Commitment Mailer

Another mailer going out this week! Ward residents can expect it in their mailboxes within the next couple days, those of you outside the ward can peek at the key points here:

Full-Time Alderman
My job of serving the residents of the 20th ward will be a full-time commitment. In fact, it will include evenings and weekends. Serving residents has no boundaries. I will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Ward Office
I will have a ward office on Cherokee Street with posted hours of operation so that residents may either drop-in or schedule one-on-one appointments with me. I will be available to you right here in our ward as opposed to City Hall.

House Calls
If you would like for me to visit you at your home or show me a specific problem in the ward, I will be there. I will offer one-on-one service to our residents. Serving residents effectively requires more than returning phone calls and e-mails; it requires face-to-face communication.

Direct Community Service
I will work alongside you, with you, to get things done. I will get my hands dirty. I will be an Alderman that goes beyond attending meetings and answering phone calls. I will be a visible and effective Alderman.

Housing Mailer

For those of you in the ward who’ve not received our most recent Housing Mailer, we’d like to let you know about the four, key tenants to Galen’s housing initiative:

Redevelop Vacant Housing
Our ward includes some of the city’s most beautiful and historic architecture. While it is great to witness the redevelopment and rebirth of some of our larger homes, many of our smaller homes sit in decay, block after block. If elelected Alderman, I will work hard to attract developers to rehab homes of all sizes.

Increase the Level of Home Ownership
Homeowners are the backbone of our neighborhoods. As a housing professional in the community development field, I have helped many families achieve their dream of homeownership. If elected, I will apply that experience to assisting residents in becoming homeowners.

Stabilize Multi-Unit Housing
Research shows that having an owner-occupant in multi-family homes increases neighborhood stability. I will support redevelopment plans that would foster an increase in owner-occupied multi-family homes.

Increase Landlord Accountability
While there are many responsible landlords, we can no longer tolerate irresponsible absentee landlords who allow properties to fall into disrepair. If elected Alderman, I will sponsor legislation that puts pressure on these landlords to either improve their properties or face legal action.

Please call the campaign at 314-772-3628 to further discuss improving housing in our neighborhood.

Benton Park West to Host 20th Ward Candidates Forum

Benton Park West to Host 20th Ward Candidates Forum

St. Louis, MO – On February 15, 2007, Benton Park West Neighborhood Association will host the 20th Ward Candidates Forum. President Eric Winters will serve as Moderator with a sub-committee of residents facilitating the forum. The forum will include the two Democratic candidates, incumbent Alderman Craig Schmid and Galen Gondolfi, business owner on Cherokee and a former President of Benton Park West Neighborhood Association.

The Benton Park West Neighborhood Association Board has selected three initial questions with the remainder of the questions being collected from the audience previous to the start of the debate and narrowed down by the sub-committee.

The 20th Ward Candidates Forum will be the feature of the February Benton Park West Neighborhood Association meeting. While it is highly encouraged for all residents in the 20th Ward (Benton Park West, Gravois Park, Marine Villa, and Dutchtown neighborhoods) to attend, all Alderman whose wards cover Benton Park West are invited to attend along with the Neighborhood Stablization Team officers who have responsibility in the 20th Ward.

The Benton Park West Neighborhood Association monthly meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Five Star Senior Center located at 2832 Arsenal.

The Mission of Benton Park West Neighborhood Association is to “Enhance and strengthen the neighborhood and its residents by promoting beautification, commerce, communication, diversity, and safety. The neighborhood association makes efforts to support, renew, and sustain Benton Park West’s unique human and physical resources, serving as a voice for the neighborhood, and helping to ensure quality living.”

If you would like more information, please contact Eric Winters at (314) 776-6022 or the neighborhood office at (314) 771-0803. Please visit our website for additional information about Benton Park West: www.bentonparkwest.org.

AFSCME Endorses Gondolfi

February 13, 2007

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, Local 2730 Endorses

Galen Gondolfi for 20th Ward Alderman

In recognition of the work that Galen Gondolfi has done to better the lives of St. Louis’ working families, the executive board of AFSCME Local 2730, chaired by Pres. Quincy Boyd, has voted to endorse Galen Gondolfi in the March 6th Democratic primary. Local 2730 represents the employees of the St. Louis area Department of Mental Health facilities and is among Missouri’s largest state employee locals.

Upon receiving the endorsement, Gondolfi stated, “This summer Quincy, myself, and dozens of volunteers, including many AFSCME members, canvassed the 20th ward, to help gather the signatures necessary to get the minimum wage increase on the November ballot. That success has directly impacted the lives of many people living and working in the 20th ward. I would like to say thank you to the members of AFSCME Local 2730 for joining us then and for now deciding to endorse my candidacy.”