by State Representative Casey Guernsey
Few things are more
frustrating than learning about a ballot issue at the time of voting.
Considering how important each of these initiatives are to each and every one of
us, I have decided to dedicate my weekly column space to one proposal a week
until the election. I strongly believe if people understand the background to
each of these issues, they will better be able to decide for themselves how to
vote on them. Last week I wrote about Proposition 'E' relating to the healtcare
exchange question. This week I'm tackling prop 'A' which deals with the question
of the St. Louis Police Department.
St. Louis City had more of
a Union sentiment during the civil war, while state government officials were
Confederate sympathizers. This difference, along with its location on the river
and its great arsenal, made St. Louis City of particular importance in the time
leading up to and during the Civil War. Extreme partisan measures were being
taken on both sides of the slavery issue to secure control of this strategically
significant city. Gaining control of the local police department was key to
gaining control of the city's arsenal and in turn the Mississippi River. The
Governor took action to control the St. Louis police department and today, the
outdated law still remains in place.
With STATEWIDE voter
approval, control of the St. Louis Police Department will be restored to where
it belongs — with the people and City of St. Louis. We in Rural Missouri stands
to benefit from this good-government initiative as it increases the accountability of
the St. Louis Police Department and reduces state and local costs by an
estimated $4.5 million.
Supporters of the ballot measure
include the St. Louis Police Officers Association, the mayor of the City of St. Louis and more than 80 rural
lawmakers, including myself, and mayors. I
encourage you to vote “yes” on Proposition A and return local control of the St.
Louis police force back to the city.
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