5: Tangazo! President of the St Louis City Board of Alderman, Lewis Reed

Lewis Reed, according to his bio on the City of St Louis website, "has spent over two decades serving the people of St. Louis in elected office, civic and charitable involvement. He is currently the President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and serves as the head of the legislative branch of city government. Reed is the first African-American ever to be elected to this position.  "In his time in office," the city website continues, "Lewis has championed many causes including funding recreation centers, creating a one million dollar annual recurring youth crime prevention fund, founding Bike St. Louis and the rebirth of Washington Avenue. He is responsible for passing legislation addressing crime prevention, creating opportunities for at-risk youth, environmental sustainability, as well as neighborhood and economic development. President Reed also passed legislation to establish the first dog park in the City of St. Louis." Here's a look at how the conversation went: Part 1: "If you're going to be in public office/public service... understand people aren't going to carry you on their shoulders down the street and parade you." Reed got into office to find solutions to systemic problems, not to get people to like him. (0:00-19:15) Part 2: Public Safety. Reed is a big supporter of the city's new police chief and director of public safety; he hopes that body cameras are just one part of a holistic suite of solutions that help give citizens opportunities to avoid choosing to commit crimes in the first place. (19:15-26:15) Part 3: A seed, planted in the correct environment, will take root and begin to grow, young Reed was told by his mother. Nancy Reagan's "Say no to drugs" campaign, Lewis argues, failed because she "didn't give the kids anything to say 'Yes' to." What are the right yes seeds to plant in North St Louis? (26:15-34:00) Part 4: Reed's vision for St Louis... "development with a neighborhood, and not to a neighborhood." (34:00-47:45) Dhati Kennedy's beats provide the rhythms behind Tangazo. Andy Heaslet is the show's engineer. Listen to more of Hank's interviews on KDHX from his time filling in for DJ Wilson on Collateral Damage; check out episodes 122-134.