Ald. Triplett featured in Oprah Magazine

Alderman Triplett is featured in the August 2010 issue alongside nine other successful ”power players.” Also profiled are Julie Greenwald the Co-chairman and COO of Atlantic Records; Nancy Dubuc the President of History and Lifetime Networks; and Ifeyinwa Offor, Vice President for Teach for America. The magazine highlights Triplett’s advocacy work with the homeless community and her revitalization efforts in spurring economic growth in downtown St. Louis.

“I’ am honored to be recognized for my work on behalf of city residents,” said Triplett. “Oprah Winfrey is a dynamic, inspirational woman. Without a doubt, her tireless contributions to the world are well-renowned and respected. Inclusion in her magazine alongside such high-profile and amazing women is truly a blessing.”

Triplett was elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen at the age of 26. Her progressive platform advocates inclusiveness and accessibility in local government. Triplett has worked to build coalitions and relationships with diverse groups throughout the city. Her commitment to working with the homeless community and her ability to secure $80 million for economic development in downtown St. Louis prompted O Magazine’s feature.

Triplett to Meet with 6th Ward Neighborhood Leaders

“Dinner & Dialogue” event intended to open lines of communication

SAINT LOUIS, MO – Tonight, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett (D-6th Ward) will meet with 6th Ward leaders at the Sqwires Restaurant Annex in Lafayette Square.  Triplett will update neighborhood leaders on work her office is currently undertaking.  Additionally, she’ll seek neighborhood input on other ways the ward can be improved.

“Open channels of communication are essential to improving our neighborhoods,” said Triplett.  ”When local leaders, elected officials and everyday citizens work together as a team, our entire community benefits.”

The event, “Dinner & Dialogue”, begins at 7:00 p.m. on March 4th.

Triplett is alderman of the 6th Ward in St. Louis.  She has been focused on fostering community involvement and input since first being elected three years ago.  She currently serves as the youngest elected official in the city of St. Louis, and represents part of downtown St. Louis and several south St. Louis neighborhoods.

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Event will explain importance of the census and local employment opportunities

SAINT LOUIS, MO – This evening, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett (D-6th Ward) and the Jeff Vanderlou Initiative will host the 2010 U.S. Census Career and Information Fair. The event will highlight the importance of the census to our local community, by targeting residents at the Clinton Peabody Housing Complex, where response rates are historically low. The fair will also showcase local jobs available with the U.S. Census Bureau, which pay over 15 dollars per hour.

“This year’s census will play an important role in determining future federal aid and political representation,” said Triplett. “It’s important that we all stand up and be counted. What’s more, there are many good paying jobs available, right now, in our own community. This fair will explain how local residents can be hired.”

The fair will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on March 4th at the Al Chappelle Center (1401 LaSalle).

Triplett is alderman of the 6th Ward in St. Louis. She currently serves as the youngest elected official in the city of St. Louis, and represents part of downtown St. Louis and several south St. Louis neighborhoods.

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St. Louis is ready to be smoke-free

St. Louis is positioned to take a giant step forward in addressing the health and safety of every resident. A bill to ban smoking in public places like bars, restaurants and casinos is being considered by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. If St. Louis city and county both enact such a law, our region will join many others (including nearby cities such as Ballwin and Columbia, Mo.) as smoke-free.

The U.S. surgeon general’s office concluded that secondhand smoke causes heart disease, emphysema and cancer in non-smokers through exposure to the same deadly carcinogens as smokers.
Creating a smoke-free city is a public health issue that city leaders cannot take lightly or ignore. Our citizens have the right to breathe clean and healthy air. Whether one is a patron at a restaurant, an employee working a minimum-wage service job or a mother protecting her family’s health, this is a basic right to which we all are entitled.

Promoting a smoke-free environment is not infringing on personal rights; it’s ensuring everyone can breathe clean air.

Critics point to anecdotes and inaccurate data to suggest a smoking ban would have a negative impact on businesses. This is untrue. Every independent economic study demonstrates the opposite. More often than not, smoke-free bars and restaurants benefit from increased sales and patronage.

Becoming smoke-free is an opportunity for St. Louis to gain a competitive edge. By promoting itself as forward-thinking and progressive, our city will attract employers, large companies and national conventions that only do business in cities that promote public health and clean air. By becoming smoke-free, St. Louis will reinvent itself and refocus on our most important concern: the health and welfare of its citizens.

Kacie Starr Triplett — St. Louis
Alderwoman, Sixth Ward

(ST. LOUIS) – Today, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett (6th Ward) announced she has been
named to ALIVE Magazine’s “Buzz List”. The annual feature recognizes St. Louis’ most
influential people, places and ideas of the year.

“I’m thrilled to be recognized by ALIVE magazine,” Triplett said. “It’s humbling to share
the recognition with so many of our region’s prominent figures.”

Lauded by the magazine for her work addressing problem properties and praised as
“constantly accessible” and “always-polished”, Triplett will join her fellow honorees this
Saturday during the Buzz List Launch Party within the Washington Avenue Loft district –
which Triplett proudly represents as Alderman. To learn more about the event and the list,
visit www.alivemag.com.

Triplett has represented the diverse 6th Ward on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen since
April 2007 and currently serves as the youngest elected official on the Board. Triplett was also recognized by the St. Louis Riverfront Times, as Local Politician of the Year.

We owe it to our city’s homeless to fulfill promise of safe havens

A recent attack on a volunteer by a homeless woman at the New Life Evangelistic Center highlights a major problem facing our city and the lack of proactive resources combating it (“Assault at homeless shelter highlights dangers,” Oct. 15).

Some homeless people are transitioning through an unlucky life period. For others, the problem is less temporary. They face significant psychological barriers and often are ill-prepared to care for themselves. Some people are prone to verbal or violent outbursts, as the unfortunate attack demonstrates.

Housing homeless individuals in an outdated high-rise building is not this problem’s ultimate solution. However, criticizing an organization that fills an obvious void in local homeless services is disingenuous.
The Housing First model is a step in the right direction. It provides the individual care and attention required to break the cycle of homelessness. That’s why the city committed to establishing five of these safe havens. Unfortunately, the action has lagged behind the promise.

Currently, only two exist in the entire city, providing just 50 beds. This simply is insufficient. Our city government must keep its promise and fully establish and fund each haven.

This is a critical step to improving St. Louis’ homelessness problem. It will provide a safer environment for everyone who lives and works downtown and will go a long way toward ending the cyclical nature of the problem. It is a simple action, but it must be taken immediately. We owe our city’s homeless (and the volunteers caring for them) nothing less.

Kacie Starr Triplett | St. Louis

Alderwoman, Sixth Ward