By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-828760.mp3
St. Louis, MO –
Two of the three challengers to Mayor Francis Slay in the general election used a debate at the St. Louis Public Library Monday night to lay the blame for city's problems at his feet.
Both independent candidate Maida Coleman and Green Party candidate Elston McCowan targeted Slay on a wide range of issues, including the city's struggling school system, its police department, the stalled Ballpark Village development, and the ongoing racial divide.
McCowan, a pastor and labor leader, told the crowd of more than 200 they'd been "hoodwinked." And Coleman, a former state Senate Democratic leader, told them eight years was enough. "Francis Slay's slogan is he's standing up for St. Louis," she said. "I say he's standing ON St. Louis."
Slay mostly did not respond directly to the attacks, instead outlining his accomplishments, including programs that deal with the mortgage crisis and provide recreational opportunities.
And he said part of the delay on Ballpark Village was due to his efforts to hold the developers and the St. Louis Cardinals accountable. "We would not agree to put any direct city money into the Ballpark Village. And we also would not agree to guarantee the bonds in case the revenues aren't enough to help pay for those," he said.
The state development board will vote next month on the package of tax credits designed to help finance the office and retail project.
The League of Women Voters invited Libertarian Party candidate Robb Cunningham to the debate, but he did not attend.