Following the attempted censure of Brentwood Alderman Maureen Saunders, resident Mark Wilson — who ran for mayor in the recent election — supported her in the board of aldermen meeting on Monday. Saunders responded; said she’s been “vilified” since before she was on the board.
Wilson said he was “a little disheartened” by a select few (city officials) that have reinforced an environment “where friction and disharmony reigns — an environment that we all thought would change with the promise of new leadership.
“Specifically I’m referring to the attempt to censure Alderman Saunders. The objective or purpose of censure is an assembly’s collective expression of displeasure concerning the grave or serious misconduct of another member. Censure is very serious, and a rare step one normally reserves for the intent and actions regarded as unethical, morally irresponsible or even criminal.
“And though I believe alderperson Saunders was clearly zealous in pursuit of data in order to make informed decisions in the best interest of the city, I do not believe any of her actions resulted in injurious consequences for our city.”
He also said he believes Saunders and Alderman Plufka may have discussed city business by email, which would have been better reserved for executive session, but it was stopped when city attorney Frank Albrecht advised against it.
“I think it’s time for this board to dedicate its time and energy to the business that’s fundamental to the future of our city. I strongly urge us to lead by consensus, not by dictating it,” Wilson said.
Saunders thanked Wilson, and said she knows she doesn’t always get everything right, and said she wanted people to know where she’s coming from.
She said she was “vilified by the former board, the former mayor and many of the employees,” since before she was on the board.
She said it’s easy to read emails, and “you hear those stories long enough that when you read those emails you hear a different voice, and it’s already been tainted by former aldermen, and other employees.
“And at the last meeting here, Glen Jamboretz sat in the audience. Glen was the one that was convicted of doing the nasty emails and so forth during my campaign. And Glen had to pay the fine, and he also said he did this with the help of other city employees.
“So it’s very interesting that at the last meeting, the gentleman from Ladue decides to go ahead an attend our meeting, send a snide email to my husband, with a lot of the employees here. It was almost like it was a warning shot — you run, you’re going to pay again. Well I don’t get scared very easily.
“But I just think some times you have to look at where I’m coming from, and all the stuff that I’ve been put through…” she said.
Saunders said following the the censorship attempt she’s trying to recheck her work and be more careful in her phrasing.
The board also considered an ordinance to take a market-based approach to a new employee compensation plan. See also: Brentwood employee compensation bill would cap top salaries
Labor attorney for the city, Brian Hey, said he has been in negotiation with the fire fighter’s union about the plan, and the bill can not be finally adopted until it has the union’s permission.
“We anticipate talking to the unions next week,” Hey said. “We will inform the union of the city’s position as discussed in executive session.”
See the Brentwood City YouTube recording of the meeting.
Thank you Mr. Wilson for standing up for Alderwoman Saunders! We need more representatives of our city like her! Mayor Thornton needs to wake up and realize who is truly the best for our city! As for Alderman Toohey, a bit of growing up may be in order! Being the youngster of the board is being seen by we the citizens! Maybe when he grows up, gets married and has children he may have a better understanding of Brentwood residents! Otherwise, Long live the frat boy Toohey!
Thanks Mark for speaking up, you and Maureen may have made good Marines as you have excellent leadership skills. You both have Improvised, Adapted and Overcame Adversities that proves you are both Leaders.
I still haven’t heard from the BOA of moving all financial assets from Eagle Bank to West Community Credit Union! Apparently the BOA does not read 40 South. West has been a huge anchor in our community as I think West has been in Brentwood longer than any other financial institution.
Wasn’t it West who blew the whistle on Seemayer?
That’s right Brian. And I have another reason to vote for Mark Wilson: he didn’t make a single fumble or “my bad” when he shared his completely invented yard-sign story at the end of the mayoral debate you attended. Now that’s the kind of mayor we want!!
Some people are completely in the dark. Wake up Brentwood Citizen. The so called “affidavit” signed by the business owner was not a legal document. It held no validity. This was confirmed by an attorney. The whole yard sign story WAS true as told by Mark Wilson. Another example of dirty politics. So that’s the kind of person we have in office. Very scary.
It’s never a good thing when Glenn Jamboretz rears his ugly head at city council meetings in Brentwood or any other city. Jambo is an unethical Ladue gadfly who’s earned a living in recent years by illegally meddling in local elections and subverting the democratic process in these cities. He was busted and fined by the Missouri Ethics Commission for his criminal activities in Brentwood in 2012 — activities aimed at preventing Ward 1 voters from deciding their ward’s future freely. Jambo is a close friend of Pat Kelly and was attempting to sway Ward 1 voters to elect Kelly’s man, Jim Bischoff, when the State caught him in the act. The Kelly-Jambo dirty tricks exploded in their faces and Maureen Saunders was elected in a 2-to-1 landslide. Soon thereafter Kelly chose not to seek another term.
Kelly endorsed Chris Thornton to succeed him as mayor and Thornton has been dogged by his association with the disgraced former mayor ever since. Thornton has an opportunity now to put distance between himself and Kelly, and to signal to Brentwood residents that criminals are not welcome in our city’s affairs, by banning Glenn Jamboretz from all future city meetings of every kind. He’s not a city resident and he’s been found guilty of sabotaging a city election. Those are reasons enough for a lifetime ban.
I voted for Chris Thornton back in April and now wish to ask my fellow citizens for their forgiveness. It was a big mistake and I truly regret it. I was seduced by Thornton’s folksy, commanding performance at the mayoral debate. I believe others were similarly seduced. I wish to offer a special apology to Mark Wilson, whom I now realize was our best choice for charting a sound new course for our city. Thank God Brentwood has shortened the mayor’s term from 4 years to 2, and I hope Wilson will run again at the next opportunity. I was not an admirer of Pat Kelly, but Kelly conducted the city council meetings professionally and with some decorum. He was not constantly fumbling and then flippantly quipping, “My bad!!” Thornton reminds me of a privileged frat boy. The last straw for me was when he plotted with our other frat boy, Patrick Toohey, to publicly ambush Maureen Saunders, the courageous lady who has almost single-handedly restored good government to our city. Thornton and Toohey look like idiots trying to reprimand the best public servant this city has had in recent memory.
Funny but didn’t the firemen endorse a right to work candidate in the last govenors election?
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