Alderman Patrick Toohey Clarifies Points From Previous Interview

Toohey sent a letter to Patch, unsolicited, on Monday.

Brentwood Alderman (Ward 4) Patrick Toohey contacted Maplewood-Brentwood Patch to talk about city government, which resulted in an article on Feb. 18. Toohey sent a clarification of the article to Patch on Monday, asking for it to be published. He calls his suggested system "the best possible way to demonstrate to residents that the City is functioning efficiently and correctly." A question raised by the article, from Brentwood resident Jim Pozzo, was "whether it was legal or appropriate for an alderman to talk to the Patch to discuss "possible" recommendations from the closed meetings with the State Auditor's Office?" Media Director at Missouri State Auditor's Office, Spence Jackson, had no comment on the question. He only said, "Our role…

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Alderman Patrick Toohey: Brentwood Needs Financial Controls, Less Anger in Meetings

Toohey said good controls would promote trust in the city.

Alderman Patrick Toohey: Brentwood Needs Financial Controls, Less Anger in Meetings, Whistleblower Hotline

Toohey said good controls would promote trust in the city.

Alderman Patrick Toohey: Brentwood Needs Financial Controls, Less Anger in Meetings, Whistleblower Hotline

Toohey said good controls would promote trust in the city.

Brentwood Ward 4 Councilman Patrick Toohey last week contacted Maplewood-Brentwood Patch with a request to talk about how Brentwood could be better run. Toohey is an accountant, and said the state audit of the city (to be made public early this year), is a good opportunity to improve the city’s processes. At Ray’s Donuts, on Feb. 16, Toohey talked about financial controls, city government hierarchy, productive board meetings and a city whistle blower hot line. He said internal controls have never been a big part of city audits. “This could be a chance for Brentwood to lead the way," Toohey said. He said administrative sign-off for credit card reconciliations is an example of a control. “Someone like Gina (Jarvis, CPA, Brentwood Finance …

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Brentwood's Elected Official Insurance Ends

Kelly defended the city-paid benefit and himself in an acrimonious meeting where he was told more than once to resign.

The Brentwood Board of Aldermen voted Monday night to end city-paid health care for elected officials, a benefit that has been maligned by many residents and one vocal alderwoman. The decision follows exposure from Fox 2 News, including an interview with Mayor Pat Kelly at City Hall. The motion by Alderwoman Maureen Saunders passed in a 4-3 vote minus Alderman Andy Leahy, who recused himself and stormed out of the room saying his vote would be “tainted.” There was some back-and-forth between Leahy and Saunders, but it wasn’t clear what Leahy meant by the word. (Keep up with all the Brentwood news, get Maplewood-Brentwood Patch free in your inbox every day.) “It’s just a shame they didn’t end (the health insurance benefit) at the beginning…

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Brentwood Board of Aldermen Now on YouTube

No excuse for incorrect meeting minutes anymore - just check YouTube!

The newest members of the Brentwood Board of Aldermen, in city hall, will have a distinction not shared by the more experienced board members: every one of the meetings they attend will be recorded and posted to YouTube. The meeting Patrick Toohey, Cindy Manestar and Maureen Saunders were sworn in, April 16, was the first one uploaded to the video social-networking site. Kevin McCarthy, who was once Brentwood’s director of communications, records each meeting with five video cameras: front (directed at the podium), rear (directed most of the time at the mayor, but can pan), two side cameras (directed at each side of the aldermen), and a camera just for documents, when they are used in a meeting. McCarthy is a contract employee for the city…

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Brentwood Aldermen Sworn In, Departing Members Recognized

Three first-time aldermen and one incumbent were sworn in at Monday's meeting.

Following a sometimes-tumultuous aldermanic race in Brentwood's Ward 1, a close one in Ward 4, and two uncontested races, the four aldermen were sworn in. City administrator Bola Akande read the certified election results, then Maureen Saunders (Ward 1), Cindy Manestar (Ward 2), Andy Leahy (Ward 3) and Patrick Toohey (Ward 4) were sworn in, and walked behind the platform and took their seats. See more photos of the ceremony at Maplewood-Brentwood Patch Facebook, and Like it to keep up with all the news. Barbara Clements was recognized for her 19 years as alderman, and Mike Marshall for his 11 years of service. Lorraine Krewson couldn't make the meeting because of illness, so her daughters accepted the recognition for her. Krewson was city …

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Newcomer Patrick Toohey Wins 3-Way Ward 4 Race

Toohey is on the board of the Brentwood Forest Condominiums, but this is his first time as a Brentwood alderman.

Aldermanic election newcomer Patrick Toohey defeated incumbent Lorraine Krewson, running for her fourth term in Brentwood’s fourth ward, as well as Gary S. Bierman, who had been an alderman in the 1980s. Toohey’s 69 votes beat out Krewson’s 56 and Beirman’s 42. The close three-way race didn’t give Toohey a majority of the votes, but it was enough. Toohey filed to run, then had a change of heart, thinking he didn’t have time to campaign. Then he decided to leave his name in. He’s on the board of Brentwood Forest Condominiums. He said his work there would have to speak for his qualifications to run. He said he’s sure Krewson and Bierman must be disappointed. “They each got to be an alderman in some capacity,” he said. “It’s kind of a roll in…

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Doug Miner

9:05 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Patch was unable to contact Krewson or Bierman the night of the election for comment, but since then both contacted Patch with statements. They've been added to the article.   more ›

Brentwoodians Cast Their Ballots in Wards 1, 4

Brentwood residents talked about why they came out to vote during Tuesday's municipal election.

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