What? Nothing about how Maureen and her cabal of sycophants screamed and ranted like crazy people against everyone who disagreed with them? Shame on you Doug, for covering single sides of every story.

Was there any other discussion on the ridiculously low 4% reserve?

Embarassed Said: "How the heck do you build a reserve without paying "excess" taxes toward such a fund?"

We'll were off to a good start by not paying firemen for hours they don't actually work and stopping city employees from playing Baja Poker with city funds.

Sorry if you don't like it when unhappy voters speak their mind E, civil discourse is a common form of expression in America.

Happy Patriot Day!

Thanks for responding Doug. I was referring to your first line of your story, that close to a hundred residents were on hand to have something "go their way." Paraphrasing since the story is up there for all to see. "Their way" implies that things haven't gone their way up til now, which then suggests that only Maureen Saunders was on the side of the residents of Brentwood. How about a comment from the City Administrator? The Mayor? The carefully crafted drama of last night's meeting seems to have sucked you in as well. If you think you completely covered the story, then I am in despair of the role of the fourth house...

I don't have a an idea of a fiscal plan for Brentwood, not my job. I depended on the elected officials for that and they have failed, period! Taxes for citizens, pensions for felons.

I'm not looking under rocks. Some people however have blinders on and aren't even paying attention. Thats how Brentwood ended up where it ended up. I think those days are over and people have had enough. If you were to take a confidence vote today in Brentwood, it would come back "No Confidence." Luckily for some that the terms were extended to 4 years before the rocks got looked under.

After the hate mail that was sent out during the election I'm not going to waste time on fairytale thoughts of treating people with respect. Sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire. Hard for Saunders to offer solutions when the people responsible for the mess in Brentwood won't even acknowledge that there is a mess that requires solving.

Stay tuned for the sweep it under the rug meeting at the executive session regarding the Seemayer pension. Does confidentiality apply to former employees who committed a felony against their employer? Everyone who was at the metting last night needs to stand in the hallway, outside of the door when the executive session is held, make these aldermen look you in the eye when they exit. See, whatever happens in the executive session is double secret and you'll never be told. Thats how its going to go down. The attorneys will poo poo the civil suit, case closed.

I agree that the patch reporting is one sided and irresponsible. It appears the patch is more concerned with snatching a juicy headline than providing a fair and balanced report. Take the time to write an article that fully explores the breadth and depth of what happened in the meeting. What about addressing the fear inducing flyers that were unfounded and the fact that taxes are actually being lowered as debt is retired. Guess facts are less appealing than the opportunity to rant and rave.

Truthwillprevail - The flyers were another issue at the meeting. Alderman Wynn called them "careless and reckless," and residents stood and rebutted him. And again, no one stood to agree with Wynn. BTW - and frankly, I'm not used to conversing with a pseudonym. I wish I knew who I was speaking to.

Petition for state audit, ended the elected officals healthcare benefits, made sure the library board understood the implications of taking 20 instead of the proposed 30 cents, requested a compensation survey ( since before I took office) so we can look at the largest cost item in our budget, met with city's financial advisor to discuss PILOTs funds and interest savings, asked the city to report back to the residents the finding of their recreation survey not bad for 5 months in office. I'm still learning but I need good information, which the city is reluctant to provide, to make sound decisions. I'm tired of being told play nice. This isn't play it's work. I am nice and I always play and work smart. The residents in Brentwood are very knowlegeable and if you listen to them you might just learn something. Give it a try.

I have it on very good authority (and when the Library Board approves their minutes, will confirm) that Ms Saunders did NOT want the Library to roll their tax rate back, that she, in fact, interrupted the Library Board’s meeting to prevent them from voting to decrease the taxes because she believed she could, wrongly, move money from their account to the City’s coffers! When she realized this wasn’t legally possible because the Library is a separate taxing district, she played the hero! (See her quote in Minor’s article of September 7.) The fact that Doug Minor was also at the Library board meeting and reported nothing about her blatant money grab, demonstrates he’s just another of Maureen’s tools. Ms Saunders decries we need more transparency yet she’s quite selective about where she (and her followers) shine the light!

Shelly please stop before you really embarrass yourself, you could not be more wrong. Alderman Saunders kept the Mayor and our Library Chair from increasing our tax to 30 cents. Before you make a fool of yourself look into the 11% TIF tax that was suppose to come off, but the Mayor and our Library Chair would have replaced with the library tax going from 15 to 30 instead of 15 to 20. In the end yolu saw that she received the support of other Aldermen on this topic.

Many thanks to Doug Minor and other writers at the Patch. I appreciate your reporting. You have been most helpful in sharing issues and points of view which is what a democracy is all about -- freedom of speech. If it weren't for your reporting, many of us would not be as informed. Thank you.

Embarrassed were you at the BOA meeting last night? It is difficult for me tell from your comment. I was there and there was equal discussion from both sides. There were numerous, constructive comments regarding the resereves as well as other topics. I am wondering if your concerns come from being used to seeing the "city operate as it has always done business" which does not allow for much discussion or input and is largely driven by a "few individuals". And, whenever anyone does have a diferent point of view or asks questions because they want to learn more, they are labaled: "vocal minority" or "cabal of sycophants". I personally have been called all sorts of names over the last 15 years by current and past alderpersons and mayors. So I have to disagree with your comments regarding Alderperson Saunders. I think she has treated residents, staff and elected officials with respect. Have you been to recent BOA meetings where other members of the Board have treated her disrespectfully. Or, the recent Library Board meeting?

Let's see, how do we build our reserves by not raising taxes:
- Redirecting the firefighter overtime pay to reserves
- Redirecting the TDD administrative fees to reserves
- Redirecting expenses related to the golf tournament to reserves
- Redirecting aldermanic benefits and pension to reserves
And this is just what we know about. I am sure there is more. Also, do a "zero based budget" which means every Department starts with "0" and has to justify every penny. That means looking at every cost (e.g. travel, cost of living plus merit plus longevity plus attendance increase) and redirecting savings to reserves. There is no excuse for our reserves not be amongst the strongest in the region given the amount of retail that we have. We just haven't been focused on it..but now is the time.

Why won't some commentators leave their names? This really undermines my confidence in what they have to say. What are you hiding for? Why should we take you seriously?

Can anything be gained at this point by considering action against Seemayer? My understanding is pensions are protected by laws that alderpersons can not change. I could be wrong though.

Of course, I am unhappy with the theft by Seemayer, and sometimes wonder what sort of chicanery went on with the developers that were given a lot of latitude (and TIFs) with our limited space in Brentwood.

Nevertheless, how long are we going to live in the past on these topics? What went on with the firefighter's pay was wrong. However, I am happy with our fire and ambulance protection overall and view it as a community asset. Police. Library - that is the same way. Parks. Schools -all good overall....most every aspect of Brentwood has improved over the last dozen years, my opinion, of course.

You know, it is possible to have better accountability while having cooperation. Point is, no entity can function properly with the Inquisition paranoia and constant living in the past.

Thus, I am glad this board has been stymied in deciding on the direction for the assets of City Hall and Community Center property - because I am pretty sure that the decision would be a poor one, considering the unproductive atmosphere on that Board.

Happy Brentwood Days everybody (Maddenfest?)....

Another source of funds for reserves: There is a different view than the City's version of what has happened with the lawsuit related to Meridian development which will cost the tax payer an additional $4 million. The City has said that we can afford to pay the $4 million and that operations will not be impacted. Since the developer is currently suing (AGAIN), there is an opportunity to re-negotiate the settlement agreement and redirect these funds to reserves.

Embarrassed, I don't want to drop to your level of name calling..I guess we will have to respectfully agree to disagree. I thought Alderperson Saunders explained the facts as she understood them. She also read a comment that she made regarding the Library Board which was very complimentary of their work. There were alot of figures being presented last week related to the proposed tax rates. And our Alderpersons should ask questions so they understand the issues and can make an informed decision about how to vote. There was a lot of conflicting information being provided. Currenlty, it is still unclear to me what tax rate is being proposed. Please see "Lynn's" comments above. And although I have been called all sorts of names over the years, I willl not hide behind a pseudo name. I am proud of my opinions. I wish that you could be too!

Lively discussion...love it. Just a couple things, I think DM did a fair job on the article, these events have been a long ongoing affair, and I wouldn't expect a writer to reiterate and give full background of the story every time he pens. What I like is that the updates keep coming.
And one thing, maybe its just me, but Embarrassed referring Ms Saunders as Citizen...well she IS a citizen, just like me, and you. She votes, right? I don't refer to public servants as public officials, or law enforcement as Authorities, who also by the way, are citizens. We place trust in these individuals and tether them power, which can be a dangerous thing for some people. The closer Saunders remains to the rest of us the better, in my opinion. As for looking under rocks, leave no stone unturned. This road to rebuilding trust and confidence in our representatives should be thorough, I would guard against any a hasty "nothing more to see here, move along" attitude. Cleaning up is a dirty business, and takes time.

I commend Alderperson Saunders for continuing her crusade. What us residents have always needed is a good barking dog on the Board to let US know when something smells.. It is not her role to offer one person solutions.... It is the Boards job to remedy. After Kelly, etc, are voted out, unfortunately.

I am not an attorney--it seems that all the profits and benefits associated with a criminal act (should the acts be adjudicated and found to be criminal) would be frozen from the (now found) guilty principle and returned to the City? I have no ill will for anyone in this unfortunate situation. I just think if the financial abuse was used to fund brothel parties, instead of alleged gambling debts, this distinction would be more prominent in the eyes of the tax payers. Should criminal activities be proved in illegal diversion of tax funds to cover personal debts, then all benefits and pensions (promised with proper fulfillment of the original job task) should go back to the City. I may be incorrect, but would like to know "how"?

(line 3) should read "principal..."

Found this on the internets -from the MO State Retirement system info.
I think the key word is "elected' official. Still unclear on non-elected. Not an attorney here either. Legal costs should be a consideration with this civil action.

Forfeiture of Service ?104.1084.8
Any elected state official convicted of a felony committed in connection with his/her duties as an elected state official will forfeit any credit for service rendered on or after August 28, 1999.