No good deed goes un-punished!
A goodly amount of press has recently been afforded to the efforts of Mr. Paul McKee to improve an area of North St. Louis City. Based on the information, Mr. McKee has given a significant amount of time, effort and money into the planned improvement. In the area of time, several years. In regard to the money, it is reported he is investing forty six million dollars, that’s $46,000,000.00. An impressive amount by anyone’s measure.
Based on the reports of his age, he could live very well during his remaining years, whatever they may be. It is hard to conceive that a motive other than improving the area of St. Louis is involved. Anyone who has traveled through that area has quickly come to the conclusion that it is little better than a war zone. Tall weeds and trash are a constant. The area residences could improve the looks with a little elbow grease.
So, what has Mr. McKee received for his efforts? The answer appears to be grief. Quotes of some of the residences of the area where the improvements are planned were recently published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I would have a lot more faith in this project if it had not started so poorly.” “…all McKee has done in the last six years is systematically destroy a huge section of our city.” (Apparently this writer had not visited the area prior to six years ago) “… I smell the same odor that’s still emitting from City Hall… Vile and racist politics is the norm here in St. Louis…”
No good deed goes unpunished.