Sooner or later, MayorSlay.com was going to have to do a Mini-Poll about bird flu, a virus that can infect humans as well as birds. So, we’d like to know how worried you are about pandemics — natural and unnatural — and other possible disasters.

Is it the time of year? Has there been a gradual decline from the plateau of Midwestern friendliness? Is the ledger longer on the Naughty or the Nice side? To find out what you think, MayorSlay.com has some questions about modern manners for you.

This week's Mini-Poll takes its inspiration from Sim City, Will Wright's wildly successful computer game that allows its players to design and build a city. Instead of asking your opinions on civic issues, MayorSlay.com is going to let you try your hand at the task undertaken by City officials to build the annual municipal budget.

Mayorslay.com sticks its cyber-toe into the deep waters of national politics. For the first time in a long while, the nominations of both major political parties are pretty much up for grabs — without an incumbent or a veep with a leg up on the competition.

The past five years have been tough on a lot of people — and great for many others. We'd like to know how well — or badly — you and your family are doing — and where you think the country and state are going.

Remember your First Car? MayorSlay.com does. Not every first car was new — and some of them were very used. Regardless, all of them were new to us. And we loved them. So, tell us about your first car.

Here in St. Louis, we still proudly celebrate some of our differences even as we identify ourselves as Americans and St. Louisans. Are we ready to celebrate even more?

When MayorSlay.com was just a little newsletter, people celebrated a night of Halloween. Now it’s turned into a days-long, outdoor decorations kind of celebration. As usual, you are the real arbiters of the region’s best behavior. So, MayorSlay.com has a few questions for all you Mummies and Deadies.

MayorSlay.com wants to know about City streets: Is it ever OK to re-name them, or — even — rename just parts of them? If there’s ever a large — or small — civic campaign to tidy up our street atlas, where should we begin — with the tongue-twisters? With the historically irrelevant? With the particularly obscure? With the nominally fragmented?

MayorSlay.com gets plenty of emails from its readers suggesting topics for the Mini-Poll. To humor you, this week’s Mini-Poll includes a smorgasbord of the opinion questions you have sent us over the last several months. Who's the best pro sports coach? What food represents St. Louis? What should Mayor Slay add to his wardrobe?

Some parents complain that there are too few good and affordable options for child and day care. Others argue that employers’ demands make child care a necessity. Still others note than many children can benefit from good group day care, where they can have fun and learn how to interact with others. What about you?

In both the City and the county, groups for and against new electronic voting technologies have been peppering elected officials, political reporters, and local blogs with their viewpoints. What do you think about punch cards, touch screens and optical scanning?

Where do you stand on the Evolution vs. Intelligent Design vs. Creationsim debate and just who do you think should decide what our children learn in school — parents, scientists, school boards?

When it comes to shopping, do you look for chains or neighborhood shops? When you are triangulating prices, convenience, and selection, does $3.00 a gallon gasoline trump the ubiquity of choices at your suburban mall? Is a surly nod from Mom or Pop worth an extra couple of bucks on the price you paid for the spaghetti sauce? Tell the truth, where would you buy ...

One of the more interesting movements in contemporary architecture is the small abode — new and rehabbed residences on footprints ranging from 450 square feet to 1,000 sf. MayorSlay.com would like to measure your interest in living in small spaces.

Rising gas prices have most people searching for ways to curb costs. With gas prices in the stratosphere — and climbing — how are you coping? Are gas prices a problem for you — and what are you doing about it?

What do you think about the current practice of painting bridges and highway overpasses . . . what color is that, anyway? Brown? Auto primer? Beige? Transportation officials have to deal with lots of complicated issues, but we still want to know: What color should the MLK Bridge have been painted?

Some support stem cell research, saying it's an important way to find treatment for incurable diseases. Others oppose it saying it is wrong to use any human embryos for research purposes. MayorSlay.com wants to know what you think about this issue — and its funding.

Do you think fast food is good for you? Do you think municipalities should follow the lead of cities like Detroit and consider a special fast food tax? Do you think the industry bears any legal responsibility for health problems caused by a steady diet of fast food?

Missouri's Capital Murder law, the statute under which this state currently executes prisoners, became effective on May 26, 1977, when Governor Joe Teasdale signed it. What do you think about the death penalty - and about the circuit attorney's decision.

In 2004, Missouri voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that banned marriage between same-sex couples. The amendment passed statewide, despite a majority vote against it in the City of St. Louis.

Eminent domain is the power of a government to buy private property for a public use, even if the owner does not want to sell. What do you think about eminent domain?

Richard Serra's landmark sculpture "Twain" has been the subject of intense discussion since its installation downtown. Seven 40-foot steel panels — now rusted. One 50-foot slab. All installed under the direction of one of the world's most important sculptors. General public opinion about the Serra sculpture — and, even, informed opinion — has ebbed and flowed over the years. What better topic, then, for a Mini Poll: Love it? Hate it? Move it? Maintain it?

The world's first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City seventy years ago this summer. Parking in the City of St. Louis is administered by City Treasurer Larry Williams who is responsible for the installation and operation of approximately 10,000 meters on the street, the direction of a platoon of parking enforcement officers, and the management of several garages. How do you feel about street parking meters?

Face it. The cell phone is ubiquitous. Grandmothers have them. Grandkids use them. You can hear them “ringing” in restaurants, public bathrooms, and museums. At any stoplight, look around. Chances are the motorists on either of side of you are talking into their phones. How annoying — or safe — is all of this handy yakking? Has regulation kept up with practice?

Working together will require us to think about our City, the County, and the whole metro area in new ways. Before we erase all the boundaries, however, let's take a lighthearted moment to celebrate our differences. Tell the truth: Do you prefer: Forest Park or Queeny Park? The City Museum or the Magic House? Ted Drewes or Fritz's?

How often do you visit the park closest to your home? How satisfied are you with the condition of the park closest to your home? Which single amenity would most improve the park closest to your home? How safe do you feel when visiting Forest Park?

Are municipal taxes fair? Which is more fair: property taxes, sales taxes or income taxes? And should city workers get to deduct taxes paid where they work from taxes they pay where they live if they live in the suburbs?

Do you allow smoking in your house? How do you feel about smoking restrictions in restaurants and bars? And who do you think should decide where people can and cannot smoke — the city, the state, businesses?

Should police officers who live in the City receive financial incentives and an advantage on promotions? Should St. Louis have its own police department or are you comfortable with the State of Missouri controlling our police department?

In the past few years, would you say that the St. Louis public schools are getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Realistically speaking, do you think that it is possible that the quality of the St. Louis public schools can dramatically improve in the next few years?