Announcement text:
Dear Friends…
After much thought and with the enthusiastic support of my family, I am today announcing my candidacy for Mayor of St. Louis. There are many factors that have influenced my decision, but one thing is very clear…it does matter who we have as our Mayor.
Since 1997, I have been privileged to represent the people of the 28th Ward – one of the most racially and economically diverse areas of the city, I am also privileged to serve as the chief financial office of PGAV, an international design and planning firm based in St. Louis.
These experiences have prepared me for the complex and challenging task of running our city and making sure that the voices and concerns of the people of St. Louis continue to be heard.
St Louis has many things of which we can be proud. Keeping the NGA in the city, the spectacular success of Cortex, our world-class universities and health care, and our wonderful people are among them. Like you, I believe that St Louis, despite its challenges, is a community with great bones and a strong heart. I am determined to build on our strengths and move past our challenges so that we can create safer neighborhoods, modernize local government, and create economic growth and job opportunities for all of our citizens.
In the coming weeks and months, I will walk every area of St Louis – North to South – East to West. Along the way I am going to listen… to hear what you think… and to learn. And in the process I hope I will earn your vote… and that you will join me to build a city that is as good as the people who live here.
With your help, I will continue to tackle the hard issues…with civility & determination… and with inclusion & fairness.
Join me on this journey to the Mayor’s office- go to www.LydaKrewson.com to learn how!
Thank you,
Lyda
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From lydakrewson.com:
Lyda Krewson
As 28th Ward Alderman, Lyda Krewson has represented our interests at City Hall, and the City’s interests throughout the region, since 1997. She has done so with a demeanor that combines civility and determination – fairness and inclusion.
Lyda is a CPA and the Chief Financial Officer of Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV) – an international design and planning firm. She is responsible for leading the financial, contractual, budgeting, banking, legal, insurance and business activities of this industry leader.
As Alderman, Lyda has worked closely with neighbors to resolve neighborhood problems, reduce crime, consider development proposals, and always to balance the interests of residents and businesses.
Lyda has unapologetically taken on the tough and controversial issues including a comprehensive smoking ban and the state’s concealed carry statutes. She led the way on modernizing city government as the first alderman to support across-the-board charter reform. Lyda also played a key role in the successful effort to reduce the size of the Board of Aldermen from 28 to 14.
Lyda has sponsored legislation that placed restrictions on scrap metal trafficking, implemented the REAL Change Program in the CWE to help reduce panhandling and instead encourage social services, and limits on the use of “dark money” in municipal elections.
Since Missouri is the only state without a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), Lyda recently worked with St Louis County to establish a joint PDMP to address our region’s growing opioid problem.
Lyda was instrumental in bringing the City of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever together in an unusual $130 million public/private partnership to secure 30 years of funding and maintenance for Forest Park. She has also invested in street improvements to make neighborhoods more accessible for walkers and bike riders, planted over 1500 trees, sponsored the ‘doggie dining’ bill, and spearheaded the Sunflower+ Program.
After graduating with an education degree from Truman State University, Lyda moved to St. Louis where she obtained her accounting degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Lyda is a CPA, formerly an auditor for Deloitte, and continues as the CFO of PGAV.
Lyda is the Chairman of the Transportation & Commerce Committee, and serves on the Airport Commission and Port Authority. She previously served as the chairman of Ways & Means, Convention & Tourism, and Parks & Environment committees.
In 1995 Lyda’s husband, Jeff Krewson, was tragically murdered in a random attempted carjacking in front of their CWE row house. With the support of family, friends, and many great neighbors, Lyda continued to raise her 2 kids there. In 1998, Lyda married Mike Owens. Today, they enjoy neighborhood walks, gardening, and occasional hikes in the mountains. Like all parents, Lyda and Mike are so proud of their kids. Jack is a Teach for America math teacher at Normandy High School. Taylor is the teen leadership camp director for Wyman.
