Sunday, January 24, 2010

Poll, What Does”Merge the City & County” Mean to You?

Steve Patterson April 12th, 2009
Interesting reading at:
http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/?p=5294
Urban Accessories + Materials

The City of St. Louis was located in St. Louis County until 1876. St. Louis, not Clayton, was the county seat. That year the city became its own City-County, or “independent city.”

Prior to 1877, St. Louis County encompassed the City of St. Louis plus all other areas within the county boundaries including such towns as Kirkwood and Florissant. During that time, the county seat was the City of St. Louis. Often called the “Great Divorce,” the split occurred after the citizens of St. Louis County (that included both city and county) voted on the question of whether the City of St. Louis should separate from the county and become an independent city.

The vote took place 22 Aug 1876, and the initial count indicated that the separation question had failed by just over 100 votes. Supporters of separation then brought charges, including fraud, and a recount was ordered. The recount took four months so it was late 1876 before it was determined that the vote for separation had passed. (Source)

There have been numerous attempts since 1876 to reverse this vote. All have failed. This “independent city” arrangement is part of the Missouri constitution so any change becomes a statewide issue.

There have been numerous attempts since 1876 to reverse this vote. All have failed. This “independent city” arrangement is part of the Missouri constitution so any change becomes a statewide issue.

Today you will still hear people say we need to “merge” the city & county. OK, what does that mean?

The landscape is very different today than it was in the late 19th Century. Does merge mean expand the county boundaries to include the city — making the City of St. Louis a city among the 90+ other municipalities in St. Louis County? Would Clayton remain the county seat? That is more rejoin than merge in my view.

More at: http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/?p=5294

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Poll, What Does”Merge the City & County” Mean to Y...":

My comments would be: Leave the City of St. Louis alone, at least for now.But, in St. Louis County, we need to consolidate all of the county into about 20 super municipalities of about 50 to 60 thousand homes each. This would consolidate services, like fire, police, public works, tax base, etc. More effeciency, less tax dollars. Currently, St. Louis County has 93 municipalities inside the County, and the county has about 100,000 residents in unincorporated. County is competing against municipalites, municipalities are competing against each other and the county.The cost of this ineffcient government is staggering.During economic times like this, non of the governments fair well, and unable to help each other, much less themselves.Just too much government in St. Louis County.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Poll, What Does”Merge the City & County” Mean to Y...":

Too Much Government in St. Louis County is correct.Anyone who has tried to permit anything in St. Louis county recongnizes the problem. Best examples are, St. Louis Airport, Hiway 40 remake, Metro Link expansion. All of these type of projects take more than twice as long as necessary to review and permit. Too many layers of politics to contend with. Too many speed traps, poor muni service from small cities, understaffed police departments, bad road system that is getting worse, and the list goes on and on.

Just too much government. Less would certainly be better, and more effecient, and improved services, and quicker responses.

It is time for a Blue Ribbon panel to be formed, or maybe even the Boundry Commission could take this effort up. But something needs to be done, if St. Louis and the region ever expect to improve and move forward.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Poll, What Does”Merge the City & County” Mean to Y...":


St. Louis City and County should merge making all of St. Louis County the City. Our population would be over 1 million and the crime rate would plummet vastly improving our image nationally. Florissant, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and Maplewood could survive the purge and remain municipalities because of their history. Any thoughts???

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:07 AM

    My comments would be: Leave the City of St. Louis alone, at least for now.
    But, in St. Louis County, we need to consolidate all of the county into about 20 super municipalities of about 50 to 60 thousand homes each. This would consolidate services, like fire, police, public works, tax base, etc. More effeciency, less tax dollars. Currently, St. Louis County has 93 municipalities inside the County, and the county has about 100,000 residents in unincorporated. County is competing against municipalites, municipalities are competing against each other and the county.
    The cost of this ineffcient government is staggering.
    During economic times like this, non of the governments fair well, and unable to help each other, much less themselves.
    Just too much government in St. Louis County.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:55 AM

    Too Much Government in St. Louis County is correct.
    Anyone who has tried to permit anything in St. Louis county recongnizes the problem. Best examples are, St. Louis Airport, Hiway 40 remake, Metro Link expansion. All of these type of projects take more than twice as long as necessary to review and permit. Too many layers of politics to contend with. Too many speed traps, poor muni service from small cities, understaffed police departments, bad road system that is getting worse, and the list goes on and on.

    Just too much government. Less would certainly be better, and more effecient, and improved services, and quicker responses.

    It is time for a Blue Ribbon panel to be formed, or maybe even the Boundry Commission could take this effort up. But something needs to be done, if St. Louis and the region ever expect to improve and move forward.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:38 PM

    St. Louis City and County should merge making all of St. Louis County the City. Our population would be over 1 million and the crime rate would plummet vastly improving our image nationally. Florissant, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and Maplewood could survive the purge and remain municipalities because of their history. Any thoughts???

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous8:44 AM

    In order for this area/region to again become the dominant city in the midwest, this must happen. The City can stand alone, but the county, must reorganize and become about 20 large municipalities. County government would be absorbed and duplication of services and at least one layer of beuracratic government will go away.
    Better yet, would be full merger with St. Louis and the County and all muni's, but, not to happen.
    We need to close down some of the kingdoms and let the people direct the government. St Louis could again become a dominant force, if were to merge and consolidate.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous7:29 PM

    It means that I'm moving out of St. Louis County. Mainly because of the communist trash system. It's only going to get worse.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous3:17 PM

    We have to look at the big picture, our region is falling behind the times because we don't want to come together as one. Corporations look at factors such as area stability, population, crime rate, terrain, traffic, etc. Merging several municipalities and including the city into the county will make St. Louis a stronger region. Not to mention the 7th largest city in America. We get enough negative news in St. Louis; it's time to show America that we know how to work together.

    ReplyDelete