City Hall: Room 200 up for grabs

If somehow the stars were to align themselves on April 7 in such a way that Maida Coleman were elected mayor of St. Louis, things sure would be a lot more interesting at City Hall. Not better, perhaps, but way more interesting.

Ms. Coleman, 54, a who served eight years in the Missouri Legislature, the last six in the state Senate, has a colorful, blunt — sometimes too blunt — style of speaking. That alone distinguishes her from the buttoned-down incumbent Francis Slay, who is seeking a third term in the general election.

Mr. Slay, 54, is the Democratic nominee. Ms. Coleman had planned to challenge him in the primary, but on the last day of filing, she arrived at the Election Board only to find that two other black women, Irene J. Smith and Denise Watson-Wesley Coleman, already had filed. Her reaction:

“I don’t think I’m stupid. One white man and three black women? I didn’t fall for the okey-dokey. I’m fast on my feet and smarter than the average bear. I don’t like people treating me like I’m stupid.”

So, despite her longtime Democratic credentials, she’s running as an independent in the general election. She even lashed out at city Democrats as she kicked off her campaign in early March, telling the St. Louis American: “We have been going along, expecting for the Democrats to change something. I am tired of the Democrats raping us for our votes.”

She later apologized for her intemperate language.

Also on the ballot are Libertarian Robb E. Cunningham, 42, and the Green Party’s Rev. Elston K. McCowan, 46. In a city that has elected Democratic mayors for the last 60 years, no Republican bothered to file.

Despite huge disadvantages in name recognition, endorsements and campaign funds and the built-in handicap of running as an independent, Maida Coleman does not lack for confidence. “For the first time,” she said. “Francis Slay has real opposition.”

She blames Mr. Slay for just about every problem the city has endured for the last 14 years, counting not just his eight years as mayor but six previous years when he was president of the Board of Aldermen under two different mayors. “He’s been making decisions for this city for way too long.”

She blames him for problems in the St. Louis schools, over which he has no formal control, and on the St. Louis Police Department, where the mayor gets one vote on a five-member Police Board appointed by the governor. She blames him for the secrecy in which he conducts city business, pledging that she’d bring transparency to city government.

Alas, Ms. Coleman speaks only in generalities. She demonstrates no real grasp of the intricacies of the challenges facing the city and offers no practical policies or programs.

He may be bland and buttoned-down, but Francis G. Slay has been an effective, progressive mayor who has moved the city forward. He deserves re-election on April 7.