Carmen Wilkerson

Dear Neighbor, My name is Carmen Wilkerson and my claim to fame is being the Mayor who led the effort to dissolve the City of S1. George. That same 'activism bug' has me writing this letter today. As you may know, pursuant to the 2010 census, we are now residents of the new Congressional District 93, which includes the general areas of Affton, Lemay, Concord Village, and a small part of S1. Louis City. Because my political affiliation is Independent, I don't usually pay much attention to primary elections. However, the August 7, 2012 election is very important to our community. Statistics show the winning Democrat in the race for State Representative, District 93 will most likely represent our new district in Jefferson City. For this reason, I encourage each of you to vote in the August 7 primary election, no matter your usual political affiliation or who you plan to vote for in November. Joe Montecillo and Bob Burns are the two Democratic candidates running for State Representative, District 93. Having had the opportunity to work closely with both of these gentlemen during and since my S1. George adventure, it is clear to me which is the most trustworthy and sincere in his desire to represent the voters who live in District 93. The world of politics is a lifelong hobby for Bob Burns. Hardly an election cycle goes by without "Vote for Bob Burns" signs dotting the landscape. In addition to running his own umpteen campaigns, Bob loves to remind us of his past employment as a staffer with both a U.S. Congressman and a U.S. Senator. This typically begins conversations where he repeatedly rattles off an endless list of very important people with whom he regularly hobnobs. The problem is, Mr. Burns makes no secret of the fact that those buddies will be his top priority once he is in power. Nothing paints the picture better than a small sampling of Bob's own words, as quoted from his recent online status updates. While I am sure all these people are very nice and their causes worthy, my question is how many of them live in District 93?
"1 am honored to announce the endorsement of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 655, and their 11,000 members. Thanks to President David Cook and all of the members for putting your faith and trust in me. 1 won't let you down. " "/ am proud to have the support of several state representatives including Genise Montecillo, Jeanette Mott Oxford, Tracy McCreary, Stacy Newman, Jill Schupp, Margo McNeil, Jeanne Kirkton, Mike Talboy, Jake Hummel, Tim Meadows, Bert Atkins, Rory Ellinger, former representative Jeff Roorda, former state senator Joan Bray. " "Tonight / received the endorsement of Fifth District County Councilman Pat Dolan. Thanks Patfor the great job you do for the people on the Fifth County Council District and thanks for putting your faith and trust in me for my campaign for the 93rd District State Representative seat 1 won't let you down. " "1 am proud to announce the endorsement and support of the United Auto Workers (UA W) Region 5 for my campaign for State Representative 93rd District. Thank you to my dear friends at UA W Region 5 and God bless our beloved American Organized Labor Movement. "

"I am proud to announce that I have received the endorsement and support of Brewers, Bottlers, Fireman Oilers, Brewery Drivers, Helpers, Horsemen, Maintenance, General Labor, and All Related and Associated Industries of St Louis and all surrounding areas of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #6, for my campaign for state representative in district 93. Thanks from the bottom of my heart and God bless the Teamsters. " "In my race for Democratic State Representative in the 93rd district, I am so proud to receive the endorsements or the St Louis Police Officers Association, Affton Firefighters, and NARAL. Also, my endorsement by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 13 appeared in the Teamster Newspaper this week. Thanks to all the Teamster Locals for your support " "I am proud to announce two new endorsements for my campaign for State Representative in Missouri's 93rd District. I am now endorsed by the Missouri Sierra Club and the St Louis City Labor Club. Thank you both so much for putting your faith and trust in me. " "I am very proud to announce the endorsement and financial support for my 93rd district state representative campaign from Teamsters Joint Council 13 St Louis Region, Teamsters Local 600 St Louis, and Teamsters Local 245 Springfield, MO. "

On the other hand, Joe Montecillo is indebted to no special interest group or party politician. He has no hidden political agenda and has a genuine concern for issues that directly affect our community. Joe Montecillo owes no political favors and will answer only to the people who elect him, those of us who live in District 93. Anyone who knows me knows that I, like Joe Montecillo, support organized labor. I am grateful to Unions for the forty-hour work week, safe working conditions, child labor laws, my dear uncle's comfortable standard of retirement living, and many other benefits we enjoy as a result of their efforts and solidarity. We need only look across the ocean today to see working conditions Corporate America is willing to condone for the sake of profits. However, solidarity and blind allegiance are not the same, and that is the glaring difference I see between these two candidates. Make no mistake. Joe Montecillo will fight tirelessly for the interest of organized labor when the occasion arises. However, he will do so because of the reasons listed above, not because union bosses and party politicians, some with ulterior motives, endorsed or financed his primary campaign. Please vote for Joe Montecillo on August 7, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Otherwise, we, the residents and business owners in District 93, might not be represented in Jefferson City. The power of our vote is our only defense against bought and paid for politicians. Change must start in our own back yards. Respectfully,

Carmen Wilkerson

Paid for by Mary Jo Fitzpatrick, Tina Charpentier, Susan Preis, Nelda True, Brian Wilkerson and Carmen Wilkerson.

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