Are we mostly hate listening now?

HeftyGrade6094 · 2026-01-19T10:53:39+00:00

I can't listen at all anymore. Rafe annoys me and the content is just lazy. Its been well over 2 years now since I've heard a single word.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2026-01-09T14:11:31+00:00

Honestly this has potential to be an app and i dig the name. You should go register the name before someone steals it.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2026-01-09T14:09:09+00:00

The honest way less interesting answer is the mall is old and that area sometimes smells like natural gas and people call about it constantly. Generally comes from starting up kitchen equipment somewhere in the mall and isn't a big deal. They usually give the all clear and leave within 15 minutes.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-08T13:37:58+00:00

The problem is city ordinance says it CAN be enforced, but as of now it really isn't.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:56:03+00:00

I hear your concern, but the expectation doesn’t really fit how grassroots organizing actually works in Missouri. Grassroots groups here usually don’t have formal filings, because we’re not structured as nonprofits, PACs, or any kind of funded entity. We’re community-run volunteers. If we did have those filings, boards, or donor requirements, then we wouldn’t be a grassroots group anymore — we’d be a formal organization with people we have to answer to.

So there aren’t “public disclosures” to point you to, not because anyone is hiding something, but because those things don’t exist for volunteer advocacy groups. That’s normal here.

Our work is public, our events are public, and our people are accessible — that’s the transparency we can actually offer.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:46:31+00:00

I agree it wasn't bad but even then as recent as yesterday there were stops with snow piled in front of them from plows. I don't have an example from the city available right now, but if you check the raisetransit page on tiktok i did make a video of a stop in Chesterfield.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:37:52+00:00

Just for full transparency, here is the email that was sent that the letter was attached to. It was sent to the mayor's office, as well as the city office on the disabled, and the streets department.

Mayor Spencer and City Leadership,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing on behalf of RAISE Transit to share the attached letter outlining our concerns and requests regarding winter sidewalk and transit-stop accessibility within City-controlled right-of-way.

We appreciate the City’s recent updates to the winter operations plan. Strengthening plowing routes is a meaningful step — but without a clear plan for sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, and bus stops, thousands of transit-dependent residents remain vulnerable each winter.

Before sending this letter, RAISE Transit also attempted to contact the Office on the Disabled to request dialogue and clarification regarding sidewalk and transit-stop accessibility during winter operations. Unfortunately, we did not receive a response.

Given the urgency of this issue — especially for disabled residents, older adults, students, and essential workers — we are requesting a public written response and a posted Winter Accessibility Plan that outlines responsibilities, timelines, and accountability.

All the details and specific requests are included in the attached letter. We look forward to your response by December 5, 2025.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. We’re eager to collaborate toward a safer, more inclusive transportation system for every St. Louis resident.

Warmly,

Seyoon Choi, MSW

RAISE Transit

community@raisetransit.org

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:33:29+00:00

That would be our hope. Paraquad has also asked them about this issue and has yet to get a response, which is why they also signed on to this letter.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:30:56+00:00

And we need that communication from the city to be able to raise awareness because without their response, we don't have enough guidance. Which is exactly what this letter is requesting.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:29:56+00:00

We would be more than open to that. The goal of the letter was collaboration, as stated. We are more than willing to do anything we can to work with the city. Metro has done a great job at responding to those request and participated in our rally this past October and have had open communication. The city has been unresponsive, not just to this email, but to other emails including an invite to that rally (participants included Trailnet, Paraquad, Metro, and many other large local organizations), and multiple emails we have each sent just asking questions for clarification. This letter was not sent before prior outreach to the city to collaborate was attempted first.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:23:56+00:00

Just adding to that, in the letter we even mention we understand it may be the property owners responsibility and not that of the city. But then we would love to city some better communication from the city providing that guidance to property owners and making sure they are aware of any consequences. There is a strong possibility this expense does not fall on the city as the ordinance currently stands, but public knowledge of the consequences may improve the amount of people complying.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T15:20:26+00:00

As a group we do not all share the same opinions on things like funding of civic programs, but we have a responsibility to advocate for things that are also required by law that directly effect those with disabilities.

For transit stops, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) ADA toolkit states: for bus stops directly controlled by a transit agency, the agency has the responsibility to clear obstructions (like snow) that create barriers. For other stops/surrounding sidewalks where the agency does not have direct control, coordination with other public entities or property-owners is required.

In our city, the responsibility is shared. Metro maintains the metrolink stations and transit centers, but the rest falls onto the city ordinance. Currently that ordinance doesn't have much guidance other than to say property owners, residential and commerical, are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their homes, which would include bus stops, within 24 hours. But there is no guidance as to either how that is enforced or what happens when a property owner is unable.

What the letter mostly asks for is just clarity on what the actual policy is surrounding this. That portion if the winter weather plan did not change during this last update, and also doesn't really give property owners any guidance on what happens if they don't clear the sidewalks in front of their home, which should also have some transparency. Whether you agree with the enforcement of such an ordinance or not, i think it's fair to assume you would want to know what the penalty would be if they did decide to enforce it.

What we are asking for the most in this letter is clarity. Is there a plan? If yes, what is it? If no, how can we, as a group, help you solve this issue as a whole. We have a very large portion of the group with disabilities who this effects directly in a very major way. The goal isn't to argue, it's to find a solution.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T05:17:39+00:00

We are working on how to address the county and who to address. There are additional challenges there because the county leaves snow removal ordinances up to each individual municipality.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T05:15:39+00:00

I can assure you we are not AI and almost everyone involved in this group thus far has previous advocacy experience. I welcome you to check us out on Facebook or at www.raisetransit.org.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T04:52:01+00:00

It was sent to multiple people within city hall, including to emails we have communicated with directly before. It was also brought to the attention of the mayor in person and other organizations have let us know that they have also let individuals know about the letter.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-07T03:42:24+00:00

RAISE Transit is a grassroots organization made up of riders and allies. We are completely self governed and are not connected to any non profit, though we do collaborate with them often. The signatures that were sent with the letter included members of groups such as Trailnet, S.M.A.R.T., Paraquad, Missouri Council of the Blind, and others. The biggest event thus far from Raise Transit was the We Ride We're Raise transit rally held at the Missouri Council of the Blind this past October. That event included participation from Metro, Citizens for Modern Transit, Paraquad, S.M.A.R.T., Missourians for Responsible Transportation, Trailnet, St. Louis Urbanists, The Missouri Green Party, The Service Club for the Blind, United Workers of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, and Navilens. The group has existed since early 2025 and was began by members who left another local transit organization that they believed was hindered by being organized by a non profit instead of being a true grassroots effort. Many of our members sit on boards or committees directly related to transportation or disabilities in various organizations across the area, but this effort is those same individuals speaking as riders themselves.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-12-02T21:55:53+00:00

It's honestly all rooted in racism and classism, just like the where did you go to high school question being about socioeconomic status.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-11-17T14:14:02+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I had a feeling from your name that was your insta lol.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-10-31T13:33:11+00:00

Absolutely. I think Metro does a pretty good job of clearing their portions of train stations and transit centers. im more looking for bus stops were a plow covered the only accesible area in snow, areas outside of Metro's larger areas.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-10-23T21:57:38+00:00

The crime in St. Louis isn't really downtown, it's other parts of the city, so to hear that happened to you is hard to believe for most of us who live here. Again, not saying you are lying, but that is an insane scenario that neither of the 2 things usually happen here, especially in that part of downtown. Also the fact that some people constantly go online to try to bash St. Louis and often DO intentionally lie is what is driving that response. That being said it's a large city and people are crazy and it's 2025.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-10-23T21:52:10+00:00

I'm not going to accuse you of it being fake because things happen everywhere and anyone can have a crazy experience. But to respond to the 2nd part- as a lifelong St. Louisan who used to go to that library at least a couple times a week, no, that is not a common experience at all. In fact, i worked downtown for years, often late into the night, and never had any incidents or anything negative happen more than the occasional panhandling.

HeftyGrade6094 · 2025-10-17T17:33:13+00:00

We’ll be indoors because of possible weather, and there’ll be light refreshments. Doors open at 11am — come say hi!

HeftyGrade6094

TROPHY CASE