Theodore Hoskins

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"Mayor Theodore "Ted" Hoskins joins three council members to make the majority ... They operate the government on an agenda of attracting development and growth to the municipality of 12,240 residents."

  St. Louis Post-Dispatch [39]

On June 10, 1996, Berkeley City Council members Kenneth McClendon, Nina Schaeffer, and Babatund Dienbo held a closed meeting where they asserted that Hoskins should resign from his position as mayor – they felt he had interfered in the city's daily operations. [40] Hoskins stated he had ruled that the heads of Berkeley city departments should report to him as at the time there was not an acting city manager. [40] Berkeley City Attorney Denise Watson-Wesley characterized the actions of McClendon, Schaeffer, and Dienbo as improper, and said "As of this day, Mayor Ted Hoskins is still mayor." [40] In August 1997, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Hoskins generally joined with Judy Ferguson Shaw, Louvenia Mathison and Marian Robinson to create a 4-3 voting majority against council members McClendon, Schaeffer, and Dienbo. [39] The newspaper reported that the majority of four politicians including Mayor Hoskins "operate the government on an agenda of attracting development and growth to the municipality of 12,240 residents." [39]

In August 1997, the Berkeley City Council passed an amendment to the City Charter allowing Hoskins to hold the position of Democratic committeeman for Norwood Township while still serving as Mayor of Berkeley. [41] Berkeley City Councilman Kenneth W. McClendon had filed a lawsuit in St. Louis County Court in July 1997 seeking to remove Hoskins from his position as mayor because of his concurrent role as Committeeman. [41] In 1998, Jan Kreutz, leader of a group critical of Hoskins, sought to remove him from his position as mayor. [42] Kreutz twice gathered signatures in petitions to have an election which would remove Hoskins from office, but both times the Berkeley city clerk refused to certify the petitions. [42] Kreutz's organization of citizens sued, and in March 1998 a circuit court ordered a recall election. [42] Hoskins faced a court-ordered recall election, and he sought to appeal the election process. [43] On March 17, 1998, a judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals denied a motion to expedite Hoskins' appeal of the court order mandating a recall election. [43] On March 20, 1998, Missouri Court of Appeals Judge Kathianne Knaup Crane stopped the recall election, planned for April 7, and instead ruled that the lower court judge must postpone the election to a later date. [42] Elbert Walton, who represented Hoskins in the matter, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that an April 7 election date would have violated state law, which specifies a minimum period of six weeks between a court order and the subsequent election. [42]

On April 7, 1998, Mayor Hoskins swore in George H. Hopper as a city council member though he had garnered fewer votes in the election than his opponent, incumbent Kenneth McClendon. [44] Write-in candidate McClendon was removed from the ballot due to being late with a garbage bill. [44] However, a county judge swore in McClendon to the city council the day after Hoskins ordered Hopper to the position, because McClendon had received more votes and this result had been certified by the County Election Board. [44] St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch sued to remove Hopper from his position as councilman, writing in court papers that Hopper "did not receive the highest number of votes cast. He is, therefore, not entitled to hold office". [45] City attorney Elbert Walton said that the lawsuit by McCulloch "isn't worth the paper it's written on". [45] Legislators including state senators William Lacy Clay, Jr. and J.B. Banks wrote a letter to McCulloch in support of the action by Hoskins. [44] A subsequent City Council meeting in May 1998 became unruly when individuals began to protest Hoskins' decision to recognize Hopper, then the councilman-at-large. [45] During the meeting, Mayor Hoskins ordered police to remove individuals, including a city councilman. [45] He also ordered police to remove Jan Kreutz, who had brought political literature with her to the meeting. [45]

Hoskins was removed from office as Mayor of Berkeley, Missouri by a judge's order, and a state appeals court ruling in June 1998 declined to block this decision. [46] Associate Circuit Judge Patrick Clifford ordered that Hoskins be removed from office effective June 24, 1998, after ruling he had violated the city's charter by holding both the elected offices of Democratic committeeman from Norwood Township and Mayor of Berkeley, Missouri, at the same time. [46] Chief judge of the appeals court, Lawrence G. Crahan, subsequently refused to delay the Hoskins' removal from office. [46] Councilman-at-large George Hopper then became acting mayor. [46] "I'm going to step up and do whatever has to be done. I will look out for the welfare of the city," Hopper stated. [46]

On August 4, 1998, voters recalled Hoskins as mayor by a 2-1 ratio. [47] [48] Hoskins maintained that a group of individuals who supported the prior mayor could not accept his assuming the office, and were motivated by an attempt to gain power over local government politics. [49] On October 6, 1998, the Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the June 1998 order by St. Louis County Associate Circuit Judge Patrick Clifford that removed Hoskins from power as mayor. [50] "As of today, we have our mayor back," said Hoskins' attorney, Elbert Walton. [50] The Missouri Court of Appeals ruling stated they "need not and do not decide in this case what consequences flow from the recall election conducted subsequent to the mayor's ouster". [50] The court determined that Hoskins' position as committeeman of Norwood Township was not characterized as an elected position under the Berkeley, Missouri charter, stating "the duty of a political party committeeman is solely to represent the interests of his party, not the public at large". [50]

Hoskins was a candidate for Mayor of Berkeley, Missouri in the April 4, 2000 election. [51] His opponents on the ballot included Kenneth W. McClendon, Gwendolyn M. Verges, Babatunde Deindo, and M. Jean Montgomery. [51] Hoskins was also a candidate in the April 2000 election for committeeman for Norwood Township. [52]

Missouri House of Representatives

In August 2002, Hoskins was a candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives, District 80, and won with 42% of the votes. [53] He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in November 2002, and has served in the 92nd, 93rd, and 94th General Assembly of the Missouri General Assembly. [7] [13]

In 2005 as a member of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, Hoskins joined with the caucus to request Governor Matt Blunt cease awarding state contracts until after a federal court comes to a resolution in a case involving set-asides for minority and women-owned businesses. [54] Hoskins urged the Missouri attorney general's office to obtain expert legal advice in order to defend the set asides. [54] In a meeting at Harris-Stowe State College, Hoskins, state representative Amber Boykins, and business owners asked that those in attendance help work to put back the requirements of "20 percent minority and 10 percent for women-owned business participation in contracts". [54]

In April 2006, Hoskins wrote a letter in his capacity as Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus to the St. Louis NAACP, criticizing the organization for supporting former KTRS radio host David Lenihan. [3] In May 2006, Lenihan was on the air and used a racial slur when discussing then-United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. [3] Lenihan was fired from his job at KTRS 20 minutes later, and in his letter Hoskins wrote that a reprimand should be given by the NAACP chapter president Harold Crumpton and regional director Gill Ford for their support of Lenihan. [3] "To have seen, heard and read how Mr. Crumpton and those who supported him (mainly Rev. Gill Ford) handshaking, backslappin,' huggin', and grinnin' with an individual who has (we hope) mistakenly disrespected our race is unconscionable," wrote Hoskins. [3] Hoskins also wrote that the action of the local NAACP chapter of giving Lenihan life member status "cheapened the value of our rich history". [3] Hoskins co-sponsored a bill by state representative Carl Bearden in 2006 that proposed to start a tax-credit program aimed at students who desired to leave three school districts with poor academic performance. [55]

In 2008, Hoskins sponsored a bill which would change the requirements in Missouri to only mandate a license plate on the rear bumper of a vehicle. [56] A similar bill was proposed in 2007, but this bill did not pass. [56] Missouri has required a license plate on both the front and rear bumpers of vehicles since 1907. [56] "It would save a significant amount of money for the state," said Hoskins of the bill. [4] On the bill's prospects of passing, Hoskins stated "I'm always hopeful. Taking our financial condition as a state, we should be looking at any aspect of revenue savings. This would give them one." [4]

On January 14, 2009, House Speaker Ron Richard announced the leadership of the 50 committees in the Missouri House of Representatives, including Hoskins as Chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee. [5] Hoskins is the only Democratic chairman of a committee in the Missouri House of Representatives. [5] In 2009 Hoskins served on four special committees: Student Achievement, Tax Reform, Tourism, and Urban Education Reform. [13]

See also

References

  1. "Berkeley, MO - Official Website - Honorable Theodore Hoskins - Mayor". mo-berkeley.civicplus.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-29.
  2. "In Berkeley, Ted Hoskins defeats rival to return as mayor". 3 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Parish, Norm (April 6, 2006). "Black lawmakers attack local NAACP for officials' support of fired radio host". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. C9.
  4. 1 2 3 Crouch, Elisa; Ken Leiser (December 14, 2008). "Lawmaker seeks to get rid of front license plates". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. D4.
  5. 1 2 3 Associated Press (January 15, 2009). "State speaker taps committee leaders: Privacy, public safety among new panels". Columbia Daily Tribune . The Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
  6. 1 2 3 Aristotle International, Inc. (2008). "Representative Theodore 'Ted' Hoskins (MO)". Project Vote Smart . www.votesmart.org. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Missouri House of Representatives (2009). "- Rep. Theodore Hoskins, 94th General Assembly". Representative Biography. www.house.mo.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-01-03. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  8. 1 2 3 4 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (March 29, 1990). "Six Contested Races For Mayor Highlight Municipal Voting". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 9.
  9. 1 2 3 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (March 28, 1996). "Many Competing For Posts In Cities - 4 Running For Breckenridge Hills Mayor". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 9.
  10. Samuel, Yvonne (July 27, 1997). "Black Pride: Talent, Booths And Fun Fill Expo". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1C.
  11. 1 2 3 4 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (March 30, 1995). "Mayors Face Opposition on Ballot". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 7.
  12. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (March 30, 2000). "St. Louis County (Voters' Guide)". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 5.
  13. 1 2 3 "Representative Theodore Hoskins, District 80, Democrat". Missouri House of Representatives . Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  14. Allen, Leslie J. (August 22, 1988). "Board's Estimates Disputed". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  15. Kirkwood, Yvonne Samuel (June 8, 1989). "Disturbed - Human Bones Found Exposed At Cemetery Still Unburied". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  16. Holleman, Joe (April 4, 1990). "Jack Leonard Elected Chesterfield Mayor". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 5C.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Kirkwood, Yvonne Samuel (April 16, 1990). "Members Stand By 4-2 Vote City Manager's Election Stirring Up Controversy". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  18. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (August 23, 1990). "Berkeley: City Seeks Fair Buyout For Southeastern City". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 3.
  19. 1 2 Todd, Cynthia (September 24, 1991). "Black Officials Back Carnahan For Governor". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 6A.
  20. Bryant, Tim (September 24, 1991). "Suit Aims To Block House District Map - Blacks Claim Bias In New Boundaries". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 3A.
  21. Young, Virginia (August 16, 1991). "Lawmaker Stands Alone On House Redistricting". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1A.
  22. Tipton, Virgil (August 23, 1991). "Democrat: County Redistricting Won't Aid GOP". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 3A.
  23. Associated Press (October 22, 1991). "Judges hear apportionment plea Redrawing districts for Missouri Senate a touchy issue that carries a lot of political weight". The Kansas City Star . p. B2.
  24. Young, Virginia (October 22, 1991). "Proposal By Senate Leader Keeps Incumbents' Districts". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 4B.
  25. 1 2 Jackman, Tom (April 1, 1992). "Minority representation issue fro House disputed Apportionment balance questioned". The Kansas City Star . p. C2.
  26. 1 2 Uhlenbrock, Tom (January 29, 1992). "Move Radioactive Waste, Panel Told ... Hearing On Cleanup Held". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 3A.
  27. 1 2 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (May 15, 1992). "Berkeley: City Manager's Resignation Accepted". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 8A.
  28. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (July 29, 1992). "For The Missouri Senate". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 2B.
  29. 1 2 3 Thomson, Susan C. (August 5, 1992). "Incumbents Win By Wide Margins In Missouri Senate ... Districts Reshaped After Census". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 6B.
  30. Bower, Carolyn (June 18, 1992). "Redistricting Expected To Aid Black Candidates ... 4 Districts Get Higher Percentages Of Black Residents". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  31. Schlinkmann, Mark (July 27, 1992). "Boundary Change Forces Goode Into Tough Primary Campaign". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  32. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (August 2, 1992). "Redistricting Shapes States Senate Races". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 9.
  33. Schlinkmann, Mark (October 3, 1993). "Westfall Still Hopes To Enlarge County Council". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 4B.
  34. Associated Press (April 12, 1994). "Missouri St. Louis: Black Officials' Group Backs Clay's Re-election". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 2B.
  35. Schlinkmann, Mark (November 10, 1994). "Council Seat Heartening, Blacks Say - Election Wins Praise For Bringing Diversity". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 6B.
  36. Lindecke, Fred W.; Tim O'Neil (April 5, 1995). "Voters OK Amendment on Counties - Residency Rule For St. Louis Police Passes". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1A.
  37. Lindecke, Fred W. (April 3, 1996). "Amendment To Limit Taxes Passes Easily - Carnahan Wins Shield From Attacks In Process". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1A.
  38. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (April 3, 1996). "Election Results". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1A.
  39. 1 2 3 Librach, Phyllis Brasch (August 25, 1997). "Bickering, Lawsuits Creating 'A Mess' - 'Power Struggle' Between 2 Council Factions Is Cause Of Problem, Member Says". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  40. 1 2 3 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (June 18, 1996). "Berkeley: Official Says Ouster Attempt Improper". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 3B.
  41. 1 2 Associated Press (August 7, 1997). "Amendment Lets Mayor Serve As Committeeman". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 2B.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 Gillerman, Margaret (March 21, 1998). "Vote On Mayorall Recall Is Postponed By Court". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 20.
  43. 1 2 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (March 18, 1998). "Berkeley: Denials are issued in political fight". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. B2.
  44. 1 2 3 4 Gillerman, Margaret (April 24, 1998). "Officer Gets Papers From Berkeley Clerk In Vote - Black Lawmakers Assail Prosecutor Over The Order". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. A14.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 Gillerman, Margaret (May 21, 1998). "'Justice For All!' Angry Residents Shout At Council - At Meeting, Mayor Has Councilman, Resident Ousted 'It's All Ridiculous Stuff,' Say Foes". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 Sutin, Phil (June 27, 1998). "Appeals Court Declines To Block Judge's Order Removing Berkeley Mayor From Office". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 8.
  47. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (October 7, 1998). "Metrowatch - Berkeley". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. B2.
  48. Mannies, Jo (August 5, 1998). "Bond, Nixon Sail Through Primaries For U.S. Senate - Democrat McCaskill Edges Conway In Auditor Contest - Pierce Is The GOP's Nominee". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. A1.
  49. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (August 2, 1998). "City Voters To Act On Fines, Residency Rule; County Faces Sewer Fees, Mayoral Recall". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. H6.
  50. 1 2 3 4 Bryant, Tim (October 7, 1998). "Court Reverses Ouster of Former Mayor of Berkeley Over His Committeeman Post - Lawyer Says Hoskins Can Come Back, Despite Recall". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. B4.
  51. 1 2 St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (February 17, 2000). "Candidates Vie For Municipal, School Board Seats in North County on April 4 Ballot". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 4.
  52. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (August 6, 2000). "St. Louis County Committee Races". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 10.
  53. St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff (August 7, 2002). "Missouri Primary - State House". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. A12.
  54. 1 2 3 Dalin, Shera (March 12, 2005). "Black Caucus will ask Blunt to stop awarding contracts Federal lawsuit concerns set-asides for minority businesses". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. 1.
  55. Pokin, Steve (April 16, 2006). "'We are failing the kids'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . p. A06.
  56. 1 2 3 The Kansas City Star staff (December 12, 2008). "The Watchdog: Will Missouri become a one-plate state?". The Kansas City Star . p. B2.
Rep.
Theodore Hoskins
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
In office
November 2002 2012
Political offices
Preceded by
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives, District 80
November 2002 – incumbent
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
M. Jean Montgomery
Mayor of
Berkeley, Missouri

April 1996–1999
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Berkeley City Councilman, 3rd Ward
1985–1995
Succeeded by