>> Announcer: DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER EDITION AND HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY, EVERYBODY.

WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL SHOW COMING YOUR WAY, INCLUDING ON NEXT UP, THE SECOND HALF, DR. PETER WYSE JACKSON, THE PRESIDENT OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN.

HE'LL BE GRILLED ON NEXT UP BY ALVIN REID AND WENDY WIESE.

LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS STARTING WITH WENDY WIESE FROM KTRS.

MR. BILL McCLELLAN FROM THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH.

RAY HARTMANN FROM KTRS, RAWSTORY.COM, AND THE RIVERFRONT TIMES.

MR. ALVIN REID FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN.

AND I WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY THAT IF WE FOLLOW DONNYBROOKSTL ON TWITTER TODAY, NINE PBS JUST TWEETED VIDEO FROM 1989 OF BILL McCLELLAN CARRYING HIS SON JACK IN A ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE.

>> VERY COOL.

>> THAT IS -- >> VERY COOL.

>> I USED TO CARRY MY DAUGHTER TOO.

WE WERE IN A CONTINGENCY DRESSED BY POTATOES.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU CAN SEE THAT ON TWITTER AND MAYBE WE'LL DO THAT BEFORE THE HOUR IS OVER.

ALVIN REID, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A SUBJECT WE'VE BROACHED ON FEW TIMES ON THE PROGRAM.

A BIG NFL SETTLEMENT WITH THE CITY, THE COUNTY, AND THE ST. LOUIS CONVENTION AND SPORTS AUTHORITY, ALMOST 800 MILLION TD.

THE LAWYERS ARE GETTING 276 OF THOSE MILLION DOLLARS AND IT WAS REPORTED THIS WEEK BY THE BUSINESS JOURNAL THAT IN ADDITION TO THE $276 MILLION SPLIT BETWEEN TWO LAW FIRMS IN OUR AREA, TURNS OUT THEY FILED FOR LEGAL EXPENSES AND SENT IN THEIR RECEIPTS FOR THE COPY MACHINE TONER AND THE DEPOSITIONS AND TRAVEL AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE.

IT'S 900,000.

WHEN YOU'VE ALREADY RECEIVED $270 MILLION AND CHANGE, DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT SAY THE EXPENSES ARE ON US?

>> I THINK THIS IS DREADFUL AND PLAT-OUT GREEDY.

DREADFUL, GREEDY, THESE ARE SOMETIMES TERMS USED FOR ATTORNEYS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS -- I'M NOT UPSET AS MUCH AS I THOUGHT I WOULD BE WITH 35% OFF THE TOP, MADE A BAD DEAL, KIND DARK BUT THIS IS OVER THE TOP.

>> THIS SEEMS LIKE ONE OF THOSE -- THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS TYPE THINGS FOR THE ATTORNEYS.

AND THE ARTICLE CLEARLY POINTS OUT THAT THE THREE ENTITIES WHO ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE WINDFALL WERE NOT WATCHING THESE EXPENSES AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

YOU KNOW, AND SO IT'S NOT JUST ON THE LAWYERS FOR BEING GREEDY.

IT'S UP TO THE PEOPLE FROM THE STADIUM AUTHORITY, FROM THE COUNTY AND THE CITY, WHO WERE NOT DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE IN MY OPINION.

BUT I AGREE.

THIS JUST SMELLS TERRIBLE.

>> I DISAGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU.

I THINK THE LAWYERS GOT 35% AND EXPENSES, AND TO EXPECT THE LAWYERS TO TURN OVER THEIR EXPENSES, IT'S SILLY.

THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY CAN AND I DON'T THINK THAT THE THREE ENTITIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDER SAYING HOW MUCH ARE YOU SPENDING ON THAT WNLS, WHAT'S THIS?

>> I THOUGHT THEY WERE REQUIRED TO DO THAT.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

>> AREN'T YOU THE GUY WHO ALWAYS SAYS THAT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE CITY AND PAY THAT EARNINGS TAX SHOULD NOT FILE FOR THE REFUND WHEN THEY DID THAT WORK REMOTELY IN THE COUNTY?

>> YES, I DO SAY THAT.

>> HOW DOES THAT SQUARE THEN?

>> WELL, BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND PAY THE EARNINGS TAX, I GO INTO THE CITY ALL THE TIME, I EXPECT POLICE PROTECTION, I EXPECT ALL THE CITY SERVICES.

I'M HAPPY TO PAY MY ONE PERCENT.

BUT I DON'T SEE THAT THAT'S ANALOGOUS TO THE LAWYERS WHO HAVE A DEAL THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET 35% AND EXPENSES.

>> THEY SHOULD HAVE WATCH THE EXPENSES THOUGH.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM ALL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERY RECEIPT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE ME TO GO THROUGH THEM, BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THERE'S SOME OF THEM IN THERE I'D LOOK AT AND SAY WHAT IS THIS?

>> DRY CLEANING, REALLY?

>> WHAT'S THIS PEBBLE BEACH?

>> WE'LL MOVE ALONG.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM RAY.

>> WELL, I AGREE IN PART WITH BILL.

FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK THE EXPENSES ARE ANY ISSUE AT ALL.

LAWYERS HAVE EXPENSES.

I WOULDN'T SUGGEST THAT THEY HAVE INAPPROPRIATE EXPENSES.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE EXPENSES.

WHAT I SAID, SPEAKING OF THOSE THREE AGENCIES BEFORE, AND IT WAS BASED ON TALKING ON A NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT UNCOMMON, BUT THERE AREN'T MANY DEALS THIS SIZE, TO HAVE A 35% THAT DOESN'T TAPER OFF AT SOME POINT.

THAT'S ALL I EVER SAID.

THE 35% IS FINE.

IT'S IN BIG COMPANIES, THEY WOULD NEVER DO THAT.

THE THREE ENTITIES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EITHER DIDN'T HAVE THE SOPHISTICATION -- AND IN FAIRNESS, NOBODY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO WIN THAT MUCH.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT THAT'S THE ONLY THING I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH.

I THINK THE ATTORNEYS HAVE NO -- I DON'T THINK IT'S GREEDY.

THEY HAVE THEIR EXPENSES -- >> DR. AMMON HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT EITHER.

>> I DON'T QUESTION THE EXPENSES.

>> THANK YOU.

WENDY, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A VERY TRAGIC SITUATION THIS FAST WEEK WHEN A 37-YEAR-OLD POLITICAL OPERATIVE, EMPLOYEE FOR ST. LOUIS COUNTY, AND A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE, CORA FAITH WALKER DIED UNEXPECTEDLY AT THE AGE OF 37.

JUDGING FROM THE TWITTERVERSE AND COMMENTS, SHE HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS, A LOT OF ADMIRERS.

SO OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HER FAMILY.

THE FATHER OF THE MAYOR, VIRVUS JONES, FORMER COMPTROLLER FOR THE CITY, TOOK ON LAUREN TRAGER FROM KMOV ON WHAT I THOUGHT WAS HER MATTER OF FACT, DRY, AND STRAIGHTFORWARD REPORTING ABOUT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE DEATH.

HE CALL THE REPORTER VILE AND SEXIST AND GHOULISH AND SLUT-SHAMING AND THINGS THAT SEEMED TO BE OVER THE TOP, I THINK, AND HE HAD WORDS TO SAY ABOUT THE DAILY MEDIA, THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, VISITATION HIGH SCHOOL GOT DRAGGED INTO IT.

>> MY ALMA MATER.

>> EXACTLY.

DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD DIAL IT BACK OR JUST GIVE UP TWITTER ALTOGETHER OR IS HE DOING SOMETHING THAT'S SERVING SOMEONE?

>> I DON'T THINK HE'S DOING ANYTHING THAT'S SERVING ANYONE BUT HIS GRIEF.

YOU KNOW, IF, IN A MOMENT OF PROFOUND GRIEF, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE REACT A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO A LOSS LIKE THAT, ESPECIALLY AT 37 AND SOMEBODY WHO WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR FAMILY, SO I WILL GIVE HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ON THE GRIEF THING.

BUT FROM A POLITICALLY STRATEGIC PLACE, HIS DAUGHTER -- PEOPLE WHO WERE PROBABLY NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION PAST THE POINT OF WHAT A SAD STORY, NOW EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT CORA FAITH WALKER.

EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT THE POLICE AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED AND WHEN THEY WERE CALLED.

AND MAYOR JONES IS THE HEAD OF A, A BIG CITY AND SHE DOES NOT NEED THIS.

AND THE OTHER THING -- AND I DON'T -- I'M NOT ON TWITTER.

I MEAN, I'M ON TWITTER, BUT I'M ONLY A LURKER.

WHEN YOU RETWEET, WHETHER YOU THINK THAT IS, YOU KNOW, AN ENDORSEMENT OF SOMETHING THAT'S BEING TWEETED BEFORE, IF YOU'RE THE MAYOR, THAT'S JUST -- I MEAN, YOU CAN'T CONTROL THAT.

RIGHT NOW, THIS DOESN'T -- THIS JUST DOESN'T LOOK GOOD AND HIS ATTACK ON LAUREN TRAGER, A YOUNG WOMAN, WHEN HE'S ALWAYS CALLING OUT PEOPLE FOR MISOGYNY, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AND I'M HOPING THAT THIS IS JUST A MATTER OF SOMEBODY WHO HAS LOST A SECOND DAUGHTER AND IS PROFOUNDLY GRIEF-STRICKEN, BUT HE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO LAUREN TRAGER.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'VE READ ABOUT THIS IN THE NEWSPAPER IN ANTONIO FRENCH'S COLUMN BECAUSE I DON'T FOLLOW TWITTER AT ALL, AND I READ IT AND SAW THE STUFF VIRVUS JONES WAS SAYING, AND I THOUGHT, THIS IS OUTLANDISH AND VIR SUSS IS TOO OLD TO TWEET.

AT A CERTAIN AGE, YOU SHOULD NOT TWEET AT ALL.

>> THAT'S VERY TRUE.

>> THE IDEA OF PUTTING OUT MY INNERMOST THOUGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY TO THE WORLD IS ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING THINGS I CAN THINK OF.

I THOUGHT VIRVUS IS JUST TOO OLD AND WHAT A SHAME, AND I BET HIS DAUGHTER IS EMBARRASSED AND HUMILIATED, AND THEN WHEN I READ THAT SHE WAS RETWEETING THIS STUFF, I THOUGHT THIS IS AWFUL.

>> IT'S BAD.

>> I AGREE WITH BILL.

FIRST OF ALL, IF VIRVUS WANTS TO TWEET, HE CAN TWEET.

I MEAN, I DON'T -- >> I'M NOT SAYING IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL.

JUST ILL-ADVISED FOR AN OLD GUY TO TWEET.

>> I DON'T THINK HIS AGE HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

PERHAPS THE FACT THAT HIS DAUGHTER IS THE MAYOR COULD BE INCONVENIENT, BUT HE HAS A RIGHT TO TWEET AS MUCH AS HE WANTS TO.

I WILL SAY THIS.

I THINK FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, YOU'RE RIGHT AS FAR AS LAUREN TRAGER HAS DONE NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR.

I KNOW YOU'RE SAYING -- I DON'T CARE WHO APOLOGIZES TO WHO, BUT LAUREN TRAGER REPORT IS NOT -- AS YOU SAID, IT'S A TERRIBLE SITUATION, BUT THE ONE THING I THINK IS MISSING, I'M TOLD THERE'S A 911 CALL WHICH IS, I THINK, PUBLIC RECORD AND IF THERE IS ONE, THAT WOULD PUT TO REST THE RATHER LARGE AMOUNT OF RUMORS THAT ARE FLYING AROUND AS THINGS DO AS WHAT HAPPENS WITH THESE KIND OF THINGS, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

AS FAR AS THIS GOES, I DO THINK THAT TWEETING ABOUT IT AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THE NEWS COVERAGE JUST MAGNIFIES THE STORY AND KEEPS IT GOING.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> AS MARTIN DUGGAN WOULD SAY, HOPEFULLY WE'LL MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

>> I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO I HONESTLY THINK COULD BE MAYOR OF A CITY AT ONE TIME.

MAYBE A SMALL ONE IN WEST COUNTY, OKAY?

I DON'T KNOW HOW I WOULD REACT IF MY DAUGHTER WAS THE MAYOR AND THEN A CLOSE FRIEND OF HERS AND OUR FAMILY PASSED AWAY.

OKAY?

BUT I HAVE BEEN A DAILY NEWSPAPER EDITOR, I'VE BEEN A DAILY NEWSPAPER REPORTER, AND THERE IS A SET OF THINGS YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AND FOR ONE VIOLATED THAT SET OF PROTOCOLS WHATSOEVER.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST THE REALITY.

WE ARE NOT PUBLIC SERVANTS.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ANY FIVE OF US, PEOPLE WOULD BE LOOKING INTO, HAVE THEY JUST LEFT US?

IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, LIKE, YOU KNOW, LOOKED INTO.

YOU MENTIONED ANTONIO'S COLUMN.

I THOUGHT FOR THE MOST PART IT WAS FAIR.

HOWEVER, THERE IS A FEELING THAT THERE IS SOME BITTERNESS ON THE POST-DISPATCH'S PART AND I WILL SAY HE USED THE PHRASE "DROP DEAD" IN HIS COLUMN AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT BECAUSE THAT WAS MEAN-SPIRITED AND THAT DID SMACK OF HA HA.

AND I JUST -- I THINK THAT SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT.

I THINK IT PROBABLY GOT MISSED.

>> WELL THAT WAS AN INELEGANT PHRASING FOR SURE, BUT THE ORIGINAL STORY SAYING THAT THIS HEALTHY, WELL-KNOWN, VIBRANT YOUNG WOMAN DIED OF COMPLICATIONS OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS, THE FAMILY HAS BEEN -- WE'VE BEEN UNABLE TO REACH THE FAMILY AND YOU GO, WHAT?

I MEAN, THEY WERE ALL SORTS OF REQUEST HE IS THAT JUMP OUT AND -- SORTS OF QUESTIONS THAT JUMP OUT AND OF COURSE SHE WAS A PUBLIC FIGURE.

SO THE IDEA IT WAS WRONG TO ASK QUESTIONS, WHAT HAPPENED, IS JUST -- >> NO, I DIDN'T SAY THAT.

>> I KNOW YOU -- >> OKAY, OKAY.

I THINK WE'LL GET MORE INFORMATION LIKE THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT IN THE WEEKS TO COME, WE'LL GET MORE INFORMATION AND PERHAPS PURSUE THIS TOPIC AGAIN.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A PLAN THAT THE MAYOR HAS OR HAD.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S APPROPRIATE.

SHS BEEN IN FAVOR OF AN INTENTIONAL ENCAMPMENT WHERE YOU TAKE A PIECE OF PROPERTY IN THE CITY AND MAYBE WITH SMALL HOUSES, TENT-LIKE, THE HOMELESS CAN FIND A PLACE THERE, PERHAPS RUNNING WATER, ELECTRICITY, COUNSELING SERVICES, JOB SERVICES, MAYBE MEDICAL HELP, BUT THE PROBLEM IS DESPITE HER INTENTION AND A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ST. PATRICK'S CENTER, THEY CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO PUT IT.

THE LAST LOCATION, THE ALDERMAN JAMES PAGE IN THE FIFTH WARD SAID, NO, WE DON'T WANT THEM IN OUR WARD.

IS THIS A SIGN OF NIMBY OR IS IT A SIGN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE CAN'T GET THE THING DONE?

>> I THINK IT'S AN NIMBY THING, IN THE IN MY BACKYARD, BUT I DON'T BLAME THE PEOPLE FOR FEELING THAT WAY.

I LIVE RIGHT BY FOREST PARK AND IF THEY SAID, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO PUT A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT IN FOREST PARK, THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

TRADITIONALLY THE HOMELESS SERVICES ARE GENERALLY IN A DOWNTOWN AREA AND IN MOST CITIES, THAT'S WHERE THE HOMELESS CONGREGATE.

AND I THINK THAT THE MAYOR IS MAKING THE RIGHT IDEA THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME ENCAMPMENTS FOR THEM, BUT I DON'T AN ALDERMAN FOR SAYING I DON'T WANT IT IN MY WARD.

>> I DON'T EITHER.

WE WOULDN'T THINK TWICE IF IT HAPPENED IN THE COUNTY.

IF SOMEBODY -- IF A REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY AREA IN THE COUNTY SAID, OH NO, I MEAN, I THINK THAT HE'S REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.

>> NO, I AGREE.

WE HAVE A -- I WON'T CALM IT A PROBLEM, BUT, YOU KNOW -- CALL IT A PROBLEM, BUT YOU KNOW -- >> IT IS A PROBLEM.

>> TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, WE HAD PRETTY MUCH NO ONE STANDING ON HIGHWAY ENTRANCES AND EXITS.

IN KIRKWOOD AT 44 AND WHERE LINDBERGH COMES IN.

NOW THERE'S SOMEBODY AT EVERY ONE OF THEM.

IF THAT DOUBLES, TRIPLES, THEY FIND THEIR WAY OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY, SOMEBODY WILL SAY SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

AND I WON'T BE DOWN AT CITY COUNCIL SAYING YOU'RE WRONG, WE NEED TO ALLOW ANYBODY TO DO ANYTHING ANYWHERE.

LIKE I SAID, I CAN'T BE MAD AT THE ALDERMAN.

>> AS FAR AS ALDERMAN PAGE GOES, ONE PERSON'S NIMBY IS SOMEBODY ELSE'S LISTENING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP WORKING AT IT.

MAYBE THEY WON'T FIND ANY ANSWER, BUT THEY JUST GOT TO DEEP WORKING AT IT AND I -- KEEP WORKING AT IT AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA THAT TISHAURA HAS.

SOME SORT OF, NOT PERMANENT, BUT A HOUSING SOLUTION IS DEFINITELY THE RIGHT APPROACH, BUT IT'S EASY TO SIT HERE AND SECOND-GUESS IT.

IT'S JUST VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A SPOT.

YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP TRYING.

>> RAY, WHERE WE USED TO HAVE ONE, IT WAS CALLED NEW LIFE EVANGELISTIC CENTER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHICH IS COMING BACK, RIGHT?

>> NOT IN THE FORM THAT -- >> NOT AS A SHELTER, I DON'T THINK.

>> AND THE LOSS DWELLERS CAME IN AND MOVED SAID AND SAID, HEY, THERE'S HOMELESS HERE.

WHICH TO ME IS LIKE MOOFG NEXT TO THE AIRPORT AND COMPLAINING ABOUT POINT.

>> I CAN SEE THAT POINT, BUT ISSUES THAT WENT WITH THAT.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THIS WEEK, CHRIS WRITES THE GRANDSON OF LARRY HAS VOWED HE'S GOING TO BUILD 100 HOMES IN THE CITY FOR THE UKRAINE REFUGEES.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE 911 DISPATCH SYSTEM.

IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

THEY CAN'T FIND DISPATCHERS.

ABOUT 38% THE JOBS ARE VACANT RIGHT NOW.

THE GNASH STANDARD IS YOU ANSWER 90% OF THE CALLS IN TEN SECONDS AND THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS IS DOING ABOUT 60% OF THE CALLS.

4% OF THE CALLS ARE LONGER THAN TWO MINUTES, ON HOLD LONGER THAN TWO NMINUTES, SO IT'S A REAL PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO BRING IN POLICE CADETS AND SOME VETERAN OFFICERS WHO WILL VOLUNTARILY DO OVERTIME BY ANSWERING THE PHONE.

WELL, DON'T YOU WANT THOSE POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET?

>> WELL, I MEAN, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT.

WHEN YOU SAY IT'S AN ISSUE, IT'S A SCANDAL THAT ANYONE HAS GOT TO WAIT.

WHEN YOU CALL 911, I DON'T CARE WHERE IT IS, AND CERTAINLY THE CITY IS NOT ALONE IN HAVING TROUBLE HIRING PEOPLE.

THAT'S A NATIONAL PROBLEM, BUT IT'S A SCANDAL AND HAS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND IF THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, IF SOME POLICE OFFICERS CAN PICK UP SOME OVERTIME AND THAT'S MAYBE A REASON THEY'LL STAY ON THE FORCE AND STUFF, GOOD.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT MAY NOT BE A PERFECT SOLUTION, BUT YOU TALK ABOUT NOT MAKING THE PERFECT THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD.

I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, UNTIL THEY FIGURE SOMETHING OUT, I DON'T CARE WHO THEY USE AT THESE CALL CENTERS.

I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY DO.

THEY HAVE TO MAKE A PRIORITY.

90% ISN'T HIGH ENOUGH.

I MEAN, THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE ARE WAITING, THAT ARE LOOKING FOR 911 SERVICE, YOU CAN'T HAVE ANYBODY WAITING MINUTES.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE.

>> OUR DAUGHTER LIVES IN THE CITY AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, WHENEVER WE DRIVE IN TO SEE HER OR GO ANYWHERE, I'M THINKING, BOY, I HOPE NOTHING HAPPENS.

HONESTLY.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST AWARE OF THIS STORY AND HOW SCARY THAT IS BECAUSE 911 IS ALL WE HAVE IN THAT MOMENT.

>> AND I -- IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS STORY THIS TIME THAT MADE ME THINK, LIKE YOU SAID, MY DAUGHTER LIVES IN THE CITY.

I DON'T WORK IN THE CITY -- >> BOY, I HOPE SOMETHING DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN FAMILY CALLING 911 AND FOUR MINUTES LATER SOMEONE SAYS HELLO.

WHAT?

>> I THINK THE SOLUTION IS PRETTY OBVIOUS.

YOU HAVE TO PAY A LOT MORE.

>> I AGREE.

>> THE CITY HAS GOTTEN THIS INFUSION OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND SITTING HERE WONDERING HOW COME PEOPLE ONE WORK FOR $27,000 A YEAR?

I MEAN, THEY MIGHT HAVE TO DOUBLE THE SALARIES, BUT IF I PAY ENOUGH AND THAT WAY WE CAN KEEP THE POLICE ON THE STREETS INSTEAD OF HAVING OFFICERS IN THERE.

>> I WILL SAY THIS REAL QUICK.

ALL RIGHT, I DO NOT NECESSARILY WANT A POLICE OFFICER WORKING, YOU KNOW -- >> DISPATCH.

>> -- 70 HOURS A WEEK OR DOUBLE SHIFTING.

NOW, IF THEY WANT TO PICK UP SOME EXTRA HOURS, YOU KNOW, IN PLAIN CLOTHES AT THE CALL CENTER, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BUT I REALLY DON'T WANT POLICE OFFICERS WORKING OVERTIME ON THE STREETS WHERE THEY SAY, HOW LONG DID YOU WORK TODAY?

18 HOURS, NO.

THAT'S JUST -- >> THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THEM.

>> GOOD POINT.

>> WILL THEY BE ANY SHARPER ANSWERING THE PHONE?

I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THE CITY GOT OVER $400 MILLION IN RESCUE PLAN MONEY AND ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED REPORTS, THEY'VE ONLY SPENT 3 MILLION SO FAR.

WENDY, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS WHO WAS VERY HAPPY RECENTLY WHEN THE NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO MOVE FROM SOUTH ST. LOUIS TO NORTH ST. LOUIS.

PEOPLE WERE SO HAPPY.

WE'RE SUBSIDIZING THE NGA FACILITY WITH PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS.

THE CITY IS SUPPORTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS WEIRD, BUT HERE WE ARE.

NOW IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, BUT THE NGA HAS A RULE THAT FOR 2500 FEET, WHICH IS ALMOST A HALF MILE, ON ALL SIDES OF THE FACILITY, THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE LIMITED.

YOU CAN'T HAVE CERTAIN FOREIGN OWNERSHIP, THE HEIGHTS OF CERTAIN BUILDINGS CAN'T EXCEED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FEET, NO GAS STATIONS, MAYBE DRY CLEANERS, I DON'T CARE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO REJUVENATE NORTH ST. LOUIS AND NOW WE'RE FINDING OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT AROUND IT IS REALLY CURTAILED.

>> AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WITHIN THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN, THOUGH, WHO NOW ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE AGREEMENT AND THAT'S THE PART THAT REALLY STUCK OUT FOR ME WHEN IT COMES TO THIS STORY.

BECAUSE HALF A MILE, I MEAN, THAT'S GOING TO BE -- ISN'T THAT GOING TO -- MAYBE I'VE WATCHED TOO MANY MOVIES, BUT ISN'T THAT GOING TO BE A SECURITY PERIMETER AROUND -- I SORT OF SOUNDED LIKE "M" FROM THE -- NO.

ISN'T THAT A SECURITY PERIMETER?

THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL AND IT'S A HALF MILE.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRATER AND IT'S SIX MILES IN EACH DIRECTION.

BUT IT'S THE -- OKAY, WE BATTED OUR EYES AND WE, YOU KNOW, WANTED YOU TO COME HERE, AND NOW WE WANT TO CHANGE THE ARRANGEMENT.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT HEARKENS BACK TO THAT HOMEOWNER -- IT'S LIKE YOU CAN'T -- OR THE AIRPORT AND THE NOISE OR THE HOMELESS AND THE LOCK, THAT'S THE SAME THING.

>> I THINK "M" HAS SOME GOOD POINTS HERE, BUT I -- DEFINITELY.

WHEN I LOOKED AT IT, MY QUESTION IS WHY ARE WE HEARING ABOUT THIS NOW OR WHY IS THE CITY HEARING ABOUT THIS NOW?

>> IT WAS OUT THERE.

>> BUT I'M SAYING IF SOMEBODY IS A LAND OWNER OR SOMEBODY'S GOT AND I INVESTOR OR WHATEVER THEY ARE, YOU WOULD THINK MAYBE THEY'VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS, BUT IT WOULD BE A KIND OF STRANGE -- I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SECURITY AND THE NGA OR WHATEVER.

I MEAN, IT IS A GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO QUESTION THEM.

WHAT I DO THINK IS A QUESTION IS TO WHETHER YOU -- IT SEEMS LIKE THAT SHOULD HAVE A KNOWN THING AT THE OUTSET.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT, RAY.

>> IT WAS.

>> FROM DAY ONE, I THINK PEOPLE MISUNDERSTOOD IT.

>> MAYBE WE'RE JUST HEARING ABOUT IT NOW.

>> PEOPLE THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO PUT THIS FEDERAL FACILITY IN NORTH ST. LOUIS AND THERE WOULD BE BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND COFFEE SHOPS AND PEOPLE WOULD STROLL DOWN THE STREET WITH THEIR POODLES AND LOOK INTO WINDOWS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT ALL BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A FORTRESS.

IF IT NEEDS THE SECURITY WE'RE HEARING ABOUT, IT'S GOING TO BE SURROUNDED BY THE TALLEST WALLS IN THE MIDWEST, MAYBE AMERICA.

>> GRANT IT'S NOT THE PENTAGON, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, 2500 FEET -- WE'RE NOT EVEN SAYING YOU CAN'T BUILD ANYTHING.

WE'RE SAYING THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO.

>> RIGHT, JUST CERTAIN THINGS.

SO ADJUST.

>> I GUARANTEE YOU THERE WILL BE AN McDONALD'S WITHIN 2500 FEET.

>> HOW MANY HOUSES ARE OVER 80 FEET, YOU KNOW?

>> A LOT OF THEM, CHARLIE.

>> IT'S A MULTI-UNIT STRUCTURE.

>> WELL, I WAS SAYING HOMES, SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

>> I'M NOT ARGUING -- >> COME ON, GUYS.

WHO'S GOING TO WANT TO BUILD A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME NEXT TO THIS HUGE GOVERNMENT FORTRESS WHICH YOU CAN'T PENETRATE AND HAS ALL THESE SECRET -- >> WHY DID MY FAMILY WANT TO PENETRATE A GOVERNMENT FORTRESS?

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE NEAR IT, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

>> IF I DID, SAY I WANT TO BUILD MY HOUSE AND IT'S GOING TO BE SNUG UP AGAINST THIS PLACE AND CLOSE AS IT CAN BE, AND THEY SAY IT CAN'T BE TALLER THAN 80 FEET, ALVIN.

WELL, THAT JUST RUINS THE WHOLE THING.

>> WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS MORE THAN 80 FEET.

WE COULD NOT BUILD NEAR IT.

>> THIS IS A TELEVISION STATION.

>> I THINK -- I DON'T DISAGREE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

MY POINT IS, IT'S JUST -- I DID HAVE -- I MEAN, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A SPY AGENCY SO MAYBE THERE'S GOING TO BE RESTAURANTS GIVING -- >> THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PUT SPIES IN THE WINDOW SILL.

>> IT'S NOT.

>> I THINK IT'S COOL THAT YOU HAVE ALL THESE JAMES BOND TYPES RUNNING AROUND.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT JOE BUCK.

MAYBE THE GREATEST SPORTS BROADCASTER IN THE HISTORY OF THIS TOWN.

I MEAN, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HE'S DONE, CALLING THE SUPER BOWL ALL OSE YEARS, CALLING THE WORLD SERIES, AND NOW HE'S ANNOUNCED AFTER THREE DECADES AT FOX, EASY MOVING TO ESPN AND HE'LL BE CALLING MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WITH TROY AIKMAN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> I WAS SHATTERED.

NO, I THOUGHT IT WAS A FEEL-GOOD STORY.

HE AND TROY AIKMAN, WHO ACT LIKE BUDDIES, ACTUALLY ARE BUDDIES.

I'M MORE USED TO THE TV SCENE AROUND HERE WHERE LARRY CONNORS AND JULIUS HUNTER USED TO ACT LIKE FRIENDS AND SOON AS LARRY CONNORS GOT IN TROUBLE, JULIUS HUNTER WROTE THIS PIECE AND THEY NEVER LIKE EACH OTHER.

>> TROY AIKMAN, WHO WAS THE FIRST -- LIKE I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE A CONTRACT AND THEY WANTED TO KEEP JOE, AND TROY AIKMAN SAID I'M GOING, YOU SHOULD COME WITH ME.

AND I CONSIDERED IT AND THEY -- THEY PROBABLY PAID JOE A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THOUGHT THAT WAS KIND OF A COOL THING.

>> ME TOO.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, YOU BROUGHT THIS UP, IT JUST HIT ME.

JOE BUCK IS THE NICEST GUY.

HE REALLY IS A DECENT NICE GUY AND IF YOU GO ON -- YOU TALK ABOUT TWITTER, THE THINGS THAT ARE SAID ABOUT THAT GUY ON TWITTER, YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW VILE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE AND IT'S LIKE -- SO I'M JUST HAPPY FOR JOE WHATEVER HE'S DOING.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS A BIG DEAL.

I THINK -- >> VERY BIG DEAL.

>> AND HE'S VERY -- >> IT'S A VERY BIG DEAL, BUT IN OUR OWN WAY HERE IN ST. LOUIS, THERE'S -- IMMEDIATELY THERE'S THIS INSTANT, WHAT DO WE DO FOR THE CARDINAL BROADCAST?

WE WANT HIM IN THE BOOST DOING THE GAME, BUT THE MAN ONLY HAS SO MANY HOURS A DAY GOO IF I COULD GET PAID MORE MONEY AND DO LESS WORK, I THINK I'LL FINE THAT JOB.

HE'LL BE DOING THAT NOW.

>> HE HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO DECIDE TO DO THAT.

>> LET'S SEE WHAT THE -- ACTUALLY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

PETER WYSE JACKSON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

HE'S GOING TO BE JOINING US TALKING ABOUT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN AND ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND THE OLD SOD WHERE HE CAME FROM.

YOU CAN WRITE IT CARE OF NINE PBS.

THERE'S THE ADDRESS, 3655 OLIVE STREET, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63108.

DON'T FORGET THOSE TWEETS, #DONNYBROOKSTL AND SEE BILL McCLELLAN CARRYING JACK FROM 1989.

THAT'S WORTH SIGNING UP FOR TWITTER ALONE.

HEY, AND DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US WHEREVER YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST IS SOURCED.

SO HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOURS WITH US.

BUT DON'T GO WAY AWAY BECAUSE ALVIN AND WENDY WILL BE TALKING PLANTS AND MORE WITH DR. PETER WYSE JACKSON.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

>> Announcer: DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.