As 2014 approaches, here are some New Year's resolutions that might just help some big-name folks in the St. Louis area:
Mayor Francis Slay: Be it resolved to have more of a sense of humor. You were the city’s leading sourpuss when you turned down an opportunity to place a wager on the World Series with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. He called the prize for winning it all “The World Series Cup,” yet he came off looking like more of a sport. Please learn to smile more.
County Executive Charlie Dooley: Be it resolved to hire people whom you don’t know for important county positions. You are surrounded with friends, friends of friends, people who worked for your campaign, or people who know people who worked for your campaign. Please consider professionals whom you don’t already know. Also, try to avoid getting so angry—you chose politics, and it’s now the nasty season.
Former County Police Chief Tim Fitch: Be it resolved to not fall in love with this private business foray and get back to serving the people of St. Louis County. You were one of the best police chiefs in the nation, and you walked away from the job. While you probably weren’t born to wear a badge your entire adult life, you seemed to truly enjoy working in government. Don’t let too much time pass before you decide to come back to serve the county. You will be welcomed with open arms.
Ram Owner Stan Kroenke: Be it resolved to tell the St. Louis region your plans for the 2015 season. It would be an improvement over continued silence. If you simply said the team would stay in the Edward Jones Dome on a year-to-year basis, that’s fine. I doubt that would go on for very long, but at least you would give fans a reason to re-up on season tickets. (For the record, I think you’re going to build a new stadium and you’re going to ask for a little taxpayer help.) My guess is that you will make some kind of statement soon—because who would buy a season ticket for a 2014 season that could be the Rams’ last in St. Louis? The sooner you let us know, the better.
Blues Chairman Tom Stillman: Be it resolved to keep pressing the corporate community for more support. The Cardinals may rule the roost and it would help if the Blues went deeper into the playoffs, but don’t back down on asking the business sector for more backing. On the other hand, stop calling out fans for not selling out every game; a Blues game is a budget-buster for many families. Instead, consider a few discount-ticket games.
Former Broadcaster Larry Conners: Be it resolved to move on from the lawsuits and get back to work when the time comes, which should be soon. You are part of St. Louis, and we welcomed you into our homes for decades. We prefer to see you in the broadcast studio, not in the courtroom.
Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce: Be it resolved to decrease the use of Twitter during trials. Justice is supposedly blind, and I doubt that she uses social media. Once a suspect is found guilty and sentenced, then feel free to tweet.
Rev. Larry Rice: Be it resolved to sit down with the city of St. Louis and figure out a way to preserve New Life Evangelistic Center's homeless shelter on Locust Street. The attempt to shut down the shelter likely will continue in the future. Instead, consider opening a conversation with the city that may result in a solution.
St. Louis Community Leaders: Be it resolved to avoid doing flips every time a major company hints that it might move, but needs some kind of tax break to consider the area as a possible point of relocation. If a company wants to come to St. Louis, then it will come to St. Louis. We can’t dig an ocean for Boeing, and we can’t make Lambert-St. Louis International Airport suitable for ADM. So let’s stop offering tax breaks that we can’t afford and wasting time on special sessions that likely will bring us nothing.
Commentary by Alvin Reid
