ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer says she wants 'to bring more efficient delivery of services' to the City of St. Louis.
Alderwoman Spencer, who is running for mayor, joined 'Total Information A.M.' ahead of the mayoral primary next week and pitched to voters that she brings 'a bridge to a very progressive elective base and some real constructive approach to city government.'
"I think by and large, people want a city government that just rolls up its sleeves and gets some work done," said Spencer. "And that is what (St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones) administration has really failed to do."
One of the biggest issues this mayoral primary has been city services, with the City of St. Louis recently taking criticism for its handling of plowing streets in January after a snowstorm.
Mayor Jones noted in her appearance on KMOX on Monday that the city never plowed residential streets during snowstorms because of the size of city trucks. Alderwoman Spencer, however, the issue were bigger than just residential streets.
"It was clear to anyone who tried to get around during that snowstorm that even the primary routes, the snow routes were not being taken care of," said Spencer.
"There's a failure to understand the basic lived experiences of St. Louisans. What I will bring to the table is more efficient delivery of services and a real focus on what city government is really there, which is to provide services to its citizens."
Spencer also says the city needs to professionalize the delivery of city services.
Spencer addressed comments by Mayor Jones when she appeared on KMOX airwaves Monday, with Mayor Jones saying Spencer has spent 10 years on the St. Louis Aldermanic Council and 'has had ample of opportunity to address many of the things she complains about in her campaign.'
"I feel like I have had significant wins over the last 10 years on the legislative side of government," said Spencer, pointing to her track record of coming out against slumlords, fighting against the privatization of Lambert International Airport and a gun bill that was passed last summer.
Spencer, however, cautions voter to remember how the structure of the City of St. Louis government works.
"The administration of city services falls squarely under the mayor, despite being a weak mayor system so to speak," said Spencer. "The mayor really hires and chooses the department heads of every city department more or less."
Spencer however, notes that there needs to be greater accountability for how funds are spent, in light of the city's budget uncertainty.
"The AAPA funds we received four years ago, so many of these funds are being spent on what I consider pretty questionable ways," said Spencer. "We have the feds looking into the private building stabilization program, a program that this mayor continues to tout as a success."
Alderwoman Spencer is running against Mayor Jones, Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler and retired utility executive Andrew Jones.