Brentwood Mayor Chris Thornton will not run for a third term in the 2019 municipal elections, he told the board of aldermen in a letter dated Dec. 20, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. He said he’s “a little amazed” of what he and the board have accomplished in the almost four years he’s been mayor.
Thornton’s letter, transcribed from a hard copy sent to 40 South, received Dec. 28:
Dear Board of Aldermen and City Administrator Akande,
Some of you have asked me if I intend to run for re-election in 2019. I have indicated to some of you individually that I do not intend to run. It occurred to me that it would be more appropriate to formally communicate to all of you that I will not be running for re-election in 2019.
I have enjoyed my time in office, but as you well know, it does require a significant amount of time. I am blessed with a family and a career that have given me the time to serve these last four years. It is time for me to focus all my energies on these important things. I am certain you will all understand this.
I want to thank all of you for the opportunity to serve as your Mayor and for the service you have given the City of Brentwood during my tenure. Your diligence, willingness to work, professionalism and commitment to the highest ethical standards and transparency in our government have been a tremendous benefit to me and the City of Brentwood. You have made me look better than I am and do the City proud!
Looking back on the last four years I am proud, and I will admit, a little amazed at all we have accomplished together. Not only have we kept the City running, in only four years we have:
- Resurfaced all of the City’s streets
- Dramatically improved the City’s urban forest
- Added new sidewalks and lighting
- Build a dog park
- Developed and implemented a rational and sustainable compensation plan for city employees
- Made necessary, unexpected corrections to our fire station
- Initiated a transformative flood mitigation plan to revitalize a significant portion of our City, make significant improvements on the Manchester Road and connect our City trail system to the Great Rivers Greenway.
- Partnered with our neighbors in Clayton to share Information Technology resources dramatically improving our capabilities in this important area
- Established an important, cooperative relationship with the Brentwood School District and the Board of Education
- Worked with the Planing and Zoning Commission to develop and achievable and beneficial vision for our City’s future
- Restored our City’s operation reserves to prudent levels
- Made significant improvements in our City parks
- Implemented fiscal best practices and controls including, but not limited to, all of those recommend by the State auditor in 2003
It is not an accident that I chose to list the State Audit report last. It has a special significance for he city of Brentwood. On one hand, it is a reminder of a time when many of our Citizens’ faith in their government was challenged by the acts of a few unscrupulous people. On the other hand, it is a measure of how my we have changed for the better.
I really do believe that most people who chose to serve in government whether as elected officials, employees or volunteers serving on boards and committees; do so our of a sincere desire to serve their community. Their decisions and actions are motivated by a sincere desire to improve the community and the lives of those they serve. I believe you can and should trust them. Not blindly, but perhaps until they give you reason to suspect otherwise. I think Ronald Reagan said it best, “trust but verify”!
If I can offer you one piece of advice for the future, it is to let go of the fear our past carries with it. In our time together, I know each of you has acted with honor and integrity. I have not the slightest doubt you will do so in the future. Your fellow citizens have chosen you to make important decisions on their behalf. They trust your judgement, I trust your judgement and so should each of you.
I look forward to the remainder of my time as your Mayor and to the future of the City of Warmth.
Sincerely,
Christopher A. Thornton, Mayor
Current Ward 1 alderman, David Dimmitt, has filed to run for mayor.
I am sure you all will find fault with whom ever has the job of mayor. You can’t please everyone. Let’s wait and see what you don’t like about the next person or maybe one of you could do better. Why don’t you run if you think this job is so easy.
I’ve been happy with his job thus far, he had some issues that seem might be due to lack of experience but I honestly don’t think they were purposely nefarious in nature. I did not vote for him the first time but I would have this time around. Can’t wait to see the flood mitigation/ Manchester rd. / green way project come to fruition. Many thanks to Mayor Thorton for pushing so hard for that!
Unpopular Opinion: The Mayor really hasn’t done that bad of a job, and this site (particularly the comments) are unnecessarily harsh on him.
He spends our money like a drunken sailor and is an arrogant a**, other than that he is fine
Well good riddance! I’m sure you will be so missed. I can’t wait to see where our 40 million dollar lack of budget you approved will end up.The next mayor will definitely have a long road ahead of them. I hope you are very successful in your new IT field the one you created with with the use of city funds and labor. I would of told you this to your face, but you canceled coffee with the mayor yet again. Bless your heart, and peace be with you.
Chris, didn’t you ever ALL OF THESE improvement could have been done without all the angst you brought in? You divided communities. You set priorities (and voters) based on value of real estate. The career you left and are now returning to had already left you. You pit neighbor against neighbor —each having a legitimate position. WHY all the chaos? I feel very glad on behalf of your wife and children that you are seeing the reality of your future. THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH… none deserved by them. I always believe you are trying to be the “king-pin” of good men—but in race terms, (win-place-show) you are out of your class–stepping up when you should have had more experience behind you. MAYOR of BRENTWOOD is NOT a “training race” for maidens looking for their first win. (sorry for he analogy–but horses make sense.)