Community Days Parade

We have heard from many residents regarding the 2021 Community Days parade. We have read each e-mail and comment. We have listened to each voice mail and caller. Please know that we understand the hurt and confusion that the community felt with the anti-vaccine parade participants. We know that Covid has affected the community in many negative ways and we understand the grief that families are experiencing and the stress for those of you on the front lines of this pandemic.

The City leadership has had a number of conversations about the parade and the inclusion of this group. Staff and Council members asked many of the same questions that you have shared with us. Does the city have to let in everyone? Isn't this the same as yelling fire in a crowded theater? Can you stop someone from walking if their signs don't reflect the name on the application? Webster Groves City Attorney, Neil Bruntrager has researched this issue as it has come up in the past and it is a first amendment issue. As a government-sponsored parade, we are legally required to include all voices. For more information on this issue, please read the City Manager's statement on the parade and also the City Attorney's remarks from the July 6 City Council meeting.

While we must include all viewpoints in the parade, please know that we have heard the feedback. Our work on next year's parade is only beginning. We are investigating options that could help - for example, we will post the entrants into the parade weeks ahead of time so that residents can see everyone which organizations will be walking so that residents can prepare. While we can't prevent these groups from having their opportunity for free speech, as it is a government-sponsored parade, we will continue to talk and plan about what changes we can make to minimize the negative effects of those messages on the community.

We thank you for attending the 2021 parade, we appreciate your feedback and we understand your concerns.

Douglass Hill Update

The Plan Commission will meet on Monday, July 12 to discuss an application by SG Collaborative, LLC for a Change of Zoning on the section of Webster Groves under discussion for the Douglass Hill redevelopment. Public comments are not scheduled for this meeting. This will be a presentation from SG Collaborative to the Plan Commission and no decisions will be made at this meeting. If you'd like to attend the meeting on July 12 at 6;30 p.m., please visit the teleconference section of the website to learn how to attend the virtual meeting.

The City will also soon seek candidates for a Tax Increment Financing Commission for the Douglass Hill proposal. The Council approved a resolution convening the TIF commission for the project at the Tuesday, July 6 meeting. Appointments to the commission will be discussed at the August 3^rd City Council meeting.

August 3^rd Election

Hoping to vote from home via an absentee ballot for the August election? If this applies to you, but you haven’t requested your ballot, please do so. After 5 p.m. on July 21st, St. Louis County Board of Elections will stop mailing absentee ballots.

Absentee application: https://bit.ly/3ygMY5F
Additional information on absentee voting: https://bit.ly/3xk7Yss.

It’s never too early to figure out your plan for voting on August 3. You can view a list of polling places for the Webster Groves election here. Or visit this link to see the polling places and the line length on the day of the election.

City Chats

Join Webster Groves City Manager, Dr. Marie Peoples and Assistant City Manager Eric Peterson on Wednesday, July 14 at 10 a.m. for a Facebook Live discussion on the City's Facebook Page. Hear updates and ask questions about the city. Registration is not required.

Upcoming Events

Webster Groves Family & Friends “Steeplechase” Walk
Saturday, July 10 at 7:30 a.m.
Old Community Baptist Church, 238 W. Kirkham
This family-friendly 2-3 mile route through the North Webster neighborhood connects seven historic North Webster churches.

Burroak Baroque
Friday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Larson Park, Poplar Ave off Oak Street
Traditional and modern interpretations of 17^th and 18^th century European Music and Dance featuring Early Music Missouri with Jeffrey Noonan and La Petite Brise. Visit the link above for more information. This event is free to the public.

Shining the Light on Barbre Park
Tuesday, July 20 at 8 p.m.
Barbre Park, W. Kirkham Ave & N. Elm Ave.
Join the Mayor of Webster Groves and others for the lighting of the Barbre Park sculpture.

Join the list at webstergroves.org/thefridaypage. The Friday Page is published at the end of each week online at www.webstergroves.org/thefridaypage and is distributed to subscribers via webstergroves.org/notifyme.

Community Days Parade

Douglass Hill Update

August 3rd Election

City Chats

Upcoming Events

August 3^rd Election