News
thank you!
It's Wednesday, March 7, and voters in the 6th Ward have spoken. While I am disappointed with the result, I respect the decision and wish Kacie Starr Triplett the best as the new alderwoman. I will remain active in and dedicated to my neighborhood and the city at large and look forward to working with Kacie on challenges in our community. While this election did not go as I'd hoped, I do not regret my decision to run. I was motivated by my passion for our city and the exciting prospects of the 6th Ward. I want to express my thanks to everyone who helped me in this endeavor. Whether you worked directly on my campaign, gave me money or fundraisers, invited me in on frosty door-to-door days, introduced me to your friends and neighbors, wrote/emailed/blogged nice things about me and, finally, voted for me or all of the above and more, thank you for everything. This experience and the people I worked with, met on the trail and ran against all in their own ways showed me the best parts of living in an exciting urban environment.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Wed., Mar 7, 2007 at 10:39 AM]
Arch City Chronicle endorsement
In the March issue Editor Dave Drebes made the following remarks in his endorsement of my candidacy for alderman:
"...it is Christian Saller's experience - at the St. Louis Development Corporation, in the commercial development committee of the Tower Grove East neighborhood, and in grass-roots opposition to demolition of historic structures from single homes to landmark buildings like the South Side National Bank - which makes him the most qualified candidate. By vowing to work full-time, the residents of the ward would benefit greatly from his experience and expertise."
The above quotation neatly contains much of what I have attempted to convey throughout the campaign. In terms of "day to day operations" of the ward, I have the most germane and valuable experience. My ten-year employment at St. Louis Development Corporation was virtually a ringside seat for viewing how development occurs, how it should occur and how it can, if there is not careful oversight, fall short of all expectations. Working closely with all the aldermen, numerous city departments and agencies, aldermanic committees and public boards has given me fluency with the details of securing the highest quality economic development for the citizens of the 6th Ward and the City of St. Louis at large. As Mr. Drebes mentioned, I have been active in the cause of historic preservation and would make this issue a priority as alderman. As a private citizen, I have also been involved in addressing problem properties, not only in my own neighborhood but in other parts of the city as well. The problem blocks and individual problem properties in the 6th Ward are located in neighborhoods that are steadily improving and that have organized residents directly involved in helping secure that improvement. The City offers ample resources to counter the negative impact of slumlords and their properties. What is needed is an elected official who will personally and aggressively lead the way in addressing unacceptable nuisance activity and crime that stem from poorly managed buildings. If I am elected alderman, I will personally communicate with the owner of every single drug house, nuisance property, overcrowded apartment building and abandoned board-up in the ward. I will confer daily with residents and neighborhood leaders on locations of all such properties and will personally track their process through the courts. I view the elimination of problem properties throughout the ward as as much of a priority as economic development and job creation within the neighborhoods. These are in fact all closely related. Economic development and job creation help to stabilize residential communities. That stabilization will occur quickly and thoroughly if slumlords are made to feel unwelcome in the 6th ward. That is an important goal. I pledge to bring full-time urgency to personally addressing property owners who do not respect our communities. They are the ones with the most immediate means of improving their properties and they are the ones with the immediate responsibility for the negative impact created by their negligence. It is also in their interest, financial and otherwise, to have well maintained and managed properties that do not impair progress in our neighborhoods.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Fri., Mar 2, 2007 at 10:39 AM]
a remark
I do not and have not disparaged my opponents throughout the course of this campaign. I am happy to be cordial and polite when we see each other in person and have made it my policy to avoid saying anything about them when I go door to door or otherwise interact with constituents in the 6th Ward. I have campaigned on my merits and why I think I would perform well as a full-time alderman with a strong emphasis on constituent service and economic development. In my view, the unfortunate tendency of some to attempt to "trash" opponents or to even subtly demean them in some manner diminishes the caliber of the entire campaign, so I have not and will not engage in such behavior. As candidates, we differ in style and substance, though I am willing to assume that we all have sincere and honorable intentions in our respective approaches to the job.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Sat., Feb 24, 2007 at 10:57 AM]
Let's Get Together!
**Please stop by the Schlafly Brewery & Tap Room at 2100 Locust Street on Wednesday, February 28 between 5:30 and 7:30 to meet and visit with Democratic Candidate for 6th Ward Alderman Christian Saller.**
This will be a social event and drinks and appetizers will be served. I look forward to visiting with you in person and hearing your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the City of St. Louis in general and the 6th Ward in particular.
I hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please contact me.
Christian Saller
3442 Crittenden St./63118
771-3958 (h)
402-9295 (c)
christian_saller@hotmail.com
[Posted under Events by Christian Saller on Wed., Feb 21, 2007 at 9:51 AM]
"Foodland" discussion and the importance of community involvement
Last night at the home of Gate District East neighborhood president Steve Zeiger a group of neighborhood leaders met to discuss the current status of the former "Foodland" grocery store site on the west side of S. Jefferson just north of Lafayette Avenue. To help bring everyone up to speed, I brought copies of a resolution I prepared as an employee of the St. Louis Development Corporation in January, 2005. This resolution was reviewed and approved by the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority ("LCRA") and designated Gilded Age as redeveloper of the site. This Board authorized execution of a Redevelopment Agreement between Gilded Age and the city to enable this developer to pursue acquisition of the property for commercial and retail development. Gilded Age is not seeking tax abatement for this project, though it may pursue creation of a TIF (Tax Increment Finance) District to assist their proposed $10,000,000 redevelopment of the site with new commercial, retail and residential uses. Acquisition of the "Foodland" site is still in the legal process now. This project would bring much-needed retail amenities to the surrounding areas, which have developed dramatically with extensive renovation and new housing, especially over the past decade. New commercial/retail construction would be built up to the street, providing a pedestrian-friendly configuration and street presence appropriate for an urban artery like S. Jefferson. The prospects for a variety of stores and shopping are excellent, given the current demographic profiles of the market areas.
The subject of community input into the development process came up. Active residents know best what their communities need, what they must leave the neighborhood to purchase or enjoy and what sort of day-to-day challenges should be addressed by city government and redevelopers. I strongly support and encourage direct input of 6th Ward residents into the reuse of the Foodland and other development sites. Smart developers listen to the communities where they execute projects, whether it's selecting tenants and users or designing the configuration of new buildings, parking and essential architectural details. The dedicated group at Steve's house last night plans to communicate with Gilded Age on this crucial development and I'm confident that their dedication to and passion for the city's ongoing resurgence will result in exciting new amenities we will all enjoy.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Fri., Feb 16, 2007 at 9:38 AM]
Fox Park
Last night's candidate forum in Fox Park featured an excellent turnout of residents on a decidedly cold, windy night. While at SLDC, I noticed incredible progress in the neighborhood's development, particularly over the past few years. I told the residents that when I attended open houses for rehabs in Fox Park, I often brought friends and associates from City Hall so they could see not only what developers were doing there but what a rich stock of historic St. Louis architecture was packed into one relatively small area. As with many city neighborhoods, the possibilities are endless. I see Fox Park's redevelopment following along the lines of the Benton Park neighborhood during the past 10 to 15 years. The phase of "pioneering", while never truly past where old buildings are concerned, will give way to one in which the private market and hard work of residents like Beth Stelmach and Beth Conroy bring the area into its own as a destination for people rediscovering the city. Like my own neighborhood, Tower Grove East, Fox Park has a great collection of corner properties that offer exciting possibilities for new commercial and retail uses.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Wed., Jan 31, 2007 at 10:55 AM]
Eminent domain
This is an issue that has recently gained new national prominence and which understandably provokes a wide range of emotional responses. I am not an attorney, but it seems to me that the issue of whether e.d. should be employed in economic development goes directly to whether one believes that redevelopment, job creation or retention, implementation of commercial, manufacturing and retail opportunities (particularly in severely underserved areas) go to "public purpose", the constitutional spirit of e.d. There are of course diverse legal opinions. My position on eminent domain may be partly illustrated as follows:
1. As alderman, if I were approached by a redeveloper who sought the use of e.d. to force the sale of owner-occupied residences in order to redevelop the site with "improved" uses, I would not support that effort. If said redeveloper was unable to broker a deal through ordinary negotiation with the property owners, then there would be no deal. Irrespective of e.d., I also have great reservations about demolition of historic and/or older buildings of any kind.
2. As alderman, if I were approached by a developer seeking to expand an existing business or commercial concern in the ward, create 25 to 50 new jobs, provide new services or amenities to the neighborhood and contribute substantially more to the city's tax base and the impediment to all that was an owner of vacant land who either refused to negotiate or sell for a remotely rational price, I would support the use of eminent domain to assist the developer. My ultimate responsibility is to the welfare of constituents and the lawful improvement of the ward and city at large. In my view, private property rights are not sacrosanct if they substantially impair the economic prospects of an entire community.
It is a complex issue and the examples I provide do not cover the entire range of contexts in which e.d. may or may not be appropriate. Ultimately, in order to accomplish the "greatest good for the greatest number", I would not rule out the use of eminent domain as a an economic development tool. I promise to personally examine every aspect of each situation, communicate fully with all affected parties and to listen closely to all views regarding the action. It would never be used casually or without exhaustively exploring every alternative.
[Posted under by Christian Saller on Wed., Jan 31, 2007 at 10:26 AM]
engaged constituency!
The more I make my way around the 6th Ward, the more impressed I am by the intense interest in the upcoming aldermanic primary. During my door to door visits, residents not only have questions, they invite me in and sit me down to ask them. The hospitality is delightful, particularly on nippy days, but the keen interest and detailed, intelligent questions are even more gratifying.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Fri., Jan 26, 2007 at 10:36 AM]
A Good Time Was Had By All
Last night's function at Riley's Pub was an enjoyable and ringing success! I was especially pleased to personally meet friends of friends and new people who have been watching this campaign closely. I have truly enjoyed going door to door and will continue to do so whenever possible, but the 6th Ward is lot of territory to cover, especially when so many people are eager to discuss their neighborhoods and the election! I am deeply grateful to Riley's proprietor Bill Kapes and his wife Paulette for their generous support and encouragement. They are truly an asset to the city and Riley's has been a wonderful addition to my neighborhood.
[Posted under Campaign Diary by Christian Saller on Thu., Jan 18, 2007 at 10:33 AM]
Meet the candidate/fundraiser
Courtesy of proprietor Bill Kapes, I am having a fundraiser at Riley's Pub this Wednesday, January 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feel free to drop by for snacks and refreshments along with conversation about the city in general and the 6th Ward in particular.
[Posted under Events by Christian Saller on Sun., Jan 14, 2007 at 3:18 PM]