Green Time TV, March 2017: St Louis Choices for 2017 Continue
by Don Fitz
When St. Louis voters go to the polls in early 2017 they will be making critical decisions for the future of the City. The corporate media often presents a very narrow range of choices for voters and disregard those that have some of the most meaningful suggestions. March 2017 Green Time episodes give a voice to many who might otherwise not be heard.
What is meant by “community building” and what does it have to do with crime? In the first March Green Time, host Don Fitz and guest Johnathan McFarland, who is the Green Party Candidate for Mayor of St. Louis, discuss causes of crime, including the criminalization of drugs like marijuana and heroin, along with use of body cameras by police and gun control. They explore economic issues such as the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) by the City, a $15 per hour minimum wage, loan accessibility for first time home buyers and jobs and unions. They look at what schools could do to reflect the African American experience and how City policy could reflect needs of people who live in the City.
What are “TIFs” and “tax abatement?” During the second March Green Time, host Don Fitz and guests Jerome Bauer, Green Party Candidate for St. Louis Comptroller, and Quinn Parks, Green Party Candidate for Ward 7 Alderman, discuss development projects that give financial breaks to those who are already enormously wealthy. Could the same breaks go to first time home buyers instead? They explore strange financing of the Delmar Loop Trolley, National Geospatial Agency, and sports stadiums. Would it be reasonable to ban TIFs altogether? Could they be replaced with a cooperative business model? How can the Board of Aldermen help create great neighborhoods?
Why does St. Louis need more urban agriculture? The third March Green Time has host Don Fitz interviewing guests Katie Gore, Green Party Candidate for Ward 9 Alderman, and Donelle LaChance, Green Party Candidate for Ward 11 Alderman, examining issues for the City of St. Louis. Who could use a north-south metro line? What's up with the proposed 1% sales tax for the metro? Why should we be concerned with the $11 million that the City spent on the Rams? How can we work to raise the minimum wage in the City? Why should we defend Planned Parenthood? Is “human trafficking” a problem in St. Louis?
How could St. Louis use the “Community Schools” model to make schools successful? The fourth March Green Time includes host Don Fitz and guests Johnathan McFarland, Green Party Candidate for Mayor of St. Louis, and Susan Jones, President of the St. Louis Board of Education, examining City schools. How can schools improve parental involvement? How can schools increase staff salaries so they are more competitive? Does the curriculum adequately reflect the African-American experience and student interests? What effects do poverty and homelessness have on education? How can we make meals in schools more healthy?
Green Time appears at noon on Saturdays in St. Louis on Channel 24-1 and at 8 pm on Mondays in St. Louis on Channel 24-2, Springfield on Channel 39, Joplin on Channel 36 and Marshfield on Channel 17. Green Time programs air on these dates:
March 4, 6: “Issues Confronting St. Louis in 2017,”
March 11, 13: “Strange Financing in St. Louis,”
March 18, 20: “Towards a Better St. Louis,”
March 25, 27: “St. Louis Schools: Issues and Ideas.”
“Like” Gateway Greens on Facebook and click “Get notifications.” Also see Green Time onhttps://www.youtube.com/user/GreentimeTV. To help produce Green Time TV call 314-727-8554 or emailfitzdon@aol.com
