Reminder of Monday Press Conference - 9:30 a.m.

Don't forget the kick-off of Year Two of the Surrounding Our Schools With Care (SOS CARE) campaign on the first day of school for St. Louis Public Schools on Monday, Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m. We'll be at the Fresh Start Program at Turner School, 2615 N. Billups, St. Louis, MO 63113.

Among those gathering to pledge their efforts to support public education in the new school year and to demonstrate the successes that can be achieved when we work together are:
State Senator Maida Coleman, St. Louis City, District 5 (Minority Floor Leader)
State Senator Jeff Smith, St. Louis City, District 4
State Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford, St. Louis City, District 59
State Representative Jamilah Nasheed, St. Louis City, District 60
Alderman Sam Moore, Ward 4
Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, Ward 22
Alderman Gregory Carter, Ward 27
Rev. James Morris, Representative-elect in House District 57
Sean Nichols, Director, Fresh Start at Turner School (a program to help dropouts graduate)
Christopher Simpson, Owner, Raw Blend Clothing

Background: In the 2007-08 school year, several St. Louis City representatives and senators engaged in a friendly competition to bring volunteers and resources to the schools in their districts. In Year Two of the "Surrounding Our Schools with Care" (SOS Care), they will be joined by members of the Board of Aldermen. The Fresh Steps program will be highlighted as an example of collaboration. Through SOS Care, elected officials join concerned citizens (neighbors, business owners, parents, alumni, communities of faith, etc.) to find effective ways to work with the schools in their neighborhoods and to celebrate successes.

Note: Other elected officials and community members may be joining us on Monday morning.

JMO4Rep Update - My Thanks and Some Thoughts on Tuesday's Election

Friends, Allies and Constituents -

My heartfelt thanks to all who went to the polls on Tuesday. I was grateful to receive a vote of confidence from 1696 voters on August 5 (in my uncontested primary). More importantly, I asked for your support (yard signs, donations, canvassing, etc.) for Robin Wright-Jones in Senate 5, and each action you took mattered and helped produce her victory by 111 votes. (Whew!) I will be meeting with Robin frequently so that we can press forward with a progressive agenda to improve the quality of life in St. Louis City and throughout Missouri.

Outcomes in Other Endorsed Races
Congratulations to the candidates I endorsed who won their primaries - Sam Page (lt. governor), Jim Trout (Senate 15), Jeanne Kirkton (House 91), and Cara Jensen (8th ward committeewoman).

I forgot to mention a final person I endorsed in my most recent e-mail: Judy Baker. Judy has been a wonderful House colleagues these past four years and is one of my best friends in Jefferson City. Judy ran in the Democratic Primary for Congressional District 9 in a four-way race and won with 44.1% of the vote, a very impressive victory. Now she must defeat Blaine Luetkemeyer, the GOP winner, in order to take back a seat from the GOP since Kenny Hulshof, the GOP-pick in the gubernatorial
primary, has held that seat for several years. This race will attract national attention and is a key to increasing the Democratic majority in Congress. Judy is very worthy of your financial support or of your volunteer hours, and I hope you will take time to read about her at: http://judybakerforcongress.com/

Having lost in a close election before (my first try in 2000), my heart goes out to Margaret Donnelly whose appears to have lost my a razor-thin margin in the Democratic race for Attorney General. We all continue to watch developments there to see if any change may be forthcoming. Personally I'm leaving my yardsign up as a way to stand in solidarity with Margaret as we wait for the possible recount process.

I also congratulate Stacey Newman for her hard work in the 73rd House district where she lost 2301 to 1549 to Steve Brown. Stacey and I have worked side by side for justice for many years, and I was proud to endorse her. I have heard many good things about Brown and expect to work with him for positive change, especially on energy issues.

Good News in the Effort to Take Back the House

Democrats performed very well in many districts that the Republicans have held. Of course there are many factors to be considered in primary vote outcomes, but I am encouraged by these results in districts where Democrats hope to pick up a seat (and there are at least 20 that are in play; we need 11 to take back the majority):

In District 1 - GOP incumbent Brian Munzlinger (a champion for CAFO's and for the NRA) received 1929 vs. 3022 votes for his Democratic opponent Keri Cottrell. We can win this one! Keri is a teacher, and we need more teachers in the House. Help Keri by going to: http://www.electkericottrell.com/

In District 24 - GOP incumbent Ed Robb (who I have often locked horns with on various issues, especially tax policy) reeived 3615 votes. His Democratic challenger, Chris Kelly, a judge and former legislator, received 3772. The high turnout in that race was probably impacted by both the Congress 9 race (with two Columbia natives in it for the Dems) and the very competitive GOP gubernatorial primary. This will be a very close race, and I'd appreciate your help for Chris at:
http://www.chriskelly24.com/

In District 85 - GOP incumbent Jim Lembke is vying for Senate 1 against Joan Barry to replace termed-out Sen. Harry Kennedy, so the race will be between Dem primary winner Vicki Lorenz Englund and Republican Cloria Brown. Vicki can win this race. Help her by going to: http://www.politicalgateway.com/cand.php?id=769

In District 122 - GOP incumbent Mike McGhee (who sponsored the redundant religious freedom constitutional amendment, which he framed as "school prayer", as well as legislation to protect the right to fly the Confederate flag) received 1684 votes. His Democratic challenger for November, Beth Grubb, received 2453. Let's keep her on top in November! I hope to have a website address to offer for Beth soon, but for now you can read more about this race at:
http://blog.showmeprogress.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=623
There's also a helpful bio of Beth in the comments section there.

How can you help me and my colleagues in our effort to Take Back the House? Two ways:

1) Volunteer or donate to my campaign. E-mail jmo4rep@juno.com to volunteer.
To donate, mail a check to:
Citizens to Elect Oxford
P. O. Box 19112
St. Louis, MO 63118

2) Make out a check to the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee.
I'll accept the checks at my P. O. Box or they may be sent directly to:
MO HDCC
P. O. Box 2235
Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Any checks for the HDCC that I receive by next Tuesday morning, August 12, I will
hand-deliver to Rep. Paul LeVota of Independence, MO, our Caucus chair, who is visiting St. Louis that day. He is traveling throughout the state next week to congratulate our primary winners and to strategize about our Take Back the House Campaign. I'll even come to where you are to pick up a check for the HDCC if that's more convenient for you. Call me at 314-775-8940.

Community Announcements

I was pleased to be one of the speakers at the opening of a new Barack Obama Headquarters at 2715 Cherokee at 5 p.m. on August 7. Several voter registration drives are happening over the next few weeks, including one that Travis Reems is helping with in the 25th Ward this Saturday. (Go Travis and team!) Please help on the 9th or at another time by calling Jack Coatar, 314-324-9539, or e-mailing him at
jcoatar AT mocampaignforchange.org.

The International Institute invites us all to the International Festival at Tower Grove Park on Aug. 23 and 24. Two of the most wonderful things about the 59th House District are our rich ethnic diversity and the good work of the International Institute. Come out and enjoy on Aug. 23 & 24.
See a promotional video at: http://www.youtube.com/IISTL

Got Bail? I will be arrested and locked up on Aug. 27 - but don't panic - it's for a good cause - the Muscular Dystrophy Association. If you'd like to help bail me out, go to:
https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/17837/Default.aspx

>From Kat Logan Smith at Missouri Coalition for the Environment: Will Godar, a 2008 graduate from St. Louis Priory, is premiering his Senior Thesis, a film about Doe Run entitled "Unleaded" at the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas at Lindell and Kingshighway in St. Louis from 11 a.m. to 12 noon this Saturday, August 9th. The Chase Park Plaza Cinemas are inside the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. The running time is around 35 minutes. Godar will also be showing a "short" film (8 min) that he did in collaboration with ten other young St. Louis filmmakers, in competition with other young filmmakers.

Don't forget the Summer Cool Down event at Five Star Senior Center on Arsenal by Kutis, beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 12 and the Back to School Fair at Joint Neighborhood Ministry, 2910 McNair, on Saturday, Aug. 16.

JMO

JMO4Rep Update - Primary Election 08 Edition

Friends, Contituents, and Allies,

I hope you have come through the summer heat and storms in good shape!

The primary election season has also been full of heat and storms. It has saddened me to hear unfair attacks - like the current TV ad blaming Barack Obama for high gas prices. (Say what? How could that be Obama's fault?) I hope we will see more fairness and less spinning of facts as we approach the November general elections (and I also hope we'll demand that together).

This issue of my update will include a reminder to vote for/support candidates that I have endorsed, back-to-school wish lists, and some community announcements. As always, if these notices are not helpful to you, remember that I will remove you from the list if you will simply send an e-mail request saying "remove."

Don't Forget to Vote on Aug. 5

Candidates with contested primaries whom I have endorsed (and their websites with contact information) are:

Sam Page for Lt. Governor - https://www.sampage.com/index2.asp
Margaret Donnelly for Attorney General -
http://www.donnellyforattorneygeneral.com/
Robin Wright-Jones for Senate 5 - http://www.robinwrightjones.net/
James Trout for Senate 15 - http://www.votetrout.com/index.html
Stacey Newman for House 73 - http://staceynewman08.com/
Jeanne Kirkton for House 91 - http://www.jeannekirkton.com/
Cara Jensen for 8th Ward Committeewoman -
http://www.carajensen.com/contact%20us.htm

Of course I also hope to have your vote as state representative from the 59th if you live in my district. (I am unopposed on the Democratic ballot.) I would be honored to have your vote of confidence.

You also may want to be aware of Proposition Y, a $275 million revenue bond issue, on the St. Louis City ballot:

Ballot Language - To comply with federal and state clean water requirements, shall The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) issue its sewer system revenue bonds in the amount of Two Hundred Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($275,000,000) for the purpose of designing, constructing, improving, renovating, repairing, replacing and equipping new and existing MSD sewer facilities and system, including sewer disposal and treatment plants, sanitary and combined sanitary and stormwater sewers, and acquisition of easements and real property related thereto, the cost of operation and maintenance of said sewer system and the principal of and interest on said revenue bonds to be payable solely from the revenues derived by MSD from the operation of its sanitary sewer system, including all future extensions and improvements thereto?

Surrounding Our Schools with Care - Wish Lists Are Coming In

The new school year is just around the corner. I will be kicking off the second year of my Surrounding Our Schools with Care initiative (SOS Care) in August. One part of the process is to share wish lists from schools in the 59th district. Here are lists I have received so far.

>From Kottmeyer Big Picture School, 1530 S. Grand:
T-Shirts (school clubs and school spirit to help enhance a sense of belonging)
60 blazers for students to wear when they need to dress professionally
Funding for the Sistakeepers Program (support and leadership group for young women)
Laser printers (at least six needed)
Smartboards for every classroom (8)
100 - 3-ring binders with clear sheet protectors to create work portfolios
Colored construction paper
LCD projectors for each class (8)
Clear plastic sheet protectors
Bus tickets to get to internship sites
Books for Boys to Men program (character books, etc.)
Library books (fiction, nonfiction, reference)
Books on c.d. for auditory learners
Guest speakers (speak on a specific profession, education, motivational speaking)
Funding for culturally enriching field trips (symphony, theatre, fine dining, art museums, etc.)
Funding for team building activities (camping, ropes courses, etc.)
Learning Through Interest/Internship opportunities

>From Shenandoah Elementary School, 3412 Shenandoah:
Children’s books
Boys and girls underwear or socks (new - in sealed packages)

>From Roosevelt High School, 3230 Hartford:
Three-ring binders (three inch, white preferred)
Fans to come cheer at home football games
Community Task Force members

Please call me at 314-771-8882 for more information. In addition, you are welcome to support students from our community by donating to or volunteering at the August 16th Back to School Fair at Joint Neighborhood Ministry (JNM), 2911 McNair. Call Joan Hensley, JNM director, at 314-771-3987 for a list of needed items. The Franciscan Connection, 2903 Cherokee Street, is also collecting and distributing back to school
items. To volunteer, call Brother Doug or Brother Donald at 314-773-8485.

Making Sure Children with Disabilities Receive Needed Services

I have been asked to watch for stories of children with disabilities being denied occupational or physical therapy by the State of Missouri. If you know of such a case, please call me at 314-771-8882.

Community Announcements

>From Five Star Senior Center - Texas Hold-Em on Saturday August 9th Doors open at 6:00 p.m. game start at 7:00 p.m. $50.00 entry donation: Includes food, beer, & soda.

"5th Annual Summer Cool Down" on Wednesday August 13th, sponsored by Aramark, St Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Walgreen's & Care Improvements Plus. This is a day for the senior citizens of the area to get in out of the hot August sun and enjoy a cool down at the Five Star Senior Center. The day will start at 10:00 a.m. with bingo, 11:00 lunch, noon Music & Dancing. After lunch, fans that have been donated will be distributed to seniors who need them. Please join us for a day with our seniors as all special guests will be asked to serve our seniors their
meal. It's a great time to see some of Five Star's programs in operation.

For more information, contact Michael Howard, Five Star Executive Director, 314-664-1008.

National Night Out Event - Epiphany United Church of Christ will host a Community BBQ in honor of National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5. The menu is hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, veggie burgers, sides, and desserts. All are welcome regardless of ability to pay. For those able, a free will offering will be accepted, and canned goods will also be accepted for Joint Neighborhood Ministry, the food pantry in Epiphany's basement.

JMO