Incumbent Green Park Ward 2 Alderman Ronald Slattery faces one challenger for his seat on the Board of Aldermen in the April 5 election — resident Donald Lattray.
Slattery was elected to the board in 2020. He previously served as alderman for the city from 1996 to 1998.
Lattray, who did not return The Call’s candidate questionnaire, has unsuccessfully run twice for alderman -— once in 2019 and again in 2020.
Slattery, 71, 9551 Antigo Drive, works in customer service. He has a bachelor’s degree in government and a master’s degree in integral research and Master of Business Administration. He is a third degree Knight of Columbus and is a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Simon.
Slattery said he is seeking office again to “continue to make the City of Green Park a better place to live.”
Slattery gave the following responses to The Call’s candidate questionnaire:
What do you consider the most important issue in this race?
Slattery: Minimize crime in Green Park, especially larceny. Too much larceny.
Other issues you perceive in your race and your position on each:
Slattery: Comprehensive street lighting system, especially in the residential areas. Continued traffic control, Ronnie Hills subdivision and establishing a safety zone for St. Simon school and church. Develop ways to help citizens of the city of Green Park have a better sense of community.
Should the city be expanded through the annexation of nearby areas of unincorporated St. Louis County?
Slattery: I would be open to conducting a study to annex nearby areas of unincorporated St. Louis County
Should the city impose an administrative fee on businesses or require businesses to obtain a license?
Slattery: I am not in favor of requiring a fee or license on businesses residing in the city.
Are you satisfied with the services the city provides to residents, including snow removal and street maintenance?
Slattery: I am always seeking for ways in which we can better serve our residents.
Are you pleased with the city’s comprehensive plan? Are changes needed? If so, what would you propose?
Slattery: We have a sound comprehensive plan.
What would you propose to increase citizen involvement in city government?
Slattery: Establish a committee on community and encourage citizens to become an active part of the city.
What is your position on tax increment financing and other tax incentives?
Slattery: I am in favor of tax incentives as long as it benefits the City of Green Park.
Since voters approved a half-cent capital improvement sales tax, are you pleased with how the revenue has been spent?
Slattery: I have not seen any misuse of how the revenue has been spent in the past.
How much of a fund balance should the city keep in its reserves each year? Please elaborate:
Slattery: The amount of reserves kept in the fund balance should vary each year depending on the needs of the city. For example, a difficult winter may require more snow removal.
Do you agree with the direction the city is moving?
Slattery: The city of Green Park is moving in a very good direction. In addition, I would like to see our city move toward more citizen involvement.
Do you believe the Board of Aldermen and city officials are doing enough to ensure rental properties in Green Park comply with city code?
Slattery: The Board of Aldermen and city officials are continuing to monitor rental properties and will continue to do so.
Should the salary for aldermen be increased?
Slattery: I am here to help the city and its residents and I am not looking for an increase in salary.
What kind of parental/bereavement leave would you like to see for city employees, if any?
Slattery: Our employees have been an asset to our city. I am in favor of two weeks paternal leave and four weeks maternity leave and three days for bereavement.
Do you support the Board of Aldermen’s decision to offer free trash pick up and recycling services to citizens?
Slattery: I definitely support the board’s decision to offer free trash pick up and recycling.
What kind of growth, if any, do you envision for the city?
Slattery: I see the city growing as a community, with its residents becoming more and more neighborly.
What is your vision for Green Park?
Slattery: I envision the city continuing to grow not necessarily in size, but as a community where its residents come to know each other more and more.
What is your greatest accomplishment on behalf of the city?
Slattery: I was fortunate to be able to participate in the development of the incorporation of the city in the 1990s.
Do you support a city-county merger?
Slattery: I support the city and county sharing in areas which will help either/both develop vibrant communities.
Should the city do more to regulate medical residential businesses in city limits?
Slattery: The city needs to address this issue from a legal standpoint.
Do you support the city’s agreement with the St. Louis County Police Department, and would you change it in any way?
Slattery: The St. Louis County Police Department provides superb police services and I support wholeheartedly the city’s agreement with them and 100 percent merging of this important service.
What do you believe should be the top priorities of City Administrator James Mello?
Slattery: Our city administrator has established the priorities of his position.
Do you believe the city should provide notices to media of upcoming meetings?
Slattery: All upcoming meetings are to be announced through the media.
Should city meetings be recorded?
Slattery: City meetings are to be recorded.
What will you do to attract businesses in the city with Schnucks now closed?
Slattery: To my knowledge all vacant buildings have been leased.
