You Say You Want A Resolution

I don't understand why the different creative communities here are so estranged from one another. For the most part, music people seem to go to music things, art people go to art things, writers go to writing things. Maybe it's just part of the very real and pervasive laziness that exists here, but I don't think there are so many full-time creative people in St. Louis that we can afford to be this segregated. If there were more interaction across genres and more active curiosity in the work other people were doing in other fields, nothing but good things would come of it.

Since I'm an avid gardener, I'd like to continue to green up St. Louis. I would do that through collaboration, with federal money, state money, city money, corporate money and volunteers and bring all those together with public and private grants.

Glitterous, superhero, University City

St. Louis and the St. Louisans residing here could afford to improve their sparkle. As the largest metropolitan area in the belly of America, we can and should do better at showing our sparkle. Our recent ranking in violence and crime statistics is not very inviting. I propose to improve St. Louis' sparkle by starting a "Sparkle" campaign modeled after the "BELIEVE" campaign Mayor Martin O'Malley started in Baltimore in 2002. The campaign will consist of posters, stickers and banners with the word "sparkle" on them, reminding people to do just that: Sparkle. Smiles are contagious. And acts of kindness don't go unforgotten. Sparkle!

Cory Spinks, professional boxer, St. Louis

There used to be a lot of roller-skating rinks and drive-in theaters in St. Louis, but they all left. Now kids don't have anything to do. They need something to do. That's why there's been a lot of violence. A lot of people pay attention to those things. They need to open up more community centers. Bring the skating rink back. We have no skating whatsoever, not like they used to have, with a dance floor. That's where everyone used to go. Then they took our drive-in away. They have to give the kids in St. Louis more to do. They're lashing out because they don't have anything to do.

Zlatko Cosic, multimedia artist, Shrewsbury

In 2008, at least once every month, I would love to see everyone turn off their television sets and attend a cultural or artistic event. The art community could help the overall development of St. Louis, and we can help by giving support to artists and their work. An involved community is an important force that can achieve positive results.

Joe LeGrand, butcher and owner, LeGrand's St. Louis Hills Tomboy Market

I would like to see the city encourage more small businesses to set up residency here. Small businesses make a city unique. They give the neighborhoods their personality. Places like Vintage Vinyl, Blueberry Hill, Milo's, Zia's, ServiceStar Hardware, Ted Drewes and, of course, LeGrand's. The list goes on and on. It is these small businesses that make our city different from anywhere else. I would love to see the city encourage more small businesses to come here. I'd also like to see the city promote these businesses more. It is these small businesses that make St. Louis fun, unique and memorable.

Dieta Pepsi, entertainer, St. Louis

There needs to be better barbecue in St. Louis. I'm originally from Kansas City and we have the best barbecue in the country. You'd think St. Louis, being the home of jazz, would have better barbecue. To rectify this, I would open my own barbecue stand and bring my family's barbecue recipe here. We make our own sauce and sell it in Dierbergs. It's called Gator Sauce, and my friends just love it.

Jennifer Joyce, St. Louis Circuit Attorney

I would encourage every citizen to get involved in creating safe neighborhoods. We all have a basic human right to feel safe, regardless of where we live or our economic status. My team and I are passionate about fighting for justice on behalf of victims whose lives have been devastated by violence and hatred. Involved citizens are the most powerful crime-fighting tool my office has. Although citizens may feel helpless against crime, they actually have more power than they think. I encourage people to visit our Web site for more information about becoming part of the solution: www.circuitattorney.org.

Marcia Sindel, baker and owner, La Dolce Via in Forest Park Southeast