I have talked to them. It is always hard to figure out anything substantive in casual bar conversation. I wanted to know more. There are already a lot of ways to find out information, but I have been unable to do all the research I wanted.

So I sent the candidates Chad Beffa, Mike Colona, Joan Landmann and Rob Stelzer each a Questionnaire.


This is Steven Smith from the Royale.

We never got a chance to talk much about the issues in our state. I have not made a decision on who to vote for in this election.

Here are some questions I have of the field of candidates for the 67th. I am sending these questions to each candidate. I really need to know a bit more before I vote. I know this is a lot to ask when you are running tight to the election, but I want to make an informed opinion.

Most questions I see you being asked in the press, neighborhood groups, special interest groups etc have to do with health, education, abortion and taxes. I have a few different ones. Don't feel you have to go into great detail. A sentence or two maybe three is enough per question. I hope that you can take the time to answer. I would like to publish the answers on my blog. Thanks.

==

What are your thoughts on undocumented immigrants? Illegal Aliens? Is there a difference in the definition between the two?

Should Saint Louis City Police Department/State Police assist the Federal Agencies on "roundups" of undocumented workers? Would you support legislation that would bar city or state law enforcement from assisting Federal agencies in "roundups"?

What do you believe are the best assets in the 67th?

Would you support legislation to make Missouri smoke free state wide?

Why have we failed in the past to retain young people in Saint Louis/Missouri? What can we do to change this?

What can be done to improve economic opportunity in Saint Louis/Missouri? And for young people?

How can we increase tax revenues in our city/state?

What can we do to save money in our state budget?

What are your thoughts on biofuels? Corn being used as biofuel? Government subsides that drive corn as a biofuel?

Do you support charter reform in the city of Saint Louis?

Do you support the merging of the city and county? Would you support statewide legislation mandating the merger?

Do you support any change in Missouri's transportation policies? If so, what change would you like to see?

What sort of business/personal recycling policies would you like to see the state become involved in?

What are a few things a citizen of the 67th can do bridge the racial divide in this city?

What are your thoughts on the public funding of ballparks? Downtown parking garages? Stadiums? Hotels?

What is your thought on the use of TIFs? Would you support change? What change?

What are your thoughts on the Blairmount wholesale purchasing of properties?

Steven Fitzpatrick Smith
Proprietor
The Royale Food & Spirits
3132 South Kingshighway
STL, MO 63139
314-772-3600

www.theroyale.com
www.stlstreets.com