Slay donation divides city Dem Central Committee
Notes from this month’s meeting of the city’s Central Democratic Committee show a sharp divide over a contribution the group made to Mayor Francis Slay.
Slay is, of course, a Democrat, and faces re-election next spring. Though nobody yet has emerged to contest him in the March primary, that doesn’t mean he has uniform support among the city’s Democratic Party.
Tension emerged at the August 12 meeting when committee members asked chair Brian Wahby about a $13,000 donation to Slay’s re-election committee, made without the consent of the full committee.
Wahby defended the donation, saying the committee’s campaign fund was only being used as a “pass through” for another donor.
As a political party, the city Dems have less restrictions on giving to candidates than traditional campaign committees and, as such, can be used as go-between for candidates.
The Dems campaign committee report shows a $15,000 contribution from the “Show Me Pac,” which could be the source of the original funds intended for Slay.
“We have moved money for a number of candidates,” Wahby said, according to an unofficial copy of the minutes.
But State Sen. Maida Coleman, committeewoman from Wahby’s ward, the Seventh, suggested it wasn’t so much the method, but the individual supported that irked members.
“I think the issue is due to the candidate and the fact that not all of the body supports that candidate. For instance, Francis Slay,” Coleman said, according to the minutes. “Automatically, this insults half of the organization.”
Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter — who represents what was, until he moved recently, Slay’s home ward — said funneling donations for candidates was fair so long as the committee did it for anyone who asked.
“As long as we don’t turn down anyone,” Carpenter said.
But committee member Mike McMillan – the city’s license collector whose name is at the top of the list of potential Slay rivals — said he wasn’t even aware that the city’s central committee could be used as a fundraising tool.
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In some ways, the discussion is moot, because the state’s cap on campaign contribution limits will soon be repealed, eliminating the need for creative finances.
The debate, though, certainly brings up larger issues about party support for Slay as he seeks a third term.
I am a mazed by the spinners!!! McMillan is the last candidate I would support for Mayor. He learned from the worst. Freeman Jr. I can think of a dozen to support before him. What makes him think he’s the heir apparent anyway? Arrogant apparent if you ask me. Gregory F.X. Daly for Mayor!!!
The characterization of arrogant is one that I tend to agree with. What is also quite evident is that the publisher of the American hates Slay and loves McMillan. The few times I’ve read the paper it is full of stories about how Slay is doing terrible things with the last publication calling him a rat. Great journalism there.
Anyone preparing for a race should know that the Machine would revel with the task of investigations, bringing up public mistakes and things that any person would choose to keep private. It should be an interesting development to watch.
The Slay machine would not necessarily like for people to start investigations about it. I heard from one of their staff members that the FBI recently interviewed the Mayor and Rainford in his office prior to the scandal at the Police Department. I wonder what that was about? Did it have anything to do with Geisman being in charge of development and her business partner/roomate Callow getting contracts from the same people that she does business with like the Cardinals, the Gills, Steve Stone, Paul McKee and a host of other developers. These people are incompetent, lazy, corrupt and have let our City down. Everyone in South St. Louis does not like Slay and will not vote for him for re-election. He can and should loose. Favazza, Daly, McMillan, Green or anyone else would be better.
Slay must go! When is the last time that someone felt good about what Slay has done as Mayor or what has happened while he has been Mayor? Was it when AB was bought by InBev? Was it when May Company was bought by Federated and they subsequently moved out of town taking 800 jobs with them? Was it when the city’s credit was signed on for the St. Louis Centre project and it went bankrupt? Was it when Slay mismanaged the Chief George debacle? Was it when $40,000 was missing from the police department? Was it when we approved higher sales taxes and Slay lied about what would be done with the proceeds? Was it when our property taxes have gone through the roof for a public school system that is worse than when Slay took office? Was it when we discovered that our police have been involved in a scandal involving taking people’s cars? Was it when we tore down the Century Building? Was it when Paul McKee began to rape and pillage north St. louis with the Mayor’s help and blessing? Was it when Centene left for Clayton again? Was it when we heard the news of the 3rd version of the failed ballpark village proposal? Was it when we learned that we might loose the Rams? Someone please tell me if I am wrong but none of these things made me feel good about St. Louis. I voted for Slay before but never will again!!!!!!!!