As part of its 34th Annual Meeting, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) recently celebrated the incredible efforts of several individuals for their exemplary commitment to championing transit in the St. Louis area. During the event, CMT presented awards to City of St. Louis Alderman Terry Kennedy, City of St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson, City of St. Louis Alderman Joe Roddy and former CMT Board Chair Rose Windmiller. Recipients were recognized for their ongoing commitment to moving transit forward in the St. Louis area.
City of St. Louis Alderman (Ward 18) Terry Kennedy, City of St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards and St. Clair County Sherriff Rick Watson were recognized with a 2018 New Initiatives Award for a new collaborative effort to help further the safety and security of MetroLink on both sides of the river. Through their efforts, bills were passed in both the City of St. Louis and St. Clair County to support a mutual aid agreement between the City of St. Louis Police Department and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department to expand St. Clair County Sheriffs’ patrols to City of St. Louis MetroLink stations and allow officers the ability to provide more seamless coverage of the system.
The 2018 Chairman’s Award was presented to St. Louis Alderman (Ward 17) Joe Roddy for his vision, foresight and leadership associated with the development of the new Cortex MetroLink Station, which opened to the public on July 31. He understood the importance of an infill station and helped to build positive momentum, excitement and grassroots support to put this project into motion nearly a decade ago.
Citizens for Modern Transit’s 2018 Chairman’s Award
(left to right) Kim Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit; Joe Roddy, City of St. Louis Alderman (Ward 17); June McAllister Fowler, Chair of Citizens for Modern Transit’s Board of Directors
Former Citizens for Modern Transit Board Chair Rose Windmiller was also honored with the 2018 Service Award for her longtime service to the organization, which spanned more than 20 years. Under her leadership, CMT spearheaded the feasibility study for the Cortex Station, ensured transit was a key component of the Forward through Ferguson discussions, secured millions in funding for ridership programming, improved security on the system and much more.