At the August 17 Brentwood Board of Aldermen meeting the aldermen approved a bill to take over the duty of appointing committee members from the mayor. At the Sept. 8 meeting Mayor Chris Thornton objected to and vetoed the bill — his veto was sustained.
Thornton described the proceedings through an email:
“The Board took up the question of whether to override my veto and the override failed on a 3 – 4 vote. Kramer, Lochmoeller and Manestar voted to override the veto and Plufka, Saunders, Slusser and Toohey voted to sustain the veto. Alderman Leahy was absent. Six of the possible eight votes are required to override a veto by the Mayor regardless of the number of Aldermen present at the meeting.
“The effect of the veto was to leave Section 110.270 (A) and (B) of the City Code unchanged:
A. Appointment. At the first (1st) meeting of the Board of Aldermen after each annual election, the Mayor shall appoint the Chairmen and members of all standing committees. Such appointments shall be made with the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Board of Aldermen.
B. Members — Number And Requirements. The number of members of each committee shall be as provided by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen at the time of appointment. Only members of the Board of Aldermen shall be eligible to serve on the following standing committees: Public Safety, Public Works and Ways and Means. Members of the Board of Aldermen and any resident of the City who is a qualified voter under the laws and Constitution of this State and this City may serve on all other standing committees, whether now existing or hereafter created.
Thornton included his objections to bill #5981 in the email:
Censure from the Brentwood B of A? Thats really funny. Is that a felony?
Doug,
Apparently you missed the biggest story in Brentwood in the past several years. At the BOA meeting on Monday Alderman Toohey made a motion to censure Alderwoman Maureen Saunders (the expert on everything and self appointed watch dog for the community). His motion was seconded by Alderman Plfuka. Both discussed a long list of grievances and transgressions by the good Alderwoman, which of course she denied, it’s everyone else’s fault. Toohey stated Alderwoman Saunders was directly responsible for the finance and HR directors to quit. The vote was by secret ballot so the spineless Aldermen did not have to make a public comment. The hapless Mayor looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Brentwood at its best, we have a lot to be proud of. By the way, do actually cover any news? Saw it on Brentwood you tube. Way too much fun!
Thanks for the heads up, Charlie. I was at a Maplewood P&Z meeting that night and should have known to go to Brentwood City Hall next. I’ll try to do what I can on this, and do better next time!